Best monitors to upgrade your home office in 2024
If you're working from home - or just want to get more out of your laptop or PC - then a monitor is one of the best places to invest. One of the main reasons for selecting the right monitor is to reduce neck pain, as a good monitor will be easier to setup and position for you.
Aside from the best monitors for work, there are also entertainment benefits, as well as options for connectivity to make the experience better. Along with a good mouse and office chair to go with your desk, a quality monitor can make working at home more comfortable, productive and enjoyable.
But monitors are also confusing: on the one hand, a monitor is a simple screen, but there are a wide range of options and lots of technical terms to decode. Do you need the latest 4K resolution? Is HDR a consideration? How many connections do you really need?
We've tested many of the best monitors to help cut through the confusion and help you select the ideal screen for your work, play and everything else you want your computer to do.
How the GH Tech Team tests monitors
All the monitors listed here have been tested at home, connected to a desktop PC, but also connected to a MacBook and a Windows laptop. We're looking at ease of setup, especially when it comes to connecting the stand, the connection options that are offered and whether there are additional built-in options such as webcams (we’ve also got a guide to standalone webcams here).
The ability to easily adjust the height is important, as is the stability the stand offers. Beyond that, we've tested the different connection options and used all the monitors extensively for work as well as playing games and watching movies, to gauge the quality. We're interested in how they deal with reflections, how easy it is to adjust settings using on-screen menus and any additional features you get for the money.
Value for money is important to us, as monitors can run from the basic to the very high-end, but some monitors may offer features you'll never need - something to consider when choosing a monitor.
Dell U2723QE
The Dell U2723QE is designed as a home office monitor and offers a wide range of connectivity to support that. This allows for versatile connections, so it's a great monitor whether you're connecting it to a PC or a laptop. Setup is simple, with the stand needing no tools to assemble and then clipping onto the back and offering spring-loaded height adjustment, as well as swivel, tilt and pivot so it's really easy to position and adjust. It all looks premium, too.
This is a 4K display, but it's the colour quality that's really impressive. The blacks are deep while whites stay bright, with vibrant colours in-between. The on-screen menus are controlled by one clickable directional controller on the rear, but they are logical and easy to navigate.
The connections are what make this monitor really suited to the task: you can power and charge your MacBook Pro from it thanks to the 90W Power Delivery, while there are multiple options for display inputs - as well as the full set of USB connections for all your other accessories.
If you're working from a docked laptop, the Dell U2723QE is an outstanding choice of monitor – but note that the 60Hz refresh means it's not the best for gaming. For us, we found the slim design and the quality of the image made the Dell monitor one we wanted to keep on our desk.
BenQ GW2790
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a monitor, you don’t have to, and the BenQ GW2790 is a testament to that. Out of the box, this monitor is simple to set up. You just click the stand into the base and slot the screen onto it – it takes seconds. The downside is that there is no height adjustment in the stand, so to get this monitor at the right height, you might need to raise it. We stood it on a couple of thick books.
Keeping things simple, this monitor offers two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort input, with easy switching via the button on the underside of the monitor. There is a 3.5mm headphone socket, but no other connections to power any other devices.
The display ships in power saving mode and switching that off will bring greater brightness out. While that will use more energy, it will look a lot better once you do. This is only a Full HD monitor, but don’t let that put you off: for many people that will be sufficient detail whether you’re working on documents or streaming a film from Netflix. If you do fancy gaming, it supports refresh rates up to 100Hz, but there’s no support for more advanced gaming functions.
One thing we found really impressive about the BenQ GW2790 was how well the anti-reflective finish worked, meaning working with a window behind me was no problem at all.
There are speakers built into the BenQ GW2790, but they are weak in performance, so I’d limit those to system sounds only – if you’re video calling, listening to music or anything else, you’ll want proper speakers. Otherwise, the BenQ GW2790 offers great value for money.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
No list of monitors would be complete without the inclusion of the Samsung Odyssey G9, which is where you turn when you want something premium. This 49-inch ultrawide monitor might seem like a silly idea at first glance, but you can effectively get two full 27-inch monitors’ worth of content on the screen. Put another way, if you were thinking about getting two monitors, the Odyssey G9 does it in one. You can actually have two simultaneous inputs sharing the display if you want to.
The advantage is huge screen real estate, but in this instance, you only need one connection to your computer, one power supply (although it’s a sizeable power brick) and the single stand. This all takes up less desk space than it would if you had two monitors. The stand also offers easy spring-loaded height adjustment.
Connections cover DisplayPort and HDMI, joined by a Micro HDMI and a couple of USB-C connections. The Odyssey G9 has its own speakers which are reasonable but easily bettered with computer speakers. The on-screen menus are easy enough to navigate using the clickable button on the rear of the screen.
There’s plenty to entertain gamers here, with 240Hz refresh rate possible and this is an OLED screen so provides rich and contrasty visuals, while supporting HDR too, for great impact. But a big part of the appeal here is the drama of its looks. Yes, you’ll need a big desk space for it but if you’re after premium performance and loads of space, the Odyssey G9 has plenty of appeal.
Gigabyte GS32QC
Curved monitors come in a number of forms, from the ultrawide to more reasonable-size models, like this 32-inch model from Gigabyte. The advantage that a curved option brings is that it can feel slightly more immersive, which is one reason they are popular with gamers. But it can make larger monitors more comfortable to use, too.
While most of the models on this list are a 27-inch size, this 32-inch is great for desk work thanks to the curve. Gigabyte is a gaming brand and as a result, you’ll find faster refresh rates at 165Hz, while there’s also support for Nvidia G Sync and AMD FreeSync for better gaming performance.
This is a Quad HD display so it packs in the detail while we found the colour to be great too. It uses an LED panel and here it’s a VA – vertical alignment – display, which means great contrast. It’s not quite up to the performance of an OLED, but the quality you get for the price is impressive.
The downside of this monitor is that the stand only offers tilt – there’s no height adjustment here. The connectivity offers you HDMI and DisplayPort, along with a headphone socket and that’s it. The menus offer things like different picture modes, with a clickable navigator on the bottom of the screen to make changes.
If you’re looking for a larger single monitor setup then choosing a good quality curved monitor doesn’t have to be expensive, as this Gigabyte proves. The company also offers a curved 27-inch model if you prefer.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G80
Samsung has made a name for itself in computer monitors and the Odyssey G80 is a top OLED monitor. It’s a premium choice, packing in a 4K HDR display with an anti-glare finish and offering up to 240Hz. Paired with very fast response times, it’s a natural choice for gamers – but it’s fully accomplished elsewhere.
This isn’t just a monitor, it’s a smart monitor, so it also offers Samsung’s Tizen interface like its TVs, with access to streaming services like Netflix, so it’s an ideal one-stop-shop for entertainment. It even has its own remote and speakers, although it doesn’t have the best bass delivery.
But it also comes with a great stand offering just about the most flexibility you’ll find in any monitor, with the whole thing taking seconds to setup. The screen is lovely and slim with LED lighting on the back, but there’s an external power brick to accommodate under your desk.
The Odyssey G80 offers USB connections so it can act as a hub, and while it’s not as comprehensive as the Dell monitor also on this list, they are useful. The on-screen menus are comprehensive, but a little overbearing if you don’t use the remote. (Hint: use the remote, it’s a lot easier.) DisplayPort and HDMI take care of the visuals, with easy switching between the two.
There’s a lot here, but then there’s a really high price to go with it and in many cases, you could buy two high-quality monitors for the money.
AOC Q27G3XMN
The AOC Q27G3XMN is designed first and foremost as a gaming monitor, as it comes from a gaming brand. That sees it support gaming functions, like AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, a fast refresh rate of 180Hz and a 1-millisecond response time.
Setup of this monitor is easy, with the stand clipping into the back and then offering spring-loaded height adjustment, as well as tilt and swivel. The stand has fairly big feet towards the front, while this monitor is a little on the thick side compared to some others, with a pronounced lower bezel. The onscreen menu was a little fiddly to get to grips with.
Connectivity sticks to the essentials, with two HDMI inputs and DisplayPort. There is plenty of brightness and this monitor supports HDR too, alongside that 2K resolution. For gamers, there's plenty to get into, but even if you're just using it for office tasks, this is still a great monitor, if a little on the chunky side.
But you do get quite a lot for your money, so if you want a little more from your display, then choosing a gaming brand like AOC could get you those things.
LG MyView
The LG MyView is all about convergence, giving you more from your display. Framed as a “smart monitor”, it offers full monitor functions while also including its own operating system with a remote control and streaming apps. That makes it ideal for a student room, where you want to be able to work during the day and watch TV in the evening, all on the same device.
It is a 32-inch 4K HDR display, but unlike a TV it still has an anti-glare finish, so you can work by a window without the reflections driving you to distraction. The stand easily fits together and offers spring-loaded height adjustment and the white finish is a little fresher than most black monitors. The screen is also impressively slim, but there’s a separate power brick.
Connectivity includes wifi and Bluetooth, but cable connections are limited to HDMI – there’s no DisplayPort here. There’s a USB-C input (so you could connect to a laptop), as well as two additional USB-C connections, with 65W of power, so you could charge devices when connected. It’s limited to 60Hz and there’s no provision for gamers here, but there’s nothing to stop you from hooking up your Xbox as well as your PC.
The built-in speakers are a little thin and this is the sort of monitor that would benefit from connecting speakers or a soundbar for the full entertainment experience, although supporting Bluetooth means you can connect it to headphones if you prefer.
The remote also means that changing the settings are a breeze: for computer use, we found that the “Vivid” setting gave better brightness so things looked great, but you can easily switch picture modes when watching movies, for example. The result is that you get a versatile monitor, with apps that are easy to navigate for entertainment, so you can switch off your PC and relax. If this model is too expensive, there’s a Full HD option too.
Asus BE24EQK
If you want a monitor with a built-in webcam your options are a little more limited, but this Asus is a practical choice. It’s only a 24-inch monitor so a little smaller than we’d like, but the real advantage is that it has a Full HD webcam on the top. That webcam can swivel too, so you can rotate it to have other people in the video, or to capture photos, for example.
With practicality in mind, the design of the Asus BE24EQK is a little more industrial with a run of buttons along the bezel for direct control. This means you can make adjustments without diving through menus and importantly that includes being able to mute the built-in microphone.
Connectivity isn’t the most advanced, there’s HDMI, DisplayPort and the older D-Sub for visuals, a USB connection you’ll need to connect to your computer for the webcam to work, and 3.5mm sockets for audio in and out. It has built-in speakers and a microphone – and there’s also a privacy shutter on the webcam.
This is a Full HD monitor at 60Hz, so it’s focused on work rather than gameplay, but I found it to be bright enough and the colours plenty vibrant.
It’s fairly easy to set up, but the stand offers very little adjustability, with no height adjustment, so again, you might have to pop it on a couple of books to get it to a comfortable height. While an all-in-one monitor like this might be a simple solution for those who do a lot of conference calling, choosing a separate webcam could get you better results – I tested it alongside my trusty Logitech C920 webcam which was noticeably higher quality.
What is the best size monitor for work?
I've been working from home for 15 years and I've found the best size of monitor to be 27 inches. At this size you can realistically get two documents on the screen side-by-side, making multitasking or cross-referencing really easy. At 27 inches, a monitor won't need too much desk space, and you won’t have to move your head too much when using it – it’s the sweet spot for working.
Choosing a smaller monitor could save you money, but in the long run, you're sacrificing usable space and there are affordable 27-inch options out there.
If entertainment is your main concern you may want to go larger with a monitor, allowing you to move back a bit more and enjoy the immersion. This is where 32-inch or larger could be more relevant, although larger monitors benefit from being curved when you’re sitting close to them to reduce the amount of head and eye movement needed to use them.
One of the other factors to consider is the aspect ratio. That's how the display's horizontal and vertical compare, with most being 16:9 like your TV. Ultrawide monitors have the advantage of much more width, meaning you can have more apps open across the screen without the height increasing too much. Ultrawide monitors can be much more expensive but allow you to have many documents or windows open at the same time.
How to choose a monitor for work
There are a number of things to consider when choosing a new monitor. Once you've picked the size, discussed above, there are a couple of other technical details you'll be faced with.
Size, weight and mounting
One of the most important things to consider is adjustability in the height of the monitor. This is really important to reduce neck strain when using it. Some monitors can easily be adjusted, allowing rotation for vertical use, as well as swivel through the stand and these can be really useful to getting the best desk setup.
Some monitors will also have VESA standard mounting options on the back that will work with other desk mounts or wall mounts. Most monitors aren't too heavy, but some will need plenty of space for the monitor itself, as well as the stand.
Resolution and refresh rates
If you're doing normal office work, then you're unlikely to need many of the latest display technologies. Resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen, usually given as the horizontal number then the vertical number.
You'll see resolutions such as 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) or 3840 x 2160 (4K) for example. The higher the resolution the finer detail can be reproduced, but you need to consider what type of content you're working with. For most office jobs, Full HD is adequate but if you're looking at larger monitors, then a higher resolution will preserve that detail as it gets bigger.
Gamers will be more interested in fast refresh rates which allow the monitor to display moving content more smoothly. For gamers, 144Hz or higher might be of interest. But at a basic level, 60Hz will likely suit office work just fine.
Display technology
You’ll have heard of OLED from televisions, but there are OLED monitors too. They offer the same advantages, in offering great colours and deep blacks, but if you’re only working on documents, then OLED isn’t really necessary.
Then you have various LED options, including Mini LED, which might offer better graphic prowess through precise dimming control; IPS, which is known for great colours; or VA, which is better for contrast. In most cases you’ll spot the difference because OLED is more expensive and LED technologies less so. I’ve used a full range of OLED and LED monitors and I don’t think that OLED is essential as there are some really good LED monitors out there.
Aspect ratio
We mentioned aspect ratio when talking about size. Most monitors are 16:9, just like your TV. The aspect ratio governs the height relative to the width. Some monitors may offer a wider aspect when they are described as "ultrawide", from 21:9 through to 32:9. These wider aspects might allow more documents side-by-side, for example, but if you were watching a 16:9 movie on Netflix, it won't fill the display.
Ports and connectivity
Connectivity is important. Many monitors offer HDMI like your TV, or DisplayPort, which is specifically designed for computers. Many desktop computers will have HDMI and those with a graphics card will likely have DisplayPort too. Some laptops will have HDMI, but many will support DisplayPort through a USB-C connection – check your laptop’s specifications if you’re in doubt.
Some monitors will offer a full range of connections for other devices, acting as a USB hub. This can make connections easy, especially when using a laptop as any accessories can be connected to the monitor, without you having to constantly plug and unplug things from your laptop every time you head out the door.
Additional features
Some monitors will offer speakers, microphones or webcams, allowing you to connect one device without having to think about a separate set of desktop speakers or a webcam for video calls. If you're purely working and need those features that might save connections and mess on your desk, but if you're using your monitor for a variety of tasks you might find you'll get better sound or video quality with a separate device.
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