Best speakers for Chromebooks and Chromeboxes in 2024

Investing in a Chromebook is a great way to save some cash on the purchase of a new laptop. Powered by Chrome OS and often by Intel’s Celeron CPU lineup, Chromebooks come in all shapes and sizes, and are ideal for students and those in need of a computer that won’t break the bank. That being said, Chromebooks aren’t exactly renowned for audio quality.

In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any laptop or desktop PC that’s specifically called out for sound (in a good way). Fortunately, there are all kinds of audio add-ons you can invest in after the fact for your Chromebook, and we’ve rounded up all the best speaker options for both Chromebooks and Chromebox systems.

Here are the best Chromebook and Chromebox speakers

A subwoofer is always better for sound quality if you can afford one. Luckily, the Logitech Z407 speakers come with a reasonably powerful subwoofer. And although the speakers are pretty compact, this Logitech 2.1 system has a lot going for it. For instance, there’s 80w of sound on tap, so you can easily turn up the volume next time you’re watching “Ms. Marvel,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” or even “Miss Congeniality 2.”

More importantly, whatever you’re listening to will sound good, especially in the mids, which is something often lacking in cheaper speakers. The soundstage is just serviceable, and the wireless dial takes some getting used to, not to mention it isn’t compatible with all apps; however, those are fairly minor quibbles. Instead, think about the Logitech’s Bluetooth connectivity (you can do analog as well) and how you can wirelessly connect to these speakers whenever you bring your Chromebook home.

To start, you might not get that deep rumble as there’s no subwoofer here, but the clarity and depth of these speakers outperform most other speakers in this price range. Thankfully, the Audioengine A2+ speakers have a sub out, so you can always add a subwoofer later if you need to feel that rumble whenever there’s an explosion in a movie or the kick drum hits.

These are fairly expensive speakers for most people, which is why they are our premium pick. But having Bluetooth connectivity as well as detailed sound makes for a clean-looking and great sounding setup that’s worth the investment.

You don’t have to break the bank to get a pair of speakers with a subwoofer. For less than $50, you can grab the Creative Pebble Plus — a 2.1 system that gives you stereo sound, some decent low-end, and surprisingly nice audio quality. The speakers can’t compete sound-wise with other options on this list, but they are a true upgrade from laptop speakers, no matter how good they purportedly are.

And even though they don’t make for the cleanest setup, they connect via USB as well as analog, so you can power and send uncompressed audio to them with a single cable. With 8 watts of power, the speakers are not going to fill a large room with a lot of audio. Still, they will provide plenty of volume while sitting at your desk. Unfortunately, there’s no wireless connectivity, but that’s really not a surprise for the price.

The Fluance Ai41 may not come with USB connectivity, but considering everything else they offer, that’s OK. After all, you can connect them via Bluetooth or analog RCA to a 3.5mm cable, and they offer an incredibly rich sound. They might only be a pair of active bookshelf speakers, but as soon as you start watching a blockbuster on these, you’ll start looking for a subwoofer inside that doesn’t exist — that’s how great their bass response is. The mid-range is equally outstanding, while the high-end is detailed without being fatiguing.

There are a few drawbacks to the Fluance Ai41. For one, they take up a lot of desk space. And that USB connectivity is sorely missed. They are also one of the pricier options on this list. However, if you want something that will blow you away while listening to your favorite guilty pleasures playlist, consider the Ai41.

Far more than an awesome speaker system for your Chromebook or Chromebox, the Logi Dock acts as a full-fledged media hub for your workstation. This means you’ll be able to connect and charge up to five USB devices at a time, plus there are two display outputs. Getting video to one or two external monitors is done through HDMI, but you’ll just want to make sure whatever displays you’re outputting to are compatible with the Logi Dock.

Beyond its wired connections, you’ll also be able to put the Dock into Bluetooth pairing mode for phone calls, video conferencing, and media playback. In addition, the Dock is an official partner of Microsoft Teams, which means you’ll be able to use the recessed action buttons on top of the device to answer calls and enable or disable audio and video. If you’re outfitting your entire business with Logi Docks, we recommend downloading Logitech’s intuitive Sync software to ensure your employees are running the latest firmware for the Dock.

Razer is well-known for its gaming PC keyboards, mice, and other components, but the company is also known for a handful of exciting audio add-ons. One such product is the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro, a soundbar/subwoofer combo that pulls off some pretty spot-on head-tracking. You know how Apple and other companies are all about spatial listening these days? Head-tracking tech is usually confined to earbuds or a headset, but the V2 Pro isn’t about the “usual.”

How it works is that an integrated camera tracks your moment-to-moment head movements. So, if you’re leaning slightly toward the left or right, the V2 Pro is savvy enough to pick up on the nuance, while adjusting sound output to match your new position. That’s on top of THX Spatial Audio, a technology that uses spacial algorithms to map out a listening environment, ensuring you get the best surround experience no matter what room you’re in.

Of course, you can also access Razer’s exciting RGB customizations, letting you create the perfect ambiance for your next Fortnite run.

JBL is a trusted name in the world of speakers, earbuds, headphones, and other audio products, and the JBL 104BT Powered Desktop Speakers make it easy to see why. The decibel details start with your speaker’s architecture, and JBL includes a number of optimizations at this level. One of the best is the combination of high-frequency drivers placed on top of woofers, which leaves listeners with playback that sounds both natural and immersive.

You’ll also notice that the rear of both speakers feature a low-end port. Normally, you’d find these cavities on subwoofers and tower speakers, where bass is just as crucial as the mids and highs. This goes to show how much care JBL puts into a pair of Chromebook-friendly speakers.

Speaking of which: you can use 3.5mm aux in, RCA, and TRS connections. There’s even a Bluetooth input, which bodes well for audio engineers who want to listen to mixes through both wired and wireless sources. After all, how will you know if that new track sounds any good through a pair of Bluetooth headphones?

We’re also glad to see a front control interface with all the most important adjustments right at your fingertips. This pair of JBL speakers is great for Chromebooks, but you can use these with just about any PC setup.

We’ve been talking about the Edifier G2000 for a long time now, so it was only a matter of time before we tried Edifier’s G5000 series. We’ve tested several PC speaker setups and soundbars over the years, but we’ve yet to come across any two-channel configuration that’s as loud and bass-heavy as the G5000. Whether you plan to use it to watch movies on your Chromebook or play video games, you’ll be wowed at how much bravura just two speakers can bring.

The target audience for the G5000 is definitely gamers. The RGB lighting is the dead giveaway, which could be a fun feature if you’re the type of person who cares about that kind of thing. Otherwise, there’s a handy Off button that shuts down the extra illumination. Still, the price is a bit steep on these, and we think a big culprit is the RGB integration.

That being said, we loved our time demoing these speakers, and could totally see them being used as part of an everyday Chromebook or Chromebox setup.

Though the Edifier G2000 aren’t the most detailed-sounding speakers, they are surprisingly capable. With plenty of volume and a nice, full sound, these tiny monitors prove that appearances can be deceiving. That’s especially true considering the fact that they offer 3.5mm, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity in a package half the size of some of the other offerings on this list.

They’re also more fun visually than most other computer speakers you’ll come across. And that’s not just because they come in three colors: black, white, and pink. It’s also because the G2000 sport 12 LED lighting effects to help liven up any setup or set the mood while you put on your favorite playlist or watch a movie.

Like other options from Edifier, the price is pretty reasonable, though they’re a bit more expensive than our other addition from the company on this list, probably due to the extra connectivity options.

ChromeOS users are not known for their penchant for gaming, but that doesn’t mean they don’t. For that reason, we’ve included the reasonably priced entry-level speaker system from SteelSeries’ new lineup, the SteelSeries Arena 3.

While they don’t quite reach the aural heights of the Arena 7 or Arena 9, as the 3 series can sound a little boxy without much in the way of low end, they’re a stellar option for those who want to play PUBG or any of the other titles available on ChromeOS due to their great soundstage. That means that the listening experience will be that much more immersive, not to mention these little egg-shaped speakers can get pretty loud, enveloping you in all the footsteps and gunshot sounds or whatever other audio produced by your favorite games. These speakers also let you plug in multiple sources for a more versatile computer audio setup.

What to look for in speakers for Chromebooks and Chromeboxes

There’s a wide range of computer speakers available, with many offering solid audio and many more not quite hitting the mark. Figuring out which set of speakers are best for you means knowing what to look for.

Sound quality is the most important factor, though not the only one. Still, it’s a good place to start. You’ll want to look at reviews or, better yet, see if you can hear them in person. Cheaper speakers tend to try to fake impressive audio by pumping the low and high end, but you want to get something where no part of the frequency range is overpowering anything else.

For example, the low end should be there but not overbearing. The same goes for the mid-range and high-end. Even if that sounds very technical, just give it a listen before buying or when you’re within that return period.

If there’s no low-end, your audio will sound thin. If there’s no mid-range, it will sound hollow. And, if there’s no high-end, it will sound veiled, like someone threw a sheet over the speaker. Also, keep in mind that to get really deep bass, you’ll need a subwoofer. Some speaker systems here come with one, while others have a sub-out port for adding one later.

Connectivity is also an important consideration. Since all computer speakers are active speakers, you won’t need extra equipment like a stereo system. A spot on a power outlet must also be available for them. While all the speakers in this list come with a 3.5mm connection (so you can use your computer’s headphone jack), some offer other types of connectivity, such as USB or Bluetooth, the latter of which is nice for those who prefer a more wireless setup.

So, what are the right speakers for you?

Chromebooks are just like any other laptop brand: ill-equipped when it comes to overall sound quality. This is why it’s important to invest in a Chromebook speaker setup that best matches your wants, needs, and any dreams you may have for future movie-watching and PC gaming. For most folks, the Logitech Z407 will be the best system for the job.

Easy to set up and a breeze to use, the Z407 delivers an immersive and satisfying two-channel experience, and even comes with a dedicated subwoofer. From highs to lows, there’s no frequency that goes untouched when you go with a Logitech audio rig. But this system doesn’t represent the top of the mountain by any means. To get closer to the peak, we suggest the Audioengine A2+.

As our premium pick, these speakers come in three terrific colors and really bring it when it comes to audio. While there’s no separate subwoofer with these (unless you buy one yourself), we doubt you’ll even look for an extra low-end option.

Of course, not everyone can afford the Audioengine A2+’s $270 asking price, which is also why we’ve highlighted the Creative Pebble Plus as our best value pick. Two cute-shaped speakers and a subwoofer are what we’re working with here, and the results are quite astonishing. For less than $50, you can expect sound quality that’s several notches above what it looks like this system can project.