In either case, a good panel should provide you with more than just a clear picture, and the monitor’s features all play a role in how well it fits your needs. We’ve rounded up the best monitors of 2021 in different categories and price ranges. Read on to see our top picks. The LG 27UD88’s in-plane switching (IPS) panel allows for 178-degree viewing angles and accurate, vibrant colors. It also supports high dynamic range (HDR) technology, and though it may not hit the peak brightness and color range some HDR-mode enthusiasts look for, the monitor delivers an excellent experience for both media watching and professional photo or video editing. Gamers will enjoy this monitor’s ability to go from a work display to a gaming display, so you can use one monitor for both purposes. Even without exceeding a 60Hz refresh rate like some speedier gaming monitors, support for variable refresh rate through AMD’s FreeSync eliminates screen tearing while Dynamic Action Sync reduces input lag. The picture comes through beautifully, with true 4K resolution and a pixel density of 163ppi. With color coverage at 95% DCI-P3, 99% RGB, and 99% Rec 709, images are extremely accurate and detailed. Dell says it comes factory calibrated too, which means you get all the visuals without having to mess with the settings. USB-C connectivity lets you transfer data and charge your devices, meaning less cords on your desk. Speaking of your desk, the monitor’s stand isn’t oversized, so you’ll have plenty of space to work. Plus, there are tons of ways to move the monitor, including portrait and landscape configurations, so you can set up your desk however you like. This versatile monitor throws in a few extra features for gamers as well. Its 75Hz refresh rate is a slight bump up from the standard 60Hz rate, and support for FreeSync can create a dynamically smoother gaming experience when paired with compatible graphics cards. Its 4ms response time isn’t as fast as what modern TN panels can achieve, but our tests showed that this panel still works well with most titles. The Acer SB220Q bi’s design, while sleek and solid enough, doesn’t offer much in the way of adjustability beyond a limited range of tilt. It also lacks USB inputs, with only one HDMI and one VGA port. Minor concessions such as these keep it affordable, though, and this monitor still offers quite a few extra features for the low price. A 34-inch wide curved screen just screams immersion, and it provides an awesome field of view for intense gaming sessions. You get the essential tech you’d want in a gaming monitor: G-sync, a fast refresh rate (120Hz), and a reasonably fast response time (2ms). The IPS Nano color technology provides bright and solid color coverage that exceeds the sRGB standard. The 3440 x1440 WQHD is not a 4K resolution, but it is a common resolution for widescreen monitors. The picture looks bright and beautiful, and the overall design will enhance your rig setup, with a cool futuristic look. It kind of looks like it fell from a spaceship. The price of this monitor may be more expensive than some people’s entire computer, but this is a premium monitor that lives up to its price. The Alienware AW2720HF looks every part the gaming monitor with a gorgeous white chassis. The back panel features hexagon-shaped buttons (for tweaking display settings) at the bottom corner and an illuminated alien logo at the diagonally-opposite top corner. Then there’s the stand, with a vertical illuminated ring further accentuating its design. Connectivity options include HDMI, USB (four downstream and one upstream), 3.5mm audio (one headphone-out and one line-out), and DisplayPort. The screen has a tight 1800R curve that helps you see the edges of its vast real estate in your peripheral vision. It’s not the sharpest display available, though, with only 1080p vertical resolution and an 81.4 pixels-per-inch pixel density. It does, however, sport a QLED vertical alignment (VA) panel with local dimming. When combined with HDR mode, the monitor produces vivid colors and excellent picture quality. The Samsung CHG90 also markets itself as gaming monitor, and its 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time will certainly serve gamers well. It also features AMD’s FreeSync 2, the latest version of AMD’s variable refresh rate technology, which is designed to pair nicely with HDR. The monitor’s performance, size, and other extra gamer-centric features come together to provide a one-of-a-kind immersive gaming experience, provided you have the budget and desktop space to make it work. Thanks in part to the IPS panel, the Predator X38 also features great color, covering 98 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut with a Delta E<2. While not everyone prefers to work on a curved panel, our reviewer found the 2300R curve found on the X38 is reasonable enough not to cause any over-the-top distortion that impacts productivity. It’s not all sunshine and roses, however. The IPS panel has its familiar drawbacks, including less contrast than similar VA panels (1,000:1 vs the X35’s 2,500:1), suffers from some backlight bleed, and can only manage DisplayHDR 400 instead of the X35’s DisplayHDR 1000 spec. None of these things are terrible drawbacks, but they’re trade-offs worth noting. The hardest pill to swallow is the price. The Acer Predator X38 costs as much as a perfectly capable gaming computer on its own. Is it worth it? You could certainly make the argument, but for many people, it simply won’t be an option. With support for tilt, height, swivel, and pivot adjustment, you can set up the monitor exactly as you want. Talking about connectivity options, you get HDMI, VGA, USB (two downstream and one upstream), and DisplayPort. The monitor comes bundled with all the necessary input cables in the box and is backed by a three-year warranty. The P2418HT comes with a unique articulating stand that effortlessly transitions its standard desktop position to a 60-degree angled orientation, thus allowing you to use the touch-enabled panel much more conveniently. The stand also supports tilt, swivel, and height adjustment. In terms of connectivity, you get an HDMI port, a VGA port, five USB (four downstream and one upstream) ports, and a DisplayPort. Other features worth mentioning include an anti-glare coating on the display and a “ComfortView” feature that cuts out blue light emissions to improve eye comfort.
About Our Trusted Experts
Erika Rawes has been writing professionally for more than a decade, and she’s spent the last five years writing about consumer technology. Erika has reviewed roughly 125 gadgets, including computers, peripherals, A/V equipment, mobile devices, and smart home gadgets. Erika currently writes for Digital Trends and Lifewire. Anton Galang started writing about tech in 2007 as an editorial contributor to PC Magazine and PCMag.com. He was also previously the Editorial Director of print and digital media at A+ Media. Bill Loguidice has more than 20 years’ experience writing for a variety of major technology publications including TechRadar, PC Gamer, and Ars Technica. He’s passionate about all forms of technology and how they continue to impact and enrich our lives every day. Zach Sweat is an experienced editor, writer and photographer based in New York City. He is passionate about using written language to make people think, discover or learn new things, find stuff they enjoy and make connections with each other. Rajat Sharma has been in the field of technology journalism for more than six years now, and has reviewed dozens of computer monitors (among other gadgets) so far. Before joining Lifewire, he was associated with The Times Group and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, two of India’s biggest media houses. Jonno Hill has been reviewing products for Lifewire since 2019. He specializes in compute hardware, photography, video, and gaming. He has previously been published in PCMag.com and AskMen.com.
What to Look for in a Computer Monitor
Refresh rate - The refresh rate of a monitor refers to how many times per second the screen can update with new image data. This is most important for playing games, and you’ll want to look for a monitor with a refresh rate of at least 144Hz if you’re really serious. Most gamers will be satisfied with a refresh rate of 75Hz or more, but if you don’t use your computer for gaming, you can opt for lower. Display type - Monitor display types can be hard to understand because there are several different types of LED displays. IPS monitors have great color reproduction and viewing angles, so they’re good for watching video content, any work that requires accurate colors, and most general use scenarios. TN monitors have worse viewing angles, but fast refresh rates make them perfectly suited for gaming. Resolution - Resolution refers to the number of pixels that the monitor can display, which impacts the sharpness and clarity of the image. The lowest resolution you should settle for is 1920 x 1080, which is referred to as full HD. If you want to take it to the next level—and your video card can handle it—go for a 4K monitor with a 3840 x 2160 resolution.
