A USB-connected speaker offers distinctive advantages over traditional audio jack versions. Here is the main advantage:
USB speakers are wireless. You can freely move around with the speaker without being tethered to your seat.
The best USB speakers are optimized for outdoor use. You can move these speakers from room to room without having to move your computer as well.
Plus:
You can use a USB speaker with any device that supports this type of connectivity.
These types of speakers are convenient, fun, and highly affordable as well. But finding the right product for you will depend on a lot of research.
Here’s a shortcut:
Instead of spending time browsing thousands of USB speakers, refer to the list below. We have compiled the top products for you to browse through quickly.
Top 5 Best USB Speakers – 2023
| # | Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Logitech S120 2.0 Stereo Speakers, Black | 19,969 Reviews | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers - for PC (with 3.5mm AUX & PC Input) Black | 14,777 Reviews | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
JBL Go 2 Portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker (Navy) | 1,019 Reviews | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Bluetooth Wireless Speaker STOGA Mini Portable Speaker Small Wooden Beer Barrel, Cute Lovely Shape,... | 11 Reviews | Buy on Amazon |
1. Logitech S120 2.0 Stereo Speakers
This Logitech speaker set is designed solely based on two principles:
Slim design and user-friendly controls.
The results are simple but highly effective. The Logitech S120 is one of the best USB speakers you can buy on a budget.
For a 2.0 stereo system, it’s amazingly functional. The audio remains loud regardless of the small size of the speaker set.
It consumes only 2.3 watts of power. It’s definitely power-saving in this sense.
The speaker set is perfectly wireless. But there’s a surprise:
These speakers do come with a headphone jack to listen to music without disturbing people around you. It’s great when you want to listen to music in private without hauling your laptop room to room.
The price is more than reasonable. You can get this for around $10.
Plus:
These speakers will work with anything that has a USB port. You can use the speakers with both PC and Mac operating systems.
One minor downside though:
The speakers don’t have rechargeable batteries. You will have to connect them to a wall outlet to get them to work.
That not very convenient if you want to move indoors or outdoors freely with the speakers. But it’s at least better than having to use AA batteries.
Another note:
Don’t expect studio-quality audio from these speakers. The S120 is inexpensive, quite convenient, and delivers according to the price.
These are great speakers if you are on a budget. It’s recommended for those with limited space as well.
+Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Works with both PC and Mac
- Low power consumption
- Includes headphone jack
-Cons:
- Not rechargeable
- Mediocre sound quality
2.
What if your USB speaker could deliver great sound and look good? That’s exactly what the Pebble 2.0 speakers do.
These speakers have a unique design inspired by Japanese rock gardens. The speakers are shaped like large round pebbles and look so sleek.
The design is well thought out, and it shows:
The soundstage for the speakers is elevated 45 degrees. Audio projection is thus enhanced.
Most features focus on user convenience. For starters:
The speakers are compact and don’t consume much space on a desk. Despite the small size, they can deliver loud and clear audio.
Sound clarity is the defining feature of these speakers. The audio quality for the price range is quite amazing.
You will be able to clearly hear the highs, mids, and the lows. However:
There is no woofer. So you won’t get a complete audio experience.
The speakers come with a user-friendly control panel knob. Overall, it’s very easy to use.
These speakers are intended for desktop use. They don’t have a protective covering for outdoor use.
Interestingly enough, the speakers come with a single-use USB cable. You can use it to power up the speakers without needing extra cables.
+Pros:
- Single-use USB cable
- Cool design
- User-friendly controls
- Great audio clarity
- Enhanced audio projection
-Cons:
- No woofer sounds
3. Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers
The Bose Companion 2 is barely in the budget range. This is not a dirt cheap USB speaker with just “meh” audio quality.
Instead, you will get perks like this:
A wide soundstage optimized by TrueSpace stereo. You will hear audio loudly, and clearly, within a significantly spacious range.
The audio is sharp. You won’t hear any murmurs or unwanted noise coming from the speakers.
The sound from these speakers have two distinct qualities:
Audio is detailed and performance is significantly better on the deeper, low-end level. The sound is quite well-balanced.
There’s a caveat though:
The bass is not the best. The speakers are not good at all when delivering bass sound.
That’s probably because these lack a woofer unit. Other than that, the sound is incredible.
The speakers are also slightly larger in size. So you can hear audio at all ranges with excellent clarity.
These speakers are perfect not just for playing music, but for games and movies as well. It’s quite versatile in use.
The box includes a headphone jack for the speaker. There’s a volume control that turns very smoothly.
Overall, the speaker is highly user-friendly. It’s well-designed and affordable.
+Pros:
- High-end audio
- Excellent design
- Detailed audio
- No unnecessary sounds
- Headphone jack included
-Cons:
- Terrible bass delivery
4. JBL GO 2 Portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker
This perfect cube-shaped wireless speaker is made for outdoorsy types who like to bring music indoors and outdoors.
This is a Bluetooth-enabled speaker. If you don’t have Bluetooth, there’s an audio cable available to plug into the speaker and enjoy your playlist.
The Go 2 is built for portability and convenience. Here is a major perk:
It has a rechargeable battery inside. You can get playtime up to 5 hours without needing a wall outlet anywhere nearby.
It’s also IPX7 waterproof. The speaker is resistant to splashes and light rain in outdoor or shower room areas.
The speaker can double as a speakerphone too. You can make crystal clear calls hands-free thanks to this little gadget.
The wireless convenience comes at a price though:
It doesn’t deliver loud and bass-y audio as the wired JBL devices do. Yet, the sound is quite clear and detailed.
This speaker doesn’t have a subwoofer so the bass is nothing more than simply all right. If the bass is important to you, this may not be the speaker you are looking for.
Another plus:
The speaker is superbly compact. It’s the size of a palm.
Overall, the Go 2 is a highly convenient wireless speaker with top-notch portability busy people can love.
+Pros:
- Wireless Bluetooth
- Rechargeable battery
- Compact size
- Water resistant
- Detailed audio
-Cons:
- No subwoofer
- Audio not as good as wired counterparts
5. STOGA Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
Love beer? Love barrels? Then this beer barrel-shaped speaker might just be what you’ve been looking for.
The Stoga definitely sports a unique shape that will surely catch the eyes of guests. But looks aren’t all it offers.
This speaker offers:
Ultra portability, decent audio, and deep bass.
That’s right, unlike most USB speakers, this one has excellent bass infrastructure. However, don’t expect subwoofer-style bass.
It offers better bass than most others speaker in the same price range. It’s better than nothing.
There are more perks:
The speaker offers two play modes. You can either play music using Bluetooth, or you can connect to a TF card and play from that.
Either way, it’s highly convenient. Plus:
The Stoga includes a rechargeable battery. The 500mAH li-ion battery can play music for 3+ hours without a hitch.
The audio is powerful and sharp. More importantly, it’s very loud.
The audio could be a bit too loud on this speaker. It doesn’t have a volume control option on the housing.
Rather, you have to control volume from the streaming device, like your smartphone. It can be annoying when you only want to interact with the speaker.
+Pros:
- Loud, clear audio
- Cure barrel-shaped housing
- Rechargeable battery
- Two play modes
- Highly portable
- Decent bass playback
-Cons:
- No volume control on the body
Things to Know When Buying a USB Speaker
If you are shopping for a USB speaker on a tight budget, the sheer number of options available could overwhelm you. Use the tips below to make smart purchasing decisions and to avoid common mistakes:
Different Types of USB Speakers
You will encounter two main types of USB speaker when shopping for the best ones. Here’s a brief rundown on the types and what to expect:
Wired
Wired USB speakers require you to connect it to a wall outlet to work. The speaker may have wireless audio transmission, but it’s not completely wire free.
Some wired speaker pairs may connect to each other with a wire as well. These speakers don’t have the hassle of charging or changing batteries. But they aren’t as portable as you might think.
Wireless
Wireless speakers are completely wire-free. They are powered by batteries, either rechargeable or AA.
Wireless speakers are ultra-portable and can be carried anywhere, even to places without wall outlets. However, playtime will be limited to how long the batteries last until requiring recharging.
Both wired and wireless speakers have their upsides and downsides. Consider the features carefully and decide which you want.
The Main Features of a USB Speaker
Here are the most important aspects of USB speakers you need to keep an eye on:
Power Source
This refers to how the speaker is powered. Some speakers have rechargeable batteries while others require plugging in.
The power source determines how portable a speaker set is. If it’s wired, you might not be able to take it outdoors.
Wireless speakers can be taken outdoors, to poolsides, or even to the shower. Depending on your needs, choose the type of power source.
Bass
If you love playing hip beats with killer bass notes, you would need a USB speaker that is capable of rendering these sounds. Unfortunately, not all do.
The best bass speakers have subwoofers. But USB speakers are compact, and thus have no room for them.
However, some can play bass to a certain level. Some speakers can enhance bass sounds so it sounds good even without a subwoofer.
If you want a bass sound, you would have to seek out a USB speaker that offers this feature. Don’t assume that all have this feature.
Device Pairing
Want to pair your speaker with your smartphone or iPod? Then purchase USB speakers with Bluetooth capability.
You can pair two or more devices with Bluetooth. Most wireless USB speakers offer this option.
Headphone Jack
Want to listen to music in private on occasion? Then find a USB player with a jack for headphones.
Housing
The housing or the casing of the speaker determines how weather-resistant the speaker is.
Some USB speakers come with water-resistant housing so that you can take these near sources of water like pools or the bathroom.
The exterior case also gives your speaker personality. If you want a cool looking gadget, pay attention to how the casing looks like.
Things to Look for When Buying a USB Speaker
Keep these in mind when shopping for a USB speaker:
- Check the IP waterproof rating to understand whether the speaker you are buying is actually waterproof or just water resistant.
- A product with a warranty is a reliable purchase as opposed to a speaker that only has a return policy.
- Always check whether the USB connectivity offered is compatible with your computer and other devices.
- Aim for a lightweight and compact speaker if you want to take it with you when travelling.
Conclusion
A USB speaker can offer excellent convenience in terms of portability and great sound without the price tag of a surround sound speaker set. The trick is to find the right one.
It’s important to check features like size, power source, and bass availability to ensure that you are choosing the right product for your needs.
You also have the choice between a wired and a wireless product. Choose what is best for your lifestyle.
Keep the above tips in mind and you will be able to find an excellent USB speaker to match all your needs.