Speakers are something I take very seriously as a man who is passionate about his music. When I was asked to review the best speakers under $200, I immediately said yes. Although it’s not budget-friendly, the price range we’re looking at isn’t high end.
These speakers are great for those who already have a hi-fi or turntable and are looking for a set of speakers that won’t break the bank. Keep reading to find out which speakers are the best and most popular below $200.
Choose Between Wired or Wireless Speakers
Many people will ask this question when looking for speakers. In all honesty, you are the only person who can answer it. My main setup in my living room includes a wireless receiver. However, I also have a turntable which must be plugged in. Wireless only speakers are not the best option for me.
For someone who streams music only from their smartphone or another type of smart device, this is not an option. It would be easier to just have a Bluetooth speaker instead of using the speaker cables. There are speakers that offer both wireless and wired options.
You may be told by some that wired speakers are necessary to produce the best sound. However, this is false. The quality of your speakers and the device that you play music on will determine the quality you get.
If you have two speakers, one wired and one wireless, the wireless speaker will probably have better sound. This is true even if they are wired and wireless. Don’t get too attached to one speaker having a better sound than another.
Top 7 Speakers Under $200 Review
I was given a selection of the most sought-after speakers under $200 to try out. These speakers are affordable and accessible to everyone. They are for people who love to listen to their music and anyone who wants to make vinyl records come alive. I also include a few speakers I didn’t test but that are extremely popular.
1. Big Blue Party Indoor-Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
Big Blue Party speakers often make it onto lists of the best speakers under $200. I was eager to try this speaker. It is both bizarre and unique. It is metallic and stands tall. I like the idea of it as a bug zapper. It is easy to move and I like the idea of it being portable.
It is only a Bluetooth speaker so it is intended for people who listen to music on their phone or other wireless devices. It was amazing how quickly it paired with my phone. They also claim that it can pick-up a signal up to 33 feet away.
It picked up almost every corner of my house, so I had to test it out! It is wireless so there is no need for a power cable. The rechargeable battery gives you more than 4 hours of music!
This thing is amazing sound-wise. The music is very loud thanks to the four drivers. They claim that it produces a rich, 3D sound. I find it hard to argue with that. Although I didn’t expect much, after only a few minutes of using the speaker, I was impressed by how clear it sounds. This speaker even allowed me to play live music, and I can tell you that Bruce Springsteen’s Santa Clause is Coming To Town sounded incredible through it!
Pros:
- Great for pool or beach, water resistance
- Sound is great
- This thing is very loud!
- It couldn’t be easier to use
- You can play with the sound.
Cons:
- It is quite heavy
- It is important to monitor the battery.
This Bluetooth speaker is perfect for anyone who wants a Bluetooth speaker you can bring with you to any party or place you visit.
2. Micca PB42X Powered Bookshelf Speakers
We have a solid pair of speakers. These speakers look great! They are small enough to fit in any entertainment center, or on a shelf. These things are solid and have a great build quality. The asking price of the item is also reasonable at 120 dollars.
These speakers are wired only and do not support Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It is easy to hook them up. Simply connect the power cable to the receiver, or to your turntable, CD player, or other device.
The back has a power button and the volume can be controlled directly from the speakers. These are all very basic features, but they are a big part of why these speakers are so popular. These speakers are designed for the man who is just starting to love music again and needs a good set of affordable speakers.
Although the sound is louder than I expected, it is still quite loud. If you crank them up loudly, they can sound a bit rough. However, this could be corrected if you properly broke them in. The sound quality is excellent for the price. These speakers were tested with 4 different vinyl albums. Other than that, it was very loud. These speakers are easily recognizable as the best below PS200.
Pros:
- The asking price is reasonable
- These are ideal for tight spaces
- Drawn not a lot of attention
- It is very easy to connect your device
- Sound isn’t bad at all
Cons:
- This is not the most interesting design.
- Higher volumes can cause sound to get a bit strange
They are compact, affordable, and sound great! These are great speakers for those who want a budget set.
3. Bose 161 Speaker System
Bose is a big name in speakers, headphones, and sound. So getting a set from them for a little over 150 dollars is a great deal. Bose’s curvy design is something I love. The speakers have a sleek and modern look that anyone who has a modern setup will appreciate. These were sent to me in standard black. However, they are also available in white.
These speakers are wired only so please be aware. These speakers were easy to connect to my stereo receiver. With some clever wire management, it is almost impossible to see the wires. These speakers will work with any device you’ve ever connected before. These speakers are very easy to set up.
Bose has aimed for balanced stereo sound with these speakers and I believe they have succeeded. When I first turned on Poison’s “Open Up and Say Ahh”, one of my favourite vinyl records, I made sure they were not too loud. I also adjusted my stereo receiver settings to compensate for this. The sound these speakers produce is unquestionably amazing.
Pros:
- Very smart curvy design
- It is easy to set them up.
- These are very small in size
- They look fantastic on the wall
- Sound is well balanced
Cons:
- They can only be wired
- Others may not like the curvy look.
These speakers offer wired speakers at a reasonable price with Bose quality.
4. Pioneer SP-FS52 Andrew Jones Designed Floor standing
This one, again, I didn’t personally test but I was intrigued by the online picture of this amazing floor-standing speaker. These elegant, dark-black speakers are tall and stylish. Although their large size might put off some, I love the design of these speakers.
These speakers are wired so you’ll need to connect them to your device using cables. This is very simple and you will not have any problems hooking them up, even if these are your first epic floorstanding speakers. Pioneer sells these separately so it is important to order at least two. Although the price will go up, if you are looking for floor-standing speakers that look great, it’s worth it.
These are said to have excellent sound quality. However, it all depends on how your receiver is set up or whether you use your turntable or CD player. These sound quality are not only appreciated by most people but also audiophiles.
Pros:
- Impressively large design
- A classic look is a great choice
- There are no complaints about the sound quality
- They will be easy to set up
- High quality, strong design
Cons:
- Some rooms may find the bed a bit too big
- Two are better than one!
These floor standing speakers look great and make a statement.
5. Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
Edifier’s boys never fail to amaze me, and these speakers are currently available at a price of less than 150 dollars. These speakers are beautiful. It works great with a black front and a woodgrain body. These speakers are great to display. They are also small enough to fit on a shelf, or in a smaller space.
These are very popular because of their connectivity. All of these devices have Bluetooth. You can connect your smartphone to stream music to your speakers. Although the pairing process took longer than expected, my phone worked perfectly once it was connected. It is possible to connect your device directly to the speakers. This is great for older turntables or hi-fi that you want to listen to old vinyl . As I do!
It sounds great, and for the price it is I think this might be the best sounding speaker you can buy. Edifier has also included a treble and bass dials so that you can adjust the sound to your liking. This is something I love to see. It also comes with a remote control that allows you to do the same. Although you will need to tweak it in order to get the best sound quality, these speakers are amazing and I can see myself using them all the time.
Pros:
- Bluetooth speakers
- You can also connect things via cables
- Sound is very important
- Design is trendy and fashionable
- Speakers are extremely well-made
Cons:
- To get the sound right, it may take some playing.
- Woodgrain may not suit everyone’s tastes.
These speakers are simply stunning. You can also connect them via Bluetooth or cable. These speakers can do everything!
6. Polk Audio RC55i 2-Way In-Wall Speakers
These speakers were not available for me to test, but they are among the most sought-after speakers under $200. These speakers are simple to use. You cut a small area (approximately 3 and a 1/2 inches) in the wall, and then hide them in the wall.
These speakers require a more complicated setup than a pair of speakers that are placed on a shelf. Although you will need to create a space on your wall for these speakers, they provide a template that can be used to help you. Once you have connected the wire to your receiver, it’s ready to go. Although these speakers sound complicated, they are actually quite easy to install. This will take some effort and you might not be able to do it if you aren’t a skilled DIYer.
The sound quality is very good, with most reviews being very positive. These seem to be very popular and I was struck by the fact that some people claim there is no need for a subwoofer because the bass is so good. Although I haven’t tested them personally, I can confirm that the majority of reviews are positive.
Pros:
- You can hide them in the wall
- Sound is said be very good
- These speakers are compact and easy to use
- Includes a template for installation.
- Only 120 dollars
Cons:
- These require some DIY.
- Once installed, they are almost permanent
These speakers can be hidden in walls if you are looking for hidden speakers. Be careful though, they might be too good to be there!
7. JBL Charge 3 JBLCHARGE3BLKAM Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
This speaker was the last one that I had the opportunity to personally test. This is because the JBL speaker always ranks high on the list of speakers under $200. It has a very cool design. It looks almost like a bad, pill, or barrel. JBL offers this product in many colors, including black.
The speaker is easy to use. The speaker can be connected to your smartphone quickly. You can also plug your phone in and charge it, even though it is Bluetooth. Although I have not tried this, it appears you can connect up to three devices simultaneously. It sounds interesting, though I’m not sure why.
You can also connect multiple JBL speakers to amplify the sound. The battery lasts for around 20 hours on a single charge, which is quite impressive. This is also waterproof. This would work well if you have a swimming pool or are just hanging out on the beach.
The sound quality isn’t great. The sound quality is far better than I expected. You can adjust the bass and treble settings on your smartphone. I found it to be very useful and the result is amazing. This sound seems more for people who are looking to party so it is fine.
Pros:
- Design very interesting
- Multiple devices can be connected
- Sound is quite good
- Prices around 120 dollars
- Available in many colors
Cons:
- Loud volumes can cause sound problems
- It will be your best friend!
It has a compact design, long battery life and a waterproof body. All at a reasonable price. This speaker is amazing.
Conclusion
These speakers were great to test and I can’t wait to see which one wins. It all depends on the purpose of the speaker. The JBL or Big Blue Party Speaker are the best options if you need something that you can take with you and stream your music. The Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf speaker is the best choice if you need something that can do everything.
They can be used with both wired and wireless devices. You can use them with your turntable to play classic vinyl, or with your phone to listen to music like Spotify. They sound great and look great. They are my favorite speakers under $200.
It is important to mention that these audio systems are passive, and require the amplifier to boost the. Surprisingly there are so many options to choose from that it is difficult to decide which of the nine primary speakers is the best. It’s impressive. This budget-friendly PC audio system sounds amazing and delivers a lot of power.
For beginners in direction, I highly recommend it. You can manually adjust the bass and/or treble degrees to compensate for the treble-heavy sounds, but I found that keeping things somewhere within the middle was exceptional for thinking about a variety of tracks. It offers a variety of connectivity options that are difficult to find in other structures below 200.
FAQ for 7 Best Speakers Below $200
Why do branded speakers cost less than $200?
Branded speakers are not as expensive as they once were. This is because there is a growing demand for them and the competition has increased.
Which speakers below $200 are best for computer speakers?
There are many speakers that fit this criteria, but the ones mentioned below are some of the most popular.
- Logitech Z213 Speaker System
This speaker set is a great, low cost option for computer speakers. They offer a great sound and have a built-in subwoofer to provide deep bass.
- Creative Inspire T6300 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System with Subwoofer
This speaker set provides incredible sound quality and has many features that make it worth the price tag. It includes six satellite speakers and one subwoofer as well as an in-built control pod that lets you control your volume, bass, and other settings right from your desk.
- Panasonic SC-HTB770 2.1 Channel Home Theater System with Built-In Blu-Ray Player
This speaker set is perfect if you want something more than just a computer speaker system but don’t want to spend too much money on them either.
Which speakers below $200 are best for home theater systems?
The speakers below $200 are a good choice for home theater systems.
Best the speakers below $200 are: Polk Audio CS10, Klipsch R-1650, and Klipsch Reference R-14M.
Which speakers below $200 will work with my TV or gaming systems?
There are many speakers under $200 that will work with your TV or gaming systems.
Some of the most popular speakers for gaming are the Logitech Z623, Logitech Z506 and the JBL Arena.
For TVs, some of the more popular speakers are the Sony SRS-XB40, Sony SRS-XB30 and Sony SRS-XB20.
What other factors should I consider when purchasing a speaker below $200?
The most important factor to consider when purchasing a speaker below $200 is the sound quality. You want to be sure that the bass and treble are not too high or too low. Make sure that you test out the speaker in person before purchasing it, as some speakers may sound different than others in stores.
If you’re looking for a speaker with great sound quality and an affordable price, we recommend checking out the Sony SRS-XB10. It has a powerful bass with crisp treble and is one of the best sounding speakers under $200 on the market today.