In this article, we will review of the best work monitors that we have tested and compared based on various criteria such as size, resolution, panel type, refresh rate, color accuracy, brightness, contrast ratio, viewing angles, ports, speakers, stand adjustability, and price. We will also provide a buying guide to help you choose the right monitor for your needs and budget. Finally, we will answer some frequently asked questions about work monitors and conclude with our recommendations.
Top Picks
- Best overall: Dell U2723QE
- Best budget: Samsung SR650
- Best ultrawide: LG 40WP95C-W
- Best 4K: BenQ PD2700U
- Best curved: Samsung C34H890WJN
Buying guide
When shopping for a new work monitor, there are several factors to consider depending on your preferences and requirements. Here are some of the most important ones:
– Size: The size of the monitor affects how much screen space you have to work with multiple windows or applications. Generally speaking, larger monitors offer more immersive and comfortable viewing experiences but also take up more desk space and cost more. The ideal size for most users is between 24 to 32 inches depending on their distance from the screen and resolution.
– Resolution: The resolution of the monitor determines how sharp and detailed the images are on the screen. Higher resolutions offer more clarity and crispness but also require more powerful graphics cards and processors to run smoothly. The most common resolutions for work monitors are Full HD (1920 x 1080), Quad HD (2560 x 1440), Ultra HD (3840 x 2160), or UltraWide (3440 x 1440).
– Panel type: The panel type of the monitor affects how colors are displayed and how wide the viewing angles are. There are three main types of panels: IPS (In-Plane Switching), VA (Vertical Alignment), and TN (Twisted Nematic). IPS panels offer the best color accuracy and widest viewing angles but also have lower contrast ratios and slower response times than VA or TN panels. VA panels offer high contrast ratios and deep blacks but also have lower color accuracy and narrower viewing angles than IPS panels. TN panels offer fast response times and low input lag but also have poor color accuracy and very narrow viewing angles than IPS or VA panels.
– Refresh rate: The refresh rate of the monitor measures how many times per second the screen updates its image. Higher refresh rates offer smoother motion and less ghosting but also consume more power and require more bandwidth than lower refresh rates. The standard refresh rate for most work monitors is 60 Hz but some models offer higher refresh rates such as 75 Hz or 120 Hz for gaming or video editing purposes.
– Color accuracy: The color accuracy of the monitor indicates how well it reproduces colors according to a certain standard such as sRGB or Adobe RGB. Higher color accuracy means that colors look more realistic and consistent across different devices but also requires more calibration and adjustment than lower color accuracy. For most general tasks such as web browsing or office work, a decent sRGB coverage is sufficient but for professional tasks such as graphic design or photo editing, a higher Adobe RGB coverage is preferable.
FAQs
Q: What is blue light filter?
A: Blue light filter is a feature that reduces the amount of blue light emitted by the monitor which can cause eye strain and disrupt your sleep cycle. Blue light filter can help you work more comfortably and protect your eyesight especially if you use your monitor for long hours or at night.
Q: What is flicker-free technology?
A: Flicker-free technology is a feature that eliminates the flickering or flashing of the monitor backlight which can also cause eye strain and headaches. Flicker-free technology can provide a more stable and consistent image quality and reduce eye fatigue.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you find the best work monitor for your home office or business. To recap, here are our top picks based on different categories.
Of course, these are not the only options available and you may have different preferences or needs than us. Therefore, we encourage you to use our buying guide and reviews as references and do your own research before making a final decision. Thank you for reading and happy shopping!