8 Best Computer Monitors (2026): Budget, Oled, 4k, And More
Featured in this article
Best Overall Computer Monitor
Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor (S2725QS)
Amazon
The Best Budget Monitor
MSI Pro MP243W E14
Best Buy
Best HDR Monitor
Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor (S3225QC)
Amazon
Best Gaming Monitor
AOC QD-OLED Monitor (Q27G4ZD)
Amazon
You might not think about your monitor too much, but whether you’re working or gaming, that array of pixels blasting light at your face is important. The best computer monitors can vastly improve your productivity if you’re working off a laptop, and a dual display setup can take things further. It can also make your games or movies look much, much nicer (or much worse). The folks on the WIRED Reviews team use these large external screens every day in a variety of arrangements, so naturally, we decided to review them too.
These are our favorite computer monitors of the many we’ve tested so far. There are hundreds of different kinds of PC monitors out there, so we’re continually testing and updating this guide. You’ll also find monitor buying advice that explains any jargon you might not know.
Be sure to check out other home office guides, including the Best Gaming Monitors, Best Home Office Gear, Best Laptops, and Best USB Hubs.
Updated February 2026: I’ve added a note about the Asus ProArt 6K Display under the recommendation of the LG Ultrafine Evo 6K. I’ve also added notes about testing on the two new MSI Pro monitors and the Dell 27 Plus (S2725HSM).
Table of Contents
- Compare Top 8 Monitors
- Other Good Monitors to Consider
- What Monitor Size Is Best?
- What Should You Look for in a Monitor?
- Should You Worry About Burn-In on OLED Monitors?
- How Does WIRED Test Monitors?
- What Do You Need to Set Up Your Monitor?
- Can You Use a TV As a Monitor?
- How Do You Set Up Dual Monitors?
-
Best Overall Computer Monitor
Chevron Chevron to wishlist Dell
27 Plus 4K Monitor (S2725QS)
Amazon
Dell
There was a time when recommending a 4K monitor for “most people” felt silly. But when 4K monitors the Dell 27 Plus 4K (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are selling for the same price as 1080p models, there’s little reason not to spring for the extra pixels. 27-inch monitors with 4K resolution make for incredible sharpness, and with this display’s 120-Hz refresh rate, animation and motion are buttery smooth too. Throw in the included AMD FreeSync Ultimate support, and you’ve got a decent little gaming monitor when it needs to be. I was even impressed by the pair of 5-watt speakers, which are surprisingly full-sounding. For a display this crisp, along with its simple white aesthetic, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a model under $300 that has this much going for it.
As much as I really this monitor, though, there are a couple of downsides worth mentioning, namely the lack of USB ports. Fortunately, Dell has a model with a USB-C hub for laptop users that’s identical. It should also be noted that while the Dell 27 Plus 4K can adjust, tilt, rotate, and swivel, it can’t be rotated fully to be used as a vertical monitor. It does have a VESA mount on the back, so you can use it vertically once it’s connected to a monitor arm.
But all in all, it’s the monitor most people should buy right now. The price has already been discounted to as low as $225, but it can fluctuate to its $300 MSRP depending on the day. I’ve also tested the 1080p version of the Dell 27 Plus, the S2725HSM. It comes in at just $175, despite having the same adjustability and VESA mount. Those are both rare for monitors of this price, and if you’re looking to get under $200, this 1080p model is a great value for what you get.
Specs Size: 27 inches Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 Refresh rate: 120 Hz Panel type: IPS LCD Speakers: Yes USB hub: No Vertical adjustability: 5.1 inches WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Pretty design. Thin and light to move around
- Sharp, 4K resolution
- 120-Hz refresh rate makes it feel fast and responsive
- Incredible value
- Surprisingly clear speakers
TIRED
- No USB ports
- Can’t be used as a vertical monitor with stand
-
The Best Budget Monitor
Chevron Chevron to wishlist MSI
Pro MP243W E14
Best Buy
Walmart
Newegg
No monitor for $100 is going to be without its flaws. This MSI monitor has a few. There are no adjustments outside of tilt, which is common in budget-tier monitors, and ports are limited to HDMI, DisplayPort, and a headphone jack.
But that’s to be expected. The MSI Pro E14 stands out in the thing that matters most, which is image quality. I measured 359 nits at its brightest, and the color coverage is surprisingly good, both in terms of saturation and accuracy. It even has a 144-Hz refresh rate, which means it can double as a cheap gaming monitor when it needs to. I also the design, which offers thin bezels around the display and an all-white exterior.
There’s also a very similar 27-inch model I tested (MP273QW E14), which is about a 100 nits brighter and has a higher resolution of 1440p. Even in a larger screen, this gives you a sharper image, with more pixels per inch. While it also has better image quality, this MSI monitor doesn’t have the adjustment the Dell 27 Plus S2725HSM has, which sells for slightly cheaper.
Specs Size: 23.8 inches Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Refresh rate: 144 Hz Panel type: IPS Speakers: Yes USB hub: No Vertical adjustability: None WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Surprisingly bright
- 144 Hz refresh rate
- Color coverage is good
TIRED
- No adjustments except tilt
- Ports are limited
-
Best HDR Monitor
Chevron Chevron to wishlist Dell
32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor (S3225QC)
Amazon
Walmart
It’s common to see HDR video on the internet these days, but it’s usually captured and viewed on phones. One reason for the lack of higher-quality HDR content in the world is the lack of accessible HDR-ready monitors. Sure, there are an assortment of OLED gaming monitors to choose from that would do the trick, but the Dell 32 Plus QD-OLED (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is built from the ground up for both consuming and creating HDR content.
As one of the few non-gaming OLED monitors you can buy (especially for under $1,000), I found the Dell 32 Plus QD-OLED to be the ideal HDR monitor, especially for content creators. Not only does it have great color coverage, but it also brings a truly HDR-capable panel beyond just gaming monitors. The combination of those deep blacks and almost 1,000-nit peak brightness makes this a strong option for consuming HDR content—and creating it. Hopefully, this will result in more HDR content that these screens can take advantage of. I do wish it had better port selection, though, as this one doesn’t have an integrated USB hub.
Specs Size: 31.6 inches Resolution: 3840 x 2160 Refresh rate: 120 Hz Panel type: QD-OLED Speakers: Yes USB hub: No Vertical adjustability: 4.3 inches WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- HDR for content creators
- Not a bad price for OLED
- Clean, white aesthetic
- Great speakers
TIRED
- Limited ports
-
Best Gaming Monitor
Photograph: Brad Bourque
to wishlist AOC
QD-OLED Monitor (Q27G4ZD)
Amazon
These days, you should at least consider OLED when shopping for a gaming monitor. It provides the lowest input lag and the most impressive visuals, especially in HDR. That’s especially true when you can pick up an OLED gaming monitor for under $500, the AOC Q27G4ZD (8/10, WIRED Recommends). This 27-inch 1440p gaming monitor is so good, WIRED contributing reviewer Brad Bourque says he’s been using it as his daily driver since testing it.
Many PC gamers are still playing in 1080p on old monitors, and something the AOC Q27G4ZD would be the perfect upgrade option, bumping up every spec in a meaningful way and bringing viewers into the OLED future.
Specs Size: 26.5 inches Resolution: 2560 x 1440 Refresh rate: 240 Hz Panel type: QD-OLED Speakers: No USB hub: Yes Vertical adjustability: 5.1 inches WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- OLED monitors have never been so cheap
- The perfect upgrade for 1080p gamers
- Vibrant, bright, and color-accurate
- Nvidia G-Sync support
TIRED
- Underwhelming stand
- Glossy finish is divisive
-
A Sharp, Color-Accurate Monitor
Chevron Chevron to wishlist LG
UltraFine Evo 6K Monitor
Amazon
Best Buy
B&H
LG
We’re not quite at the dream of 8K, but we’re finally getting some decent 6K options, such as the LG UltraFine Evo 6K (7/10, WIRED Recommends). More than just extra pixels, this high-end monitor is also a Nano IPS Black display, giving it some of the most impressive color coverage and accuracy I’ve seen in a display, even compared to OLED. While the Dell UltraSharp 4K monitor listed below has better contrast, the UltraFine Evo 6K clearly has content creators as its target audience.
More than that, this might be one of the sleekest and most beautiful monitor designs I’ve ever had on my desk, with thin bezels, a unique stand, and a space-saving base. The range of height adjustment is limited due to the design of the stand, which will be an ergonomic issue for some, depending on the height of your desk and office chair. I didn’t have that problem, but I’m also on the taller side. Bonus points for including a really impressive pair of built-in speakers. I do wish it had a higher refresh rate (it’s only 60 Hz), meaning it’s really not as viable for serious PC gaming.
I also tested the other major 6K creator monitor, the Asus ProArt 6K Display (PA32QCV). At $1,200, it’s much cheaper than the LG model and features a more conventional design and display. While the sharpness matches the LG, the color performance is significantly worse and the contrast is lower at 1,200:1. It’s still able to go all the way up to a peak of 699 nits though. I also the front-facing buttons, which give quick access to the menu.
Specs Size: 31.5 inches Resolution: 6144 x 3456 Refresh rate: 60 Hz Panel type: Nano IPS Black LCD Speakers: Yes USB hub: Yes Vertical adjustability: 2.3 inches WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Sharpest 32-inch monitor ever
- Excellent color coverage and accuracy
- Dedicated Mac profiles
- Includes full-bodied speakers, KVM switch, and Thunderbolt 5
TIRED
- Only 60-Hz refresh rate
- Limited height adjustment
- Port placement is inconvenient
- No built-in cable management
-
Best Secondary Monitor
Photograph: Nena Farrell
to wishlist BenQ
27-Inch IPS Monitor (GW2786TC)
Amazon
Best Buy
Walmart
BenQ
Most of us don’t need anything too special for basic work. If you want a solid monitor for everyday use, BenQ’s GW2786TC is a great choice. The 1080p IPS screen is sharp enough for your standard emails and spreadsheets, and does a fine job with casual gaming thanks to its 100-Hz refresh rate.
The monitor has a VESA mount, but the included stand is easy to adjust and swivel to your ideal height. It can rotate vertically, too, if you’re looking for a second monitor with a vertical orientation. It also has built-in speakers that are great for video calls and fine for mediocre music jamming while you work (buy almost any pair of computer speakers if you want better tunes, though). It might not be the brightest or sharpest monitor you can buy, but it’s a balanced screen for the price. Plus, the clean, white aesthetic brings it all together and helps it stand out from the sea of lookablack or silver monitors. This monitor has dropped under $200 during sales, making it a great budget monitor that doesn’t skimp on features.
Specs Size: 27 inches Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Refresh rate: 100 Hz Panel type: IPS LCD Speakers: Yes USB hub: Yes Vertical adjustability: 5.1 inches WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Really affordable
- 100-Hz refresh rate is a nice addition
- Clean, simple aesthetic
- Full adjustability
- Good port selection
TIRED
- Not very bright
-
Best TV Replacement
Chevron Chevron to wishlist Samsung
32-Inch Smart Monitor M9 M90SF
Amazon
Samsung
B&H
The whole point of a smart monitor is that it can double as a television. No smart monitor does that better than the Samsung M9 M90SF (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which is not only 4K and 32 inches but also OLED. For once, it’s a display that can actually double as a television in a mixed-use room, for example. In my testing, it can get up to 983 nits of peak brightness in HDR, really bringing your movies and shows to life. It even has a decent set of speakers onboard.
I wish it were a little cheaper, especially compared to options the Dell 32 Plus QD-OLED, but the ability to run it as a streaming device paired with a remote makes it worthwhile, especially on sale. Samsung has lots of other smart monitors in its M-series of displays, ranging from $280 up to this OLED option, which is the top of the line.
Specs Size: 32 inches Resolution: 3840 x 2160 Refresh rate: 120 Hz Panel type: OLED Speakers: Yes USB hub: Yes Vertical adjustability: 4.7 inches WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- TV and smart features are convenient
- Free local TV and kids’ channels
- Movies and shows look bright and vibrant
- 4K webcam with decent speakers
- Fast, 120-Hz refresh rate
TIRED
- Some frustrating monitor controls
- Ports are a bit limited
- Encountered some bugs when connected to a Mac
-
The Ultimate Home Office Monitor
Photograph: Luke Larsen
to wishlist Dell
UltraSharp 32 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U3225QE)
Amazon
B&H
Dell
Some people want the best image quality. Some want the fastest refresh rate. If you’re after the ultimate workstation monitor, well, that’s exactly what the Dell UltraSharp U3225Q (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is. It has just about every port and workstation feature you can imagine, including a USB-C port with power delivery up to 140 watts, an Ethernet jack, and a built-in KVM switch. It eliminates the need for a separate USB-C hub or docking station.
The UltraSharp U3225Q also has fantastic image quality, thanks to its use of IPS Black. It’s not OLED, but it’s one of the best IPS panel I’ve ever tested, sporting great color accuracy and a 120-Hz refresh rate. It’s impressively bright in SDR.
Specs Size: 31.5 inches Resolution: 3840 x 2160 Refresh rate: 120 Hz Panel type: IPS Black LCD Speakers: No USB hub: Yes Vertical adjustability: 5.9 inches WIRED/TIRED
LargeChevron WIRED
- Every port imaginable
- Built-in KVM switch
- The best IPS display I’ve ever tested
- 140 watts of power delivery over USB-C
TIRED
- Inordinately expensive
- No speakers
Compare Top 8 Monitors
| Product | Size | Type | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Speakers | USB Hub | Height Adjustability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell 27 Plus 4K (S2725QS) | 27 inches | IPS | 4K | 120 Hz | Yes | No | 5.1 inches |
| MSI Pro (MP243W E14) | 24.5 inches | IPS | 1080p | 144 Hz | Yes | No | None |
| Dell 32 Plus QD-OLED (S3225QC) | 31.6 inches | OLED | 4K | 120 Hz | Yes | No | 4.3 inches |
| AOC QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (Q27G4ZD) | 27 inches | OLED | 1440p | 240 Hz | No | Yes | 5.1 inches |
| LG UltraFine Evo 6K Nano IPS Black Monitor | 31.5 inches | IPS | 6K | 60 Hz | Yes | Yes | 2.3 inches |
| BenQ 27-Inch IPS Monitor (GW2786TC) | 27 inches | IPS | 1080p | 100 Hz | Yes | Yes | 5.1 inches |
| Samsung M9 Smart Monitor (M90SF) | 31.5 inches | OLED | 4K | 120 Hz | Yes | Yes | 4.7 inches |
| Dell 32-Inch UltraSharp Thunderbolt (U3225Q) | 31.5 inches | IPS Black | 4K | 120 Hz | No | Yes | 5.9 inches |
Other Good Monitors to Consider
We think the screens above are better buys, but these are some other good models we’ve tested that do the job just fine.
MSI Mag 341CQP for $650: The MSI MAG 341CQP (9/10, WIRED Recommends) ultrawide gaming monitor has everything you might want in a gaming monitor for a reasonable price. The curved 34-inch screen has a quantum-dot OLED panel, giving it fantastic color accuracy, vibrance, and sharper blacks. OLED gaming monitors are increasingly common, though the MSI MAG 341CQP remains a great option due to its price. It’s got a built-in KVM switch, too, which I’m always excited to hear, and VESA mounting capabilities.
Photograph: Luke Larsen
Samsung Odyssey 3D Gaming Monitor for $850: If you want something truly next-generation, look no further than this glasses-free 3D gaming monitor. The Odyssey 3D (7/10, WIRED Recommends). trying VR for the first time, everyone needs to play a game in 3D at some point. Samsung even throws in some AI-enhanced conversion into 3D, a feature that could truly bolster this technology in the future. Game support remains problematically limited, but Samsung has plans to fix that soon.
BenQ 27-Inch IPS Monitor for $120: Reviews editor Julian Chokkattu bought and paired this monitor with his MacBook and says it works well and has nice colors. The large 27-inch screen paired with the 1080-pixel resolution means things can look a little fuzzy if you sit too close to the monitor, but it’s fine at normal viewing distances. It supports the VESA mounting standard.
Plugable USB-C Portable Monitor for $240: Portable monitors are a dime a dozen these days, and just about every PC or monitor manufacturer makes one. Of all the options he tested, WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu says the Plugable USB-C Portable Monitor is the best balanced of the bunch. The 15.6-inch size is pretty standard, as is the 1080p resolution, but the Plugable has an extra feature up its sleeve—100-watt pass-through over its USB-C port. That means you can plug your power source into the screen and it can power it alongside your machine. There are portable monitors with higher resolutions or even OLED backlighting, but the Plugable USB-C Portable Monitor is the best choice for the money.
BenQ 4K Programming Monitor for $570: The BenQ 4K Programming Monitor has a slightly different shape than most other models. It has a 28.2-inch screen, rather than the standard 27- or 32-inch sizes, because it features an almost square screen rather than the classic rectangular shape. The 3:2 aspect ratio is the ideal shape and design for coding programs, and it offers coding modes you can choose to enhance the experience even further. It also features what BenQ calls the “Nano Matte Panel,” which provides the screen with a matte appearance and minimizes reflections.
LG MyView 32-inch Smart Monitor
Photograph: Nena Farrell
LG MyView 32-inch Smart Monitor for $518: Smart monitors are more or less a marriage of smart TVs and traditional computer monitors. It sounds a little unnecessary, but after testing the LG MyView Smart Monitor (7/10, WIRED Recommends), I was sold. If you love to watch shows and movies at your desk or only have room for either a monitor or a television, this is the best of both worlds. It’s a 4K monitor with both HDMI and USB-C inputs, and you can switch between the WebOS-powered interface—the same found on most LG TVs, with all your favorite apps—or your PC input so you can play games or get work done.
Asus 24-inch IPS Monitor (VA24DQSB) for $150: Reviews editor Julian Chokkattu has been using this 24-inch Asus IPS monitor for years without issues, which is about the best praise you can get from a monitor at this price. The 1080-pixel resolution is well-suited to the 24-inch screen size, so it looks sharp enough. Colors can look a bit oversaturated, but you can tweak this in the display’s settings. The included tilt-adjustable stand does the job, but since it supports the VESA mounting standard, I recommend putting it on an arm mount to clear some space on your desk.
BenQ PD3225U 4K IPS Monitor for $900: This 4K monitor is made for Macs with its M-book mode that instantly matches the connected Mac’s colors, and has a ton of screen settings you can access with the little puck remote. It’s a beautiful 32-inch screen, and adjusting it up or down or to the side feels super smooth. It’s on the pricey end, though, and there are plenty of cheaper options that do a similar job.
What Monitor Size Is Best?
Size is often the first and most important decision to make about your monitor. These are the most common sizes you’ll come across, always measured diagonally across the screen. The ing range from most common to least, and include different aspect ratios and resolutions that are often used at that size.
24 inches: This smaller size has become less popular over the years, but it’s good option if you’re looking to money, squeeze a monitor onto a smaller desk, or are a professional esports gamer.
27 inches: This size has become the standard, offering enough screen size without overtaking your desk or stretching out the pixels too much at 1080p. If you’re unsure of what to get, start here.
32 inches: The next most popular size, giving you that bit of extra screen real estate for multitasking. You’ll just want to make sure your monitor has at least a 1440p resolution to keep the pixel density high enough. If 32 inches isn’t big enough, there are even 40-inch or 43-inch monitors in the conventional 16:9 aspect ratio, though you’ll really want to make sure you have a big enough desk for one of these.
34 inches: Curved, ultrawide monitors with a 21:9 aspect ratio and 34-inch screen size used to be odd, but these days, they’ve become an alternative to using two 27-inch screens.
There are other outliers, such as the absurd 49-inch, 32:9 behemoths, known as “super ultrawide” monitors, or 16-inch portable monitors that are meant to pair with your laptop.
What Should You Look for in a Monitor?
Once you’ve decided on a size, there are a number of other important aspects of your next monitor to consider. Some of these factors may matter more for certain uses—for example, gamers generally care more about higher frame rates than office workers do—but they’re all handy to know going in.
Resolution: The bigger the monitor, the more it will benefit from higher resolutions. That will allow you to have app windows that take up less space but are still legible. Most monitors today are typically 1080p (1920 x 1080), 1440p (2560 x 1440), 4K (3840 x 2160), or 5K (5120 x 2160). There’s even some new 6K monitors out there with a resolution of 6144 x 3456.
Refresh rate: This refers to how many times the display can refresh the picture per second, measured in hertz (or Hz). A higher refresh rate makes all movement and animation look smoother because you’re seeing more information. For productivity, 60 Hz is probably enough, but gamers will generally want a panel that can at least hit 120 or 144 Hz. 240 Hz has become the new standard for high-end gaming monitors, but there are now extreme models that go up to 500 Hz and beyond. You’ll need a powerful enough computer that can maintain a high frame rate to take advantage of these high refresh rates, and you usually have to enable this feature in your operating system’s display settings.
Panel type: Monitors usually have a type of LCD (liquid-crystal display) panel. Three of the most popular options—twisted nematic (TN), vertical alignment (VA), and in-plane switching (IPS)—are all different types of LCD panels, and all use TFT (thin-film-transistor) technology too. Each is popular for different reasons: IPS for color, VA for contrast, and TN for speed with higher refresh rates and response times. IPS has become especially popular thanks to its growing refresh rate speeds. Mini-LED uses a more advanced backlighting solution that uses a number of lighting zones to more accurately and efficiently control pixels. These tend to be the brightest monitors you can buy. OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panels take that even further, allowing the monitor to control individual pixels, including turning them off entirely to create extreme contrast. These are becoming highly popular in gaming monitors, in particular. You should think about what’s most important to you (great color? thin form factor? max brightness?) to choose the best panel type for your needs.
Nvidia G-Sync/AMD FreeSync support: A gamer-specific criteria, these two features let monitors adjust their frame rates based on the games they’re playing. This reduces screen tearing without affecting performance. G-Sync is made by Nvidia and FreeSync comes from AMD, and while FreeSync monitors can usually work with most modern Nvidia graphics cards, G-Sync doesn’t work with AMD cards, so make sure everything you have is compatible when buying.
HDR support: This isn’t crucial for productivity, but if you watch a lot of media or play games, it’s increasingly nice to have. Just on TVs, HDR dramatically expands the range of colors a screen can reproduce, as well leading to more vivid pictures. But you have to be careful, as many monitors will claim to have HDR, as displays need to have extremely high contrast and be very bright to create the HDR effect strong enough to notice. The certification of DisplayHDR 400, for example, means the display only goes up to 400 nits. That’s not bright enough to create any meaningful sense of HDR. In almost all cases, the display needs to use Mini-LED or OLED. Mini-LED can get very bright, well over 1,000 nits in HDR. The catch is that you need to ensure it has enough dimming zones, preferably over 2,000. A few hundred dimming zones won’t do. OLED doesn’t tend to get as bright as Mini-LED, but OLED has the benefit of each pixel being individually lit, which dramatically increases contrast. They still need to get bright, though, preferably up to at least 1,000 nits in HDR.
Port availability: A crucial but easy-to-overlook factor is what kind of ports the monitor has for connecting your devices. Most typically come with one or two HDMI inputs, and a DisplayPort input, which will cover most needs, but it’s always a good idea to check what your setup needs. More expensive monitors can function as USB hubs, letting you connect all your peripherals and accessories directly to your monitor. Conversely, check out our Best USB Hubs guide if you need to expand your computer’s port options without paying for a more expensive monitor.
Built-in KVM switch: A KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch is a device that helps you easily switch your monitor, keyboard, and mouse between two different computers or source inputs (a gaming console). If you have one setup for both a work and personal computer, or a computer and gaming console, having a KVM switch built into the monitor means you can easily switch everything between your two devices without needing an external KVM switch.
Should You Worry About Burn-In on OLED Monitors?
Probably not. You’ll see a lot of OLED monitors on the list below, and that’s for good reason. They’re the best monitors you can buy, and they’re increasingly affordable. It’s pretty incredible how quickly they’ve dropped in price.
But burn-in was always the biggest concern with the technology. After all, it’s an inherent flaw with the panels, and it can’t be erased once the damage is done. While it’s still possible to see burn-in on your monitor over many years, it’s just not as much of a justifiable fear as it used to be. Modern OLED panels are significantly better at reducing burn-in, and the latest year-long testing of burn-in is pretty promising. On top of that, most OLED monitor manufacturers now offer software protections that can help prevent damage and three-year warranties that include burn-in protection.
What Do You Need to Set Up Your Monitor?
Once you’ve picked out the best monitor for you, you’ll need a way to set it up on your workstation. Most models come completely assembled or require you to connect the base to the stand and the stand to the back of the screen.
Monitor stands: The vast majority of monitors come with a stand (and sometimes a separate base), and the flexibility of these stands can go a long way toward reducing neck strain and/or back pain. Ideal stands let you adjust the height, tilt, and rotation of a screen so you can position it exactly where you need it. Higher-end models can even adjust orientation from landscape to portrait. If your monitor doesn’t come with a height-adjustable stand, you may want to consider a monitor stand, which elevates the screen to a more ergonomically-sound height.
Mounting brackets: If you’re using multiple monitors, connecting them to monitor arms is a good solution. Monitor arms clamp to the side of your desk and free up lots of space on your desk that would otherwise be taken up by stands. The type of mount the display uses is crucial, however. Most monitors and monitor arms use the VESA standard, though you’ll want to double check. You should check the size and type of mount on the equipment you have before buying anything new.
Ports and cables: Once you have your monitor set up, you’ll need to connect it to your PC or laptop using one of the available ports. If your computer has an HDMI port, it’s as easy as using the HDMI cable that came with the monitor and connecting it to the back of the display. If your monitor has USB-C, that’s also a good option, especially if your laptop doesn’t have HDMI anyways. And lastly, you’ll often get the fastest refresh rates if you use the DisplayPort and hook it directly into your desktop’s graphics card.
Speakers: A lot of monitors come with built-in speakers, but I wouldn’t put much stock into them. They usually sound poor and don’t get very loud. You’re much better off getting a dedicated set of desk speakers. Check out our Best Computer Speakers guide.
How Does WIRED Test Monitors?
We never recommend products we haven’t tested, so we get these monitors in and set them up on our own desks in our own houses. We integrate them into our workspaces and get a feel for what it’s to use them. That means considering the ease of setup, adjustability, design, ports, and menu.
But you can’t talk about the quality of a monitor without testing the quality of the panel. So, using a colorimeter, we report on and test the brightness, contrast, color saturation, and color accuracy. We compare that data to how other products we’ve tested, across different prices and use cases. That testing is especially important for displays that are designed to be used for specific tasks, such as content creation or gaming.
Our goal is to give our readers the best possible monitor recommendations, and to do that honestly, we have to test a lot of different displays. We’re constantly getting in the latest and greatest displays to test directly from the biggest monitor manufacturers in the world. many of the other products we test, most often, these products are offered to us as review units with no promise of positive coverage. We do not prioritize products from companies that send us products to test. Though most of the products listed above were provided for review by the manufacturers, there are some exceptions in which products were purchased for personal use, which are noted.
Beyond that, I try to test monitors throughout the across the price spectrum and from as many different brands as possible.
Can You Use a TV As a Monitor?
Yes. Since TVs have HDMI ports, you can connect a laptop or PC directly to a television without a problem. In a pinch, it’s a decent solution if you don’t have a monitor. As TVs have increasingly become more similar to PC monitor, there’s less and less of a problem with using them interchangeably.
However, there are lots of reasons why people don’t typically do this too. The size of televisions is a problem for desk use. You probably wouldn’t want to put anything larger than a 43-inch display on your desk for practical reasons, but even at that size, the pixel density can be a problem. If you’re at a desk, you’re ly sitting much closer to the screen than you would be in a living room, and you’ll really notice those pixels when doing computer work, even if the TV is 4K. There are other concerns if you plan on playing games on your TV, such as the refresh rate or input delay.
How Do You Set Up Dual Monitors?
The simplest way to connect two monitors your laptop or PC is to just connect each using different ports and cables. For example, your display might have an HDMI port and a DisplayPort, which you can connect directly to your graphics card on the back of your desktop PC. That can be trickier with a laptop, which may not have all the ports you need to connect two displays. Some monitors and laptops have USB-C, allowing for an additional one to be connected. But Laptops the M1, M2, or M3 MacBook Air, for example, can only support one external display on its own.
Fortunately, if your laptop doesn’t have support for more displays, you can use a laptop docking station to add more monitor support. The other option is to daisy chain them together using USB-C that’s at least Thunderbolt 3 (which includes Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5) for both the laptop and the monitor. This lets you connect to two displays through just one cable coming out of your laptop.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.
Luke Larsen is a product writer and reviewer at WIRED, covering laptops, PCs, Macs, monitors, and the wider PC peripheral ecosystem. He’s been reporting on tech for over a decade, previously at Digital Trends as the senior editor in computing, where he spent seven years leading the publication’s daily coverage. … Read More
Product Writer & Reviewer
TopicsShoppingdisplaysAccessories and Peripheralsproductivitybuying guidesMonitorshome office
The Best Cheap Gaming Laptops Actually Worth Buying
Most gaming laptops under $1,000 aren’t great, but these three machines stand out above the rest.
The Best Cheap Laptops to Get Your Money’s Worth
From surprisingly good $300 Chromebooks to excellent $650 Windows laptops, these are the best budget laptops we’ve tested.
The Best Mirrorless Cameras to Level Up Your Photos
Want the image quality of a DSLR without the bulk? These WIRED picks do more with less.
The Best Gaming Laptops to Buy, Across Every Budget
We tested the latest and greatest gaming laptops, and whittled our list down to the six absolute best you can buy right now.
The Best Shower Filters for Removing Chlorine, Lead, and PFAS
We tested leading filtered shower heads, from Rorra to Canopy to Jolie. The winners were clear.
The Best Gifts for the Best Sleep
Sleep is the one thing every giftee needs, and you can help them get it. These are our tried-and-tested picks for giftable sleep aids, from masks to melatonin.
We Checked Ink Bleed and Paper Weight to Find the Best Paper Notebooks
Celebrate National Handwriting Day (I did not make that up) with new notebooks, a journal, or sketchbooks.
The Best Beard Trimmers for Showing Your Face
WIRED has been testing beard trimmers for six years. Our favorite is compact, reliable, ridiculously adjustable, and offers a five-year warranty.
The Best Windows Laptops You Can Buy in 2026
Windows laptops have never been so good, and they’re only going to get better as we move through 2026.
The Best Drip Coffee Makers Now Rival Café Pour-Over
The old-fashioned drip coffee maker has come a long way. Our favorite machines here can turn your barista into a stranger.
The Best Essential Oil Diffusers for Freshening Up Your House
Keep things smelling fresh with these handy home gadgets. After researching and testing over a dozen devices, the Urpower Aroma is our favorite for most people.
The Best Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories
Looking to jazz up your portable gaming experience? Here are the best accessories we’ve tested for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Wired Coupons
Squarespace Promo Code
10% Off Exclusive Squarespace Promo Code 2026
LG Promo Code
LG Promo Code: 20% Off Your First Order
Dell Coupon Code
10% Off Dell Coupon Code for New Customers
Samsung Promo Code
30% Samsung Coupon – Offer Program 2026
Canon Promo Code
10% Off Canon Promo Code + Up to 30% Off
Doordash Promo Code
50% Off Doordash Promo Code For New & Existing Users
Sumber Artikel:
Wired.com