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The 5 Best Multimedia Monitors - Winter 2024 Reviews

Updated
Best Multimedia Monitors

Many people find TVs provide the best experience for enjoying their favorite shows and movies, but they can cost a lot, and getting a monitor has unique benefits. They're smaller, so they don't take up as much space, and they're versatile for different uses, as they can also be used for things like gaming or web browsing. Monitor technology is also catching up to or matching TV technology for multimedia viewing, as there are now several monitors with OLED and QD-OLED panels similar to what you'd find on higher-end TVs. Additionally, even mid-range monitors are getting some features previously found mainly on TVs, like effective local dimming performance. And because you sit much closer to a monitor than you do to a television, some people find a monitor can provide a more immersive viewing experience unless you have an extremely large TV.

When looking for a multimedia monitor, you'll want a high contrast ratio to display deep blacks while watching content in dark rooms. OLED and QD-OLED displays are fantastic at this, though a well-implemented local dimming feature on non-OLED monitors also improves the picture quality in dark scenes. However, the local dimming performance of many monitors isn't very good. You'll also want a high-resolution monitor for detailed images, as well as good color vividness and accuracy so images appear life-like. It's also important to consider what size and aspect ratio you want in a monitor; even ultrawide models can be beneficial, as ultrawide movies can fill the entire screen.

We've bought and tested more than 300 monitors, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best multimedia monitors available to buy. See our recommendations for the best 4k HDR monitors, the best 32-inch monitors, and the best 4k monitors. If you feel like getting a monitor isn't right for you, check out the best TVs for movies.


  1. Best Multimedia Monitor

    The best monitor for movies we've tested is the Dell Alienware AW3225QF. You can buy the monitor directly through Dell's website. It has a QD-OLED panel, which is what some high-end TVs use; this combines perfect black levels with a wide range of vivid and bright colors, making it ideal for watching content in dark rooms. It's also a great choice for watching content with a friend next to you because it has wide viewing angles. Additionally, it has a fantastic response time, so it's a great choice if you want a crisp image while watching sports.

    Unfortunately, OLEDs like this are prone to burn-in when exposed to the same static elements over time, like if you're constantly watching the news or the same shows on repeat, but it isn't a problem if you watch different types of shows and movies. If you're concerned about this, look at the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85. The Samsung is a great multimedia monitor, and there's no risk of burn-in. However, the Dell has better color and contrast performance, as well as a faster response time.

    See our review

  2. Best Upper Mid-Range Multimedia Monitor

    If you find the Dell Alienware AW3225QF too expensive, check out the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF instead. It's different from the AW3225QF in a few ways, as it has a 1440p resolution, so media looks less detailed and sharp. However, both are QD-OLED displays, so they have very similar performance. Both have fantastic color and motion handling, creating a crisp and vivid image, even in fast-moving scenes.

    Because the AW3423DWF is a QD-OLED panel you get perfect blacks and no blooming around bright objects, making it a fantastic choice for watching content in dark rooms. It also gets very bright in HDR, which makes highlights stand out against the rest of the image. Note that you must update the monitor to its latest firmware for the best HDR performance, as HDR is less accurate otherwise. If you want something that doesn't require a firmware update for its best HDR performance, consider the smaller LG 27GR95QE-B. However, it doesn't get as bright, and its HDR colors are less vibrant, so the Dell still offers the best performance.

    See our review

  3. Best Mid-Range Multimedia Monitor

    If you don't want an OLED panel like the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF, you can get some great options for a lower price. The Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx is great for watching multimedia content, and you can usually find it for considerably less than the Dell. However, it doesn't have an OLED panel like the Dell, so it doesn't display the same deep blacks without blooming, but it's hard to find OLED displays in the mid-range price category. Instead, it features Mini LED backlighting with a decent local dimming feature, resulting in fairly deep blacks in dark rooms and minimal blooming.

    The monitor gets extremely bright in HDR, making it an outstanding choice for brighter environments. Even in a brighter room, highlights pop against the rest of the image, and it displays a wide range of colors. Another advantage over the Dell is that it has a 4k resolution, which results in very sharp and detailed images, ideal for watching the latest content. Lastly, it has wide viewing angles and fantastic ergonomics, making sharing your screen with others easy.

    See our review

  4. Best Lower Mid-Range Multimedia Monitor

    If you find the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx too expensive, there's a trade-off for getting something cheaper. The monitor market is still behind the TV market for low-cost and budget-friendly displays for watching multimedia content, as they don't have premium features like local dimming. Some are still good enough for watching content, like the Samsung Smart Monitor M7/M70C S32CM70. It's a 4k monitor like the Acer, but it doesn't have Mini LED backlighting or even a local dimming feature, so it doesn't get as bright with highlights that pop.

    It's still a very good monitor for watching multimedia content because it includes Samsung's proprietary Tizen smart platform. It lets you easily stream your favorite content without needing a PC. It also delivers good picture quality with an excellent native contrast ratio and good black uniformity, so it's a great choice if you want to use it in a dark room. Even if you want to use it in a well-lit room, it gets bright enough in SDR to fight glare and has good reflection handling.

    See our review

  5. Best Budget Multimedia Monitor

    If you're looking for the best monitor for watching movies and are on a budget, the Dell S3221QS is a good choice. While there are even cheaper monitors, those tend to have worse picture quality, so this one offers the best value. It has a 4k, 32-inch screen like the Samsung Smart Monitor M7/M70C S32CM70, but the main difference is that it doesn't have a smart system. Although this is a neat feature on the Samsung monitor, you can save money by getting a monitor without one and just use your PC to watch content.

    It has a VA panel with a high native contrast ratio, and while it doesn't have a local dimming feature to improve the black levels further, it still looks good in dark rooms, and the black uniformity isn't bad. It has a subtle 1800R curve, which helps bring the edges of the screen more within your field of vision if you sit directly in front of it. However, it isn't an ideal choice for watching content with a friend because its narrow viewing angles make the image look washed out from the sides.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Dell Alienware AW3423DW: The Dell Alienware AW3423DW is a slightly more expensive alternative to the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF that uses the same panel and has very similar performance. However, it costs more. See our review
  • INNOCN 27M2V: The INNOCN 27M2V is comparable to the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx as it also uses Mini LED backlighting, and it has more dimming zones, so the local dimming is a bit better. That said, it's harder to find. See our review
  • Samsung Smart Monitor M8/M80C S32CM80: The Samsung Smart Monitor M8/M80C S32CM80 is a higher-end model than the Samsung Smart Monitor M7/M70C S32CM70 as it has extra features, like a webcam. It performs similarly, so it isn't worth spending more on. See our review
  • Sony INZONE M9: The Sony INZONE M9 is a great 4k monitor that performs well for multimedia content, but it has a worse local dimming feature than the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx, and it costs a bit more. See our review
  • ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM is an OLED like the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF, though it's smaller. Additionally, the Dell has more vivid HDR colors and better HDR brightness. Like the Dell, this monitor requires a firmware update for the best HDR performance. See our review
  • Samsung Odyssey OLED G8/G85SB S34BG85: The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8/G85SB S34BG85 performs very similarly to the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF. However, it costs more, so the Dell is a better value. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Feb 22, 2024: Replaced the Dell Alienware AW3423DW with the Dell Alienware AW3225QF as the 'Best Multimedia Monitor' as it has better performance. Replaced the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM with the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF as 'Best Upper Mid-Range,' as it can cost less than the ASUS and has better HDR performance. Added the PG27AQDM, AW3423DW, and Samsung Odyssey OLED G8/G85SB S34BG85 as Notable Mentions.

  2. Nov 30, 2023: Added the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx to give another option as a mid-range monitor; replaced the Samsung Smart Monitor M8/M80C S32CM80 with the Samsung Smart Monitor M7/M70C S32CM70 as it's cheaper; added the INNOCN 27M2V and the Sony INZONE M9 to Notable Mentions.

  3. Sep 08, 2023: Removed the Gigabyte M32UC and replaced the Samsung Smart Monitor M8 S32BM80 with the newer Samsung Smart Monitor M8/M80C S32CM80 because it's an upgrade; added the S32BM80 and Dell Alienware AW3423DWF to Notable Mentions.

  4. Jul 14, 2023: Replaced the LG 27GR95QE-B with the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM because it gets brighter; replaced the INNOCN 27M2V with the Gigabyte M32UC because the INNOCN is hard to find; updated Notable Mentions based on changes.

  5. Jun 23, 2023: Replaced the Dell U3223QE with the INNOCN 27M2V because it has a better local dimming feature; updated text for clarity throughout.

All Reviews

Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors for watching movies and other types of multimedia content 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 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.