A monitor is the most crucial accessory for any PC since you wouldn't be able to see what you're doing without one. Whether you're looking for a capable gaming display or a monitor that works wonders with 4K content, there are plenty of the best computer monitors available to choose from.
Across the Windows Central team, we spend hundreds of hours a year testing PC monitors of different specs and curvatures. Our reviewers have done several hours of extensive testing while analyzing each of these displays.
However, not every monitor is created equal. Some offer far better color accuracy or contrast ratio than others. Depending on the kinds of things you'll be doing on your computer you might also want to consider getting displays with faster refresh rates and response times too. Of course, if you're into gaming, then you should consider the best gaming monitors as well.
Here are the best computer monitors on the market, separating them into different categories for you to choose one easily.
Recent updates
November 1, 2024: I've revamped this page with the latest and greatest computer monitors. We at Windows Central have reviewed all of these monitor recommendations and find them to be the best options out there for a variety of uses.
The quick list
Here's a quick look at our top six picks for the best computer monitors currently available. You can read further down on the page to get more in-depth information about each of these displays, what makes them good and what to be aware of.
Our number one topic pick earned its place thanks to its fantastic picture quality, excellent build, and great features. This 27-inch IPS panel offers 240Hz, 1ms, up to 2560x1440 resolution, supports VRR, and comes with a good slate of ports to fit your connecting needs.
Anyone watching their wallet should consider this 27-inch IPS display. Despite its lower pricing, it offers a great 2560x1440 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, 2ms response time, and even supports both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync. Plus, it's got two HDMI ports and two DisplayPorts.
This 34-inch IPS Curved Monitor is an ideal choice for multitaskers. You can easily view up to three windows at a time. Plus, it supports 3440x1440 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 5ms response time, and has a bunch of ports including a Thunderbolt 4.0 connection.
When it comes to gaming, this 26.5-inch OLED monitor can keep up with the latest and greatest titles. It supports 240Hz, a super speedy 0.03ms, NVIDIA G-Sync, and also has a great selection of ports. As with most OLEDs, this one display colors very vibrantly and has great motion clarity.
Among OLED displays, the Alienware AW2725DF stands out as the king of the hill. It's specifically a QD-OLED, which means it offers amazing color but can also get brighter than most OLEDs. This 26.7-inch panel also offers a staggering 360Hz refresh rate, blazing 0.03ms, and VRR support.
This 32-inch IPS display is ideal for displaying creative projects in programs like Photoshop or Premiere Pro thanks to its great color gamut, 3840x2160 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and 4ms response time. It also features a USB hub and comes with an impressive KC50 webcam.
Rebecca has reviewed dozens of monitors, laptops, and handhelds over the years. She thoroughly analyzes the display panels on these devices and know what to look for when recommending the best specs for your needs.
Best overall: HP OMEN 27qs
As you can see in our own Zachary Boddy's HP OMEN 27qs review, this is an impressive 27-inch IPS monitor that offers solid build quality, a great color range, and excellent features to meet your work, creative, or gaming needs. Plus, it's very well priced considering its high 240Hz refresh rate, speed 1ms response time, and VRR (variable refresh rate) support.
"[It's a] really good gaming monitor that nails the fundamentals and provides a more affordable entryway to true high frame rate gaming. If you have a gaming PC that can handle 1440p gaming at up to 240 FPS, this is the best option you're going to find under $500, bar none." — Zachary Boddy
There are a couple of areas where this monitor doesn't impress. Firstly, HDR effects aren't very noticable. Secondly, the speaker quality really isn't great. Now, this is usually the case anyway, so you'll always be better served getting the best computer speakers or best headset.
Best budget: Monoprice Dark Matter 27
When I did our Monoprice Dark Matter 27" review, I walked away feeling very impressed by this budget display, especially given the nice features it offers. It's technically a gaming monitor, but can be a great choice for work or school as well. For starters, this IPS panel has a really nice color range. Then there's the 165Hz refresh rate, 2ms response time, and 2560x1440 resolution that helps visuals look smooth and crisp. While not the sleekest monitor out there, the case and bezel looks really nice, to the point that it could fit in almost any environment.
"Thanks to the QHD (2560x1440p) resolution of the screen and the ability to adjust sharpness via the OSD, this monitor does an excellent job of bringing imagery through crisply and with a decent color gamut." — Rebecca Spear
As with any product, this monitor isn't perfect. In my testing, I found that it only reaches a max brightness of around 225 nits. As such, it was hard to make out details in darker movie, show, or video game scenes. I also wasn't very impressed by the stand, which wobbles due to its three-point design. This stand isn't adjustable either, but that's to be expected with budget monitors.
Best Ultrawide: Dell Ultrasharp 34 Curved Thunderbolt (U3425WE)
If you're a multitasker like me, then you'll love using an ultrawide monitor. You can have multiple windows open at a time to quickly reference data while working or doing homework. In my Dell Ultrasharp 34 Curved Thunderbolt (U3425WE) review, I gained an appreciation for this specific ultrawide display after taking advantage of its built-in Thunderbolt Hub, which allows me to connect several accessories and other devices.
"Dell has once more proven that it is one of the best monitor manufacturers on the market with its latest Ultrasharp 34 Curved Monitor. It offers excellent picture quality with a great color gamut and crisp WQHD resolution. Additionally, the built-in KVM functionality makes it very easy to swap between two connected devices while using the same keyboard and mouse. You'll have to pay a bit for it, but it gets you a convenient display that offers plenty of ports and will last you a long time." — Rebecca Spear
In total, it has five USB-A ports, four USB-C ports, a Thunderbolt 4.0 port, an RJ45 connection, an HDMI 2.1 port, a DisplayPort 1.4, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, you will want to place your monitor near your desktop or laptop since the included cables aren't very long. In exchange for its Thunderbolt Hub, Dell didn't include True HDR support, but the picture quality and color range are still very good.
Of course, If you want a really wide ultrawide monitor, I also recommend checking out my Dell Ultrasharp 49 Curved Monitor (U4924DW) review. It might seem daunting or even comically wide, but I've been using this display with my main work PC for a year and a half, and I wouldn't want to go back to working on a smaller screen.
Best gaming monitor: ASUS ROG Swift OLED (PG27AQDM)
As you can see from our own Zachary Boddy's Asus ROG Swift OLED (PG27AQDM) review, we absolutely love this gaming monitor and highly recommend it to anyone that wants the best visual experience while playing their digital adventures. This 26.5-inch display supports HDR10 and gets up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness in HDR mode for vivid and vibrant imagery with excellent color accuracy.
Any gamer will be pleased with its performance which allows it to offer a 240Hz refresh rate and an extremely fast 0.03ms response time. Plus, the monitor is compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync, meaning that it can upscale gameplay and decrease the chances of stutter for anyone who uses an NVIDIA GPU of GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost or higher.
"ASUS' flagship ROG Swift OLED 27" gaming monitor is impressive from every angle, with a razor thin design and an absolutely gorgeous display. Its software is awkward, though, and this monitor can't escape the handful of frustrating bugs that plague it." — Zachary Boddy
Connect your favorite devices and peripherals to it using the DisplayPort 1.4 connection, the two HDMI 2.0 slots, and two USB-A 3.0 ports. We also love how easily the adjustable stand allows us to move the monitor around to get it in just the right position. It's an excellent choice for any gaming needs.
Best OLED: Alienware 34 curved QD-OLED (AW2725DF)
OLEDs area a very popular pick these days for anyone who wants their monitors to display exceptionally vibrant imagery and true black contrast. They're also really good for gaming since they can support really high refresh rates and speedy response times. But you'll want to take a look at my Alienware AW2725DF review to see the most beautiful OLED I've ever seen.
"This gaming monitor is one of the most impressive options on the market today. Its 27-inch screen size, 360Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and compatibility with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro make it an ideal choice for eSports or aspiring professional players. Plus, that QD-OLED panel makes visuals vibrant and crisp, even when displaying darker scenes." — Rebecca Spear
Having a 360Hz refresh rate is insane. But coupling that with FreeSync and a 0.03ms response time means this display offers incredible motion clarity. You'll have noticed that this is specifically a QD-OLED, and what that means is it has all of the perks of a regular OLED, but it can get a lot brighter. This particular one can reach up to 1,000 nits, which makes it easier to make out details in displayed visuals.
Best for creatives: Lenovo L32P-30
Whether you're a creator who likes to work in Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, or other creative programs the Lenovo L32P-30 will be right there to show off your work to incredible effect. With a 3440x1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, HDR abilities, and a max brightness of around 600 nits, it's a solid display for not only creatives but general PC owners too.
It comes with plenty of ports, including a single DisplayPort 1.2, an HDMI 2.0, three USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, a USB-C Gen 1, and an audio jack. However, in his Lenovo L32P-30 review, our own Ben Wilson noted that the display doesn't offer a lot of articulation, so it can be hard to plug the cables into the ports at times.
Focused as a monitor for creatives, the monitor boasts excellent color accuracy out of the box. Content looks stunning on-screen, plus, you can quickly switch between color gamut profiles via the OSD or software. This purchase also comes with a Lenovo LC50 webcam, which has an excellent microphone for carrying your voice clearly for recordings or meetings.
"The L32p-30 can function as a serviceable gaming monitor if you've found it at an enticing discount, but its strongest points remain in the creative category. Still, bundling a wide-angle 1080p webcam with impressive dual microphones seals its fate as an ideal candidate for those working from home." — Ben Wilson
Bottom line
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The best overall PC monitor is a tough choice to make. You have to decide what you want in a monitor before picking a random one off the shelf. Do you need something for gaming, creative work, or just general PC work? Gaming enthusiasts require a low response time and high refresh rate, while creatives will enjoy excellent color accuracy.
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There are so many great options out there as our collection here showcases. Still, the top pick we'd recommend you buy goes to the HP Omen 27qs. Gorgeous looks with exceptional color output are matched by a 2560x1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and HDR 400 certification. It's definitely pricey, but overall, it's one of the best monitors out there for most people.
If you're looking to play some games, we'd recommend the excellent Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM. This monitor is a monster for gaming, coming with an insanely fast response time of 0.03ms and a 240Hz refresh rate. It also supports G-Sync and FreeSync to allow it to smooth out gameplay when connected to systems with compatible GPUs.
Meanwhile, if you're looking for a monitor that allows you to multitask more efficiently, you can't go wrong with the Dell Ultrasharp 3 Curved Thunderbolt (U3425WE). It can easily fit two or even three windows on the screen so you can work in one and reference the other two for research or work data. It's incredibly helpful for work, school, or personal projects.
