Even if you aren’t interested in external speakers to pair with your monitor, you may still want built-in speakers to handle basic audio tasks while you work or play. This is also a useful option in the classroom or at home where audio may be important but options for speakers or headphones are limited. These monitors have high-quality speakers at affordable prices so you can get everything you need in one package! We’ve pinpointed the best options for the year, so take a look and see if one of them is the perfect fit for your desk.
ASUS TUF VG27AQL1A
Best overall monitor with speakers
Pros
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Up to 170Hz refresh rate
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Has G-Sync compatibility
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Speedy 1-millisecond response time
Cons
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Only 400 nits of brightness
Who is the Asus Tuf VG27AQL1A for? Gamers who want built-in speakers.
Why you should buy it: With built-in speakers and a speedy response time, it’s a solid pick for gamers who also want to host movie nights with friends.
Why we picked the Asus Tuf VG27AQL1A:
Many users are interested in a gaming-capable monitor that can also supply its own sound when necessary. If that sounds like you, start with this Asus pick. It has excellent gaming features like a WQHD, 2560 x 1440 resolution, up to a 170Hz refresh rate for smooth action, and G-Sync compatibility for your Nvidia GPU. The 27-inch monitor also boasts an impressive 1-ms response time, features to optimize eye comfort, and a shadow-boost feature that improves image quality in dark or bright scenes.
Ports for the Tuf VG27AQL1A include DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 connections. While the speaker sound is solid and great for watching shows with others, it’s not going to match the quality and immersion of something like a great gaming headset. However, for internal speakers, this setup is hard to beat!
ASUS TUF VG27AQL1A
Best overall monitor with speakers
Dell S2419H S Series
Best monitor for movie night
Pros
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Has dual 5-watt speakers with Waves MaxxAudio
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1080p resolution
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Two HDMI ports
Who is the Dell S2419H for? For movie night hosts and binge-watchers.
Why you should buy it: It has powerful 5-watt speakers and a 1080p resolution, which makes it perfect for enjoying your favorite shows.
Why we picked the Dell S2419H:
If you’re looking for built-in speakers that can produce the best sound available, check out this Dell monitor. It offers dual 5-watt speakers (a rarity for internal speaker power) tuned by Waves MaxxAudio for accurate audio production. It’s the best bet if you watch a lot of movies with other people on your monitor and want great internal audio support for them.
Of course, Dell also knows how to make a good monitor in other respects, too. The 24-inch S2419H offers a 60Hz refresh rate, 1080p resolution, and over 99% coverage of the sRGB color gamut. Connections include two HDMI 1.4 ports.
Dell S2419H S Series
Best monitor for movie night
ViewSonic VX2476-SMHD
Best for families
Pros
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Has 3W speakers
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1080p resolution
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Features that reduce blue light and flickering
Who is the ViewSonic VX2476-SMHD for? It’s for families or students who take online classes.
Why you should buy it: This monitor has dual 3W speakers, 1080p resolution, a wide variety of ports, and eye comfort features — all of which work well together to support a productive online learning experience or a fun family movie or game night.
Why we picked the ViewSonic VX2476-SMHD:
If you’re looking for a family-friendly monitor that can do a little bit of everything, ViewSonic’s model has you covered. This 24-inch monitor includes dual 3W speakers to support sound, with a durable, modern design that won’t distract. It offers a 1080p resolution, 75Hz refresh rate, and viewing features to help reduce blue light and flickering issues.
The ViewSonic VX2476-SMHD’s connections offer HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA inputs for all kinds of connections. However, note that the design is not very adjustable and not VESA-compatible. It’s a better fit on a central desk located in a family room or classroom, especially if headphones aren’t currently allowed.
ViewSonic VX2476-SMHD
Best for families
HP VH240a
Best monitor for home office setups
Pros
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178-degree viewing angle
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VESA mounting support
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1080p resolution
Cons
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5-ms response time can be a bit slow for some users
Who is the HP VH240a for? It’s a great monitor for those who work from home.
Why you should buy it: With two 2W speakers, 1080p resolution, and a variety of adjustable height and tilt options, you can attend meetings from home comfortably.
Why we picked the HP VH240a:
HP’s 23.8-inch monitor comes with two integrated 2W speakers for internal audio support and a design that’s perfect when a lot of people are watching (and listening) at once. The screen offers a 178-degree viewing angle, options for landscape or portrait modes, adjustable height and tilt options, and VESA support for mounting on a wall. That makes it an ideal model for artists or designers to show off content to their clients or get additional input from teams.
For other specs, the HP VH240a offers a 1080p resolution, 5-ms response time, and 60Hz refresh rate. Connections include HDMI and VGA, but there’s no DisplayPort on this model.
HP VH240a
Best monitor for home office setups
BenQ GW2780
Best budget-friendly monitor
Pros
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Includes eye comfort features
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More ports: HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort
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1080p resolution
Cons
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60Hz refresh rate is a bit low
Who is the BenQ GW2780 for? Best for those looking for a budget-friendly monitor
Why you should buy it: This monitor ensures that paying a low price doesn’t mean sacrificing too many features: You’ll still get a 1080p resolution, three different kinds of ports, eye comfort features, and internal speakers.
Why we picked the BenQ GW2780:
If saving money is a key goal for your monitor research, BenQ is here to help with a great 27-inch budget model that will ensure you get internal audio support while still being affordable. In addition to the included internal speakers, the monitor has a 1080p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. Ports include VGA, DisplayPort, and HDMI. There are also a number of features dedicated to eye comfort.
The GW2780 monitor does have a number of additional model options if you want to add height-adjustment options, a higher refresh rate, or HDR support. This will all affect the price, but it’s nice to have easy upgrades that could be a better fit for specific purposes.
BenQ GW2780
Best budget-friendly monitor
Frequently Asked Questions
Why get a monitor with speakers?
Your desk may not have enough room for external speakers, or you may not want to deal with external cables. Headphones may not be an option if more than one person needs to hear (or if they aren’t allowed in classrooms). If the monitor is mounted, finding a space for external speakers may be difficult. All of these (and more) are reasons to consider internal speakers.
What features should I look for in a monitor with speakers?
Look for speakers with higher wattages, as this indicates more power and generally clearer sound. Otherwise, all the same rules apply when looking for a regular monitor. Your desired resolution and refresh rate are important, the size of the display always matters, and if you are going to be gaming, G-Sync or Freesync can be important.
Can I connect external speakers to my monitor?
Yes. Even monitors that have internal speakers generally have options to connect external speakers via USB or other ports. You will need to make sure your audio settings on your PC have their output set to the external speakers for them to work.
Are there gaming monitors with speakers?
Yes, including one of our top picks, the Asus Tuf model. That being said, built-in speakers aren’t as great for immersive gaming or tracking location via sound.
What are the different types of screen panels?
The common types consumers are likely to see include:
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IPS: IPS (in-plane switching) panels are an LCD panel with wide viewing angles that are generally considered the best option for average monitors. There are a number of different iterations, such as LG’s Nano IPS, which also add other specific benefits.
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VA: VA (vertical alignment) panels are similar, somewhat slower panels to basic IPS models. As time has gone on, they have lost most of their popularity to IPS.
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TN: TN (twisted nematic) panels can’t support higher image quality but they have speedy response times. They are now a rare type of panel to encounter on the market.
What does refresh rate refer to?
Refresh rate refers to how often a monitor refreshes the data on the display, measured in Hz or times per second. With compatible media, a higher refresh rate can make video look smoother and include more information for fast-reflex gameplay.
Are monitors with speakers any good?
Broadly speaking, internal speakers cannot achieve the quality or sound levels of external speakers or headphones. But they can be a useful alternative in many situations where internal speakers are the only option that will work. For basic audio, they are absolutely up to the task.
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