Deciding exactly where to start searching for a new monitor can be difficult. There are many different types of monitors available in various sizes, panel types, refresh rates, and resolutions, so buying a new one isn't a straightforward process, and there's no perfect solution for everyone. While most people would be happy with a basic monitor that's good enough for everyday use, there are plenty of options that offer extra perks for different uses.
The best PC monitors are usually focused on gaming but also provide high-end picture quality and include a ton of features, so they're versatile enough to use for anything from gaming to simply browsing the web. You can also consider well-rounded budget monitors, but those tend to have fewer features than higher-end models. On top of that, some monitors are designed for specific uses, like those for gaming, work, or content creation, so it's important to think about how you'll use it. If you aren't sure what to look for in a monitor or if the marketing terms confuse you, check out our monitor guides.
We've bought and tested over 370 monitors, and below, you'll find our picks for the best computer monitors available. If you have a more specific usage in mind, check out our recommendations for the best multimedia monitors, the best HDR monitors, the best video editing monitors, and the best photo editing monitors. You can also see all our monitor recommendations. If you want more than just a monitor, look into the best home printers.
Quick Look
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Best Monitor
PC Gaming9.1Office8.3Editing9.3Console Gaming9.4Brightness7.2HDR Picture9.4SDR Picture10Color Accuracy9.2Response Time9.9Size27"Pixel TypeQD-OLEDMax Refresh Rate240 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160The best monitor we've tested is the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM. It's a premium 27-inch, 4k monitor that has a QD-OLED panel. Although it's designed with gaming in mind, it's great for a variety of uses and offers fantastic picture quality. Your favorite content appears realistic, as it displays deep, inky blacks in dark rooms and makes highlights pop, while also making colors look vivid. However, the picture quality is worse in bright rooms because the black levels rise, making the colors appear purple.
It's also one of the best options for gaming because of its 240Hz refresh rate and near-instantaneous response time. It even has HDMI and DisplayPort 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of gaming consoles and modern graphics cards. While OLEDs like this risk permanent burn-in with constant exposure to the same static elements over time, the risk is mitigated if you vary your usage. Even if you want to use it for work, its 4k resolution helps result in sharp text clarity. It has a USB-C port with 90W of power delivery and a KVM switch, which helps if you want to change sources and use the same keyboard and mouse on both. The 27-inch screen is also big enough to place two windows side-by-side. However, you can check out the 32-inch ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM if you want a larger screen. It performs similarly, but text isn't as sharp due to its lower pixel density.
See our recommendations for the best OLED monitors.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Monitor
PC Gaming9.2Office7.9Editing9.0Console Gaming9.2Brightness7.2HDR Picture8.9SDR Picture9.9Color Accuracy8.5Response Time9.8Size32"Pixel TypeOLEDMax Refresh Rate480 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160If you don't need all the premium features of the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM and you prefer saving a bit of money, look into the ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG. Although it's not significantly cheaper, it's a step down in a few areas. It lacks DisplayPort 2.1 bandwidth to take advantage of modern graphics cards, and its USB-C port is limited to 15W of power, which isn't enough to charge laptops while you're using it. However, it still has a KVM switch that helps if you connect two computers to the monitor, and it has the same 4k resolution as the PG27UCDM for detailed images and sharp text. Additionally, it features a larger 32-inch screen for an even more immersive experience.
Like the PG27UCDM, it's an OLED monitor with fantastic picture quality, thanks to its deep blacks and absence of haloing around bright objects. However, an advantage of choosing this over the PG27UCDM is that its WOLED panel retains low black levels significantly better in bright rooms, allowing you to achieve those deep blacks in any environment. It also features a glossy coating that enhances image clarity. Additionally, it features a few handy gaming enhancements, including a mode that boosts its native 240Hz refresh rate to 480Hz at a lower 1080p resolution for a smoother experience.
See our recommendations for the best 4k monitors.
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Best Monitor For Content Creation
PC Gaming7.9Office8.4Editing8.2Console Gaming8.5Brightness9.3HDR Picture7.6SDR Picture7.4Color Accuracy8.8Response Time8.3Size32"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate144 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160If you're a content creator and you're concerned about the risk of burn-in on the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM or the ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG, check out the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX. It's different from both ASUS monitors because instead of having an OLED panel, it uses an IPS panel with Mini LED backlighting. This means it doesn't have the same deep, inky blacks in dark rooms without any haloing. However, its 1,152 local dimming zones still help improve its contrast ratio, producing deep enough blacks in dark rooms, though with some haloing around bright objects.
What makes this better for content creation is that it gets incredibly bright, so highlights pop, and it fights glare easily even in sunny workspaces. It also covers the most common color spaces and makes colors look vivid. Additionally, it features an accurate sRGB mode, so you won't need to calibrate it unless you're a professional editor. It also features some productivity enhancements, including a USB-C port with 65W of power and DisplayPort Alt Mode, which allows for connecting a laptop, as well as a KVM switch that enables easy switching between sources and the use of the same peripherals on both.
See our recommendations for the best monitors for graphic design.
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Best Work Monitor
PC Gaming6.5Office8.5Editing7.9Console Gaming7.9Brightness8.1HDR Picture6.2SDR Picture7.5Color Accuracy8.1Response Time4.4Size27"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate120 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160While the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX is a great choice for general work use, it's also expensive. If you prefer getting a productivity monitor that's still great for work and costs less, look into the Dell U2725QE. It has a high 4k resolution that makes text look sharp, and it has wide viewing angles and incredible ergonomics, so it's easy to share your screen with someone else or adjust it to a preferred position.
Another advantage of getting this over other 4k options, like the BenQ is that it has a massive USB hub to which you can connect a variety of devices. This includes five USB-A ports and five more USB-C ports, plus it has a KVM switch and it supports Thunderbolt 4 and 140W of power, which is ideal if you want to connect a MacBook and charge it with one cable. Although it isn't as bright as the BenQ, it's still fine if you want to use it in a room with a few lights around, but reflections can get distracting a sunny room. You can also look into the Dell U3225QE if you want something similar with a bigger 32-inch screen, but you're paying extra for that additional screen space.
See our recommendations for the best work monitors.
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Best Mid-Range Monitor
PC Gaming7.7Office8.4Editing7.9Console Gaming8.5Brightness8.7HDR Picture6.8SDR Picture7.1Color Accuracy8.5Response Time7.5Size27"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate320 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160If you don't need a high-end monitor for one specific use and you prefer something versatile in the mid-range price category, look into the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx. Like the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX as it also uses Mini LED backlighting that helps improve the black levels and overall picture quality in HDR, but there are still some trade-offs. For example, the local dimming feature has some haloing and black crush, and you can't use it in SDR at all, so the picture quality in worse in SDR. The Acer also has fewer features than the Dell U2725QE, as it has a smaller USB hub and lacks Thunderbolt support, but still has a KVM switch and DisplayPort Alt Mode.
Regardless of these trade-offs, it's still a versatile monitor for both work and play. It has everything you'd want in a gaming monitor, like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take advantage of gaming consoles. Motion looks sharp, and it has low input lag for a responsive feel at any refresh rate. Plus, its 4k resolution helps deliver sharp images and text, and while it isn't as bright as the BenQ, it still fights glare in well-lit rooms.
See our recommendations for the best Mini LED monitors.
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Best Budget Monitor
PC Gaming8.2Office7.6Editing7.9Console Gaming7.4Brightness8.3HDR Picture8.0SDR Picture8.2Color Accuracy8.8Response Time8.5Size27"Pixel TypeVAMax Refresh Rate180 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution2560 x 1440If you're looking for a multi-use monitor and you're on a budget, look at the AOC Q27G3XMN. It has a lower 1440p resolution than the Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx, so text and images aren't as sharp and detailed. Another trade-off for getting something cheaper is that the AOC has fewer features than the Acer, as it doesn't have a USB hub to connect your devices. That's normal for an entry-level monitor, so you must ensure your computer has enough ports to connect your devices.
The biggest advantage of the AOC, especially compared to other low-cost monitors, is that it utilizes Mini LED backlighting, similar to that of the Acer. This means it displays deep blacks against bright highlights, which is great for watching HDR content, especially in dark rooms. Its local dimming is even better than that of the Acer, as it has less haloing and black crush, and you can use it in SDR if you prefer. Lastly, it features gaming capabilities, including a 180Hz refresh rate and a fast response time; however, there's smearing behind fast-moving objects. If you can't find this monitor available in your region, you can also check out the similar AOC Q27G40XMN if you can find it. It even has a better local dimming feature, but it has bugs and worse motion handling.
See our recommendations for the best budget and cheap monitors.
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Best Cheap Monitor
PC Gaming6.9Office7.7Editing6.8Console Gaming6.1Brightness7.1HDR Picture4.9SDR Picture5.8Color Accuracy8.1Response Time7.4Size27"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate170 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution2560 x 1440If you want a cheap and simple option that's less expensive than the AOC Q27G3XMN, look at the MSI G274QPF-QD. While it's a 27-inch, 1440p monitor like the AOC, there are some things to keep in mind as you drop down in price categories. It has significantly worse picture quality, as it lacks Mini LED backlighting, unlike the AOC, and it also lacks local dimming. Combined with its low contrast ratio, this means blacks appear gray and highlights don't pop, resulting in a less vivid HDR experience. However, this is what you have to expect at this price point.
It remains a versatile display for various purposes, including gaming. It features a 170Hz refresh rate that's fast enough for entry-level gamers, and motion appears fairly sharp, with less black smearing than the AOC. Its 1440p resolution also helps make text looks decently sharp, and it has a few useful productivity features, like an ergonomic stand and a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode, but it's limited to 15W of power delivery. If you need a work device with a larger USB hub, you can also consider the Dell P2425H, although it features a smaller screen and lower 1080p resolution.
See our recommendations for the best monitors under $200.
Notable Mentions
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Dell Alienware AW2725Q:
The Dell Alienware AW2725Q is a premium 4k, 240Hz QD-OLED that's cheaper than the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM. It's worth getting if you find the ASUS too expensive, but it also has fewer features and doesn't get as bright.
See our review -
LG 32GS95UE-B:
The LG 32GS95UE-B is a 32-inch, 240Hz OLED that's similar to the ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG, as it uses the same panel. The main difference is that the LG has a matte coating instead of a glossy one, so it has fewer mirror-like reflections. That said, it has fewer features than the ASUS, as it lacks a KVM switch and a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode.
See our review -
ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV:
The ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV is a monitor designed for content creators, as it has modes for different color spaces that you may work with. It's a much cheaper alternative to the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX, but it has significantly worse overall picture quality due to the absence of Mini LED backlighting and its subpar local dimming feature.
See our review -
Dell U4025QW:
The Dell U4025QW is a work monitor that's a much larger alternative to the Dell U2725QE, as it has a 40-inch ultrawide screen. It's a good choice if you need a large display for multitasking, and it also features a large USB hub; however, it comes at a significantly higher cost.
See our review -
LG 24GS65F-B:
The LG 24GS65F-B is a cheap gaming monitor that's something to consider over the MSI G274QPF-QD if you need a smaller 24-inch screen. It also has better motion handling, but it's less versatile for work because it has a lower 1080p resolution.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 17, 2025:
We made several changes to represent new monitors in the market. We added the ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG as the 'Best Upper Mid-Range Monitor' and renamed the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX to the 'Best Monitor For Content Creation.' We also replaced the Dell U3225QE with the Dell U2725QE for consistency with other recommendations, and we replaced the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx with the newer Acer Nitro XV275K P5biipruzx. In the Notable Mentions, we removed the ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27ACDNG and the ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG, and added the LG 32GS95UE-B, the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV, and the LG 24GS65F-B.
Aug 15, 2025:
We replaced the Dell U2725QE with the Dell U3225QE, as it has a larger screen. We also replaced the Dell P2425H with the MSI G274QPF-QD, as it gets brighter, has a higher resolution, and has HDR support. Finally, we removed the Samsung Odyssey G55C S27CG55 from the Notable Mentions.
Jul 08, 2025:
We replaced the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED with the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM because the ASUS is better and easier to find. We also replaced the MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED with the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX, which is more versatile. We replaced the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV with the Dell U2725QE for consistency with other recommendations, and we added the Dell P2425H as the 'Best Cheap Monitor.' We made changes in the Notable Mentions to reflect these changes, by removing the Dell Alienware AW3225QF, ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM, Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3, and the P2425H, and adding the Dell Alienware AW2725Q, ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27ACDNG, and the Samsung Odyssey G55C S27CG55.
Apr 07, 2025:
We removed the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B because it's hard to find now. We also replaced the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS with the ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG in the Notable Mentions.
Feb 19, 2025:
We replaced the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8/G80SD S32DG80 with the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED for consistency with other articles, as the MSI is cheaper. We also replaced the Dell G2724D with the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B because the Dell is hard to find. We removed the Dell U2723QE and renamed the ASUS ProArt Display PA279CRV as 'Best Work Monitor' to be consistent with other articles. Lastly, in the Notable Mentions, we removed the LG 32GS95UE-B and Dell Alienware AW2725DF and added the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 and the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS to represent the current market better. We also introduced a new format to the article.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best computer monitors currently available. They're adapted to be valid for most people in each price range. Our rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you'd 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 of the best PC 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.