Desktop Monitors have undergone significant evolution over the years. Just a couple of years back, desktop setups meant the bulky and huge CRT monitors, that took up most of your table space, leaving almost no space for other computer accessories like the keyboard, mouse, speakers etc. With time, these display devices have evolved into high resolution and sleek devices to accentuate the style quotient of your PC setup.
Even though laptops have taken over every home and office, desktop computing still remains a tough competition for the former even now. People still find joy in assembling parts and making the PC their “own”. And when that is done, you definitely need to have the best monitor in the market, to breathe life into all that computing goodness you just assembled.
Before we delve into our list, let’s take a sneak peek into what you need to look out for when picking the best monitor. If you own an entry-level CPU which is ideal for productive tasks, light gaming and entertainment, an HD Ready monitor with IPS display and VGA port should work for you. However, if your desktop is used for programming, projects and a good amount of gaming, then a monitor with a Full HD 1080p resolution, 60Hz refresh rate and HDMI port would be the perfect pick. If you focus on image/video editing, the monitor that works well with such heavy-duty tasks needs to have a specification list consisting of Full HD resolution, refresh rate greater than 60Hz, good contrast ratio and higher brightness. Last, but not the least, to amp up your gamer life, what you need is superior quality higher-end monitors with port support and an insane refresh rate to make your gaming experience an unforgettable one.
Here are some terms that you need to add to your checklist before picking your perfect monitor.
- Display: Monitor Resolution, Response Time, Refresh Rate, Contrast Ratio, Brightness
- Connectivity Options: VGA, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB Port
- Wall Mounting Capability
- Warranty Period
Best Deals to Watch Out for on Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday
On September 27, 2020, Amazon confirmed that the much awaited Amazon Prime Day would fall on October 13 and October 14 this year. Besides that, we also have the Black Friday slated for November 27, 2020, which means there are going to be some amazing offers coming up on your favourite products, and you can expect some serious price slashes on some of the best monitors in the market. And the best part, you won’t have to wait for long.
We, at tRUSTED REVIEWs, have rounded up some of the best monitors, covering a range of budget monitors to the supreme quality monitors.
1. BenQ GW2480
The Taiwanese consumer electronics company that has taken the Indian market by a storm with its industry-leading products, BenQ caters to audiences looking for budget and premium products as well.
This desktop monitor is a good 21.5 inch in size with a clear end to end display offering you BenQ’s ultimate display experience. The GW2480 boasts of a full HD screen that provides you with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. The sleek display of this monitor offers around 16.7 million vibrant colours and natural hues.
This model employs LG’s Advanced High Performance – In Plane Switching panel (AH-IPS), which makes the screen emit up to 250-nit peak brightness, a refresh rate of 60Hz and a decent contrast ratio of 1000:1. The 23.8 inch large-sized display, along with the perfectly vibrant colour tones makes this monitor the ideal choice for media usage.
Highlights
BenQ has ensured to make the GW2480 stand out from the rest of its monitors by playing around a bit with the software.
The monitor comes with a built-in brightness intelligence technology, which comes into play by sensing the scene and external ambient lighting. It automatically adjusts the colour tones, primarily the hues of blacks and whites, thereby accentuating the dynamic range of the visuals, by giving it a more realistic feel. This does not just improve the image quality, but it ensures that the viewing experience goes easy on your eyes. The sensitivity of this sensor is adjustable in the OSD menu, which is controlled by buttons placed below the monitor’s bottom bezel.
It also comes with an eye-care technology that aids in relaxing the eye muscles by filtering out blue light emitted by the screen. The GW2480 offers four different settings of low blue light modes - Reading, Web Surfing, Office and Multimedia.
The model covers the basic sRGB colour spectrum, and supports 8-bit colour by means of dithering (6-bit + 2-bit FRC). In other words, this computer monitor by BenQ ranks better than other TN panel displays in the similar price scale.
The IPS display of the BenQ GW2480 has offers a quick response time speed, ensuring that you wouldn’t be bothered by trails of moving objects in movies and video games. The 60Hz refresh rate reduces the buffering lag and pixelated jitters, making the visuals graphically smooth. If you need a slight boost in clarity of moving objects, there is also an option to overclock the refresh rate of the monitor up to 75Hz. A piece of advice for the gamers; for the best response time performance, you should change the Advanced Motion Acceleration (AMA) option to High or Premium, in the On-Screen Display.
This desktop computer monitor has a sleek, modern design with an overall premium textured finish. The cable management system is remarkable as the brand has designed this model with a removable section of the stand in order to keep the cables concealed. The stand has a degree of tilt by -5⁰/20⁰, however with the means of the standard VESA 100mm x 100mm wall mount included in the package, you can mount the monitor.
Connectivity options include HDMI 1.4, VGA and DisplayPort 1.2, which is not usually available with other desktop computer monitors in the same price range. What sets this model apart from the other competitors is that the display comes with a headphones jack and two 1W integrated speakers, which offer a decent output. The OSD support features 18 languages.
Verdict
The BenQ GW2480 is your ideal choice if you are looking for a desktop computer monitor with a large display for office use and other miscellaneous works, on a budget. The DisplayPort and elegantly thin bezels make this the best monitor in the Indian market, for a multi-monitor setup.
BenQ GW2480 Specifications
Screen Size: 23.8-inch
Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD)
Panel Type: IPS
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Widescreen)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Response Time: 5ms (GtG)
Speakers: 2x1W
Ports: DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, VGA
Other Ports: Headphone Jack
Brightness: 250 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (static)
Colors: 16.7 million (6-bit + FRC)
VESA: Yes (100x100mm)
Pros
- Elegant Design
- Good value for price
- Brightness Intelligence Technology and Eye-Care Technology
- Low Input Lag and Quick Response Rate
Cons
- No AMD FreeSync
- Tilt-only design with no height adjustment option
2. Samsung LC24F390FHWXXL
Samsung is one of the popular brands that often brings in innovative technologies and design standards that would take its level up by a notch, in comparison to its competitors. The same has been the case in terms of curved monitors as well. Though these curved beauties still have a long road ahead in being a mainstream product, it has already given its competitors a run for their money.
This primary benefit of this desktop monitor is that its curved design tricks the viewer’s brains into believing that they are quite close to the screen, when viewed at an optimal distance, thereby enhancing the overall immersive experience.
The Samsung LC24F390FHWXXL boasts of a 23.65 inch curved full HD display. This desktop computer monitor features a Vertical Alignment (VA) panel that offers remarkable contrast levels and deep blacks, while consuming less power when compared to the conventional TN and IPS panels offered in other competitor models.
The brand also offers the AMD FreeSync Technology on this model. This ensures a perfectly synchronized screen refresh rate with the content’s frame rate. Hence this model is ideal for media usage and editing purposes alone. Gamers should probably look for alternatives as the response rate of 4ms doesn’t do any good for your gaming experience.
Highlights
The monitor comes with an integrated eye-saver mode for keeping a check on the strain on your eyes. This ensures that after a long viewing session, your eyes are well rested to get a good night’s sleep.
The VA display panel of the Samsung LC24F390FHWXXL offers a slower response time speed, which doesn’t make it suitable for high-end video games.
This desktop computer monitor has a sleek, elegant design with a curved display, which is built to offer a futuristic appearance to your desktop setup. The 1800R curvature of the screen provides an immersive experience that allows you to enjoy a stunning panoramic view while you work. Samsung claims to have drawn inspiration from the human eye while creating this model. In terms of other curved models of desktop computer monitors, this is the best pick if you are on a budget, but picky in terms of design. The ultra-slim and sleek design measures less than 0.5 inch in terms of thickness.
The monitor comes with Samsung’s Active Crystal Colour Technology, which offers an excellent 3000:1 contrast ratio, thereby guaranteeing better visibility in terms of blacks and whites in the darkest or brightest scenes. It also comes equipped with the Eco-Saving Plus feature which reduces screen brightness to save power. The transition of the screen brightness is automatic and fluid - thereby reducing energy use even more.
Verdict
The Samsung LC24F390FHWXXL is your ideal choice if you are looking for a great media usage experience for a budget price. However, this model isn’t ideal for gaming purposes. The curved design and thin bezels make this the perfect option fancy workspace.
Samsung LC24F390FHWXXL Specifications
Screen Size: 23.6-inch
Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD)
Panel Type: VA
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Widescreen)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Response Time: 4ms
Speakers: NA
Ports: 1 VGA Port, 1 HDMI Port
Other Ports: Headphone Jack
Brightness: 250 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
Pros
- Curved Design
- Good value for price
- Best for an immersive viewing experience
- Power Efficient
- No noticeable frame drops
- Good contrast ratio
- Eye-Saver mode
Cons
- Mediocre viewing angles
- Slow response rate; not ideal for gaming
3. Dell P2419H
The Dell P2419H features a standard 24-inch 1080p IPS display, with extensive connectivity options, including a quad-USB hub, and a fully ergonomic stand. This monitor is ideal for business purposes and the features are not aimed for editing or gaming purposes.
Highlights
This is a slightly improved version of the Dell P2417H, which is the previous model, in terms of the IPS panel. The P2419H features an IPS panel with a 250-nit peak brightness, 8-bit colour depth, 178-degree viewing angles, and a static contrast ratio of 1000:1. What makes this model ideal for business use is that it provides basic necessities such as vibrant and consistent colours, bright picture, and the wide-viewing angles won’t cause an image shift in terms of colour, brightness or contrast. It isn’t ideal for color-critical work as the monitor only covers about 97% of the sRGB colour domain, and calibration is necessary to achieve optimal picture quality.
This desktop monitor features a substantial amount of detail clarity across the 24-inch screen space due to the full HD resolution offering of 1920x1080 pixels, which comes along with this display. The monitor is equipped with a low blue light emission filter and a flicker-free screen, which puts an end to the eye fatigue and headaches that are associated with prolonged screen viewing.
In order to eliminate trailing of moving objects in video games, the response rate of this desktop monitor can be altered from 8ms to 5ms with GtG pixel transition, by swapping the response rate setting from the normal preset to the fast preset option. Though this model has an input lag performance value of about 10ms, it is quick enough with a 60Hz refresh rate, which is a decent bargain at this price.
The OSD menu is equipped with standard adjustments such as colour settings like hue/saturation, input source selection and brightness/contrast options; however there are no gamma presets. You can easily swap between the available picture presets like Standard, Movie, Game, Comfort Mode, Warm, Cool and Custom Colour, by means of the monitor’s hotkey. In addition to this, Dell offers its Display Manager software from which the Easy Arrange application can be installed to create customized screen layouts for multi-tasking.
The major selling pitch of the Dell P2419H is its design and connectivity, as everything else seems to be available in cheaper variants as well. This desktop monitor features ultra-thin bezels with matte texture, with dimension as 0.2-inches on the top and sides and 0.8-inches at the bottom bezel. The screen is has an anti-glare, matte coating which prevents the formation of distracting reflections on the screen. The monitor comes equipped with a remarkable bracket for cable management, and has complete ergonomic adjustability, with 90⁰ pivot in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, up to 130mm height adjustment, +/-45⁰ swivel, a tilt of up to -5⁰/21⁰ and a VESA mount pattern of 100mm x 100mm.
The monitor also features a variety of connectivity options such as HDMI1.4, VGA, DisplayPort 1.2, two ports each of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, and a headphones jack. The Dell P2419H 1080p monitor has a new variant – the Dell P2419HC – which features a USB-C port with a DisplayPort Alternate Mode and power delivery of up to 60W.
Verdict
We believe that this desktop monitor is a bit on the pricey side; there are alternative options in the market for monitors that provide higher refresh rate gaming monitors or screens with a higher resolution display, at the same price scale as the P2419H. Though this model comes with versatile ergonomic and connectivity options along with crystal-clear picture quality, smooth performance and ultra-thin design, these features don’t justify the high price.
Dell P2419H Specifications
Screen Size: 23.8-inch
Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD)
Panel Type: IPS
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Widescreen)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Response Time: 5ms (GtG)
Ports: DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, VGA
Other Ports: 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, Headphone Jack
Brightness: 250 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (static)
Colors: 16.7 million (6-bit + FRC)
VESA: Yes (100x100mm)
Pros
- Wide viewing angles, vibrant colours and crisp image quality
- Rich connectivity options
- Ultra-thin bezels and fully ergonomic stand
- Low input lag and quick response time
Cons
- Expensive
- No in-built speakers
- No AMD FreeSync
- Calibration needed for optimal image quality
4. LG 27UL500
Desktop screens that have life-like colour accuracy have been in demand among graphic designers, gamers and even typical customers who would like to experience the clarity of the visuals in its full magnificence.
Highlights
The LG 27UL500 is a budget friendly 4K monitor with FreeSync for smooth performance, an IPS panel for vibrant colors, and various other useful features. Estimated at a price range below Rs.31,000, this LG desktop computer monitor is one among the finest 4Kmonitors in the Indian market.
The LG 27UL500 desktop monitor, which is based on an IPS panel with 98% sRGB color spectrum, dithered 10-bit color depth support (8-bit + FRC for 1.07 billion colors) and excellent viewing angles, delivers a seamless experience with vibrant and accurate colours.
This monitor is factory-calibrated, so it can be used straight out of the box to create some basic content. Designed to reproduce an image that matches approximately 98% of sRGB, this monitor can represent colours which are almost similar to the real-life colours of the recorded visual. However, when it is used for professional color-critical work such as creative editing, a dedicated calibrator would be needed. The LG 27UL500 monitor also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range). But the downside to this is the lack of wide color spectrum, localized dimming for better contrast performance, deeper blacks and higher brightness capability; resulting in a mediocre HDR viewing experience. Occasionally, certain HDR-compatible content such as console games may look better, but even then, the colours may appear as washed-out or over-saturated. At this price range, issues like these can be expected, as higher-end 4K HDR monitors cost a fortune, owing to factors such as local dimming implementations and premium-quality wide colour spectrum backlights. However, the picture quality of the LG 27UL500 desktop monitor is brilliant for this price range, thanks to the accurate and vibrant colour detailing ensured by the 4K UHD resolution and the IPS panel.
The input lag of the LG 27UL500 amounts to about 8ms only while the device comes with a very good pixel response time speed measuring up to 5ms (GtG pixel transition). There will not be any prominent delays or noticeable trailing behind fast-moving objects, as in games or videos, thanks to the screen’s 60Hz refresh rate. Coupled with a compatible graphics card and AMD FreeSync feature available on this monitor, a variable refresh rate (VRR) can be attained. Any possible screen tearing or stuttering can be cleared with a minimal input lag penalty of about 1ms, with the help of VRR.
In the extended mode, the FreeSync range offered by this monitor is approximately 40-60Hz/FPS; which implies that tearing or stuttering can be avoided as long as the FPS rate lies within this specific range.
The LG 27UL500 has been designed with a ‘Reader Mode’, to filter out low-blue lights from the screen; and is also equipped with a flicker free backlight. These two features prevent eye strain and headaches, that are usually associated with prolonged use of the monitor; thereby ensuring a comfortable viewing experience.
A noticeable drawback of all IPS panel displays is the ‘IPS glow’ (a soft glow around the corners of the screen), which can be visible in a dark room especially while watching dark scenes. This happens when the excess light passes though the IPS panel, and this can be reduced by either adding more light to the room or by reducing the screen’s brightness.
Further, this desktop monitor provides a wide gamut of features, such as On-Screen Control (all essential monitor settings can be adjusted within an application on your desktop, by means of your mouse/keyboard) as well as the ‘Split-Screen feature’ which divides your desktop into variable layouts with multiple windows while multitasking. The monitor is also equipped with gaming features such as Black Stabilizer, which can improve the visibility of objects hidden in shadows. Pre-calibrated picture presets are also available.
The monitor features a well-organized and user-friendly OSD menu, which can be accessed with the help of a 5-way joystick placed under the lower bezel. The menu includes all the conventional adjustments along with advanced picture tools such as manual colour temperature configuration, 6-axis hue/saturation and four gamma presets. The thick and dark-gray matte bezels of the monitor may not be suited for a multi-monitor workspace. The screen is anti-reflective, and is coated with a matte 3H anti-glare coating. The stand of the monitor can be wobbly and has a tilt-only feature by -5°/15°. Fortunately, the stand is detachable and the screen can be mounted using the 100x100mm VESA pattern, on a third-party stand.
The LG 27UL500 comes with two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and a headphones jack, for connectivity options.
Verdict
If you prefer a desktop monitor with a decent colour accuracy, the LG 27UL500 offers the best value here. It is the best budget 4K IPS desktop screen, which delivers excellent picture quality while not falling back on its performance.
LG 27UL500 Specifications
Screen Size: 27-inch
Resolution: 3840×2160 (Ultra HD)
Panel Type: IPS
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Widescreen)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Response Time: 5ms (GtG)
Adaptive Sync: FreeSync (40Hz-60Hz)
Ports: DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0
Other Ports: Headphone Jack
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (static)
Colors: 1.07 billion (8-bit + FRC)
HDR: HDR10
VESA: Yes (100x100mm)
Pros
- Excellent colour accuracy
- Rigid wall mount
- Plenty of gaming features including AMD FreeSync
- Low input lag and quick response time
Cons
- Tilt-only stand
- Expensive
5. Acer KG241QP
Acer has been a favourite for many, when it comes to laptops. The brand has come up with a budget gaming monitor that offers a buttery-smooth gaming experience.
Highlights
The Acer KG241QP has the conventional widescreen aspect ratio, ideal for almost everything you need a monitor for; editing documents, graphic designing, media usage and gaming, all at an affordable rate. This 144 Hz gaming monitor is a good 23.6 inch in size with an integrated TN panel of a response rate of 1ms. This makes it a suitable pick for competitive gamers on a budget.
It offers a peak brightness of 300 nits, 8-bit colour depth support by means of dithering (6-bit + 2-bit FRC), and a static contrast ratio of 1000:1. However, the model delivers a seemingly mediocre image quality. The blacks appear greyish and the vibrance of the colours is pretty low, although the scrn appears to be vividly bright, when compared to IPS and VA panel monitors in the same price range. If you want an immersive gaming experience in terms of graphics and aesthetic components of the game, it would be better to look for pricier alternatives.
What the Acer KG241QP seems to focus on is the speed and performance rate. In the case of TN panel monitors, the horizontal viewing angle of 170⁰ and the vertical viewing angle of 160⁰ may cause the image to degrade in contrast, colour and brightness when you view the monitor at skewed angles. However, if you directly sit in front of the screen, this shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Lastly, this monitor’s 1080p screen resolution provides a fairly good pixel density, which means, with approximately 93 pixels per inch, the detailing is sharp enough for a budget desktop monitor. Even when coupled with a budget GPU, with this monitor’s large display and resolution, it is possible to maintain high frame rates in games. Another asset of this gaming monitor is the quick 1ms GtG response time speed, that will ensure no visible motion blur or trailing with fast-moving objects, permitting you to concentrate on your targets. The input lag has been reduced to half when compared to that of a 60Hz display; with just about 4ms of lag, you wouldn’t notice any lags while playing games on the Acer KG241QP desktop monitor. Moreover, this monitor supports AMD FreeSync, which when coupled with a compatible graphics card, you can experience a dynamic game-play as the combination allows the display to alter its refresh rate according to the frame rates of the game. Hence, you won’t be bothered with screen tearing and stuttering issues as long as the FPS rate is between 48 and 144Hz. Other gaming features include Black Boost (improves visibility of objects in shadows), Refresh Rate Num (to keep track of the monitor’s refresh/frame rate) and Aim Point (custom crosshair overlays).
It is also important to note that the Acer KG241QP 144Hz monitor uses a flicker-free backlight and a low-blue light emission filter, so continuous gaming for hours will not strain your eyes.
The monitor’s On-Screen Display menu is quite user-friendly and consists of numerous useful features. There are five hotkeys that you can be used for navigation. The Acer KG241QP provides advanced settings such as 6-axis hue/saturation and gamma presets, besides the standard image adjustment tools such as brightness, contrast, etc, which means, through calibration, you can get a decent image quality.
In order to make this desktop monitor so budget-friendly, Acer had to cut short somewhere, we presume. So, the stand of the monitor is tilt-only, but at least it’s fairly sturdy. It is easily detachable and the screen can be mounted on any third-party stand by means of the 100x100mm VESA pattern. On the downside, the bezels of the Acer KG241QP are quite bulky, making the monitor appear bigger, but the thickness of the bezels would be a problem if you are planning on a multi-monitor setup. Lastly, the screen has a matte finish, which cuts off reflections.
Acer ensured not to skimp out on connectivity options for a budget desktop monitor. Hence, the KG241QP includes two HDMI 2.0 ports and a single DisplayPort 1.2 input for extensive compatibility with accessory devices. But there are no audio jacks or speakers. Both HDMI and DP support FreeSync and 144Hz at 1920×1080.
Verdict
Even though it comes with a fairly old TN panel, the Acer KG241QP is a good gaming monitor for the money, with good colour accuracy. If you’re on a tight budget and want the best performance in competitive games, this model is definitely worth considering.
Acer KG241QP Specifications
Screen Size: 23.6-inch
Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD)
Panel Type: TN
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Widescreen)
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Response Time: 1ms (GtG)
Adaptive Sync: FreeSync (48Hz-144Hz)
Ports: DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI 2.0
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (static)
Colors: 16.7 million (6-bit + FRC)
VESA: Yes (100x100mm)
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- AMD FreeSync Technology
- Plenty of gaming features including VRB
- Low Input Lag and Quick Response Rate
Cons
- Thick bezels
- No audio jack
- Tilt-only stand
- Narrow viewing angles
- Inferior image quality when compared to IPS and VA paneled monitors
