The best monitor to buy for working from home

Tech

1 May

Buying a new computer monitor can get a little overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re doing. Like a new mattress or sofa, you’re going to have to live with your purchase decision every day, so getting the right monitor for your work-from-home setup is crucial. There are myriad different monitor brands from all over the place, and even within one brand, there are a thousand different monitor selections that can make things feel even more bewildering. To help out everyone who needs some guidance for buying monitors, we have created numerous recommendations to assist in your monitor purchase journey.

Best overall / Best ultra-wide / Best affordable

Best overall: The winner is…

Dell U2720Q UltraSharp USB-C 27inch 4K UHD

4.5 stars out of 5 (Amazon)

-6% RRP: £633

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Who this is for: The Dell U2720Q UltraSharp monitor redefines your view with 3840x2160 resolution on a sharp, clear 27" screen. The brilliant picture quality and accurate colors of this QHD monitor will impress professionals who rely on precise image detail for critical work.

Why we like it: The Dell UltraSharp 27 Monitor, U2720Q , is the perfect solution for those looking to upgrade their current monitors. This monitor comes with a 4K (3840x2160) InfinityEdge display, which provides a seamless viewing experience and reduced bezels. As long as you’re not looking for a gaming monitor, this display comes with all the ports you’ll ever need including USB-C, USB 3.0, HDMI, Display Port, and an audio jack input, ensuring that you can set up your workstation once and never have to worry about it again. The U2720Q is also a HDR display, offers professional-grade color quality for all your content creation needs. and comes factory calibrated at 99% sRGB (ideal for graphic designers or photographers).

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although the monitor comes with a USB-C input, it isn’t a Thunderbolt compatible display, so for Mac users you’ll likely need an external hub to connect all of your other accessories.

Best ultra wide: The winner is…

Samsung LS34J552WQRXXU 34inch UltraWQHD (3440 x 1440)

4.5 stars out of 5 (Amazon)

RRP: £349

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Who this is for: A powerfully versatile performer ideal for multi-taskers and gamers, Samsung’s 34-inch UltraWide monitor makes games and movies more immersive than ever. With 21:9 aspect ratio, now you can get the same viewing experience with a wider screen that fills your field of vision. The IPS display with 99% sRGB accuracy is designed to complement the futuristic style of the curved screen, so it looks sleek and stylish in any setting.

Why we like it: Giving you a huge amount of screen real estate all packed into one monitor along with HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity, this Samsung display also features AMD FreeSync technology to eliminate image tearing and choppiness when gaming or video editing. Its special Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio also offers an enhanced contrast level that gives you better visuals in any light conditions.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although 1440p still provides a crisp viewing experience, it doesn’t quite have the pixel density like some more expensive competitors in the ultra wide space. The Samsung SJ55W also doesn’t allow HDR, so if you’re looking for a monitor to view or edit content in high dynamic range, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Best affordable: The winner is…

ASUS VP228HE 21.5inch FHD (1920x1080)

4.6 stars out of 5 (Amazon)

RRP: £123

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Who this is for: If budget is a concern, or even if you’re just looking for a second (or even third) display for your workstation, the ASUS lineup of 1080p monitors are a great choice. Rated on Amazon as the ‘most-loved’ budget monitor, you can't go wrong with this 21.5inch display.

Why we like it: The VP228HE 21.5" Full HD monitor with 100,000,000:1 ASUS smart high contrast ratio, SplendidPlus and VivdPixel technologies are designed for quality visuals and colour accuracy. The design also extends to the study stand and slim profile without compromising style in ensuring stability and durability. A perfect companion for web browsing, photo editing, word processing and productivity tools.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: At only £99 it’s hard to focus on the features and tech that you’d find on pricier monitors. The adage of ‘you get what you pay for’ is absolutely prevalent with computer monitors, so although you’re missing out on a higher resolution display, higher framerates and a more colour accurate display, the 22inch 1080p is still a great solution for many.

Choosing a computer monitor is a hugely personal choice, but with all of the recent additions to display technology comes a wealth of new jargon to keep up to date with. Doing your research is crucial, making sure you don’t end up with a monitor that just doesn’t fit into your workstation setup, or leaves you with missing features or technology that will frustrate you every day you use it. Sound off in the comments below what your favourite monitor is, or if you have one of our choices, let us know what you think of them! 👇

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