Display technology has seen some massive shakeups in recent years, leading to newer and faster panel tech, higher refresh rates than ever, and some outstanding value products becoming available on the market. Navigating countless monitors can be daunting, so this buying guide lists the best desktop monitors for different price points and use cases.
FYI: just looking for a good deal? Check out the best desktop monitor deals this week.
LG 32GQ750-B
MSI G274QPX
Samsung 49″ Odyssey OLED G9
Alienware AW3423DW
LG 34WQ73A-B
Our Criteria
The best desktop monitors should excel on multiple factors to be considered “the” best. These range from the type of panel and screen resolution to the screen fluidity, colors, contrast ratio, and brightness. Various specifications come together to decide how well a monitor fares in all of these areas.
Panel Type
This decides aspects like color reproduction, viewing angles, brightness, contrast, and response time. While TN panels are only preferred by eSports pros, you’ll still find a lot of high-end monitors use VA panels. IPS and OLED monitors show the best colors, but IPS panels have generally poorer contrast than VA panels.
Screen Size and Resolution
What constitutes a “large” screen can be subjective, but of late, anything less than 27 inches is considered small. As for the resolution, both 1440p and 4K monitors have their strengths and weaknesses, with 1080p fast becoming a legacy resolution.
Response Time and Refresh Rate
The pixel response time is a function of the panel type, as well as how well the manufacturer has managed to tune it. The higher the refresh rate, the more fluid and responsive your screen will feel. These days, OLED panels have brought near-instantaneous response times to the market, and monitors with refresh rates higher than 144Hz have become commonplace.
Brightness, Contrast, and HDR
A good HDR monitor not only needs high peak brightness, but also high contrast and good local dimming. VA panels tend to get brighter than IPS panels, which are in turn brighter than OLED panels. However, OLED panels are the best desktop monitors in terms of contrast and black levels.
Color Gamut and Color Accuracy
A wider color gamut allows your monitor to display more of the color spectrum, leading to a more accurate display. This holds more value for professionals dealing with creative work.
Ergonomics and Additional Features
The ergonomics of a monitor depend on its height, tilt, rotation, and swivel adjustability. Additional features can be a KVM switch, USB hub, Power Delivery, HDMI 2.1, premium build quality, and RGB.
FYI: running two monitors? Check out the best dual monitor stands and arms.
Buying Guide for the Best Monitors
For the longest time, 60Hz monitors used to be the norm, even after flat TN and IPS panels had inundated the market. Then came the era of 120Hz monitors, which introduced everyone to a whole new level of performance and responsiveness.
144Hz ended up becoming the standard for gaming monitors, with slightly lighter refresh rates, such as 165Hz, and 180Hz also seen on many models. While the world slowly moved to 240Hz and 360Hz monitors, we also saw the rise of ultrawide VA gaming monitors.
Later, OLED technology arrived in monitors and refresh rates, such as 480Hz, 500Hz, and more became available. Today, the best desktop monitors can be found ranging from as low as $200 to more than $2,000.
1. Best Overall Pick: LG 32GQ750-B
Fast feature-rich monitor with large screen, ideal for gaming and professional use
The LG 32GQ750-B is the best overall monitor, due to an impressive combination of features: 32″, 4K resolution, and 144Hz refresh rate. This combo is by no means unique, but this monitor also excels in color accuracy, brightness levels, and HDMI 2.1 compatibility, which makes it irresistible at its price.
This is a fast gaming monitor with a 1ms response time, but it also has a 10-bit color depth, which would appeal to creative professionals. It provides the best of both worlds, even though its HDR performance leaves a lot to be desired.
2. Best Overall Value: MSI G274QPX
Solid combination of performance, features, and affordability
The MSI G274QPX lies in the realm of affordability while also providing more than what’s justified by its price. You’re getting the 27-inch and 1440p sweet spot for gaming and productivity. But the killer feature here is the 240Hz refresh rate that blows the competition out of the water.
For professionals, this IPS monitor covers 98% of the DCI-P3 color space. Brightness and contrast levels are impressive, for an IPS panel in this price range. The stand is height adjustable, along with tilt, swivel, and rotation adjustments.
3. Best Curved Monitor: Samsung 49″ Odyssey OLED G9
Insanely immersive, fast, and curved OLED ultrawide monitor
There are many curved monitors that could be considered among the best, but nothing comes close to the Samsung 49″ Odyssey OLED G9. This 49″ monstrosity may feel impractical at first, but its 1800R wraparound curve immerses you unlike any other curved display. The dual QHD resolution is a treat to behold.
What’s more, you’re getting a super-fast 240Hz refresh rate and a premium Samsung QD-OLED panel. Consequently, the HDR experience is phenomenal, and the gaming performance is second to none. Even for non-gaming purposes, the fantastic black levels and wide color gamut are a bonus for professionals. The price may seem prohibitive, but the monitor stands unparalleled.
Good to know: confused between curved vs. flat monitor? Learn how to choose the best option for you.
4. Best Gaming Monitor: Alienware AW3423DW
Premium HDR gaming performance and ultrawide display
Among the many gaming monitors, the well-known Alienware AW3423DW stands out, due to its brilliant QD-OLED panel, incredible design, 34″ curved panel, and near-perfect HDR experience. You’re not just getting a high-end gaming monitor – you’re getting a display that’s uniquely suited to media consumption and professional work, too.
The 1440p resolution, fast refresh rate, instantaneous response time, extremely high brightness, and native G-SYNC functionality further cement this Alienware display as the ultimate gaming monitor. Additionally, the exceptionally wide color gamut and 10-bit color depth make this a great display for creative applications.
5. Best Ultrawide Monitor: LG 34WQ73A-B
One of the best ultrawides for professionals
Ultrawide monitors can be great for gaming, but this list needs a great productivity monitor. The LG 34WQ73A-B is a 21:9 ultrawide monitor that excels at two things: color accuracy and multitasking. Whether you’re a photographer, graphic designer, or video editor, the large 34″ 1440p screen with 99% sRGB coverage will seamlessly adapt to your workflow.
The LG 34WQ73A-B is one of the best desktop monitors for productivity, as its KVM switch allows you to work with two different systems on the same monitor. The 90W USB-C charging allows you to charge your devices from the monitor, reducing unnecessary cables on your desk. The 60Hz refresh rate won’t cut it for gaming, but that isn’t the focus here.
The best desktop monitors will provide you with the best experience possible to elevate your PC experience. Whether you go for a high-end model or a value-for-money pick, as long as you’re prioritizing the features you really want, you will not be disappointed. You can also explore how to do multi-monitor gaming in Windows or fix screen resolution problems in Windows.
Image credit: Unsplash
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