Shop for speakers & speaker systems

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The ultraslim Haier SBEV40-Slim sounds surprisingly good for its size and features two HDMI inputs, making it one of the best budget sound bar options. Read review

Specs: Sound bar system, Wireless, Black, Active, 40 Watt, 80 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Vizio VHT215 looks sleek, sounds good, and is packed with inputs, making it one of the top budget sound bar choices. Read review

Specs: Sound bar system, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Jawbone Big Jambox doesn't quite measure up to the Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile and it carries a premium price tag, but it's an impressively designed product that offers strong performance and speakerphone capabilities. Read review

Specs: Wireless speaker, Wireless

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.3 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 25 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Energy Take Classic 5.1 is the best budget speaker system we've reviewed, earning our Editors' Choice Award with its outstanding sound quality and exquisite looks. Read review

Specs: Home theater speaker system, Wired, High-gloss black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 89 dB, 200 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're willing to pay a premium, the Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker is the best portable Bluetooth speaker on the market. Read review

Specs: Wireless speaker, Wireless

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 18 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Jambox is the most stylish portable speaker we've seen, with features and sound quality you won't find in comparable compact designs. Read review

Specs: Portable speaker, Black, Active, 85 dB

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 42 reviews

The Bottom Line: In the sea of affordable, forgettable iPod speakers, the Logitech S715i is a beacon for those who prefer their music to sound great. Read review

Specs: Portable speakers with digital player dock, Wired, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Creative D100 speaker plays music wirelessly from your Bluetooth-compatible music player with impressive low-end range from its dual 3-inch drivers, making it a worthwhile addition to your next outdoor get-together. And although it doesn't have a remote control or speakerphone functionality, the price is right for this portable speaker and it earns our recommendation. Read review

Specs: Portable speaker, Black, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Logitech wins again with the Wireless Boombox for iPad, delivering a speaker that sounds great and won't empty your wallet. We recommend it for stationary indoor and outdoor use, but portable music lovers should keep shopping. Read review

Specs: Wireless speaker, Wireless, Wired, Black, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Energy Power Bar sounds better than most sound bars when playing music, but there are better overall sound bars available for less money. Read review

Specs: Sound bar system, Wireless, Satin black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Monster Beatbox may not deliver the most refined sonics, but if you're looking for big, aggressive sound from a small box, this is the one you want. Read review

Specs: Speaker system with Apple dock, Wired, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Logitech Mini Boombox Bluetooth speaker doesn't sound quite as good as the Jawbone Jambox--or look quite as slick--but it can play loud and has identical features for about half the price. Read review

Specs: Wireless speaker for smartphones, tablets and laptops, Wireless, Wired, Black, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: While we'd prefer more input options, the Vizio VHT510 adds rear speakers to the traditional sound bar design, resulting in outstanding sound quality at a very affordable price. Read review

Specs: Sound bar system, Wired, Active, 75 Watt, 25 Watt, 60 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra MX6021 PC speaker system is a superior combination of design and performance available at a fairly affordable price. Read review

Specs: PC multimedia speaker system, Wired, Active, 66 Watt, 68 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: You'd be hard-pressed to find a pair of powered stereo speakers at this price point that sounds better--and offer more flexibility--than the Audioengine 5s. Read review

Specs: PC multimedia speakers, Wired, Black, 2-way - Active, 10 KOhm, 45 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Yamaha's YAS-101 is a great budget sound bar, with an excellent design and a helpful feature for dealing with remote signals, although it's light on connectivity. Read review

Specs: Sound Bar, Wired, Piano black, Active, 120 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Altec Lansing Octiv 650 is one of best-sounding iPod/iPhone speaker docks in its price class, with a distinct, stylish look and component video output to boot. Read review

Specs: Speaker system with iPod dock, Wired, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: You'd be hard-pressed to find an iPhone/iPod speaker-dock system that performs as well as Fluance FiSDK500 for $200. Read review

Specs: Speaker system with digital player dock, Wired, Black, 2-way - Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 14 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Jambox is the most stylish portable speaker we've seen, with features and sound quality you won't find in comparable compact designs. Read review

Specs: Portable speaker, Blue, Active, 85 dB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it won't blow you away with its sound quality, if you're looking for an affordable PC speaker-plus-subwoofer system, the Z523 is one of the best speaker systems in its price class. Read review

Specs: PC multimedia speaker system, Wired, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though they're not cheap, the Audioengine 2 speakers are an ideal combination of compact size and good looks, delivering great sound for their size. Read review

Specs: PC multimedia speakers, Wired, High-gloss white, 2-way - Active, 88 dB, 15 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Harman Kardon SB 16 features a premium price tag and some remote control quirks, but its excellent sound quality and exterior design make it worth the extra cash. Read review

Specs: Sound bar system, Active, 25 Watt, 100 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Soundfreaq Sound Kick portable Bluetooth speaker is a good value, with an attractive design and good performance for its size. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a compact, affordable speaker for your bedside table that charges two iPhone or iPods simultaneously, the Octiv Duo is well designed and offers reasonably good sound for the money. Read review

Specs: Speaker system with dual Apple dock, Wired, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: A single-speaker surround system, the Polk Audio SurroundBar works best as a home-theater solution for small rooms. Read review

Specs: Audio bar, Wired, Black, Active, 8 Ohm, 89 dB