Computer monitors took a huge leap in terms of technological progress since the '90s. As the demand for faster and more intelligent computers skyrocketed, the demand for capable monitors arose too. All monitor manufacturers are obliged to catch up with rapid development.
Today, it will be very difficult to imagine playing The Witcher on a CRT monitor, if you know what I mean. In this article, let's take a closer look at what types of monitors are available in the market. We will also provide a buying guide, fact-checked by IT Specialist JC Rogelio, to assist you in finding the right one and some brands that you might love to have soon.
Quick List - Top PC Monitors
JC Rogelio is first and foremost a fan of upgrading and modifying computers. Due to his passion, he earned a degree in Information Technology from a university specializing in the field. He is tech-savvy and likes to research computer trends. He was a former employee of a Fortune 500 company in the Philippines and now has over 3 years of experience in the IT/Engineering field in Dubai.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
Two major types of displays are available today—LEDs and LCDs. Right now, we will know the difference between the two in this section.
The popularity of LCDs started with televisions and was later adapted to computer monitors in the ‘90s. Basically, thousands to millions of pixels are “sandwiched” between two glass pieces with the liquid inside.
Cold cathode fluorescent lamps or CCFLs control the images you see on the screen and have a lifespan of at least 30,000 hours. It is cheaper but heavier and thicker. The color contrast and resolutions at full HD might be limited oftentimes.
LED displays are almost the same as an LCD but in a slightly different way. Instead of CCFLs, Light-emitting Diodes are used to create the picture on a screen. LEDs are known to be energy-efficient and much brighter than CCFLs, so they could reach up to 50,000 working hours.
Relatively pricier than LCDs, the weight, thickness, and less energy consumption are the best selling points of LED displays. It also has a faster response time than LCDs.
To provide a general perspective, let’s see what are the types of monitors that are market-accessible now to compliment your personal computer.
General-use monitors are usually found at home or offices. Computer cafes often use these units on their stations due to their low maintenance requirement.
These are relatively cheaper and don’t need regular updates to work properly. Whenever you purchase a personal computer, these monitors are normally bundled with the CPU and other peripherals.
A digital artist, a content creator, or a video editor has high demands when it comes to visual graphics manipulation and editing. Professional monitors can be the right tool to take on the applications needed for every task. Being able to see the right colors and tones on a monitor can make or break an editing job.
When it comes to gaming, monitors must be blazing fast. Game applications today require faster refresh rates up to 240Hz, especially on action-packed gameplay. Also, the response time should be quick since this determines the shifting and transition of colors. Your graphics card plays a pivotal role in the display that the user is seeing.
To save energy and double the productivity rate, businesses employ ultra-wide monitors. It allows the user to open multiple applications on a single monitor instead of two, which reduces the work rate of the CPU and GPU.
The user must understand screen size and aspect ratio to make the ultrawide display monitors work to their advantage. We will get into that in the next section.
Since starting the craze a few years back, Samsung’s and LG’s curved monitors have slowly penetrated the computer scene. Like an ultrawide monitor, its screen is elongated and has curved sides to give the viewer a more immersive experience. It gives the display more depth and visual sense than a traditional flat-screen monitor.
Made especially for both professional visual application and high-quality gaming experience, an HDR monitor uses the latest color-range technology.
It resembles true-to-life colors, producing purer whites and the darkest black contrast quality on a display screen. This is an excellent monitor but should be coupled with an equally high-performing GPU to perform to its full potential.
Touchscreen monitors are sparsely available for personal computers, and it's difficult to find one. Unlike in a smartphone, the large display screen is expensive and entails special hardware setups to have it working.
We can usually see these on interactive learning applications for schools and museums or point of sales or POS counters at restaurants and stores. Yes, it is fun to use, but the sensitive screen requires extra protection from wear and tear.
Whether you’re a professional graphics artist, a work-from-home accountant, or a casual gamer, there’s always a suitable panel type for any application.
If you're a hardcore gamer, this panel is for you since it can support the highest refresh rate at 240Hz. Whenever your graphics card and system generate 240 frames per second or fps, the display will be able to perform and provide the smoothest and fastest gameplay experience.
TN panels create images by translucent nematic liquid crystals within glass plates, a color filter, and two lined filters. Although it has a poor color exhibition and terrible viewing angle, it is the most affordable choice for gamers.
Everything that TN panels lack is present in an IPS panel, except for the response and refresh rates. The inner crystal liquids change their alignment on a single plane to show genuine and true-to-life colors from any viewing angle that makes up for what a TN is missing.
It has a higher price point because of the superior experience and high-quality image produced—a perfect monitor for a graphic design job or video editing tasks that require accurate colors and clearer resolutions.
Designed to be an alternative to TN panels but has better color depth and viewing angle, VA panels are at the mid-range level when it comes to performance. Not as good as IPS panels in terms of display, yet it could be a decent option if you're doing some office work or just video streaming online.
Vertical alignment panels have liquid crystals resting in a vertical position, but once the voltage is applied, it shifts position to allow light and images to display on the screen. The adequate refresh rate and more versatile pixels make this a go-to monitor for most offices and computer cafes.
The aspect ratio refers to the screen's width in relation to the screen's height, whereas, resolution pertains also to width and height but measured in pixels. Every aspect ratio has a corresponding resolution to display properly on a monitor.
As an example, aspect ratios and resolutions have the following common relations:
The HDMI or high-definition multimedia interface connection is used for connecting your PC or laptop to high-definition televisions or monitors. It can also transmit audio signal to panels with speakers.
As the predecessor of the HDMI, DVI or digital visual interface connectors have the same function. It can support up to 1920x1080 resolution at 144Hz refresh rate. Not bad for an old connection but you need to have separate cable for audio signal.
Lastly, the almost ancient VGA or video graphics array connection that are still in use on older devices. If you have this connector on your monitor and PC, maybe it’s time for an upgrade on your hardware.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Asus ProArt Display Monitor|PA278QV | ![]() | The Best Monitor for Creative Professionals | |
2 | LG UltraWide Curved LED Monitor|49WL95C-WE | ![]() | The Productivity Monitor That Shows It All | |
3 | Dell Touch Monitor|P2418HT | ![]() | Do More Tasks at Your Fingertips | |
4 | Gigabyte Gaming Monitor|G27F | ![]() | The Best Gaming Monitor in the 27-Inch Category | |
5 | Samsung Odyssey G7|LC32G75TQSEXXP | ![]() | A Curved Monitor Specially Made for Gaming | |
6 | BenQ Gaming Monitor|EX2780Q | ![]() | The Monitor That Can Almost Do It All | |
7 | ZSCMall Portable Touch Screen Monitor|P15A | ![]() | A Portable Touchscreen Monitor That Covers a Lot More | |
8 | Apple Pro Display XDR | ![]() | Experience Retina 6K at a Price | |
9 | Xiaomi Curved Gaming Monitor | ![]() | Bigger Is Always Better on Screen Sizes | |
10 | BenQ Ultrawide Curved QHD Monitor|EX3501R | ![]() | The Ultimate Professional and Gaming Monitor |
If you're a content creator or a creative professional, the Asus ProArt Display PA278QV is a great choice for the budget-conscious. Out of the box, its color accuracy and SDR color gamut are highly impressive for its price. Don't let the professional-looking design fool you because this has a remarkable gaming performance that supports Adaptive Sync.
The display has a decent 75Hz refresh rate, which is a tad higher than the industry standard of 60Hz. Another plus factor is the inclusion of several ports at the back and a pair of built-in speakers, not to mention the superb ergonomics, powerful peak brightness, and wide viewing angle.
Unfortunately, it has a low contrast ratio, and its black looks more grayish, which is expected on an IPS panel. Overall, this is a decent workspace and entertainment monitor for professionals and gamers alike.
The super ultrawide curved screen of the LG 49WL95C-W allows you to work beyond the limits of a standard monitor. The double 27-inch screen real estate lets you open multiple windows and apps that save you the hassle of minimizing and expanding everything.
The awesome 5120x1440 resolution is strong in image quality but may not be as spectacular as a dedicated 4K monitor. The screen can handle gradient and gray uniformity at decent picture quality. Also, the monitor has two 10W speakers that have a rich bass. Like most IPS panels, the brightness can sometimes suffer, and the contrast is not as impeccable as a 27-inch monitor, but it has better viewing angles.
The limited 60Hz refresh rate may not be attractive to gamers, but the monitor is not meant for gaming in the first place. If money is not an object and you're after the fluidity of your work screen, the LG 49WL95C-W should be one of your options.
If you hate the glossy reflective finish of most touchscreen monitors, the Dell P2418HT is your best bet with its matte finish and reduced glare. Compared with other monitors, the Dell P2481HT is energy-efficient and has fantastic color accuracy.
The unique rotating arm that holds up the display is flexible and replaces the traditional frame stand. You can easily tilt the monitor forward or backward, as well as the up and down configuration. Its downside, the stand isn't as stable as other fixed stands, and there's a huge chance that the screen can wiggle when used.
Unfortunately, the bevels aren't seamless, and you can knock your finger on the edges when you swipe at the screen. In sum, this touchscreen monitor works as intended, and the 10-point touch feature has the most responsive experience on a 23.8-inch screen.
A gamer on a budget should take into consideration the Gigabyte G27F monitor that can offer stellar gaming performance. The fantastic color gamut coverage and pixel response time are fast and comparable to TN panels that are highly coveted by gamers. Maxing out its settings, the overdriven monitor has a blur-free and artifact ghosting reproduction.
In terms of image quality, the screen has a rich and saturated color ratio which hits an impressive 1165:1 contrast after calibration. Purposely made for the gaming circuit, the 144Hz refresh rate at 1080p resolution has great response time and low input lag. It doesn't matter if the monitor has a low pixel density—the fast refresh rate takes care of that.
Some gamers would say that the speakers are a bit weak, but most of them use headphones anyway. At its price point, it is tough to beat the G27F in the 27-inch gaming monitor category right now.
The Samsung Odyssey G7 is built for gaming and immersion combo with its 1000R curvature and 240Hz frame rate. The immersive feeling and action-filled view will surely keep you glued to the monitor as long as you can. Whether you're doing work or just playing games, the 1440p resolution is more than a sight to behold.
This is a versatile monitor with an outstanding response time and fast refresh rate with an ultra-clear motion. It can support FreeSync technology and is certified by NVIDIA for G-Sync compatibility. Being a VA panel, unfortunately, the view angle is narrow. So, viewing from the sides will give inaccurate images.
Features such as Picture-in-Picture and RGB illumination are also available if needed. The contrast ratio reaches 2121:1 while the image quality is highly accurate even when used out of the box. All in all, this is a well-built monitor that should be on every gamer's prospect if ever they want to replace their old display.
The BenQ EX2780Q was geared towards a gaming monitor, but it delivers an equally impressive performance in other respects than computer games. Thanks to its high refresh rate, FreeSync support, and low input lag, you will be guaranteed a smooth game experience.
As for media consumption, the exceptional built-in speakers with a remote controller are not a pushover. It will definitely blow away the competition in terms of sound quality. The viewing angle, wider color gamut, and decent color reproduction will encourage you to sit back and enjoy a movie every once in a while.
In terms of productivity, the monitor's size and resolution allow any user to multitask or share content with co-workers. The monitor may have some flaws and might not be quite the master at gaming, media, or total productivity, but it will certainly take on any task you throw at it.
ZSCMALL's Full HD Portable monitor is a game-changer. It offers the ease of having a monitor on the go and has a 1920 x 1080 resolution with a lighter and thinner build. The ultramodern plug-and-play capability is easy to hook up with any device and doesn't need programs nor drivers to make it work.
It is highly compatible with Android, Windows, iOS platforms, and other gaming devices. It has a leather exterior cover that folds into different positions to act as a stand. A pen-hole is also available at the bottom right corner to insert a pen and be a portable stand.
The mini HDMI and USB port connection slots provide lightning-speed connectivity to laptops, PCs, smartphones, and gaming peripherals. It's an excellent choice for a second or third screen during presentations, gaming, or work time.
For macOS users, the Apple Pro Display XDR is the pinnacle of an outstanding display. Designed for graphic artists, designers, and imaging professionals, the monitor boasts a 32-inch Retina 6K display with a solid build quality. Its IPS panel has an output quality almost close to OLED displays that create an incomparable HDR performance.
Reviewers have mixed opinions about the design, but there is nothing negative to be said about its color accuracy and excellent contrast. Apart from being overly expensive, many users are quite turned off by the exclusivity that Apple has built into its functionality and monitor design.
We're talking about the stand and VESA mount, plus the monitor cannot work on non-macOS laptops or computers. This is common among Apple products, so if you're not a macOS user there is no reason to look into it.
Xiaomi is better known for its phones and mobile devices, so it's a surprise that they have already ventured into the computer monitor market. Their ultra-wide curved monitor is packed with amazing features that could trump pioneering brands today.
Offering a 34-inch screen for more productivity and panoramic view in games, the 1500mm radius curvature is extremely large and wide to accommodate a user's line of sight. The combination of AMD FreeSync and a high refresh rate of 144hz makes every workload smooth and fluidly displayed.
The ultra-clear resolution provides a realistic and vivid picture quality consistently. The various window settings such as split screens and pictures in picture modes provide work efficiency and gaming advantage.
Do you want the perfect partner for HDR gaming or Hyper-realistic movie viewing? Get the BenQ ultrawide 35-inch curved monitor and experience the difference. See the most incredibly sharpest and detailed images. The cinematic aspect ratio coupled with the ultra-high resolution is an impressive feat that brings out finer details in crystal clear accuracy.
The BenQ's B.I. + sensor detects ambient light levels and auto-calibrates the on-screen brightness and color temperature to fit the current lighting condition. This protects the user's eye from strain after long hours of monitor use.
Getting the most out of an ultra-wide display is crucial, so it also has AMD FreeSync for a fluid and buttery smooth experience on intense gaming sessions. Also, the multiple connection points such as HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and USB 3.0 won't leave you frustrated.
Have endless entertainment with the latest Smart TVs and speakers available today. Use it to hook up your PC and have a blast with its wide screen and excellent viewing angle. Play your favorite PC game, or just binge-watch on Netflix. The choice is yours.
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Author: Chafi Lacson
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Asus|ProArt Display Monitor|PA278QV
No. 2: LG|UltraWide Curved LED Monitor|49WL95C-WE
No. 3: Dell|Touch Monitor|P2418HT
No. 4: Gigabyte|Gaming Monitor|G27F
No. 5: Samsung|Odyssey G7|LC32G75TQSEXXP
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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