On a more practical level, size and connectivity might be the most important factors when picking up budget computer speakers. SEE ALSO: These are the best computer speakers Unless you recognize all the different nuances in audio quality, it shouldn’t be a problem with anything on this list. Some of the options on this list might not be audiophile-friendly considering our budgetary restraints, but that’s fine. Fortunately, just about any standalone speakers you buy will be better than what’s in a laptop. The obvious first answer to that question is sound quality.

What should you look for in computer speakers? The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to enhance your computer audio. Unfortunately, standalone computer speakers cost money. They don’t do any of your favorite songs justice and don’t even think about watching a loud action movie with them. That’s because the default speakers that are built into most computer monitors or laptops are pretty crummy. There’s just one problem: You’ve gotta get some external speakers. Whether you’re binge watching YouTube videos, working on a student project, or getting some actual work done, good computer audio is a key part of a home desktop arrangement. And if it’s that bad for a conference call, can you imagine streaming a movie or listening to music? Chances are, you’ll max out the volume button on your laptop and still find the sound too soft to hear your boss on a Zoom or Google Meet conference clearly enough. And if there’s one thing that’s true about most computers, it’s that they have pretty terrible built-in speakers. Now that so many Americans are working from home full-time, a lot of us are spending a ton of time in front of our home computers.

Laptop speakers not loud enough