Best Speakers of 2022

May 22, 2022 Ty Pendlebury

    Sonos One
    Best sounding smart speaker
    $219 at Sonos
    Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2
    Best bookshelf speakers for the money
    $321 at Amazon
    Fluance XL8F
    Best tower speakers for the money
    $600 at Amazon
    Tribit Stormbox Micro
    Best budget Bluetooth speaker
    $40 at Amazon
    Vizio V21
    Best budget soundbar
    $189 at Amazon

    Edifier R1280DB
    Best computer speakers
    $140 at Amazon
    Yamaha YAS-209
    Best smart soundbar
    $349 at Amazon
    Vizio Elevate
    Best high-end soundbar
    $885 at Amazon

    Whether you’re in the market for bookshelf speakers, computer speakers, outdoor speakers, a small Bluetooth speaker,?smart speakers?with?Amazon Alexa?or a full home theater system, you’ll want to make sure you get the best performance for the money. Our picks for the best speakers should help you take your home theater or desktop system to the next level.
    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 Sonos

    Sarah Tew/CNET
    Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2
    Best bookshelf speakers for the money

Jun 2021

    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 well under $400.

Read our Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 review.

    $321 at Amazon

    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 Amazon

    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.

    $40 at Amazon

    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.

    $189 at Amazon

    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 $130. It doesn’t offer USB, though, so connect the headphone/line out of your PC to it instead.
    $140 at Amazon

    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.

    $349 at Amazon

    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.

    $885 at Amazon
    $888 at Walmart
    $1,000 at Best Buy
     More home entertainment essentials

Sonos One vs. Amazon Echo Studio: Which Smart Speaker Should You Buy?
Best Sonos Speakers from $100
Best 4K Projectors for 2022
Best Wireless Speakers for 2022
Best Soundbars under $300
Best Soundbars with Amazon Alexa in 2022
Best Bluetooth Speakers for 2022
Best Headphones of 2022
Best Turntables Under $300 in 2022
Best PC Speakers for 2022
Best AV Receivers for 2022
Best Universal Remotes for 2022
Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar for 2022
Best Wireless Bluetooth Boombox for 2022
Best Home Theater Systems of 2022