Best Monitors for Working From Home

If you’ve tried working from home with just a laptop, you know how inconvenient it can be. The screen is too small. You’re opening multiple windows and clicking from tab to tab. The time has come to upgrade your home office with a new computer monitor.

Making the right choice can improve your productivity and reduce eye strain. But you’ll want to consider a number of features when choosing the best monitor for your setup.

Does your role require accuracy in color and images? Will you be gaming after hours? Are you looking for an ultrawide screen? Practical considerations include price and desk space.

We cover all of this and more in our recommendations of the best work-from-home monitors for 2022.

Best monitors for working from home

All the monitors in this list will serve you well for work or play, but here are our top three.

BenQ SW321C

The BenQ SW321C is designed for image editing and print preparation. The IPS-type color panel reproduces 99% of the Adobe RGB space and 95% of DCI-P3, the cinematographic color space. It comes with factory calibration and allows hardware calibration so creative professionals can achieve superior color depth.

Features:

  • Uniformity technology. Each area of the screen is fine-tuned for precise color from corner to corner.
  • Paper Color Sync software. This proprietary software lets you create a color setting based on paper type, printer model, and color space. You can preview the image on the screen with properties nearly identical to printed copies.
  • 10-bit color depth. More than 1 billion colors for natural shading and smooth color gradation.

Size: 31.5”

Resolution: 3840 x 2160

Price: $1,999.99

Best monitor for: Professional photographers, editors, and video editors

Gigabyte M27Q

With its fast response and brilliant color, the Gigabyte M27Q is considered one of the top gaming monitors at a reasonable price. Gigabyte’s SuperSpeed IPS achieves vivid graphics without sacrificing speed. The KVM feature lets you control multiple PCs or other devices with one keyboard, video, and mouse.

Features:

  • Designed for gamers. A fast refresh rate and quick response time help gamers be more competitive.
  • Keyboard, video, and mouse setup. Link your work and home PCs to this monitor and control them with one keyboard, video, and mouse.
  • Adjustable display options. Adjust monitor settings—including image, gaming features, add stabilizers—for more accurate aim, or show hardware features like temperatures and clock speed. You can install the monitor with a VESA wall mount.

Size: 27”

Resolution: 2560 x 1440

Price: $329.99

Best monitor for: Competitive gamers

HP 24mh

The HP 24mh is packed with features at a budget price point. It has an IPS monitor, excellent color coverage, and built-in speakers. It offers three types of inputs and an adjustable stand.

Features:

  • Space-saving design. If you’re short on space, the slim design and smaller base leave you with room to work. VESA wall mount is an option.
  • Easy connectivity. With VGA, DisplayPort, and HDMI, easily connect to your PC, gaming console, or tablet.
  • Built-in speakers. Immerse yourself in entertainment with two 2-watt speakers.

Size: 23.8”

Resolution: 1920 x 1080 at 75 Hz

Price: $159.99

Best monitor for: Those who want a reasonably priced household monitor for entertainment

Other monitors worth considering

Check out these other monitors worth considering.

Acer Nitro XV340CK

‍The Acer Nitro XV340CK is an ultrawide monitor that delivers a responsive, smooth gaming experience at a reasonable price. This FreeSync gaming monitor also works with NVidia’s G-Sync Compatible mode. The monitor comes with a pair of 3-watt speakers.

Features:

  • Ultrawide. 34-inch ultrawide screen with IPS display.
  • Smooth video display. A fast refresh rate of 144 Hz and FreeSync Technology deliver smooth videos without tearing.
  • Multiple ports. Enough ports to connect all your accessories—2 DisplayPorts, 2 HDMI 2.0, 1 USB 3.0 upstream, and 2 USB 3.0 downstream.

Size: 34”

Resolution: 3440 x 1440 at 144 Hz

Price: $479.99

Best monitor for: Gamers and anyone who needs a large viewing area

Acer V276HL

The Acer V276HL uses white LED backlight technology to provide superior performance while consuming less energy. The 27-inch screen gives you plenty of room to read spreadsheets without eye strain. A solid, reasonably priced monitor, it has three ports—including a digital visual interface (DVI) port.

Features:

  • Widescreen. The 27-inch screen tilts for comfort and has a wide viewing angle.
  • Reduced glare. Includes technology to minimize glare and modify contrast for comfortable viewing.
  • Multiple ports. Three types of ports are built-in: VGA, DVI-in, and HDMI.

Size: 27”

Resolution: 1920 x 1080 at 60 Hz

Price: $349

Best monitor for: Those who want a good, all-around home home monitor with a large format

ASUS MB169B+

ASUS describes the MB169B+ as the world’s slimmest and lightest USB-powered monitor. It’s an affordable portable monitor that’s easy to use with laptops and tablets. The MB169B+ has a bright HD display that rotates to vertical. It connects to your device and charges with a single USB cable.

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Features:

  • Sleek and portable. At only 1.7 pounds (800 grams) and 0.3 inches (8.5 millimeters) deep, the monitor easily fits into a briefcase.
  • Adjustable. Rotate the screen from landscape to portrait as needed.
  • Simple setup. Flip the cover back to form a stand and connect with a single USB cable.

Size: 15.6”

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Price: $179

Best monitor for: Anyone who needs a low-cost portable monitor

ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV

‍The Asus PA278CV is designed for creative professionals who seek superb color accuracy in a reasonably priced monitor. It has a 27-inch IPS display, a type of LED display that offers the best color and viewing angles. This model has a DisplayPort that allows you to daisy chain or connect up to four monitors.

Features:

  • Wide-angle monitor. 178-degree wide viewing angle. International color standard 100% RGB and 100% Rec. 709.
  • Ergonomic design. Screen tilts and swivels and pivots to vertical.
  • Color accuracy: Factory calibrated and Calman Verified for excellent color accuracy.

Size: 27”

Resolution: 2560 x 1440

Price: $369

Best monitor for: Content creators and designers

ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV

Accurate color is a hallmark of the ProArt monitors, and this one does not disappoint. The 27-inch monitor has a frameless design, a wide color gamut, and is calibrated for color accuracy. Its fast refresh rate lets you view animated content without screen tearing.

Features:

  • Outstanding color. Designed for creative professionals, the display provides industry-standard 100% sRGB / 100% Rec. 709 color space coverage.
  • Adjustable color parameters. The monitor has multiple modes for adjusting the color gamut. Switch and match easily, whether you’re manipulating photos or video editing.
  • Real-size preview. Using a virtual scale lets you preview documents in their real size before printing.

Size: 27”

Resolution: 2560 x 1440

Price: $319

Best monitor for: Creative professionals

BenQ GW2283H

The BenQ GW2283 is a smaller, affordable monitor. It features a frameless design and a base with hidden cable management. You can use two HDMI ports to connect and switch between two media sources.

Features:

  • Eye care technology. This monitor is certified for low blue light and brightness intelligence displays that safeguard vision health.
  • Dual HDMI connectivity. Connect a laptop and game to the two HDMI ports and switch from work to play without plugging in a device.
  • Brilliant color. IPS technology delivers accurate color representation. Its 178-degree viewing angle is wide enough for several people to view the screen.

Size: 21.5”

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Price: $129.99

Best monitor for: Those who need a reasonably priced monitor

BenQ PD3200U

Ensure you have a large enough desk because the BenQ PD3200U monitor measures 32 inches diagonally. Designed as a professional monitor, it has 4K UHD and excellent image quality. Its specialty modes help you see clearly while working on different tasks.

Features:

  • Functional modes. Features a darkroom mode that adjusts image brightness for work in a dark room. Animation mode enhances the dark areas of an image without overexposing bright areas. A CAD/CAM mode provides better contrast in technical illustrations.
  • Keyboard video mouse. Known as a KVM switch, this device lets you connect to a second PC and toggle between them using one keyboard and mouse.
  • Eye care. BenQ monitors adjust screen brightness to minimize eye strain and filter blue light.

Size: 32”

Resolution: 3840 x 2160

Price: $699.99

Best monitor for: Creative professionals and designers

Dell S2721QS

The Dell 2721QS 4K monitor has IPS technology for brilliant color. With its Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture features, you can view images from two different PC sources on both halves of the screen or place a small window in the main window. The monitor’s stand allows you to tilt, swivel, or flip it into a vertical position.

Features:

  • Bright, accurate monitor. This monitor has a 4K display and IPS technology for brilliant color that can be viewed from a wide angle. Its ultra-thin frame gives it a sleek, modern look.
  • Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture. Connect the monitor to multiple devices and display images side by side or add a small window to the main window.
  • Optimized eye comfort. This monitor includes ComfortView, a feature that reduces blue light emissions.

Size: 27”

Resolution: 3840 x 2160 at 60 Hz

Price: $404.99

Best monitor for: Anyone who needs a reliable monitor with good color and the ability to link to multiple devices

Dell UltraSharp UP3218K

We like this monitor for its large size and high resolution. With a 31.5-inch screen and 8K resolution, it’s a good choice for visual professionals like graphic designers and video editors. It has a professionally calibrated screen, so you’ll enjoy its stunning video quality right from the start.

Features:

  • Broad color spectrum. Wide color coverage that meets industry standards—100% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB color, 100% Rec. 709, 98% DCI-P3. 1.07 billion colors, 64 times more color depth than standard monitors.
  • Realistic high-resolution images. Accurate colors and images so detailed you don’t see pixels.
  • Large, movable screen. Tilt or pivot to a vertical position. Ultra-thin bezels create a borderless appearance. This monitor has a VESA wall-mounting interface.
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Size: 32”

Resolution: 8K 7680 x 4320 at 60 Hz

Price: $3,149

Best monitor for: Visual professionals who need crisp resolution and accurate colors

HP EliteDisplay S14 USB Portable Monitor

Small, slim and lightweight, this portable monitor fits in a briefcase and lets you create a home office away from home. It has an HD display and sets up easily with a cover that folds into a stand. Connect the HP EliteDisplay S14 to your notebook or tablet with one USB-C cable.

Features:

  • Portable design. At just 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram), 0.3 inches (9 millimeters) deep, and 14 inches (36 centimeters) diagonally, it is lightweight and small enough to fit in a tote.
  • HD display. The HD display has a wide 178-degree viewing angle. Five or six people can sit around it and see images clearly.
  • Simple setup. One USB-C cable connects the monitor to your notebook or tablet to transfer video and charge the monitor.

Size: 14”

Resolution: 1920 X 1080 at 60 Hz

Price: $379.99

Best monitor for: People who need a portable monitor for travel or in a co-working space

LG 34GP83A-B

The LG 34GP83A-B is an ultrawide gaming monitor with a curved screen for an immersive experience. It has a large, high-resolution screen and a fast refresh time for quicker, more lifelike gameplay. The monitor has an IPS display and full sRGB and Adobe RGB coverage for vibrant, accurate colors.

Features:

  • Game-focused features. This monitor uses gaming technology, such as NVIDIA G-SYNC, to fight screen tearing and stuttering.
  • Ultra-fast speed. An overclock refresh speed of 160 Hz lets gamers quickly see the next frame. This allows competitive gamers to respond to opponents faster.
  • Ultrawide curved screen. The 34-inch QHD screen has more pixels than an HD screen for more accurate and realistic virtual images.

Size: 34”

Resolution: 3440 x 1440

Price: $766.23

Best monitor for: Video gamers and video production

MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD

The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is a quality gaming monitor at a reasonable price. With a very fast 165-Hz refresh rate, it delivers a great picture and outstanding motion performance. This MSI monitor uses quantum dot color technology to display rich, vibrant colors.

Features:

  • Competitive speed. A monitor that loads quickly lets gamers respond faster for a competitive edge. The 165-Hz refresh rate and built-in NVIDIA G-Sync technology bring smooth, tear-free gameplay.
  • Realistic images. Quantum dot technology delivers precise color and realistic images.
  • Adjustable stand. Raise, lower, tilt, or swivel the monitor for comfort and good ergonomics.

Size: 27”

Resolution: 2560 x 1440 at 165 Hz

Price: $417.95

Best monitor for: Competitive gamers

Samsung 27” CF391 Curved LED Monitor

This 27-inch curved LED monitor offers an immersive viewing package in a modern, white design. Featuring a sleek, ultra-slim profile, the Samsung CF 391 monitor is less than 0.5 inch thick. With a static contrast ratio of 3000:1, it delivers deep blacks, bright whites, and vivid, saturated colors.

Features:

  • Eco-conscious monitor. To save power, an Eco-Saving Plus feature and automatic brightness adjustments reduce screen brightness.
  • Immersive viewing. The curved screen allows an immersive viewing experience, whether at work or play.
  • Brilliant picture quality. Samsung’s Active Crystal Color technology creates vivid images with the deepest blacks and brightest whites.

Size: 27”

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Price: $216.09

Best monitor for: Gamers

How to choose a monitor for working from home

Anyone who has tried working at home using only their laptop screen knows how impractical that can be. You try to improvise to make it work, but being unable to see multiple documents at once can slow you down.

Selecting the best work-from-home monitor means you need to know how they operate. Consider several critical specs when choosing an at-home monitor.

Size

Determine the screen size you’d prefer. Also, measure your desk to ensure a monitor will fit. Monitors are measured diagonally. Look for a monitor that’s at least 24 inches. (Many consider 27 inches as a good starting point.)

Resolution

At a minimum, get full HD resolution, 1080P. For gaming or video editing, consider an ultra-high-definition (UHD) display with 4K resolution (3840 x 2160). Content creators need a monitor that covers over 95% of the color gamut to accurately reproduce colors for print documents.

Refresh rate

A monitor constantly updates the image displayed on the screen. The refresh rate is the number of times per second that the on-screen image is updated. The refresh rate is measured in hertz (Hz). A standard monitor is 60 Hz.

You can easily compare the refresh rate of two monitors. One with a 120-Hz refresh rate shows twice as many images per second as a 60-Hz monitor. Gaming monitors have a high refresh rate, like 144 Hz. A high-tech monitor could have a 240-Hz refresh rate.

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A higher refresh rate means videos look smoother. Creative professionals who create or edit videos need 120 Hz to work well. If your role involves creating or reading documents and emails, 60 Hz refresh rates might be sufficient.

Aspect ratio

This is the ratio between the width and height of the screen. The first number is width and the second is height. A high first number compared to the second means a wider screen. Today, most monitors have a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is considered a wide screen. Increasingly, gaming monitors are produced with a 21:9 aspect ratio, known as ultrawide.

USB

Transfer data between your laptop and monitor by connecting them with a USB cable. Manufacturers are moving toward a universal connection using the USB-C cable.

Designed for faster transfer speeds, the connection allows two-way data transfer and charging. A USB-C port connection can simplify your monitor setup and allow just one cable for data transfer and charging. When buying a monitor, be sure you understand what types of ports it has and if they’re compatible with your current equipment.

If you’re connecting a Mac to a monitor, it’s important to note that not all Macs have HDMI ports. Apple provides information to identify the ports on your Mac.  You can connect your Mac to a monitor with an adapter or dongle with a video output port matching the monitor.

Common monitor sizes

An office monitor should fit on your desk without crowding other items. It should be large enough for you to work without straining to see.

  • 24 inches. While there are 21-inch monitors, a 24-inch monitor is the smallest recommended size.
  • 27 to 30 inches. These sizes are increasingly popular and provide good color and clarity for most users.
  • 34 to 48 inches. These ultrawide monitors can take the place of a multiple monitor setup. The width helps with audio and video editing. A wide curved screen allows gamers to have an immersive experience. Large monitors are on the high end of the price range.

Curved vs. flat monitors

One of the first decisions to make when shopping for monitors is whether to have a flat or curved display. Each type has benefits and drawbacks.

Flat monitors

In general, flat-panel displays have a 16:9 aspect ratio. The height and width are proportionate in flat-panel displays, even in larger models. This can be beneficial ergonomically because the screen isn’t so wide that you have to turn your head to see each area.

Less width means the monitor fits on a smaller desk and is easier to wall mount.

Flexibility is another benefit of flat monitors. Many allow the option to tilt the screen or display it vertically.

A flat monitor may work better in tight spaces. Photographers or designers may prefer flat monitors due to concerns that the curves could make images appear distorted.

Curved monitors

Curved displays create an immersive experience by filling your peripheral vision. This enhances the experience of playing a game or watching a movie.

Most curved monitors can have an aspect ratio of 21:9, so they are 2.3 times wider than they are tall. Ultrawide displays have a 32:9 aspect ratio. These are typically 49 inches wide diagonally and would require a very large desk.

With wider displays, you’ll need to turn your head to see the whole screen or sit farther away. Glare can also be a problem with curved displays.

The width is useful when you’re gaming or need to open and view multiple documents and windows at the same time.

A curved display is a better fit for human eyesight. The immersive experience enhances activities like gaming and the extra width can help professionals with multitasking.

LCD vs. LED monitors

Both LCD and LED monitors have liquid crystal displays. The difference between the two is in the backlights. Traditionally, LCD monitors used fluorescent backlights. An LED monitor is backlit by light-emitting diodes.

LED monitors generally have better image quality than LCD monitors. But some LED monitors have better quality than others. Some monitors place tiny lights, called diodes, behind the entire screen to provide even lighting. Others use LCD HDR technology that lets you dim part of the screen. This makes blacks blacker and brights brighter.

Another type of LED monitor has lights placed only around the edges of the screen. These displays are less expensive to produce, so they’re more reasonably priced.

In comparing LED and LCD monitors, LED displays are energy-efficient, slim and lightweight, and produce images with consistent brightness. LCD monitors are inexpensive but less energy-efficient and have a shorter life span.