lcd monitors reviews brands

Based in South Korea, Samsung has become one of the world"s leading electronic brands. Like many companies in this list, their monitors mainly focus on gaming. Their models are unique since they don"t primarily use IPS panels, as many have VA panels with a high contrast ratio and curved screen. Although VA panels look great in dark rooms, the main downside is that they have narrow viewing angles, which isn"t ideal for sharing your screen with others. They"ve even started including Mini LED backlighting on some models, which further improves the picture quality, peak brightness, and dark room performance. It helps that Samsung already produces TVs with this Mini LED technology, so they"ve become an industry leader for monitors with it.

The AW3423DW has a near-instantaneous response time, so motion is incredibly clear, with no noticeable blur behind fast-moving objects. It makes it an excellent choice for gamers, watching videos, or even scrolling through the web and long documents. Unfortunately, like all monitors, it isn"t without its flaws. There are text clarity and color fringing issues, but there are workarounds. Also, the black levels raise when there"s ambient light, meaning it doesn"t deliver the same perfect blacks in bright rooms, but at least there isn"t any distracting glare from strong reflections.

Most ultrawide monitors are also curved. This design helps minimize viewing-angle problems—when you’re sitting centered, things on the far edges of the screen won’t look as washed out as they would on a flat display of a similar width. But this also makes ultrawide monitors inaccurate for precision tasks requiring straight lines, such as drawing, photo editing, or similar design work.

As we head into the new year, we"re going to see a lot of new monitors and display technology coming out of CES 2023. From high refresh rates to mini-LED panels and more, there are going to be a lot of exciting monitor tech to come in 2023. If you"re not all into that razzle-dazzle though, this is also great news since many of the best monitors, including the best 4K monitors from 2022, are going to get some healthy price cuts as the new models get announced and retailers have to make room for new inventory.

Whether you"re looking for the best 5K and 8K monitors for creative work or the best cheap gaming monitor deals for some casual esports, we"ve tried and reviewed just about all of them.

And, below we"ve broken down our top picks of the year – from the best 144Hz 4K monitors and the best high refresh rate monitors to the best monitors for video editing – and compiled them in this handy guide to make your buying decision easier than ever. We"ve also written up a guide for how to pick the best monitor to help you find what you"re looking for, no matter what your need or budget might be.

If you’re in the cinematography or photography sphere, that’s exactly what you need. And, that’s on top of all the other features this monitor boasts. This is among the best monitors for photo editing you’ll find, and the best part is you’re getting it for cheaper than all others.

The Dell S3221QS is a gorgeous monitor inside and out. Its simple yet elegant silver design gives it a unique look that sets it apart from all the gamer-centric or boring black office monitors you"re most likely to find. It comes with a stunning 4K VA panel to match, making everything from movies to gaming a pleasure to watch.

We don’t usually run into technology that’s so far ahead of the curve that we’re left dumbfounded, which is why the Dell UltraSharp UP3218K has impressed us even more. Finding one of the best monitors that can reach the raw gorgeousness this one can should be next to impossible. It’s not just the resolution, either.

The LG 32UN880 UltraFine Display Ergo has done something cool. Instead of going for the same homogeneous mount and stand that all monitors have, it has opted for a C-Clamp, One Click Mount that allows it to extend, retract, go high, go low, tilt and pivot like no other. That’s versatility turned up to 11.

It also boasts incredible color accuracy and beautiful picture quality. The best part is that you’re getting all that without burning a massive hole in your pocket. This is, without a doubt, among the best monitors out there, especially if you"re looking for an arm-supported display rather than one on a static stand you typically find on the shelves.

If you"re on a high-end gaming desktop with the best graphics card on the market, then a 4K monitor or even an 8K display might be more of what you"re looking for. 4K monitors are only just now starting to get higher refresh rates like 120Hz and 144Hz, so these are definitely the 4K panels that you need to keep an eye out for.Which monitor brand is most reliable?There are a lot of PC monitor brands out there making everything from cheap, portable office monitors to high-end gaming PC monitors with ultrawide aspect and 1000R curve rating, 1ms pixel response, and blazing fast refresh rates.

If you"re just a typical PC gamer looking for the best image quality, getting a 4K monitor with 144Hz refresh is going to make your games look fantastic. If you"re an esports competitor (or want to be someday), then the only thing that matters is pixel response and refresh rate. Even a 1080p resolution is acceptable so long as it has at least 1ms pixel response or lower. The refresh on 1080p monitors can go as high as 360Hz or even higher with the very latest monitors coming onto the market.

We review monitors based on a number of factors including price, design, and performance. We consider the size of each display, as well as the number and type of ports on each monitor to determine who each display would benefit most. Each monitor is used in a variety of scenarios, so we use it for work, media consumption and gaming to test what it’s best suited to.

Performance is also evaluated by how well the actual screen tech works and its refresh rate. Frames per second are especially important in gaming monitors because you’ll want a high refresh rate during competitive games so you don’t miss a minute of the action.

Instead, we’ll cover the best-selling monitors by the most popular brands and briefly go over the company, what they do right, what could be improved, etc.

Additionally, these were the first monitors with an aggressive 1000R screen curvature that’s meant to match the natural curvature of the human eye for an improved viewing experience, but not everyone’s a fan of such steep screen curvature.

Another thing worth noting is Samsung’s firmware updates, which have on many occasions fixed or at least improved the performance and/or image quality of their monitors.

We mentioned brightness flickering. This issue is often associated with high refresh rate VA gaming monitors regardless of the panel manufacturer (Samsung, AUO, CSOT, etc.).

Samsung finally acknowledged the issue on their Odyssey models, and they’ll hopefully do the same with their other gaming monitors capable of firmware updates.

Keep in mind that this issue only affects some units of monitors. So, one unit of the S27R750, for instance, might have noticeable brightness flickering, but another unit may not suffer from this issue at all.

Since VA panels aren’t used for serious color-grading anyway due to gamma/saturation shifts, this is usually not deal-breaking to most users, but it can be if you’re buying one of Samsung’s wide gamut IPS monitors, such as the

What LG does better than most manufacturers is the sRGB emulation mode. All of their newer wide-gamut monitors, usually with 98% DCI-P3 or 135% sRGB, have proper sRGB clamps that restrict the color output to ~100%.

ASUS also offers excellent monitors for color-critical work from their ProArt series, ranging from budget to high-end professional models, such as the ASUS PA248QV and the ASUS PA32UC.

When it comes to mid-range gaming monitors, their models are usually more expensive than the competing displays due to the ‘premium ASUS branding’, especially when it comes to the ROG variants with plenty of proprietary RGB lighting and other gimmicky features.

What’s more, their wide gamut monitors usually have a well-calibrated sRGB mode, but brightness is often not adjustable and it’s locked to a very high setting.

Some ASUS gaming monitors feature the exclusive ELMB-Sync technology. It’s one of the rare MBR (Motion Blur Reduction) implementations that can work at the same time as variable refresh rate.

One thing we’d like to see improved on Acer monitors is their overdrive implementation. It usually has three modes: Off, Normal, and Extreme. On most of their monitors, you can’t change the overdrive mode when VRR is enabled as it’s locked to ‘Normal.’

AOC offers excellent budget gaming monitors. They’re affordable and offer excellent image quality and performance; further, AOC doesn’t skimp on design quality and features.

AOC’s popular budget monitors have strong build quality and even a good range of ergonomics, whereas the counterparts by other manufacturers usually just offer tilt-only and plastic stands for the same price.

The On-Screen Display of AOC’s monitors includes a well-calibrated sRGB mode, but just like with ASUS displays, it’s locked to a high brightness setting.

Further, navigation through the menu via the monitor’s usual clunky hotkeys isn’t a nice experience. We’d really like to see more AOC monitors with joysticks.

This adjusts the strobe length allowing you to find the best trade-off between picture brightness and motion clarity for you. Most monitors don’t have this much customization for backlight strobing, there are usually just two to three options, or just one.

BenQ’s ZOWIE line-up of monitors is usually the #1 choice for professional gamers and if there’s a competitive gaming tournament going on, you’ll most likely see BenQ’s ZOWIE displays – and there’s a good reason for that.

Gaming monitors such as the BenQ ZOWIE XL2546K don’t compromise on performance; they deliver impeccable input lag and response time performance, as well as the impressively tuned DyAc+ (Dynamic Accuracy) backlight strobing technology with minimal brightness penalty and strobe crosstalk.

Dell’s mostly known for their UltraSharp series monitors with excellent color accuracy and factory calibration, which makes them very popular among professional designers and photographers.

Their monitors are also often a bit more expensive, but you do get a better image quality out of the box as well as premium build quality and decent ergonomics in return.

Sadly, their wide gamut monitors don’t feature sRGB emulation modes, which is disappointing for a company known for being one of the top choices of professional colorists. Their latest model, the AW3423DW, does have an sRGB mode, so hopefully, all future models will follow suit!

MSI offers several gaming monitors we highly recommend, such as the MSI MAG274QRF-QD and the MPG321UR-QD. These monitors offer better image quality, performance and features than equally priced (or even more expensive) alternatives by other manufacturers.

We’re glad that they listened to their users and started implementing sRGB modes on their monitors. They also add other modes, such as Adobe RGB and DCI-P3, if the monitor has a wide enough coverage of those color spaces. Further, they don’t lock brightness settings!

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).

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.

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.

Like other tech items, monitors have been subject to supply chain issues that make many models unavailable and tend to drive up prices. However, you can still find a good deal if you’re flexible about your choice of model and can take the time to shop around. Here are some things to consider before you buy.

More screen real estate is always a good thing, and we recommend buying the largest screen you can afford and find room for. So the decision comes down to what fits your space and how much you want to spend. Most 1080p monitors range from about 21 to 24 inches, with prices for the smaller ones around $100. Expect to pay $200 to $300 for larger (around 27 inches) 1080p monitors. Typically, 4K monitors start around $350.

The 16:9 aspect ratio of 1080p monitors is great for video content but not necessarily as well-suited for scrolling up and down through documents. If you find yourself using Gmail, Facebook, or Microsoft Word for most of the day, a monitor with a more square resolution of 1920x1200 (which has an aspect ratio of 19:10) may be more useful because you’ll have more screen real estate at the top and bottom to work with. These are not as common as 1080p monitors but can still be found at most online retailers. Note: 4K monitors, which measure 3840x2160, maintain the 16:9 aspect ratio of 1920x1080 monitors.

Almost all new monitors tilt up or down for a quick adjustment. For extra flexibility, look for a monitor that lets you adjust the height as well. Such models may also be able to rotate 90 degrees, from landscape to portrait mode, which is especially useful for viewing a larger portion of web pages or text documents.

Many monitors come with a three-year warranty on parts and labor, but others have only one year of coverage. It’s worth looking for the longer coverage, especially if you’re purchasing a more expensive model. Another consideration is the manufacturer’s defective-pixel policy. Some consider a certain number of stuck or dead pixels acceptable; others will replace a monitor during the warranty period if it has even a single faulty pixel.

Whether you’re gaming or working, having the best computer monitor on your desk can make a huge difference. So we went out and found the top computer monitors for you, researching key features and customer sentiment to give you the big picture on this vital computer accessory.

During our research, we looked for features such as adjustable stands, color gamut, color space, screen sizes, image quality, response times, peak brightness, screen types, resolution and more. As we did our research, we paid attention to not only the features of these monitors but how the specs of each would reflect in gaming, working in a spreadsheet , watching movies (aka Netflix), or editing graphics. From that and combining it with our proprietary scoring system we determined that the LG 34UM69G-B 34″ Ultra Wide Monitor is the best monitor you can buy today. This ultra-wide monitor has everything for the most versatile experience. With ultra-low response rates, an ultra-high resolution and a sleek design, this LG monitor beat out everything else. Keep reading to learn more about this display and our other top picks.

If you’re interested in jumping on the widescreen monitor train, the LG 34UM69G-B is a computer monitor you won’t want to pass up. Measuring in at a whopping 34 inches of total display, the LG offers a 21:9 aspect ratio that is perfect for gaming. And while this isn’t a top 4K monitor – which is the ultimate best for gaming monitors – you still get a 2560 x 1080 resolution. You also get a 1ms response time and AMD FreeSync, both of which enhance gameplay by eliminating stuttering and motion blur. If 34 inches is too big of a display for you, you can take it down a notch by considering one of the best 27 inch monitors.

Unfortunately, the 34UM69G-B only offers a 75 Hz refresh rate, which isn’t as fast as we’d like to see when on a monitor for gaming that thrives on high refresh power delivery, like the best 240 Hz monitor. This means you might see some blurring during, particularly fast-action moments. The Free-Sync monitor is fully adjustable, allowing you to tilt the monitor side to side and front to back, as well as adjust the height. It has a USB-C connectivity port but you’ll only get a single HDMI port and a single Display Port, though, so you won’t be able to hook up many devices. Many ultra-wide monitors are curved gaming monitors, and this one isn’t, but we actually liked this more than the curved gaming monitors we tested. The curve is definitely “in” right now, but we were more than happy with the traditional approach the LG takes. Gamers will want to read best gaming monitors under $200.

The Acer R240HY is a monitor full HD 1080p display that performs really well when it comes to color accuracy, viewing angles, and design quality…all at an affordable price under $200. It offers a maximum brightness level of 250 nits of brightness, and can be adjusted or reset to default.It also features a matte-finished screen, which does really well in eliminating glare from background lighting, making it an excellent choice amongst affordable monitors for home and business office applications. You may want to check out the best monitors for Xbox One X as well.

The overall design of the Acer is sturdy and durable. This is due in part to the fact that you can only tilt the screen forward or back a minimal amount. We consider this a win when you think about overall stability, but the lack of adjustability can make it difficult for some to find a comfortable viewing angle that works with their personal preferences. All in all, the Acer R240HY is one of the best 1080p monitors we’ve tested, which is why this excellent display made our list of top picks. And if you’re looking for gaming on Acer, you might want to check out the R240HY’s cousin, the Acer Predator XB1.

When you’re buying monitors to do some work on for your job, you want reliability, durability, and performance…without having to pay a million bucks for it. That’s where the Dell E2318Hx comes in. Within a comfortable price range, and with great response times and multitasking capabilities, there’s no better choice for a work monitor than the Dell.There’s a reason this computer monitor is one of the most popular choices for businesses. It features a simple design that’s super easy to use and set up. Unfortunately, the display can’t be adjusted too much, but its image quality makes up for this oversight.

The Dell monitor is a full HD IPS panel that looks good for most applications. However, it doesn’t always offer the most accurate color representation, so if you’re using this for color-critical projects like photo editing, you might want to look elsewhere for a new monitor. For the average user, though, this monitor performs just fine, especially when you consider its low input lag. There’s no hesitation between a user’s action and that action being carried out on the screen. If you’re looking for budget monitors for your office, this is the one for you. Also read about the best 144Hz gaming monitors.

When looking for the best PC monitor, it’s important to know the different types available. These include desktop monitors for general use, portable monitors, gaming, and professional use. From there, you can consider the display features you need, such as size, resolution, and whether you want a flat or curved monitor. Always make sure that the monitor you’re looking at has video connectors that work with your current computer and that it is compatible with your operating system. Selecting a monitor that’s best for your needs based on those criteria is the best way to make the right choice. One way to do this is to read many of our computer monitor reviews and comparison articles. Or, get an in-depth look with our computer monitor buying guide.

What is a computer monitor? Simply put, a computer monitor is a device that displays visual information fed to it by a computer’s video card (aka graphics card). Most computer monitors in 2023 come in a wide variety of sizes, to suit creative professionals and more casual users. Displays are also available in a number of types, including LCD panels, OLED displays, and CRT monitors. Each of the aforementioned display types offers its own advantages and disadvantages (like an LCD display and backlight bleeding). Many modern 2023 monitors often ship with a number of useful additional features, including Bluetooth receivers, USB hubs, microphones, stereo speakers, and more.

A computer monitor is a visual output device that converts and displays information relayed to it from a PC. Monitors generally connect to a computer’s video card or motherboard via an HDMI or VGA cable. There are three major types of monitors, CRT displays, LCD displays, and OLED displays, each of which has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some modern monitors ship with all kinds of built-in accessories, including cameras, microphones, speakers, USB hubs, and more. Read more about how computer monitors work.

Monitors are particularly useful in the business world, especially when accessing software such as Microsoft Excel. Creative professionals also demand high-quality monitors and often go for dual-monitor setups to maximize screen real estate. Computer monitors are also a must-have for gaming applications. When gamers shop for a monitor they should go for quality, choosing displays with a high refresh rate and minimal lag time. You can read more about the purpose of a computer monitor in our feature.

How Long Do Monitors Last?–Generally speaking, a traditional computer display should last anywhere from 30,000 to 60,000 hours of use. This translates to 10 to 20 years of continuous use, assuming that you use a computer monitor for roughly eight hours per day.

Computers use a number of typical monitor sizes. The smallest displays clock in at around 21-inches while the largest can be 30-inches and above. Gamers should purchase a monitor that is at least 25-inches and could also go with a dual-monitor setup. This always brings up the question of 24 vs 27-inch monitors and if a 27-inch display is in fact better. Creative professionals should opt for a monitor of at least 25-inches. Those who mostly stream media content can make do with any-sized monitor, but we would recommend a display of at least 27-inches to improve the overall experience. Habitual streamers may also opt for an ultrawide display (aka an ultrawide monitor).

Step 3. Which Display Technology Is Best For You?There are three popular screen types available today, they include LED, OLED, and QLED. Most computer monitors, tablets, and laptop screens use TFT-LCD technology, but they are also different. And whatever you do, try to understand the differences between LCD vs LED monitors. They’re not mutually exclusive.

LCDs are of different types, with each option having its drawbacks and strengths. Ideally, you have to select a VA, IPS, or TN technology when purchasing a monitor. The right choice will depend on your needs. For example, if you are a gamer, certain types of games work with different technologies. Other technologies are better suited to give out solid image quality if visuals are crucial to you.

A monitor’s refresh rate refers to the number of times new images are loaded every second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the overall image. We recommend monitors with a minimum refresh rate of 60Hz for basic multitasking (emails, spreadsheets, browsing the web) and a minimum of 120 Hz for high-intensity applications such as gaming and watching movies. Note, the type of panel (TN, VA, or IPS) also factors into refresh rate performance as well, with TN panels reaching as high as a 240Hz refresh rate. Most panels fall in the 60 to 75Hz range. Some sit higher with a 144hz or 100hz refresh rate. You can read more about what is a monitor’s refresh rate in our breakdown.

NVIDIA G-Sync and FreeSync are both adaptive display technologies that improve gaming image quality for a more immersive experience. FreeSync is solid and open-source but not as effective as Nvidia’s G-Sync. However, G-sync monitors tend to be more expensive as the technology requires the manufacturer to pay a licensing fee. But alas, it’s not that simple. There are additional give and takes to both types of technology so be sure to read more about it in our G-sync vs Freesync article.

Modern computer monitors can fluctuate wildly when it comes to price, with some models as cheap as $50 and others costing $1000 or more. The average computer monitor costs around $200 – $300. There are some features and functionalities that can severely impact the price, which you can understand more in our feature that unpacks how much a computer monitor costs. Nevertheless, finding a reasonable price comes down to your budget and understanding what features will meet your needs.

There are a number of different monitor types available, each useful for different sets of consumers. CRT monitors are the oldest of the bunch and are typically used to play retro video games. LCD displays are the most common, making up the vast majority of consumer-grade displays, due to their relatively inexpensive cost to manufacture. LED monitors are a subset of LCD, typically offering an increased resolution and brighter colors. Finally, there are OLED monitors, which offer an unparalleled experience but are extremely expensive.

DELL is known to some as the best monitor company in the world. Samsung is also a pioneer in the field. The company focuses on providing the best-LED monitor with the ideal TN panel. On the other hand, LG offers stylish 4K monitors while ASUS designs screens with great color and picture quality. In addition, you can purchase long-lasting monitors from HP and get the highest contrast ratio screens from Acer. Finally, when it comes to gaming, BenQ is king.

Interested in finding just the right monitor for your desktop setup? If you’re shopping for an all-around display, we highly recommend the Dell P2720DC monitor. It looks fantastic, comes at an affordable price, and has an updated USB-C connection for your latest accessories. Our reviewers, who’ve tested and reviewed more than 100 monitors over the years, find little fault in it. However, if you have something more specific in mind, like a great 4K display or a monitor suited for gaming, we’ve got you covered below.

It"s not as sleek as Dell"s UltraThin monitors, but the P-series look fairly modern as well. The P2720DC isn"t necessarily for enthusiast photo editors, as the color calibration isn"t quite up to snuff. However, it"ll work great for hobbyists and most other kinds of computing tasks, sporting solid image quality and convenient adjustability.

One of the best 4K monitorsout there, the Dell UltraSharp U2720QE might not have the largest screen, but at 27 inches and 4K resolution, it packs an enormous range of pixels inside a compact frame, making for an exceptionally crisp picture.

When combined with great HDR support and a huge 2,000:1 contrast ratio, this monitor looks stunning no matter what you"re doing on it. It"s also one of Dell"s monitors that comes with a USB-C hub to support the latest connections for your devices, so you shouldn"t have to worry about accessory compatibility.

Ultrawides are an alternative to traditional monitors. If you"ve got the desk space, they can give you more screen real estate than you"ve ever had before, with relatively few downsides and a whole lot of performance. A curved monitor is an especially good match for an ultrawide because it can help save a little bit of space while improving immersion. It"s no wonder this kind of ultrawide is a favorite pick for racing games and other genres where immersion is important (as long as they can support the screen size) — but it can also excel at managing complex editing programs and multi-window projects.

Curved monitors are an alternative to traditional flat panels. They can offer more immersion and easier access to details at the edges of the screen but are primarily designed for a single user and struggle with viewing angles. It"s no surprise, then, that curved monitors are popular among gamers, especially when they love games that support the aspect ratios for these screens.

If there’s no such thing as “too much” for your monitor, this new entry in the Odyssey line beckons: The enormous 49-inch ultrawide is like having two or three monitors to work with without annoying borders getting in the way, while the curve is excellent for immersion. Screens like these are favorites among gamers with serious racing game setups, but they can be useful for anyone who wants as much immersion and screen real estate as they can possible (and already knows they have the room for it).

But that’s just the beginning of how the Odyssey Neo G9 G95NA impresses. It comes with a vibrant mini-LED display, a UHD resolution so no details go to waste, and a refresh rate of 240Hz to ensure even the fastest action is smooth and clear. It’s also one of the few (but growing) monitors to offer both FreeSync and G-Sync, so it doesn’t matter if you use AMD or Nvidia. HDR2000 is also supported for additional optimization. Oh, and don’t forget about the picture-by-picture mode, which is an important tool for managing a screen this wide.

No one monitor brand makes all the best monitors in the world — that’s why this list is populated by a number of different manufacturers. That said, there are some that you can rely on more than most to produce great screens. Dell is a longstanding favorite of ours with years of fantastic displays under its belt. It also tends to cater well to the professional crowd just as much as gamers, so you know there will be something you like in its lineup.

Other noteworthy brands worth considering include Acer, which tends to produce some of the world’s best gaming screens; Samsung, which offers some of the best ultrawide screens and large-size monitors we’ve ever seen; and LG, which has a good all-around catalog of displays.

They can be. 4K offers the pinnacle of gaming detail and, in atmospheric games, can give you a whole new level of immersion, especially on larger displays that can fully display that mass of those pixels in all their glory. These high-res displays really excel in games where frame rates are not as important as visual clarity. That said, we feel that high refresh rate monitors can deliver a better experience (especially in fast-paced games like shooters), and unless you have the deep pockets to splash out on a powerful graphics card or two as well, you aren’t going to get those frame rates at 4K. A 27-inch, 1440p display is still the sweet spot.

The short answer is they’re both the same. The longer answer is that this is a failure of company marketing in properly conveying what its products are. Today most monitors that use LCD technology are backlit with LEDs, so typically if you’re buying a monitor it’s both an LCD and LED display. For more of an explanation on LCD and LED technologies, we have a whole guide dedicated to it.

That said, there are OLED displays to consider, although these panels haven’t made an impact on the desktop market yet. OLED screens combine color and light into a single panel, famed for their vibrant colors and contrast ratio. While that technology has been making waves in televisions for a few years now, they’re only just starting to make a tentative step into the world of desktop monitors, from Samsung"s QD-OLED tech to LG"s extra-bright G2 monitors.

If you suffer from eye strain, look for monitors that have built-in light filter software, especially filters that are specifically designed for easing eye problems. These filters are designed to block more blue light, which is the part of the spectrum that affects our eyes the most and is responsible for most eye strain problems. However, you can also download eye filter software apps for any type of monitor you get.

Refresh rate shows how many times per second the display can update an image with new visual information — the higher the refresh rate, the smoother transitions will look and the more information will be displayed. Refresh rates start at 60Hz but many monitors go higher, with refresh rates of 240Hz, 360Hz, and some even as high as 500Hz! This specification helps games and movies look better, and lowers input lag, making a high refresh rate popular for gaming machines and similar setups.

Ultrawide monitors use a 21:9 aspect ratio and have elongated displays to accommodate it. This not only allows users to play compatible games and movies in a larger aspect ratio, but the extra space also makes it easier to multitask or work with more complex software.

For the competitive gamer who values speed above all else, check out our list of high refresh rate monitors(opens in new tab) , which run at 240Hz and even 360Hz. I"ve been constantly testing gaming monitors through my career and have made sure that only the best for each budget have crept onto this guide. It"s extensive, but there are a whole lotta gaming monitors out there, and plenty deserve your attention. This list is updated frequently as newer models pass the rigorous PC Gamer testing ringer.

OLED has truly arrived on PC, and in ultrawide format no less. Alienware"s 34 QD-OLED is one of very few gaming monitors to receive such a stellar score from us, and it"s no surprise. Dell has nailed the OLED panel in this screen and it"s absolutely gorgeous for PC gaming. Although this monitor isn’t perfect, it is dramatically better than any LCD-based monitor by several gaming-critical metrics. And it’s a genuine thrill to use.

This Dell monitor is most importantly available at a great price. Dell delivers high-quality gaming panels, with all the features you need and a few extraneous ones to bump up the price. And that makes it one of the best gaming monitors for most PC gamers today.

High speed OLED gaming monitors are finally legit. That"s thanks in no small part to Alienware"s impressive AW324DW QD-OLED(opens in new tab), with plenty of other brands following suit. Among them, Asus has unleashed the ROG Swift PG42UQ OLED, a 41.5-inch behemoth that legitimately could be the only monitor you"ll ever need for the foreseeable future of gaming. Leveraging the same panel from the LG C2 OLED TV, the Swift PG42UQ adds on higher refresh rate, an anti-glare coating, DisplayPort 1.4 and more gaming monitor accoutrements.

Where the low pixel density hurts most is actually in Windows. If you like crisp fonts and lots of desktop real estate, this isn’t the monitor for you. For everyone else, well, it comes down to the value proposition. There are faster monitors. There are monitors with superior IPS-powered image quality. There are monitors with all kinds of HDR support not found here. And others with far more pixels or more dramatic aspect ratios.

The Pixio PX277 Prime is about as barebones as it comes in regards to gaming monitors. Designed with a sci-fi theme in mind, the base is sharp-looking, and a lot of thought certainly went into the thing"s build quality. The thin bezel is always a plus in our book, too.

The display also features G-Sync technology with up to 175Hz variable refresh rates. That"s a huge boost over lower refresh rate curved gaming monitors, and Acer has overcome the big IPS downside of typically high response times, too. This beast has a 1ms GtG response, which is truly IPS coming of age and doing it all without the compromises of old.

It"s a big, bold, and beautiful-looking display. If you"re looking for something to turn heads, this is one of the best widescreen gaming monitors out there.

Best gaming monitor FAQHow does PC Gamer test gaming monitors?Like everything else we test, we live with a gaming monitor in the same way you would at home. We also go through a series of experiential tests to highlight any ghosting, backlighting issues, or general smeariness or blurring of images. We find it too easy to get lost in the weeds of specific panel benchmarks and miss more obvious problems that might crop up during day-to-day gaming use.

So, we put more weight on what it"s like to actually use a gaming monitor than what the specs might say.Should I go for an IPS, TN or VA panel?We would always recommend an IPS panel over TN(opens in new tab). The clarity of image, viewing angle, and color reproduction are far superior to the cheaper technology, but you"ll often find a faster TN for cheaper. The other alternative, less expensive than IPS and better than TN, is VA tech. The colors aren"t quite so hot, but the contrast performance is impressive.Should I go for a FreeSync or G-Sync monitor?In general, FreeSync monitors will be cheaper. It used to be the case that they would only work in combination with an AMD GPU. The same went for G-Sync monitors and Nvidia GPUs. Nowadays, though, it is possible to find G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitors(opens in new tab) if you"re intent on spending less.Should I buy a HDR monitor?With a High Dynamic Range monitor, you can take advantage of the ever-growing list of games and apps that feature HDR support. It offers more vibrant colors and greater contrast but is going to drive up the price a little. Windows" native HDR function also leaves a lot to be desired, and you may find you have to fiddle in the settings to get HDR looking like it should.What aspect ratio should I go for?Today"s movies and games are best enjoyed in a widescreen format at a 16:9 aspect ratio or above. In 4:3, those cinematic moments will look stunted with black strips along the top and bottom. There are a host of minute variations on each ratio, but at the end of the day choosing between these depends entirely on your personal preference.

The best touch screen monitors allow you to interact with your desktop computer via tap, swipe and pinch-to-zoom. Alternatively, you can install it as a secondary monitor to use with an office-based laptop.

In this article, we"ve gathered together the best touch screen monitors available today – in a range of sizes from 21 inches to a special ultrawide monitor(opens in new tab) that"s 49 inches. If you"re after a smaller secondary monitor that can be carried with your laptop for use on the go, see our list of the best portable monitors(opens in new tab). (Portable monitors can also be had with touch sensitivity, but they"re smaller and are powered by your laptop"s battery, so they don"t need their own power supply.)

If you"ve already researched the best monitors for photo editing(opens in new tab) or the best video editing monitors(opens in new tab), you may have realized that none of them are touch screen monitors. But why not? Why would you consider choosing a new monitor without touch sensitivity?

The ViewSonic TD2230 boasts upmarket image quality thanks to its IPS LCD display that provides better color and contrast consistency, regardless of your viewing position, while the 1920 x 1080 screen res is high enough for crisp image clarity when spread across the 21.5-inch panel size. 250 cd/m2 max brightness and a 1000:1 contrast ratio are pretty typical, while HDMI, DisplayPort and analog VGA connectors ensure you"ll be able to hook this monitor to pretty much any computer running Windows 10, Android or Linux.

At 21.5 inches, the Asus VT229H is one of the smaller touch screen monitors on this list, but it still sports the same Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution as larger 24 and even 27-inch touch screen displays, meaning you get more pixels per inch and slightly crisper image quality. This is also an IPS LCD, with wide 178 x 178-degree viewing angles and reliably consistent color and contrast, regardless of your viewing angle.

Most touch screen monitors are just that: a monitor, with a touch interface. But this 21.5-inch display also adds a pair of 2W stereo speakers for sound output, along with dual-array microphones and a built-in webcam for video conferencing. The IPS LCD display panel ensures decent color and contrast uniformity, while the Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution is easily enough to for crisp image quality on a screen this size.

The obvious drawback with a touch screen monitor is the aforementioned size restrictions because if you want one larger than 27 inches, you"re out of luck. The next step up in size for touch screen monitors are 50+ inch displays designed for corporate presentations rather than home computing.

Even most 27-inch touch screen monitors have the same Full HD 1920 x 1020 resolution as their smaller 21-24-inch stablemates. So you"re not actually getting more pixels, only bigger ones. This can make your images just look more blocky unless you sit further away from the screen.

It"s not just outright screen resolution where touch screen monitors can fall short of their non-touch alternatives. Top-end screens designed for image and video editing are often factory color calibrated: they use LCD displays that can display a huge range of colors, or feature fast refresh rates for smoother video playback and gaming. However, touch screen monitors aren"t intended for color-critical image or video work: they tend to be all-purpose displays designed for more general applications like web browsing and basic image viewing.

Connectivity also tends to be compromised on touch screen monitors. You can forget about USB-C hubs(opens in new tab) with Power Delivery, and even DisplayPort connections can be a rarity.

However, resistive technology doesn"t support multi-touch and won"t give the same fluid sensitivity as the touch screens we"re now accustomed to on phones and tablets. Consequently, most modern touch screen monitors use capacitive touch screens supporting 10-point multi-touch. These operate exactly like a phone or tablet"s touch screen, requiring only a light tap, swipe, or pinch to register inputs. All the monitors on this list use 10-point capacitive touch screens.

Put simply, even the best iMacs(opens in new tab) and MacBooks(opens in new tab) don"t support touch screen monitors. Consequently, all the touch screen monitors on this list will only work with Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and some Linux and Android operating systems.

Not all LCD monitors are created equal. LCD displays use three types of construction - IPS (In-Plane Switching), VA (Vertical Alignment), and TN (Twisted Nematic). Each one of these three LCD types exhibits noticeably different image quality characteristics, clearly visible to the average user.

For image and video editing, TN-based monitors should really be avoided. These are the cheapest to manufacture and deliver compromised image quality thanks to their restrictive viewing angles. This results in highly uneven color and contrast across the screen, effectively hiding shadow and highlight detail in your images. IPS-based monitorsare the gold standard for image quality. These produce color and contrast that doesn"t shift depending on which part of the screen you look at, making image editing much more precise. Most of the touch screen monitors on this list are IPS-based, and the rest are VA-based monitors. These can"t quite match the image quality of an IPS monitor but are much more color-accurate than a TN screen.Round up of today"s best deals

A computer monitor gives a desktop system the window to show its configuration and features. You might have a high clock speed, a fast processor or great graphics, all you need is the right screen to flaunt all the cool features. Target offers you a wide range of options for different sizes and features that meet your requirements and style. Are you confused about choosing a monitor? We are here to help you. If you are wondering about size, then always go for the biggest one depending on your space. There are different types of screens such as ultrawide, curved or flat to help you narrow down your choice. Find monitors with different resolutions, HD or Full HD is the basic one. If you are looking for crisp and detailed quality then there are QHD and 4K options. Keep in mind about the pixel density, it decreases as the size of the computer monitor increases. For gamers, it’s ideal to choose a screen with a high refresh rate and a low response, while color accuracy should be a top priority for professionals. Then there are other features for accessibility such as HDMI and USB-C ports. From gaming monitors to a high-end professional one, we have computer monitors of top brands such as Dell, Samsung, ASUS, Sony and many more. Browse through and find your perfect computer screen.

The best cheap monitors offer a gorgeous picture experience, but you know, 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.

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 2023 because of its ultra-slim bezels and sleek design, gorgeous, vivid colors and wide viewing angles.

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.

In this price range, expect screens that are less than 30 inches and have 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution, but not higher. Some of the budget monitors we looked at use IPS display technology, but the majority use the older TN panels, which often suffer from narrower viewing angles and less accurate color. You’ll also give up conveniences like built-in USB connections, faster refresh rates and height-adjustable stands.

Let"s talk screen size. Monitors can be anything from 20 inches to 49 inches, more or less, in size. But if you don"t want to spend too much on a monitor, you"ll have to settle for a screen display that"s under 30 inches.

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.

Only the best gaming monitor will give you the best visual experience for your games while catering perfectly for your setup, budget, and preferences. We think it"s one of a handful of ways to guarantee an instant enhancement to your setup too - after all, gaming monitors literally shape the way we see and experience all the awesome games we all play.

However, finding the best gaming monitor can prove to be a melon scratcher: it"s a massive market, and it"s constantly changing with new and exciting entries arriving, and old favourites being phased regularly. So, to navigate this, you"ll have to consider big-picture factors like resolution (1080p, 1440p, and 4K), screen techs (FreeSync and G-Sync), screen size, and more. Our guide will help you navigate this exciting minefield by covering all the relevant specs, and types and we"ll also find you the best prices too. An important point to make too is that these monitors are absolutely not just for PC gaming, as more and more console gamers are using them too nowadays.

To help you make the best decision, we"ve been working hard for years to pick out the best gaming monitor by constantly reviewing, testing, and comparing the best in the business to build this very list to help you find the best screen going. We also strive to lay out all the facts as plainly as possible. After all, the best gaming monitors have more going on behind the scenes than the best gaming TV(opens in new tab) or the best home projectors(opens in new tab). So if you game separately to where you watch your films and TV content, then a monitor is a great idea to optimize your setup. Whatever your needs, our round-up will help you make the right call and get you something with a brilliant picture, and all the performance and features you need.

It’s been an awfully long time coming, but with the new Alienware 34 AW3423DW, OLED technology has finally come to the best gaming monitor. And, boy, does it deliver. This screen has better contrast and a faster response than any LCD panel we’ve ever seen while also looking richer, more convincing, more immersive, andbeing faster, sharper, and clearer. It really does do everything.

Limited to a budget of around $200 / £200? Don’t despair. A high-refresh monitor with a decent IPS panel is within reach and we think could be a top gaming monitor for a lot of folks. Enter the AOC 24G2 and its closely related AOC 24G2U sibling. Inevitably, some compromises have to be made. The 24G2 / 24G2U are mere 24-inch monitors with a modest 1,920 by 1,080 resolution, otherwise known as 1080p. The difference between the two? The 24G2U adds a USB hub.

One obvious omission for us, spec-wise, is HDR capability of any kind. But then very few monitors deliver a true HDR experience from our experience. So, at least AOC doesn’t tease you with the promise of HDR only to ultimately disappoint. What’s more, with slim bezels and both height and tilt adjustment, this panel doesn’t feel or look like a budget option.

Dell offers a lotof monitors, from basic 1080p run-of-the-mill office jobs to uber impressive 4K beauties. The S2721DGF slots firmly in the middle, offering gaming performance at 1440p, and while we find that the specs are those you"d expect of a top-notch competitive esports ready screen, when we took it out of the box it certainly doesn"t look like one on the outside.

The only place we think this monitor trips up is in HDR performance, especially in dark areas. The contrast is low, which means it"s often hard to differentiate between subtle blacks and greys, but if you"re using this primarily for gaming and not movie-watching, it"s not too big of a deal. This is one of the best 1440p gaming monitors on the market.

Until now, 4K60fps+ gaming has been a concept only attainable by the hardcore enthusiasts who dedicate everything they have to PC gaming and their best gaming monitors. Not anymore. Thanks to the recent launch of the 30-series cards from Nvidia, and AMD"s RX series equivalents, it"s finally affordable for those who desire it. To reach that level, you need one of the best monitors on the market, but they"re usually more expensive than the graphics cards themselves.

With some exclusive PS5 features that include autoswapping between cinema and game modes and automatically optimizing HDR settings upon booting up the console. This means you won"t have to fiddle with any settings on your monitor when going between PS5 and PC use, which is a lovely little feature that not a ton of gaming monitors have.

Arguably even more important is the fact that this monitor is seriously fast in our testing. Rated officially at 1ms response, it’s one of, if not the, fastest LCD gaming monitors we’ve ever seen. That speed makes it great for all kinds of PC gaming and a particular joy for online shooters which were great to test. It’s also feature-packed, including G-Sync compatibility, plus USB-C connectivity (albeit limited to 15W of charging power).

Looking for one of the best gaming monitors that combines nearly everything that’s best about the latest LCD technology? You just found it in the Samsung Odyssey G7 C27G7. With local dimming, adaptive sync, high refresh, HDR, quantum dot technology, a curved panel, and more, on paper it"s got the works.

The main question mark concerns the use of VA panel technology, which is traditionally associated with slow pixel response and generally slightly laggy performance. Not so here. Samsung claims 1ms response times and interesting we found that this monitor feels and looks at least that quick. No question, it’s comparable with the best TN monitors for sheer speed. That it also matches IPS panels for colours and adds excellent contrast into the mix makes for an incredibly compelling package.

The Acer Predator XB271HU is the Nvidia user’s answer to the Asus MG279Q, and it features many of the same benefits: a vibrant, flicker-free IPS panel with 144Hz refresh, excellent viewing angles and built-in screen tear prevention technology. Like AMD’s FreeSync, Nvidia’s G-Sync lets the GPU and monitor coordinate their efforts, reducing or eliminating screen tearing. Unlike FreeSync, which is part of the DisplayPort 2.1a standard and is free to include in any applicable monitor, G-Sync requires a proprietary Nvidia chipset in the display, which usually incurs a $200 premium over comparable monitors equipped with FreeSync, and even more versus monitors with no adaptive sync support.

The upside is that since Nvidia has total control over the standard and its implementation, there’s greater assurance that a G-Sync monitor will work as advertised, while FreeSync quality can vary between manufacturers and from model to model. G-Sync monitors also tend to support a wider range of applicable refresh rates, as well as better anti-ghosting than FreeSync monitors.

In theory, that’s a huge upgrade. In practice, it’s a bit more complicated. This is a big screen, and so even with that many zones, the granularity of the backlight control is actually quite crude. But when it"s performing at its best, the Neo G9 puts on a spectacular HDR show that few if any monitors can match.

The best gaming monitors - FAQWhat brand is best for gaming monitors?This is a tough question with no real stand out, single answer. Much like other areas of gaming tech, like headsets, for example, the best gaming monitor market is a crowded one, and this means pinning down one brand as the best of them all is nigh on impossible. Big name abound like ASUS, Acer, BenQ, Samsung, and Alienware, but thinking about a brand should always be secondary to the specs that you need and the price that you can spend.Is 144Hz or 240Hz better?In what is increasingly becoming a defining factor among the best gaming monitors, and gamers" approach to buying them, the refresh rate is critical. And the difference between these two numbers, 144 and 240 is increasingly becoming a distinction worth making as, 1) games can be noticeably differnt at these speeds, and, 2) monitors are made and sold at these exact numbers.

144Hz is almost certainly enough and games running at this framerate will be buttery smooth, but 240Hz will always be a bit more future proof and allow extra headroom. If a 240Hz monitor is only a small amount more, then it"s probably worth it - but always consider other specs before committing too!What monitor do pro gamers use?You"ll find pro gamers across esports use a variety of different gaming monitors. There doesn"t seem to be a prevailing brand that provides what is considered to be the best gaming monitor for pros - but they do pick and play on ones to their strengths and needs. Fast refresh rates, fast response times, and 1080p resolutions are often the favoured specs here - there"s no need for ultrawide beasts, of 4K gaming monitors.

Having said that, there"s always a case for a 2nd gaming monitor - I use two at home depending on what PC game I want to play. Such is the range of the best gaming monitors available, if you had the budget and the setup, you could go for one which is best for competitive play and one that"s best for slower-paced role-playing games, and so on. What might work here is also one larger, curved gaming monitor as these can be had at very aggressive price points now too.

And smoothness rolled into this by the screen having FreeSync or, preferably, G-Sync to ensure the transitions between frames are consistent and buttery is the perfect complement to the speeds. The likes of the best G-Sync monitor and best G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitors will be great shouts here.

The best gaming monitors come in such a wide variety of sizes it can be hard to work which size (by inches) to go for, or what will be best for a particular style of monitor.

Using a broad brush, a good starting point is to look at gaming monitors that are 27-inches. We find this to be quite a good sweet spot, particularly for 1440p resolutions. At 32-inches, you can start to really immerse yourself in games, and this size is fast becoming a go-to for 4K resolution monitors.

Most gaming monitors now offer in-plane switching, or IPS, panels. Compared with the twisted nematic, or TN, displays of the past, IPS screens have much better viewing angles and color reproduction. That said, competitive gamers who care more about performance than visual fidelity still find TN monitors enticing because of their faster, often 1ms response times.

Like choosing between IPS and TN panel tech, a similar sentiment applies in the resolution department, where 4K monitors exist alongside those with somewhat lower pixel densities yet higher refresh rates. If you find yourself kicking back exploring the vast open-world of an Assassin’s Creed game more often than sniping your friends in Overwatch, then 4K HDR inhabits the best gaming monitor of your future. Esports athletes, on the other hand, ought to peep the 120Hz or 144Hz, or even higher, speed demons we’ve scouted out.

VA:Vertical Alignment, an LCD panel technology with the best image depth and highest contrast amongst other competitive LCD techniques (TN and IPS) but often slowest response time.

For more information, you can read more on How we test monitors at GamesRadar+ here, and for an overview of our approach to gaming tech then you can check out our full Hardware Policy.