Best Speakers of 2022

By
Ty Pendlebury
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When you’re looking for new speakers, you have to consider your needs. Do you want speakers for your television, a speaker for a specific room or something a little more portable to take on trips? There are a lot of different kinds out there, including bookshelf speakers, computer speakers, outdoor speakers, small Bluetooth speakers, smart speakers with Amazon Alexa and full home theater systems. We’ve rounded up the best speakers out there right now — you can take your audio setup to the next level without stressing over the options.

We’ve highlighted speakers that cost between $50 and around $1,000, including budget TV upgrades such as the Vizio V21. While most of the included systems are powered, you’ll also find passive loudspeakers, such as the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2, that just need to be paired with a great AV receiver. 

Each product highlighted has great sound and can be considered the best speaker in its particular category. We’ll update this list periodically as we review new products.

Read more: Best Soundbar for 2022

Sonos One

Best sounding smart speaker


Oct 2021

With great sound, a compact size and the option of either Google Assistant or Alexa, the Sonos One reaffirms its place as the best smart speaker for the money and packs a lot of punch for a little speaker.

Read our Sonos One review.

 

$219 at Audio AdviceGet Price AlertsYou’re receiving price alerts for Sonos One (Gen 2, Black)

Sarah Tew/CNET

Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2

Best bookshelf speakers for the money

Elac has been belting out classic, affordable designs ever since its, er, debut in 2015. The Debut 2.0 exemplifies the brand’s appeal to both the budget-conscious and audiophiles. It offers a lively, insightful sound and attractive looks for around $400.

$304 at Amazon$400 at Best BuyGet Price Alerts$400 at CrutchfieldYou’re receiving price alerts for Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2

Ty Pendlebury/CNET

Fluance XL8F

Best tower speakers for the money

Want the biggest sound? You’ll need big speakers. The size of the Fluance XL8 towers, and their fit and finish, is unmatched by other speakers at its price. The sound of the XL8F is open and thrilling, but never shrill, and when fed a movie soundtrack these speakers simply zing. They’re no slouch with music either. If you truly want the maximum speaker for your money, the huge Fluance XL8F has no equal.

Read our Fluance XL8F review.

 

$600 at AmazonGet Price AlertsYou’re receiving price alerts for Fluance XL8F (Walnut)

David Carnoy/CNET

Tribit Stormbox Micro

Best budget Bluetooth speaker


Dec 2020

Budget Bluetooth speakers are seemingly a dime a dozen, but among the countless options there do lie some gems. The $50 Tribit Stormbox Micro is a compact, portable speaker that offers both waterproofing and excellent bass for its size.

Read our Tribit StormBox Micro review.

 

$50 at AmazonGet Price AlertsYou’re receiving price alerts for Tribit StormBox Micro

Ty Pendlebury/CNET

Vizio V21

Best budget soundbar

Vizio has a reputation for making great budget equipment and the Vizio V21 is an excellent example. It sounds really good and it’s super easy to set up. It offers Bluetooth, HDMI connectivity and a separate sub, making for exceptional value.

Read our Vizio V21 review.

 

$150 at Target$190 at AmazonGet Price AlertsYou’re receiving price alerts for Vizio V21

Amazon

Edifier R1280DB

Best computer speakers

The Edifier R1280DB offers almost everything you could want in a PC speaker — excellent sound, a range of connections including Bluetooth and a compact footprint — and all for a reasonable $150. It doesn’t offer USB, though, so connect the headphone/line out of your PC to it instead.

$150 at Best Buy$150 at AmazonGet Price AlertsYou’re receiving price alerts for Edifier R1280DB

Sarah Tew/CNET

Yamaha YAS-209

Best smart soundbar


Dec 2020

The Yamaha YAS-209 is one of the most fully featured soundbars the company has ever offered — especially at the price. With Alexa, HDMI connectivity and a wireless subwoofer, this soundbar doesn’t want for anything. The sound quality is great too.

Read our Yamaha YAS-209 review.

 

$350 at Amazon$350 at Best BuyGet Price Alerts$350 at CrutchfieldYou’re receiving price alerts for Yamaha YAS-209

Ty Pendlebury/CNET

Vizio Elevate

Best high-end soundbar

The Vizio Elevate may have one big gimmick at the core of it, that revolving height speaker, but it also offers sound quality to back up the gee-whizzery. This is a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar, with a hefty subwoofer, and its performance is equally thrilling in both movies and music. Add in a bunch of streaming features and you have the best surround system under a grand.

Read our Vizio Elevate P514A-H6 review.

 

$862 at Amazon$1,000 at Best BuyGet Price AlertsYou’re receiving price alerts for Vizio Elevate P514A-H6

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