If you sit in front of their PC a lot, you must be aware about the importance of audio output. From streaming your favorite documentaries on Netflix to listening to your favorite music during breaks, the audio output of a computer is as important as the display. However, we are often limited by space on our desk and very few PC monitors have built-in speakers, especially at the $300 price range. Though they are rare, they do exist.
I know it’s quite easy to hook an external speaker to your PC, but it’s helpful to have a built-in speaker, especially for day to day tasks or if you want to watch something in comparatively low volumes.
So, if you want to take a look at the best affordable PC monitors with built-in speakers, here are our recommendations.
Note: PC monitors at this price point do not usually give the best and top-tier audiophile-grade audio experience. So adjust your expectations accordingly.
1. Acer V277U 27-inch WQHD FreeSync Monitor
The first monitor on our list is the Acer V277U. It is one of the popular options if you seek a good monitor with basic speakers. This 27-inch monitor offers WQHD resolution of 2560×1440 and a 75Hz refresh rate. And coupled with the 4ms response time, it rounds up a worthy contender for those who also love gaming.
And it doesn’t end there. It has an IPS LCD screen that can produce 100% of the sRGB color space. That makes it suitable for some graphic design and rich content editing work too.
The picture quality is sharp and crisp, and several users praise that in their reviews on Amazon. As of now, this monitor has garnered over 75% positive reviews.
The speakers in this one are decent. While not great, they will work fine with regular activities listening to songs or watching web series.
On the upside, you get a VESA mount, so you can hope for a cleaner desk look and still enjoy the audio out of it.
2. Asus MZ27AQ Designo
The key highlight of the Asus MZ27AQ Designo is its sleek form factor and the near-about bezel-less design. Not only do the bezels give a premium look, but they also help in building a seamless experience with a multi-monitor setup. This 27-inch IPS monitor boasts of WQHD resolution and supports 178-degree viewing angle.
What makes this monitor special is that it supports 100% sRGB, thus making it perfect for photo-editing and other color-sensitive jobs. That’s why it has Designo in its model name.
Coming to the main point, this Asus monitor bundles two 6W speakers co-developed by Harmon Kardon. They are coupled with a 5W mini subwoofer. Together, they give you a decent sound experience. The sound doesn’t get muffled and is clear and loud. In fact, few users on Amazon compare the audio output to that of laptops.
Other than that, the picture quality is sharp, and so far this monitor has managed to rake in 74% positive reviews with users liking it for its picture quality, brightness, and value-for-money proposition.
However, this monitor is not without its limitations. For one, it lacks support for NVIDIA G-Sync or AMD FreeSync, which means it will not favor the gamers with the latest NVIDIA or AMD graphic cards for a smooth gaming experience.
3. Dell S Series 23.8-inch Monitor (S3219D)
Another sleek monitor with a modern look is the Dell S Series S3219D. The refresh rate of 75 Hz and support for NVIDIA FreeSync makes it ideal for gaming. Coming to the looks, it boasts of a sturdy and stylish stand and slim edges. On top of its, it has VESA holes, making it perfect for hooking it to a stylish monitor arm.
Users have praised this gaming monitor for its picture and screen quality.
For those unaware, VA panels usually churn out darker blacks thanks to a better contrast ratio compared to the IPS and TN panels.
Though this Dell S Series monitor packs a set of down-firing speakers, there are few settings regarding the same apart from the ones which let you control the volume through the built-in menu.
Apart from that, the sound quality is decent and proves to be quite helpful for general use.
4. Samsung C27F591 27-Inch Curved Monitor (IT LC27F591FDNXZA)
If you are seeking a curved monitor with speakers to jazz up your desk, then you can check out the Samsung C27F591 monitor. This 27-inch Full HD VA monitor is popular for its bright & vibrant colors and high performance. On top of that, you get a curved design with 1800R curvature. And the slim edges are the cherry on top.
Though you might need to calibrate it as per your preference, you can rest assured about its contrast ratio and picture quality. This FHD screen boasts of deep blacks and vibrant color, and undoubtedly, this is the main selling point of this monitor.
But as we mentioned above, the 5W speakers in this monitor occupy a far lesser berth when it comes to performance. On the upside, you’d be able to hear the bass and punch in songs and videos.
However, as per the folks at Trusted Reviews, this VA panel needs a little bit of tweaking.
As far as the overall experience is concerned, this one has a 67% positive rating, and users speak highly of its picture quality.
5. BenQ EL2870U 28 inch HDR 4K Gaming Monitor
The BenQ EL2870U balances great performance with good sound. This 4K TN panel features FreeSync compatibility, 60Hz refresh rate, and HDR10 support. All of these combine to make it a great monitor ideal for watching movies and videos. More importantly, you can also play your fair share of casual games. And the VESA mount is the cherry on top.
The picture quality is quite good, and you can switch on the HDR when viewing content. However, don’t expect to be blown away by the HDR content quality. Again, the preference for colors and contrast vary from person to person. So we’ll just leave it there and simply suggest that you check out this monitor in action if you plan to buy it just for an affordable HDR10 feature.
There’s a prominently-visible button at the front bezel, which eases the whole process.
The monitor carries a sensor at the bottom which adjusts the color temperature of the panel as per the ambient lighting. Yes, it’s like the auto-brightness feature in your phone.
In addition to that, you can tune the display as per your MacBook if you happen to own one (check hardÂshell casÂes for MacBook).
Regarding the speakers of this monitor, many users praise its quality. They are loud and clear, and you won’t find the usual muffling that is associated with most monitors at this price range.
Sing and Work
With these speakers, you will be able to merge your work and play with ease. These monitors are great for basic computing and home use (some even are great for gaming and photo editing). You just have to find the quality of sound. If you want something loud, you can settle with the BenQ or the Asus model.
However, if you want something pretty basic, one of these monitors will do just great.
Last updated on 02 February, 2022
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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