The best monitor you can buy | Computing

It wasn’t long ago that monitors with 4K panels and curved designs were inordinately expensive and required a hefty system to run, but that’s changed over the past few years. More recently we’ve seen the monitor market really come into its own.

Before we get into the buying advice and your options, here’s a top tip: display technology does not move on at the same pace as a lot of consumer tech and, as you’ll discover in our round-up, you’ll often find better value with slightly older monitors.

Top 7: Best Monitors In 2022

1. Philips 243B1

As well-rounded monitors go, it doesn’t get much better than the excellent Philips B1.

It starts with a stylish design with a very versatile stand meaning you can adjust the monitor into a wide range of positions easily. Build quality is very good, too.

Add in a high-quality 24in IPS display and you’ve got a nicely balanced monitor for your home office. The highlight here is the USB-C connectivity and built-in docking station meaning you can quickly connect or disconnect a laptop with minimal hassle.

The only downsides are slightly limited brightness and weedy speakers.

2. BenQ BL2780T

If you’re looking for an affordable but still decent monitor for business or home office then the 27-inch, 4K BenQ BL2780T is a great option.

These types of monitors tend to be extremely dull but BenQ provides a good pinch of style in the mix here. There’s a good level of adjustment here, including portrait mode, and the power supply is neatly built-in avoiding an annoying brick.

If you don’t need a resolution higher than Full HD then the BL2780T offers excellent performance with various bits of eye comfort technology, good brightness and even 99% sRGB gamut.

3. Huawei MateView SE

As affordable monitors go, the Huawei MateView SE is a refreshing contrast to many typical basic Full HD flatpanel offerings.

While the functionality for gaming is limited, and the resolution isn’t ideal for colour work, that’s to be expected and it can be used in both scenarios at a pinch. And it has potential for those who occasionally need something better than the cheapest displays.

Performance is good for everyday use, the monitor is more stylish than most and there’s the option for a rotating stand. Just note that brightness isn’t amazing and there’s no built-in speakers or even a headphone jack.

4. Lenovo ThinkVision M14

Those looking for a portable monitor should seriously consider the ThinkVision M14.

Lenovo has made sure this 14-inch display does exactly what it’s supposed to and is a versatile second screen for wherever you are – at home or on-the-go. It offers a compact and lightweight design that’s surprisingly stylish with a high-quality Full HD IPS screen including a handy low blue light mode.

The buttons are fiddly but this is a minor point as you won’t need them very often anyway. You really just need to make sure USB-C connectivity is suitable for you.

5. Dell Ultrasharp U2421E

The Dell Ultrasharp U2421E is exactly that and although you could spend less and daisy-chaining two doesn’t make sense vs an ultrawide rival. If this size is good then there’s a lot to like with its high-quality design and features.

A built-in USB-C hub means you can simply plug your laptop in with a single cable avoiding the need for a separate docking station. There’s good stand adjustment along with solid brightness and colour, although it’s not suitable for AdobeRGB design work.

6. Dell UltraSharp U3419W

Ultrawide displays can replace two smaller monitors and give you an uninterrupted desktop.

Dell’s curved 34in offering is very expensive, but offers top-notch quality, accurate colours, a Quad HD resolution and a USB-C port for connecting the latest laptops.

If you don’t need USB-C, the U3417W has the same screen, but is cheaper.

7. Huawei MateView

The Huawei MateView is an unusual monitor and the result is that it will be great for some people, and not others.

It’s certainly one of the most stylish around and offers great build quality, too. There’s also a useful integrated USB hub with USB-C included.

The screen performance is decent with plenty of brightness and excellent colour reproduction. Meanwhile, the 3:2 aspect ratio will be more suited to those doing work like word processing.

Limited adjustment of the screen is odd and the controls are a little clunky too, but you probably want to decide on the MateView based on whether you can and will make use of the built-in OneHop wireless projection. Otherwise, the regular model will do just fine.