7 Best Bose Computer Speakers [Review] 2025

By Robert Jones · 2020-12-25

Bose has many best computer speakers. Many audio lovers love this brand

It's funny, Bose. They’re a bit like Marmite, aren’t they? You either love ‘em or… well, you don’t. For years now, I've had people writing in, asking me about Bose computer speakers. "Are they any good, Robert?" they say. "Should I bother?" I’ve been testing audio gear since I was a lad, and Bose has always been… *there*. They’ve built quite the empire on making sound that’s a bit different, often in smaller packages. And for computer speakers, that can be a real plus. Nobody wants enormous boxes cluttering up their desk, do they? So, I decided it was high time I properly sat down with a few of their more popular models. I'm talking real-world use here, not just fancy lab tests. I hooked them up to my old workstation, my gaming rig, even my missus's laptop for a bit to see how they faired with her endless Zoom calls and questionable daytime telly. You’d be surprised what you learn then. Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s be clear. Bose isn’t always about outright audiophile-grade precision. They’ve often got a signature sound – a bit of warmth, a bit of an emphasis on the bass, a generally pleasing, easy-listening character. For many, that’s exactly what they want when they’re pottering about on their computer, listening to a bit of music, or watching a YouTube video. ### Bose Companion 2 Series III: The Everyday Workhorse This is probably where most folks start when they think about Bose computer speakers. I’ve known these to be knocking around for yonks. I even had a pair doing duty in my spare bedroom for a while, hooked up to an old iMac. They’re no-frills, mind. **First Impressions & Setup:** Dead simple. Two speakers, a couple of cables, plug it in, and off you go. No faffing about with software or complicated settings. Takes about two minutes, honest. They’re small enough to tuck away easily on most desks. **Sound Quality:** For their size and the price, they’re surprisingly decent. You get a good sense of stereo separation, and the sound is clear enough for general listening. Don’t expect earth-shattering bass, though. It’s there, it’s present, but it won’t rattle your fillings. What they do, they do well – a balanced, listenable sound that’s a definite step up from built-in monitor speakers. **Real-World Use:** Great for podcasts, general web browsing with a bit of background music, and even watching a film on your monitor. When I was running them, I felt they added a nice bit of atmosphere without being intrusive. They just… worked. No drama. **Pros:** * Very easy to set up and use * Compact size * Clear, balanced sound for the money * Good build quality – they feel sturdy **Cons:** * Limited bass extension * No fancy features like Bluetooth * Can sound a bit thin at higher volumes ### Bose Companion 20: Stepping Up a Bit Right, if you’ve got a bit more space and a bit more cash, the Companion 20s are the next rung up the ladder. I remember reviewing these when they first came out, and I was quite impressed. They’re a bit more substantial than the Series III. **First Impressions & Setup:** Again, straightforward. A bit bigger, a bit heavier. The control pod is a nice touch – a solid puck that sits on your desk, making it easy to adjust volume or mute. Feels premium, that does. **Sound Quality:** This is where you notice the difference. There’s more depth, more body to the sound. The bass is noticeably fuller and more impactful – not subwoofer levels, but certainly more satisfying for music. The mid-range is clearer, and vocals sound more present. You can push these a bit harder before they start to complain. I found they really opened up tracks that felt a bit flat on the smaller Companion 2s. **Real-World Use:** These are fantastic for music lovers who spend a lot of time at their computer. They fill a small to medium-sized office or bedroom with sound really well. Gaming benefits from the improved dynamics too. I ran them through a few rounds of ‘Doom Eternal’ – not my usual testing music, mind – and the explosions had a decent thump. **Pros:** * Excellent sound quality for a 2.0 system * solid bass for their size * Convenient and well-built control pod * Premium feel and aesthetics **Cons:** * More expensive * Still no dedicated subwoofer for true deep bass * Can be a bit large for very small desks ### Bose Companion 50: The 2.1 Option Now we