- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Best 4k
- Best Gaming
- Best Ultrawide Office
- Best Budget
- All Reviews
- Discussions
- Store-bought monitors; no cherry-picked units
- Retest after major updates
- Easily comparable results
- No ads; unbiased reviews
It can be difficult to choose a new monitor, as they vary greatly in size, shape, and performance. There are different types of monitors depending on how you plan on using it, and there is no catch-all monitor that is perfect for everyone, but some monitors are more versatile than others. From ultrawide office monitors to high-performance gaming monitors, there is something for everyone on this list.
We've reviewed over 75 monitors so far, and below you'll find our picks for the best monitors available for purchase in 2019. You can also check our recommendations for the best gaming monitors, the best 4k monitors, and the best monitors for designers.
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Best Monitor: LG 27UK650-W
Usage Ratings - Version 1.07.9Mixed Usage8.0Office8.1Gaming7.9Multimedia8.0Media Creation6.9HDR GamingThe LG 27UK650-W is the best monitor that we've reviewed so far, considering size and price. It's a very good 27 inch monitor that's great for pretty much any use. It has an excellent 4k resolution, great for multitasking or a more immersive gaming experience. It has wide viewing angles, so you get an accurate image even when you're not sitting directly in front of it.
Gamers will appreciate this monitor's low input lag and fast response time, but more serious gamers may be disappointed by the 60Hz refresh rate. It supports FreeSync, which is great, but due to the 60Hz refresh rate, the VRR range is quite narrow, so you may still experience screen tearing in graphically intensive games.
This monitor isn't perfect, though. It supports HDR, but it can't get very bright in HDR and doesn't have a wide color gamut, so this kind of content won't look as good as it should. It also doesn't look as good in a dark room due to the mediocre contrast ratio and sub-par black uniformity. Overall, though, it's a very good, versatile, 4k monitor that should please most people.
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Best Gaming Monitor: ASUS VG279Q
Usage Ratings - Version 1.07.9Mixed Usage8.0Office8.6Gaming7.6Multimedia7.7Media Creation5.9HDR GamingThe ASUS VG279Q is the best gaming monitor we've tested so far. It's an outstanding 27 inch 1080p gaming monitor with decent picture quality, outstanding motion handling, and excellent low input lag. It supports AMD's FreeSync variable refresh rate technology, which also works when connected to a recent NVIDIA graphics card.
This monitor has excellent accuracy out of the box, and it has excellent gradient performance, so colors look great and there is almost no noticeable banding, even though the monitor is limited a bit by its 8-bit panel.
Unfortunately, this monitor has a limited 1080p resolution, which might disappoint some gamers, and it doesn't look as good in a dark room. Overall, it's a great monitor for almost any use, and it should please even the most demanding gamers.
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G-SYNC Alternative: ASUS PG279QZ
If you want the best gaming experience possible from your NVIDIA graphics card, the ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ might be a better choice. This monitor delivers excellent gaming performance, with similar motion handling to the ASUS VG279Q, and almost identical low input lag. This monitor supports G-SYNC, which isn't supported on as many devices as FreeSync, but it has a higher native resolution, so you can see more fine details in your favorite games.
Overall, the ASUS VG279Q is the best gaming monitor for most people, but if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, the ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ might be a better choice.
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Best Ultrawide Office Monitor: Dell U3818DW
Usage Ratings - Version 1.07.7Mixed Usage8.1Office7.8Gaming7.5Multimedia7.6Media Creation5.6HDR GamingThe Dell U3818DW is the best computer monitor for office use that we've tested so far. It has a huge 38 inch screen and an excellent 3840x1600 resolution that's excellent for multitasking. It also has a unique set of convenient connections that allow you to connect and work on two computers at once without any additional equipment, with just one keyboard and mouse.
It delivers decent picture quality overall. It has great viewing angles, so you can share your work with a nearby coworker without having to swap seats or move your screen. It also has a good stand that can be easily adjusted to an optimal viewing position, and it gets bright enough to handle glare in a bright office. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as good in a dark room.
This monitor has only decent motion handling, so it isn't as good for gaming. Fast-moving objects aren't very clear, as it has a slightly higher-than-average response time, and there is some motion smearing due to the monitor's severe overshoot. Some gamers will be disappointed by the simple 60Hz refresh rate and lack of variable refresh rate technology like FreeSync. Overall, though, it's a great office monitor that should please most people.
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Cheaper 27 Inch Alternative: Dell U2718Q
If you want something cheaper than the Dell U3818DW, check out the Dell U2718Q instead. This monitor delivers very similar office performance to the U3818DW, but with a smaller 4k screen with a more common 16:9 aspect ratio. This might be a bit less ideal for multitasking, and it doesn't handle reflections as well, but it's a great office monitor for most uses.
Overall, the Dell U3818DW is the best office monitor for most people, but it's not cheap. If you want a great office monitor at a more affordable price and don't mind having a smaller screen, the Dell U2718Q is a great choice.
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Best Budget Monitor: Dell P2417H
Usage Ratings - Version 1.07.3Mixed Usage7.5Office7.7Gaming7.0Multimedia7.1Media Creation5.4HDR GamingThe Dell P2417H is the best budget monitor that we've tested so far. It offers decent performance for almost any use, with great ergonomics, decent picture quality, and decent motion handling. It has a great response time, so there is only a short blur trail behind fast-moving objects, but it might not be good enough for more serious gamers.
This monitor has mediocre peak brightness, so although it has good reflection handling, glare might be an issue in a bright room. It has wide viewing angles though and, like most Dell monitors, it has great ergonomics, so it's easy to place it in an ideal viewing position. It also has a good selection of inputs, so you shouldn't have any issues connecting your devices, and it has a built-in USB hub, which is usually only found on more expensive models.
Overall, the Dell P2417H is a decent monitor for most uses. It has a few flaws, though, so it isn't ideal for everyone.
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Better Gaming Alternative: ViewSonic XG2402
If you want something a bit better for gaming than the Dell P2417H, check out the ViewSonic XG2402 instead. This is a great gaming monitor with a much faster response time, resulting in clearer motion with very little blur. This monitor also has significantly lower input lag, so you can respond quickly to the action on-screen. Unfortunately, it has a lower native resolution than the Dell, which might disappoint some people.
Overall, the Dell P2417H is better for most uses, but if you want the best budget gaming experience and don't need the best native resolution, the ViewSonic XG2402 is a much better choice.
Notable Mentions
- Acer Predator X27: Great monitor for creative professionals, but extremely expensive. See our review
- Acer Predator XB271HU: Great gaming monitor, but the ASUS ROG PG279QZ is worth the extra investment. See our review
- Dell Alienware AW3418DW: Very good office monitor, but the Dell U3818DW is better for about the same price. See our review
- LG 27GL850-B: Great monitor, but the Gigabyte Aorus AD27QD is better for gaming. See our review
- AOC AGON AG271QX: Great gaming monitor, but the ASUS VG279Q is more versatile and a bit better for gaming. See our review
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best computer monitors 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 things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
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