Buying Guide
The Best Monitors With Built-In Speakers
Five monitors compared, from the KYY 15.6 to the 27G414B, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Built-in speakers save desk space for calls and casual audio. Every pick has built-in speakers, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: refresh rate, resolution and size come from each maker's published specs; a missing refresh rate is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
KYY 15.6-inch Portable
The cheapest way into this group, below the Westinghouse 24 Curved.
Best for: Getting PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand for the least money.
Our take Check price for KYY 15.6-inch Portable (opens in a new tab)
VA Panel
Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor
A VA panel.
Best for: Buyers who want a VA panel.
Our take Check price for Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
cocopar 15.6-inch Portable
VESA mounting holes.
Best for: Buyers who want VESA mounting holes.
Our take Check price for cocopar 15.6-inch Portable (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
Sceptre 24-inch IPS 180Hz
The highest refresh rate here (180Hz).
Best for: Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Our take Check price for Sceptre 24-inch IPS 180Hz (opens in a new tab)
Largest Screen Size
LG UltraGear 27G414B-B
The largest screen size here (27 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Our take Check price for LG UltraGear 27G414B-B (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Westinghouse 24 Curved. | Getting PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand for the least money. | Check price for KYY 15.6-inch Portable (opens in a new tab) |
| A VA panel. | Buyers who want a VA panel. | Check price for Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor (opens in a new tab) |
| VESA mounting holes. | Buyers who want VESA mounting holes. | Check price for cocopar 15.6-inch Portable (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest refresh rate here (180Hz). | Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most. | Check price for Sceptre 24-inch IPS 180Hz (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest screen size here (27 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27G414B-B (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
KYY 15.6-inch Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
KYY's 15.6-inch 1080p IPS portable is the lowest-priced here at the time of writing.
Best for
- Getting PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand for the least money.
Skip if
- Its refresh rate is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It connects over USB-C. Its 15.6-inch IPS screen is 0.3 inches thin and weighs 1.7 lbs, and two USB-C ports plus mini-HDMI connect laptops and consoles. On screen size it ties with the cocopar 15.6 at 15.6 inches.
It also offers a PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand and two built-in speakers. It also brings an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. Worth noting too: a USB-C input for laptops.
It undercut the Westinghouse 24 Curved and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its refresh rate; if that figure matters, the Sceptre 24 IPS offers 180Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 15.6 inches
- Panel: IPS
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- a USB-C input for laptops
- PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand
- Two built-in speakers
Cons
- No published refresh rate
VA Panel2 of 5
Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Westinghouse's 24-inch curved monitor uses a VA panel with a 3000:1 contrast ratio and a 165Hz refresh rate.
Best for
- Buyers who want a VA panel.
Skip if
- Pass on it if a VA panel that can smear dark transition rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It adds built-in speakers and FreeSync at one of the lowest prices here. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 165Hz: the Sceptre 24 IPS offers 180Hz, and the cocopar 15.6 comes in at 60Hz. It matches the Sceptre 24 IPS on screen size (24 inches).
A VA panel is unique to it among these picks, while the cocopar 15.6 uses an IPS panel. A 110% sRGB color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the 27G414B uses a 99% sRGB color gamut. You also get a 1500R curved screen.
At 1080p, 165Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. When we checked, only the KYY 15.6 cost less, and the cocopar 15.6 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24 inches
- Panel: VA
- Response: 1ms
- Color gamut: 110% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 110% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
- 3000:1 contrast ratio from its VA panel
Cons
- a VA panel that can smear dark transitions
- Costs more than the KYY 15.6 at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
cocopar 15.6-inch Portable on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The cocopar 15.6 stands out for VESA mounting holes, and it adds built-in speakers.
Best for
- Buyers who want VESA mounting holes.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games.
Why we like it
It also offers a 60Hz refresh rate and offers a 15.6 inches screen size. Two full-featured USB-C ports and an HDMI port connect laptops, PS4 and Xbox, and one USB-C cable can carry video and power. The 1080p IPS panel covers 85% of the color gamut with 178-degree viewing angles, and it can be VESA mounted.
On refresh rate it trails the group at 60Hz, while the Sceptre 24 IPS offers 180Hz. When we checked, only the Westinghouse 24 Curved and cheaper picks cost less, and the Sceptre 24 IPS cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 15.6 inches
- Panel: IPS
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- a USB-C input for laptops
- VESA mounting holes
- Built-in speakers
Cons
- a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games
- Refresh rate trails the Sceptre 24 IPS (180Hz)
- Screen size trails the 27G414B (27 inches)
Fastest Refresh4 of 5
Sceptre 24-inch IPS 180Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Sceptre 24 IPS stands out for two DisplayPort and two HDMI inputs, and it adds built-in speakers.
Best for
- Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the KYY 15.6 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 180Hz refresh rate and offers a 24 inches screen size. On refresh rate it leads this guide at 180Hz, ahead of the Westinghouse 24 Curved (165Hz). A 100% sRGB color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the 27G414B uses a 99% sRGB color gamut.
It also comes with a low budget price tier. At 1080p, 180Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. Worth noting too: an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. When we checked, only the cocopar 15.6 and cheaper picks cost less, and the 27G414B cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
- Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 100% sRGB colour coverage
- Two DisplayPort and two HDMI inputs
Cons
- Costs more than the KYY 15.6 at the time of writing
Largest Screen Size5 of 5
LG UltraGear 27G414B-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
AOC's 27G414B is a 27-inch 1080p IPS screen at 144Hz with 99% sRGB coverage.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certificatio is a problem.
Why we like it
It puts a larger screen within a tight budget. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 144Hz: the Sceptre 24 IPS offers 180Hz, and the cocopar 15.6 comes in at 60Hz. Its 27 inches screen size is the largest here; the Westinghouse 24 Curved comes next at 24 inches.
You get a 99% sRGB color gamut here, which sets it apart from the Sceptre 24 IPS and its a 100% sRGB color gamut. It also offers built-in stereo speakers and LG Switch app window layouts. At 1080p, 144Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older.
G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. Only the Sceptre 24 IPS came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: HDR10
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Costs more than the KYY 15.6 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Monitors With Built-In Speakers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the KYY 15.6 to the 27G414B, state resolution, screen size and panel and share 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The KYY 15.6 gives no refresh rate; the KYY 15.6 and the cocopar 15.6 give no response.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the KYY 15.6 ($50 to $100) to the 27G414B ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Monitor With Built-In Speakers
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Screen size across these picks
Here screen size runs from 15.6 inches on the cocopar 15.6 to 27 inches on the 27G414B. For less, the Westinghouse 24 Curved is the runner-up at 24 inches.
Refresh rate
Here refresh rate runs from 60Hz on the cocopar 15.6 to 180Hz on the Sceptre 24 IPS. The Westinghouse 24 Curved comes second for less money. No figure for the KYY 15.6.
What to check at home
At 1080p, 165Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older.
Features beyond the spec table
The Westinghouse 24 Curved: a 1500R curved screen. The cocopar 15.6: built-in speakers. The 27G414B: a 27-inch IPS panel.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the KYY 15.6 and the Westinghouse 24 Curved; $100 to $150 buys the cocopar 15.6, the Sceptre 24 IPS and the 27G414B at our last check.
Check ports and cables
High refresh rates at 1440p and 4K need DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1. Consoles need HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120Hz.
How to Choose a Monitor With Built-In Speakers
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting PU leather smart cover that doubles as a stand for the least money | KYY 15.6 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Westinghouse 24 Curved |
| Buyers who want a VA panel | Westinghouse 24 Curved | A VA panel |
| Buyers who want VESA mounting holes | cocopar 15.6 | VESA mounting holes |
| Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most | Sceptre 24 IPS | The highest refresh rate here (180Hz) |
| Buyers who put screen size first | 27G414B | The largest screen size here (27 inches) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 27G414B leads on screen size at 27 inches, ahead of the Westinghouse 24 Curved at 24 inches. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KYY 15.6 | Not listed | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 15.6 inches | IPS |
| Westinghouse 24 Curved | 165Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24 inches | VA |
| cocopar 15.6 | 60Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 15.6 inches | IPS |
| Sceptre 24 IPS | 180Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24 inches | IPS |
| 27G414B | 144Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 27 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The KYY 15.6 was the lowest-priced pick and the 27G414B the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | KYY 15.6, Westinghouse 24 Curved |
| About $100 to $150 | cocopar 15.6, Sceptre 24 IPS, 27G414B |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest screen size: the 27G414B or the Westinghouse 24 Curved?
The 27G414B leads at 27 inches, with the Westinghouse 24 Curved at 24 inches. The cocopar 15.6 is at the other end of this group with 15.6 inches.
How does the Westinghouse 24 Curved compare with the Sceptre 24 IPS on refresh rate?
The Sceptre 24 IPS leads at 180Hz, with the Westinghouse 24 Curved at 165Hz. The cocopar 15.6 is at the other end of this group with 60Hz. The KYY 15.6 doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Is the 27G414B worth paying more than the KYY 15.6?
On paper it adds screen size (27 inches against 15.6 inches). The KYY 15.6 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Sceptre 24 IPS the Fastest Refresh?
It earns the label for the highest refresh rate here (180Hz). It suits competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Do the KYY 15.6 and the Westinghouse 24 Curved differ on panel?
The KYY 15.6, the cocopar 15.6, the Sceptre 24 IPS and the 27G414B use IPS; the Westinghouse 24 Curved uses VA.
What should I check before buying the Westinghouse 24 Curved?
At 1080p, 165Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. In this guide it ranks second of 5, as our VA Panel pick.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the KYY 15.6, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Westinghouse 24 Curved. Look at the Westinghouse 24 Curved for a VA panel, the cocopar 15.6 for VESA mounting holes and the 27G414B for the largest screen size here (27 inches) if those matter more to you.
Monitor speakers are thin; use headphones for games.