How To Choose A Good Monitor In 2020 (still valid in 2021)

When you’re ready to buy a new monitor, the No. 1 thing you need to consider is what you’re going to use it for. Seems obvious, right? The thing is, once you’re standing among rows of glossy displays or scoping out endless options online, it’s often hard to resist the temptation to max out your credit card on the biggest, baddest monitor you can find. Instead of increasing your debt, shop smart for the specs you truly need.

Latest Monitor Deals On Amazon

Best Monitor for PS4

More and more gamers are breaking free from their TVs and connecting their consoles into stand-alone monitors geared specifically toward gaming. One of the best of these is the VG279Q from ASUS. It has the high refresh rate (144 Hz) and low response time (1 ms) crucial for smooth gaming, and its IPS panel creates crisp, vibrant colors. The fact that it’s not a 4K display might be a drawback for some, but that’s more than compensated for via the brilliant IPS and affordable price point.

Best Monitor for Mac Mini

If you have Apple’s pint-sized powerhouse as part of your set-up, and you don’t have an extra $5,000 lying around to spend on an Apple Pro display, try the LG UltraFine 4K. It sports a 3,840 x 2,160 resolution, P3 wide color gamut and over 8 million pixels. (That’s four times more pixels than the average 1080p monitor.) At 24 inches, it’s slightly smaller than UltraFine 5K, but it’s also half the price, making it a stunning yet affordable display for virtually task put before your Mini.

Best Monitor for Video Editing

Comfort counts when it comes to choosing a video editing display. The LG 34UC88-B Curved UltraWide Monitor is built for lengthy editing sessions. At 34 inches, it’s large, but not so large that it will tax a smaller workspace. In addition to an affordable price tag, it’s also loaded with the features that an editor needs, such as a crisp 3,440 x 1,440 QHD resolution, a 5M:1 contrast ratio, 99% sRGB color space and multiple USB and HDMI ports.

Best Monitor for Graphic Design

As with video editing displays, size matters when it comes to a monitor for graphic design. After all, you’re going to be looking at it for lengthy periods of time as you complete projects. Plus, a larger monitor means less need for dropping cash on a second monitor. That said, unlike monitors for video editing, an ultrawide display is not ideal for graphic design. A monitor like the BenQ PD3200U 32” LCD Monitor, on the other hand, is a great choice. Its 4K resolution makes homing in on even the smallest details a cinch, and it offers three preset display modes:

• Animation, for precise movement control
• CAD/CAM, for technical illustrations
• Darkroom, for increased sharpness and clarity while working with images

Best Monitor for Programming

Programmers need a monitor that runs seamlessly and is easy on the eyes. The ASUS MG28UQ fits the bill with its 3,840 x 2,160 4K display, quick response time and 60-Hz refresh rate. At 28 inches, it offers a comfortable viewing experience that’s easy to customize thanks to the monitor’s adjustable ergonomic stand. Picture-in-picture makes it easy to bounce between projects on the fly, and the MG28UQ’s price tag renders it a feature-filled yet affordable option for programmers. A new monitor is an investment. Let us help you find the sleek, new monitor that both meets your needs and won’t break your bank account.