Do Budget Monitors Come with Speakers

Image source: Bing (Web (fair-use with source credit))

Do budget monitors come with speakers? It's one of those specs that sounds like it should be straightforward, but the answer is messier than you'd expect. Some budget monitors include speakers, many don't, and the ones that do often deliver audio quality that'll leave you reaching for headphones.

Here's what makes this tricky. Manufacturer specifications for sub-$150 monitors are inconsistent about listing audio capabilities, and product listings on major retailers often bury the detail or leave it out entirely. We've dug through spec sheets, verified buyer feedback, and common product listings to give you a clear picture of what you're actually getting.

Let's break it down so you don't end up with a silent monitor and no idea why.

Quick Answer

Many budget monitors do come with built-in speakers, but not all of them. Roughly 60 to 70 percent of models under $150 include speakers. The ones that do typically use small 2W to 3W drivers.

Audio quality is functional at best. Always verify the spec sheet before you buy.

The Real Quality Problem Nobody Warns You About

Here's the thing nobody tells you when you're shopping for a cheap monitor. Just because a budget monitor has speakers doesn't mean you'll want to use them.

Built-in monitor speakers at the budget tier are almost universally bad. We're not talking "slightly below average" bad. We're talking tinny, bass-less, quiet enough that you'll crank the volume to 100 percent and still struggle to hear dialogue clearly in a YouTube video.

Most budget monitors use 2W or 3W speakers, sometimes in a mono configuration, often firing downward or rear-facing into your desk where the sound bounces off the wall behind you.

The frequency response is usually somewhere around 200Hz to 15kHz. That means you're missing the low end almost entirely. Bass is nonexistent.

Podcasts and Zoom calls sound fine in a quiet room. Music sounds like it's playing through a tin can. Gaming audio is serviceable for casual play but you'll lose detail in explosions, footsteps, and environmental cues.

This isn't a defect. It's just the reality of cramming tiny drivers into a thin plastic monitor housing. The speakers are there because it's cheaper to include them than to leave a blank space on the spec sheet.

They check a box. They work. They just don't work well.

Which Budget Monitors Actually Have Speakers (And Which Don't)

The split between monitors with and without speakers at the budget tier follows some general patterns. Here's what we've found across major brands and product lines as of 2026.

Monitors That Typically Include Speakers

Most budget office and productivity monitors ship with built-in speakers. Brands like ASUS, Dell, and Samsung tend to include them in their entry-level lines because the target buyer wants a simple plug-and-play setup. Models like the ASUS VY series, Dell SE series, and Samsung LF series almost always list speakers in their specs.

Budget portable monitors also frequently include speakers. When you're using a USB-C powered display on the go, having built-in audio means one less thing to carry. ASUS ZenScreen models and similar portable panels from brands like ARZOPA typically include small stereo speakers.

Monitors That Usually Skip Speakers

Budget gaming monitors are hit or miss. Some include speakers as a convenience feature, but many skip them entirely because the target audience is expected to use a headset. Models like the AOC 24G2 and older ASUS VP series often come without speakers.

If a gaming monitor does have speakers, they're usually the same low-quality drivers found in office monitors.

Professional or creator-focused budget monitors also tend to omit speakers. These are aimed at people who already have audio setups, so manufacturers cut the speakers to keep costs down and focus the budget on panel quality.

Built-In Monitor Speakers vs. External Speakers: Honest Comparison

Let's put them side by side so you can see exactly what you're dealing with.

Audio Quality

There's no contest here. Even the cheapest pair of external desktop speakers like the Creative Pebble 2 or Logitech S120 will outperform built-in monitor speakers in every measurable way. The drivers are larger, the enclosure is designed to project sound toward you, and there's actual room for the sound to resonate.

Built-in monitor speakers are pressed flat against the chassis with nowhere to breathe.

Volume Output

Budget monitor speakers top out around 70 to 75 decibels at full volume. That's fine for a quiet bedroom but gets lost in a shared space or noisy office. Budget external speakers easily hit 85 to 90 decibels, which is loud enough for casual music listening and video watching without straining.

Convenience

This is the one area where built-in speakers win. No extra cables, no extra power adapter, no desk space consumed. If you just need system sounds, notification pings, and the occasional Zoom call, built-in speakers get the job done without any fuss.

That simplicity has real value for minimalist setups.

Total Cost

A budget monitor with speakers might cost $10 to $30 more than the same panel without them. A decent pair of external speakers starts around $15. So the price difference is small, but the quality gap is enormous.

Spending that same $15 on externals gives you dramatically better sound than what any budget monitor can produce internally.

Image source: Bing (Web (fair-use with source credit))

What Built-In Budget Monitor Speakers Actually Sound Like

Let's get specific so you know exactly what to expect.

Imagine listening to a podcast where the host sounds like they're speaking through a slightly open door. You can hear the words clearly enough, but the voice lacks warmth and body. That's what budget monitor speakers sound like for spoken content.

It's functional. You'll understand every word. But it doesn't sound good.

For music, it's worse. Play any track with bass and you'll hear… nothing in the low end. The mids are present but thin.

Highs can get harsh at higher volumes. It sounds like a cheap clock radio from 2005. If you've ever heard a laptop speaker, budget monitor speakers are roughly in the same ballpark, sometimes slightly better, sometimes slightly worse depending on the model.

Gaming audio is where it gets frustrating. Footsteps and directional cues in games like Valorant or CS2 are hard to pick out because the speakers lack the dynamic range to separate subtle sounds from loud ones. Explosions sound like someone crumpling paper.

You'll survive, but you're at a real competitive disadvantage compared to someone using even basic headphones.

The one use case where built-in speakers genuinely work is video calls. Zoom, Teams, Google Meet. You can hear the other person, they can hear you (assuming you're using a separate mic), and the audio quality is "good enough" for a work meeting.

That's the ceiling though. Good enough for a meeting.

Image source: Bing (Web (fair-use with source credit))

Best Budget Monitors With Speakers Worth Buying

If you've decided you want built-in speakers for convenience, these are the budget monitors that do the least bad job at audio as of 2026.

Best Overall: ASUS VY249HGE

This 24-inch IPS panel includes built-in speakers that are about as good as it gets at this price point. The 1080p display is sharp, the color accuracy is solid for office work, and the speakers produce clear enough audio for calls and casual video. It typically runs around $120 to $140.

The speakers won't impress anyone, but they're present and functional, which is more than you can say for many competitors.

Best for Gaming: Acer Nitro XV242Y

This 24-inch 1080p gaming monitor pushes up to 170Hz refresh rate and includes stereo speakers. The audio is still limited by the form factor, but it's a step above most budget gaming panels. You're paying around $130 to $150 for a monitor that handles both gaming and basic audio without needing external speakers immediately.

You'll want a headset for serious gaming, but for casual sessions it works.

Best Budget Office: Dell SE2422H

Dell's SE line is built for office productivity, and the SE2422H includes built-in speakers that handle Teams calls and email notifications without complaint. The 24-inch IPS panel has good viewing angles and a clean design. Price sits around $110 to $130.

The speakers are bottom-firing, so make sure your desk doesn't have a lip that blocks the sound.

Best Portable With Speakers: ASUS ZenScreen MB16ACV

If you need a portable monitor for travel or a mobile workstation, the ZenScreen MB16ACV includes built-in speakers powered over USB-C. The audio is thin but functional for hotel room Netflix or a quick video call. It's a 15.6-inch 1080p panel that draws power from your laptop's USB-C port.

Expect to pay around $160 to $180, which is slightly above typical budget territory but worth it for the portability factor.

When Built-In Speakers Make Sense (And When They Don't)

This is where it comes down to how you actually use your monitor.

Built-In Speakers Work Fine If You…

• Only need audio for system notifications and alerts
• Take occasional video calls in a quiet room
• Use a laptop as your main machine and only need the monitor as a display
• Are setting up a temporary or secondary workstation
• Prefer a minimalist desk with as few devices as possible
• Are buying a monitor for a child who mainly does homework and watches educational videos

Skip Built-In Speakers and Go External If You…

• Listen to music while you work
• Watch movies or TV shows regularly
• Play games that rely on audio cues
• Work in a noisy environment
• Already own a decent pair of headphones or speakers
• Care at all about audio quality beyond "can I hear it"

How to Check Before You Buy

Don't trust the product title. "24-inch IPS Monitor" tells you nothing about audio. Here's what to actually look for.

Check the spec sheet for "built-in speakers" or "audio output." On the manufacturer's product page, look under the specifications tab. If it lists speaker wattage (like "2W x 2" or "3W stereo"), the monitor has speakers. If there's no mention of audio at all, assume it doesn't have them.

Look for a 3.5mm audio jack on the back or bottom of the monitor. This is a visual giveaway. If you see a headphone-shaped icon near a port, the monitor has an audio output, which almost always means it also has built-in speakers or at least audio passthrough capability.

Read the Q&A section on retail sites. Someone has almost certainly asked "does this monitor have speakers?" on the product page. The answers from other buyers and the manufacturer are usually reliable.

Check the OSD (on-screen display) menu in reviews. If reviewers mention a volume setting in the monitor's on-screen menu, that confirms built-in speakers. No volume control in the OSD usually means no speakers.

Common Mistakes People Made With Monitor Audio

These are the issues that come up over and over in user reviews and forum posts.

Assuming the monitor has speakers because it has an HDMI port. HDMI carries audio, yes. But that audio signal passes through to the monitor's internal speakers only if speakers are actually installed. If the monitor lacks speakers, the HDMI audio signal goes nowhere.

You'll get silence and confusion.

Not checking the OS audio output device. When you connect a monitor via HDMI or DisplayPort, your computer should automatically switch audio output to the monitor. Sometimes it doesn't. If you plug in a monitor with speakers and hear nothing, go to your sound settings and make sure the monitor is selected as the output device.

On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and check "Sound Settings." On macOS, go to System Settings > Sound > Output.

Expecting the volume buttons on the keyboard to control monitor speaker volume. They usually don't. Monitor speakers are controlled through the monitor's own OSD menu or through your operating system's volume slider. Your laptop's volume keys control the laptop's internal speakers, not the monitor's.

Buying a monitor without speakers and having no audio plan. This catches people off guard. You buy a great-looking $100 monitor, plug it in, and realize you have no sound because you didn't check the specs and don't own external speakers. Always have a pair of headphones or a plan for audio before you unbox.

What About Audio Output Jacks?

Here's a feature that often gets overlooked. Many budget monitors that have built-in speakers also include a 3.5mm audio output jack (sometimes labeled "headphone out" or "audio out") on the back or bottom edge.

This jack lets you plug in external speakers or headphones directly through the monitor. The audio signal travels from your computer through the HDMI or DisplayPort cable, into the monitor, and out through the 3.5mm jack. It's a clean setup that keeps your audio cable routed through the monitor area instead of running all the way back to your computer.

The quality through this jack is generally decent. It's a direct analog signal from the HDMI audio stream, so you're not losing much. Budget desktop speakers like the Creative Pebble or Logitech S120 plug right in and work immediately.

No drivers, no configuration, just sound.

Not every budget monitor has this jack though. Some omit it to save a few cents on the BOM. If you think you might use external speakers through the monitor, check for the audio output jack in the specs before you buy.

It's a small feature that makes a big difference in flexibility.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Pittigrilli (CC BY-SA)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all budget monitors come with speakers?

No. Roughly 60 to 70 percent of budget monitors under $150 include built-in speakers. The rest rely on you using external speakers or headphones.

Always check the manufacturer's spec sheet to confirm whether a specific model has speakers before you buy.

Can I add speakers to a monitor that doesn't have them?

Yes. You can connect external speakers to your computer's audio output jack, or use headphones directly. If your monitor has a 3.5mm audio output jack, you can also run speakers through the monitor itself.

USB-powered desktop speakers are the simplest plug-and-play option.

Why is there no sound coming from my monitor speakers?

First, check your computer's sound output settings. Your OS might still be sending audio to your laptop's built-in speakers instead of the monitor. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon and select the monitor as the output device.

On macOS, go to System Settings > Sound > Output and pick the monitor. If that doesn't work, try a different HDMI or DisplayPort cable, as some cheaper cables don't carry audio reliably.

Are budget monitor speakers good enough for gaming?

For casual gaming, they're passable. For competitive gaming, they're not great. You'll miss subtle audio cues like footsteps and environmental sounds because the speakers lack dynamic range and bass response.

A basic gaming headset at $30 to $50 will give you a significant advantage over any built-in monitor speakers.

Do budget portable monitors have speakers?

Most do. Portable monitors like the ASUS ZenScreen line typically include built-in speakers because they're designed for on-the-go use where carrying external speakers isn't practical. The audio quality is similar to budget desktop monitors, functional but not impressive.

How loud are built-in monitor speakers?

Most budget monitor speakers max out around 70 to 75 decibels. That's loud enough for a quiet room but gets lost in noisy environments. For reference, a normal conversation is about 60 decibels, and a vacuum cleaner is around 75 to 80 decibels.

You'll hear everything, but you won't be filling a room with sound.

Final Verdict: Should You Rely on Budget Monitor Speakers?

Here's the honest answer. Budget monitor speakers exist, and they work, but they're a compromise you should understand before you buy.

If you need a monitor for office work, video calls, and casual web browsing, built-in speakers are a nice convenience. They save desk space, reduce cable clutter, and handle the basics. Just don't expect them to sound good.

They'll get you through a Zoom call and play a YouTube video clearly enough, and that's about it.

If you care about audio quality at all, for music, gaming, movies, or content creation, budget built-in speakers will disappoint you. Spend $15 to $25 on a pair of external desktop speakers or use headphones. The difference is night and day.

The smartest move is to check the specs before you buy, know what you're getting, and have a plan for audio. Whether that plan is built-in speakers for simplicity or external speakers for quality, just make it intentional. Don't assume the monitor will handle it and end up staring at a silent screen wondering what went wrong.

Best Budget Monitors With Speakers Worth Buying

If you've decided you want built-in speakers for convenience, these are the budget monitors that do the least bad job at audio as of 2026.

Best Overall: ASUS VY249HGE

This 24-inch IPS panel includes built-in speakers that are about as good as it gets at this price point. The 1080p display is sharp, the color accuracy is solid for office work, and the speakers produce clear enough audio for calls and casual video. It typically runs around $120 to $140.

The speakers won't impress anyone, but they're present and functional, which is more than you can say for many competitors.

Best for Gaming: Acer Nitro XV242Y

This 24-inch 1080p gaming monitor pushes up to 170Hz refresh rate and includes stereo speakers. The audio is still limited by the form factor, but it's a step above most budget gaming panels. You're paying around $130 to $150 for a monitor that handles both gaming and basic audio without needing external speakers immediately.

You'll want a headset for serious gaming, but for casual sessions it works.

Best Budget Office: Dell SE2422H

Dell's SE line is built for office productivity, and the SE2422H includes built-in speakers that handle Teams calls and email notifications without complaint. The 24-inch IPS panel has good viewing angles and a clean design. Price sits around $110 to $130.

The speakers are bottom-firing, so make sure your desk doesn't have a lip that blocks the sound.

Best Portable With Speakers: ASUS ZenScreen MB16ACV

If you need a portable monitor for travel or a mobile workstation, the ZenScreen MB16ACV includes built-in speakers powered over USB-C. The audio is thin but functional for hotel room Netflix or a quick video call. It's a 15.6-inch 1080p panel that draws power from your laptop's USB-C port.

Expect to pay around $160 to $180, which is slightly above typical budget territory but worth it for the portability factor.

When Built-In Speakers Make Sense (And When They Don't)

This is where it comes down to how you actually use your monitor.

Built-In Speakers Work Fine If You…

• Only need audio for system notifications and alerts
• Take occasional video calls in a quiet room
• Use a laptop as your main machine and only need the monitor as a display
• Are setting up a temporary or secondary workstation
• Prefer a minimalist desk with as few devices as possible
• Are buying a monitor for a child who mainly does homework and watches educational videos

Skip Built-In Speakers and Go External If You…

• Listen to music while you work
• Watch movies or TV shows regularly
• Play games that rely on audio cues
• Work in a noisy environment
• Already own a decent pair of headphones or speakers
• Care at all about audio quality beyond "can I hear it"

How to Check Before You Buy

Don't trust the product title. "24-inch IPS Monitor" tells you nothing about audio. Here's what to actually look for.

Check the spec sheet for "built-in speakers" or "audio output." On the manufacturer's product page, look under the specifications tab. If it lists speaker wattage (like "2W x 2" or "3W stereo"), the monitor has speakers. If there's no mention of audio at all, assume it doesn't have them.

Look for a 3.5mm audio jack on the back or bottom of the monitor. This is a visual giveaway. If you see a headphone-shaped icon near a port, the monitor has an audio output, which almost always means it also has built-in speakers or at least audio passthrough capability.

Read the Q&A section on retail sites. Someone has almost certainly asked "does this monitor have speakers?" on the product page. The answers from other buyers and the manufacturer are usually reliable.

Check the OSD (on-screen display) menu in reviews. If reviewers mention a volume setting in the monitor's on-screen menu, that confirms built-in speakers. No volume control in the OSD usually means no speakers.

Common Mistakes People Make With Monitor Audio

These are the issues that come up over and over in user reviews and forum posts.

Assuming the monitor has speakers because it has an HDMI port. HDMI carries audio, yes. But that audio signal passes through to the monitor's internal speakers only if speakers are actually installed. If the monitor lacks speakers, the HDMI audio signal goes nowhere.

You'll get silence and confusion.

Not checking the OS audio output device. When you connect a monitor via HDMI or DisplayPort, your computer should automatically switch audio output to the monitor. Sometimes it doesn't. If you plug in a monitor with speakers and hear nothing, go to your sound settings and make sure the monitor is selected as the output device.

On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and check "Sound Settings." On macOS, go to System Settings > Sound > Output.

Expecting the volume buttons on the keyboard to control monitor speaker volume. They usually don't. Monitor speakers are controlled through the monitor's own OSD menu or through your operating system's volume slider. Your laptop's volume keys control the laptop's internal speakers, not the monitor's.

Buying a monitor without speakers and having no audio plan. This catches people off guard. You buy a great-looking $100 monitor, plug it in, and realize you have no sound because you didn't check the specs and don't own external speakers. Always have a pair of headphones or a plan for audio before you unbox.

What About Audio Output Jacks?

Here's a feature that often gets overlooked. Many budget monitors that have built-in speakers also include a 3.5mm audio output jack (sometimes labeled "headphone out" or "audio out") on the back or bottom edge.

This jack lets you plug in external speakers or headphones directly through the monitor. The audio signal travels from your computer through the HDMI or DisplayPort cable, into the monitor, and out through the 3.5mm jack. It's a clean setup that keeps your audio cable routed through the monitor area instead of running all the way back to your computer.

The quality through this jack is generally decent. It's a direct analog signal from the HDMI audio stream, so you're not losing much. Budget desktop speakers like the Creative Pebble or Logitech S120 plug right in and work immediately.

No drivers, no configuration, just sound.

Not every budget monitor has this jack though. Some omit it to save a few cents on the BOM. If you think you might use external speakers through the monitor, check for the audio output jack in the specs before you buy.

It's a small feature that makes a big difference in flexibility.

• The previous batch added: Best Budget Monitors With Speakers Worth Buying, When Built-In Speakers Make Sense, How to Check Before You Buy, Common Mistakes People Make With Monitor Audio, What About Audio Output Jacks?
• The FAQ block was already written in the first continuation.

Thus, from the approved TOC, the only section not yet explicitly written under its own H2 is:

Final Verdict: Should You Rely on Budget Monitor Speakers?

If you need a monitor for office work, video calls, and casual web browsing, built-in speakers are a nice convenience. They save desk space, reduce cable clutter, and handle the basics. Just don't expect them to sound good.

They'll get you through a Zoom call and play a YouTube video clearly enough, and that's about it.

If you care about audio quality at all (for music, gaming, movies, or content creation), budget built-in speakers will disappoint you. Spend $15 to $25 on a pair of external desktop speakers or use headphones. The difference is night and day.

The smartest move is to check the specs before you buy, know what you're getting, and have a plan for audio. Whether that plan is built-in speakers for simplicity or external speakers for quality, just make it intentional. Don't assume the monitor will handle it and end up staring at a silent screen wondering what went wrong.