Best Active Nearfield Monitors Under $300 2026
Affordable active nearfield monitors under $300 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Presonus Eris E5 Stand Set
by
Presonus
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Presonus Eris E5 Stand Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Presonus Eris E5*Active Studio Monitor Set*5.25" (133 mm)...
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 509732
$285
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Tannoy Reveal 402 - DM 2 Bundle
by
Tannoy
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • May require acoustic treatment
Tannoy Reveal 402 - DM 2 Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, 2x Tannoy Reveal 402*Active Studio Nearfield Monitor*Power:...
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 507298
$285
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Tannoy Gold 7
by
Tannoy
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Tannoy Gold 7Active Studio Nearfield Monitor6.5" Dual Concentric Coaxial System1" Titanium Tweeter with Tulip...
⭐
4.8/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 475678
$285
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Presonus Eris E5 Isolation Riser Bundle
by
Presonus
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Wide range of professional options
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
Presonus Eris E5 Isolation Riser Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Presonus Eris E5*Active Studio Monitor Set*5.25"...
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 553303
$296
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Presonus Eris E5
by
Presonus
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Presonus Eris E5Active Studio Monitor Set5.25" (133 mm) woofer with Kevlar cone1"(25 mm) tweeter with silk...
⭐
4.8/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 317500
$241
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
ADAM Audio T8V
by
ADAM Audio
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Studio Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be large
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
ADAM Audio T8VActive Nearfield Monitor8" Woofer1.9" U-ART Ribbon tweeter2x Class-D amplifiers: 70 W RMS...
⭐
4.7/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 492263
$274
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha HS 3
by
Yamaha
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • Expensive professional models
Yamaha HS 3Active 2-Way Studio MonitorEquipped with: 3.5" woofer0.75" tweeterPower: 20 W + 20 W (THD 0.1 %000...
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 579655
$252
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Kali Audio LP-6 2nd Wave
by
Kali Audio
Professional Studio
Critical Listening
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
Kali Audio LP-6 2nd WaveActive 6.5" Near Field Monitor3D imaging waveguide technology for largeimaginary stereo...
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 528943
$229
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Presonus Eris 5BT 2nd Gen
by
Presonus
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Excellent for mix translation
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Expensive professional models
Presonus Eris 5BT 2nd GenActive Studio Monitors with Bluetooth ConnectivityEquipped with: 5.25" woofer and 1"...
⭐
4.9/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 572887
$259
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Behringer NEKKST K5
by
Behringer
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
Behringer NEKKST K5Active 2-Way Monitor5" Woofer1" TweeterPower: 100WBi-ampedLF and room compensation...
⭐
4.8/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 342817
$218
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Presonus Eris E5 M-Control+ Bundle
by
Presonus
Critical Listening
Professional Studio
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio standard
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • Professional models can be large
Presonus Eris E5 M-Control+ Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Presonus Eris E5*Active Studio Monitor Set*5.25" (133...
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 593762
$296
#12
⭐
5.0/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
M-Audio Forty Eighty
by
M-Audio
Mix Position
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for drivers
- • Wide range of professional options
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
M-Audio Forty EightyActive 2-Way Nearfield Studio MonitorEquipped with: 8‘ woofer with Kevlar cone and 1.25’...
⭐
5.0/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 600538
$222
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Kali Audio LP-6 2nd Wave Grey
by
Kali Audio
Critical Listening
Studio Monitoring
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for mix translation
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Professional models can be large
Kali Audio LP-6 2nd Wave GreyActive 6.5" Near Field Monitor3D imaging waveguide technology for largeimaginary...
⭐
4.6/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 613193
$241
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Presonus Eris Pro 4
by
Presonus
Professional Studio
Studio Monitoring
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of professional options
- • Accurate frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Limited upgrade flexibility
- • May require acoustic treatment
Presonus Eris Pro 4Active Coaxial Studio MonitorEquipped with: 4.5" woofer and 1" tweeter with silk coneLF...
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584193
$274
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Mackie CR5 BT
by
Mackie
Critical Listening
Studio Monitoring
Mix Position
Key Feature:
• Accurate frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Accurate frequency response
- • Excellent for mix translation
✗ CONS
- • Requires AC power for each speaker
- • Expensive professional models
Mackie CR5 BTActive Multimedia Bluetooth Speakers5" Fabric wooferSilk dome tweeter and protective grilleFrequency...
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 602455
$241
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.
