best 27 lcd displays 2017 pricelist

27 inch monitors with 1440p resolutions are quickly rising in popularity as an upgrade to aging 24-inch 1080p products. Even if the latter still has a strong following and staying power in both casual and competitive situations, it will eventually be replaced by the next logical step.

QHD monitors are also the next best thing to the highly-sought after 4K displays, since you get a massive increase in pixels without requiring a ton of GPU power. Even if you don’t get as much visual space and resolution like what 4K can give if you compare QHD to 1080p monitors you will enjoy more than a 70 percent increase which is great for both games and productivity.

This category is best suited to 27-inch form factors for a more natural look, although 24-inch 1440p monitors like the Dell S2417DG will look sharper, but you might end up squinting to see smaller objects like text. This type of display also came down in price considerably over the past year, since supply and demand are at an all-time high.  Here’s our guide to the best 27 inch monitor (monitor 27) 1440p for gaming.

The primary answer to this dilemma is space. Most computer desks weren’t sized to fit massive TV-like monitors since the furniture business is still usually used to displays from 19 inches all the way up to 24 inches. Although we’ve seen dazzling custom setups which can hold a giant screen, full sized tower plus speakers and other peripherals, typically, most office and home tables are still limited in size.

Viewing distance is also an issue since the prescribed 20 inches to 40 inches isn’t enough once you go near or over 32-inch displays. Viewing at a farther distance also induces more issues, such as reaching the keyboard and mouse, your headset’s cable length might not be enough, or your audio spoiled by the distance since desktop speakers require a near-field perception of its output for a maximized experience.

Finally, 4K has a long way to go before it reaches its full potential in models like the Asus PG27UQ and the Acer Predator XB272-HDR, both of which have 4K at 144Hz specs. 1440p is a safer and more economical choice since these up and coming products will cost more than an arm and a leg at release, not to mention the GPU and CPU power required to utilize these specs.

The Asus PG278Q still is a top performer after becoming available for more than two years on the market, with its 144Hz 1440p panel mated to a G-Sync module which results in buttery smooth gaming for Nvidia GPU users. This product is one of the fastest we have tested to date regarding input lag, so hardcore and competitive players can enjoy a delay-free gaming session.

The Asus PG278Q is also rich in features, with excellent ergonomics, a bad-ass minimalist design, and a lot of gamer-centric extras like its GamePlus and GameVisual modes. If looks could kill, this monitor is one of the best-looking displays with its graphite black exterior and subtle, but distinct ROG treatment.  This makes sit right up top among the best 27 inch monitors.

The Acer H277HU competes in a 4K-dominated niche with its humbler QHD resolution, but at the time of our review, no other option came close to this model since it is built to work with 2016 MacBooks while looking sexy and uniform with a gold-colored Apple device.

Aside from its respectable performance in clarity, input lag and IPS-grade color vibrancy, the Acer H277HU’s secret weapon is its future-proof inclusion of a USB-C receptacle which works as an audio/video input and a power/data delivery slot. Sophisticated professionals and socialites will get a kick out of the functionality and luxurious appearance of the monitor, all while enjoying a beautiful, 27-inch IPS panel.

The Acer Predator XB271HU is another top-ranking 27-inch gaming monitor with a cutting-edge design and feature set. This monitor also runs 1440p at 27 inches, but the main advantage it possesses over our current favorite, the PG278Q is it has an overclockable 165Hz+ IPS panel with noticeable improvements in both color vibrancy and contrast.

You also get G-Sync built into the Acer Predator XB271HU’s aggressive styling, so you can enjoy buttery-smooth visuals while keeping your monster build looking like a mean machine. But the iconic look of this monitor is as functional as it is gaudy, so you can always get the best viewing angle possible. To top it all off, Acer included their GameView suite for a stunning array of options conveniently accessible via its hotkeys.

The Acer BE270U does not stand out against over 2560 x 1440 monitors specifically for made for gamers or professionals, but rather, its features make it more suitable as a happy medium between the two categories. What makes this monitor interesting is its extended 75Hz refresh rate coupled with Freesync, so users can still enjoy frag sessions after some photo or video editing on the borderless and vibrant IPS panel.

As for physical features, the Acer BE270U is as opulent as any cutting-edge professional display. This model includes an array of input options including USB-C, MHL-ready HDMI ports, and a DisplayPort in and out for daisy-chaining into a multi-screen setup. All of these are wrapped in a svelte-looking design, which does not overpower your desk.

The acclaimed BenQ Zowie XL2730 is a favorite QHD 27-inch monitor in both the enthusiast and competitive communities for its reputation in speed and gaming functionality. On average, input lag measures below 10ms making this product suitable for twitch aiming and fast-paced action.

To help with the performance hit of the massive pixel count, BenQ built the XL2730 with AMD’s Freesync technology to alleviate stutters and tears if the frames jump up and down. This product’s exterior design is one of our favorites here at MonitorNerds for its functionality and industrial design since it has enough unique features like the S-Switch Arc and other nifty gadgets.

Professional monitors ideal for color-critical work can easily cost over a thousand dollars, but the ViewSonic VP2772 outplays the norm with its affordability and stunning capabilities. The 2560 x 1440 IPS panel comes certified to work with 100% coverage of both the sRGB and Adobe RGB gamuts. This performance is made possible through the VP2772’s 12-bit engine and 14-bit LUT, so your media appears rich and accurate.

The ViewSonic VP2772 may look outdated with its gigantic stand and thick bezels, but it has excellent ergonomics, unlike other budget offerings. You also get a plethora of input options such as HDMI and DisplayPort, plus a DisplayPort out for daisy chaining multiple VP2772s.

The Asus MX27AQ looks like a work of art with its fine, aluminum exterior, making it suitable for an executive’s desk or a posh home. The borderless face features a beautiful IPS panel with vibrant colors and a decent response time, suitable for both work and multimedia enjoyment.

The Asus MX27AQ functions more like a conventional monitor, but what makes it extra-special is its built-in ICEpower speakers from Bang and Olufsen, a popular Danish audio company. This upgrade alone makes the MX27AQ noteworthy since most included pairs are either too weak or poor-sounding.  It still makes our list if the best 27 inch monitors.

The best 27 inch monitors with 1440p resolutions provide an extensive list of options you can choose from, whether for gaming or productivity. Even if the market is headed towards 4K displays, the cost to performance of these displays and the accompanying systems to run them is still the best practical choice you can make if you are upgrading.

The world is still engrossed with 1080p 24-inch monitors, and experts say that the latter still has a few years in its guts before it finally gets phased out. If it does, 1440p which sits perfectly at 27 inches will become the next mainstream. With that trail of thought, you get a more budget-friendly level of future proofing with the larger and sharper visual performance these monitors can provide.

The U2412M is one of a dying breed. With most PC monitors adopting the 16:9 aspect ratio and Full HD resolution, this Dell’s 24in IPS panel perseveres with the old-school 16:10 ratio to give an extra 120 pixels of vertical resolution. It’s a little pricier than some, and it’s getting on a bit (it was reviewed way back in 2012 – yes, 2012!), but, with great build and image quality, it’s still a monitor worthy of a place on your desk in 2017.

Not content with serving up a 27in, 2,560 x 1,440 panel for less than £400, AOC has defied expectations by throwing in a fully adjustable stand and a three-year warranty as well. The combination of features and image quality is positively brilliant for the money, and only Acer’s K272HUL (see below), with ever-so-slightly superior colour accuracy, comes close at this price.

It’s amazing how little you need to spend to get a good-quality monitor these days, and the Acer K272HUL is a prime example. Squeezing in a 27in, 2,560 x 1,440 panel for less than £400 was quite the feat back when we first reviewed it – now it’s available for as little as £250. There’s only one thing standing in the way of the Acer’s success, and that’s the equally affordable AOC q2770Pqu. Acer takes the lead with marginally better colour accuracy, but the AOC is the better all-rounder.

ViewSonic’s VP2772 promises high-end, high-resolution performance, and since our review the price has dropped to around the £600 mark. The huge, 2,560 x 1,440 IPS panel is lit by a wide-gamut GB-r LED backlight, and ViewSonic colour-calibrates each display to guarantee an average Delta E of 3. Backlighting could be better, and the sRGB mode is flawed, but this monitor delivers a taste of the high-end for a little less than most.

Eizo’s monitors have developed something of a reputation in professional circles, but that quality has traditionally come at a hefty price. Now, the ColorEdge CS240 delivers the quality we’ve come to expect for much less cash. It might lack the high-resolution 27in panel and self-calibrating magic of the CG277, but the CS240 packs in a 1,920 x 1,200 IPS panel which boasts 99% Adobe RGB coverage, staggeringly fine colour accuracy and even backlighting from corner to corner. Shell out an extra £160 on an X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter and the CS240 makes it possible to put together a professional-class, colour-accurate display for just over £600.

The EA244UHD justifies its high price by delivering the finest 4K images we’ve laid our eyes on. Those looking for an affordable high-end display should opt for the 27in MultiSync PA272W instead, but, if the huge pixel density and compact figure appeals, the EA244UHD is a fine choice.

Eizo’s ColorEdge CX24 is frightfully pricey for a 24in monitor, but it subtly improves upon Eizo’s previous 24in monitors – and right across the board. It’s certainly a cracking performer, but with 27in rivals – such as the NEC MultiSync PA272W – costing a similar sum, we’d hesitate before splashing out.

This is a frighteningly expensive monitor; in truth, for most people, it’s overkill. But, for anyone who requires absolutely reliable colour reproduction day in, day out with zero faff, the CG277’s combination of refined image quality, integrated colour calibration and peerless features is impossible to beat. If we had our way, every monitor would be as good as the CG277.

If the very prospect of a 32in 4K monitor is enough to turn you into a overexcitable, gibbering wreck, then it’s probably best you stop reading now: the NEC MultiSync PA322UHD is a glorious example of the big-screened 4K breed. The 32in, wide-gamut IPS panel delivers sterling image quality from corner to corner, and hardware calibration means that – with the help of a third-party colorimeter – the NEC will continue to deliver top-quality imagery for years to come. Connectivity is superb, too, and, in addition to a comprehensive selection of picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture options that take advantage of the myriad inputs, it’s possible to add extra connections such as HD-SDI for professional video-production duties. For around £2,000, this is the best-value professional 4K monitor out there. One word of warning, though: at 20kg, it’s desk-crushingly heavy. If you buy one, make sure there’s a friend around to help you get it out of the box.

Recapping the year, we saw some of the fastest screens to date with the 240Hz, 1ms TN panels. Similarly, IPS panels continue to evolve with 144 and 165Hz refresh rates, and shrinking response times and input lag. 4K gaming is still a premium pursuit, but the displays are becoming more prevalent and affordable. Additionally, 1080p still remains the most populargaming resolution. The trends of Quantum Dot, HDR10, 5K, and 8K will likely pervade through 2018.

BenQ GW2765HT: Usually listed at $329, this BenQ 27” 1440p IPS display is marked down to $250, with an additional $20 off when using code BF17FLYER01. The display doesn’t offer any adaptive synchronization technologies, but does offer 2560x1440 resolution at an entry-level price, while still managing a 27” IPS panel.

Acer Predator XB252Q: Both ASUS and Acer seem to be perpetually contending for display supremacy, and that certainly was no different this year, as both rolled out top-rated 240Hz G-Sync displays. G-Sync is still a premium that adds $100-$200 directly on top of a gaming monitors price, but for those with a high-end Nvidia GPU, that surcharge can make sense.

Acer Predator XB271HK: As previously stated, 4K gaming is still an expensive endeavor, requiring a ton of rendering power. For those that of elected to invest in a GTX 1080 Ti or Titan XP—or a pair of either—a similarly exquisite monitor might be a good choice. The Acer Predator XB271HK uses a IPS panel, with a refresh rate of 60Hz—refresh rate is compromised at such high-res and pixel density. However, there’s also G-Sync to help stabilize frames and prevent

That’s it for our gaming monitor picks for 2017. Should you have a monitor you picked up this year that you think is worth mentioning, leave it in the comments. Also, continue to look for more buying and sales guides coming up!

The 24-inch, 1080p ViewSonic VA2456-MHD has the best contrast ratio of any budget monitor we tested, with darker blacks that make for slightly better images in games, movies, or web browsing. This model’s color accuracy out of the box isn’t good enough for professional photo and video work, but it is good enough for anything else and better than that of many of the other models we tested. The VA2456-MHD has both HDMI and DisplayPort connections—most budget monitors have one or the other—a modern-looking design, and a stand that doesn’t wobble too much (though like most cheap monitors, it only tilts up and down). The built-in speakers aren’t great, but they’re fine for YouTube videos or your operating system’s bleeps and bloops, and ViewSonic backs the monitor with a three-year warranty and a decent replacement policy for panels with dead or stuck pixels.

The Asus ProArt Display PA278CV has a great-looking screen with good enough color accuracy for most people and all the ports you need to hook up desktop or laptop PCs. The PA278CV’s stand can tilt, swivel, and pivot the screen and raise and lower its height, its USB-C port can provide enough power to charge most 13-inch laptops, and it comes with a three-year warranty and a good dead-pixel policy. Its QHD resolution (2560×1440) means it isn’t as sharp as a 4K screen, but it’s also hundreds of dollars cheaper than comparable 4K monitors.

The MD271QP has a USB-C connection, making it easy to connect a modern laptop without the need for an HDMI cable or extra dongle. However, you’ll still need to plug in your laptop’s charging cable.

The MSI Modern MD271QP is a simple, streamlined 1440p monitor that’s perfect for laptop users. If you have a laptop with a USB-C port, a single cable will send the image to the monitor and slowly charge your laptop with 15 watts of power. However, you’ll still need to plug in a power cable as well to keep your laptop fully charged. The MD271QP lacks features we liked in the Asus ProArt PA278CV,including a built-in USB hub, granular color calibration controls, and blue-light filtering modes for reading. But if you don’t need to tinker with color settings or those extra USB connections, the MSI Modern MD271QP is a great monitor for $100 less than our top pick.

The Dell S2722QC is a 3840×2160 display that’s great for anyone who watches 4K content or casually edits photos or video. However, if most of your time is spent on general office work or browsing the internet, you don’t really need to spend the extra cash. The S2722QC has a USB-C port with 65 watts of charging, so it can power most laptops except higher-end devices like the Dell XPS 15-inch or the 16-inch MacBook Pros (which are picks in our guide to the best laptops for video and photo editing). For more powerful 4K displays, check out our guide for the best 4K monitors.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ is a full-featured gaming monitor with HDR, a USB hub, and a robust menu system. The XG27AQ can reach a 170 Hz refresh rate, meaning the picture is updated 170 times per second, making motion in games look smoother and more realistic. We think this monitor is a nice balance between price and premium features like HDR, an overclockable refresh rate, a USB hub, good build quality, and a sturdy stand.

The best cheap monitors offer a gorgeous picture experience — without the bank account-burning price tag. They also serve up impressive displays, decent brightness, accurate colors, VESA-mount compatibility, and more. You shouldn"t have to shell out heaps of dollars just to snag the best cheap monitor for yourself, right?

However, finding the best cheap monitors isn"t easy, whether you"re looking for a gaming monitor or a work-from-home display. There are somany aspects to consider, including brightness, color quality, resolution, size, refresh rates and more! Taking all of these factors into consideration, we"ve rounded up a list of the best cheap monitors you can buy.

Note:Black Friday 2022 falls on Nov. 25 and we expect to see tons of excellent holiday deals on monitors. Be sure to bookmark ourBlack Friday monitor dealshub for the best discounts.

The Acer R240HY bidx monitor has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating on Amazon(opens in new tab), which is pretty darn close to perfection if you ask us! This 23.8-inch stunner is one of the best monitors of 2022 because of its ultra-slim bezels and sleek design, gorgeous, vivid colors and wide viewing angles.

The 24-inch ViewSonic VP2458 Professional is the best cheap monitor for users seeking a monitor with vivid and accurate color. This ViewSonic color has a Delta E score that is less than 2 — the closer to zero, the better. Delta-E tells you how accurate the colors on your monitor will be, so you can be rest assured than ViewSonic"s color accuracy will be satisfactory for your viewing pleasures. The ViewSonic monitor will likely appeal to graphic designers and other digital artists.

The Asus VS228H-P monitor is one of the best cheap monitors due to its bargain price, but it comes at the expense of screen size, offering a 22-inch screen with a basic TN panel.

The AOC C24G1 24-inch Curved Frameless Gaming Monitor is one of the best cheap monitors you can get with a high refresh rate of 144Hz. There"s a reason why it"s got an Amazon rating of 4.6 stars out of 5. Customers who"ve had the pleasure of taking this beautiful monitor home gush about its sharp, crisp visual quality -- it"s not as visually pleasing as a 4K monitor, of course, but the picture quality is impressive.

HP sells the Omen in several display sizes, but let"s zoom in on the HP Omen 24.5-inch model that you can snag for around $250(opens in new tab). What we love about the HP Omen as the best cheap monitor is that it has everything a gamer needs to have a satisfying, immersive gaming experience.

The SE2416HX is the best cheap monitor from Dell. It has an attractive price for a 24-inch display. Viewing angles are quite good; thanks to an IPS panel. Its color accuracy is solid (0.11) -- if not the best we’ve seen -- and its 108% of the sRGB color gamut is in the middle of the pack.

You"ll also want to consider resolution, which refers to the number of horizontal and vertical pixels -- the higher the number, the sharper your display will be. However, when it comes to cheap monitors, it"s not likely that you"ll get anything higher than 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). The bigger your screen gets, the higher the resolution should be. For example, a 1080p monitor might be fine on a 24-inch monitor, but not so much on a 27-inch monitor because it would have to "stretch" itself to fit more screen real estate.

There are four main types of panels: TN, IPS, VA and OLED. TN and VA panels are usually the least expensive. On the plus side, TN panels feature decent response times and low input lag, but tend to offer not-so-great color richness and viewing angles. VA panels offer better contrast and vibrant colors, but typically are not recommended for budget gamers (TN may be a better choice for response rates, but you"ll have to sacrifice image quality). IPS offers better image quality than TN and VA panels, but the response time may be subpar for a gamer. IPS panels are best for creators (e.g. video editors, image editors) seeking the best cheap monitor. OLED is the priciest option -- you likely won"t find this premium panel on a cheap monitor.

Apple"s Mid 2017 27-inch iMac 5K line, which was announced on June 5, 2017, received all-new processors and updated graphics. The 27-inch Retina 5K display offers users 5120x2880 resolution with support for one billion colors. The wide color (P3) screen also has a brightness level of 500 nits. Powered by quad-core Intel Core i5 processors starting at 3.4GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz, the 27-inch iMac 5K can also be configured with a 4.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz. Memory options start at 8GB (two 4GB sticks) of 2400MHz DDR4 memory with four SO-DIMM, user accessible slots. The systems can also be configured with 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of RAM. Storage options are also numerous starting with a 1TB Fusion Drive and configurable to a 3TB Fusion Drive. SSD options include 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. Users can also choose from three graphics cards: Radeon Pro 570 with 4GB of VRAM, Radeon 575 with 4GB of VRAM and Radeon 580 with 8GB of VRAM. The 2017 27-inch iMac 5K also supports Thunderbolt 3 digital video output.

The best gaming monitor under $300 we"ve tested is the ViewSonic XG2431. It"s an impressive gaming monitor with a fast 240Hz refresh rate, which is ideal even if you"re a competitive gamer and want to play games at a high frame rate. It has a 1080p resolution, which may seem low, but it also allows you to achieve a high frame rate without being too taxing on your graphics card, and it"s what you have to expect for a budget-friendly display. It natively supports FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) technology to reduce screen tearing, and if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, G-SYNC compatibility also works with it.

Choosing one of the best 4K monitors is almost a must for anyone working in visual design, especially for those working in photography and video that want the additional detail that Ultra HD (UHD) offers.

UHD, or 4K, refers to a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. That gives you four times as many pixels as full HD (FHD), which means more desktop workspace and increased pixel density for a cleaner, sharper image with more detail (as long as your monitor"s at least 27 inches, the extra detail will start to get lost on smaller screens).

Fortunately, the best 4K monitors are so much more affordable than they were that it"s no longer really a big decision whether to go 4K or not. There"s now a huge number of options on the market, starting at low prices and going way, way up. This can make it hard to know which is the best 4K monitor for your needs, but that"s the question we aim to resolve with the guide below.

We"ve picked out the best 4K monitors based on our own reviews, recommendations from working creatives and a full comparison of their specs. We"ve weighed up the pros and cons of each screen and evaluated them for build and ergonomics, image quality, useful features, colour support and accuracy, brightness and connectivity.

But we"ve also considered value for money to provide options for different needs. The best 4K monitors for features and image quality are hugely expensive and will be overkill for most people that aren"t professional photo or video editors or designs.

If you"re a professional who needs the very best, turn to the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X at number 4 or the Asus ProArt PA32UC-K at number 6. They"re not at the top of the list because they"re simply unaffordable for many people. Factoring in value, we"ve placed cheaper 4K monitors like the Dell S3221QS and Samsung U28E590D higher since they meet most people"s needs and a more realistic price.

If you"re looking for the best 4K monitor for specific tasks, you might also want to see our guides to the best monitor for photo editing and the best monitors for video editing. And while many of these screens can support daisy chaining for a dual monitor setup, you might also want to consider one of the best ultrawide monitors if you want more space to work with.

Pro features for under a grand put this at the top of our list of the best 4K monitors. Following in a long tradition of fine displays from Dell, the UltraSharp U3219Q offers full sRGB covering, 95 per cent DCI-P3 and exceptional colour uniformity, making it ideal for all types of creatives, including those working in photo and video.

Dell takes second place on our pick of the best 4K monitors too, but this time with a much more affordable display. So OK, perhaps it"s not exactly cheap, but it"s a lot more affordable than most good 4K monitors. It looks stunning too. Dell monitors aren"t known exactly known for their sleek looks, but the curved S3221QS is a lot more elegant than its name, standing out from all those black and grey business monitors with its white back and base.

The Eizo ColourEdge CG319X is the connoisseur’s choice in high-quality displays. Eizo displays are a very familiar sight in professional video and photography studios – and this 31-inch 4K monitor, with a 10-bit display and 24-bit colour look-up table, is a stunner. The CG319X also boasts one feature that sets it apart from competing high-end 4K screens: 4096 x 2160 resolution rather than 3840 x 2160. This reflects the slightly taller 4K standard used in digital video production.

For a more compact 4K monitor, this 28-inch Samsung 4K display follows very closely on the heels of the Dell 4K S3221QS at number 2 on our list of the best 4K monitors above in terms of value. It lacks pro features but there"s still 100 per cent support for the sRGB colour space, a high 300cd/square metre brightness level and support for 60Hz 4K.

Most displays are 16:9 or 16:10 format, so the 3:2 Huawei Mateview immediately got our attention when we tested it out. This slightly squarer format is good for viewing certain types of content – viewing images and documents in portrait format is easier, and a picture taken on a standard camera can be displayed full bleed. Of course, the flip side is that widescreen video will have big black bars on the top and bottom – so it’s probably not the best choice for movie-watching

Viewsonic has a few colour accurate displays on the market, and the VP2785-4K is the most high-end model in its catalogue. It"s a 27-inch 4K IPS screen, sporting 100 per cent sRGB and quoted 99 per cent AdobeRGB coverage. It’s a bit fiddly to put together, requiring a screwdriver to attach the panel to the stand, but the overall design is extremely svelte, with a thin and light build, near edge-to-edge screen, and only a small bezel at the bottom that accommodates touch-sensitive controls.

With a 14-bit LUT, 700:1 contrast ratio and 375-nit brightness, the picture quality of the VP2785-4K won’t disappoint, although it doesn’t quite deliver the same eye-popping colours of the most high-end 4K displays money can buy.What is a 4K monitor?4K, also known as ultra-high definition or UHD, is a measure of a screen"s resolution. 4K monitors have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, which compares to a resolution of 1290 x 1080 for full high definition (FHD). This means that it"s almost four times FHD resolution. What that means in practice is that images look sharper and tighter, which is great for viewing HD video and higher quality video game graphics.Do I need a 4K monitor?There are a couple of main reasons that you might benefit from a 4K monitor. Firstly, for your own enjoyment. Even if you"ll be using your screen purely for entertainment purposes rather than for work, 4K offers a notably sharper picture, which can enhance the enjoyment of watching films, series and playing games. That said, when it comes to PC gaming, 4K UHD resolution is very demanding and many will find that the improvement in image quality isn"t worth the drop in performance.

The other reason you might want one of the best 4K monitors is for work. If you work in any visual creative area, a 4K screen can improve your experience by allowing you to see your work in more definition. If you work in video, you"ll almost certainly need at least a 4K monitor since 4K video has almost become the norm. If you"re producing 4K video for a client, then you really need to be able to view it in 4K while you work.Is a 4K monitor worth it?Today, for most professionals it"s almost certainly worth investing one of the best 4K monitors. They"re still more expensive than 1080p displays, but they have come down in price a lot as they become standard, and they"re now so much more affordable than they were that it"s no longer such a big decision.

While 4K doesn"t make a lot of sense for a small monitor, from 27-inches and up, it makes a huge difference from FHD that will be immediately apparent to anyone. Gary Heiting, an optometrist and senior editor of the website AllAboutVision, even says that the increased screen resolution can reduce the risk of eye strain, so working in 4K over long sessions can be more comfortable even if you don"t need to produce 4K video.Is my computer compatible with a 4K monitor?You might hope that buying one of the best 4K monitors will automatically improve your viewing experience, but it"s important to know that not every laptop or PC can support 4K. Most recent PCs or Macs should have no problem displaying 4K resolution, but it"s a good idea to check your screen"s recommended display resolution before you buy a new screen. We have a guide to screen resolution that may help.

If your device uses Intel integrated graphics, you"ll want to have at least a 4th generation (Haswell) processor core processor. If you have Ivy Bridge or earlier, you"ll need to have a recent graphics card installed (if you"re unsure, you can check your processor at ark.intel.com to find out what the motherboard or integrated CPU graphics is capable of.How do I choose the best 4K monitor?You can now go 4K without spending a fortune, but the best 4K monitors can still be very expensive if you want pro-level calibration and the best colour accuracy. If you"re going to be using your screen for any kind of colour work, then you want precise colour accuracy. Most entry-level 4K monitors actually do a fairly decent job, but the best 4K monitors for designers will have full coverage of the AdobeRGB or DCI-P3 colour space.

Investing in a colour-accurate display will get you an excellent screen for black levels and brightness that will serve you well whether you"re working on images or video. You"ll want to invest in the best monitor calibrator too unless the monitor you choose comes with one of its own.

After colour, size is obviously another major factor in choosing the best 4K monitor for you. The most popular choice is 27-inches but 32-inch screens are becoming more common and get the most out of the 4K resolution.

You"ll also want to check what ports a monitor has before you buy it. The two cheapest options in our list of the best 4K monitors don"t have a USB-C connection, something that many creatives will want for hooking up devices quickly and easily. Most monitors have DisplayPort and HDMI ports, but this can"t be taken as given either – the LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL is well kitted out with USB-C and the faster Thunderbolt 3 ports, but skips the older ports.

The Cooler Master GP27-FQS monitor will come out sometime between late Q2 and early Q3 with an MSRP of $699. However, a Cooler Master representative told Ars Technica that there will "most likely" be sale prices "closer to $550."

Even at its expected MSRP, the GP27-FQS should be the cheapest mini LED monitor. The current holder of that title appears to be the $2,000 Asus ProArt PA27UCX-K. It"s a 27-inch IPS monitor with 576 local dimming zones, a 60 Hz refresh rate, and 3840×2160 resolution. Today"s mini LED options go all the way up to the famously priced Apple Pro Display XDR, a 32-inch 6K screen with a $5,000 starting MSRP.

The GP27-FQS should also hold a price advantage over upcoming mini LED monitors, including the pile of nonprofessional products announced at CES last month. For example, Acer plans to release the Predator X32 FP mini LED monitor in Q2 for $1,800. Advertisement

One obvious reason for the GP27-FQS"s lower price is that it has 2560×1440 resolution rather than 4K and is 165 Hz. AOC"s upcoming 170 Hz AG274QXM is also 1440p but was announced at about $450 more than the GP27-FQS.

The GP27-FQS also doesn"t employ any flavor of Nvidia G-Sync, which often comes at a cost. (The GP27-FQS does use AMD FreeSync Premium, and you can typically get G-Sync to run on such monitors unofficially with varying results.)

Cooler Master also announced a 4K 160 Hz version of this monitor, the GP27-FUS. This device is also cheaper than other mini LED monitors. With similar specs to the GP27-FQS, save for a bump to HDMI 2.1, the monitor will cost $1,100 when it debuts alongside its lower-res sibling.

A benefit mini LED has over OLED is that it"s generally brighter. The GP27-FQS claims to hit up to 1,200 nits, which it does with HDR content. With SDR content, you can expect a max brightness of 600 nits.

Color-wise, the monitor claims 97 percent DCI-P3 coverage with the help of quantum dots. That"s not quite on par with what QD-OLED, a purportedly more colorful type of OLED that also uses quantum dots, claims. (Meanwhile, Alienware"s AW3423DW claims 99.3 percent.) But the GP27-FQS still has a wide color gamut.

Outside of image quality, a monitor"s price is affected by its feature set. The GP27-FQS has a pair of 2 W speakers, USB Type-C connectivity (90 W power delivery), plus two HDMI 2.0 (rather than the latest HDMI 2.1) ports, DisplayPort 1.4, two USB-A ports, and a USB-B. There"s also lighting on the panel"s backside.

Apple sells displays for its Macs, and you could go with its offerings, but its displays are a quite bit more expensive than what third parties have. Buying from a different company may mean you may not get a feature that Apple offers, but then it may also be a feature that you don’t need, depending on how you use the monitor. Note there are compatibility issues for M1 Macs. We have a guide to monitors for M1 Macs and what you need to know before buying.

Fortunately, there are plenty of companies that have great monitors that you can use with your Mac, without having to take out a second mortgage. Our sister publications TechAdvisor and PCWorld have tested several displays, and we list their top-rated ones that we have been able to confirm work with Macs, alongside the monitors we have reviewed below. Here are our recommendations in alphabetical order.

The XDR is phenomenally well-specced: it’s 32in and 6K, offering 40 percent more screen space than Apple’s 5K displays, and offers a peak brightness of 1,600 nits (or 1,000 sustained). But it comes with a seriously eye-watering price tag, especially if you want to include the Pro Stand for adjustability and pivoting.

Apple displays have always produced very good image quality, and the Studio Display continues that tradition. Colors are rich, contrast is good, and the brightness is suitable for most tasks.

The Alogic Clarity is a stunning looking 27-inch display with built-in hub and a fantastic height-adjustable, tilt and pivot stand. It will appeal to Mac users with its Apple looks and is even, in some ways, a superior monitor to Apple’s own Studio Display, although its 4K resolution isn’t as sharp as Apple’s 5K screen.

The Asus ProArt PA279CV is a 4K monitor that offers accurate color and important “pro” features such as accurate gamma presets. It even has USB-C connectivity, making it an excellent choice for creators looking to upgrade from their laptop display.

Asus’ ProArt PA279CV is a sensible choice for content creators who want a color accurate 4K monitor but don’t want to clean out their savings account.

Acer’s Nitro XV272 costs more than a lot of 1080p monitors, but the IPS, 165Hz screen provides above-average image quality, excellent color accuracy and motion performance, and a full range of monitor-stand adjustments and a generous array of ports make it worth the cost.

It also has three video inputs, four USB ports, and a stand that feels a bit cheap but offers numerous ergonomic adjustments. These features signal that the Nitro XV272, though not expensive, is a cut above entry-level 1080p monitors.

Gigabyte’s M27Q X doesn’t look like much out of the box, but this 1440p/240Hz IPS panel delivers a superb media experience where it counts, with excellent motion clarity and stunning image quality for an HD screen.

Size isn’t everything, as the saying goes, but it’s a good place to start. Your decision will be influenced by how much desk space you have, and how comfortable you are while using the display. Some people think that a big screen is best, but then when they start to use it daily, they find that it’s too big. And the same goes for customers who think a small screen is best.

If you’re looking for a size to start with for your own personal research, we recommend 24 inches—just like with Apple’s iMac. That seems like a good size for most people, and it’s easy to go up or down from that point. Most people tend to go between 24 and 27 inches for home use.

For professionals—graphics, video, audio, even spreadsheets—a large screen will help you be more productive. Think 27 inches and higher. You’ll be able to fit more elements on the screen and not waste your time scrolling.

Screen resolution can go hand-in-hand with screen size. Screen resolution refers to the number of pixels used to create what you see on the screen. The higher the resolution, the more detail you can see. Larger displays tend to have more resolution options, as well as the ability to support higher resolutions.

Often, when you find two displays that are the same size but have a wide price difference, it’s mostly because of the screen resolution. Monitors with high resolutions are more expensive. For example, Apple’s $1,599 Studio Display is 27 inches, and it has a high screen resolution of 5120×2880 (5K resolution). On the other hand, LG sells the 27-inch 27UK650-W, but it’s a 3840×2160 (4K) resolution display for content creators, and it’s $350–lower resolution, but $1,249 cheaper. (There actually aren’t other 27-inch 5K monitors available, except for the $1,449 LG UltraFine 27MD5KL-B.)

According to my eyes (and my wallet), if you"re looking for the best value on a new computer monitor, you"ll want to be shopping for a 27-inch QHD display or a 32-inch UHD display. These monitors are going to offer the biggest bang for your buck in terms of screen size, resolution and price. Just about any model with these specs is going to produce a satisfactorily sharp picture for the size of the panel while still retaining a reasonable price.

My current monitor is a 27-inch QHD (quad HD or 2,560x1,440-pixel resolution) monitor that I bought for $250, but I did nearly go with a 32-inch UHD (ultra HD or 3,840x2,160-pixel) display that would have offered more room and more pixels for only a bit more money. Between these two different sizes, you can easily find a screen to perfectly fit your desk space, your work needs and, most importantly, your budget. The world"s creatives, hobbyists and professional gamers who worry about color gamut and refresh rates might find that they need a higher-end screen than you"ll find on our list, but these displays are big enough for most needs, and with sufficient pixel density to produce a sharp, quality image.

These 27-inch models feature QHD resolution and give you more screen real estate than a 24-inch, FHD (full HD or 1,920x1,080 pixels) display, and better resolution, too. And it gives you all of that for not too much more money. You might also come across 27-inch 4K displays in your search. Those displays offer a certain quality worth consideration, but in my experience, a QHD or 2K resolution is more than sufficient when stretched across a 27-inch panel.

I"m unfamiliar with the Koorui name but this monitor gets favorable reviews on Amazon and is priced at $170 with a $40 discount. That"s rare for a 27-inch monitor with a QHD resolution. Most budget monitors are rated for a dull 250 nits of brightness, but this Koorui model is rated for a more adequate 300 nits. It"s labeled as a gaming monitor because it has a 144Hz refresh rate that"s speedier than the typical 60Hz refresh rate and also features AMD FreeSync. It"s out of stock at the moment so you might have to wait for a few days or weeks for it to return.

This 27-inch HP features a QHD resolution, a speedy 165Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync technology for fluid action while gaming. Plus, it has low blue light to protect your eyes, without sacrificing color accuracy. The stand provides height, tilt and swivel adjustment. It"s $50 off at Amazon.

You can get this 27-inch Pixio monitor for a reasonable $245 at Amazon when you apply the $15 instant coupon on the product page that reduces the price at checkout. It features a QHD resolution along with AMD FreeSync and a speedy 144Hz refresh rate if you want to use it for gaming in addition to work. It"s rated for an ample 350 nits of brightness, so it should be a bit brighter than the Acer and Koorui models above.

This Samsung model has a relatively low max brightness of 270 nits, making it a better fit for a basement den or otherwise low-light room than for a sun-drenched office. It features AMD FreeSync, two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort and a headphone jack, but no USB ports. It"s currently $90 off, dropping its price to a very reasonable $250.

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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.

Based on this, we consider the LG 27UN850-W to be one of the best monitors for MacBook Air, including the recently released M2 MacBook Air, that you can currently buy. In addition, we"ve gathered other noteworthy models to help you choose the one that fits the best Mac currently available. You may also wish to consider adding on one of the best monitor stands too.

Great computer monitors must offer full color, brightness, and sharpness. On these three points, the LG 27UN850-W blew us away, so it"s considered the best MacBook Air monitor on the market. The color is spot on and didn"t require additional fine-tuning during setup.

Speaking of setup, the entire process for the 27-inch monitor takes less than 10 minutes. The same speediness can"t be said about other monitors on the market. We"re also impressed with LG"s decision to add multiple ports on this monitor. As a MacBook Air owner, you will stick with USB-C primarily. However, with two USB-A and two HDMI ports also available, you have the flexibility to use the monitor elsewhere. (The USB-C port also supports a 60W power transfer so that you can charge your laptop during use.)

Not everything about this monitor is positive. For one, the monitor"s 5W speakers are lackluster. Of course, we live in a world where external speakers or headphones reign, so this probably won"t matter. However, given the price point for this monitor, we were expecting more. However, this is the best MacBook Air monitor you can buy.

With this impressive curved monitor, you can easily connect to the best Mac on the market through any of the two Thunderbolt 3 ports included in its design. What"s excellent about Thunderbolt 3 ports is that they can transfer data at 40Gbps while charging your device simultaneously. There are also DisplayPorts, HDMI, and USB ports available.

Ideally, Apple would be making 5K monitors itself to go with its lineup of laptops. But, unfortunately, that isn"t the case. So instead, the iPhone maker wants you to purchase a 5K monitor from LG. With a breathtaking 5120x2880 resolution and P3 wide color gamut, this 27-inch LG UltraFine 5K Display is an excellent choice — if you can afford it.

This monitor is more than double the price of our overall pick, and that by itself shouldn"t come as a surprise. In 2022, 5K monitors still aren"t mainstream. Our biggest beef about the monitor isn"t the price, but instead that it looks bland and boxy like dozens of other displays available. All you have to do is look at LG"s OLED televisions to see that the company has design skills. Unfortunately, it"s missing here. There"s also the question of whether spending this amount of cash for only a 27-inch monitor is worth it. That"s up to you to decide.

The Dough Spectrum 4K 144Hz glossy monitor port selection is incredible too. Not only does it offer Display Port 1.4, the 27-inch screen has 2x HDMI 2.1 for modern console"s advanced display settings, 1x USB Type-C (video, 100W power for keeping your MacBook Air juiced, and USB hub capabilities), 1x USB Type-B (USB hub), 1x USB Type-C, 2x USB Type-A and a 3.5mm audio jack. It also supports the variable refresh rate tech offered up by Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s Freesync. It’s fully featured for the modern gamer"s needs.

If you"re in the market for an external monitor for your MacBook Air, you"ll quickly notice there"s a wide selection from which to choose. Our favorite MacBook Air monitor, the LG 27UN850-W 27-inch 4K Ultrafine UHD IPS Monitor, is a terrific choice for anyone looking for a great performance monitor at a fair price. Yes, it has weird onboard controls and lackluster speakers. Most external monitors do, unfortunately. I appreciate the beautiful colors, brightness, and sharpness instead.

Besides offering superb features, this monitor is also reasonably priced — suitable for students and the budget-conscious alike. So look around and find the best deal for you!Round up of today"s best deals

And if budget constraints are less of a concern, these are our favorite monitors overall in 2022, and these are the best curved screens you can buy right now.

If you don"t need a monitor above 20 inches, this Acer pick is also a great way to save. The LCD offers a 1366 x 768 resolution, along with a 5-ms response time and a refresh rate of 60Hz. You also get the Acer VisionCare software that helps reduce eye strain during long projects. The screen supports tilting to find the right position, and the base includes a small magnetic area to trap paper clips and similar objects so they don"t disappear.

Yes, monitors that are around or above $100 can be pretty good, budget-friendly options. They tend to be bigger than portable monitors and can have premium features like IPS displays, support for FreeSync, built-in speakers, HD resolutions, and even decent refresh rates.