If you're a programmer looking for a new monitor, there are plenty of great options you can choose from. Even if most monitors aren't specifically designed with programming in mind, many include productivity-focused features that can help while you're working. When looking for a monitor, there are a few factors to consider. Large screens can help you see more of your lines of code at once, but keep in mind that size is a personal preference, so there's no perfect solution for everyone. On top of that, having a high resolution can result in sharp text clarity.
There are also a few performance-related aspects you should consider for programming. For example, monitors with a wide viewing angle and good ergonomics are also beneficial if you constantly need to share your screen with a coworker to show them your work. If you code in a dark room while using a dark mode, having a high contrast ratio can help display deep blacks next to white text. On the other hand, a monitor with high brightness is mainly beneficial in a well-lit room.
We've bought and tested more than 375 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best programming monitors. Also, check out our recommendations for the best ultrawide monitors, the best monitors for dual setup, and the best USB-C monitors. Also, see the best laptops for programming and the best keyboards for programming.
Quick Look
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, with units that we buy completely on our own, without any cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized and custom tools to measure various aspects with objective data-based results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance against the competition, and whether or not it's easy to find.
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Best Monitor For Programming
Office8.1SDR Picture7.5Text Clarity9.0SDR Brightness7.5Ergonomics7.7Contrast7.1Size40"Panel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate120 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution5120 x 2160The best monitor for programming that we've tested is the Dell U4025QW. It's a 40-inch, 5k2k monitor with a ton of perks that help with multitasking. This includes a massive USB hub with five USB-A ports and five USB-C ports, so you can connect all kinds of devices directly to the monitor. It supports Thunderbolt 4, which is great if you have a Thunderbolt laptop, and delivers 140W of power, enough to charge even the most power-hungry laptops. It also has a video output, meaning you can connect an external monitor directly to this for a multi-monitor setup.
Besides these features, it also delivers good picture quality for programmers. It has a decent contrast ratio thanks to its IPS Black panel, so it displays deeper blacks than other IPS displays when using dark mode. Its high resolution also delivers sharp text, and the ultrawide screen is big enough for multitasking with many windows open. You can also consider the smaller and cheaper Dell U3425WE if you want to save some money. However, text looks less sharp because it has a lower resolution.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Monitor For Programming
Office8.5SDR Picture7.5Text Clarity9.0SDR Brightness8.3Ergonomics9.7Contrast7.3Size27"Panel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate120 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160If the Dell U4025QW is too expensive for you, the Dell U2725QE is another premium choice that you can get for less. It has a smaller screen with a narrower aspect ratio than the U4025QW, so there's less screen space for multitasking. However, this is what you have to expect by getting something cheaper. You can also consider the similar Dell U3225QE if you want a 32-inch option, but you're paying more for the extra size.
Besides that, it's very similar to the U4025QW, with the same number of USB ports, a KVM switch, and support for Thunderbolt 4. Plus, it even has an extra video output for daisy chaining an additional screen in a multi-display setup. Additionally, it uses an IPS Black panel, so it displays fairly deep blacks in dark rooms. With a 4k resolution and high pixel density, text looks incredibly sharp, too. It even gets much brighter than the U4025QW, but its reflection handling is just okay, so visibility is an issue if you have it next to a sunny window.
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Best Mid-Range Monitor For Programming
Office8.5SDR Picture6.9Text Clarity9.0SDR Brightness8.1Ergonomics9.5Contrast5.8Size27"Panel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate60 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160If you still don't have the budget for the Dell U2725QE, look into the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV instead. With a 4k, 27-inch screen, text is as sharp as on the U2725QE, but there are a few trade-offs for getting something cheaper. Firstly, it has fewer features as it has a smaller USB hub and doesn't support Thunderbolt or have a KVM switch. However, it still supports DisplayPort Alt Mode with 90W of power delivery, so you can easily connect your laptop to it, and it has three USB-A ports to connect other devices.
It's a decent choice to use in a bright room as it gets bright enough to fight glare, but bright reflections are distracting. It also comes with a very ergonomic stand, making it easy to adjust to your ideal position. However, a difference with the U2725QE is that it has a much lower contrast ratio, so blacks look even more gray, which is disappointing if you use your system or program's dark mode. You can check out the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx if having deeper blacks is important to you. However, it only has a better contrast ratio in HDR, and it has a smaller USB hub than the ASUS.
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Best Budget Monitor For Programming
Office8.4SDR Picture7.4Text Clarity9.0SDR Brightness8.0Ergonomics9.2Contrast6.6Size27"Panel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate120 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160Should you be looking for the best monitor for coding and you're on a budget, check out the Dell S2725QS. It's another 4k, 27-inch monitor, so it delivers the same sharp text as the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV, with enough screen space to open two windows side-by-side. However, the main trade-off of getting this monitor instead of the ASUS is that it doesn't have any USB ports. So, you can't connect your keyboard and mouse directly to the monitor, and you have to charge your laptop separately.
Regardless, it's a solid budget-friendly monitor that offers the basics for work. It has a wide viewing angle that keeps the image consistent when you're sharing the screen with a coworker next to you. Plus, its ergonomic stand makes it very easy to adjust. Like the ASUS, it gets bright and is a good choice for a moderately lit office space, but reflections are distracting if you have it facing a sunny window. It's a poor choice for coding in dark rooms, though, as it has a low contrast ratio and lacks local dimming to further improve it.
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Best Cheap Monitor For Programming
Office7.1SDR Picture6.7Text Clarity7.0SDR Brightness6.6Ergonomics9.4Contrast6.3Size24"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate100 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1920 x 1080Should you be looking for the best monitor for coding that's cheap and simple, consider the Dell P2425H. It's a basic, entry-level monitor that has a lower resolution than the Dell S2725QS. This means text isn't as sharp, but the text clarity is decent enough for programming. This is what you can expect from low-cost monitors, and they have smaller screens. Though its smaller screen makes it a good choice if you have limited desk space or you want to get two of them to use side by side.
Regardless, it offers more features than other cheap monitors, including a USB hub with three USB-A ports and a USB-C port. However, it doesn't support DisplayPort Alt Mode, so the USB-C port is meant for data transfer or charging devices and not for video signals. Besides that, it has an incredibly ergonomic stand, making it easy to adjust. Unfortunately, it doesn't get bright enough to fight intense glare, so it's best to use this in a dim room.
Notable Mentions
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LG 40WP95C-W:
The LG 40WP95C-W is a 40-inch monitor with a 5k2k resolution, and it's a cheaper alternative to the Dell U4025QW. It performs similarly for the most part, but it has fewer features than the Dell, as it lacks a KVM switch and has a smaller USB hub.
See our review -
ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV:
The ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV is a 5k monitor with higher pixel density than the Dell U2725QE. It also has an IPS Black panel with a decent contrast ratio. However, the ASUS has a smaller USB hub and costs more than the Dell.
See our review -
Dell S2725QC:
The Dell S2725QC is an entry-level 4k monitor that sits just above the Dell S2725QS. You should go for the S2725QC if you want something with a USB hub, but it costs more than the S2725QS.
See our review -
MSI G274QPF-QD:
The MSI G274QPF-QD is a cheap 1440p monitor that has a higher resolution and bigger screen than the Dell P2425H. It's something to consider if these are important to you, but the MSI can be harder to find at times.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jan 26, 2026:
We renamed the Dell U4025QW as the 'Best Monitor For Programming' and the Dell U2725QE as the 'Best Upper Mid-Range Monitor For Programming' to better reflect their positions in the market. We also replaced the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX with the LG 40WP95C-W in the Notable Mentions.
Oct 01, 2025:
We replaced the Dell P2423D with the Dell S2725QS, which has a higher resolution and is easier to find. In the Notable Mentions, we replaced the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx and the Dell S2722QC with the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX and the Dell S2725QC, respectively, and we added the MSI G274QPF-QD.
May 29, 2025:
We replaced the Dell U2723QE with the Dell U2725QE, which has additional features. We also added the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV as the 'Best Mid-Range Monitor.' We replaced the Dell S2721QS with the Dell P2423D, as the S2721QS is harder to find. Lastly, we replaced the Dell U3223QE and the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B with the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx and the ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV in the Notable Mentions.
Feb 19, 2025:
We introduced a new format to the article and updated the text to reflect these changes. We also removed the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV, as it's very similar to the Dell U2723QE and has better contrast.
Dec 05, 2024:
We swapped the Dell S2722QC with the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV between the 'Best Mid-Range Monitor' and the Notable Mentions because the ASUS has more features and for consistency with other recommendations.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best displays for coding and programming that are currently available. They're adapted to be valid for most people in each price range. The rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here's 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 things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.