Many gaming monitors advertise built-in speakers as a bonus feature, and it is tempting to treat that as one less thing to buy. But monitor speakers have a reputation for being an afterthought, and cheaping out on audio can quietly undercut an otherwise great setup. The value question is whether those integrated drivers are good enough for your needs or a false economy that pushes you to buy sound gear anyway.
Why monitor speakers are usually basic
A monitor’s thin chassis leaves almost no room for real speaker drivers or an acoustic chamber, and manufacturers keep the cost low because most buyers do not judge a monitor by its sound. The result is small, low-wattage speakers, typically 2-5 watts per side, that produce clear-enough voices but thin, bass-light audio. They exist to make sound, not to impress.
What each option offers
| Option | Typical cost | Sound quality |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in monitor speakers | Included | Basic, thin, no bass |
| Budget desktop speakers | $30-$70 | Fuller, real stereo |
| Gaming headset | $40-$100 | Immersive, positional |
| Soundbar / 2.1 set | $60-$150 | Room-filling, with bass |
When built-in speakers are genuinely fine
Casual and secondary use
For system sounds, video calls, background music, YouTube, and casual single-player games, integrated speakers do the job without cluttering your desk or spending a cent. If audio is not central to your enjoyment and you play at modest volume, they are perfectly serviceable and the smart no-cost choice.
Space-constrained setups
On a small desk or a minimalist setup, skipping extra boxes and cables has real value. Built-in speakers keep things tidy, and a cheap pair of earbuds covers the rare moment you want privacy or better sound. Not every setup needs a dedicated audio investment.
When to buy separate
If you play competitive shooters where hearing footsteps and directional cues affects results, integrated speakers are a genuine handicap and a headset is worth every dollar. If you love immersive single-player games, music, or movies, even a $40-$70 pair of desktop speakers or a small 2.1 set is a night-and-day upgrade in bass and clarity. Serious audio is one of the cheapest ways to make a gaming setup feel premium, so it is often money well spent.
Frequently asked questions
Do any monitors have genuinely good speakers?
A few premium and creator-focused monitors include better-tuned or higher-wattage speakers, and some ultrawides add a small subwoofer. They are the exception and usually cost more. If a monitor’s speakers matter to you, look for wattage and reviews specifically praising the audio rather than assuming any built-in set will satisfy.
Is a headset or speakers the better first audio buy?
For competitive gaming and late-night sessions, a headset wins on positional accuracy and privacy. For shared, casual, or immersive single-player play, desktop speakers feel more natural and social. Pick based on how and when you play; many gamers eventually own both, but start with the one that fits your main use.
Building audio in stages on a budget
You do not have to solve audio all at once. A sensible path is to start with the monitor’s built-in speakers for free, live with them for a few weeks, and notice where they actually hold you back, whether that is missing footsteps in a shooter, thin music, or a lack of impact in action games. That real-world friction tells you exactly which upgrade is worth your money rather than guessing from a spec sheet.
From there, a modest step delivers a large improvement. A $40-$70 pair of desktop speakers or a small 2.1 set adds the bass and clarity monitor speakers cannot, while a similarly priced headset adds positional accuracy and late-night privacy. Because the jump from thin integrated sound to even entry-level dedicated audio is so dramatic, this is one of the highest-return upgrades in a whole setup. Spend when you feel the limitation, and you get the benefit exactly when it matters instead of paying upfront for sound you might not need.
Bottom line
Monitor built-in speakers are good enough for casual play, system sounds, and tidy, space-limited setups, and using them costs nothing. They fall short for competitive gaming, immersive single-player, and anyone who cares about bass or clarity. Because even a $40-$70 headset or speaker set transforms the experience, dedicated audio is one of the best-value upgrades in a gaming setup. Use the built-ins if sound is secondary, and spend a little separately the moment audio matters to how you play.
