Top Picks

TL;DR: This speaker pair is moisture resistant and offers great sound for less than other options.

Why We Recommend It

The Polk Audio RC80i speakers are our top pick because they offer design and sound quality benefits at a much lower price than higher-end speakers. 

Manufactured from moisture-resistant, durable material, the RC80i are suitable for use inside or in a sauna or porch area (although they’re not suitable outdoors).

When testing this product, we found the RC80i had exceptional sound comparable to speakers double their price.

This speaker pair produces a warm sound that fills an entire room and are adjustable on a 15-degree swiveling mount, so it’s easy to make the sound hit precisely where you want.

Their white coloring helps them blend in and makes them hardly noticeable on a white ceiling, but you can paint the grilles to match your ceiling if it’s a different color (although the grilles are not magnetic).

Amazon buyers give the Polk Audio RC80i 4.6 out of 5 stars.

TL;DR: Installation is easy, thanks to a one-cut, drop-in feature that offers templates for finding the best fit.

Why We Recommend It

Known as “the vanishing series,” the Polk Audio 70-RT is a single speaker outfitted with a super-thin grille.

The grill magnetically secures the speaker together while protruding a mere 7mm from the ceiling.

These qualities make for virtually foolproof installation and a speaker that’s barely noticeable from a distance. 

Polk also gives the go-ahead to paint the grille to further blend into your decor.

Despite its small diameter, it sounds good overall, with a robust sound profile.

Happy Amazon customers give the Polk Audio 70-RT 4.7 out of 5 stars.

TL;DR: Designed for wall or ceiling installation, the Pyle PDIC60 speakers are about as cheap as you can go while still getting a decent ceiling speaker.

Why We Recommend It

If you’re looking for an affordable upgrade to your TV speakers or options for your kitchen or other living spaces, this 6.5-inch Pyle speaker pair might fit the bill.

The bass delivered from the Pyle isn’t bad, but it does tend to distort slightly when you crank the volume up to full blast.

For that reason, it’s best to go with a separate, affordable subwoofer if you want full bass.

The trade-off for the affordable price is a lack of upgrades like magnetic grilles or the powerful sound of costlier models.

While we wouldn’t recommend the PDIC60 for premium home movie theaters, they offer solid sound and straightforward installation for less.

Amazon customers give the Pyle PDIC60 4.3 out of 5 stars.

TL;DR: The Klipsch CDT-5650-C’s audio is both crisp and accurate with a surprising amount of bass.

Why We Recommend It

This Klipsch series is a favorite among our reviewers, as the speakers sound so good.

However, the CDT-5650-C comes at a steep price for a single speaker. 

The audio is crisp and accurate, with the highlights in the mids and lows.

There’s also a surprising amount of bass, which is unexpected for in-ceiling speakers. 

If you’re fine with the premium price point, remember that you’ll need to buy at least two for stereo sound, as they don’t sound good paired with non-Klipsch speakers.

Amazon buyers rate the Klipsch CDT-5650-C 4.7 out of 5 stars.

TL;DR: The Acoustic Audio CS-IC83 is a solid, beginner-friendly home theater ceiling speaker set.

Why We Recommend It

If you want an option for your home theater, the Acoustic Audio CS-IC83 is a solid set of five entry-level home theater ceiling speakers.

The pressure-lock mounting system makes these units easy to install, and the paintable frame and grille offer the flexibility to change the look to match your home’s paint coloring.

As with most ceiling speakers, you’ll want to add a separate subwoofer if you like booming bass. 

But this speaker set should be easy to integrate into an existing home theater.

Amazon shoppers give the CS-IC83 4.6 out of 5 stars.

TL;DR: The easy installation pairs with an ultra-slim bezel that makes this Bose model drop right into the ceiling.

Why We Recommend It

If you’re ready to pay a premium for top-notch ceiling speakers, the Bose 791 speakers could be worth the splurge.

Each unit is 7 inches wide and has Bose’s signature Stereo Everywhere technology for balancing the sound in an entire room. 

The easy installation pairs with an ultra-slim bezel that makes this Bose model drop right into the ceiling (via a precut hole) and secures its position with dogleg clamps.

We appreciate the Bose 791’s design and built quality, and the detachable speaker grille you can remove and paint to fit your room’s decor.

Amazon purchasers give the Bose 791 4.5 out of 5 stars.

FAQ

• Yes; while it’s not always possible, you’ll want to keep the cable tethering your speakers to your receiver as short as possible for the best audio quality. However, your sound quality won’t suffer much unless they’re 25 feet or more from your receiver. For any wired speakers, you should use a 14-gauge cable and potentially use a 12-gauge cord for any speakers extending past 25 feet from the receiver.

• Best Buy does offer wall and ceiling speaker installation through Geek Squad. You can consult with a Best Buy Home Expert for free to get an estimate of how much the installation will cost. Best Buy will do everything from mounting and securing the speaker, concealing the wire, organizing the cables, correctly positioning the speakers, and showing you how to use them.

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