best 27 inch lcd monitors free sample

Even though monitors have been getting bigger and bigger throughout the years, 27-inch monitors remain one of the most popular sizes. You can find them with different resolutions and for a variety of uses. This size of monitor strikes a good balance between having a large screen and not taking up too much desk space. Most 27-inch monitors either have a 4k or 1440p resolution, which both result in good text clarity, but there are a few cheaper ones with a 1080p resolution.

We"ve bought and tested over 250 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best monitors you can buy with 27-inch screen sizes. Also, make sure to check out our recommendations for the best 27-inch gaming monitors, the best work monitors, and if you want something bigger, the best 32-inch monitors.

The best 27-inch monitor we"ve tested is the Dell U2723QE. It"s a high-end monitor with many features, and it"s great for office use and even excellent if you"re a photo or video editor. Its 4k resolution helps deliver crisp images and sharp text clarity, and it lets you open multiple windows at once compared to a lower-resolution 27-inch monitor. As it"s a premium monitor in Dell"s UltraSharp lineup, it has a massive USB hub that includes five USB-A ports and three USB-C ports, one of which supports 90 W of power delivery so you can charge a compatible device and display an image from it at the same time.

If you aren"t going to use the productivity features on the Dell U2723QE and instead want something for gaming, check out the LG 27GP950-B. While it has the same 4k resolution as the Dell U2723QE, it"s a different type of monitor because it has more gaming features. It"s excellent whether you need it for console or PC gaming as it has a 4k resolution and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, allowing you to play 4k games up to 120 fps without issue from the Xbox Series X and PS5. It has low input lag for a responsive gaming feel, and motion looks smooth thanks to its quick response time. It also has variable refresh rate (VRR) support to reduce screen tearing.

If you don"t need the gaming features of the LG 27GP950-B and you aren"t going to take full advantage of the massive USB hub of the Dell U2723QE, then the Dell S2722QC is also a great choice in the mid-range category. You don"t get the same gaming features as the LG, as it"s more focused on productivity with fewer features than the U2723QE, but it"s still an excellent office monitor. It has one USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode with 65W of power delivery, which isn"t enough to charge power-hungry laptops, but it"s good enough to keep your battery going while you"re using it. It doesn"t have a dedicated sRGB mode like the U2723QE, which means some colors are over-saturated, but the color accuracy is still decent.

It performs well in bright rooms because it easily gets bright enough to fight glare, and its reflection handling is very good, even better than the U2723QE. Its flicker-free backlight is ideal if you need to use it for long hours, as it helps reduce eye strain. It also has wide viewing angles that make the image remain consistent from the sides if you need to share the screen with someone else.

If you prefer something cheaper, check out the Gigabyte M27Q, which is a good choice in the lower mid-range price category. It"s different from the Dell S2722QC because it has a lower 1440p resolution, meaning the text clarity isn"t as sharp. Because it uses a BGR subpixel layout instead of the standard RGB, there are some text clarity issues in certain programs that don"t support that subpixel format, but this isn"t an issue for everyday use. However, the main advantage the Gigabyte has over the Dell is that it has a higher refresh rate and better gaming performance, meaning it"s a more versatile monitor if you need something for work and play.

If you"re looking for the best 27-inch monitor and are on a budget, consider the Dell S2721QS. Despite being a lower-end model from the Dell S2722QC and maintaining the high 4k resolution, it still costs less than the Gigabyte M27Q, making it a good budget choice if you need something for productivity. However, there are a few features you have to sacrifice for getting a cheaper model, as this one doesn"t have any USB ports like on the Gigabyte or the S2722QC, meaning it"s a rather basic monitor that provides a high resolution with fantastic text clarity.

While the Dell S2721QS offers great value for its cost, there are some cheaper options you can get for a low cost, like the LG 27GL650F-B, which is a good cheap 27-inch monitor. If you don"t want to spend a ton of money on a monitor, you"ll have to give up a few features and get something with a lower resolution, which is the case with the LG. Its 1080p resolution isn"t ideal if you want the best text clarity possible, but it"s still decent and good enough for office work. It also has great peak brightness and decent reflection handling for use in a well-lit room.

The Gigabyte M27Q X is a newer version of the Gigabyte M27Q with a higher 240Hz refresh rate, making it the better option if you"re a competitive gamer, but it"s also hard to find, and if you find it, it costs more.

The LG 27GP850-B is very similar to the Gigabyte M27Q as it has nearly the same specs and costs about the same. The Gigabyte is more versatile for other uses thanks to its USB hub, but if you"re a gamer and care about motion handling, go for the LG.

The ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV is a budget-friendly monitor with better color accuracy than the Dell S2721QS. However, considering it has a lower resolution, it"s worth getting the Dell instead.

The Lenovo D27-30 is a basic monitor that"s even cheaper than the LG 27GL650F-B, but it also has worse peak brightness and viewing angles, so for a bit more, it"s worth going for the LG.

Renamed the Gigabyte M27Q as the "Best Lower Mid-Range 27-Inch Monitor" because its price has gone up and removed the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV; added the Dell S2721QS as the "Best Budget 27-Inch Monitor" for consistency with other recommendations; updated Notable Mentions based on changes.

Restructured article to reflect user needs and for consistency; moved the Dell U2723QE to the "Best Monitor" and renamed the Dell S2722QC to "Best Mid-Range"; replaced the Dell S2721D with the Gigabyte M27Q because it"s easier to find; added the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV and removed the Samsung Odyssey G7 LC32G75T.

Restructured article to reflect user needs; renamed the Samsung Odyssey G7 as the "Best For PC Gaming", the LG 27GP950-B as the "Best For Console Gaming", and the Dell S2722QC as the "Best 27 Inch Monitor"; added the Dell U2723QE as the "Best For Photo Editing" and replaced the ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV with the Dell S2721D because it"s cheaper.

Replaced the ASUS VG279QM with the ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM and renamed "G-SYNC Alternative"; replaced the Dell S2721QS with the newer Dell S2722QC for consistency; updated Notable Mentions based on changes.

Replaced the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q with the Dell S2721QS because it"s cheaper; added the Gigabyte G27Q and the Samsung Odyssey G7 S28AG70 to Notable Mentions.

Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best 27-inch displays currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people, in each price range. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.

If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all of our 27-inch monitor reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the metrics that fare worse are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.

Picking out the best monitors can be tricky and expensive business so it’s worth keeping an eye on the 27-inch monitor deals going on. We’ve picked out some of the best 27-inch monitor deals happening today so you know exactly which ones are worth your time and money. You won’t be disappointed.

The Dell 27 Monitor is simple yet exactly what many users could do with, particularly when setting up a cheap home office. It offers a Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution 27-inch display with a refresh rate of 75Hz. While that’s nothing amazing if you’re looking to game on it, it does the job well enough to ensure you get some extra screen space for less. Alongside that, it has a response time of 8ms with that going down to 4ms when set to extreme. Color support caters to 16.7 million colors too, so it’s just fine for creating presentations and other daily work. Its color gamut is 99% sRGB, so it’s good to go with pretty much everything possible if you need strong color representation.

In addition, the Dell 27 Monitor also has two HDMI 1.4 ports so there’s a bit of flexibility here if you need to hook up a couple of different devices at once. It also has built-in dual 3W speakers if you don’t need high-end sound and simply need it for video calls or similar. If you want a straightforward and inexpensive monitor, the Dell 27 Monitor fulfills that role well.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on one of the best curved monitors to enjoy the technology. As the Samsung 27-inch Curved Monitor demonstrates, there’s a lot to be appreciated about relatively inexpensive curved monitors. This one offers an industry-leading 1800R screen curvature to ensure you get to enjoy immersive viewing whether you’re watching a movie, playing a game, or multitasking at work. It means panoramic views of whatever you’re doing with the design inspired by the curve of the human eye. An ultra-slim design means that the Samsung 27-inch Curved Monitor doesn’t take up a lot of room either. It’s less than 0.5-inch thick, so it won’t take up as much space as you’d think. That’s further helped by its simple circular stand too.

Support for AMD FreeSync technology means if you play a game on the Samsung 27-inch Curved Monitor, you can enjoy a silky-smooth picture, even during the fastest moving action. It’s able to dynamically sync the screen refresh rate with the frame rate of your content to minimize input latency. That means less image tearing and stutter, all thanks to a 4ms response time.

Elsewhere, the Samsung 27-inch Curved Monitor also has an eye-saver mode that helps reduce blue-light emissions so you can look at the screen for long periods of time without a problem. It’s even good for the environment thanks to an eco-saving plus feature that reduces screen brightness to save power. Oozing practicality at every turn, the Samsung 27-inch Curved Monitor is a great way of enjoying curved monitor technology for less. Guaranteed to look good whether you’re working or relaxing, it makes the whole experience feel far more immersive than with a regular monitor.

The Dell 27 4K UHD Monitor offers a lot to make it stand out from the crowd. One of the most significant things about it is that it’s a 4K monitor. That means you can enjoy resolutions up to 3840 x 2160 for an incredibly sharp picture. Combined with its 27-inch display size, it’s perfect for multitasking and having many windows open at once. It also has far superior color support than many other regular monitors thanks to provisions for 1.07 billion colors. A brightness of 350 nits means that this is a monitor that makes everything you do pop on screen. There’s HDR support too to further help colors look more vibrant and blacks look deeper.

Other features include the ability to adjust the monitor’s stand to the height you need. Extensive tilting, swiveling, and pivoting further help so you can get the monitor just where you need it for the best comfort while working. Refreshingly, the Dell 27 4K UHD Monitor connects via USB-C, so there’s no need for an additional power cable. Simply plug it into your laptop or desktop via its USB-C connector, and you’re good to go. That means less clutter on your desk and far less hassle than before. It also has a built-in USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port so you can always charge your devices via it too, again saving you some space and convenience.

With built-in dual HDMI ports, you’re safe to use it with other devices, so there’s plenty of flexibility going on. Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture modes help out here. At all times, you can enjoy AMD FreeSync technology for a superior image and refresh rate. Finally, there’s ComfortView technology that reduces blue-light emissions so extended viewing sessions won’t bother your eyes like with lesser monitors.

Encapsulating a lot of what you may need from one of the best gaming monitors, the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor has a lot going for it if you’re an avid gamer who wants the best. It has a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 thanks to its use of QHD resolutions. Alongside that, it offers a refresh rate of 240Hz so you get silky-smooth performance no matter how fast the game you’re playing may get. It’s brilliant for smooth browsing or working too. There’s also a true response time of 1ms so lag isn’t going to be a problem here. Color support of 1.07 billion further helps when it comes to ensuring your games look awesome.

The Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor also has Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate certification. Thanks to it, you get smooth and tear-free action along with brilliant HDR renderings when playing an HDR-capable game. Images are quickly and clearly displayed with gameplay consistently feeling more responsive. There’s also support for VESA DisplayHDR 600 so you get real-time contrast ratios with localized dimming and deep blacks as well as a wider color gamut. New IPS Nano Color technology also means 98% DCI-P3 color coverage so color accuracy is incredibly high and better than sRGB.

Even on sale, the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor is, expensive but it’s ideal if you want the best image possible, whether you’re gaming or working in a creative industry. There’s also Dell’s standard ComfortView technology to help cut down on the risk of eyestrain from blue-light emissions, so you simply can’t go wrong here. An extensive number of ports — including two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and an audio line-out and headphone-out jack — complete the package.

If you want sharp image quality, 4Kresolution is where you want to be in 2022. Sure, there are 8K screens and even more modest 6K ones(opens in new tab)making the rounds these days. And lower resolutions deliver higher frame rates on even the best graphics cards. However, 3840 x 2160 sits at the upper echelon of premium viewing experiences for what our eyes can perceive. So for most people, whether you"re gaming, watching a movie, surfing the web, watching your coworkers call you on the best webcams or getting work done, 4K is an ideal fit. And with one of the best budget 4K monitors, you can get there without breaking the bank.

4K was a luxury that wasn"t achievable for a reasonably priced PC monitor for years. But as these high-resolution screens have become more commonplace and the bleeding edge has turned to high refresh rates and full-array local dimming, a relatively large assortment of budget 4K monitors will allow you to take the plunge without shelling out several hundred dollars.

Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

What size do you need?For a budget monitor, 32 inches is a nice sweet spot, providing ample screen space while still fitting atop a desk. If you don"t need to share the screen, consider 28-inch and 27-inch screens. They"re common in this price range and generally less expensive.Decide the monitor’s main purpose. For gaming, higher refresh rates and Adaptive-Sync (AMD FreeSyncor Nvidia G-Sync) are priorities, alongside a beefy graphics card. You should have a minimum of a GTX 1070 Ti or RX Vega 64 for medium settings at 4K or, for high or better settings, an RTX-series or Radeon VII. For general productivity or entertainment, look for high contrast for high image quality. Creatives should strive for accuracy. For more, see How to Buy a PC Monitor, plus our Best Gaming Monitorslist.Errors under 3Delta E(dE) are generally invisible to the naked eye. A monitor with a 5dE color error, for example, probably has colors that look visibly off. Accuracy is a bigger priority for creative work.Do you need HDR? A 4K monitor with the right HDRimplementation makes 4K/HDR content look much better than it would on a regular, SDR monitor. While many 4K monitors support HDR, few budget ones deliver it with noticeable impact. If you want a monitor that makes the HDR upgrade worth it, consider increasing your budget or opting for a lower resolution to save money. Read How to Choose the Best HDR Monitor for more.Consider ports and other features.Do you need HDMI 2.1 and/or the latest DisplayPort (1.4)? How important are USB Type-A ports to you? Do you want USB-C for charging or a single-cable setup? Speakers and the stand’s ability to tilt, swivel or rise are also considerations.

The Samsung UR59C is the best budget 4K monitor, offering a 32-inch VA panel with accuracy and curves. Image quality is superb, with bold, accurate colors and clear text after calibration. When we tested in sRGBmode, we recorded a color error of 4.3dE with visible errors, but our calibration (see our recommended settings on page 1 of the review) got it down to 0.9dE. So your web and games should look as intended. The UR59C also offers fantastic contrast, as expected from a VApanel, hitting an impressive 2,590.5:1 after calibration.

You’ll have to pay a hefty price for a monitor that can push 8.3 million pixels at a 144 Hz refresh rate. The best budget 4K gaming monitor, the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q, is a slower 60 Hz but fights screen tears with FreeSync. Yes, input lag is significantly larger than what you’ll find on a 144 Hz monitor, as is response time. But this is an excellent option if you’re working with a budget graphics card and want your games to look detailed and realistic. SDR games looked extra colorful on the VG289Q, and dynamic contrast brought subtle visual benefits, like added dimension. However, there are screens on this page with better contrast.

If the best budget 4K monitor for you is in the 32-inch range, check out the LG 32UN500-W Contrast is a top consideration for image quality, and the 32UN500-W’s VA panel didn’t disappoint in our benchmarks, hitting 2,353.9:1 out of the box. In addition, the 32UN500-W’s native color gamut is DCI-P3, and it covers that color space accurately without any visible errors.

The Dell S2721QS earns the title of best 27-inch budget 4K monitor with a bright screen, reliably accurate image, and useful add-ons. Those bonus add-ons include the ability to connect multiple PCs and view them simultaneously via picture-in-picture or picture-by-picture and an optional app that makes it easy to calibrate the screen or arrange up to 6 windows in various preset layouts. The latter is a productivity boon.

You should probably opt for a professional monitor if you"re doing professional work. Pro monitors are known for offering exceptional accuracy for a premium price. But with monitors continuously improving, we’re at a point where you can find monitors with pro-level accuracy in key areas, like color, just without the pro-level price tag.

The HP U28 is one such screen and the best budget 4K monitor for creatives. Of course, none of the monitors on this page are color slouches, but the U28 stands out with its ability to accurately cover both the sRGB and P3 color spaces with just a switch in the OSD and no calibration. You also get an adjustable stand that allows height and swivel adjustments and the ability to flip into portrait mode, offering plenty of flexibility for creative work.

However, HP’s U28 comes at a cost premium. While not as pricey as professional monitors, the U28 is the most expensive monitor on this list as of this writing.

The Samsung 27” S80UA is a little more expensive than the other monitors on this page, but you won’t have to worry about image quality. It’s super colorful for a budget screen, covering 95% of DCI-P3, according to our testing, and accurately. You can also opt for sRGB mode, which also offers a low color gamut error of just 2.8dE.

Whether you"re shopping for one of the screens that made our list of best budget 4K monitors above or something else, you may find savings by checking out our best monitor deals page, along with our lists of Dell coupon codes, Lenovo coupon codes, LG coupon codes, HP coupon codes, Monoprice coupon codes and Newegg promo codes.Round up of today"s best deals

Working from home has become the new normal for many people, so finding the best computer monitor is more important than ever. After all, you want to see the best visual quality from your coworkers" best webcams, right? And while many PC components are still enduring depressing shortages, performing a screen upgrade is one of the most accessible and most impactful changes you can make to your gaming rig at the moment.

Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.What’s your monitor’s purpose?If it’s gaming, you’ll generally want something with a high refresh rate (ideally 100Hz or more), low response time and AMD FreeSyncor Nvidia G-Sync for fighting screen tears at low framerates. For general use, look for high contrast, and for creative work prioritize color accuracy.What resolution do you want? More pixels means a sharper image. No one should be buying anything under 1080p/FHD (1920 x 1080) these days. But if your budget can handle it, 4K is as sharp as it gets at a reasonable price. Many gamers find 1440p/QHD (2560 x 1440) a good compromise between price and high-refresh-rate performance.Contrast and color.We consider contrast the most important factor in image quality, with 1,000:1 being solid. Color errors are particularly important avoid for content creators, and anything with a Delta E (dE) greater than 3 may show visible errors.Panel tech:When it comes to image quality, TN< IPS< VA. VA monitors typically still have better contrast than even the best IPS panels, although IPS panels are also known to be very colorful.What size do you want?These days, 24-inches is on the small side and 27 inches is mainstream, while 32-inches is a good large size for those on a budget. Anything bigger than 43 inches probably won’t fit on a regular desktop. For portable monitors, stay in the 17-inch range or under. Anything bigger isn"t really all that portable.sRGB or DCI-P3? In most cases, you’ll either be getting a monitor made for the sRGBcolor space or the more colorful DCI-P3 one. Technically, Windows, the web and non-HDR games and video all use sRGB, but if you want an extra colorful screen, an accurate DCI-P3 monitor is more appropriate.

Before we get into our primary list of picks, here is an amazing deal on one of our favorite tested monitors below. Sure, it"s more of a TV than a monitor, but it"s hard to pass up a big OLED screen for $600 (after an admittedly annoying $200 mail-in rebate).

This excellent 48-inch 4K OLED monitor/TV with 120Hz Refresh Rate, 1ms (GTG) Response Time, HDMI 2.1, and support for FreeSync Premium has had an amazing $900 cut from its original price.

Earning a 5-star rating from Tom"s Hardware, the Samsung Odyssey G7 32-inch is the best computer monitor. For gamers, it boasts the strongest curve currently available, 1000R, for incredible immersion, along with speedy gaming numbers. The 240Hz monitor has a 1ms (GTG) response time and put up a 5ms response time score in our testing, beating some 165Hz screens by 2ms. In addition, benchmarking showed input lag at 20ms, a full 6 to 10ms faster than some 165Hz screens we’ve tested, including the Dell S3220DGF also on this page.

This is also a strong work monitor. Its 32-inch panel offers plenty of height for productivity, like working on long spreadsheets in a way that’s easier than on a 32-inch ultrawide. And at a 2 to 3-foot viewing distance, we don"t have any distortion issues with that dramatic curve. Just be sure to bring your own audio because, despite the price, there are no speakers here.

The Dell S3222DGM is the best gaming monitor for many gamers. This follow-up to the highly-rated S3220DGF(opens in new tab) boasts a 32-inch VA(opens in new tab) panel, QHD resolution and 165 Hz refresh rate with Adaptive-Sync(opens in new tab) support. Other perks in its favor are 85 percent coverage of DCI-P3 and a display curve with an 1800mm radius.

This 32-inch monitor offers plenty of vertical screen real estate without the need for scrolling and 1440p resolution(opens in new tab), the current sweet spot between image quality and gaming performance. And while the S3222DGM is targeted primarily at gamers, we found that it is also great for general productivity and anything in between.

With a 1ms (GTG) response time and 144Hz refresh rate, the LG 27GN950-B is the best computer monitor for 4K gaming. If you’ve got the graphics card, ideally one of the best graphics cards, you need to handle 144 frames per second (fps) at 4K; this monitor will ensure that power doesn’t go to waste. In our testing, the monitor showed a 7ms response time, keeping up with pricier 4K, 144Hz screens, like the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ, and even beating some when it came to input lag. Plus, FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatibility will fight screen tears for those times when framerates drop below 48 fps.

Although VA panels are known for their high contrast, this IPS monitor can hold its own, hitting 1,034.7 before calibration and 8,475.3:1 with HDR, based on our benchmarks. Those who want the most accurate color may find the sRGB mode too saturated, but the 27GN950-B proved accurate when it came to the more colorful DCI-P3 space.

eSports players and hopefuls rely on the fastest peripherals available to attenuate the delay between deciding on in-game action and when that action happens on screen. 360 Hz is the fastest refresh rate PC monitors have today, and the MSI Oculux NXG253R is the fastest of them all. Yes, the NXG253R is the fastest display we’ve ever tested, making it the best computer monitor for eSports you can buy.

The NXG253R outperformed other 360 Hz monitors by 1-3ms (depending on the rival screen) in our absolute input lag test. It also matched all its 360 Hz rivals in our response time test with a 3ms score. The monitor also fights screen tears down to a 1 Hz refresh rate with G-Sync and includes the Nvidia Reflex latency analyzer to help fine-tune your eSports performance further.

If you want an affordable screen with many pixels, the Samsung UR59C is the best budget 4K monitor for you. The VA panel delivers contrast (2590.5:1 after calibration), making everything from photos to videos to games look better. This is clearly not a high-end gaming monitor with a 60 Hz refresh rate, 4ms (GTG) response, and noFreeSync or G-Sync. But casual gamers can make do, thanks to the combination of high pixel density and high contrast, keeping games looking realistic.

Curves are generally more effective on ultrawide screens, but the UR59C’s 1500R curvature was effective and beneficial for this 32-incher, such as when multitasking with multiple windows. And if you don’t mind calibrating, you can get rid of the UR59C pesky color errors, which, unfortunately, were visible out of the box. Our calibration settings reduced the error from 4.3dE to 0.9dE.

Making HDR pop over SDR is all about contrast, and for the ultimate contrast, there’s nothing better than OLED. The Aorus FO48U’s massive OLED panel not only delivers immeasurably high contrast, but we recorded 107.7% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space and near-flawless grayscale tracking. As a result, you get a rich image that’s also accurate out of the box. However, it’s not as bright as a premium LCD (399 nits with HDR, according to our testing).

A lot of us are finding ourselves working in tight spaces these days. If you’re looking to add another screen to your space, the Lenovo ThinkVision M14 is the best portable monitor. Its most standout feature is a critical one: a reliable, strong kickstand that’s easy to use, thanks to two flip-out feet. While many portable monitors are stuck with flimsy sleeves that double as stands, you can intuitively prop up the ThinkVision M14 at a -5 to 90-degree tilt or even in portrait mode. Unfortunately, its travel case isn’t as tough.

With a 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms (GTG) response time, and even FreeSync, the Asus ROG XG17AHPE stands high above the competition and easily snags the best portable gaming monitor crown.

However, the XG17AHPE is as expensive as it is unique. In fact, you can buy a much larger desktop-sized monitor with the same amount of speed for cheaper than this, over $400 17.3-incher. And the origami-style cover Asus includes isn’t sufficient for protecting this expensive piece of hardware or providing a reliable stand.

The HP Omen X 65 Emperium is the best computer monitor to replace your living room TV. First, it’s massive. It also comes with a remote and powerful audio that’ll fill your space, thanks to four 4-inch woofers, two 1-inch tweeters and a pair of passive radiators. The inclusion of Nvidia Shield means access to the apps you’d want on a smart TV, including Netflix and YouTube, plus access to hundreds of free games.

If you want something a little smaller and cheaper, theAlienware AW5520QF is excellent and offers even higher contrast with its OLED panel but is much dimmer than the Omen X 65 Emperium.Round up of today"s best deals

A monitor is key. You’ll use it hour after hour, day after day, year after year. Monitors even have the audacity to resist obsolescence, so the monitor you buy today might be the one you’re still using in a decade. (My editor and I both have decade-old Dell U2412 monitors that are still going strong.)

It’s an important decision, but not a difficult one, as there are dozens of great monitors to choose from. This guide will help you pick the best for your home office.

I’ve reviewed monitors and laptop displays for over a decade. While different monitors suit different owners, I believe the idealhome office monitor has a 27-inch screen and 4K resolution. It uses an IPS panel, reaches a brightness of at least 250 nits, and can display 99 percent of the sRGB color gamut. Around back you’ll find a USB-C port that can deliver enough power to charge a laptop, along with HDMI and DisplayPort, plus an ergonomic stand that can adjust for height and attaches to a VESA mount.

Finding a monitor that ticks most of these boxes won’t be too difficult. LG’s UltraFine line, Dell’s USB-C hub monitors, BenQ’s PD2720U and PD2725U, and HP’s U28 can check them all. Only the price may be higher than you hope; snagging any of the above will cost at least $450.

But like I said, different monitors suit different owners. These monitors are ideal for work, but they’re expensive. They also lack features you’ll crave when it’s time to clock out and fire up a round of Valorant. This guide will help you navigate the monitor world’s many caveats and find one that’s a fit for you.

Most standard-width monitors come in one of three sizes: 24-inch, 27-inch, and 32-inch. Bigger is not necessarily better. A large display may look more impressive, but I find it uncomfortable when placed close to my eyes. There are also practical considerations like perceived pixel density. A big monitor will look fuzzier than a smaller monitor of the same resolution unless you move it further away — which isn’t always an option.

That’s why a 27-inch monitor is my go-to recommendation. It’s large enough to look impressive on a typical home office desk but isn’t excessive. In my experience, 32-inch monitors should be reserved for unusually large and deep desks, or corner setups where it’s possible to position the display around four feet away from your face. This is especially true for 32-inch monitors with a resolution below 4K, which look grainy to me at a distance of three feet.

For the same reasons, 24-inch monitors work better if you have a small, slim desk (say, around 24 inches deep or less) or otherwise bring the monitor closer to your face. A 24-inch monitor may sound small, but it’ll look reasonably large because it’s so close. They’re also a great way to save money. You can buy a decent all-around monitor like the HP 24mh for less than $200. It won’t wow you, but it works in a pinch.

If you’re looking to stretch more screen across your field of view for multitasking, you might consider an ultrawide monitor instead. There, I think the choice is clear: go for a 34-incher.

Smaller models lack vertical space. A 29-inch ultrawide has less vertical display space than a 24-inch widescreen. Larger models generally have the opposite problem. Many are too big for a typical home office desk, not only because of their screen size, but because of the large stands used to stabilize them (some are several feet wide). You might need to rearrange your desk around a 38-inch or 43-inch monitor or add a top-tier monitor arm to make it work.

What about super-ultrawides, like the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 series? These monitors can offer a commanding view and are a good alternative to a double or triple monitor setup but, like big ultrawides, you’ll need to build your setup around it.

4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160) looks fantastic and is widely available on 27-inch and 32-inch displays. It’s not that expensive, either. Budget 4K 27-inch monitors like the Dell S2721QS can get you 4K for $350 or less.

With that said, settling for 1440p (2,560 x 1,440) can save money. It’s a bit disappointing on a 32-inch display, unless you move it far away, but it’s workable. A 27-inch 1440p display can look reasonably sharp and is a good choice if you personally don’t care about having the sharpest picture possible.

You should probably avoid 1080p (1,920 x 1,080) in a 27-inch or 32-inch monitor, however. It will look grainy and pixelated. Small fonts and interface elements (such as buttons) can become difficult to see.

Twenty-four-inch monitors are a different story; 4K is rare, and 1440p is often the premium option. In fact, most monitors of this size are 1080p. It’s not ideal but it’s acceptable, as decreasing size increases pixel density. A 24-inch 1080p monitor is noticeably sharper than a 27-inch 1080p monitor.

Want a 34-inch ultrawide? Look for 3,440 x 1,440 resolution. This leads to a pixel density nearly identical to a 27-inch 1440p monitor (about 109 pixels per inch). A handful of super-budget ultrawides use 2,560 x 1,080 resolution which, like 1080p on a large monitor, isn’t pleasant. LG’s 5K Ultrawide line is the sole option if you want 4K-equivalent pixel density in a 34-inch ultrawide, but you’ll typically pay $1,500 or more. LG’s well-reviewed 38-inch with 3,840 x 1,600 resolution costs even more at $1,600 and, though it might offer more screen, is equal in pixel density to a 3,440 x 1,440 ultrawide.

Super-ultrawides also don’t offer much choice. All 49-inch super-ultrawides I’m aware of use the same 5,120 x 1,440 resolution which, again, roughly equals the pixel density of a 1440p 27-inch display.

Most monitors have HDMI and DisplayPort. There’s no great reason to prefer one over the other for remote work. The huge majority of monitors sold today offer both, so the port you use will likely come down to what’s available on your PC.

What about HDMI 2.1? It’s not necessary for remote work, and productivity monitors with HDMI 2.1 aren’t yet a thing. Be warned that HDMI 2.1 could get messy in 2022 due to the standard’s lax certification. It’s key only if you want to connect a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X game console.

If you’ve got extra cash to spend, the galaxy-brain move is to ignore HDMI and DisplayPort entirely and leap to USB-C and/or Thunderbolt. USB-C and Thunderbolt are great because they allow a single-cable solution for modern laptops that support the standard. You can plug in the laptop and charge it from the monitor while sending video to the monitor simultaneously. The best USB-C monitors even act as a hub with multiple extra ports like USB-A, USB-C, and ethernet.

The underside of this 27-inch Dell USB-C Hub Monitor is bristling with connectivity, much of it accessible via a single USB-C cable that also provides 90W of charging. Image: Dell

But you’ll also need to make sure the monitor you buy provides enough electricity. Power Delivery currently maxes out at 100 watts, so even the most powerful monitors can’t fully power laptops like a top-spec Razer Blade or high-end MacBook Pro 16, but a monitor that delivers 60 watts or even 45 watts might be enough if you have a thin-and-light laptop like a Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Air. The higher the better, but if the USB-C monitor doesn’t deliver as much power as your laptop’s power brick, your battery might only charge when it’s idle or even powered off.

USB-C monitors are also expensive. The benefits often add several hundred dollars to the price when compared to an otherwise similar monitor that lacks USB-C. It’s worth the money, though: in 2019, I purchased a Viewsonic VG2455-2K for a sweet one-cable connection to USB-C capable laptops, and find it ideal for swiftly connecting my laptop to a larger screen.

Many monitors also adjust for tilt and swivel, and some pivot 90 degrees into portrait orientation. That can be particularly handy when a monitor is used as a second display. For example, you could swivel a monitor to directly face you while doing detailed work, like editing a photo, and swing it away when it’s just displaying Slack or Discord. Tilt is similar but on the vertical axis, and especially handy if you have a standing desk, as you may need to tilt the monitor up while the desk is standing.

But if your monitor doesn’t have enough range of motion, or you want to free up space on your desk, you could instead add a VESA-compatible monitor arm to get it off the ground. Look for monitors with a 100mm x 100mm VESA spacing pattern. This is an extremely common feature found in all but the most affordable monitors, and you only need to worry about the 100mm spacing pattern. Others exist, but are relevant to other types of displays (like televisions).

Larger, heavier monitors will need a beefier, more expensive arm: the model Ergotron recommends for the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 is currently $379 (and, at the time I wrote this, sold out!)

Color accuracy is critical to image quality. An inaccurate monitor will look unnatural, flat, and dull, with strange swings in quality depending on what you’re viewing and the precise colors that are inaccurate (it’s common for monitors to be less accurate in blue or cyan than other colors, for example). A monitor with terrible color will disappoint you every time you sit down to use it.

The good news? Accuracy is low-key the greatest advancement in monitors over the last decade. Noticeably inaccurate displays were common when I began testing monitors well over a decade ago. Today, most midrange monitors have reasonable accuracy straight out of the box.

Still, there is a difference between midrange and premium monitors. Those who want great color accuracy should look for a “factory calibrated” monitor, which typically includes a calibration report in the box. This doesn’t guarantee color accuracy is perfect, but it at least shows the company put the monitor through an extra layer of quality assurance. Also check reviewers to see if the monitor lives up to its claims.

Color gamut, which describes the spectrum of colors a monitor can display, is also good enough on most monitors. The majority of content on a computer targets a color gamut called sRGB. Modern monitors display at least 95 percent of this gamut, and many display it all. Other gamuts also exist. DCI-P3 is the most advertised, though you may see Rec.709 or Adobe RGB as well. These gamuts are important if your work requires them, though if that’s the case, I’m guessing you know that. As with color accuracy, buyers concerned about gamut should read reviews to verify a monitor lives up to its claims.

That’s not a big ask, but budget monitors can’t always manage it, so be careful if you’re shopping on a tight budget. Manufacturers also tend to choose a best-case scenario when quoting brightness, so the listed brightness may not always be available. Buy a monitor that promises a maximum brightness of at least 250 nits (aka cd/m2).

Nearly all monitors sold today use an LCD panel based on one of three technologies: twisted nematic (TN), in-plane switching (IPS), and vertical alignment (VA).

The least expensive monitors often use a TN panel. Avoid them. TN panel monitors will display an image, but that’s about it. They look achingly dull next to IPS and have astoundingly bad viewing angles.

A majority of monitors use IPS. Monitors based on IPS have very accurate color and can support a wide color gamut at a reasonable price. IPS struggles with dark scenes, however, because it can’t achieve a convincing shade of black. This is the dreaded “IPS glow” you may have heard of, which can look unappealing when watching movies or playing games. However, gamers still enjoy IPS monitors because some IPS panels have low response times and very high refresh rates.

What about VA? This panel type has the best contrast ratio and dark scene performance of the three, which makes VA a great go-to choice for entertainment and gaming. This is especially true of high-quality, modern VA panels, which have mostly solved the color accuracy and motion smearing issues of some past VA monitors.

The choice between IPS and VA has no clear answer, as both have their perks. When it comes to work, though, you may find the choice is made for you. A huge majority of productivity monitors use an IPS panel. VA is an option, but you’ll want to lean your search toward gaming monitors if you crave the high contrast a quality VA panel can provide.

High-refresh gaming displays aren’t especially expensive, with 24-inch, 144Hz models sold for as little as $200. But you’ll typically trade something away for refresh rate: that $200 monitor might use an iffy TN panel (rather than IPS or VA) or feature a low resolution. It’s possible to snag a 4K display for a reasonable sum, or one with a high refresh rate, but going for 4K at 144Hz means looking at monitors that cost as much as big televisions.

Also, USB-C with Power Delivery is rarely found in gaming monitors, and I haven’t seen a USB-C gaming monitor that doubles as a USB-C hub. That could be an issue if your work setup involves a lot of wired peripherals.

Neither of these are necessary for working from home, and you’ll likely have to spend thousands to snag a monitor with either tech. Alternatively, you could buy a television with Mini LED or OLED technology, but televisions still have their downsides as monitors.

If you demand the very best from a monitor, however, I recommend Mini LED. OLED’s burn-in worries are legitimate on the PC which, compared to a television, will display static images more frequently. Mini LED can’t match OLED’s contrast, but it’s still a major upgrade over a backlit LCD screen. There’s also the emerging category of quantum dot OLED (QD-OLED) screens, but manufacturers haven’t announced prices for those yet.

The BenQ PD3200U monitor was purchased after experimenting with others like the VIOTEK GN32DA 32-Inch which was dismal, yielding grainy text and ghosting even at 144Mhz. I needed a graphic design business monitor (Adobe and Office apps) that also could double as a game monitor for the Battlefield franchise, namely game "V" at the time of this post.

I use Windows 10, therefore, I will provide a few pointers on setup. Click Settings > Ease of Access > Display and slide the "Make text bigger" to 120% which will increase the file names and menus throughout Windows to an easier to read size when in native 3840 x 2160 resolution. The Scale and layout will automatically adjust to 150% for text, apps and other items. With the BenQ PD3200U monitor set at full resolution, browsers will need to be changed to 120% for the best reading size. I use Firefox, so I added the extension "Fixed Zoom" and set at 120% for all pages. I also had to open Outlook, click View > View Settings > Other Settings changing fonts to 10 pt. Segoe UI. Outlook 2016 and 2019 will require folder by folder font adjustments mentioned above ( I would assume the same for 365). As far as color accuracy, the factory settings were just fine out of the box.

Typical LCDs are edge-lit by a strip of white LEDs. The 2D backlighting system in Pro Display XDR is unlike any other. It uses a superbright array of 576 blue LEDs that allows for unmatched light control compared with white LEDs. Twelve controllers rapidly modulate each LED so that areas of the screen can be incredibly bright while other areas are incredibly dark. All of this produces an extraordinary contrast that’s the foundation for XDR.

With a massive amount of processing power, the timing controller (TCON) chip utilizes an algorithm specifically created to analyze and reproduce images. It controls LEDs at over 10 times the refresh rate of the LCD itself, reducing latency and blooming. It’s capable of multiple refresh rates for amazingly smooth playback. Managing both the LED array and LCD pixels, the TCON precisely directs light and color to bring your work to life with stunning accuracy.

* Rewards 3% back excludes taxes and shipping. Rewards are issued to your online Dell Rewards Account (available via your Dell.com My Account) typically within 30 business days after your order’s ship date. Rewards expire in 90 days (except where prohibited by law). “Current rewards balance” amount may not reflect the most recent transactions. Check Dell.com My Account for your most up-to-date reward balance. Total rewards earned may not exceed $2,000 within a 3-month period. Outlet purchases do not qualify for rewards. Expedited Delivery not available on certain TVs, monitors, batteries and adapters, and is available in Continental (except Alaska) U.S. only. Other exceptions apply. Not valid for resellers and/or online auctions. Offers and rewards subject to change without notice, not combinable with all other offers. See Dell.com/rewardsfaq. $50 in bonus rewards for Dell Rewards Members who open a new Dell Preferred Account (DPA), or Dell Business Credit (DBC) account on or after 8/10/2022. $50 bonus rewards typically issued within 30 business days after DPA or DBC open date.

*Expedited Delivery: * Expedited Delivery not available on certain TVs, monitors, batteries and adapters, and is available in Continental (except Alaska) U.S. only. Other exceptions apply. Not valid for resellers and/or online auctions. Offers subject to change, not combinable with all other offers. See Dell.com/rewardsfaq.

Dell monitors are available in sizes as low as 15 inches and as large as 43 inches. The right size for you will depend on your intended usage. For example, gaming desktops may thrive with a Dell UltraSharp monitor with a screen size of at least 22 inches.

You will want to verify that your hardware is compatible for wall mounting. Most monitors can be mounted. This allows you to move around freely during long gaming sessions or intense work days. You will only need basic tools to mount your Dell display:

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