The Best PC Monitor Soundbars for Gaming and Everyday Work

A monitor's built-in speakers are thin and flat, so a desk bar can change how games, calls and music sound without taking over the workspace. This guide compares eight best pc monitor soundbars for gaming, work and everyday listening, from a simple USB-C bar to a full 2.1 system, and explains which one fits your desk and your budget.

Quick verdict: the best monitor soundbars at a glance

If you want one short answer, start with the Razer Leviathan V2 X, or the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 for the fullest gaming sound with a real subwoofer. The other six picks cover movies, clearer dialogue, a compact bar, a Samsung TV pairing and a portable option, so check the table first, then read the section that matches your desk.

Quick comparison table

The table below gives the fastest way to compare the eight picks, so use it to narrow the list before you read the detail. Every bar here is a real product with published specifications, and the table shows the channel layout, what ships in the box, the sound formats and the connection that matters most at a desk.

Our pick for most desks is the Razer Leviathan V2 X, because it needs only one USB-C cable for power and audio. If you want deeper bass, the Katana V2 is the stronger pick, while the Beam (Gen 2) leads for a compact bar that also plays music well.

How we selected the soundbars in this guide

Every model here is a real product sold in the United States, with published specifications from its manufacturer or from retailer specification pages. We compared width, included hardware, channel layout, sound formats and the connections a PC or monitor offers, and we left out models that could not be verified or that duplicated a stronger pick.

This guide is based on published manufacturer specifications and independent review coverage. It claims no testing of its own, and it does not rank products by review scores, because scores use different methods and change with each update. Instead, each pick earns its place for a clear reason: the simplest USB-C bar, the fullest gaming sound, the best value 2.1 system, the stereo pair, the compact Atmos bar, the tidy Samsung pairing, the portable option, or the clearest dialogue.

Eight of the best pc monitor soundbars for desks and monitors

Eight bars cover very different desks and budgets, so the order below follows the decision most buyers face first: a simple bar, a full gaming system, or a focused fix for movies, dialogue, size or portability. Each section states what is in the box and what it gives up.

Razer Leviathan V2 X: the simplest USB-C gaming bar

The Razer Leviathan V2 X is the simplest bar in this guide, and that is why it leads the list for most desks. It is 400 mm wide, so it fits under a 24-inch or 27-inch monitor without overhanging the stand, and a single USB-C cable carries both power and audio from the PC.

For a desk setup, that single cable matters more than channel count, because it keeps the workspace tidy and removes the need for a separate power brick. Razer lists two full-range racetrack drivers, two passive radiators, a maximum of 90 dB at one metre, and a range of 85 Hz to 20 kHz. THX Spatial Audio is available on PC through Razer Synapse software on Windows 10 and later, so the surround effect is a PC-only feature. Bluetooth 5.0 covers music from a phone, and 14-zone Chroma RGB lighting matches a gaming setup.

Buy it if you want the easiest desk bar to set up for games or music on a PC. Skip it if you need a 3.5 mm input or an HDMI connection, since Razer lists only USB-C and Bluetooth, or if you want deep bass, which a bar this size cannot produce without a subwoofer.

Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2: the fullest gaming sound

The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 is the fullest-sounding gaming pick here, because it is a real 2.1 system with a separate subwoofer. Creative lists a 600 mm bar and a subwoofer measuring 150 by 367 by 367 mm, with 126 W RMS and 252 W peak power across the system.

For gaming at a desk, the subwoofer changes the sound in a way no single bar can match, and the bar pairs it with two 2.5-inch mid-range drivers and two 0.75-inch tweeters. Creative lists the subwoofer driver at 6.5 inches, although at least one other retailer lists it at 5.25 inches, so treat the exact size as a published figure with a conflicting listing. The bar connects by USB-C, HDMI ARC, optical, AUX and Bluetooth 5.0, and supports Super X-Fi headphone audio and Dolby Digital decoding, with a range of 50 to 20,000 Hz.

Buy it if you want the strongest gaming sound here and you have room for a subwoofer under or beside the desk. Skip it if your desk is small, if you move the setup often, or if you need Dolby Atmos, which this model does not list.

Creative Stage V2: the 2.1 pick for movies and clearer dialogue

The Creative Stage V2 is the value 2.1 pick in this guide, and it earns that place by including the two things that matter most at its tier: a dedicated dialogue mode and a real subwoofer. Creative lists a 680 mm bar, a 116 by 250 by 423 mm subwoofer, and 80 W RMS with 160 W peak power.

For movies and TV at a desk, the Stage V2 is a practical step up from monitor speakers without the cost or the size of a premium system. Two 2.25-inch drivers sit in the bar, a 5.25-inch driver sits in the subwoofer, and Clear Dialog and Surround modes use Sound Blaster processing. It connects by USB-C audio, HDMI ARC, optical, AUX and Bluetooth 5.0, a remote is included, and about a two-metre cable tethers the subwoofer to the bar, with a range of 55 to 20,000 Hz. There is no Dolby Atmos or DTS support.

Buy it if you want a bar-and-subwoofer package at a modest tier and you can live without Dolby Atmos. Skip it if you need a compact bar, since the 680 mm width suits a wider monitor, or if you want guaranteed stock, because B&H lists the model as discontinued and it is best treated as a sale-only pick.

SteelSeries Arena 3: the stereo pair for a desk

The SteelSeries Arena 3 is different from every other pick here, because it is a pair of stereo speakers rather than a single soundbar. That matters for buyers who want a wider stereo image at a desk, and the article says so plainly so nobody buys it expecting a one-piece bar.

Each speaker holds a 4-inch organic fibre full-range driver with a front-facing bass port, and the stands tilt about 25 degrees to aim the sound at the listener. It connects by 3.5 mm AUX, with separate PC and headset jacks, and Bluetooth 5.0 covers music from a phone. There is no USB input, no optical input, no RGB lighting, no subwoofer and no subwoofer port, so the bass comes from the two speakers alone. Sonar software on PC adds EQ and virtual surround for games.

Buy it if you want a stereo pair with a wide image and you connect by 3.5 mm or Bluetooth. Skip it if you want a single bar, a USB connection, an optical input, or deep bass from a subwoofer, since this package has none of those.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2): the compact bar for smaller rooms

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is the compact pick for a bedroom, a small living room or a desk that doubles as a TV stand. Sonos lists a 5.0-channel layout with five Class-D amplifiers, one centre tweeter, four midwoofers and three passive radiators, in a bar only 25.6 inches wide.

The Beam (Gen 2) is easy to place and easy to live with, and it is the smallest bar here that decodes Dolby Atmos. It connects through a single HDMI eARC port and uses virtual height processing rather than up-firing drivers, with Wi-Fi, Ethernet and AirPlay 2 for music and an optical adapter included. A Sonos Sub Mini or Sub and Era 100 rears can be added later. The limits are physical: there is no subwoofer in the box, there is no Bluetooth, and the virtual Atmos effect is subtler than the up-firing drivers on larger bars.

Buy it if your room is small, your setup has HDMI eARC, and you want a tidy bar that also plays music well. Skip it if you need Bluetooth, strong bass for action movies without adding a subwoofer, or if your display has no HDMI eARC port.

Samsung HW-S60D: the tidy all-in-one bar for Samsung TVs

The Samsung HW-S60D is the tidy all-in-one pick in this guide, and it earns that place by packing its bass into the bar itself. Samsung lists a 5.0-channel system with seven speakers and 200 W of total power, with built-in woofers and a passive radiator, in a bar about 26.4 inches wide.

Q-Symphony can play the bar together with the speakers of a compatible Samsung TV, and wireless Dolby Atmos works with select Samsung TVs. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, with SpaceFit Sound Pro and Adaptive Sound, and connects by HDMI eARC and optical, with Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast for music. An optional SWA-W510 subwoofer and SWA-9200S rear speakers can be added later if the room needs more bass or surround.

Buy it if you own a compatible Samsung TV, you want one tidy bar with no extra boxes, and you like the idea of adding a subwoofer later. Skip it if you need a subwoofer in the box, if your TV is not a Samsung model that supports Q-Symphony, or if you want a bar with an HDMI input for a console.

Creative Stage Air V2: the portable bar for laptops

The Creative Stage Air V2 is the portable pick in this guide, and it is the bar to choose when the setup moves between rooms. Creative lists a 410 mm bar weighing 1.23 kg, with 10 W RMS and 20 W peak power, and a 2,200 mAh battery that lasts up to six hours at moderate volume.

The Stage Air V2 is easy to carry and easy to place: it connects by USB-C audio, Bluetooth 5.3 or AUX, and it needs no power outlet while the battery lasts. Its 80 to 20,000 Hz range suits voice, video calls and casual music, although it will not produce the deep bass of the 2.1 systems here. It sits just above the ultra-budget tier, so it is a small step up from the cheapest bars rather than the cheapest option of all.

Buy it if you move between rooms or desks, you use a laptop, and you want a bar that works without a power outlet. Skip it if you want room-filling sound for movies, a subwoofer, or a bar that stays in one place, since a mains-powered bar gives more for the same desk space.

Bose TV Speaker: the simplest upgrade for clear speech

The Bose TV Speaker is the pick for listeners who keep turning the volume up for dialogue and down for action scenes. Bose lists a three-driver array with a centre tweeter tuned for speech, a Dialogue Mode button on the remote, and adjustable bass, in a bar about 23.4 inches wide and 2.2 inches high.

A dedicated dialogue mode matters more than channel count for clear speech, and this is where the Bose bar earns its place. It connects by HDMI ARC, optical, 3.5 mm analog and Bluetooth 4.2, so it works with a TV, a monitor audio output, or a phone. There is no Wi-Fi, no Dolby Atmos and no subwoofer included, so bass and surround come from the bar alone unless an optional Bose bass module is added later.

Buy it if dialogue clarity is your main complaint and you want a simple bar with no setup fuss. Skip it if you want Dolby Atmos, deep bass for action movies without an add-on, or Wi-Fi music streaming, since this bar offers none of those.

What to check before you buy a monitor soundbar

A monitor soundbar is a desk purchase as much as an electronics purchase, so the checks below matter more than the channel count on the box. Measure the stand, find the audio output on the monitor or PC, and think about where a subwoofer will sit if the system has one.

How to match the best pc monitor soundbars to your desk

Desk size decides the system before price does, so start with the space rather than the specification sheet. A compact bar suits a small desk or a 24-inch monitor, while a wide desk with a 27-inch or larger monitor can take a 600 mm or 680 mm bar and a subwoofer underneath.

For a 27-inch monitor, which is about 610 mm wide, a bar between 400 and 600 mm wide looks balanced, and a bar that overhangs the desk edge is a daily annoyance. A small desk also changes the bass: a large subwoofer in a small room can overwhelm dialogue, so use the dialogue modes on the Creative and Bose bars, and keep the subwoofer on the floor rather than on the desk.

USB, optical, HDMI ARC and eARC: which connection suits a PC

The connection on the back of the monitor or PC decides which sound formats the soundbar can receive, so check it before you buy. USB-C carries power and audio in one cable on the Razer and Creative bars, while a 3.5 mm output works with the SteelSeries Arena 3 and the Bose TV Speaker.

HDMI eARC carries the highest-quality audio, including Dolby Atmos from Dolby TrueHD, while standard HDMI ARC carries compressed Atmos and Dolby Digital 5.1. Optical carries Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, but it cannot carry Dolby Atmos at all. The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) has no HDMI input, so every source must connect to the display first, and the Samsung HW-S60D connects by HDMI eARC and optical.

Do you need a subwoofer, Dolby Atmos or surround sound?

Dolby Atmos adds height to the sound, a separate subwoofer adds the low end that makes action scenes feel physical, and surround sound adds speakers behind the listener. Not every buyer needs all three, so match the formats to what the household actually watches and plays.

A separate subwoofer is the single most noticeable upgrade for movies and games, because a slim bar cannot move enough air for deep bass on its own. The Samsung HW-S60D is the exception, with built-in woofers, but even it can add an optional subwoofer later. Dolby Atmos matters mainly for movies and some games; if the household streams only from services that use stereo or Dolby Digital, a simpler bar such as the Stage V2 will not miss anything in daily use.

Budget, setup and the costs buyers often miss

The price tier of the bar is only part of the cost, so plan for the extras before you decide. A single bar needs one cable and a power outlet, while a 2.1 system needs floor space and a power outlet for the subwoofer, plus a mount if the bar does not sit on the desk.

Optional subwoofers and rears for the Sonos, Samsung and Bose bars are sold separately, so a bar can cost far more once the system is complete. If the household rents or moves often, a single bar or a portable bar such as the Creative Stage Air V2 is easier to pack and set up again than a system with a tethered subwoofer. Check stock first, since older models such as the Stage V2 may be discontinued at some retailers.

Frequently asked questions about monitor soundbars

The questions below cover the doubts that come up most often before a purchase, from whether a soundbar works with a monitor to which size fits a common desk. Each answer follows the same rule as the rest of this guide: it states what the specifications support and names the case where the answer changes.

Can a soundbar work with a PC monitor?

Yes, if the monitor or the PC has an audio output the bar can use. Most PC soundbars connect by USB-C or 3.5 mm, which a monitor with a headphone output or a PC with a USB port can provide, and the HDMI ARC and optical bars in this guide suit a monitor with those outputs or a TV.

Is USB better than Bluetooth for a computer soundbar?

Yes, for everyday use, because a USB connection carries power and audio in one cable and avoids the pairing and latency issues that Bluetooth can add. Bluetooth is still useful for music from a phone, which is why most bars in this guide include it alongside USB, optical or HDMI.

What size soundbar fits under a 27-inch monitor?

A 27-inch monitor is about 610 mm wide, so a bar between 400 and 600 mm wide looks balanced underneath it. Measure the desk, not the monitor: a bar that overhangs the desk edge is a daily annoyance, and a subwoofer needs floor space beside the desk itself.

Conclusion

Start with the Razer Leviathan V2 X for the simplest desk setup, or the Katana V2 for the fullest gaming sound. If dialogue, size or portability matters more, the Bose TV Speaker, the Beam (Gen 2) and the Stage Air V2 cover those needs. Measure your desk, check your monitor connection, and choose the bar you will enjoy every day.