Tired of working off the small screen of your laptop? Consider adding a computer monitor to your home office setup to increase your screen’s size and make it easier to read.
A larger working screen can even help you feel more productive as you juggle Excel spreadsheets, emails and reports. Many of the monitors available today are not only affordable and lightweight, but they feature sharp, 4K resolution that improves the experience of creating presentations, working on school projects, photo editing and even streaming TV shows at the end of the day. Some monitors are also exceptional choices for gaming thanks to fantastic graphics so you can go ahead and hook up an Xbox, PS5 or other gaming console.
1
Best Overall Monitor
Dell UltraSharp 27 USB-C Hub Monitor U2723QE
Pros
- Impressive performance scores according to Lab tests
- Great value
- High resolution
- Display is easy to adjust
Cons
- Doesn’t include speakers
This 16:9 widescreen monitor received top overall scores in our Lab evaluations, standing out for top-notch performance and its high resolution. “4K video looks great,” says Lab assistant Nikolas Greenwald, who conducted the most recent monitor testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute and was impressed by this model.
“Wording and lettering appear crisp and don’t feel like an eyesore like on some monitors. Plus, it handles lower-res content well.” This monitor’s high-quality resolution makes it a great choice for work as well as watching movies in your free time.
Our pros like this monitor’s screen size, which is large yet not too cumbersome or heavy to move around. Though an external power source is required like most computer monitors, we found this model’s screen particularly easy to adjust so you can find the optimal viewing angle for your activity. We also love that it features tons of ports (11 to be exact) so you can easily hook up gaming consoles, your laptop and other accessories. According to our Lab experts, on-unit controls are intuitive and the joystick button makes navigating the display’s settings easy.
| Size | 27″ |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 |
2
Best Value Monitor
ViewSonic VG2756V-2K
Pros
- Great value
- Easy set up
- Built-in webcam, speakers and mic
Cons
- Resolution could be better
- Design is a bit bulky
Not willing to spend a fortune but need a second monitor to get some work done and stop hunching over a tiny laptop?
This pick from ViewSonic is an affordable 27-inch computer monitor with everything you need for the home office, including a built-in 1080p webcam for video meetings as well as speakers and a mic for clear audio. You can tilt, swivel, rotate and adjust the monitor’s height so both petite and taller figures will be comfortable and there are plenty of connectivity options including USB-C.
According to Greenwald, this bulkier screen isn’t the most aesthetically appealing, but it’s big and sturdy. Though onboard buttons make it a bit more difficult to control display settings, we like that you can easily adjust the speaker’s volume or mute the microphone. In tests, we found that set up was easy and picture quality was decent, though not comparable to some of the more premium monitors featured.
| Size | 27″ |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440 |
3
Best Monitor for Gaming
ViewSonic Elite XG321UG
Pros
- Superior picture quality
- Great for gaming
- Large screen
Cons
- Set up could be easier
- Expensive
Our experts were blown away in Lab tests by this mini-LED monitor for its stunning 4K UHD picture quality, brightness and clarity. It earned top overall scores in Lab tests and had superior performance to other monitors.
What makes it great for gaming? Not only are details and colors rich, but a speedy 144hz refresh rate ensures your monitor is as responsive as it needs to be when gaming precision counts. It also features NVIDIA G-SYNC processors which improve the gaming experience with the most lifelike images and low latency.
Though the cost may be prohibitive for those who aren’t professional or serious gamers, we were impressed by the vast amount of easily accessible on-unit display controls and the cable management to keep cords in order. We also love the screen’s large 32-inch display and that the screen’s height and angle are easy to adjust to your liking. The monitor even features a built-in blue light filter that helps reduce eye strain on late nights. Greenwald does point out, however, that setup was a bit difficult and a bulky external power cord is required.
| Size | 32″ |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
4
Best Portable Monitor
Lenovo ThinkVision M14d Mobile Monitor
Pros
- Lightweight, slim and portable design
- Easy connectivity
- Self-standing
Cons
- Screen size is small
- Resolution could be better
Unique not only for its great price of under $500, this monitor also features a super lightweight, portable design. The smallest, most compact monitor of our test group, it serves as an excellent second 14-inch screen when you need some extra space to get your work done. “It folds very sleekly such that it can fit into a bag,” says Greenwald. “It’s self-standing so it serves as a great portable monitor for creatives or those who need to increase screen space on the go.”
Though the display has a lower resolution than the latest Retina displays of MacBook Pros and won’t be as stunning as more premium 4K monitors, the image remains clear and easy to read. Our pros like that this monitor connects super seamlessly to laptops and external devices via USB-C, making it a true plug-and-play model that you can move around with you throughout the day. The display is also easily manipulated with three buttons on the interface, according to our testing notes.
| Size | 14.1” |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 2240 x 1400 |
5
Best Large Monitor
Dell Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
Pros
- Massive, curved display
- Easy to adjust
- High-quality picture
Cons
- Bulky design is less portable
- May be too large for some
Ready to upgrade your home office or take your gaming setup to new heights? Look no further than this massive 35-inch monitor from Dell. Though not quite as gargantuan as the 49-inch Dell UltraSharp we also tested in the Lab, this will still be a sizeable upgrade for most consumers seeking high-quality performance and size.
In Lab tests, we were impressed by its massive, curved screen that’s super easy to adjust. “The screen tilts and slides up and down very smoothly, making optimal viewing a snap,” says Greenwald. While it’s bulky and difficult to move around, this isn’t the sort of monitor you buy to move from room to room.
We wish it featured on-unit display controls for quick adjustments, but the crisp display makes up for it. “It makes some high-res content even appear low-res due to how high definition it is,” Greenwald adds. “For tasks that require a lot of screen space, video games, music production or graphic design, this has great utility.” Greenwald does mention, however, that watching content such as videos with an aspect of 16:9 can feel strange as black bars will be present on all sides of the display.
Nevertheless, this model stood out for its performance in Lab tests, though keep in mind that it may be too much for your average consumer.
| Size | 35” |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 3440 x 1440 |
6
Best Monitor for Creatives
MP Geminos
Pros
- Innovative design
- Easy set up
- Space-saving
- Built-in webcam, microphone and speaker
Cons
- Unconventional design may not appeal to all
We love the innovative design of this dual-stacked monitor, which aced Lab tests for performance and earned the highest score for ease of use.
While this monitor is geared toward professionals in the creative sphere or those who use certain applications like film editing or music production, we love how the dual setup tilts and works together. It’s also useful that this monitor takes up less desk space than a traditional monitor would and it features a multiport dock station for all your needs. “I’m really impressed with this double-screen layout,” says Greenwald. “Picture quality is great and the format has a lot of utility.”
In Lab tests, we found this monitor’s on-unit controls both useful and complete with the nice touch of an eye care mode. Greenwald points out that the setup works seamlessly despite its unique design. “The screens can’t be adjusted like normal computer monitors but the way they move together is so satisfying and it truly feels like it’s a good use of the space, especially compared to some of the curved models I’ve tested.”
Because it’s so easy to adjust, it’s also a good choice for those who work at a standing desk and like to alternate between sitting to standing throughout the day. We also appreciate the built-in webcam, microphone and speaker, and though a touchscreen element on the bottom screen would really take this monitor above and beyond, we found it impressive as is.
| Size | 23.5” |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
