A remote control turns a good pair of speakers into a convenient one. Being able to adjust volume, switch inputs, mute or tweak bass from your chair — without reaching for a knob on the side of a speaker — is exactly the kind of small quality-of-life win that matters when speakers sit across a desk or under a TV. This guide rounds up the best speakers with remote control in 2026, and because shoppers are often misled on this exact feature, we have been scrupulous about which models genuinely ship with a remote and which do not.
Here is the honest breakdown, because the keyword is specifically about remote control: of the six picks, the Edifier R1280T and the Bose TV Speaker include a proper wireless/IR remote, and the Logitech Z313 ships with a wired control pod (convenient, though not a true handheld remote). The Anker Soundcore 2, Redragon GS520 and Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 do not include a remote — we have kept them on the list because they are excellent speakers, but we will tell you plainly where remote control is missing so you can buy with eyes open. Prices run from around $28 to around $199. Below is an at-a-glance comparison, then a closer look at each and a buyer’s guide focused on remote control and the features that actually matter.
Best Speakers with Remote Control at a Glance
| Speaker | Best For | Standout Spec | Approx Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edifier R1280T Bookshelf Speakers | Remote-controlled desk audio | Includes remote, dual inputs | around $120 |
| Bose TV Speaker | Remote-controlled TV sound | Includes remote, HDMI-ARC | around $199 |
| Logitech Z313 2.1 System | Wired-control 2.1 sound | Wired control pod, subwoofer | around $60 |
| Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX | Premium 2.1 (no remote) | THX-certified, punchy 2.1 | around $170 |
| Anker Soundcore 2 Portable | Portable Bluetooth (no remote) | Bluetooth 5, long battery | around $30 |
| Redragon GS520 RGB Desktop | Budget RGB (no remote) | 2.0 RGB, USB-powered | around $28 |
1. Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers – 2.0 Active Near Field Monitors
Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers - 2.0 Active Near Field Studio Monitor Speaker - Wooden Enclosure - 42 Watts RMS Power
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The Edifier R1280T is the headline pick precisely because it nails the keyword: it ships with a genuine wireless remote. This pair of powered 2.0 bookshelf speakers gives you classic wood-finish cabinets, dual RCA inputs for connecting two sources at once, and bass and treble controls — plus a remote to adjust volume from across the room. At around $120 it is a longtime best-seller and the most well-rounded remote-equipped speaker here.
This is the speaker to choose when remote control is a must-have and you want proper bookshelf sound. The included remote handles volume from your desk chair or sofa, the two RCA inputs let you keep a PC and a turntable or console connected simultaneously, and the active near-field design delivers warm, balanced audio without a separate amplifier. For a remote-controlled, well-built pair of bookshelf speakers that just work, the R1280T is the standout and an easy first recommendation.
Pros: Includes a real wireless remote, dual RCA inputs, balanced bookshelf sound, great value.
Cons: No Bluetooth on this model; wired connections only.
2. Bose TV Speaker – Soundbar with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity
Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, All-in-One Compact Soundbar, Includes Remote Control, Black
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The Bose TV Speaker is the remote-controlled pick for upgrading TV audio. It is a compact soundbar that connects to a TV over HDMI-ARC (or optical), adds Bluetooth for music, and crucially ships with its own remote so you can adjust volume, bass and a dialogue-clarity mode from the couch. At around $199 it is the premium option here and a Bose-quality way to make TV speech and sound clearer.
This is the pick when the ‘speaker with a remote’ you need lives under a television. The included remote controls volume and a dedicated dialogue mode that lifts speech above background sound — a genuine boon for late-night viewing — while HDMI-ARC keeps setup simple and Bluetooth handles music. It is a single bar rather than a stereo pair, so it is about clarity and convenience rather than wide stereo imaging. For remote-controlled, easy-to-use TV sound from a trusted brand, the Bose TV Speaker is excellent.
Pros: Includes a remote with dialogue mode, HDMI-ARC simplicity, Bluetooth, clear TV speech.
Cons: Single bar (not stereo pair); premium price for one-bar sound.
3. Logitech Z313 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System with Subwoofer
Prime Logitech Z313 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System with Subwoofer, Full Range Audio, 50 Watts Peak Power, Strong Bass, 3.5mm Audio Inputs, PC/PS4/Xbox/TV/Smartphone/Tablet/Music Player - Black
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The Logitech Z313 is the wired-control 2.1 pick — and an honest distinction: rather than a handheld remote, it uses a wired control pod that sits on your desk for power and volume. It is a compact 2.1 system with two satellites and a dedicated subwoofer for added low end, delivering fuller sound than a flat stereo pair. At around $60 it is an affordable way to add bass-rich audio to a desk or living space.
This is the system to choose when you want simple at-hand control and a subwoofer’s extra punch without spending much. The wired control pod keeps power and volume within easy reach on the desk — not a true wireless remote, but convenient in practice — the subwoofer adds welcome depth for games, music and films, and the satellites are easy to position. If your priority is affordable 2.1 sound with handy on-desk control, the Z313 is a sensible, long-popular choice, provided you know the control is wired rather than a handheld remote.
Pros: Subwoofer for fuller bass, convenient wired control pod, affordable 2.1 sound.
Cons: Control is a wired pod, not a true handheld/wireless remote.
4. Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System (Black)
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System (Black)
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The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 is the premium-sound pick on this list — but an honest flag: it does not include a wireless remote. It is a THX-certified 2.1 system with two Klipsch satellites and a powerful subwoofer, controlled by dials on the right satellite for volume and subwoofer level. At around $170 it is a long-celebrated desktop system prized for sheer audio quality rather than for remote convenience.
This is the system to choose when sound quality is your top priority and you are happy adjusting volume at the speaker. The THX certification and Klipsch drivers deliver crisp, detailed highs and genuinely punchy bass that few desktop systems match, making it superb for gaming and music. The trade-off for the keyword is clear: control is via on-unit dials, not a remote. If you value premium audio over remote control, the ProMedia 2.1 is a classic; if a remote is essential, look to the Edifier or Bose instead.
Pros: THX-certified premium sound, punchy subwoofer, detailed Klipsch highs, desktop classic.
Cons: No remote — controlled by dials on the satellite; wired only.
5. Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Bluetooth 5, Bass
Prime Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Stereo Sound, Bluetooth 5, Bassup, IPX7 Waterproof, 24-Hour Playtime, Wireless, Speaker for Home, Outdoors, Travel
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The Anker Soundcore 2 is the portable pick — and to be upfront, it has no remote; control is via buttons on the unit and your phone. It is a compact, rugged Bluetooth 5 speaker with surprisingly full bass for its size, water resistance, and a long-running battery. At around $30 it is the most affordable portable option here and a perennial best-seller for on-the-go sound.
This is the speaker to choose when portability and battery life matter more than a physical remote — and on a Bluetooth speaker your phone effectively is the remote, controlling volume and playback wirelessly. The Soundcore 2 packs punchy bass into a pocketable, splash-resistant body, runs for many hours on a charge, and pairs instantly over Bluetooth 5. It is not a desktop or TV speaker with an IR remote, but as a portable Bluetooth speaker you steer from your phone, it is excellent value and genuinely useful.
Pros: Portable, Bluetooth 5 with phone control, strong bass for size, long battery, water-resistant.
Cons: No dedicated remote; phone-controlled, and it is a portable rather than desk speaker.
6. Redragon GS520 RGB Desktop Speakers, 2.0 Channel PC Stereo
Redragon GS520 RGB Desktop Speakers, 2.0 Channel PC Computer Stereo Speaker with 6 Colorful LED Modes, Enhanced Sound and Easy-Access Volume Control, USB Powered w/ 3.5mm Cable
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Rounding out the list is the Redragon GS520, the budget RGB pick — and, honestly, it does not come with a remote. It is a compact 2.0 desktop speaker set with USB power, a 3.5mm audio connection, and eye-catching RGB lighting, controlled by an inline volume dial on the cable. At around $28 it is the cheapest option here and aimed at dressing up a desk affordably.
This is the pick for a gamer who wants tidy, illuminated desktop speakers on a tight budget and does not need remote control. The USB power and 3.5mm jack make setup plug-and-play, the RGB lighting complements a gaming battlestation, and the inline dial keeps volume within reach on the cable. It is a simple 2.0 set rather than a remote-equipped or subwoofer system, so set expectations accordingly — but for affordable, good-looking desk audio with handy inline control, the GS520 does its job.
Pros: Very affordable, RGB lighting, USB-powered simplicity, inline volume control.
Cons: No remote; basic 2.0 sound and an inline dial only.
How to Choose Speakers with a Remote Control
The first thing to verify — and the whole point of this category — is whether the speakers actually include a remote, because the marketing can blur the line. A true wireless or IR remote, as on the Edifier R1280T and the Bose TV Speaker, lets you adjust volume, inputs and modes from your chair or sofa. A wired control pod, like the Logitech Z313’s, is convenient but keeps you tethered to the desk. And several excellent speakers — the Klipsch ProMedia, the Redragon GS520, the Anker Soundcore 2 — have no remote at all, relying on on-unit dials or your phone. Confirm exactly what you are getting before you buy.
Next, match the speaker type to where it will live, because that drives which remote-equipped option suits you. For a desk, a powered bookshelf pair like the Edifier R1280T gives proper stereo sound plus a remote. For a television, a soundbar like the Bose TV Speaker is built for the job, with a remote and HDMI-ARC. For a budget desk setup wanting extra bass, a 2.1 system like the Z313 adds a subwoofer with at-hand control. Decide on desk versus TV versus portable first, then choose the remote-friendly model that fits.
Inputs and connectivity decide how many devices you can run and how. Dual RCA inputs, as on the Edifier, let you keep a PC and a second source connected at once; HDMI-ARC, as on the Bose, is the cleanest way to pair with a modern TV and often lets your TV remote control volume too; Bluetooth, on the Bose and Anker, adds wireless music from a phone. Map the connections to your actual gear — TV, PC, console, phone — so the speaker fits your sources as neatly as it fits your space.
Finally, balance sound quality, features and budget. If a remote is non-negotiable, the Edifier R1280T and Bose TV Speaker are your clearest picks. If outright audio quality matters most and you will accept on-unit control, the THX-certified Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 is superb. If you want bass on a budget with convenient wired control, the Z313 delivers. And if portability rules, the phone-controlled Anker Soundcore 2 is the answer. Be clear about whether a true remote is essential, then pick the speaker on this list that fits how — and where — you listen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these speakers actually come with a remote control?
The Edifier R1280T and the Bose TV Speaker both include a genuine remote — the Edifier a wireless remote for its bookshelf pair, the Bose a remote with a dialogue-clarity mode. The Logitech Z313 uses a wired control pod rather than a handheld remote. The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, Anker Soundcore 2 and Redragon GS520 do not include a remote and are controlled by dials or, for the Anker, your phone.
Is a wired control pod as good as a real remote?
It depends on your setup. A wired control pod, like the Logitech Z313’s, keeps power and volume within easy reach on the desk and never needs batteries, which is genuinely convenient for desktop use. But it tethers control to one spot, so it cannot match a wireless remote like the Edifier’s or Bose’s if you want to adjust volume from across the room or from a sofa. Choose based on whether you sit at the speakers or away from them.
Can I control speakers with my TV remote instead?
Often, yes — for TV-connected speakers. A soundbar like the Bose TV Speaker connected over HDMI-ARC can usually be controlled by your existing TV remote for volume and mute, on top of its own included remote. Standard powered speakers connected by RCA or 3.5mm, however, will not respond to a TV remote, so for those you rely on their own remote, control pod or dials.
Do I need a remote, or is on-speaker control enough?
It comes down to distance. If your speakers sit within arm’s reach on a desk, on-unit dials like the Klipsch ProMedia’s or an inline control like the Redragon’s are perfectly usable. If they sit across a room, under a TV, or you listen from a sofa, a remote — as on the Edifier or Bose — makes a real difference. Decide where you will sit relative to the speakers before deciding how important a remote is.
Related Guides
- Best Computer Speakers
- Best Bookshelf Speakers
- Best Soundbars
- Best Bluetooth Speakers
- Best Gaming Headsets
- Best Budget Gaming Setup
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