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Regardless of screen size, no laptop can replace a desktop computer monitor. Its bigger display panel can help improve workflow for comfier multitasking or elevate your gameplay by making the onscreen action more immersive. Just like with the best TVs, display and resolution are important specs to zero in on while you shop, as is the refresh rate, particularly if you’re a gamer.
Today’s market is chock-full of high-quality computer monitors across size, shape, and price points, so we spent a week sifting through models to handpick the best computer monitors worth considering. We parsed through multiple product listings before zeroing in on the best for work and for gaming—arguably the most common desktop scenarios. We also sought out a portable model for on-the-go use.
The Best Computer Monitors
- Best Overall: Dell S2722QC
- Best Budget: Samsung Essential S3 Series
- Best Gaming Monitor: LG 27GS95QE Ultragear OLED
- Most Versatile: Samsung M8 (M80D) Series
- Best Portable: ASUS ZenScreen OLED MQ13AH
What to Consider
Screen Size
Is running multiple apps side by side a priority? Do you need a curved screen or a portable one to take anywhere? The size and the form factor of a monitor are directly related, and this is the first thing to consider before beginning your shopping journey.
A 27-inch screen size is sufficient for most upgraders, as it offers a good balance between comfortable viewing and solid multitasking capabilities. A 24-inch monitor also does the trick if you are shopping on a tighter budget. This screen size is still vastly ahead of what any mainstream laptop can offer, so you won’t be short on space.
On the other hand, monitors with larger screens allows for viewing multiple apps, web pages, documents, or a mixture of them without compromising ergonomics. In particular, ultra-wide monitors that measure 34 inches and up diagonally can easily replace two standard ones.
Display and Resolution
Go for an OLED monitor if your budget permits. Its display panel’s individually backlit pixels bring a more enjoyable viewing experience with vibrant colors and deep contrast. An OLED screen comes in particularly handy for gaming and watching videos. An IPS screen gets you excellent picture quality with true-to-life colors at a lower price point. Such a display panel is reliable for work and everyday use, if less enchanting than an OLED.
A curved monitor is worth considering if you plan to view it directly instead of from an angle. Due to their peculiar shape, these screens are not ideal for sharing the view but perfect for immersing yourself, especially while gaming.
Screen Refresh Rate
Speaking of gaming, be sure to order a monitor with a refresh rate north of 60 Hertz if this activity is part of your routine. A higher refresh rate offers smoother and more enjoyable gameplay without stutter. To find out everything you need to know before shopping for a gaming monitor, be sure to visit our guide that focuses on this product category.
How We Selected
My experience with computer monitors dates back to the mid-1990s when I received my first desktop PC with an old-school CRT display. In the decades that followed, I lost count of the number of monitors I used in and out of work. For this guide, I selected several highly rated monitors from leading makers like ASUS, Dell, LG, and Samsung. The products I handpicked have different designs and price points. Find the best for your needs among the carefully curated picks below.
Pros
- Excellent picture quality
- Highly adjustable
- Plenty of connectivity features (in USB-C version)
Cons
- Screen refresh rate tops out at 60 Hertz
This reasonably priced 4K monitor by Dell elevates any desk setup for a fair price. Starting well below $400 before additional discounts, the product offers a solid amalgam of pleasantly understated design with plenty of adjustability options, top-notch picture quality, and a rich set of connectivity features.
Speaking of connectivity, we like this particular version of the monitor, as it features a versatile USB-C output alongside two HDMI ports and a duo of USB-A connectors. A lower-priced variant with a DisplayPort instead of USB-C and no USB-A ports is also available, though we suggest you spend a bit more to get the extra versatility.
The monitor’s built-in speakers are a tad underwhelming, but that’s not a dealbreaker.
Key Specs
Display | 27-inch IPS panel (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) |
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Connectivity | USB-C port, 2 HDMI, 2 USB-A ports |
Other | Built-in speakers |
Pros
- Great picture quality for the money
- Respectable gaming performance
- Sleek design
Cons
- No built-in speakers
The Samsung Essential S3 monitor is a great option for upgraders on a tight budget. The under-$200 offering has an immersive curved panel with solid picture quality for the money and a maximum refresh rate of 100 Hertz. The last-mentioned number, while behind that of high-performance gaming monitors, makes scrolling through documents and webpages, as well as PC gaming, more fluid and enjoyable.
We were pleasantly surprised to discover that the Samsung Essential S3 has a dedicated game mode, which boosts the colors and contrast levels. Combined with the curved screen and the high refresh rate, the functionality makes the product a respectable low-cost gameplay companion.
In a manner befitting its name and price category, the Essential S3 monitor lacks additional extras like built-in speakers or USB-C ports. Its impulse-buy price is a solid tradeoff, however. A version with a 27-inch screen is also available.
Key Specs
Display | 24-inch FHD VA panel (1,920 x 1,080 pixels), 100-Hertz refresh rate |
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Connectivity | HDMI, VGA, USB-A ports |
Other | Built-in audio jack, dedicated gaming mode |
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Pros
- Captivating picture quality
- Superb gaming performance
- Distinctive design
LG’s Ultragear OLED gaming monitor is costly but worth every penny if you are looking for the best visuals while gaming. Its individually backlit pixels produce vibrant colors and infinite contrast, making everything you view — from a new wallpaper to a video to an AAA gaming title — look captivating. Thanks to a screen with a matte finish, the monitor can deliver a beautiful viewing experience even in rooms with brighter lighting.
Of course, the monitor’s practically instant response times and high refresh rate also guarantee that gameplay is as fast-paced and accurate as the picture quality. Its support for variable refresh rates and NVIDIA G-Sync makes it equally suitable for the latest gaming consoles or gaming PCs.
We like the monitor’s high-tech design with a sleek stand, slim screen bezels, and integrated lights. LG’s two-year warranty is also sweet.
Key Specs
Display | 27-inch QHD OLED panel (2,560 x 1,440 pixels) with anti-glare finish, 240-Hertz refresh rate, 0.03 ms response time |
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Connectivity | HDMI 2.1, HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort, two USB-A ports |
Other | AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync compatible |
Pros
- Doubles as a smart TV replacement
- Excellent picture quality
- Elegant design
Cons
- Screen refresh rate tops out at 60 Hertz
Samsung’s Smart Monitor M8 is the most versatile option on this list. In addition to being an excellent computer companion with stellar picture quality, the Wi-Fi-equipped device doubles as a top-notch smart 4K TV with the tech giant’s feature-packed Tizen platform, sleek bundled remote with solar charging, and sophisticated upscaling tech. The latter makes lower-resolution content look sharper and more immersive.
Impressively, Tizen OS also makes the M8 a capable gaming rig. All you need is an Xbox Game Pass or NVIDIA GeForce NOW subscription, good Wi-Fi, and a wireless controller to get started. The platform even has a gaming hub to keep your subscriptions, game library, and accessories organized.
We also like the monitor’s sleek design, infinite adjustability, and bundled SlimFit camera. Given its price category, we wish the monitor had higher peak brightness and refresh rate, but its design and extra features make up for their omission.
Key Specs
Display | 32-inch 4K LED panel (3,840 x 2,160 pixels), HDR 10+ compatibility |
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Connectivity | USB-C, HDMI, two USB-A ports |
Other | Tizen platform, gaming hub, bundled remote and webcam |
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Pros
- Excellent picture quality
- Bundled cover doubles as a versatile stand
- Robust set of connectivity features
Cons
- Screen could use a higher refresh rate
The ASUS ZenScreen OLED MQ13AH is the best portable monitor for most upgraders, offering an elegant and versatile design, a lightweight build, and amazing picture quality. Its 13.3-inch OLED panel is incredibly vibrant, courtesy of individually backlit pixels. A version with a bigger 15.6-inch screen is also available.
The monitor's bundled smart case doubles as a versatile viewing stand, which works in both landscape and portrait modes. Conveniently, the ZenScreen OLED MQ13AH also has a built-in tripod socket, should you need more viewing options.
The slim portable display also packs a rich set of connectivity features for its size and form factor. A built-in proximity sensor to help it save power when not in use is also on board.
Key Specs
Display | 13.3-inch FHD OLED (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) |
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Connectivity | Three USB-C ports (two with DisplayPort mode, mini HDMI |
Other | Bundled display cover, built-in tripod socket |
Pros
- Stunningly immersive viewing experience
- Can replace two regular monitors
- Feature-rich platform with bundled remote control
Cons
- You can buy two 4K monitors for the same money
The Samsung Odyssey G9 Series curved OLED monitor is all about screen excess in the best possible way. Measuring 49 inches diagonally, the curved gaming monitor has a 32:9 aspect, meaning it can fully replace two full-size monitors. Such a vast amount of screen real estate enables the G9 to deliver unrivaled content viewing and multitasking capabilities. Whether you want to run multiple apps side-by-side or achieve complete immersion in your favorite video game, the vast monitor is totally up for the task.
Being an OLED monitor, the Odyssey G9 delivers superb picture quality with vivid colors and dramatic contrast. Its gaming performance is exceptional and worth splurging on. The same goes for Samsung’s smart platform and the support for apps and game-enhancing tools it brings.
Being a monitor with a massive curved display, the Samsung Odyssey G9 provides a ton of presence anywhere you place it. Its metal stand, back cover, and onboard circular light are almost as striking as its OLED panel.
Key Specs
Display | 49-inch Dual-QHD OLED panel (5,120 x 1,440 pixels), 240-Hertz refresh rate, 0.03 ms response time |
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Connectivity | three USB-C ports, HDMI, microHDMI, DisplayPort |
Other | Tizen platform, gaming hub, bundled remote |
Stefan Vazharov
Senior Technology Editor, Reviews
Stefan is the senior technology editor for Best Products, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He is an award-winning editor with more than a decade of experience reporting on and reviewing consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear like headphones, earbuds, speakers, and soundbars. Stefan was previously the U.S. editor for GSMArena.com. His writing can also be found in Popular Mechanics.