Speakers

Speakers for desktops, meeting rooms and home use

The right speaker depends on what is being listened to and where. A meeting room speakerphone has different priorities to desktop music speakers; a portable Bluetooth unit has different priorities to a smart speaker that lives in the kitchen. The category groups all of these under one section so a buyer comparing options finds them in one place.

What this category covers

Powered desktop speakers (active stereo pairs and soundbars for PC desks); Bluetooth portable speakers in pocket-size and larger formats; smart speakers with Alexa or Google Assistant built in; conferencing speakerphones (Jabra Speak, Logitech P710, Poly Sync) for meeting rooms; and small home cinema soundbars where a TV's built-in speakers fall short.

How to choose a speaker

Match the speaker to the room and the use

Desktop stereo pairs sit on the desk and project to one user. Soundbars cover wider listening areas. Conferencing speakerphones combine speakers with a microphone array for two-way meeting room audio. Bluetooth portables prioritise battery life and durability over peak quality. Smart speakers add voice control to the audio output.

Pick the connection method

USB-A or USB-C (Universal Serial Bus Type-C) powered speakers run from the host's USB port and need no power outlet, simple at the desk. 3.5 mm audio inputs work with most devices. Bluetooth is universal but adds latency, which matters for video and gaming. Wi-Fi multi-room speakers (Sonos and similar) coordinate playback across rooms.

For meetings, certify against the call platform

Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet certify specific speakerphones for full feature support. Buying certified models removes integration trouble during fleet roll-outs. Most current conferencing speakerphones are certified for the major platforms.

Match power output to the listening volume

Desktop speakers at moderate listening volume need 5 to 15 W per channel. Larger rooms and louder listening need more, often via a powered subwoofer. Bluetooth portables list peak power but sustained output for hours is what matters; battery management often limits sustained loudness.

Key features to compare

Subwoofer included or separate

Stereo pairs with a separate powered subwoofer (2.1 systems) deliver fuller bass than smaller stereo pairs alone. The subwoofer takes desk or floor space; if that is fine, 2.1 is worth the small extra cost.

Voice assistant integration

Smart speakers run Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. Choose by which assistant the buyer already uses; the daily-use experience is more about the assistant than the speaker brand.

Battery life on portables

Modern Bluetooth portables run 12 to 24 hours of playback per charge. Longer-life models exist for camping and outdoor use. Battery age slowly reduces this; expect a 30 to 40 percent reduction after three to four years.

What to check before buying

• Where is the speaker used: desk, meeting room, kitchen, outdoor, travel?
• Connection: USB, 3.5 mm, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or HDMI?
• For meeting rooms: certified for the company's call platform?
• Power output and listening volume of the typical use?
• Voice assistant integration required?

Frequently asked questions

Are smart speakers worth specifying for an office?

For most offices, no; smart speakers are designed for home use and the always-listening microphone raises privacy questions in shared spaces. For meeting rooms, dedicated conferencing speakerphones are the right choice. Some open-plan offices use smart speakers for ambient music; that is the main fit.

Do I need a soundbar with a modern TV?

Most modern TVs ship with thin built-in speakers that sound competent at low volume but lack bass and clarity at higher volume. A soundbar is the simplest upgrade: one cable to the TV, instant improvement. For dedicated home theatre, a full surround system improves further; for living rooms and meeting rooms, a soundbar covers most of the gap.

How important is wattage?

For sealed listening at moderate volume, 5 to 15 W per channel is fine. Wattage matters most for filling larger rooms and for outdoor portable use. Marketed peak wattage is often inflated; sustained continuous power is the more honest figure.

Do Bluetooth speakers have audio quality issues?

Bluetooth has historical compression that lowered audio quality. Current Bluetooth versions with codecs like aptX, AAC and LDAC produce audio quality that most listeners cannot distinguish from wired. The compromise is more about latency than fidelity, which matters for video and gaming.

What is the difference between active and passive speakers?

Active (powered) speakers have built-in amplifiers and need only a power outlet plus an audio source. Passive speakers need an external amplifier or AV receiver. For desk and office use, active is the default. For dedicated home theatre and music systems, passive speakers paired with a quality amplifier give more flexibility.