The best computer monitor is going to be the one that best suits your needs and budget. If you spend a lot of time at your computer, upgrading to a more intuitive, high-quality screen can completely transform your work, gaming or viewing experience.
There are lots of different reasons you may be looking to invest in a new monitor so to help in your search we’ve reviewed the best options on the market in Australia. Whatever your intended use, the below reviews and buyers guide will help you narrow down your search.
1. Best overall monitor: Dell U2415 IPS LCD Monitor
The Dell U2415 is an ultrasharp LCD monitor that is great for a range of uses from office work to gaming. The 24inch screen offers plenty of space and decent picture quality.
The 3-port USB hub offers increased connectivity options and allows easy set up with any Mac or PC. The monitor offers wide viewing angles and you can easily change the position or rotate it as needed.
The U2415 comes with a small, sturdy and professional looking stand that feels stable and reliable. There is a cable management hole at the back of the stand to keep cables neatly tucked away and the footprint of the stand is small which is also good for reducing clutter and keeping organised.
What We Like:
- Easily adjustable stand
- Small footprint
- Suits mixed-use very well
- Affordable vs high-end options
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not support HDR
2. Best 4k monitor: HP Z27 4K LED Studio Monitor
The HP Z27 is a fantastic 4K monitor, it offers incredible clarity as well as excellent colour accuracy and contrast ratio to give you the best viewing experience. These 4K computer monitors are great for home or office use and are perfect for basic media editing needs.
It is easy to adjust the monitor to suit the angle and height you need. There is a range of connectivity options including 1 HDMI port, 3 USB 3.0 and 1 USB C port so you can connect up your laptop and media quickly and easily.
This is an attractive, minimalistic 4K resolution monitor which is very sleek and stylish in appearance. There are simple to use navigational buttons on the underside of the screen for scrolling through the menu. The Z27 is a great price and comes with a 3-year warranty.
What We Like:
- Stylish
- USB-C port
- Excellent clarity and colour
- Good value for money
What We Don’t Like:
- Heavy (9.38kg)
3. Best gaming monitor: Acer Predator XB271HU Gaming Monitor
Our pick for the best gaming monitor is the Acer Predator XB271HU, with its fast refresh rate and low input lag. This option provides an excellent gaming experience and the image looks great from any angle.
One of the best features of these gaming monitors are the input lag performance, the response time is impressively fast which means there is almost no motion blur or ghosting experienced in fast-paced games. The thin edges of the XB271HHU make it a good choice if you have a multi-monitor set up. There are 1 display port and 1 HDMI port for quick connections.
There are customisable picture profiles and the screen has built-in eye-protection to prevent strain and fatigue. The stand looks good with red accents, it is stable and offers a range of easy ergonomics so you can position the screen as needed for the best viewing experience.
What We Like:
- Fast response time means no lag or motion blur
- Great for multi-monitor set ups
- Lots of gaming features
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not come factory calibrated so you will need to adjust calibration settings yourself
4. Best ultrawide monitor: Samsung LC49RG90SSEXXY Ultrawide Monitor
This Samsung 49-inch curved monitor is perfect for a detailed wide-view. It’s a great option for gamers wanting to upgrade their multi-monitor set up to create a more immersive experience.
The deep curve of the monitor ensures you can view all angles and see all sides of the screen. The peak brightness rating of 1,000 nits allows a true high dynamic range of HDR content. The resolution and colour accuracy are both good and the colours appear bright and pure.
The refresh rate is rapid to minimise lag and motion blur and the user-friendly settings allow you to optimise performance. There are different modes you can select based on the setting, options include game mode, low input lag mode and eye saver mode. The stand is height adjustable and can be swivelled and tilted to suit the positioning required.
What We Like:
- Curved monitor
- 49-inch wide view
- Detailed, immersive experience
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
5. Best monitor for work: HP Z27n G2 27-inch Display Monitor
The HP Z27n is our pick for the best computer monitor for productivity and work. The display is high-quality, reliable and seamless. The integrated colour calibration provides consistent, accurate and excellent colour quality straight from the box.
A great feature on this monitor is the multi-screen capabilities. With simple, straightforward connections you can experience uninterrupted multi-screen tiling for ultimate productivity with no disruptions.
The monitor includes VGA, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB and USB-C ports for compatibility and convenience. The USB-C connection makes video and data connection easy and can be used with future generation HP Workstations.
What We Like:
- Seamless multi-screen tiling
- Reliable
- Accurate and consistent colour
What We Don’t Like:
- USB-C not powerful enough to charge a laptop
6. Best cheap monitor: LG 24MK430H-B 24″ FHD IPS Monitor
The LG 24MK430H-B is a 24″ full HD screen that gives you high-quality picture at excellent value for money. The monitor comes with a stand and can be wall-mounted to save desk space.
The display offers consistent colour temperatures and less change in contrast for life-like quality. The on-screen control puts essential settings into an easily-accessible menu.
This monitor is a great option for gamers as it uses AMD FreeSync technology to reduce tearing and stuttering between frame rate and refresh rate. This ensures a smooth, seamless experience throughout games. There are multiple modes including Dynamic Action Sync Mode for real-time action and Black Stabiliser Mode for giving better visibility on darker scenes.
What We Like:
- Value for money
- Great for gamers
- Consistent colour
What We Don’t Like:
- Not the best option for use with newer computers
7. Best curved monitor: Samsung CHG70 32″ QHD QLED Curved Monitor
The Samsung CHG70 is a curved gaming monitor that brings gameplay to life with perfect detail. The monitor uses Samsungs metal quantum dot technology for purer, brighter and long-lasting colours.
This is a great option when you need colour accuracy. The HDR support ensures you can see as much of the image quality and detail as possible. The curved screen gives you a panoramic view and is perfect for everyday use. There are plenty of connectivity options including a DisplayPort and 2 HDMI ports.
The rapid refresh rate minimizes lag and motion blur. The dashboard menu makes changing the settings easy and you can set your own shortcut codes too. There is also an eye-saver mode to help prevent eye strain and fatigue.
What We Like:
- Ideal for gaming
- Excellent colour accuracy
- High refresh rate
What We Don’t Like:
- Not the best response time (60 Hz)
Computer Monitor Buyer’s Guide
A computer monitor can make or break your on-screen experience which is why it is so important to invest in one that best suits you. This buyers guide takes a look at some of the important features that are worth considering.
The specific features that matter to you will most likely depend on the main use of the monitor, for example, gaming monitors will be more focussed on features such as refresh rate and resolution but that might not be important to you if you are looking for a monitor for general day to day use.
Uses
- General Use – this is a monitor that is used for general word processing, web surfing and social media. It doesn’t need to be a particularly sophisticated monitor as its uses are broad.
- Gaming – a gaming monitor provides an immersive experience. It needs to be high resolution, have high refresh rates and have a quick response time to reduce blurring and lag.
- Cinema – a cinema screen will need to be of high quality and have widescreen viewing capabilities. A curved monitor tends to be a good option for movies as it is immersive and reduces reflection.
- Business – the requirements of a business monitor will depend on the use. If it is going to be used for professional video editing or graphic design then it usually needs to be large in size and offer ultra high definition. Wide viewing angles and advanced image settings are generally preferred too.
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Panel Type
- Twist Nematic (TN)– the most common panel type is TN, this panel offers the fastest response times and good visuals. The colours are generally not the best but these monitors are usually the most affordable.
- Vertical Alignment (VA) – also known as PVA or MVA, this panel type offers better colour reproduction and viewing angles than TN panels. They also offer good contrast ratio and depth.
- In-Plane Switching (IPS) – this panel type offers excellent colour quality, accuracy and viewing angles. IPS tend to be more expensive but are the best all-round option thanks to their resolution and overall quality. They don’t have the best response time so although they provide richer colours some people do not think they are well suited for gaming so keep this in mind.
Features
Below are some of the most important features to consider:
Connection Ports
Make sure the monitor has the right ports so it can connect to your computer or media. The most common and convenient ports are HDMI, DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort. Newer monitors sometimes have USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports which are extremely useful for connecting up and even charging laptops. Older connections that are often still seen on monitors but are becoming less and less popular include VGA and DVI.
Size
The screen size you choose is a personal choice, larger monitors tend to be better for editing media, for carrying out a lot of work and for graphic related activities. When selecting the size also keep in mind your desk space and the viewing distance as some monitors are too big to comfortably use on a desk. Generally anything larger than 34″ is too big for standard viewing distances.
Shape/ Aspect Ratio
The standard aspect ratio is 16:9 which is perfect for full screen viewing and will probably suit most users. If you are looking at professional or graphic models you can sometimes find 16:10 which is slightly taller than standard. There are also ultra-wide monitors available which are ideal for gamers and offer an aspect ratio of 21:9 upwards. Although 4:3 and 5:4 used to be common, you will rarely find modern square monitors.
Resolution
Higher resolution computer monitors tend to be better for image quality and overall experience. If you are looking for a monitor for business and graphic purposes look for 1920×1200 resolution up.
Response Time
Response time is how quickly the pixels change and makes a difference if you are gaming or watching high-paced action. Twisted nematic panels tend to offer the quickest response times.
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Other Considerations
- Curved Screen – if you are looking for a monitor for cinematic or gaming experiences then a curved screen is definitely worth considering. A curved screen reduces reflection, fully immerses you in the media and can actually help reduce eyestrain.
- Touch Screen – this is a good option for ease of use, for many people it feels more interactive and intuitive to use. A touch screen is suitable for all uses and is increasingly being integrated into professional design settings.
- HDR – High Dynamic Range (HDR) offers a better viewing experience as it has a better contrast ratio, greater colours and better brightness than monitors that do not have HDR. An HDR monitor will give you vibrant image quality and a more true-to-life experience.
- Freesync – FreeSync is often important for gamers as it helps to provide a smoother experience with less stutter and screen tear. The smooth gameplay is achieved by the FreeSync system matching your computers graphic processing unit with the monitors refresh rate.
