Apartment speakers have a different job than speakers in a house. They need to fit on a small shelf or desk, sound good at moderate volume, and not shake the wall you share with a neighbor. The right pick depends mostly on what you plug it into and how much space you can spare.
This guide covers five speakers for five common setups: a desk or shelf stereo pair, a smart speaker with room tuning, a slim soundbar for the TV, a portable speaker, and a palm-sized smart speaker. Specs come from the manufacturers’ pages and launch coverage. Models and prices change, so check the current Amazon listing before you buy.
What to Look for in Speakers for a Small Apartment
Start with footprint. Measure the shelf, desk, or console where the speaker will sit, and compare the width and depth with the listing. Smaller speakers play less deep bass, which our guide to how speaker size affects sound quality explains, but in a small room that is often a fair trade.
Next, think about your neighbors. Bass travels through walls and floors more easily than higher notes, so a large subwoofer can cause more complaints than loud vocals. Keep speakers off shared walls, and start with any bass control turned down.
Then match the connection to your sources. Bluetooth is easy for phones; Wi-Fi speakers add multiroom features. Wired speakers need a cable from your TV, computer, or turntable. Our guide to Bluetooth and wireless speakers explains the differences.
Placement matters as much as the speaker. Our guides to speaker placement and improving sound in a small room cover ear height, distance from walls, and soft furnishings that tame echo.
Best All-Around Powered Speakers: Edifier R1280T
The Edifier R1280T is a compact pair of powered bookshelf speakers rated at 42W RMS in total, or 21W per speaker. Each has a 4-inch bass driver and a silk-domed tweeter. The amplifier is built in, so you only need power and a source, as our guide to active versus passive speakers explains.
It has two analog inputs and a wireless remote for volume and mute, which makes it a simple upgrade over laptop or TV speakers. The spec sheet doesn’t list Bluetooth, so you connect by cable. If you want wireless playback from your phone, check that the model you are buying includes it.
2 x AUX INPUT - Convenient connection to any device that has a 3.5mm headphone output or dual RCA output. Connect to two devices via AUX at the same time, no plugging and...
Best Smart Speaker for Sound: Sonos Era 100
The Era 100 is a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker that works with Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. It stands about 7 inches tall, so it fits on a counter, desk, or nightstand. Trueplay tuning, which you start in the Sonos app, measures your room and adjusts the sound to suit it.
It supports AirPlay 2 for Apple devices, and two matching speakers can bond as a stereo pair, so you can start with one and add more later. A turntable or other wired source needs the Sonos Line-In Adapter, which is sold separately, and Sonos says that connection is not meant for TV. For a smart speaker comparison, see our guide to the best smart speakers.
Powered by a 47% faster processor, the next-gen dual-tweeter acoustic architecture produces detailed stereo separation while a 25% larger midwoofer deepens the bass.¹ Place...
Best Soundbar for Small Living Rooms: Polk Signa S3
The Signa S3 is a slim soundbar about 2 inches tall, so it is less likely to block your TV screen or the TV’s remote sensor. It has a wireless subwoofer and connects to the TV over HDMI ARC or optical. It also has Bluetooth and built-in Chromecast for streaming music.
The subwoofer is about 13 inches tall and 12 inches deep, so it needs floor space and an outlet. In an apartment, keep it at a modest level so the bass does not carry through the walls. Our guides to soundbar placement and soundbars versus speaker systems cover where to put it and what to expect.
ULTRA-SLIM SOUNDBAR WITH WIRELESS SUBWOOFER – Features 2.1 channel performance-tuned drivers - (2) 1.25” x 4.4”oval mid-range drivers & (2) 1” Tweeters, and the...
Best Portable Speaker: JBL Flip 6
The Flip 6 is a small Bluetooth speaker rated IP67 for water and dust, with up to 12 hours of playback on a charge. It moves easily from the kitchen to the balcony, which helps when you don’t have a fixed setup. Two PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers can pair for stereo sound.
A speaker this small has limited bass, and it plays over Bluetooth, so it suits background music better than a main TV or desk setup. It is a good second speaker for a space where you want music without a permanent installation.
Louder, more powerful sound The beat goes on with the JBL Flip 6 2-way speaker system, engineered to deliver loud, crystal clear, powerful sound. Its racetrack-shaped woofer...
Best Ultra-Compact Smart Speaker: Apple HomePod mini 2
The HomePod mini 2 keeps the palm-sized, original shape, with 360-degree sound and built-in Siri. It supports AirPlay and multiroom audio, and two can pair for stereo. It is built for Apple devices, so setup requires an iPhone or iPad. Android users should look elsewhere.
Some new Siri features weren’t available at launch, according to launch coverage, so check Apple’s page for what works today. It is a better fit for a bedroom, kitchen, or entryway where space is tight, rather than for a TV setup.
NEW COLORS—Pink, Green, and Blue join White and Midnight. ROOM-FILLING SOUND—Enjoy room-filling sound that delivers high-quality audio to every corner of your home....
Which Speaker Should You Buy for Your Apartment?
Choose by how you listen:
- Desk or shelf stereo from a computer or TV: Edifier R1280T.
- Room-tuned sound that can grow into multiroom sound: Sonos Era 100.
- Better TV sound without a big setup: Polk Signa S3.
- Music that moves around, including to the balcony: JBL Flip 6.
- The tightest space in an Apple household: HomePod mini 2.
You do not have to buy everything at once. Start with one speaker and add more later, as our guide to upgrading your audio setup in stages suggests, and see how much to spend on audio equipment for a sense of budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Subwoofer in a Small Apartment?
Usually not. Small speakers can sound full enough at moderate volume, and bass carries through walls to your neighbors. If you want one, choose a model with a level control and set it low, and read our guide on whether you really need a subwoofer.
Can I Use Two of These Speakers as a Stereo Pair?
For several of them, yes. Two Sonos Era 100 speakers can bond as a stereo pair, two HomePod minis can pair for stereo, and two PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers can pair for stereo sound. Pairing generally works only with matching models.
Are Bluetooth Speakers Good Enough as Main Speakers?
For casual listening, yes. Bluetooth is convenient, but Wi-Fi and wired speakers give you more flexibility for TV, multiroom audio, and higher-quality sources. Our guide to Bluetooth and wireless speakers explains the trade-offs.
How Do I Keep My Speakers From Bothering Neighbors?
Keep speakers away from shared walls, turn the bass down, and put them on a stand or pad instead of directly on a shared surface. Keep late-night listening at moderate levels. Soft furnishings also help, as our guide to improving sound in a small room explains.
Where Should I Put Speakers in a Small Room?
Put them at ear level, form a triangle with your seat, and keep them away from corners. Adjust a little at a time and listen after each change. Our guide to speaker placement walks through each step.
