Best Computer Monitor Reviews — Affordable and Cheap Computer Monitor Reviews and High Performance 4K Monitor Options

Computer monitors can be quite diverse these days and are particularly designed to improve your viewing experience. We have analyzed the market extensively and came up with five excellent PC displays from some of the best computer monitor brands out there! Check out these panels and see which one you like the most.

When we were choosing the products to review, we had a tough decision to make. This is because these quality brands make both affordable and relatively cheap computer monitors and high-end monitors, as well as ones that fall in the middle. Except for the one from Dell, all featured products are what we would consider budget friendly monitors. We went this way because if you can trust a brand for a cheap monitor, you can have faith that their others will be good too. But don’t worry, we include information and links to other options, to make it easy for you. We also have an entire review dedicated to gaming computer monitors and one for curved monitors.

Now, for those of you who are here looking for 4K monitors, all 5 of our brands make those too, in a mixture of price points. But before we get to our reviews, we wanted to showcase a few really sharp 4k computer monitors, including some from a few other brands.


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Overview
PROS
CONS
SPECS
Type
Resolution
Size
Connectivity
Delay Time
Our Top Choice
LG Full HD IPS LED HDMI Computer Monitor
LG specializes in high-end electronics such as computer monitors, smartphones, kitchen appliances, curved TV sets, and many others.
IPS display. Wall mountable. Multiple inputs. Split screen technology. Reader mode possible. Affordable.
Some say that the display is too big for its resolution, but LG makes monitors with even higher resolution if that’s important to you.
IPS Monitor
Full HD
32 inches
Display port, HDMI, D-Sub
5ms
Best Value
Asus Full HD Back-lit LED HDMI Computer Monitor
Asus makes innovative smartphones, laptops, tablets, monitors, and even graphic cards and is very close in popularity to Samsung, LG, and other prestigious brands.
Can be bought with or without IPS technology. Multiple display sizes available. Slim, lightweight design. Multiple input ports.
Some monitors arrived with minor manufacturing defects, but they were replaced by Asus.
VGA Back-lit LED Monitor
Full HD
From 21.5 to 27 inches, 4 sizes
HDMI, D-Sub, DVI-D
2ms
Dell UltraSharp Curved Computer Monitor
Dell is currently one of the largest information technology companies in the world, with a total number of over 100,000 employees at the moment of this writing.
Ultrawide. Available in 2 sizes and with or without arm mounts. Curved, panoramic display. 3-year warranty. Built-in speakers.
Might be too big for some rooms, but Dell makes smaller monitors.
Curved LED-Lit Monitor
WQHD resolution
34 inches
HDMI, USB 3.0
5ms (FAST) or 8ms (NORMAL)
Acer 3D Gaming LED Computer Monitor
Acer is a professional IT company, making laptops, smartphones, computer peripherals, and gaming gear at an affordable price.
1ms response time. Superb graphics thanks to 3D Lightboost technology. 144hz refresh rate. Available in 2 sizes.
A few customers experienced dead pixels after a couple of months, but such instances are rare.
3D Gaming Display 
Full HD
24 or 27 inches
DVI, VGA, HDMI
1ms
HP Pavilion Full HD HDMI Computer Monitor
HP is a leading manufacturer of electronics and computer equipment. It is known for making high-quality multifunction printers, laptops, and computer monitors.
Reasonably priced. Full HD display with a quick response time. Elegant, minimalistic design. Sturdy stand.
Isolated complaints that it arrived defective. This item comes with a warranty and it can be replaced.
IPS LED VGA Monitor
Full HD
21.5 inches
VGA and HDMI ports
7ms

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What Is the Best Full HD and HDMI Computer Monitor? Read Our Computer Monitor Reviews

To find out what type of monitor suits your needs the best, you have to analyze the time you spend at your computer. Do you play games a lot? Do you watch a lot of movies? Or do you barely read a couple of emails or the latest news online? Depending on your needs, you can go for a gaming monitor, a curved monitor, or a regular one. We have all these types included in our review, so let's start!

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Our Top Choice
The 32-Inch Full HD IPS Monitor with Display Port and HDMI Inputs from LG has a display size of 32 inches and offers breathtaking picture and video quality. It is currently a bestseller and can be easily mounted on a wall if necessary. If you prefer a smaller monitor which still offers full HD resolution, check out the LG Q Series LED lit HDMI Monitor which has a display size of 24 inches.

LG 32MA70HY-P 32-Inch Full HD IPS Monitor with Display Port and HDMI Inputs - Screen Split 2.0, Wall Mountable


Features

We are sure this is not the first time you’re hearing about LG, as this company is renowned worldwide for making high-quality electronics, from super-advanced smartphones to full-sized kitchen appliances. LG stands for Life's Good and this motto really fits the profile of the company as LG strives to bring modern technology to your fingertips without charging a fortune for this service.

For example, let's take a look at the Full HD IPS Monitor from LG, a product which has a display size of 32 inches and comes with multiple inputs such as HDMI, D-sub, and Display Port. We liked this monitor because at the moment of this writing it’s a bestseller and incorporates Split Screen technology. This service allows you to multitask easily as it splits your screen in 2, allowing you to write an article and watch a YouTube video at the same time (although that's not very much advisable, though possible).

The full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) ensures that every image and video is displayed with utmost clarity and the IPS technology permits users to see the same image and colors regardless of the angle at which they look at the monitor. For example, if five friends are gathered around the monitor to watch a movie, everyone sees the same image the whole time. Another excellent benefit is that you can mount this monitor on walls if necessary as it is specially designed for attaching wall-mounting hardware.

Best Value
The Full HD 1920x1080 2ms HDMI DVI VGA Back-lit LED Monitor from Asus is available in multiple display size options and features a beautiful slim design, so it will look wonderful on your desk! If you prefer gaming monitors, check out the Full HD Eye Care Gaming Monitor from the same manufacturer.

ASUS VS248H-P 24" Full HD 1920x1080 2ms HDMI DVI VGA Back-lit LED Monitor – Available in Other Sizes


Features

Asus is yet another brand that makes history when it comes to high-tech electronics and gadgets. You are probably reading this article on an Asus laptop, tablet, or smartphone as this brand is highly popular all over the world and produces some of the most innovative gadgets at reasonable prices. Apart from tablets and laptops, Asus also makes wireless routers, styluses for smartphones, and gaming graphics cards. It is one of the most prestigious and reliable electronics manufacturers out there, so buy with confidence.

The Asus VGA Back-lit LED Monitor is available in multiple display sizes from 21.5 inches up to 27 inches. You can also have it with or without IPS technology and we wholeheartedly recommend you go for the IPS model as you will enjoy greater picture quality. The monitor itself is very sleek and attractive in design, so it will definitely look great on any desk or home office.

When it comes to inputs, you can take advantage of HDMI, DVI-D, VGA, and D-sub ports, all placed at the back of the monitor. We also like the full HD resolution as this is a must-have in our modern world when almost every game or movie is released with at least full HD quality standard. We also like the " Exclusive Splendid Video Intelligence Technology" which is a special technology from Asus. Doesn’t it sound good? This technology optimizes your images automatically to reveal real-life colors and adequate brightness and contrast.

The UltraSharp 34-Inch Curved LED-Lit Monitor from Dell is available in 2 sizes and can be bought with one or two arm mounts in case you want to stick it to your bedroom wall. If you prefer a smaller model, check out the Ultrasharp 24 Inch Screen LED Monitor which comes with a beautiful, fully-adjustable stand.

Dell UltraSharp 34" LED-Lit Ultrawide Curved Monitor - Panoramic View, Cinematic WQHD Resolution, Plug and Play, HDMI, Other Sizes Available


Features

You probably know that Dell makes a lot of high-quality multifunction printers and that is entirely true, but this brand is actually a giant manufacturer of pretty much everything related to computers. Whether you require a brand-new keyboard, laptop, monitors, cables, or even backpacks for your Alienware machine, Dell is the go-to brand. If you're into gaming, we highly recommend you take a look at Dell's line of mechanical keyboards!

Until then, let's focus our attention on the UltraSharp 34-Inch Curved LED-Lit Monitor which coincidentally, is also ideal for gaming or for watching movies. This is a super-long, curved, and very bright computer monitor available in 2 sizes and which can be bought as a standalone item or with single or dual arm mounts. The aspect ratio of this monitor is 21 to 9, so basically, you'll be able to enjoy a panoramic view, whether you watch movies or play games.

This particular model even comes with its own built-in speakers which have a total output of 18 watts. It is not jaw-dropping, but not ignorable either. When it comes to connectivity, this monitor has HDMI and USB 3.0 ports and is backed up by a warranty period of 3 years. We are aware that this monitor costs more than the others available on the market, but if you’re looking for a cool, high-tech computer game for your gaming and movie-watching sessions, this is probably suitable for you—and it’s worth every penny. Just think what your friends will say when you open the door and they see this curved masterpiece!

The 24-Inch 3D Gaming Display from Acer is available in 2 sizes—24 and 27 inches—and is ideal for those who love to spend hours after hours playing their favorite games online! If you’re a professional gamer, we recommend you the Predator NVIDIA G-SYNC 4K Computer Monitor from Acer as it is one of the most high-tech gaming displays out there.

Acer 24-Inch 3D Gaming Display Monitor – Full HD Resolution, 144Hz Refresh Rate, DVI-D Input, More Sizes Available


Features

Acer is one of the largest IT companies in the world, specializing in laptops, smartphones, and desktop computers. Apart from its extensive range of business laptops, Acer spends a great deal of resources creating purpose-built gadgets for gaming. For example, you can buy gaming tablets from Acer, gaming computer peripherals, even gaming chairs if you want to sit more comfortably while "pwning" your opponents.

A sophisticated gaming monitor is the 24-Inch 3D Gaming Display from Acer which can also be bought as a 27-inch model. This particular monitor has 3 signal inputs such as DVI, VGA, and HDMI and boasts a full HD resolution. It is ideal for gaming as its response time is just 1ms, and this means that you'll be quicker shooting your opponents in the head or making that dangerous turn with your sports vehicle.

On top of that, the specialists at Acer have joined forces with the experts at NVIDIA to incorporate the 3D Lightboost technology which basically makes key 3D imagery twice as bright. Not only will you enjoy stunning graphics, but it will be as bright and vivid as in real life! This monitor also meets the ENERGY STAR requirements and is built without mercury, making it safer to use in the long run.

The HP Pavilion 21.5-Inch IPS LED HDMI VGA Computer Monitor is an attractive computer monitor with a 21.5-inch screen size and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It’s currently an Amazon Best Seller and comes at a reasonable price. Want to take things to the next level? The HP Z Display Z32 WLED LCD UHD 4K Computer Monitor will optimize your experience with a large, 4K display.

HP Pavilion 22cwa 21.5-Inch Full HD 1080p IPS LED Computer Monitor with Tilt, VGA and HDMI – 7ms Response Time, Wedge Stand Design


Features

HP is among the most popular and innovative computer companies in the world. This brand makes a wide range of desktop computers, laptops, printers, and computer peripherals that come at affordable prices and offer multiple features. The company was founded back in 1939, and since 2015 it split into 2 separate companies and were renamed as HP Inc. Despite that, the HP brand still continues to make high-quality IT equipment and its popularity continues to grow.

The last one on our list is the HP Pavilion 22cwa, a great computer monitor that displays crystal-clear images and text. This model can be bought as a standalone item or with a Thunderbolt adapter included in the package.

Let's discover the highlights of this product:

  • Full HD IPS Display - IPS stands for In-Plane Switching which means that the quality of the image remains the same from almost any viewing angle.
  • VGA and HDMI Ports - These are so you can stream media from your laptop or other gadgets.
  • Contrast Ratio of 8,000,000:1 - This translates in exceptionally beautiful pictures and clear, sharp text.
  • 7ms Response Time - This will make your experience super-fast and exciting, particularly useful for gaming.

Before wrapping it up, we would like to let you know that HP also sells sophisticated Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth keyboards for your tablet, and Bluetooth computer mice. HP's products are always well-built and innovative, so keep this brand in mind next time you’re shopping for gadgets and computer accessories!

Best Monitors for Computers Guide: Cheap Computer Monitors vs Full HD HDMI Monitors vs High End 4K Monitors - Which Is Right for You?

Pretty much all computer components are important, whether we talk about the keyboard, mouse, or speakers; however, the computer monitor actually holds a very important place. It is basically the element you look at constantly and which should offer a colorful, crystal-clear image at all times, whether you are browsing the internet, playing games, watching movies, or working.

Luckily, there are literally thousands of types of computer monitors available on the market and all of them have their pros and cons. For example, some monitors are better suited for gaming because they have a quicker response time and probably are wider or even curved; in this case, Samsung computer monitors spring to mind.

Other monitors feature 4k resolution which is great to have if you play games or watch movies in 4k. Lastly, other monitors such as the increasingly popular ViewSonic VA2465SMH are built to provide you with a great viewing experience without being too harsh on your pocket, so they are probably more suitable for the casual computer user.

Having so many options at your disposal, we know that it could be a bit difficult to pick the right computer monitor, so that’s why we created this guide. Keep reading and you are going to learn more about the world of computer monitors, how to buy the right one, and what budget to come up with.

Video: CRT Vs LCD Vs LED Computer Monitors

Types of Computer Monitors. | Courtesy of Peenu
Price

When buying a PC monitor, you’re definitely interested in how much money you are going to spend on it. Well, this depends on what type of monitor you are getting, its maximum resolution, response time, display size, and other features, but to help you come up with an adequate budget, there are generally 3 main price ranges you’re going to look at: budget-friendly monitors (usually priced around $90-$100 or lower), moderately-priced monitors (between $100 and $200), and high-end monitors (anything over $500). How much you spend depends on your activities (gaming, watching movies, browsing, productivity) and preferences.

Obviously, some manufacturers will try to entice you with cheap computer monitors, but we don’t advise you to get too excited about that. In most cases, such products are poorly designed, unreliable, and don’t have a quick response time—not to mention that they might come with "prehistoric" display resolution. So stay away from them!

Features

Now that you know more about the price of a good monitor, let's get into the actual features of such a great PC component.

  • Display Size - Similar to when you buy TV sets, this can be between 20 and 40-50 inches, in rare cases.
  • Resolution - This is usually between HD resolution (1280x720 pixels) and 4k resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels); however, in most cases you will stumble upon monitors which offer full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels).
  • Connectivity - A good monitor should have VGA and HDMI ports, maybe a headphone jack, and other types of connectivity options.
  • Built-in Speakers - Some monitors come with this feature, others don’t. If you don’t want to buy the speakers separately, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go for a monitor which comes with built-in speakers.

If you’re like most customers, the first thing you will probably have to settle right from the start is the display size. Do that according to the size of your desk and the overall size of the room. A super-large monitor wouldn’t look that well in a tiny apartment, would it?

Afterwards, decide upon the resolution of the monitor (a good rule of thumb is that if the display size is large, the resolution should also be large and vice-versa) and get more info about the connectivity options. Remember that today's monitors also come with other features which you should explore on your own, such as an energy efficiency rating and so on.

Construction and Design

We are not going to get into too many details when it comes to how monitors are actually built; that is not the purpose of this guide. We’ll instead take a brief look at some of the most important aspects, which are highlighted below. Let’s take a look!

  • Material and Overall Design - What you need to know is that most of them are made from superlight materials such as aluminum, so that you can easily transport and move them around the house if necessary. Today's monitors also feature a strong stand which is fully adjustable and incorporates rubber feet to prevent slipping. In some cases, wall mounting hardware might be included in the package, or it can be bought separately.
  • Ports, Buttons, and Blue Light Filters - The ports of the monitor are usually located on the backside, so they don’t distract you while you play games or watch movies. Any physical buttons are also mounted on the side of the monitor in most cases, and they can be used to control standard settings such as brightness, color temperature, and others. We like the fact that certain monitors come with an incorporate blue light filter which is healthy for your eyes and prevents sleep disorders, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of your computer.

Video: Connecting Mouse, Keyboard and Monitor to a PC

How to Connect a Keyboard and Monitor to a Desktop PC. | Courtesy of Kevin Colleran
Performance and Ease of Use

There are three things to consider when looking at the performance and ease of use your new computer monitor will offer you. These are: the aspect ratio, whether it has IPS technology, and what the warranty on it is. Let’s take a look!

  • Aspect Ratio - One important thing you need to know about monitors is their aspect ratio, which is usually 16:9. If the monitor is extra wide, the aspect ratio might be different (such as 21:9) and that basically gives you a better movie-watching experience.
  • IPS Technology - Don’t forget that most high-quality PC monitors today include IPS technology which basically means that even if you sit at an angle and look at the display, you can still see the image perfectly with the correct colors. Some monitors allow a 178-degree viewing angle which is definitely amazing!
  • Warranty - To wrap it up, always inform yourself about the warranty provided by the manufacturer (usually between 1 and 5 years) and you are on the right track to buying a great computer monitor!

Get the Best Computer Monitor of 2023!

Now that you know more about monitors, you can make an informed decision when buying one. Remember that these five panels incorporate advanced technology and are specially designed to display crystal-clear pictures, so regardless of which one you pick, your viewing experience will be vastly improved! Oh, and in case you want more options still, all of these brands have more to offer—take a look!

Our Top Choice
LG Full HD IPS LED HDMI Computer Monitor
Best Value
Asus Full HD Back-lit LED HDMI Computer Monitor
Dell UltraSharp Curved Computer Monitor
Acer 3D Gaming LED Computer Monitor
HP Pavilion Full HD HDMI Computer Monitor

Computer Monitor FAQs

How to clean a computer monitor?
You can clean a computer monitor by first wiping off the dirt on the surface with a cloth dipped in a cleaning fluid. While at it, avoid pressing firmly on the frame's edge since that may cause display malfunctions. Also, avoid brushing as that can scratch and damage the panel. Read our buying guide for the care and maintenance tips for your computer monitor.
How to measure a computer monitor?
You can measure the size of a computer monitor by taking the diagonal length, which is given in inches. If you want to know the image area, you can measure the screen's length and multiply it with the height. The monitor’s aspect ratio is expressed in terms of the length to the height. That’s a calculation you can do quickly after measuring the length and the width.
How to connect a monitor to a computer?
Connecting a monitor to a computer starts by plugging in the video cable to the monitor on one end and the computer on the other. You could use a VGA, HDMI, or DVI cable to connect a monitor to a computer. Plugin the monitor and turn it on. After that, you can switch on the computer and start seeing the graphics on the screen.