The best gaming speakers: Expert recommended

My pick for the best gaming speaker is the Logitech G560. This sound system features 7.1CH audio and DTS:X Ultra Surround Sound drivers for clean, immersive audio. 

The desktop speakers also feature reactive RGB lighting to pulse with your music or in-game sound effects, an excellent feature for content creators and streamers who want to add more visual flair to their videos and live streams. 

The dedicated subwoofer ensures you get deep, satisfying bass notes in epic game soundtracks and in-game audio cues like explosions. The entire system can also have Bluetooth connectivity for a completely wireless setup.

*Best price at the time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on the retailer.

Space is the most significant factor when purchasing a dedicated gaming speaker or sound system for your game room. There are compact options that are great for multi-monitor setups or desks that are on the smaller side. However, if you're a console gamer, you'll have to do a lot of measuring to make sure your bookshelf speakers, sound bars, or subwoofers will 1) fit in your space and 2) not rattle your neighbors and roommates awake when you want to squeeze in a few rounds of Apex before bed.

You'll also want to consider speakers with integrated Dolby or DTS audio processing, which can provide object-spatial audio without a headset. This allows you to pinpoint audio cues like enemy footsteps and gunfire to press your advantage or fall back and regroup.

While shopping for a set of gaming speakers, there are a few things to keep in mind before making a purchase:

• Price: Setting and sticking to a budget not only helps prevent overspending but also helps you focus on getting the best value for your money. Keeping to a budget lets you narrow your choices for easier comparisons between features like Dolby vs. DTS audio, RGB lighting, and connectivity options.
• Connectivity: Nothing is worse than opening a set of fancy gaming speakers only to find out that they won't connect to your gaming PC for whatever reason. Many new models use Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, which is great for smaller spaces where wires can be a trip hazard. Others use USB or 3.5mm AUX hardwire connections. Double-check your speakers and PC to make sure they'll be compatible.
• Compatibility: Not all gaming speakers are created equal. While the majority are made for use exclusively with PCs and laptops, some offer compatibility with Android and iOS mobile devices, game consoles like the PS5 or Nintendo Switch, and even alternative PC operating systems like Linux and MacOS. Double-check your speakers to ensure they're compatible with whatever you use to play games.

While testing and researching each set of gaming speakers featured on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:

• Audio quality: Just because a set of gaming speakers is expensive doesn't automatically mean that they'll provide a high-end audio experience. Many mid-range and budget-friendly models offer excellent audio quality via Dolby or DTS support, built-in subwoofers, and high-quality interference reduction-like insulation.
• Simultaneous connectivity: It's rare for gamers to stick to a single platform anymore, making it essential for quality gaming speakers to connect to multiple devices simultaneously or quickly and easily connect and disconnect when switching between consoles, mobile devices, and PCs/laptops.
• EQ profiles: Many new gaming speakers are supported by proprietary desktop apps that allow you to create custom equalization profiles for everything from streaming shows and movies to live streaming, recording podcasts, and even game-specific audio profiles to get the most out of your new audio system.

All digital audio processing drivers will give you great sound for both PC and console gaming. However, not all audio drivers and technology are created equal. Dolby is the undisputed king of home audio, and gaming speakers that use Dolby Atmos can create virtual surround sound for a more immersive experience without a headset. 

Another popular audio driver is DTS, similar to Dolby's more basic offerings. It boosts bass notes for bone-rattling boss music and explosions and isolates mid and high tones for crystal-clear dialogue and cleaner music tracks.

The folks over at Xbox certainly think so. But if you don't want to take their word for it, here's a breakdown of what Dolby Atmos is and what it can do for your gaming audio:

At its core, Dolby Atmos is an audio processing algorithm designed to replicate true surround sound in single or dual-speaker setups. If you invest in a dedicated sound system for your PC or console gaming setup, a Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar or speakers can replicate the spatial audio you experience with high-end gaming headsets. This means that even without a headset, you can still clearly pick up in-game audio cues like footsteps, enemy fire, or environmental sounds.

Gaming with a soundbar also means you will have more freedom to move about your space, mainly if you use wireless controllers, mice, and keyboards. Plus, you will not have to worry about charging a headset during gaming sessions.

The downside of a dedicated Dolby Atmos-enabled sound system is the space it takes up. Even the smallest soundbars and bookshelf speakers take up more space than a typical headset, so you will want to plan and take measurements to ensure everything will fit. You also need to be considerate of your roommates and neighbors, so choose a soundbar or speaker system that will not disturb everyone in the early morning hours while still providing you with a more immersive gaming experience.

It depends on the type of pro gamers. ESports pros will almost exclusively use headsets to communicate with teammates during tournaments, and headsets also allow them to focus on crucial in-game audio cues instead of a noisy stadium. Content creators like Twitch streamers and YouTubers use a mix of headsets and dedicated sound systems. Headsets are perfect for capturing audio and voice chat in multiplayer games since recording and playback hardware and software are built into a single, convenient unit.

However, dedicated sound systems are better for pre-recorded long plays, where a creator may want to appreciate the game's sound design, dialogue, and music with more robust audio technology. This setup also requires the use of a dedicated microphone and noise-isolation/cancellation software to separate the creator's voice track from the ambient and game audio for easier editing and cleaner commentary sound.

When choosing a gaming speaker, important features to consider include audio quality, compatibility with your device, connectivity options, and the size and shape of the speaker to ensure it fits in your gaming space.

While it's not essential, having a subwoofer can greatly enhance your gaming experience by providing deep, powerful bass notes that help to immerse you in the game.

Dolby Atmos is an audio processing technology that creates a three-dimensional sound experience, making it easier to pinpoint sound cues in games. While it's not necessary to have in your gaming speaker, it can greatly enhance your gaming experience if your games support it.