You use your eyes for so much of your daily work. Your workstation may have a powerful PC with lots of storage, a great keyboard and mouse, and even a comfortable chair, but your productivity may suffer if your display isn’t ideal for what you do.
You want a model that gives the precise capabilities you require, at the proper size, resolution, and price, for a better display that enables you to accomplish more. Basic features and cost are what matter most whether you’re an IT expert faced with purchasing a large number of monitors for your company or for a fleet of remote workers. Additionally, you must decide what features would increase productivity, what size panel is ideal for each employee, and what kind of guarantee you require.
In this tutorial, we’ll explain what to look for when buying a desktop monitor for the office, whether it’s a group of panels for an office or a single panel for people who work remotely. Our top options from the office-appropriate monitors we’ve evaluated are listed below. Continue reading for our lab-tested picks, followed by purchasing fundamentals you should be aware of. Also take note that the specification breakdown of our top picks is provided at the end of this post in the form of a convenient chart.
— — — — in the .) THE DETAILS OF OUR PICKS The best overall value basic monitor for businesses is the HP 24MH 23.8-INCH 1080P FHD MONITOR. SHORT VERDICT: In spite of its low cost, HP’s 24mh IPS-based budget monitor packs three inputs, an ergonomic stand, and built-in speakers. Additionally, the panel offers excellent sRGB color coverage and a good contrast ratio for the price.
PROS fantastic sRGB color coverage DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA ports High contrast ratio for an IPS monitor Adjustable stand supports for height, pivot, and tilt two-watt speakers built-in CONS Warranty is only valid for a year. Brightness didn’t live up to expectations The Best Monitor for Extremely Tight Budgets is the DELL SE2419HR (24-INCH) SHORT VERDICT: For usage in the office or at home, the Dell SE2419HR is a reliable 24-inch affordable IPS monitor. It won’t cost you much, but it lacks numerous convenience features offered on more expensive displays.
PROS Low-cost IPS panels broad viewing horizons excellent OSD menu system Cheap monitor with stylish design CONS a meager selection of ports only fair color coverage tiny OSD buttons characteristics for comfort just tilt adjustments The best docking-station monitor is the HP E27M G4 QHD USB-C CONFERENCING MONITOR (With Webcam) SHORT VERDICT: With a high-resolution webcam, two mics, and potent stereo speakers, as well as the connection of a USB-C docking-station display and a full variety of ergonomic features, the HP E27m G4 QHD USB-C Conferencing Monitor improves your video chats. Our only complaints are the short standard warranty and the subpar OSD buttons.
PROS Good sRGB color coverage on a 27-inch QHD display. 5-megapixel webcam with tilt adjustment Echo-cancelling microphones and two 5-watt speakers Additionally, there is a four-port USB-A hub with Ethernet connectivity and a USB-C port with power delivery and DisplayPort. Comfortable stand for ergonomy CONS Small buttons that are awkwardly positioned Best Docking-Station Monitor: PHILIPS BRILLIANCE 279P1 (No Webcam) SHORT VERDICT: The Philips Brilliance 279P1 is a great addition to the expanding category of docking-station monitors because it is packed with capabilities and has good brightness and color coverage.
PROS UHD resolution on an IPS screen increased pixel density fantastic sRGB color coverage superior in terms of ergonomics speakers built-in and a USB hub Warranty for four years CONS Not the best buttons for OSD control The best monitor for simple dual-display setups is the DELL 27 USB-C MONITOR (P2720DC). SHORT VERDICT: Bright, lifelike colors are available, along with a variety of ergonomic features, on the Dell 27 USB-C Monitor (P2720DC). An added benefit is that it daisy-chains to a second display almost automatically.
PROS simple daisy-chaining of a second monitor is supported. a large number of ports. Laptops and other devices can be charged using USB-C ports. Adjustments for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. 1440p QHD resolution Excellent color fidelity for professional use. CONS a bit expensive. speakers built-in are absent. For creative professionals, the best 4K monitor (with built-in calibration) is the DELL ULTRASHARP 27 4K PREMIERCOLOR MONITOR (UP2720Q). SHORT VERDICT: One of the only monitors in its price range with an integrated calibration tool, which automates and makes it simple to maintain a panel’s color correctness, is the Dell UltraSharp 27 4K PremierColor (UP2720Q).
PROS Integrated calibrating tool included Excellent color accuracy outcomes Thunderbolt 3 ports in twos Uncomplicated OSD navigation Controls for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot CONS Pricey excludes the CalMAN software that it incorporates Low brightness for a workstation display contrast ratio during testing was far lower than what it was rated. DISPLAY HP Z27K G3 4K USB-C Best 4K Monitor for Creative Professionals (Without Calibrator) SHORT VERDICT: The HP Z27k G3 4K USB-C Display is a feature-rich productivity monitor that covers the entire sRGB color gamut and features a variety of connections and an ergonomic stand. Both accuracy and connectedness are strong points.
PROS Full-gamut sRGB coverage and realistic colors in UHD (4K) resolution The USB-C port can offer 100 watts of power. Fully equipped with ergonomic features, the stand superior contrast for an IPS monitor negative Quite expensive The best large-screen productivity monitor is the DELL ULTRASHARP 43 4K USB-C MONITOR (U4320Q). SHORT VERDICT: With its enormous 4K panel and conventional widescreen format, Dell’s UltraSharp 43 4K USB-C Monitor (U4320Q) allows you to tile windows both vertically and horizontally—even from multiple computers.
A sizable IPS panel with UHD (4K) resolution is a pro. Dell software supports tiled windows, even those with numerous video sources. sRGB color coverage that is superior to expectations wide choice of ports a USB Type-C port that can offer 90 watts of power CONS Stand provides only limited adjustment. OSD controls are tiny buttons on the bottom edge of the monitor. Best Portable Monitor: LENOVO THINKVISION M14 SHORT VERDICT: Lenovo’s ThinkVision M14 is a great option for a portable monitor for work or personal usage because of its simple portability, high-quality 14-inch panel, and USB-C connectivity.
PROS Compact and extremely light. For a handheld monitor, bright. excellent color fidelity. many tilt angles. includes a sleeve for protection. CONS Limited to USB connectivity. OSD controls that are few. The Best Monitor for Desktop Touch Input is the VIEWSONIC TD2455 SHORT VERDICT: For a 24-inch monitor, the ViewSonic TD2455 isn’t cheap, but for those who want physical input from the desktop, its touch screen, impressive tilt range, and presentation-friendly features (including support for daisy-chaining monitors or connecting to a projector) make the price well worth it.
PROS Touch screens allow for gesture-based use with a finger or stylus. Daisy-chaining of displays or the inclusion of a projector or interactive whiteboard are both possible with dual DisplayPort ports. Outstanding tilt range on the stand CONS proportional to its screen size and resolution, expensive Ultrafine 4K Display from LG (24MD4KL-B) The ideal monitor for modern Macs VERDICT: LG’s UltraFine 4K Display (24MD4KL-B), which is made to work with an Apple desktop or laptop that has Thunderbolt 3, is a razor-sharp, if expensive, option for a Mac-friendly monitor.
PROS extreme pixel density. bright and lofty ceiling. seamless macOS integration Devices, including laptops, can be charged using USB-C ports. excellent color accuracy good internal speakers. CONS It’s a bit costly. The aesthetic isn’t entirely in line with modern Macs. few options for ports. minimal warranty. Windows PCs’ capabilities might be constrained. BUYING A BUSINESS MOTOR: DIRECTIONS It’s crucial to use your money properly because most businesses run on a fixed capital budget. Costs for a basic 24-inch monitor range from $100 to $175. If you need a larger screen, a basic 27-inch panel would cost you between $140 and $220.
Consider using an ultrawide monitor if you wish to replace a dual-monitor arrangement with a single display. A 34-inch ultrawide panel that allows you to effortlessly monitor multiple windows side by side costs about $350. 43-inch ultrawide business versions start at approximately $600, while enormous, spreading 49-inch ones start at about $1,000, for those with the space (and money) to spare.
(Zlata Ivleva credit) A portion of ultrawide versions provide simultaneous on-screen or inset viewing of numerous input sources. The simultaneous display of content from multiple sources is not supported by all ultrawide monitors; look for displays that support PbP (picture by picture), which shows the screens from each source side by side, or PiP (picture in picture), which displays video from one source in an inset box on the screen displaying content from the other source. Keep in mind that the ability to show several video sources at once is not always available; if you require it, you must hunt for it.
Additionally, keep in mind that many new panels with screens greater than 30 inches have concave corners with a slight bend toward the user on the left and right. Compared to flat panels, these curved monitors offer a more immersive experience and lessen distortion at the screen’s corners.
Always expect to pay extra for monitors with premium, high-resolution panels and features like height-adjustable and pivoting stands, or picture-in-picture capability. For instance, a premium 27-inch Wide Quad High Definition (WQHD) monitor would set you back at least $200, while 34-inch Ultra High Definition (UHD) or 4K displays start about $350. Fortunately, a large midrange UHD monitor doesn’t have to cost a fortune; if you shop intelligently, you can find many 27-inch ones for under $300. You may probably get by with a native resolution that is much lower than UHD as well. (More to follow on that.)
Working with a large screen is always pleasant, but depending on your budget and available space, it’s not always practical or cost-effective. With prices starting at around $100, a 24-inch widescreen (the smallest size of popular desktop monitor we cover or suggest) is a suitable option for those who need to have more than one window open at once but have a limited amount of space. A 34-inch ultra-wide panel ($300 and above) provides a space-saving option to a dual-monitor configuration, while a 27-inch screen (beginning at approximately $150) is even better for multitasking.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY FOR A BUSINESS MONITOR PANEL IS BEST? In-plane switching (IPS), vertical alignment (VA), and twisted nematic are the most prevalent monitor panel technologies that are appropriate for corporate use (TN).
While VA is renowned for outstanding contrast, IPS excels in accurate color and grayscale performance and delivers wide off-center viewing angles. Though they are rarely used on business models, TN panels are most renowned for their high refresh rates and quick response times, which make them ideal for gaming. In general, TN panels used to be the least expensive to produce of the three, but now that they are more competitively priced, VA and (particularly) IPS panels have essentially replaced TN panels for corporate usage.
(Source: HP) With the exception of specific considerations with the generation of specialized content, IPS has generally become the standard option for mainstream corporate displays, so you shouldn’t hesitate to choose it. Other less prevalent panel technologies include full area local dimming (FALD), microLED, multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA), indium-gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), and patterned vertical alignment (PVA). The latter two, which have the ability to regulate smaller groups of LEDs at the panel’s back, offer great color accuracy and high contrast ratios.
Last but not least, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology, which has already been utilized in TVs, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and most recently, a few laptops, is gradually making its way into the monitor market. OLED panels offer outstanding contrast and color coverage, but their cost has prevented them from dominating the market. OLED screens are a possibility in a few expensive business laptops, but they aren’t really a consideration in stand-alone business monitor panels (yet). Only dedicated graphics professionals and video creators will care about FALD, microLED, and OLED.
WHAT BUSINESS MONITOR SCREEN RESOLUTION SHOULD I GET? Today, almost every monitor has the ability to display material in high definition, more particularly, in full HD or 1080p resolution, which stands for 1,920 by 1,080 pixels. Avoid any outdated, dirt-cheap monitors with a maximum resolution of 1,366 by 768 or 1,440 by 720 pixels.
A monitor with a screen size of up to 27 inches and a 1080p resolution should be adequate for basic office use. There are also large 32-inch monitors available with 1080p native resolution; while these are fine for daily usage, 1080p may appear a little coarse to discerning eyes at that screen size, especially when viewing fine writing.
WQHD monitors, which typically have a diagonal screen measurement of 27 to 32 inches and offer 2,560-by-1,440-pixel resolution, may be the better choice for those who deal with intricate graphics or large spreadsheets. (This resolution is additionally known as “1440p.”) Multitaskers will appreciate being able to stretch out a spreadsheet or use certain ultrawide variations of this resolution that have screen sizes up to 49 inches with a resolution of 5,120 by 1,440 pixels. An excellent substitute for a multi-monitor array are ultrawide variants.
For graphic designers and photographers, UHD resolution, commonly known as 4K (3,840 by 2,160 pixels), is a godsend. UHD monitors come in a range of sizes, starting at 24 inches and going up. UHD is only really useful for daily productivity use at sizes up to 32 inches, though. At 4K and smaller screen resolutions, multi-windowing often results in text that is quite small.
WHICH PORTS AND FEATURES SHOULD A BUSINESS MONITOR HAVE? The more features you receive, the more you’ll pay, which is typically the case. A display with an ergonomic stand that is extremely adjustable—one that not only allows for tilt, height, and swivel adjustments, but also pivots between landscape and portrait orientations—will be significantly more expensive than a display with merely a tilt adjustment.
(Zlata Ivleva credit) Ports are no different. The occasional DVI or VGA connector may still be there, but an HDMI or DisplayPort cable should be used to link your display to your PC. (In fact, a device with one of these interfaces is typically required for resolutions higher than 1080p.) As more displays include USB Type-C connectors with DisplayPort functionality, you may be able to push the video signal over this interface using a client PC or laptop that is correctly configured.
Instead of reaching around the back of your computer, some monitors have USB hubs that enable you to plug in USB thumb drives or other devices into more accessible ports on the monitor; such a display will have both a USB upstream port (for connecting the monitor and computer) and one or more USB downstream ports (for thumb drives and other peripherals). However, don’t mistake these USB ports with USB-C video signal connectivity.
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On USB Type-C compatible displays, the same connection may occasionally serve as the video signal carrier, the data conduit, and frequently as a power source to run or charge your computer. For further information on that, please review the product description or specifications. Both of these features are frequently referred to as “DisplayPort over USB” and “USB Power Delivery (PD),” respectively.
Most Thunderbolt connections are Thunderbolt 3, but we are starting to see some Thunderbolt 4 ports on some monitors, especially Mac-friendly ones. When combined with a computer that has Thunderbolt connectors, such as some Intel-CPU (but not AMD-based) devices and current Macs, they allow a quick connection. A Thunderbolt port can be recognized by its lightning-bolt emblem; if in doubt, consult the computer’s specifications. Physically, a Thunderbolt port is identical to a USB-C connector, but there is no assurance that a Thunderbolt display would function as intended if connected to a USB-C port that does not support Thunderbolt. The price of monitors with Thunderbolt connections is higher, so make sure you can utilize one before spending money on a Thunderbolt display.
(Zlata Ivleva credit) You might want to think about a model that has a “low blue light” setting if you spend a lot of time in front of screens because it can lessen eyestrain and weariness. Additionally, if you need precise color reproduction, seek for a monitor with a wide range of image settings and color palettes.
Every business monitor is often put through three tests: sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3. The most widely used and adaptable of the three, sRGB is the de facto color standard for web-based photographs and many other uses. Compared to sRGB, Adobe RGB offers a far wider color range, although it is mostly utilized in print photography and other specialized graphic arts applications. The last color space is DCI-P3, which is mostly utilized by filmmakers and videographers for cinematic footage. While there are a few high-end versions that come with an integrated or separate color-calibration hardware tool, there are also third-party calibration options available. That is not required for routine productivity job.
(Zlata Ivleva credit) Built-in speakers might free up valuable desktop space, but they are often weak and thin-sounding, especially in business-oriented panels. Look for a display without internal speakers if your management does not want employees to listen to music outside at their offices. The same is true with less popular built-in webcams, which might be beneficial for videoconferencing but you should make sure you need them before spending the extra money.
Make sure the monitors have VESA-compliant mounting brackets or holes if you intend to use wall-mounting kits or articulating arms to reduce desk space. Finally, search for a warranty that includes backlighting and is at least three years long.
So, which business monitor is the best to purchase? We’ve selected some of our top-rated business monitors in a range of sizes and price points to get you started. Also be sure to look at our picks for the best monitors overall for a broader selection that includes entertainment panels, as well as our subselection of portable monitors if you require a portable, portable panel.
