So do monitors have speakers as standard? If you're on the hunt for a new gaming monitor you've likely yourself this question.
Monitors can often set you back a fair chunk of change so it can be worth investigating whether or not it produces sound before investing in one.
Let's face it, as tempting as some of the gaming speakers and soundbars are, it's not feasible to get everything at once for most people.
Read on to know what to look out for in your next upgrade.
Do Monitors Have Speakers?
In short, while some monitors do have built-in speakers, many do not.
Much like wireless headsets, including speakers in the monitor incurs additional costs to the manufacturer. For that reason, some models are made without speakers to either keep costs down or tailor them more towards segments of gamers who they know will only use headphones or speakers.
Speakers in TVs and monitors tend to also not be the absolute best quality, generally speaking. That's down to the slimline structure of a monitor or TV, which doesn't give much room to work in when it comes to sheer speaker size.
That being said, you can easily take your pick from some of the best computer speakers, best RGB speakers or even the best soundbars for gaming to make up for it later down the line.
click to enlargeDo I Need A Monitor With Speakers?
Ultimately, whether or not you need speakers with your gaming monitor, comes down to your individual situation.
If you're already equipped with one of the best PC gaming headsets, or a set of RGB computer speakers, spending extra money for a monitor with built-in speakers is likely to be unnecessary.
Most monitors have headphone jacks, allowing you to connect speakers, headphones or a gaming headset easily, regardless of whether there are built-in speakers or not.
If, however, do not have extra peripherals such as a gaming headset or a speaker, then it could be worth your while investing in a monitor that is equipped with speakers.
Are Monitor Speakers Good?
Whether or not the speakers in a monitor are good, ultimately comes down to specific examples, as the quality will vary.
For example, the ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ, an outstanding HDMI 2.1 monitor, is equipped with ASUS SonicMaster 10-watt stereo speakers, which should produce powerful audio output.
Some other monitors, on the other hand, don't really deliver in the sound department in much the same way as many 4K TVs don't pack a punch either.
So, in short, yes, some built-in monitor speakers should be able to produce high-quality audio output, but if you're going for something more on the budget end you may be left wanting.
How To Know If A Monitor Has Speakers?
In order to find out whether a monitor has speakers or not you'll have to look closely at the listed specifications of any given monitor.
A monitor that does feature built-in speakers is very likely to list that amongst its specifications, if it is not listed then your safest bet is to assume that it does not come with built-in speakers.
Should You Get A Monitor With Speakers?
It depends on how important audio is to your gaming experience. We'd say that if you're playing competitively, absolutely by headphones or speakers even if your monitor has speakers built-in.
This is the best to ensure the highest audio quality possible.
If you're more casual you can usually get away with the monitor's speakers, but we'd recommend looking into at least a great gaming soundbar.
Monitors With Built-in Speakers Recommendations
If you are interested in a standout monitor that is equipped with built-in speakers, here are some notable mentions from us...
- ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ - 43-inch, 4K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time
- AOC Gaming 27G2U5 - 27-Inch FHD, 75Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, AMD FreeSync
- BenQ MOBIUZ EX2510S - 24.5-inch, 1080p, 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time
Read More: Are Curved Monitors Better For Gaming?
For more articles like this, take a look at our Tech and Deals page.