Most modern monitors have built-in speakers, but they are usually small and low-quality

Yes, many computer monitors sold today come with speakers built into the back or bottom of the unit. However, the speakers in a monitor are typically tiny and produce thin, quiet sound — they are designed to provide basic audio when nothing else is available, not to deliver good listening quality. If you use your monitor for video calls, casual videos, or system alerts, the built-in speakers may be enough. If you watch films, play games, or listen to music regularly, you will want separate speakers or headphones.

Whether your specific monitor has speakers depends on the model and brand. Budget monitors often skip speakers to keep the price down. Gaming and professional monitors sometimes include them, sometimes do not. The only way to know for certain is to check the product specifications or look at the back of your monitor for speaker grilles or audio ports.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in monitor speakers exist on many models but deliver weak, tinny sound because the drivers are very small.
  • You can tell if your monitor has speakers by looking for grilles on the back or bottom, or by checking the product manual or specifications online.
  • If your monitor has no speakers, you can connect external speakers or headphones using a 3.5mm audio jack, USB, or Bluetooth.
  • Monitor speakers use power from the monitor's USB or power supply, so they do not require a separate power cable.

How to check if your monitor has speakers

The easiest way is to look at the back and bottom of your monitor for small speaker grilles — they are usually rectangular openings with a mesh or perforated pattern. If you see them, your monitor has speakers. You can also feel along the back panel for small holes or vents that might hide speakers.

If you cannot see grilles, check the product manual or the manufacturer's website. Search for your monitor model number (usually printed on the back or bottom) and look at the specifications or feature list. The manual will list "speakers" or "audio output" if they are present. You can also turn up your monitor's volume using the on-screen menu or physical buttons and play a video or sound — if audio comes out, you have speakers.

Why monitor speakers sound poor

Monitor speakers are small because space inside a monitor is limited and manufacturers want to keep weight and cost down. Smaller drivers cannot move as much air, so they produce less volume and less bass. The sound often comes across as thin, tinny, or hollow — acceptable for a Zoom call or a notification beep, but not pleasant for music or films.

The amplifier inside a monitor is also basic and underpowered compared to a standalone speaker system. Monitor speakers are a convenience feature, not an audio solution. Think of them the way you would think of the speaker in a laptop — functional, but not something you would choose if you had another option.

What to do if your monitor has no speakers

If your monitor has no built-in speakers, you have several options. The simplest is to use headphones or earbuds plugged into your computer's headphone jack. This works for any computer and requires no setup.

You can also buy external speakers. These come in three types: powered speakers (which plug into power and your computer), passive speakers (which need an amplifier), and Bluetooth speakers (which connect wirelessly). For a desk setup, powered speakers are the most common choice — they are compact, affordable, and need only a power outlet and an audio cable or Bluetooth connection to your computer.

If your monitor has a 3.5mm audio jack on the back, you can run a cable from that jack to external speakers. Some monitors also have USB audio output or Bluetooth, which work the same way. Check your monitor's manual to see which audio outputs are available.

How monitor speakers get their power

Built-in monitor speakers draw power from the monitor itself — either from the monitor's power supply or from a USB port on the monitor. You do not need to plug them in separately. This is one reason they are small: a monitor's power budget is limited, so the speakers cannot be very powerful.

If you turn off your monitor, the speakers turn off too. If your monitor has a USB hub, the speakers may stay on when the monitor is in standby mode, but this varies by model. Check your monitor's manual if you need the speakers to work when the monitor is off — most do not.

Monitor speakers and audio connections

If your monitor has speakers and also has audio input ports, you can connect audio sources directly to the monitor. Common ports include a 3.5mm audio jack (the standard headphone-sized connector) and sometimes USB-C or DisplayPort audio pass-through. This is useful if you want to run audio through the monitor instead of your computer.

Many monitors also support audio over HDMI or DisplayPort — the same cable that carries video can carry sound. If your monitor is connected to your computer via HDMI or DisplayPort and your computer is set to output audio through that connection, sound will play through the monitor's speakers automatically. You do not need a separate audio cable.

When to use monitor speakers versus external speakers

Use your monitor's built-in speakers for video calls, online meetings, system sounds, and casual video watching. They are convenient because they are already there and require no extra equipment or setup.

Use external speakers or headphones for music, films, gaming, or any situation where sound quality matters to you. External speakers also give you control over volume and placement — you can position them for better sound and adjust them without touching your monitor. Headphones are the best choice if you share your space with others or need to avoid disturbing people nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my monitor's speakers and external speakers at the same time?

Not usually. Your computer outputs audio to one destination at a time — either the monitor speakers, external speakers, or headphones. You can switch between them in your computer's sound settings, but both will not play simultaneously. Some audio software allows you to split output, but this is not a standard feature.

Do I need to install drivers for monitor speakers?

No. Monitor speakers are treated as part of the monitor itself, and your operating system recognizes them automatically. You may need to set them as your default audio output in your computer's sound settings, but no separate driver installation is required.

Why does my monitor have speakers but no sound is coming out?

Check that your monitor is set as the audio output device in your computer's sound settings. Also verify that the volume is turned up on both your monitor (using its buttons or menu) and your computer. If sound still does not play, the speakers may be muted in the monitor's menu, or the speakers may be faulty.

Can I replace the speakers in my monitor?

Replacing monitor speakers is difficult and usually not worth the cost. Monitors are not designed to be opened, and doing so may void your warranty or damage the display. If you need better sound, buy external speakers instead — they are cheaper and easier to upgrade later.

Do gaming monitors have better speakers than regular monitors?

Some do, but not all. A few gaming monitors include larger or higher-powered speakers, but many gaming monitors skip speakers entirely to save space and cost. Check the specifications of the specific model you are considering — do not assume gaming monitors have good audio.