There’s a common misconception that you can only get great audio equipment by spending a fortune, but that needn't be the case, as I've found while putting together a list of some of the best budget hi-fi speakers around.
Whether you’re new to collecting vinyl and looking to hook up to your first turntable, or you’re something of a music veteran who simply wants to grab a new pair of affordable speakers, you’ll find some great options below.
To ensure you get the right product for your needs and budget, I’ve highlighted my top choices in a variety of categories, along with links to where you can buy them at the best prices.
But before we go any further, let's kick things off with my no.1 pick which goes to the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1. You can't go wrong with these speakers. They offer crystal clear audio and offer 100W of pure power - all for a very good price.
Along with my eight product picks, below you'll also find a FAQ section to help you make an informed choice before you take the plunge.
Starting your hi-fi set-up from scratch and need a new record player to go with your speakers? Then be sure to check out our guide to the best budget turntables.
The quick list
A pair of super-sounding Bluetooth speakers with a classic, chunky design, Wharfedale's Diamond 9.1 top our list of the best budget hi-fi speakers. A sound investment thanks to their no-frills approach and punchy 5” woofer.
With their bright yellow detailing, these speakers are certainly eye-catching, but it’s their sound that’ll grab you, with rigid Kevlar cones and 4” bass drivers combining to pump out 70 watts of impressively clear sound.
The piffling price of these speakers will buy you a mightily impressive package – including 60 watts of finely balanced sound, a range of audio modes and a choice of connectivity options. No wonder these excellent, low-cost speakers are rated so highly.
Best overall
✅ Buy if you want a durable, great-sounding speaker: The Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 are solid, offer top audio and are available for a great price.
❌ Avoid if you'd like a more modern look: The Diamond 9.1 might look a little too retro for some.
If extra features such as Bluetooth connectivity and funky colour styles aren't factors in your search for a budget hi-fi speaker, and you want a set of good quality, well made, super-sounding speakers to connect to an amplifier, then look no further than the excellent Wharfedale Diamond 9.1.
Coming in slightly larger than some other speaker in this list, thanks to a 5” Kevlar woofer, the Diamond speakers offer pristine sound reproduction and build quality at a price that might surprise you.
That audio is helped along with an additional 1" textile tweeter which really does compliment the Kevlar mid/bass driver, and I found the overall performance to be fantastic.
Without built-in electronics, moving parts, or power connections, there’s very little that can go wrong with the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1, buying a pair is a solid investment in your listening journey at home and they come highly recommended.
Best active speaker
✅ Buy if you want an affordable, rock-solid speaker: The Majority Active D40X boast 70W of power and are Bluetooth enabled.
❌ Avoid if you want your speaker to look less distinctive: I like the yellow accents but can understand why others wouldn't be so keen.
It’s amazing what you can get for less than $/£100 these days when it comes to audio tech and if you need convincing, then take a closer look at the Majority Active D40X bookshelf speakers.
Packing rigid Kevlar cones and 4” bass drivers, these 2.0-channel, 70W speakers deliver thunder and clarity in equal measures.
There are numerous ways to hook them up to your devices – including Bluetooth 5.3 if you want to do some wireless streaming – and there’s even a remote control for when you can’t be bothered to lift yourself off the sofa.
While I found the Majority Active D40X to be an excellent set of speakers, hundreds of Amazon shoppers seem to agree with me, with the music masses rating these 4.5 / 5.
That said, I'm not sure if everyone will love the yellow accents on the Active D40X, but I think it makes them stand out from the crowd.
Best value
✅ Buy if you're on a tight budget: The Roxel Infinity boast excellent audio for their price.
❌ Avoid if you want more power: Spending a little more will give you more sonic punch.
The Roxel Infinity active bookshelf speakers might look a little nondescript, but you won’t be able to ignore the sound delivered by these 2.0-channel, 60W speakers.
I found they offered an immersive listening experience which was eye-opening, and when you take the price into consideration you're getting an superb set of speakers for an amazing price.
The Roxel Infinity come with a remote and when I hit play, I was rewarded with rich bass, finely balanced mids and clear highs.
You can also choose from a range of audio modes which is a nice touch, depending on whether you’re listening to music, watching movies or playing video games, or you can simply manually adjust the bass and treble to suit your own personal taste.
Add in a wide range of connectivity options, and you’ve got a quite remarkable package for the money and it more than deserves its place in this list of budget hi-fi speakers. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Best desktop
✅ Buy if you need a neat pair of desktop speakers: A great size for the desktop and they have a load of connectivity options.
❌ Avoid if you want to keep things simple: With so much going on, something a little more straightforward might suit you better.
If you're an audio enthusiast looking for high-quality audio without the premium price tag attached, then the Sanyun SW206 could be just what you're looking for.
These are a pair of desktop speakers that really impressed me thanks to Sanyun's range of versatile connectivity options, including ¼” jack, USB-C, optical and Bluetooth interfaces, ensuring compatibility with a vast range of devices.
The design is sleek and modern and they're right at home if you're in the market for a smart pair of budget hi-fi speakers for desktop use and ideal, great package for small listening set-ups.
Build quality is excellent and they can double up as audio production rigs.
A nice bonus is that fact that the Sanyun SW206 are available in some colour mixes: Dual Mode Black and Dual Mode White feature yellow cones, while the Black model is as dark as a black coffee on a moonless night.
If you're after a pair of desktop speakers for a great price, then look no further.
Best portable
✅ Buy if you want a versatile pair of speakers: The Get Together Duo can be easily moved from room to room and sound fantastic.
❌ Avoid if you want a big bass punch: The bass here is slightly lacking at higher volumes.
Tailored for the modern home, the House Of Marley Get Together Duo set provides exceptional sound quality and versatile connectivity, with some nice touches on the design front too.
The Get Togethers connect seamlessly to all your devices, ensuring a rich, uninterrupted audio experience, while the built-in battery gives you 25 hours of cable-free listening too from the right-sided speaker - although this can be hooked up to a USB wallplug if you prefer a more static listening environment.
This versatility makes them an ideal portable option: easy enough to take from room to room, or for taking them to a friend's house for a night of music and snacks.
Like all House Of Marley products, these speakers have been created with sustainability in mind and that's something I love to see.
Best premium
✅ Buy if you want a speaker for a larger room: The Spektor 2 are best suited to larger rooms where the audio delivery will be much better.
❌ Avoid if you want to save some cash: These are at the upper end of "budget" so something cheaper might be best for you.
Another, slightly higher-priced option for setups where an amplifier or receiver is the centrepiece are the big and powerful DALI Spektor 2 speakers.
These speakers sit at the top of what you’d call the budget end of the spectrum, but they deliver superior sound quality - especially with low end frequencies - thanks to the 5” woofer speaker.
When testing, I also found the stereo image of the Spektors to be superb, making them the ideal choice for slightly larger rooms.
Build quality is, as you’d expect at this price point, excellent and this results in the Spektors being a great value investment in your future listening pleasure.
The DALI Spektor 2 speakers also come in a variety of colour variations, making it easy to choose something to fit with your existing set up. They're available in Ash Black, Walnut Light and White.
Best for small spaces
✅ Buy if space is at a premium: These are a great pair of small speakers that still deliver quality audio.
❌ Avoid if you want to add a splash of colour to your set up: Colour options are limited and they won't suit every set up.
Compact bookshelf speakers are a superb option for smaller spaces, or where there are limited areas to place speakers.
British manufacturer Ruark has earned a whole host of accolades for its audio products, including a What Hi-Fi? award for its MR1 Mk2 speakers.
These desktop units are just 14cm high, yet offer the kind of power and panache you’d expect from much bigger, and more expensive, speakers.
Packing custom 20mm silk dome tweeters and 75mm polypropylene cone neodymium woofers, these small wonders deliver deep, resonant bass and impressive lucidity in the higher ranges.
You can easily connect them to a turntable or computer, while support for aptX HD means you can even stream your favourite tunes in Hi-Res.
Best for turntables
✅ Buy if you want big sounds: The 5” woofer in these means you can really blast out the tunes
❌ Avoid if you want more balance: Other speakers in the list will be better for set-ups away from turntables.
If your music listening encompasses connection to a turntable and also a computer, then the PreSonus Eris 5BT are a superb option.
Packing in a hefty 5” woofer, these speakers are capable of providing plenty of power and volume to your listening.
Their inherently flat frequency response may require some tweaking at source, although there are a couple of EQ controls onboard too so you can ensure they’re sounding at their best from the start.
Bluetooth connectivity rounds out the package, making the Eris into a comprehensive music-enjoyment package for not a lot of cash.
FAQ
When venturing into the world of budget hi-fi speakers, understanding your options and their respective benefits is crucial. This buyer’s guide will help you navigate the landscape, ensuring you find the perfect match for your audio needs.
What's the difference between active and passive speakers?
First, it’s essential to distinguish between active and passive speakers. Active speakers come with built-in amplification, which means they don't require an external amplifier to function.
This integration often results in a more straightforward setup and space-saving solutions, making them ideal for those who prefer a clean, minimalistic look. Additionally, the amplifier in an active speaker is specifically designed to match its drivers, leading to more efficient power use and optimised sound quality.
On the other hand, passive speakers require an external amplifier or receiver. This might seem like a drawback due to the additional cost and space required, but it allows for greater flexibility.
You can choose an amplifier that matches your specific audio preferences and upgrade it independently of your speakers. This is particularly appealing to audio enthusiasts who enjoy fine-tuning their setups to achieve a particular sound quality.
Connectivity options
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Connectivity is another critical factor to consider. Modern budget hi-fi speakers often come with a variety of connection options to accommodate different setups. Bluetooth connectivity is prevalent for wireless streaming, allowing you to play audio from smartphones, tablets, and other devices without physical cables. It's a convenient option for casual listening and is almost standard in today’s speaker systems.
For more traditional or professional setups, RCA and TRS inputs are common. RCA connections are typical in home audio environments, compatible with most home theater systems, and provide reliable sound quality. TRS, or Tip Ring Sleeve connections, are usually found in professional audio equipment and offer a balanced connection that reduces audio interference and noise – ideal for a purer sound if you're setting up a home studio.
How to choose the best budget hi-fi speaker
What sets the best budget hi-fi speakers apart from their competitors? It often boils down to how well they balance cost and performance.
The top contenders in the budget category manage to offer both good build quality and impressive sound fidelity. Look for speakers that provide clarity, balanced output across a broad range of frequencies, and minimal distortion at high volumes. Also, consider the durability of the materials used and the overall design, as these aspects can significantly impact the longevity and performance of your speakers.
In conclusion, choosing the best budget hi-fi speakers involves evaluating your specific needs regarding amplification, connectivity, and audio quality. By understanding the differences between active and passive systems, assessing connectivity options, and prioritising sound quality and construction, you can make an informed decision that ensures a superior listening experience without overshooting your budget. This approach will lead you to a set of speakers that fits your current audio setup and will give you years of happy listening.
Why you can trust us
⚡ Louder was established in 2017 and founded on long-running brands including Metal Hammer, Classic Rock and Prog (launched in 1986, 1998 and 2009 respectively)
⚡ Over 80,000 products reviewed on site, from music listening tech to albums and box sets
⚡ Our reviewers are all passionate music fans who draw on decades of testing experience
Louder’s reviewing team consists of music fans, musicians and professional product testers, who between them have accumulated decades of product reviewing experience, writing thousands of words on music listening gear across thousands of reviews on Louder. Our tests also inform our buyer's guide - just like this one.
As lifelong music fans, we're serious about the tech we listen to our favourite artists on. We want them to sound incredible, giving us all the detail those bands intended us to hear, and deliver the perfect balance of bass, mids and highs. We're looking for pure immersion in our chosen sounds, whether it's a classic '70s rock album, or a cutting-edge noise band.
And we test the the best budget hi-fi speakers with albums we know inside and out, and that we've listened to on a variety of systems already, so we know exactly what we should be hearing and when we're being short-changed by lackluster audio.
Meet the experts
Chris Corfield is the main author of our best earplugs for concerts guide and comes with a wealth of experience when it comes to writing about everything from guitar gear, synths and mics, to putting music production hardware through its paces. After 12 years covering all aspects of music, he knows how important it is to look after his hearing when testing products.
Paul has spent the past nine years testing and writing about gadgets and technology for the likes of Louder, T3 and TechRadar. He might not have the wealth or the looks of Tony Stark, but when it comes to knowing about the latest cool kit, Paul would surely give Iron-Man a run for his money. As for his musical leanings, Paul likes everything from Weyes Blood to Nirvana. If it's got a good melody, he's on board with it.
Latest updates
21/07/25: The guide has been updated to include the Majority Active D40X, Roxel Infinity and Ruark Audio MR1 MK2. A quick list highlighting three of the speakers is now included. Each main product now has At A Glance boxes explaining the pros and cons of each speaker. The FAQ section has been rewritten and a new section explaining why you can trust the Louder team have been added. Finally, there's a new "meet our experts" section.
Read more
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