Need a new monitor for your PC? We’ve combed through scores of options to find the best monitors available in 2022. Our picks are the result of hundreds of hours spent testing the latest models from Acer, Asus, BenQ, Dell, LG, Samsung, and other major brands.
While our favorite monitor overall is an awesome choice for most people, we also have alternative options for budget shoppers, gamers, and those seeking the best HDR performance. After all, not everyone’s monitor needs are identical. (If you’re looking specifically for a 4K monitor or gaming monitor, we have separate roundups highlighting your best options for those particular needs.) You can find out more about how we evaluate monitors and what specs matter most below our list of recommendations.
Updated 03/01/2023 We’ve included a new category in our recommendations: the best portable monitor, thanks to the impressive Viewsonic ColorPro VP16 OLED. Read below for more info as to why we gave this portable monitor top marks.
1. Dell U3223QE – Best monitor overall
Pros
- IPS Black panel fulfills its promise
- Accurate color with wide gamut
- High brightness in SDR
- USB-C hub with 90 watts of power
Cons
- Edges of display are noticeably bright
- HDR performance disappoints
- Only a 60Hz panel
Dell’s U3223QE is a premium monitor with 4K resolution and gobs of connectivity.
The U3223QE has a cutting-edge IPS Black panel that roughly doubles the contrast when compared to other 32-inch IPS monitors. It provides a richer experience with a better sense of depth that’s especially noticeable when viewing in a dark room. The monitor also excels in color performance, brightness, and sharpness.
Connectivity is a highlight. This monitor offers USB-C with up to 90 watts of Power Delivery for charging a connected laptop or tablet. The USB-C port can drive a hub with a total of five additional USB-A ports, ethernet, and even DisplayPort-out (meaning you can daisy-chain video to a second monitor).
This monitor has a smaller sibling, the Dell U2723QE, which is less expensive. We did not receive it for testing but expect it to perform similarly, as it uses the same IPS Black panel technology.
2. Asus ProArt PA279CV – Best budget 4K monitor
Pros
- Accurate image
- High maximum brightness
- Menu settings allow calibration
- Has USB-C with 65 watts Power Delivery
- Competitive price
Cons
- Unimpressive design
- Luminance uniformity could be better
- HDR is bright but otherwise falls short
The Asus ProArt PA279CV is a solid choice if you want 4K for under $500.
The Asus ProArt PA279CV is a 4K professional monitor and, as a result, it has excellent color performance and brightness. Photos, video, and games look crisp, lifelike, and vivid on this monitor. The PA279CV has a modest color gamut but, at this price, it’s a sacrifice worth making. It also has a good contrast ratio for the price.
Connectivity includes a USB-C port with up to 65 watts of Power Delivery for charging a connected laptop or tablet. The monitor functions as a hub for several additional USB-A ports. It has adaptive sync for smooth gaming, though its maximum refresh rate is just 75Hz.
Shoppers should keep an eye on the PA279CV’s price. Though often sold just below $500, it has dipped as low as $455, and tends to fluctuate over time. Sales make it even more tempting.
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3. Acer K242HYL – Best budget 1080p monitor </h3>
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<img width="1500" height="1000" class="product-chart-item__image" alt="Acer K242HYL - Best budget 1080p monitor" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/acer-k242hyl-2.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" sizes="1500" />
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Attractive color accuracy and gamut </li>
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Acceptable sharpness for a 1080p display </li>
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Avoids motion clarity pitfalls </li>
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Menu system is easy to use </li>
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Barebones design </li>
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No height adjustment on stand </li>
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Only one HDMI, no DisplayPort </li>
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Power LED is very bright </li>
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Best Prices Today:
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<a class="product-chart-item__pricing-details--link" href="https://adorama.rfvk.net/c/321564/1175784/1036?prodsku=ACK242HYLBIX&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adorama.com%2Fack242hylbix.html&intsrc=CATF_9102&subid1=2-1-811315-6-632573-9925" target="_blank" data-vars-product-name="Acer K242HYL" data-vars-product-id="632573" data-vars-category="Monitors" data-vars-manufacturer-id="9925" data-vars-manufacturer="Acer" data-vars-vendor="Acer" data-vars-po="" data-product="632573" data-vars-link-position-id="003" data-vars-link-position="Product Chart" data-vars-outbound-link="https://adorama.rfvk.net/c/321564/1175784/1036?prodsku=ACK242HYLBIX&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adorama.com%2Fack242hylbix.html&intsrc=CATF_9102" rel="nofollow">$107.99 at Adorama</a><a class="product-chart-item__pricing-details--link" href="https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-8200811-15180503?sid=2-1-811315-6-632573-9925&url=https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/UM.QX2AA.B03" target="_blank" data-vars-product-name="Acer K242HYL" data-vars-product-id="632573" data-vars-category="Monitors" data-vars-manufacturer-id="9925" data-vars-manufacturer="Acer" data-vars-vendor="Acer" data-vars-po="" data-product="632573" data-vars-link-position-id="003" data-vars-link-position="Product Chart" data-vars-outbound-link="https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/UM.QX2AA.B03" rel="nofollow">$149.99 at Acer</a> </span>
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<div class="product-content">Need a monitor that works well at an extremely low price? The Acer K242HYL is our go-to pick.
The Acer K242HYL’s specifications are good for a budget display. It has a 24-inch screen with 1080p resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 75Hz. Adaptive sync is supported, so the monitor will function with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. Video inputs include HDMI and VGA. Build quality is good thanks to robust plastic panels that feel thick and durable when handled.
This monitor has a bright image with reasonable contrast. Color performance stands out, as the monitor can cover most of the sRGB color gamut and has extremely good color accuracy overall. Photos, videos, and games look close to what their creator intended.
The K242HYL lacks a height-adjustable stand but offers a VESA mount that is compatible with most third-party monitor stands and arms.
That aside, the K242HYL is an outstanding budget monitor suited for everyday use, casual gaming, and amateur content creation. This is all the monitor most people will ever need.
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Read our full
<a class="product-chart-item__review-link" href="https://www.pcworld.com/article/631916/acer-k242hyl-review.html" target="_blank" score="3.5">
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