Best Monitor
The 10 best monitors tested for color accuracy, ergonomics, and value.
Top 10 Picks
Dell U2723QE
Best overall. 4K USB-C, IPS Black, 98% DCI-P3.
- 4K USB-C
- IPS Black
- 98% DCI-P3
- KVM switch
- Expensive
- Heavy
LG 27UP850-W
Best value 4K with USB-C and 96% DCI-P3.
- 4K
- USB-C 96W
- 96% DCI-P3
- No KVM
- Stand basic
ASUS ProArt PA278CV
Best budget 1440p with USB-C and ProArt color.
- Under $330
- 1440p
- USB-C
- ProArt calibrated
- No 4K
- 60Hz only
BenQ PD2705Q
Designer monitor with M-Book and Daisy Chain.
- M-Book mode
- Daisy Chain
- USB-C
- Good color
- 1440p only
- 60Hz
Apple Studio Display
Best for Mac. 5K Retina, P3 color, True Tone.
- 5K Retina
- P3 wide color
- True Tone
- Spatial Audio
- Very expensive
- Mac only
- No height adjust base
LG 32UN880-B
32-inch 4K with ergonomic arm stand.
- 32-inch 4K
- Ergonomic arm
- USB-C
- Bulky
- 60Hz
Dell S2721QS
Budget 4K with thin bezels and good color.
- 4K under $350
- Thin bezels
- Good color
- No USB-C
- 60Hz
Gigabyte M27Q
Best budget 1440p 170Hz gaming monitor.
- 170Hz
- 1440p
- Under $280
- KVM
- No USB-C PD
- Basic stand
ASUS VG279Q
Budget 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor.
- 144Hz
- Under $250
- IPS panel
- 1080p only
- No USB-C
Samsung Odyssey G7
Curved 1440p 240Hz gaming monitor.
- 240Hz
- 1000R curve
- G-Sync
- Curve not for work
- Bulky
Comparison Table
| # | Name | Brand | Resolution | Panel | Refresh | Ports | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dell U2723QE | Dell | — | — | — | — | 4.7/5
★★★★★ | $599 |
| 2 | LG 27UP850-W | LG | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5
★★★★★ | $449 |
| 3 | ASUS ProArt PA278CV | ASUS | — | — | — | — | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | $329 |
| 4 | BenQ PD2705Q | BenQ | — | — | — | — | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | $399 |
| 5 | Apple Studio Display | Apple | — | — | — | — | 4.3/5
★★★★☆ | $1599 |
| 6 | LG 32UN880-B | LG | — | — | — | — | 4.3/5
★★★★☆ | $449 |
| 7 | Dell S2721QS | Dell | — | — | — | — | 4.3/5
★★★★☆ | $349 |
| 8 | Gigabyte M27Q | Gigabyte | — | — | — | — | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | $279 |
| 9 | ASUS VG279Q | ASUS | — | — | — | — | 4.2/5
★★★★☆ | $249 |
| 10 | Samsung Odyssey G7 | Samsung | — | — | — | — | 4.3/5
★★★★☆ | $499 |
Pros & Cons Summary
Dell U2723QE
LG 27UP850-W
ASUS ProArt PA278CV
BenQ PD2705Q
Apple Studio Display
LG 32UN880-B
Dell S2721QS
Gigabyte M27Q
ASUS VG279Q
Samsung Odyssey G7
FAQ
What is the best monitor?
The Dell U2723QE at $599 is our top pick. It has 4K, USB-C 90W, IPS Black, 98% DCI-P3, and a built-in KVM switch — the most complete monitor for work.
Is 4K worth it for work?
Yes for text clarity. 4K makes text sharper and reduces eye strain. The Dell U2723QE and LG 27UP850-W are the best 4K work monitors.
Do I need USB-C on a monitor?
Yes for laptops. USB-C charges your laptop and displays video with one cable. The Dell U2723QE provides 90W charging.
What size monitor is best?
27 inches for most users. 32 inches for multi-window work. Under 24 inches is too small for productivity.
Is 144Hz worth it for work?
Not essential, but smoother scrolling. 60Hz is fine for office work. For gaming, 144Hz+ is necessary.
Related Bests
Related Comparisons
Explore More Monitors
Browse all monitors reviews, comparisons, and best-of guides on our Monitors category page.
View all monitors →Our Editorial Standards
Affiliate Disclosure
ToolStep is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We participate in affiliate programs with Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and select brand partners. These commissions help us fund our independent editorial research and keep our reviews free for readers.
Our affiliate relationships never influence our ratings or recommendations. Products are ranked based solely on evaluation results, build quality, and value — not on commission rates. If a product scores poorly, we say so regardless of whether we earn a commission on it.
Editorial Policy
Every review published on ToolStep follows a strict editorial process:
- No sponsored reviews. We do not accept payment in exchange for positive coverage. Brands cannot pay for a higher rating or for us to omit criticism.
- Independent purchasing. Unless explicitly stated, we purchase review units at retail price. When a brand provides a loaner unit, we disclose it at the top of the review and return the product after testing.
- No AI-written content. Every review is created through editorial research and product analysis. We use AI tools for research assistance only, never for generating review conclusions or ratings.
- Transparent updates. When a product is updated or recalled, we re-test and update our review with the date of the change clearly marked.
- Conflict of interest. Reviewers are prohibited from holding stock or financial positions in companies whose products they review.
Testing Methodology
Our reviews evaluate products using publicly available specifications, manufacturer information, feature analysis, pricing comparison, and practical workflow considerations. The general process:
- Product documentation review: We analyze official manufacturer specs, product documentation, and published technical information.
- Feature evaluation: We assess features against the product's intended use case and target workflow.
- Pricing comparison: We compare the product against at least two direct competitors in the same price tier.
- Workflow assessment: We evaluate how the product fits into real-world home office and professional workflows based on published capabilities.
- Published information synthesis: We aggregate publicly available information including manufacturer specs, changelogs, and public documentation to form our assessment.
- Reader feedback integration: We monitor reader comments and warranty claim patterns. If a product shows widespread failure, we update our recommendation.