A lack of screen space can hinder anyone’s productivity. Who among us hasn’t wasted time on a laptop attempting to locate a single spreadsheet among the clutter of a dozen other programs? A large screen eliminates the need to move your mouse around and enables you to keep all of your open windows in one place.
Over the course of the past month, we have been putting seven of the monitors with the highest ratings through their paces to determine which is the most extraordinary computer monitor for use at work or pleasure. In the end, we narrowed our choices down to three excellent options.
Our testing methodology
Based on our research of expert and user opinions, we selected seven leading displays to put through their paces.
We evaluated the image’s overall quality across various scenarios and applications during testing, emphasizing the test images’ contrast, brightness, and color fidelity. Because of the significance of instantaneous response in games and video editing, we monitored refresh rates and latency.
Setup-wise, we complied with the guidelines since we cared about ensuring everything was there when we opened the box. We took note of all the ports, and whether the manufacturer chose an HDMI or DisplayPort connection, we ensured that a cable was packaged along with the product. Additionally, we examined the power output of USB-C connectors specifically.
Finally, we checked out the warranties that came standard on each display.
The King: Lenovo L24q-30 Monitor
The L24q-30 from Lenovo is a simple and cheap monitor that does a great job of giving you more room to work. We performed basic gaming and streaming tests and checked the monitors’ capabilities for personal and professional use. We had plenty of space on the 23.8-inch display to view multiple spreadsheets and documents simultaneously. Clear, legible text and dazzling hues mean you won’t have to squint at your screen while you work.
While it wasn’t the brightest screen (our other two top recommendations performed better), the colors looked correct when watching TV shows, movies, or YouTube videos. The visuals never looked muted or flat, especially when viewing animated content. However, we observed extra dropped frames and judder when viewing action or fast-moving video compared to other test subjects. Therefore, serious gamers should stay away.
The narrow bezels are one of our favorite design elements of this budget Lenovo display. The information extends to the margins, giving the user plenty of room to work with. For instance, we could use this as a second screen while working on our laptop to conveniently view a spreadsheet, Slack, and Outlook all at once. Additionally, you may activate a blue light filter via the bottom settings to reduce the risk of eye strain.
The L24q-30’s setup was similarly straightforward: Attach the monitor to the stand by snapping in the arm that comes with it. In isolation, the baseplate provided an unsatisfactory sense of stability, but it proved to be quite solid once attached. The screen can be tilted forward or backward, which is a nice feature. Lenovo also provides the necessary power and HDMI cords; if your laptop doesn’t have an HDMI port, you’ll need to find a dongle.
The L24q-30 is the most exemplary monitor for under $200 since it’s a high-quality option that doesn’t skimp on the essentials.
The Queen: Dell UltraSharp
The Dell UltraSharp with 4K resolution is the most fantastic option for artistic endeavors or enjoying outstanding visual quality while streaming media.
The screen’s 4K resolution is twice as many pixels as the Lenovo L24q-30 and four times as much as a standard HD display, resulting in a vivid and clear picture. It also has a 16:9 aspect ratio, making it look great on laptop screens. The 27-inch screen is entirely bezel-less, giving you an enormous amount of visible area. Users in the creative fields will appreciate Final Cut Pro’s lengthy timelines and Photoshop’s pixel-by-pixel resizing capabilities.
The UltraSharp has excellent color reproduction and can display a wide range of colors. UltraSharp excelled in this later test, which is crucial for any kind of media editing work. UltraSharp’s depiction of images, in side-by-side image-editing tests, for instance, was highly accurate to the source material.
This 4K display accurately depicts the gradations of color seen in a sunset, allowing for easy differentiation between reds and oranges. It lived up to its color promise for more productivity-oriented tasks, such as word processing, email tracking, and presentation creation.
However, we wouldn’t recommend this for gamers because of its 60Hz refresh rate. While sufficient for most uses, gamers playing Fortnite or Call of Duty will experience noticeable lag.
The UltraSharp will be appreciated by those who never seem to have a free port on their laptop. In addition to advocating for USB Type-C connections, this display’s ports are also well-equipped to stream video and data. The USB-C port provides up to 90 watts of electricity, which is more than enough to power a Mac or PC.
Besides the HDMI, two display connectors, an audio jack, an ethernet port, and two USB-A connections, this device also has a USB-C port. That’s right; you can use it to connect all of your laptop’s peripherals.
The 27-inch Dell UltraSharp has the best flat display among the monitors we tested. It also has many ports (even one that can charge your laptop!).
Not the most budget-friendly option at $700, but if you’re a creative professional wanting to invest in a monitor that will last you a long time or just someone who loves impressive resolution, it’s worth the extra money.
The Prince: Samsung CJ791
The Samsung CJ791 is perfect if you need a large screen but don’t want to sacrifice too much work space or break the bank doing it. The subtle curvature of its ultra-wide, 34-inch display isn’t there just for show; it’s designed to complement the natural shape of your eyes. The result is an immersive experience that doesn’t strain your eyes and lets you take in content from both the left and right sides of the screen.
The CJ791 has an adjustable stand that positions it at the ideal viewing angle.
It offers a similar single-cable setup to USB-C-equipped Macs and PCs, much like the Dell UltraSharp. Included in the package is a single cord that serves to both charge your laptop and project its display onto a larger monitor. In addition to the usual HDMI and display port, you’ll find a second USB-C port on the back. The CJ791 was developed by Samsung, like Dell, with USB-C ports in mind.
You can view a mirror of your laptop’s display or an extension with a wide 21:9 aspect ratio. It does not distort the information in any way and allows more apps to be used concurrently. The 34-inch screen is a dream for those who frequently switch between applications, as you can have Outlook, Word, Slack, Photoshop, and a web browser all open at once. Moreover, the inside Quantum Dot panel makes it look fantastic.
The CJ791 is an excellent device for viewing any type of media. It has unparalleled clarity and a level of color vibrancy that is unrivaled. No matter the viewing angle, the writing was always clear and legible for us. Photos, books, and films all benefited from the ability to enhance colors to their fullest potential. With a refresh rate of 100 Hz and a reaction time of 4 ms, this monitor is up to the challenge of action movies and video games.
The CJ791’s superiority in these two regards made it our top pick as the most exemplary gaming monitor. Take note, gamers: We were really pleased with its performance across the board, from Microsoft Flight Simulator to FPS titles such as Fortnite and Call of Duty. Screen tearing and blipping, which may be annoying and even cost you the game win, didn’t happen in any of those.
The CJ791 is your best bet if you value affordability alongside maximum workspace, coming in at just $699.
Other options
Lenovo L22e-20 21.5-inch Monitor
Lenovo’s 21.5-inch monitor is the cheapest of our bunch at $99.99. Still, it skimps on features and sturdiness to deliver simply an HD experience. Not only does it not offer much extra space over a laptop, but for about $70 more, you can obtain a Lenovo L24q-30 that has thinner bezels and a higher resolution.
The G9’s price tag is comparable to that of a high-end gaming PC because of its focus on gaming-specific design and construction. The display is stretched to approximately 50 by 49 inches, giving it a more prominent curve than the CJ791. It has a 1-millisecond response time and a 240-hertz refresh rate, making it ideal for gaming. Its higher price tag means it has to be considered a premium product.
This 24-inch UltraSharp comes at a price ($400) that is not too far behind our two more expensive recommendations. The style and construction are pretty comparable to our recommended 27-inch UltraSharp 4K display. This 24-inch model has its predecessor’s narrow bezels and abundant ports, but the resolution is just HD (1920 x 1200). Given the asking price, a 4K screen is a must-have feature.
The LG 21.5-inch 4K UltraFine may be worth considering if you use just Apple products and services. It’s a convenient all-in-one solution for adding more USB-C ports and power to your Mac using a single cable. The monitor itself doesn’t provide much leeway in personalization, as there are no physical controls (not even a power button) to speak of. At $799, it’s also quite pricey for such a moderate display.
Nexym's editorial team handpicks all of the products and services it recommends, regardless of external influences. Affiliate links appear in some of our stories. We may receive an affiliate commission if you purchase something through one of these links, which helps us stay independent and support our great team.
