For those times when you work at a desk, whether it's on a desktop or a laptop, a high-quality monitor makes all of the difference. After all, this is the one device that you'll actually be staring at for hours on end. Making the right choice can be difficult, with the market flooded with ultra-cheap monitors at one end, and super-expensive models at the other end. Fortunately, we're here to help with our complete guide to monitors. We've listed our Best Buy models at the bottom of this article, but we're starting off with our in-depth buying guide to help you choose which features are important to you.
Jump to the best general purpose monitors
Jump to the best high-resolution monitors
Jump to the best gaming monitors
Jump to the best professional monitors
Monitor buying guide
Although they seem fairly simple on the surface, there are tons of features and options to look out for when buying a monitor, so that you get the one that suits your needs and requirements. We'll take you through everything, so you can make a list of the features that you need.
What resolution and aspect ratio do I need?
There are two main specs to look at with a monitor: its resolution and its aspect ratio. The resolution is simply the dimensions of the screen in pixels; the aspect ratio is the relationship between the two. Today, no monitor worth its salt today will come with a resolution less than 1,920x1,080 pixels (Full HD). Full HD screens have an aspect ratio of 16:9, which means that they're wider than they are tall and are the same shape as TVs. This resolution and is an acceptable size for general Windows tasks and for gaming, as well as matching the Blu-ray HD standard.
If you'd like a bit more vertical resolution, a 1,920x1,200 monitor could do the trick although these are relatively rare. If you’d like to have a bit more room on the Windows Desktop, as well as making it easier to work on two documents side by side, you should look for a higher-resolution screen. The 2,560x1,440 resolution offers the same 16:9 ratio as Full HD but with far more pixels and, therefore, space to work. 4K (sometimes known as Ultra HD) displays are also now coming onto the market, but these 3,840x2,160 monsters are expensive and require a powerful graphics card to display this high level of detail. There is also a variety of 21:9 aspect ratio ultra-wide displays with resolutions of 2,560x1,080, which can help make films and games look more dramatic and are a good choice for putting two documents side-by-side.
What refresh rate do I need?
The refresh rate is described as a number in Hz, where the number is how many times your monitor refreshes per second. In other words, it's the frame rate of the monitor: the higher the number the smoother things will look. You should expect any monitor you buy to be able to have at least a 60Hz refresh rate. However, some screens have even faster refresh rates such as 120Hz and 144Hz. These will give you noticeably smoother performance in Windows applications, but are chiefly aimed at gamers, and you'll need a powerful graphics card in order for your PC to cope.
Is the response time important?
Response time is the time it takes for a pixel to change colour. On older screens slow response times could lead to ghosting effects as pixels tried to catch up with the movement of the image, but this is a problem which doesn’t affect modern screens with their 1-6ms response times. These tiny differences are unlikely to be noticed by even the keenest observer, although it's always worth checking the spec sheet on the off chance the response time of a screen is particularly slow.
How can I judge image quality?
In the end, however, the top priority for a monitor is image quality. Essentially, a monitor's image quality breaks down into colour accuracy, contrast and black levels. We test colour accuracy by measuring what percentage of the sRGB standard colour gamut a monitor can display. A high percentage, such as 95% or above, shows the screen is capable of displaying a large range of colour, which should lead to an accurate reproduction of images.
For higher-end panels, we also look at the larger Adobe RGB gamut. Generally reserved for professional applications such as design for print, screens that can cover a high percentage of the Adobe RGB gamut are very expensive. With professional monitors, we also pay attention to colour temperature, as this can be particularly important when working with photographs.
Our equipment measures contrast as a ratio, and is measured by comparing the brightest white and the darkest black the screen can produce; LCD screens work by filtering light from a backlight, so all screens allow at least some light through even in supposedly black areas. The higher the contrast levels you have, the more detail you'll be able to see in images with light and dark areas.
In our more recent reviews, we have started measuring the uniformity of monitors' LED backlights. Because the backlight is at the centre of the panel, it can often lead to bright and dark spots around the monitor, which can lead to an uneven look. Most of the time, this won't be noticeable, but sometimes there will be traces of darkness. We also look out for backlight bleed, where the backlight is visibly lighting up dark images that should be nearly completely black. This can kill immersion in games and cause problems with contrast levels, too.
Don't be fooled by some manufacturers' claims of contrast ratios into the millions or even billions, however, as this is only accurate if you have the screen set to a dynamic mode, which adjusts the backlighting to suit what's on screen and can be distracting as the backlight changes intensity. Instead, the smaller numbers - usually 500:1 to 3,000:1 - are the ones to look at. These days we would expect most screens to have a ratio well above 500:1, with many displays now showing ratios of 2,000:1 and beyond.
You should also look at black levels. We measure this in cd/m2, and numbers closer to zero are ideal. Some panels are able to get below 0.1cd/m2, but we're usually pleased with anything below 1.0cd/m2, and impressed by figures around 0.25cd/m2. Low numbers equate to dark, inky blacks while higher numbers turn blacks into greys, which can spoil high-contrast images.
Is there a difference between screen technologies?
There are three types of LCD screen in use in this group test, with each having its own characteristics. Twisted Nematic (TN) are the cheapest type of panel. They sacrifice some colour accuracy and contrast, but monitors with TN panels can be very cheap. Vertical alignment panels (VA, AVA and MVA) have wide viewing angles and very high contrast levels, although they don’t always have the greatest colour accuracy. Finally, IPS screens generally have the best colour accuracy and viewing angles, but are also the most expensive, although the price gap between IPS, VA and TN has narrowed recently.
What extras should I look for?
If you're making a long-term investment in a monitor, it's advisable to spend extra money to get an all-round good product, not just a good screen. This means taking extras into account. For some, the most important and sometimes expensive of these is the stand. Screens under £200 often have small, slightly wobbly stands with no height adjustment or swivel. This may be fine for many people, but if you're going to be spending a long time looking at the screen, it is advisable to buy a monitor with a sturdy stand which you can adjust to your viewing position.
A USB hub is also a valuable extra. Having USB ports on the side of the monitor means you could in theory hide away your desktop PC and de-clutter your desk, and have all USB devices running through your monitor. We're now seeing more and more monitors with high-speed USB3 hubs, too, so you will even be able to transfer large files quickly without having to delve under the desk to locate your PC's USB3 ports.
Finally, many monitors come with speakers. In almost all cases, these are pretty poor. Music, movies and games will sound less than satisfactory on the built-in speakers, so don't let their presence sway your buying decision - if you care about sound at all, you should use dedicated speakers or headphones.
General Purpose monitors for under £150
These monitors aren't outstanding but, for the price, they can deliver excellent performance for all your basic office and multimedia tasks
1. ViewSonic VX2363mhl-W
At its current price of £100, the ViewSonic VX2363mhl-W is an extremely attractive bargain. With a 1,920x1,080 IPS panel, image quality is pleasing and there's plenty of space on the screen for multiple windows side-by-side. The white plastic design won't be for everyone, but if you can stomach it, it's superb value and one of the best screens for this price. The only downside? There's no DVI port, which may upset some people with multi-monitor setups.
Price when last updated:£100. For the latest prices, see our full ViewSonic VX2363mhl-W review
Screen size: 23in, Resolution: 1,920x1,080, Screen technology: IPS, Video inputs: VGA, 2x HDMI (1xMHL)
2. Iiyama ProLite XU2390HS-B1
This 23in Full HD monitor uses an IPS panel and consequently very good performance for the price. It has a decent selection of inputs for multiple devices including DVI, HDMI and VGA connectors. It doesn't have an adjustable stand and can be a little bit wobbly, but it's a decent piece of no-frills design.
Perhaps its most attractive selling point is its very small bezels, which make it suitable for multiple monitor setups with minimal wasted space between screens. For under £130, it's a decent buy.
Price when last updated:£128. For the latest prices, see our full Iiyama ProLite XU2390HS-B1 review
Screen size: 23n, Resolution: 1,920x1,080, Screen technology: IPS, Video inputs: HDMI, DVI, VGA
WQHD, 4K and Ultrawide monitors from £289
These screens offer astounding image quality and plenty of pixels so your high-resolution photos and videos look great. What's more, with so much screen real estate, there's loads of room to put more programs side-by-side or see more in your games if you have the graphics card to handle it. WQHD generally means 2,560x1,440 pixels, while 4K monitors get you 3,840x2,160. Ultrawide screens vary: usually either 2,560x1,080 or 3,840x1,440.
1. BenQ GW2765HT
BenQ's GW2765HT is a 27in WQHD panel using IPS technology. The price of the screen is impressively low, especially when you consider the adjustable stand. It's astoundingly bright and has excellent contrast levels of 1,064:1. There's plenty of options to adjust in the onscreen menus to get the screen set up how you want it, too.
Our only two complaints are the slightly cheap-looking stand and the fact that blacks appear a little lighter than we'd like. If you're looking for a cheap WQHD screen, though, this is a great choice.
Price when last updated:£289. For the latest prices, see our full BenQ GW2765HT review
Screen size: 27in, Resolution: 2,560x1,440, Screen technology: IPS, Video inputs: VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort
2. Samsung S32D850T
The Samsung S32D850T achieves the impossible with a superb physical design, great stand and outstanding image quality, all for under £500. Oh, and it's a 32in screen. Yes, it only has a WQHD resolution, but this is more than made up for by the quality of the VA panel that has superb colour coverage and high contrast levels. It's a great general purpose screen for gaming, photo editing and general work. 32in is huge, though, so make sure you have enough space to sit slightly further away from it than you would with a smaller screen.
Price when last updated:£439. For the latest prices, read our full Samsung S32D850T review
Screen size: 32in, Resolution: 2,560x1,440, Screen technology: VA, Video inputs: HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort
3. Asus PB279Q
The PB279Q is easily the best 4K monitor we've reviewed for under £1,000. It uses a 27in AHVA panel that shares some characteristics with VA and IPS screens. The result is a supremely accurate monitor serving up stunning Ultra HD images at a reasonable price. There's a generous array of inputs, although it's a shame there's no USB hub. Still, it's a gorgeous panel that's well worth the cash.
Price when last updated:£598. For the latest prices, see our full Asus PB279Q review
Screen size: 27in, Resolution: 3,840x2,160, Screen technology: AHVA, Video Inputs: 4x HDMI, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort
4. AOC U3477PQU
If ultra wide screens are more your bag, the AOC U3477PQU is the best we've tested so far. With a 3,840x1,440 resolution, there is loads of space on screen to fit windows side-by-side, and it'll give your games cinema aspect ratio moves an extra degree of immersion. Image quality is stunning, and its design and build is excellent, too, and the USB3 hub is a very welcome added bonus. If you're after a 4K ultra wide display, this is the one for you.
Price when last updated:£591. For the latest prices, see our full AOC U3477PQU review
Screen size: 34in, Resolution: 3,840x1,440, Screen technology: IPS, Video inputs: DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, VGA
Gaming monitors from £200
Gaming screens typically have higher refresh rates and other useful features to get gamers to spend a bit more money than they otherwise would on a standard monitor.
1. Iiyama ProLite GB2488HSU-B1
Iiyama's not-so-catchily-named gaming screen is about as no-frills as you can get. As a result, though, it's very cheap and one of the cheapest 144Hz monitors you can buy at the moment. It's a TN panel, which means image quality isn't perfect, but for the price it's very good indeed. The 144Hz refresh rate results in silky smooth gameplay and reduces screen tearing to almost nothing, and the Full HD resolution and 24in form factor means you can see plenty of detail, too. It's not much to look at, but if you're a gamer on a budget, it's a great choice.
Price when last updated:£200. For the latest prices, read our full Iiyama ProLite GB2488HSU-B1
Screen size: 24in, Resolution: 1,920x1,080, Screen technology: TN, Video inputs: DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI
2. Eizo Foris FS2434
Eizo's monitor doesn't have fancy high refresh rates, instead it packages an IPS panel with great image quality into a good-looking frame with tiny bezels. It has most of the things you'll be looking for from a monitor, minus an adjustable stand. It has a USB hub, a remote control and some excellent Windows software to make fine adjustments to image quality to multiple monitors, if you plump up the cash to buy more than one.
Price when last updated:£239. For the latest prices read our full Eizo Foris FS2434 review
Screen size: 23.8in, Resolution: 1,920x1,080, Screen technology: IPS, Video inputs: 2x DVI, HDMI
Professional monitors from £779
These monitors are hugely expensive, but they have the colour accuracy and versatility to match their sky-high prices.
1. BenQ PG2401PT
This BenQ monitor may not have the highest resolution, but thanks to near-perfect sRGB and Adobe sRGB coverage, a great build and a sub-£1,000 price, it's a good buy if you need accurate colours. It's easy to navigate and adjust and you also get a hood in the box to protect the screen from glare. In addition, thanks to built-in hardware calibration you can calibrate its colours using any compatible colorimeters.
Price when last updated:£779. For the latest prices, read our full BenQ PG2401PT review
Screen size: 24in, Resolution: 1,920x1,200, Screen technology: IPS, Video inputs: DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, VGA
2. Samsung U32D970Q
This 4K, 32in monitor from Samsung is the ultimate designer's monitor. It has some design quirks, but the one thing you can't fault it for is its colour accuracy and versatility. Expect 100% sRGB and 99.7% Adobe RGB coverage out of the box, with plenty of hardware and software calibration to boot. It's also very pretty to look at when it's switched off, which is an added bonus.
Price when last updated:£1,460. For the latest prices read our full Samsung U32D970Q review
Screen size: 32in, Resolution: 3,840x2,160, Screen technology: PLS, Video inputs: DVI, 2x DisplayPort, HDMI