Best monitors 2025: Gaming, 4K, HDR, and more

Need a new monitor for your PC? We’ve combed through scores of options to find the best monitors on the market right now. 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 we feel that 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 needs the same features from a monitor. You can find out more about how we evaluate monitors and what specs matter most below our list of recommendations.

Scroll below our recommendations to see other monitors we’ve reviewed recently, and to learn more about our monitor review process.






Dell Ultrasharp U2724DE – Best monitor overall














Pros

Attractive and functional design

Class-leading Thunderbolt and USB connectivity

IPS Black improves contrast

120Hz refresh rate


Cons

Most competitors offer 4K resolution

No HDR support

Adaptive sync has some caveats
















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B & H Photo




$499.99



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$499.99 at B & H Photo






Dell’s Ultrasharp U2724DE is arguably the most versatile monitor ever sold. It’s great for home office productivity, good for gaming, and can handle more serious content creation workflows, like photo and video editing. 

The U2724DE has an IPS Black panel that roughly doubles the monitor’s contrast ratio (compared to other IPS monitors). It can’t beat a more expensive OLED or Mini-LED panel, but it’s still alluring. It also lacks the burn-in worries of OLED which, although unlikely to occur in mixed use, might become an issue if you spend all day working in Excel and plan to keep your monitor for as long as possible.

Dell pairs the IPS Black panel with an enhanced 120Hz refresh rate. Upping the refresh rate greatly improves motion clarity and makes the U2724DE a viable display for gamers. That’s a big deal. It means you can buy one monitor for both work and play. 

The U2724DE goes all-in on connectivity. Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, DisplayPort-in and -out, and HDMI are present. It even has a 2.5G Ethernet port. These features are ideal if you plan to connect a laptop over USB-C, as the U2724DE will greatly expand the laptop’s connectivity. 

Resolution is the only notable downside. The U2724DE is a 1440p monitor, while many competitors in its price bracket offer 4K. This is the trade-off made to hit monitor’s 120Hz refresh rate. Those who prefer 4K should consider the Dell Ultrasharp U2723QE, which also has an IPS Black panel and extensive connectivity. Shoppers on the budget, meanwhile, can consider the U2724D. It’s nearly identical to the U2724DE but reduces the available ports to hit a lower price.

Read our full

Dell U2724DE review






Pixio PX248 Wave – Best budget monitor














Pros

Attractive design, especially in unique colorways

Built-in speakers are surprisingly decent

Solid color accuracy and respectable gamut

Good motion clarity


Cons

Built-in stand only adjusts for tilt

Just two video inputs

Awkward menu controls

Color temperature skews cool
















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Pixio




$149.99



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$149.99 at Pixio






The Pixio PX248 Wave stands out as an excellent budget monitor for a wide range of shoppers. At $150, this 24-inch 1080p display delivers on both value and image quality. It’s also available in several colors to fit your personal desk setup.

The monitor’s 200Hz refresh rate and good motion clarity benefit both gamers and general users who appreciate smooth visuals. If you just need a monitor for office productivity, however, its solid color accuracy and reasonable contrast will prove more than up to the task. Though far from the most dazzling display, the Pixio PX248 Wave’s overall image quality is great for the price.

Available in unique colors like pink and blue, as well as black and white, the PX248 Wave will fit in any home office or gaming den. It also has practical extras like decent built-in speakers and Adaptive Sync support for smooth, tear-free gameplay. It has some limitations, like a basic stand, but Pixio sells an optional color-coordinating monitor arm. It’s a good purchase if you want to improve the monitor’s ergonomics.

It’s certainly possible to buy a monitor for less than the Pixio PX248 Wave, but its strong feature set and low price can make that tough to justify. Dipping to more basic displays, which are often just $20 or $30 less, will leave you with a much less functional monitor and noticeably inferior image quality. That’s why the PX248 Wave is our go-to budget pick.

Read our full

Pixio PX248 Wave review






Dell S2722QC – Best budget 4K monitor














Pros

Uniquely affordable USB-C monitor

4K resolution with HDR option

High brightness and good color accuracy

Integrated speakers


Cons

Low contrast ratio saps SDR vibrance

Mediocre color gamut


















The Dell S2722QC is the best budget 4K monitor you can buy right now. Initially priced at $380, the monitor can now be found for as low as $250. It stands among other budget offering by combining 4K resolution and USB-C connectivity typically reserved for more expensive models.

Dell’s 27-inch IPS display is suitable for most lighting conditions, with crisp visuals and a respectable brightness of 296 nits. In addition to its sharp 4K image, the monitor delivers color performance that can easily handle everyday productivity, streaming, and light gaming. A USB-C port with 65 watts of USB Power Delivery for charging a connected laptop or tablet, as well as two USB-A ports for connecting wiring peripherals make it very versatile. The monitor even ships with a sturdy yet compact ergonomic stand that adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot.

Naturally, the Dell S2722QC makes some compromises to keep the price low. The IPS panel’s contrast ratio is low, which can make the image look flat and dull when playing games or watching a movie. Think of it as more of a home office monitor than the centerpiece of a gaming setup. After all, quality 4K gaming monitors are usually more expensive. 

All in all, the Dell S2722QC’s combination of 4K resolution, USB-C connectivity, and affordability makes it a solid choice if you want a tack-sharp home office monitor at a low price.

Read our full

Dell S2722QC review






Dell G2724D – Best budget gaming monitor














Pros

Handsome design with functional stand

Attractive SDR image quality

Good motion clarity at 165Hz

Supports all Adaptive Sync standards


Cons

No USB connectivity or 3.5mm audio-out

Lackluster HDR
















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$299.99



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$299.99 at Dell






Dell’s G2724D hits the sweet spot for gamers on a budget who also care deeply about quality.

The 27-inch IPS LCD panel features 1440p resolution and a refresh rate of 165Hz. The color gamut spans 100 percent of sRGB, 86 percent of DCI-P3, and 82 percent of Adobe RGB, ensuring a bright and vibrant image that’s not only excellent in games but serviceable for most content creation. But its standout feature is the Adaptive Sync support, with official support for VESA Adaptive Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and Nvidia G-Sync. 

Despite its affordable price, the monitor doesn’t skimp on design, with a handsome matte black and gray chassis and sporty rear vents that provide an aggressive yet unobtrusive look. It also comes with a functional monitor stand that offers a range of ergonomic adjustments and a compact base that doesn’t take up unnecessary desktop space. 

The monitor doesn’t offer USB connectivity or 3.5mm audio-out. Also, the HDR performance is a bit lackluster, so those who require HDR gaming may want to look at other options. 

But it’s hard to beat the G2724D’s performance at $200 or below and, more importantly, it offers everything an average PC gamer is going to need for smooth and responsive gaming. All told, it offers excellent value, and could have a place on your desk for five to 10 years.

If you want to save even more money, check out the Pixio PX248 Wave. It’s a step down from the G2724D, but still surprisingly solid at less than $150 — nice design, decent built-in speakers, up to 200Hz refresh rate, adaptive sync, and good performance.

Read our full

Dell G2724D review






MSI MPG 341CQPX – Best gaming monitor














Pros

USB-C power with 98 watts of Power Delivery

Great color performance

Higher HDR peak brightness than some peers

240Hz refresh rate and outstanding motion clarity


Cons

Stand is too large

Works with FreeSync and G-Sync, but lacks certification

SDR brightness is mediocre
















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MSI




$849.99



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$849.99 at MSI





If you’re in the market for the best gaming monitor, look no further than the MSI MPG 341CQPX.

This 34-inch ultrawide with a Samsung QD-OLED panel stands out in a crowded field with features that put it ahead of its competition. Its 240Hz refresh rate and remarkable motion clarity make it an excellent choice for gamers seeking smooth, responsive gameplay. The MSI MPG 341CQPX also delivers good HDR performance with vibrant colors and excellent contrast. VESA Adaptive Sync is supported and provides compatibility with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync.

MSI pairs the monitor’s beautiful OLED panel with practical features. It has a USB-C port offering up to 98 watts of Power Delivery, which is ideal for those who want to connect and charge a laptop or tablet with a single cable.

While the MSI MPG 341CQPX is excellent, it has a few downsides. The stand is bulky and takes up more space than needed. The monitor also lacks RGB-LED lights, which might disappoint gamers looking for added flair. However, these are minor inconveniences.

Pricing is another advantage. The MPG 341CQPX typically retails for about $850. Though hardly inexpensive, the monitor’s price is fair for its performance, and it’s not much higher than older QD-OLED monitors with a lower refresh rate and lackluster USB-C connectivity. It’s easily worth the price.

Read our full

MSI MPG 341CQPX review






Innocn 27M2V – Best budget HDR monitor














Pros

Excellent color gamut and accuracy

Sharp, vivid picture

Strong HDR performance

Good connectivity


Cons

Design looks nice, but feels inexpensive

Thin user manual

Confusing on-screen menu 


















You likely haven’t heard of Innocn—but if you want a great HDR monitor on a slim budget, the Innocn 27M2V should be on your short list.

The Innocn 27M2V is a 4K Mini-LED monitor with a maximum refresh rate of 160Hz. It hits an impressive maximum measured HDR brightness of 877 nits, which is enough to deliver a gut-punch of detailed luminance in vibrant HDR scenes. The 27M2V outperforms OLED and LED edge-lit monitors.

And it’s no one-trick pony. The 27M2V has accurate and vivid color, immersive contrast, and crystal-clear sharpness. It can’t defeat OLED monitors like the Alienware AW3423DW in SDR content, but it’s closer than you’d think.

The 27M2V provides strong connectivity, too. It includes a USB-C port with 90 watts of Power Delivery for charging external devices. That’s flanked by one DisplayPort and two HDMI 2.0 ports, for a total of four video inputs. 

What’s the catch? The monitor’s design, although reasonably attractive, feels inexpensive when handled. The on-screen menus are confusing, a problem worsened by the lack of a quality user manual. And customer support can only be reached by email. 

Fortunately, these issues are reduced by excellent pricing. The Innocn 27M2V has a retail MSRP of $799.99 on Amazon, but frequently goes on sale for as little as $679.99. It’s fantastic value at either price.

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Innocn 27M2V review






Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP – Best high refresh-rate monitor














Pros

A new high mark for motion clarity

Excellent image quality

Easy-to-use menu with many options

Broad official Adaptive Sync support


Cons

Stand is too large

No USB-C
















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Asus




$999



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$999 at Asus






The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP sets a new benchmark for motion clarity. This 27-inch WOLED monitor boasts 2560×1440 resolution and an extraordinary 480Hz refresh rate: it’s the first monitor to offer this combination of resolution and refresh rate.

Image quality is another strength. The WOLED panel provides excellent contrast, as typical of OLED display panels. It also offers a wide color gamut, covering 96 percent of DCI-P3, and demonstrates good color accuracy out of the box. The PG27AQDP shines in HDR content, with impressive peak brightness levels that outperform many competitors.

The PG27AQDP is equipped with numerous gamer-centric features. It lists official support for multiple adaptive sync technologies, including Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. The monitor also includes Asus’ Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology, further enhancing motion clarity at lower refresh rates, such as 120Hz and 240Hz.

While the PG27AQDP excels in many areas, it’s not without its drawbacks. The monitor lacks USB-C connectivity, which may disappoint users looking to simplify their setup or dock laptops. The stand, while fully adjustable, is large and may not suit all desk setups.

Still, there’s no denying the display’s motion clarity. The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP stands out as an exceptional choice for gamers who want the best motion performance.

Read our full

Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review






Asus ProArt Display 5K PA27JCV – Best 5K monitor














Pros

Extremely crisp 5K panel

Great color performance

Includes USB-C with 96 watts Power Delivery

Lots of menu options and image customization


Cons

Contrast ratio is fine, but not great

Only 60Hz; motion performance suffers

HDR performance doesn’t stand out

















The Asus ProArt Display 5K PA27JCV is a great 5K monitor. It delivers super-sharp 5K resolution, professional-grade color performance, and outstanding value.

With a true 5K resolution (5120×2880) on a 27-inch panel, the ProArt Display 5K packs an incredibly crisp 218 pixels per inch. That’s much sharper than 5K ultrawides and nearly matches Apple’s Pro Display XDR. Text is crisp and hi-res photos look lifelike.

The ProArt Display 5K’s color performance and brightness solidify its position. The monitor covers 100 percent of both sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces, plus 91 percent of AdobeRGB, making it ideal for content creation. Its impressive 578-nit brightness ensures excellent visibility in any lighting condition, too.

Most compelling is its unmatched value proposition. At $799.99, it’s the most affordable true 5K monitor available as of late 2024. While it has some limitations, like a 60Hz refresh rate and modest contrast ratio, these are minor tradeoffs.

The ProArt Display 5K PA27JCV is perfect for content creators, programmers, designers, and anyone who values ultra-sharp image quality and accurate colors for productivity work.

Read our full

Asus ProArt Display 5K PA27JCV review






Viewsonic ColorPro VP16 OLED – Best portable monitor














Pros

Versatile, useful stands

Good connectivity, cables included

Numerous image quality customization options

Top-tier image quality even at default settings


Cons

Speakers are included, but weak

Pricey for a portable monitor

No HDR


















The Viewsonic VP16-OLED is an impressive portable OLED monitor that combines class-leading image quality with a unique and useful stand.

As its name suggests, the VP16-OLED has a 15.6-inch OLED panel with 1080p resolution. It delivers outstanding image quality, scoring top marks in color accuracy, gamut, and contrast. The VP16-OLED’s performance is superior to many full-sized OLED monitors—and completely smashes portable competitors. This makes the VP16-OLED ideal for photographers, videographers, and other content creators. 

The monitor has a versatile stand. It can be used as a kickstand, as is true of most portable monitors, or expand to hold the monitor upright. The stand includes two USB-C ports, either of which can be used to provide power and video input to the monitor. It also offers a micro-HDMI port for use with devices that lack USB-C. Viewsonic bundles the monitor with several cable types and a USB-C power brick, so you don’t have to buy additional adapter cables or accessories. 

There’s just one problem: It’s expensive. The Viewsonic VP16-OLED retails at $399.99, more than double the price of a basic 1080p portable monitor. That’s tough to justify if you just need a second monitor to display Slack and Twitter, but it’s a worthwhile upgrade if you care about image quality.

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Viewsonic ColorPro VP16-OLED review






BenQ RD280U – Best monitor for coding














Pros

28-inch panel with 3840×2560 resolution

Attractive and functional design

Good range of connectivity

Useful extra features


Cons

Only a 60Hz refresh rate

HDR is supported, but sub-par

Expensive for its size
















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B & H Photo




$599.99



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$599.99 at B & H Photo






The BenQ RD280U stands out as the best monitor for coders thanks to its unusual 3:2 aspect ratio, which is much taller than a conventional widescreen. The extra height is great for viewing more lines of code simultaneously and reduces the need for constant scrolling back or forth. 

Beyond its unique aspect ratio, the RD280U’s image quality is ideal for long coding sessions. The monitor’s IPS panel delivers excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles, ensuring code remains clear and legible from any position. The 28-inch display panel has a crisp 3840×2560 resolution, which helps to render small fonts. It also has a matte finish that reduces glare, making it ideal for various lighting conditions.

The monitor also has a MoonHalo ambient light and an automatic night mode, both designed to reduce eye strain during extended use — a crucial consideration for programmers who often work long hours. Connectivity is another strong suit of the RD280U, with a versatile array of ports including USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts of USB Power Delivery. Programmers can easily connect and charge a laptop.

Priced at $599.99, the BenQ RD280U is relatively expensive for a monitor of its size, but its long list of unique features makes it an easy recommendation for coders. The added cost is justified by the fact no competitor offers the same features at any price.

Read our full

BenQ RD280U review






BenQ SW242Q – Best 16:10 aspect-ratio monitor














Pros

Sturdy professional design

16:10 aspect ratio, 1600p resolution

Excellent color performance

Wide range of connectivity


Cons

$480 for 24-inch monitor

Low contrast ratio

Disappointing motion clarity, no adaptive sync
















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B & H Photo




$479.99



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$479.99 at B & H Photo






The BenQ SW242Q sets itself apart in a crowded market with its 16:10 aspect ratio and 2560×1600 resolution. Its aspect ratio, which is closer to square than the more typical 16:9, provides additional vertical space for creatives, and its resolution beats most competitive 24-inch monitors.

Designed for professionals, the SW242Q is encased in a sturdy, charcoal black frame and supported by a robust stand that offers adjustments for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. The stand’s deep and wide base is flat and covered in a luxurious material. Connectivity options include HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C with 90 watts of USB Power Delivery, and an SD card reader.

Where the SW242Q truly excels is its color performance. It boasts an impressive color gamut that covers most of the DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB spaces, which is essential for accurate photo and image editing. The monitor’s color accuracy is bolstered by its low color error and “fine-coated” panel, which is designed to emulate the look and texture of a printed material.

The BenQ SW242Q is not without compromise. It has a low measured contrast ratio of 980:1, which reduces the depth and richness of movie and games. Its 60Hz refresh rate and lack of Adaptive Sync underscore its focus on static content over motion clarity. And with a price tag at $480, the monitor’s cost may be hard to justify for some.

Creative professionals seeking top-notch color accuracy and a 16:10 aspect ratio, however, are likely willing to pay a high price for the monitor’s strengths. It’s the best, most feature-rich 16:10 monitor available right now.