Best Active Nearfield Monitors Under $200 2026
Affordable active nearfield monitors under $200 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha HS 5 SG
by
Yamaha
Professional Studio
Critical Listening
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio standard
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • May require acoustic treatment
Yamaha HS 5 SGActive 2-Way Nearfield Monitor5" Woofer (45 W) + 1" Tweeter (25 W)70 W biampBass reflex...
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 463834
$194
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Presonus Eris 4.5BT 2nd Gen
by
Presonus
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Presonus Eris 4.5BT 2nd GenActive Studio Monitors with Bluetooth ConnectivityEquipped with: 4.5" woofer and...
⭐
4.6/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 572885
$197
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Yamaha HS 5 W
by
Yamaha
Critical Listening
Mix Position
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Expensive professional models
Yamaha HS 5 W2-Way active nearfield monitor5" Cone woofer (45W) + 1" dome tweeter (25W)Power:...
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 332188
$194
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Monkey Banana Gibbon5 black
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Professional models can be large
Monkey Banana Gibbon5 blackActive Nearfield MonitorWoofer: 5 1/4" polypropylene diaphragmMagnetically...
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 327962
$171
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Presonus Eris 3.5BT 2nd Gen Stand Set
by
Presonus
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Wide range of professional options
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio standard
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Presonus Eris 3.5BT 2nd Gen Stand Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Presonus Eris 3.5BT 2nd Gen*Active Studio Monitors with...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 602248
$163
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
M-Audio BX4
by
M-Audio
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
M-Audio BX4Multimedia Reference MonitorsTweeter: 1" (25.4 mm) silk dome tweeterWoofer: 4.5" (114.3 mm)Kevlar...
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 505643
$122
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
M-Audio BX5 D3
by
M-Audio
Professional Studio
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Wide range of professional options
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Professional models can be large
M-Audio BX5 D3Active 2-Way Nearfield Studio MonitorTweeter: 1 inch (25 mm) 60 W silk dome tweeterWoofer: 5 inch (127...
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 415650
$120
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Presonus Eris 3.5 2nd Gen Stand Set
by
Presonus
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio standard
- • Accurate frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • May require acoustic treatment
Presonus Eris 3.5 2nd Gen Stand Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Presonus Eris 3.5 2nd Gen*Active Studio Monitors*Equipped...
⭐
4.9/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 575744
$138
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Fluid Audio FX50 V2
by
Fluid Audio
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • May require acoustic treatment
Fluid Audio FX50 V2Active 2-Way Studio MonitorCoaxial5" Woofer and 1" tweeter90 W Class D power amplifier (50...
⭐
5.0/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598562
$171
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Mackie CR3.5
by
Mackie
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • May require acoustic treatment
Mackie CR3.5Active 3.5" Studio MonitorsFabric woofer 3.5"silk dome tweeter and protective grilleFrequency...
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 602442
$116
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Behringer Truth 3.5
by
Behringer
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • May require acoustic treatment
Behringer Truth 3.5Active Studio MonitorsDrivers: 3.5" woofer + 1" tweeterFrequency range: 70 - 20000 Hz (±3...
⭐
4.5/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 568286
$103
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
ADAM Audio T5V
by
ADAM Audio
Professional Studio
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
ADAM Audio T5VActive Nearfield MonitorEquipped with: 5" woofer and 1.9" U-ART ribbon tweeter2x Class-D...
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 431376
$186
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Behringer Truth 4.5 BT
by
Behringer
Professional Studio
Critical Listening
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • May require acoustic treatment
- • Expensive professional models
Behringer Truth 4.5 BTActive Studio Monitors with BluetoothDrivers: 4.5" woofer + 1" tweeterFrequency range:...
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 568289
$164
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
ESI nEar i7
by
ESI
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Wide range of professional options
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • May require acoustic treatment
ESI nEar i7Active 2-Way Studio MonitorDSP-controlled Class D amplifierFrequency range: 39 Hz - 20000 HzWoofer:...
⭐
4.4/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 613640
$189
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Mackie MR524
by
Mackie
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • May require acoustic treatment
Mackie MR524Active near field monitorEquipment: 5.25 "woofer and 1" tweeter50 watt bi-amplified Class A / B...
⭐
4.4/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 415930
$164
How to Choose the Best Active Nearfield Monitors
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced active nearfield monitors typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
