EXPERT INSIGHT & TRUSTED REVIEWS

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Monitor

The 5 Highest Resolution Monitors of 2025

Highest Resolution Monitor

The 5 Highest Resolution Monitors in 2025

Reviewing the sharpest screens for high-quality setups

Highest Resolution Monitor

We updated this article to cover new (and upcoming) options up to 2025 The Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is still the highest-resolution monitor widely available and with no 16K monitor on the horizon, we don’t see anything topping it any time soon.

We’ve included some additional high-res options throughout the feature for different categories/aspect ratios.

Whether you’re a gamer, creative or general user, resolution can be one of the most impactful stats in defining your display’s quality.

Thankfully, in today’s market options like 5K & 8K monitors are no longer a pipe-dream, but readily available.

But they’re not all necessarily worth purchasing.

This is why today’s feature is focused not just on the highest resolution monitors available in the world, but the best choices that are actually worth buying for various needs.

1

Dell UltraSharp UP3218K

Highest Resolution Monitor

Dell UltraSharp UP3218K

Our Rating: 9/10

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Read Review

2

Samsung CRG9

Highest Resolution Ultrawide Monitor

Samsung CRG9

Our Rating: 10/10

Check Price

Read Review

3

LG 27MD5KL-B

High Res Runner-Up

LG 27MD5KL-B

Our Rating: 9/10

Check Price

Read Review

4

AOC U2790VQ

Cheap High-Resolution Pick

AOC U2790VQ

Our Rating: 9/10

Check Price

Read Review

5

Samsung 8k Q800T

Highest Resolution TV

Samsung 8k Q800T

Our Rating: 9.25/10

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Read Review

Dell UltraSharp UP3218K

Highest Resolution Monitor: Dell UltraSharp UP3218K

Not only is this Dell offering the highest res monitor on the market, but it’s also one of the only innovations that meet the incredible 7690×4320 resolution.

Whether you’re an 8k video editor, someone who wants content to be crisp even at the closest of glances, or are looking for something as close to a future-proof resolution as you can get, the Dell UltraSharp is rivaled by little else.

Alongside the startling 8k, the monitor boasts some fantastic color specifications.

Implementing Dell PremierColor, the UP3218k offers 100% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709 & 98% DCI-P3.

Along with these impressive specs is an IPS panel, decent 400-nits brightness, and great contrast capability.

For high-end video/photo editors or those serious about achieving the best content viewing experience (e.g. an HTPC monitor), it’s hard to describe how great 8k content can look alongside the premium picture quality.

It’s worth pointing out though, that while this is the highest resolution monitor in the world that’s readily available, that doesn’t mean it’s the right pick for every setup.

Firstly, for content-focused users, as amazing as 8k content looks; there is a limited amount of it.

We expect UHD/4k to be the leading choice for high-end producers for the foreseeable future. A monitor of this caliber may be overkill unless you are happy to pay the premium. This is why I’ve highlighted some more grounded choices below for mid-range users.

Impressively, it still manages a 6ms GTG response time. We would expect something higher for a screen of this resolution, making it suitable for 8k gaming.

That said, the amount of 8k gaming content available right now isn’t particularly high. And even if it was, you’d only be able to fully utilize the resolution for games if you had the most powerful build possible (even then, it’s a stretch).

Then there’s the fact that you won’t have an 8k 144hz monitor (or any refresh rate above 60fps) for a long time (let alone a PC that can support it). I would say for every gamer, you would prefer a higher refresh rate than 60Hz over the jump from 1440p/4K to 8K.

Yes, 8k gaming will probably be around en-mass one day.

But for today? We strongly recommend focussing your budget on a premium screen with 1440p 240hz, 4k 144hz, or the excellent next pick below that I tailored for gamers.

Gaming aside, if you are a serious production user that demands 8k, then this Dell offering is the best choice for you.

It’s worth pointing out that the screen requires 2 DisplayPort connections to run at 8k.

Finally, I need to touch on the build quality/design.

Somehow both as sturdy as you would hope for in a premium offering, while also offering fantastic slim bezels, a gorgeous aesthetic, and great adjustability (including a 90-degree rotation), I was pleased to see the UP3218K doesn’t compromise on physical longevity.

Although it’s worth noting our cautions and checking out our other picks if you think 4K/5K screens could suit you, we are comfortable in naming this Dell offering the highest resolution monitor worth buying today.

If you demand 8K with fantastic picture quality, it’s the best choice for you.

2025 update: This Dell offering still remains the best 8k monitor with no other worthy competitor in the space. With that said our point still stands; if you don’t need 8K, you (and your wallet) will likely appreciate some of the other options below.

Our Rating: 9/10

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Samsung CRG9

Highest Resolution Ultrawide Monitor: Samsung CRG9 / Odyssey G9

Our next choice is one of the most featured monitors on What in Tech, excelling at being both being widest monitor worth buying and a screen excellently suited for gaming.

With a mouth-watering 5120 x 1440 / 5k resolution, this Samsung monitor instead chooses to use its 49-inch large pixel count to create a super ultrawide display that is effectively 2 1440p 27-inch screens in one monitor.

Not only do we love this from a perspective of productivity and multitasking, but we also think that Samsung’s approach to exploiting DPI in a 49-inch 32:9 aspect ratio is far more practical than the current 8k monitor on the market.

In other words: although this 5k display is lower resolution, we think many users will appreciate the premium feel of a double-width 27″ 1440p screen more than a 16:9 8k monitor.

This is true most of all for gamers.

With 120Hz, QLED, a fantastic color gamut capability, up to 1000-nits brightness / HDR1000, 4ms GTG response time & FreeSync Premium Pro support, the specs on this machine are incredible.

Not only is the picture quality fantastic, but the low latency, high refresh rate, and capability to avoid ghosting/tearing issues with FreeSync are all utilities that point to what a fantastic premium gaming display this is, whether you’re into single-player titles or competitive esports.

With a decent availability of gaming content supporting 32:9 (or the option to focus on a 16:9 game with things like Discord/Skype and other second-screen visuals), it’s hard to describe just how stunning and immersive content looks on this monitor.

Speaking of immersive, the CRG9 is also the highest resolution curved monitor available.

Boasting a 1800R curve that engulfs games/content around your vision to match the curvature of your eyes more ergonomically/naturally than a flat-screen (the G9 model takes this further and boasts a 1000R curve, the strongest one available in mainstream monitors if you think this would suit you).

Although marketed as a gaming monitor, we think the excellent picture quality, refresh rate, and latency will provide a premium experience to many other types of users; especially considering the price of the CRG9 is in many cases cheaper than “work-orientated” options of similar specs (but if you want other alternatives, our largest monitor feature has them).

Remember that if gaming isn’t on the menu, this is still 2 screens in one. With excellent productivity capability (including the option to connect 2 PCs/laptops at once and display them side-by-side).

If you are a gamer and can stretch your budget further, we highly recommend the other version on the Amazon listing; the Odyssey G9.

Not only is this the highest resolution gaming monitor, but one of the best for gamers in any category. It boasts a 240hz refresh rate & an even faster latency – it’s worth the additional price if you can afford it (but the CRG9 is still an excellent alternative if not).

Finally, I was pretty floored by the gorgeous aesthetic of both models in person. Looking like they could be part of a spaceship, their designs complement the unique innovation behind them, and what’s more; they’re sturdy enough to support real longevity. I’ve been disappointed previously in how some premium ultrawide choices seem to skimp out a little in this area so it’s nice to see these Samsung offerings feel like the full package.

All-in-all, if you’re interested in the unparalleled experience a super ultrawide display can offer, the CRG9 (or OG9) are the best 5K monitors, with incredible quality across the board.

Our Rating: 10/10

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LG 27MD5KL-B

Second Highest Resolution 16:9 Monitor: LG 27MD5KL-B

The last of my main 3 picks are for those who think a 5k resolution would be more suited for their needs over 8k, but also want to keep to the traditional 16:9 form factor over our ultrawide pick above.

The 27MD5KL is a fantastic premium monitor. Boasting an IPS panel with 99% DCI-P3 color, a typical brightness rating of 500 nits & a 1100:1 contrast ratio all alongside its 5120 x 2880 setup (the largest resolution monitor outside of 8k), the picture is stunning and for a majority of content, going to look as sharp as that of our top 8k choice.

Important note: The LG UltraFine display runs via USB-C; making it largely positioned as a MacBook/Mac high-resolution monitor. It is compatible with PC usage, however, but make sure you have a graphics card that can support the bandwidth necessary via USB Type-C instead of the usual HDMI/DisplayPort (I’ve still highlighted this for Windows users because the options for 16:9 5k are surprisingly slim, as most manufacturers instead produce ultrawide offerings at this res).

I wouldn’t recommend this pick (or any choices with 16:9 5k) for gaming. With a 16ms GTG response time and specs that are generally not as aligned for games (if you are focussed on a 16:9 screen over the Odyssey G9 above, we would push you towards a 4k 144hz display instead).

The monitor is slick, minimalist, and very aesthetically pleasing, as you would expect from LG, with no qualms about the build quality (and some basic adjustability options for ergonomics).

If 8k feels like overkill for your needs, the 27MD5KL is the best 5k monitor available.

Our Rating: 9/10

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Alternative Picks – Best of the Rest

The top 3 picks are the highest resolution displays today (and the best models in their respective categories).

That said, we wanted to include a couple of quick-fire additional options that may suit different lower budgets.

AOC U2790VQ

Best Cheap High-Resolution Monitor: AOC U2790VQ

If you are looking at our picks and salivating, but also tearing up at the price tags, don’t worry; we appreciate these are some very expensive monitor options.

If you can’t stretch to a premium offering, we highly recommend this AOC monitor, that still boasts stunning picture quality with 4K, which for budget users, will still provide incredibly gorgeous content.

Our Rating: 9/10

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Samsung 8k Q800T

Highest Resolution TV: Samsung 8k Q800T 

If you are a user that is open to using a TV as their monitor, the Q800T is an excellent choice; boasting 8K at an incredible price given the size of the screen, media, in particular, will look stunning on this offering.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

View on Amazon

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 8 Best 1440p 240hz Monitors of 2025

1440p 240hz Monitor

The 8 Best 1440p 240hz Monitors of 2025

1440p and 240hz? What a time to be alive!

For those after the best gaming display possible, this combination hits an incredible sweet spot between resolution and refresh rate, perfect for competitive and immersive titles.

Today’s feature is here to break down the best 1440p 240hz monitors available for your setup.

Top Picks

Best 1440p 240hz Monitor Alternatives

Upcoming 1440p 240hz Monitors

  • Eve Spectrum 1440p 240hz

Quick Word on Availability/Where to Buy 1440p 240hz Monitors

This technology is new to the market. Therefore there are, unfortunately, some issues with availability.

Amazon has by far the best selection as it stands, but we will also be including any upcoming 240hz 1440p monitors that may be worth considering and are regularly updating this list to ensure it’s as accurate as possible for availability/pricing.

Hopefully at least one of our top picks (which are all worthy of a high-end setup) are available for you. But if not, we’ve finished the list with some alternatives if you have no luck finding this spec of monitor available. Now, without further ado…

Alienware AW2721D

Overal Best 1440p 240hz Monitor: Alienware AW2721D

Arguably one of the most powerful gaming displays on the market today in any category at its price-point, this Alienware IPS QHD 240hz monitor is a beast.

We previously listed it as our top high-end pick. But over time, Alienware has lowered the price of this offering so it’s actually only slightly more expensive than the other mid-range choices (despite it offering significantly better specs in certain areas). You really feel like you’re getting a premium choice for a deceptively low price with the AW2721D.

Boasting Vega DisplayHDR 600, 1ms GTG response time, and a gorgeous IPS display, this offering has everything we would hope for to accommodate the beast-like 2560 x 1440 240hz leading the monitor’s specs (in other words, you don’t feel like you’re buying a monitor just for 240fps and QHD, the picture quality and latency matches the demands of a premium gaming/e-sports setup).

But let us specifically call out where this Alienware pick excels over the mid-range options below:

  • Up to 600-nits brightness is a fantastic feat with everything else the monitor offers; combined with HDR and the monitor’s contrast capabilities, you’re going to get some fantastic blacks/whites.
  • 98% DCI-P3 color coverage – an insane spec for a monitor focussed on resolution and framerate. You can expect a very vibrant, colorful picture.
  • One of the best build qualities of any gaming monitor on the market – with a beautiful, sturdy design, reliable tilt/swiveling options, and one of the best HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB output setups on the list.

We love how all of these specs have been built on an IPS panel. We would expect, with its clear quality across the board in color, contrast, and latency, for this Alienware offering to be on a TA/VN panel.

But that’s the beauty of this pick; it doesn’t feel like any corners have been cut.

If you’re in the market for the perfect display for esports, immersive gaming, or another type of high-end setup, we think this is the one for you.

At an incredible price for the way it balances refresh rate, picture quality, response time, build and design; this is, without doubt, the best 1440p 240hz monitor on the market today.

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Omen X 27 240 Hz 1ms Monitor

Best Budget 1440p 240hz Monitor: HP Omen X 27” 240 Hz 1ms Monitor

Update note: While this HP Omen choice is usually going to be one of the cheapest 240hz 1440p monitors available for you, be sure to check the prices of our top overall, curved, and second-best IPS options, as these are all occasionally on discount.

Ranking consistently as one of the top picks through all of our updates, this cheap 240hz 1440p HP monitor is fantastic, and our favorite TN panel choice.

The Omen X’s screen still boasts a lot of what gamers will look for in such a high-spec display, including:

  • 1ms response time: perfect for avoiding ghosting on hud-based games and blur on fast-motion titles
  • AMD Radeon Freesync 2 HDR & G-sync compatibility
  • With 90% DCI P3 color spectrum and up to 400 nits brightness, you’ll be getting fantastic color accuracy for TN.

Although the specs aren’t as good as our top pick, you can still expect a great picture quality for competitive gaming, immersive titles, media, and general use.

While a lot of people prefer IPS over a TN panel, the monitor still demonstrates sharp colors, blacks, and decent viewing angles.

With its low latency (1ms) and high refresh rate, this is one of the best monitors for Fortnite, PUBG, and readers who take competitive gaming/esports seriously but can’t stretch their budgets any further.

Having a reliable low input lag is, in our opinion, the most important quality in choosing the best budget 1440p 240hz monitor, so we’re pleased to see this pick retains that despite being one of the cheapest picks on the list.

The one notable downside of the Omen X is its stand/mount. While it looks fantastic, it’s disappointing that for this price-range, HP hasn’t included a rotatable/tiltable stand or easy cable routing/management options in the back.

With that said, the important thing here is the quality of the picture and response; and boy does the Omen X smash this department at a price we would not expect this to be achieved in.

Not only is this the best cheap 1440p 240hz monitor, but if it’s a very respectable alternative to our top Alienware pick, and worth picking up if that model is out of stock or your price range.

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SAMSUNG 32-inch Odyssey G7

Best Curved 1440p 240hz Monitor: SAMSUNG 32-inch Odyssey G7

We know that for many gamers, having a curved monitor is an important factor (if you’re never used one before, it’s hard to describe the additional immersion it can add in words).

If that describes you, then this Samsung QHD display is a fantastic choice and comes in at a very impressive low price-point (that often rivals our cheapest 1440p 240hz display picks).

With a choice of the usual 27″ size or a gorgeous large 32″ display, the Odyssey G7 comes with up to 600-nits brightness, 1ms grey to grey response time, and decent color accuracy. In other words, the Odyssey G7 still meets many of the specs integral to a premium gaming monitor.

The 1000R curve is stunning too. The angles from the curvature provide a unique, immersive bonus that suits what we think most people will be looking for.

This Samsung offering is a VA 1440p 240hz display; this panel type is good at balancing viewing angles/display quality and reliable response times at a lower price.

So with all that said, why isn’t this our top overall/budget choice? Well it is a close one to call, but the Odyssey G7 has a couple of slight cons:

  1. While the picture quality and brightness on this monitor is still great by most gaming display standards, the other main choices on this list come out slightly ahead in providing a very vibrant picture (especially the Alienware pick).
  2. Some users report G-sync issues in regards to flickering (though using this software isn’t a necessity for a great display and an overwhelming majority of users appear to have no issue)
  3. The package doesn’t include the high-quality cabling you’d expect for a premium monitor. To get the full potential of your picture, you’ll need to pick up some VEGA-certified cabling (it’s not a big deal, just a bit disappointing for a monitor of this caliber).

Now don’t mistake us; this is still a fantastic display.

The build quality/design is beautiful (as you’d expect from Samsung), the curvature is fantastic and nearly all the specs are very impressive for being one of the cheapest choices on this list.

If a curved gaming monitor is important to you, we think the Odyssey G7 is a great choice.

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SAMSUNG 49-inch Odyssey G9

Best Ultrawide 1440p 240hz Monitor (High-End Choice): SAMSUNG 49-inch Odyssey G9

What an incredible display this is.

Let’s start by being clear; this is the most expensive monitor choice on the list by far and is a very premium offering.

But if you have the budget, what you are getting is a pick that excels across the board and offers an unparalleled gaming/work screen real estate.

Let’s start with the obvious, and re-iterate; this is a 49″ super ultrawide 240hz monitor.

The “super” isn’t just a marketing term, this means the monitor extends beyond the usual UWQHD resolution of 3440×1440 (21:9) and is instead a whopping 5120×1440 (32:9).

Doubling the width of the standard 16:9 aspect ratio, what you are getting in the Odyssey G9 is essentially 2 traditional 1440p monitors in 1. 

Reaching this as QHD alone is impressive, but with 240hz too? This display is simply stunning and alongside its very deep 1000R curvature, offers incredible levels of immersion during gaming, and a wonderful space for productivity/general use

We’re pleased to say that this monitor excels in its other main specs too, with up to 1000 cd/m^2 and a 2500:1 contrast ratio, the blacks/whites and brightness on this display are breathtaking (especially with HDR1000 content).

Color-wise, you’re getting a 125% typical SRGB coverage, 0.95 DCI color gamut, and 92% Adobe RGB coverage. The panel is VA, but between these specs and the QLED backlighting/quantum-dot technology the display runs with, the monitor is still able to offer the kind of picture vibrancy you expect from a high-end choice.

We’re happy to still see a 1ms GTG response time here too, making the odyssey G9 a great choice for ultrawide gaming/esports, as well as ensuring minimal complications with ghosting/blur.

The G9 also boasts support for Radeon FreeSync Premium Pro, one of the latest monitor software technologies for gaming on very high-end displays.

Between all these specs, you can expect the gaming/general use experience to be one of the best you can find on the market.

Now, let’s talk build quality.

Samsung is usually pretty decent at providing beautiful, durable monitors, but this is one of our favorites from them in a while.

With a heavy, sturdy stand, the monitor certainly feels built to last, which is important for something with this aspect ratio and curvature.

Design-wise, I’m sure the pictures of the monitor speak for themselves; looking like it came out of Star Wars or the Avengers Tower, the G9 boasts a slick black/white aesthetic and a wonderfully unique (and customizable) RGB “infinity core” that tastefully lights the back of the machine.

This is definitely one of the best-looking monitors we’ve come across and perfectly suits the high-tech nature of what the product accomplishes.

What else is there to say? This is the most expensive monitor on the list, but you’re getting what you pay for with the G9.

If you want the best, and ultrawide appeals to you, we think you’ll love this pick.

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Acer Nitro XV272U Xbmiipruzx

Second Best IPS 1440p 240hz Monitor: Acer Nitro XV272U Xbmiipruzx

Don’t be deceived by the “second best” accolade; this Acer WQHD 240hz monitor is a fantastic offering and worthy of your consideration.

At one point our pick for the best 240hz 1440p display, the XV272U offers a lot of power at a very respectable price-point.

Built on an IPS display that uses agile-splendor technology to reach 0.5-1ms response times, the display manages to avoid the usual big disadvantage that a lot of gorgeous IPS screens have (i.e. higher latency than TN and VA panels). 0.5-1ms makes this extremely responsive and one of the best 1440p 240hz gaming monitors under $1,000.

The screen also boasts HDR400 & a great color gamut of 99% Adobe RGB. Tied with the IPS panel, you can expect gorgeous colors and sharp blacks/whites for gaming, watching media, and general use (if you’re after a higher nits monitor, then our top Alienware/Samsung picks are ideal, but 400-nits is a decent balance between price and brightness).

With the ability to use AMD FreeSync Premium (or Nvidia G-Sync if desired) the monitor is able to effectively minimize stuttering and screen-tearing which can be a worry for some higher refresh rate displays.

Speaking of refresh rates; while this Acer screen stands tall at 1440p 240hz, there is the option to overclock your display up to 270hz if using DisplayPort or USB Type-C. We’d recommend this monitor as highly even if it didn’t have this capability, so it’s a nice bonus-add and makes it the highest refresh rate 1440p monitor available.

The XV272U also boasts a great build quality. With very thin bezels on the sides and top, the nice screen-to-body ratio makes the Nitro work well in a multi-monitor setup. It comes with decent tilt, swivel, and height adjustment capability too.

Is there anything we don’t like about the XV272U Xbmiipruzx? Well, the model name is horrific, but we won’t drop points for that!

We’re floored by how this monitor manages to tick all the boxes for gaming, esports, and much more. It has a great build quality, gorgeous colors/brightness, a fantastic response time that is uncompromised by its beautiful IPS panel.

The only real issue is that some of its competition is just that much better; with the Alienware display reducing price slightly over time.

But if the top Alienware pick is out of stock, or the specs of this offering resonate more with you, then know it’s still one of the best 1440p 240hz monitor available today.

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AOC AGON AG273QZ

Lowest Response Time 1440p 240hz Monitor: AOC AGON AG273QZ

This TN 1440p 240hz monitor was one of the first major offerings on the market in its category.

It’s worth noting for one specific feature; a 0.5ms MPRT response time.

This is an impressive spec and really the single crowning feature of the monitor. It puts the offering in a good place (alongside Freesync) to be great, on paper, at ghosting/flicker reduction.

Alongside this are other respectable features like 400-nits brightness/HDR and fantastic build quality (even offering great rotation options for vertical monitor alignment).

So, why is this towards the bottom of our top picks?

Well, while the AG273QZ is a great monitor in its own right, the competition for the best 1440p 240hz monitor is fierce, and this offering is let down in some areas:

  • Even for a TN panel, the contrast ratio (745:1) is really disappointing on this screen, especially for its high-end price tag. The contrast on our other choices will (largely) look notably better.
  • While the other monitors on this list are mass-produced, the availability of the AG273QZ is fairly low (unless you’re in the UK/Europe, which has a better listing) – For the U.S., this results in some pretty heavy inflation/price gouging most of the time, and we expect our other choices will nearly always represent a better value for money.
  • Despite the fantastic MPRT response time, some users have noted issues with flickering on this monitor, which is disappointing given this should be the problem the AG273QZ is best at avoiding.

Finally, the monitor has a 1ms GTG response time, the same as a majority of our top picks. It’s also a little less obvious to find this spec next to the constantly advertised 0.5ms MPRT, which we find a tad deceiving. Yes, with the MPRT latency, this can still be considered a very responsive monitor, but in 2021, fast IPS technology has really narrowed the gap between the practical difference between TN and IPS.

It’s a controversial opinion, but thinking TN is better than IPS for gaming is becoming an outdated view (at least at the highest price-ranges), pro players across pretty much all genres are happy with 1ms GTG/MPRT.

Even if your concern is exclusively competitive, the argument could be made that the improved contrast/picture quality of something like our top Alienware pick would serve you better in identifying surroundings on screen as quickly as possible. While the difference between 0.5 and 1ms is technically noticeable for humans, it’s just not as big a deal compared to the myriad of other effects once we get to this level.

With all that said, if having the lowest response time monitor is the most important thing to do, then know we still gave it a spot on the list for a reason.

The AG273QZ is a great 1440p 240hz monitor if you can live with its shortcomings.

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AOC AGON AG273QZ

Honorable Mention: Porsche Design AOC Agon PD27

While we don’t give the PD27 one of our “top spots”, it’s worth your consideration if the other monitors are out of stock/price gouged (or if you happen to be very aesthetic focussed).

Boasting many of the same specs as the Odyssey G7 (likely because this display was built on a very similar Samsung panel), the PD27 comes with a great 1000R curve, decent color accuracy (119.76% sRGB), a VA panel, and HDR400.

The PD27, like the AOC display above, also boasts a 0.5ms MPRT response time (this is great to see, but we won’t repeat why we think it’s not as important as you might think as we cover that in the pick directly above).

One stand out feature, as you would expect from a Porsche collaboration, is a gorgeous, very sturdy metal frame. There’s no denying this is a beautiful monitor, we appreciate the craftsmanship and know that some of our readers may get a bit of a vanity kick from the slick Porsche Design logo running across the front (don’t worry, we’re not judging you!).

These are pretty decent features for a QHD 240hz monitor, but there are a couple of reasons why we don’t rank it quite as highly as our other picks.

In a lot of ways, this feels like a head-to-head pick with the Odyssey G7. The G7 offers a notably improved HDR600 over the Porsche’s HDR400 and is usually around 10% cheaper.

To get improved HDR/typical brightness for a lower cost sounds like a good deal to us. Of course, some of you may consider the cost/reduced HDR a worthy trade-off for the sleek design of the PD27.

And if that’s worth it to you, that’s totally fine! We just already like the design of the G7 and its build is not lacking in sturdiness, therefore it feels like the better pick for a majority of setups.

We dislike that there are not too many user experiences for the PD27 to confirm if there are any issues after some medium-term usage too (the Amazon reviews are all for a different 120hz UW model).

With all that said, this 240hz 1440p monitor is still a great product, and have included it for a reason. We only rank it a little lower because of the quality of its peers.

If the design/brand speaks deeply to you, or you were after the G7 and happen to catch a rare point where the PD27 is cheaper, then by all means go for this monitor, it’s still a great choice for a high-end setup.

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Alternative Options

Unfortunately in the world of 1440p 240hz displays, we’re occasionally seeing these great screens without any availability.

If that is the case for you, don’t fret! The below 2 options are great alternative choices should you want to complete your setup and the above aren’t available.

Alternatively, we have monitor features on 4k 144hz, 1440p 144hz ultrawide and the highest refresh rate monitors available which are all suitable for a premium gaming setup.

Dell S2719DGF

Best 1440p 155hz Monitor: Dell S2719DGF

Capable of a fantastic picture and still boasting an excellent refresh rate, the S2719DGF is a perfect compromise between achieving smoothness and resolution you can’t get in 60hz and 1080p

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ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM

Best 240hz Monitor: ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM

If your focus is more on ensuring you have a 240 fps monitor (e.g. if you’re a competitive gamer or simply value high refresh rate over anything else), the VG279QM is the best we’ve found in the full HD range

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How we chose the best 1440p 240hz Monitors

Considering this technology is brand new and targetted for gamers after the best setup possible, this list has focussed on picks that specifically tick nearly all the boxes, as we don’t expect someone wants to pay for a high-end monitor without a decent, responsive picture and reliable build.

With that in mind, the top picks have been ranked based on:

  • Panel type – When considering VA vs TN vs IPS monitors, some publications/gamers may favor choosing TN options for the perceived low latency. While this is a sensible choice at lower price ranges, the technology available for these premium monitors means that IPS displays, with their typically improved color vibrancy, also offer comparably low response times even for the likes of competitive gaming. Therefore we consider IPS (especially our Alienware pick) the best choice for most readers (if you like VA or TN however, the Samsung Odyssey and HP Omen monitors are respectively great choices and perfect for lower budgets).
  • Black vs white sharpness – With consideration to the average and maximum nits brightness availability, as well as HDR features and contrast ratios to ensure the top picks have a deep image.
  • Color vibrancy – With attention paid to the various color gamuts used to measure the top picks (as well as IPS panel superiority in a majority of cases).
  • Response time – Respecting that many readers are after the best esports/competitive gaming monitor, we’ve ensured our top picks are weighed against their low latency capabilities. This includes consideration for GTG versus other latency recording methods; all of our top picks are extremely responsive, with our top Alienware choice shining in this regard (impressive considering its IPS panel use).
  • Supporting Software – Technology like AMD Freesync, Nvidia G-Sync (and Freesync 2 and G-Sync Ultimate for some of our premium choices), ensuring our top picks have suitable software in place to reduce risks of stuttering and screen tearing at high refresh rates.
  • Port availability – Our top picks have decent DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB outputs available as you would expect in high-end picks for PC gaming.
  • Build quality – Monitors were ranked with consideration for their durability, stand quality, and designs; with nearly every monitor excelling in all of these areas (save perhaps the HP Omen’s stand, which makes up for it with its low price).

And of course, all of these factors have been tallied up against each respective model’s price.

We’re pleased to report that for this technology, we were expecting a majority of the choices on this list to be even more expensive than what they are in reality. Yes, these are pricey displays, but you’re really getting some immense, future-proofed value for a premium setup.

Final Word

And there you have it! After deliberating against our criteria, the above options are easily the best 1440p 240hz monitors available today for gaming, media, and general use.

While we will continue to update this article regularly (already having gone through several iterations), we would say that if you’re in the market now; it’s a great time to buy.

The best options have remained relatively stable for some time, and no upcoming choice looks to significantly rival the quality of our favorite choices.

So with that said, whether you’re going for our top pick, on a budget, or considering the premium option, we think you’ll love picking up one of these 2K 240hz screens as your future main display.

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About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 15 Best Monitor Brands in 2025 (Gaming, Work & More)

Monitor Brands

The 15 Best Monitor Brands in 2025

I updated this feature to cover the latest releases of 2025. None of the brand picks have changed, but I’ve updated a couple of the monitor recommendations throughout the article.

Are Dell monitors good?

Is HP overpriced?

When searching for your next display, it can be overwhelming when you’re met with so many options, one of your many questions is likely which PC monitor brands you should consider.

Well, today, we will be helping you answer just that!

This feature will take you through everything from the best gaming monitor brands, to the best manufacturers for work displays. We’ll also include where each brand shines the most.

The Top 7
  • Best Overall Monitor Brand: Dell / Alienware
  • Best Gaming Monitor Brand: ASUS
  • Runner-Up Best Monitor Brand: Samsung
  • Runner-Up Best Gaming Monitor Brand: Acer
  • Solid All-Round PC Monitor Brand: HP / Omen
  • Great Brand for High-End Monitors: LG
  • Fantastic Gaming Monitor Brand: BenQ

Worth Considering

  • Best Budget Gaming Monitor Brand: AOC
  • Second Best Budget Monitor Brand: Sceptre
  • Great Gaming Monitor Brand: MSI
  • Great Brand for Video Editing / General Use: Philips
  • Great Monitor Brand for Work Display: Lenovo
  • Cheapest Monitor Brand: Viewsonic
  • Cheapest High-Spec Monitor Brand: Viotek
  • Good Gaming Monitor Brand: Gigabyte

Honorable Mentions

  • Good But Limited: Razer
  • Cheapest PC Monitor Brand Alternative: Pixio
  • Cheapest High-Spec Monitor Brand Alternative: Nixeus
  • Limited Cheap Monitor Brand: Monoprice

The Top 7

We’ve ranked this list into 3 parts; “The Top 7” & “Worth Considering” for the best 15 brands, and a few more “Honorable Mentions” for certain companies who we don’t rank as the best, but shouldn’t be completely written off.

Our 7 front-runners are the best monitor manufacturers at balancing great screen specs, gorgeous design/build quality, reputation, and price.

Bear in mind that these manufacturers have 100s of different monitors and who is best will often depend on your needs (resolution, framerate, budget, etc.).

This is why we’ve included the best picks for each brand to guide you while we go.

Dell SE2719h

Best Overall Monitor Brand: Dell / Alienware

At the top of our list is the behemoth manufacturer in all things technology.

Texas-founded Dell has always been a frontrunner in providing a great mixture of budget desktops with everything a simple general/work users would want, and then higher-end displays with great color gamuts, contrast ratios and build qualities.

At this point, however, what makes us consider Dell the best manufacturer overall is their ownership of the Alienware brand.

With this combination, Dell now has something for everybody:

  • Cheap IPS panels that offer great budget use
  • Mid-range monitors for gaming, video/photo work, or a premium office setup
  • With Alienware; high-end monitors that represent the best display technology on offer today with incredible options for premium gamers.

A huge majority of their options also come at a very competitive price-point (you don’t feel like you’re paying an unfair amount for the reputation/service of a well-known brand with many of Dell’s screens).

Our main highlighted monitor today is the SE2719h. This display is one of the best balances between specs and price for your standard user.

With a 27 inch screen, IPS panel, fantastic picture quality for the price, and all hosted in a gorgeous build quality/design, there’s a reason why this is one of the most popular monitors on the market (and with its thin bezels, would be perfect for a dual-screen setup).

For gamers, the Alienware AW2721D is one of the best monitors for gaming today and tops our list of 1440p 240hz screens (a very hard category with a lot of competition). This is a premium monitor of course, and we have more budget-friendly options highlighted by other manufacturers below.

With something for everybody, and often with specs/prices rivaling other frontrunners, we think Dell is on the top of their game today and well deserving of the best PC monitor brand accolade.

2025 update: Dell, alongside their Alienware subsidiary, remain my top pick for 4 years running. With a solid stream of new releases and some fantastic products old and new that stand the test of time, Dell has done a good job at providing options for every major use type and budget in today’s market.

Best Dell Monitor
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27VH1B

Best Gaming Monitor Brand: ASUS

While Dell is very capable in the gaming sector (especially at the premium range with Alienware), ASUS gives them a run for their money in this category and is equally worth your consideration.

With a huge range of monitors, Taiwanese-based ASUS has its fingers in all of the gaming pies; with some very innovative monitors in the high and low-end price points.

Where we think they shine most, however, is in the mid-range offerings.

Few (if any) monitor companies have more compelling balances between specs for the average gamer, build quality, and price.

Taking our best ASUS monitor pick, the VG27VH1B, as an example: offering 165/144hz options, very fast 1ms MPRT response time, a decent 1500R immersive curvature, AMD Freesync & Nvidia G-sync compatibility, a fantastic 120% sRGB color gamut great technology for sharp blacks all hosted in a full HD 27″ offering with perfect, close-to-frameless build quality.

For all of this to come in its relatively cheap price tag is a fantastic offering and demonstrates just how capable ASUS are of providing some of the best value monitors for gaming.

Don’t count them out if you’re after a more expensive offering too; we constantly feature ASUS across our articles touting more premium specs like the highest Hz, 1440p 240hz, 4k 144hz & 1440p 144hz ultrawide monitors.

While there are a few great contenders on this list for gaming, ASUS offers the best balance of specs and value in today’s market and is our pick for the best gaming monitor manufacturer.

Best ASUS Monitor
SAMSUNG 49-Inch Odyssey G9

Runner-Up Best Monitor Brand: Samsung

Our next display manufacturer is one that needs no introduction…

One of the biggest players in the TV space, Samsung has extended its reach to providing its efficient screen supply chains to create high-quality monitors and very competitive offerings in some of the main PC display categories.

Samsung positions many of its offerings as business monitors, with lightweight, cheap yet deceptively decent LED screens leading their budget range, their monitors are a compelling choice if you want a great picture quality for general use/media without breaking the bank.

Our best Samsung monitor pick is a shining example of that; the LS24R356FZNXZA is a gorgeous full HD display hosted in a fantastic shell and is a very close competitor to our top Dell pick if you’re after something simple but capable of a beautiful picture for the price (we’d go for whichever is cheaper at the time of viewing if this describes you).

For gaming; we wouldn’t recommend Samsung in most cases for budget/mid-range offerings, but they do have some mouth-watering expensive gaming displays. Our favorite of which is the Odyssey G9, with its QHD, 1000R Curve, 240hz setup in a super-ultrawide aspect ratio (essentially, 2 16:9 screens in one) and dual DisplayPort output, this is arguably the best gaming monitor on the market for those after next-level immersion.

While not our #1 pick due to its gaps in non-premium gaming, Samsung is a behemoth for a reason.

With the company’s huge capability in producing high-quality LED panels, they are easily one of the best monitor brands for work setups (and gaming if your budget is very high!). 

Best Samsung Monitor
Acer Nitro XFA243Y Sbiipr 23.8

Runner-Up Best Gaming Monitor Brand: Acer

Although we rank ASUS as the best brand for gaming monitors, it was a close race, and just behind them is another Taiwanese powerhouse.

While far from exclusively focussed on gaming, this area is where Acer really shines. With some very compelling options in budget, mid-range, and premium, we often feature Acer for their innovative products, leading the pack for 1440p 144hz ultrawide screens.

We appreciate Acer is also good at balancing offerings with TN, VA, and IPS panels, allowing them to cater to a wide range of user requirements and budgets.

Our best Acer monitor pick is one to rival the ASUS offering above if your budget is just a little tighter.

With a smaller screen size but still boasting a gorgeous quality full HD screen, 1ms response time, and 144hz, the XFA240 bmjdpr contains all the necessities of a gaming monitor (including DisplayPort/HDMI, G-Sync, and more) if you don’t need a 27-inch display at a price that feels like a steal to still get such a quality product from a very reputable brand.

All in all, Acer is one of the best gaming monitor manufacturers in the field today and is easily one of the companies you should focus your searches on when looking for your next immersive setup, whatever the price range.

Best Acer Monitor
Omen X 27” 240 Hz

Solid All-Round PC Monitor Brand: HP / Omen

Don’t be deceived by us not ranking HP as the top/runner-up overall pick, we’ve called these brands the top 7 for a reason!

Californian-based Hewlett-Packard doesn’t have quite the same level of offerings in the mid/high-range, but they have some really fantastic products for a budget office/general use monitor.

Leading that charge is one of the best budget options on the list; the 1D0J9AA.

With the fantastic, sleek build quality you expect from HP hosting a full HD screen with respectable specs; you’re, of course, not going to get the best picture quality at this price range.

But for the budget users? We’re quite floored by how HP has packed such a beautiful offering in this price-tag. Especially considering many larger brands often opt to add what feels like a “tax” to purchase from a reputable manufacturer with decent customer service.

This would be a great option for an office setup (even purchasing multiple units to run a productive multi-screen environment).

On the gaming front, HP’s sub-brand, Omen, doesn’t rule the roost as much as ASUS, Alienware, and Acer, but in certain categories, has some of the best value options.

Our favorite example is in the 1440p 240hz category; whereby the Omen X is one of the cheapest screens in the category, capable of offering a high-end gaming experience at a deceptive low premium price.

While there are some gaps in the mid-range, if you’re looking for a budget monitor that still has a great reputable company behind it, or like the look of some of the high-end value offerings from Omen, know that HP is still without a doubt one of the top PC monitor manufacturers today.

Best HP Monitor
LG 34WN80C-B

Great Brand for High-End Monitors: LG

If you’re in the market for a premium display, either for top-quality video/photo editing, gaming, or other professional usages, LG is one of the best choices for you.

With a rich experience in the display market, this South-Korean company seems to really understand the demands of users on the premium end, creating some fantastic screen innovations to match these demands like 4k, top-end color gamuts, and contrast ratios, while still boasting compelling price tags.

Our favorite example of this is the 34WN80C-B. With its stunning WQHD setup (in other words, 1440p ultrawide resolution) hosting an HDR10 compatible IPS panel with a superb color gamut, this screen would be a productivity dream for pretty much any kind of work user. We also cover a cheaper 1080p alternative here.

For gaming, LG has a host of other premium innovations on the market and we consistently feature them in many of our gaming monitor posts.

The most impressive amongst them is the incredibly feature-reach 27GN950-B, which is the highest Hz 4k monitor available today, and easily one of the best in any high-res/refresh rate combo category when considering its other specs, build quality, and price. Despite being aimed at gaming, this would also be a dream for 4k video editing work.

While other PC monitor companies seem to come out on top when considering the best picks for a basic office display or a budget gaming monitor, LG is among the best for really cutting-edge screens.

If you’re after the best money can buy (while still retaining impressive value at higher price-tags) LG is one of the top monitor brands for you.

Best LG Monitor
BenQ Zowie XL2566K

Fantastic Gaming Monitor Brand: BenQ

Last but most definitely not least is a company that has stormed the market in the last decade or so to match many of the largest gaming display manufacturers.

While we give Acer and ASUS the top accolades for gamer monitor brands, we can comfortably say BenQ is on the same level as them and is particularly impressive for those after an esports monitor or someone focusing on fast, reflex-based gameplay (note: Acer/ASUS monitors are great at this too, we’re just talking about in general, for those with a focus on latency above all else).

While the company has plenty of offerings for more immersive titles and even non-gaming, their best capability is when they’re focussed on designing screens for the competitive gaming scene at modest price-points, this will include the highest frame rates, lowest latencies, and lots of quality-of-life features an esports enthusiast will demand to take the edge.

Our pick for the best BenQ monitor is the perfect personification of all of these great traits; the BenQ ZOWIE XL2566K is arguably the best esports monitor at its price range.

At a mid-range budget, the screen manages to pack in a 240hz refresh rate and a visual setup specifically designed to better highlight environmental details (e.g. help the player notice enemy movement ASAP).

On top of that, it boasts great adjustability, a quick-settings change remote, and customizable sideways sliders to avoid distractions in your peripheral; all examples of the great mini-features you often see in BenQ innovations.

For good old-fashioned immersive gaming, this stuff might be overkill.

But for esports players? Having the extra edge in the competition can be what really makes a monitor stand out, which is why we still consider BenQ one of the best gamer monitor brands today.

Best BenQ Monitor

Worth Considering

The next section contains some monitor manufacturers who we may not think of as the same level as the top 7, but are still great and will often have offerings to compete with the above brands in certain specific specs/price-ranges.

AOC C24G1 24

Best Budget Gaming Monitor Brand: AOC

AOC is a fantastic gaming display company often capable of producing options that offer comparable value to the top 7 or sometimes offer worthy budget options by sacrificing an optional spec (e.g. a cheap panel type, fast but slightly slower latency).

The AOC C24G1 is a fantastic budget gaming monitor offering 144hz, 1ms, and a 1500R curve all in one affordable package.

Best AOC Monitor
Spectre C345W-2560UN

Second Best Budget Monitor Brand: Sceptre

Sceptre has really impressed us as of late, with their commitment to often undercutting larger brands with very comparable specs.

Yes, you won’t always have the same exact specs or a large reputable brand behind manufacturing, but if you want a premium experience on a budget, we think this is a great option.

Take the C345W-2560UN as an example, which is an absurdly cheap gaming ultrawide monitor – we would not expect to see one geared for gaming at this price, but they managed it!

Best Sceptre Monitor
MSI Optix MAG27CQ

Great Gaming Monitor Brand: MSI

A lot of people might be surprised to not see MSI in the top 7.

As great as the company is, we think that their monitor offerings that compete with other brands are limited (and have some history of less impressive customer service).

There is one huge exception though, the Optix MAG27CQ is one of the best gaming monitors on the market, balancing a QHD, curved, 144hz setup in fantastic build quality and price, this single monitor is so good it pretty much puts the company into this category alone!

Best MSI Monitor
PHILIPS 346E2CUAE

Great Brand for Video Editing / General Use: Philips

Philips is a great TV brand that needs no introduction.

While we don’t rate them as high in some monitor categories (not competing with the budget office picks or expensive gamer options), they are a really nice player when it comes to high-quality picture specs for production-focused setups or someone after a nice media/general use screen hybrid.

The 346E2CUAE is a superb example, with a gorgeous 1440p ultrawide screen made better by its excellent contrast and color gamut, it represents what Philips is great at: focussing on picture quality above all else.

Best Philips Monitor
Lenovo Q24h-10

Great Monitor Brand for Work Display: Lenovo

Lenovo is a company we love for its domination in the laptop market.

But they are also a decent manufacturer of some aesthetically pleasing, well-specced monitor setups for work (no surprise, as work has always been a leading focus of this brand).

Standing at the top of their offerings is the fantastic Lenovo Q24h-10. With QHD, a great picture quality, and one of the most beautiful thin designs we’ve seen in any monitor, this display exemplifies Lenovo as a great choice for someone looking to build a premium work environment.

Best Lenovo Monitor
ViewSonic VA2446MH-LED

Cheapest Monitor Brand: Viewsonic

Viewsonic isn’t a powerhouse brand like many of the ones we’ve mentioned today.

But as far as the companies that focus on the absolute cheapest possible? We think they’re arguably the best for the lower-range choices.

Take the VA2446MH for example, yes it has an included VGA cable instead of HDMI, sure the speakers will be the bare minimum.

But for a full HD monitor with a decent picture quality at this price? If you can’t afford anything more, they’re a respectable option.

Best Viewsonic
Viotek GNV34DBE

Cheapest High-Spec Monitor Brand: Viotek

What if you want to fork out on hardware that is impressive say, in resolution, framerate, and/or latency, but have a very limited budget?

This is Viotek’s specialty, often sacrificing some spec to sell a relatively comparable monitor to its competitors at 10-20% less of the price.

The GNV34DBE is their best offering, which is 15% cheaper than the average curved 1440p 144hz ultrawide gaming monitor and has likely achieved this through its slightly slower 4ms latency.

For some gamers (like those focusing on single-player titles like Cyberpunk 2077/Red Dead Redemption 2), the difference between 1ms and 4ms will be insignificant, so we appreciate Biotek, despite not being a huge brand, still has carved a respectable space for a certain type of user.

Best Viotek Monitor
AORUS FI27Q-P

Good Gaming Monitor Brand: Gigabyte

Gigabyte, a huge reputable brand in motherboards, GPUs, and laptops, has a few great options in the monitor space (we just don’t rank this company higher due to only having a few options and being a tad more expensive for what you’re getting).

The FI27Q-P is one of the best 1440p monitors for gaming if you have the budget; with up to 165hz, gorgeous colors/contrast, and perhaps the most beautiful monitor design we’ve seen at the price point (with tons of adjustability options).

Best Gigabyte

Honorable Mentions

While we don’t consider these brands part of the top 15, we wanted to include them as there may still be a situation or two where you might be rightly inclined to pick them for your next PC monitor.

Razer Raptor 27

Good But Limited: Razer

Everybody knows Razer; a gaming company geared for selling high-spec, beautiful products at a premium.

They only have 1 monitor offering right now, the Razer Raptor, which is why we wouldn’t give them any large accolade.

But the Raptor is a great choice in itself! With stunning picture quality and a beautiful design. You are paying more for the brand and aesthetic, but if it speaks to you, it’s a strong option for a gaming setup.

Best Razer Monitor
Pixio PX248 Prime S

Cheapest PC Monitor Brand Alternative: Pixio

Pixio is another choice if you’re very tight on cash and none of our competitors seem to have something for you.

We do think Viewsonic is usually the better choice for ultra-cheap displays, however.

Best Pixio Monitor
Nixeus EDG 34

Cheapest High-Spec Monitor Brand Alternative: Nixeus

Nixeus is a little like Viotek; a brand trying to compete with many of the premium offerings on the market.

Our issue is, they tend to be at a similar price to the Top 7 or where not, lacking in stability across their products (e.g. complaints of G-Sync not fixing ghosting in games).

They’re not a bad manufacturer, but we can’t help but ask “why go for Nixeus if Dell, ASUS, Acer, etc. offer something similar?”.

Best Nixeus Monitor
Monoprice 35 Inch Zero-G

Limited Cheap Monitor Brand: Monoprice

Monoprice is a respectable monitor brand in a few very limited scenarios, usually not competing with other value options.

Perhaps the biggest exception is the Monoprice 35in Zero-G, which offers a very impressive value for a UWQHD 35 inch setup.

Best Monoprice Monitor

Final Word

And there you have it! The above are our top choices for the best monitor manufacturers available and we expect in most cases, the monitor you’re looking at should be amongst these companies.

We’ll re-iterate one last time; most of our top picks have tons of choices, this list is about summarising the best average performance of a brand.

For example; even though we cite ASUS as the best gaming display brand, don’t assume that they are the best in every gaming category, it will depend on your individual needs.

So with that said, focus on our top product picks for each brand, or check out our other monitor features here (or below) to find the perfect screen for you!

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 12 Largest Computer Monitors in 2025 (Gaming, Work & More)

Largest Computer Monitors

The 12 Largest Computer Monitors in 2025

The best options at extra-large form factors

Largest Computer Monitors

We updated this article in January to cover some of the latest releases on the market. Our top pick, the Asus PG65UQ, remains the largest monitor by some margin but is now rarely in stock and arguably not as good as the other picks we’ve highlighted. I’d encourage anyone serious about buying a large monitor to go for one of the other choices instead of waiting out for the Asus PG65UQ.

When it comes to work and PC gaming, there’s nothing quite like using a massive monitor.

Resolutions have climbed in recent years to the point that the best monitor manufacturers have begun offering some seriously huge options that still have suitable DPIs for a PC setup.

But the biggest monitor doesn’t always mean the best quality.

So, today’s feature is here to not just here to guide you through the largest computer monitors, but also the ones worth buying after my many reviews through the world of monitors (with different uses, sizes and budgets in mind).

1

Asus ROG Swift PG65UQ

Largest Computer Monitor

Asus ROG Swift PG65UQ

Our Rating: 8/10

Check Price

Read Review

2

LG OLED55CXPUA

Largest OLED TV for Monitor Use

LG OLED55CXPUA

Our Rating: 10/10

Check Price

Read Review

3

Samsung Odyssey G9

Widest Computer Monitor

Samsung Odyssey G9

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Check Price

Read Review

4

Dell U4919DW

Largest Monitor for Work:

Dell U4919DW

Our Rating: 9/10

Check Price

Read Review

5

Philips Momentum 558M1RY

Largest 16:9 Monitor – Cheap Pick

Philips Momentum 558M1RY

Our Rating: 9/10

Check Price

Read Review

Asus ROG Swift PG65UQ

Largest Computer Monitor: Asus ROG Swift PG65UQ

2025 update: The PG65UQ is still the largest monitor available, but I’ve seen it run into a bunch of stock issues recently; it’s rarely been available.

With that said, as my review highlights, this monitor may be the largest, but it’s not the best choice for most.

My strong recommendation? Check out the other picks in this list; if you need do need a 60″+ monitor, the OLED TV is a great replacement, if you want a traditional monitor, the super ultrawide picks below are fantastic.

We’ll start by saying for many users (business/gaming focussed alike) we don’t think this size is necessarily the best pick-up, which is why we’ve focussed on 43″-55″ monitors in most of this feature.

We also think that our next OLED TV choice will likely suit a majority of PC users better for far less cost if you do want an enormous size.

With that said, no list of the largest computer monitors would be complete without the PG65UQ.

Boasting an incredible 65″ size alongside its 4K resolution, DisplayHDR1000 capability, 144hz refresh rate & 95% DCI-P3 & 4ms GTG response time. The PG65UQ has some fantastic capability not just as a gaming monitor, but also as one suitable for media & general use.

With G-Sync ultimate support, there’s great onboard functionality for avoiding v-sync/ghosting issues; this is integral for a display of this refresh rate/size, where screen tearing and other common issues are even more visible if no high-end screen sync technology is in place.

The build quality is also everything I would hope for in a premium display. With a sturdy design that feels built for longevity, not to mention incredibly thin bezels and a subtlely tasteful ASUS logo illuminating underneath.

So with all that said, why do I suggest something slightly smaller?

Well, although the PG65UQ is a beast, we assume that most reading this list will be looking for a PC monitor for gaming, media, or business/general use.

While it fits nearly all the specs perfectly, there is one problem; the 2160p resolution may be a lot, but at 65-inches, it begins to slightly show with a lacking DPI at this enormous screen size.

If you’re in the market for a premium monitor, we expect you’ll be after sharp text and crisp game detail even while sitting relatively close. If this is the case, our 43″-55″ monitors are the better choice, boasting the DPI we think is more suited for a PC experience.

If, however, you’re primarily after a monitor for gaming from afar with a console, then that issue is largely negated.

But there is another lacking area for you; there is no HDMI 2.1 output.

HDMI 2.1 introduces significantly better bandwidth rates and empowers you to play at high refresh rates/resolutions on PS5/Xbox Series X. To buy a monitor of this caliber without it seems wasteful for console gamers (if you’re focussed on PC gaming from afar with DisplayPort, then we have no qualms, and this is a great choice).

If you are in that console-gamer category, or a PC gamer who isn’t opposed to an OLED TV as a primary monitor, we would instead highly recommend the LG CX OLED pick a little further down.

For a significantly smaller price tag, you are getting an HDMI 2.1 display that excels in picture quality, contrast, while also being put together to counter the usual complaints about using a TV as a monitor (i.e. very high refresh rate and low latency).

Although this all sounds like a negative take, we do in fact, really like the PG65UQ. We just think the next pick trumps it in a majority of ways.

If your singular goal is the largest computer monitor possible and you would like to avoid an OLED TV for your setup, then this is the choice for you.

Its DPI may be a tad low, but with its fantastic HDR, color, and refresh rate, it’s still a fantastic gaming monitor and beautifully encapsulates so much of what you want in a big format gaming display/BFGD.

Our Rating: 8/10

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LG OLED55CXPUA

Largest OLED TV for Gaming or Work: LG OLED55CXPUA

I alluded in my review above that for console gamers focused on a premium experience, this OLED TV choice will be better for you than the other options on the list.

That said, this isn’t just for console gamers; if you’re not a user concerned about the effects of OLED burn-in, I think this is arguably the best choice for nearly any user after an extra-large monitor.

This includes those after something for media, general use, or business work. I think you’d be pleasantly surprised by what’s on offer here even if you were intending to avoid TVs.

If you haven’t experienced an OLED before, it’s hard to describe just how incredible the endless contrast ratio can look versus traditional LEDs. With the deepest blacks, and an incredible color range, the picture quality available here is the best on the list.

For general/work use, the sharp contrast is perfect for displaying anything from documents to media, to trading/production software in crisp detail.

Now, the worry with a TV for use with gaming and as a PC monitor replacement is its latency/refresh rate.

But LG has impressively innovated a massive 4k screen that boasts 120hz, G-Sync/Freesync support, and response times as low as 1ms.

I really can’t articulate just how good you can expect your content to look on this screen. These secondary specs essentially completely negate what often makes TVs worse than monitors for PC users.

And for console gamers, this TV supports HDMI 2.1 which is integral to gaming on high refresh rates/resolutions with the latest console generation.

The screen is amazing in lots of ways, but this alone is why I rate this LG TV as superior to any extra-large monitor for console use.

Whether you’re focused on immersive titles, competitive gaming, or non-gaming content, the LG CX ticks pretty much every box.

Size-wise, the largest available is as high as 77-inches, larger than the biggest PC monitor available today.

For most users, I would recommend the 55-inch (at a stretch 65-inch) if you plan to be up close and use it as a monitor replacement due to the decreasing DPI at the top sizes (if you plan to mainly consume content from further away, however, any size is great!).

You may have also noticed that compared to a similar PC monitor like the Alienware 55-inch AW5520QF, this LG TV runs at around half the price.

So, with all of this excitement, there is one caution to mention: OLED TVs carry the risk of burn-in, and the LG CX is no exception.

Burn-in can occur when certain pixels (especially bright colors) are set in the same position for a long period of time over many usages.

Due to the way OLED TVs are created, this can create a slightly transparent permanent “etching” of those pixels.

For TV/console gamers, the issue is minimal as your content will always be moving. The main concern here is when used as a PC monitor, most notably the Windows 10 logo in the bottom left is the main risk for minor burn-in. Or, if you’re a gamer focussed on a single title (e.g. a MOBA or MMO with a static UI) you may carry some small risk.

I’ll be clear though. In my experience, this is a very minor risk (I wouldn’t be featuring it if it was a more emergent issue). Burn-in is reminiscent of plasma TVs; yes it’s possible, but as long as you’re not leaving your monitor on all the time with the exact same pixel arrangement in certain areas (i.e. turning off/running a screensaver during idle moments) then the immense cost saving of the LG TV over the more expensive monitors makes it more than worth it.

Finally, while not straying away from the traditional TV design conventions, the LG CX looks very sharp, understated, sturdily built, and incredibly thin (it’s heavy at larger sizes, but still capable of VESA mounting).

So, with everything said, the LG CX doesn’t just offer the largest PC monitor replacement available with an incredible picture but also does so at a fraction of the price compared to the enormous monitor offerings.

If you can get on board with using a TV as your monitor/gaming solution, I think you’ll love the LG CX.

2025 update: With its great price in mind, the CX series is still our top pick for the best large gaming TV in 2025. That said, LG has released an updated C1 version. The models are fairly similar, with the C1 having some updated software and an improved game mode setting that will take off a few extra milliseconds of latency (nice, but not essential at all). If you are extra serious about having the largest monitor, the C1 comes in an 83-inch version (it’s a very steep increase in price, however, so only consider it if you have a huge budget).

Our Rating: 10/10

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Samsung Odyssey G9

Widest Computer Monitor: Samsung Odyssey G9

Moving away from the largest 16:9 screens, Samsung instead positioned itself in the market with a focus on super ultrawide screens.

This naming convention may sound like a gimmick, but it refers to the 32:9 aspect ratio of the Odyssey G9. With a 5k resolution (5120 x 1440), this 49-inch monitor is the size of 2 1440p 27-inch screens in 1.

As far as work, general use, and other typical PC applications go, the utility of this is obvious; super ultrawide screens are perfect for productivity and multitasking.

While I recommend a Dell 49″ 32:9 screen further below that’s tailored for work, I think the Odyssey G9 is more than capable of a fantastic business use setup (and is notably cheaper than the other offering). I’ve had the chance to work on it in a limited setup and it didn’t leave me wanting in any way.

But it’s gaming where the Odyssey G9 really shines.

With a 240hz refresh rate, 1ms GTG response time, G-Sync/FreeSync Premium Pro support, HDR1000 capability & fantastic colors through its QLED IPS panel, the specs for gaming are incredible.

With the plethora of titles that support its UWQHD resolution. Playing immersive games in a 5K UW resolution is an experience that is hard to describe. I love that the G9 also boasts all the specs perfect for more competitive/esports-focused users.

This is also the largest curved monitor available, with 1000R curvature. This rating is the strongest curve you see on mainstream offerings, suitable for users after a real extra layer of immersion (and with the wide aspect ratio, the G9 feels like it engulfs you in your content; it’s quite a sight to behold.

Note: although we are discussing the G9; its 120hz brother, the CRG9, is a fantastic offering at around 15% less in price. Do we think the 240Hz refresh rate is worth the extra price for gamers? 100% But if you are price-focused, the CRG9 is still a premium gaming monitor in its own right (and if you are solely non-gaming focussed, it’s the better choice).

I’m simply floored by what an incredible offering the G9 is. No other screen encapsulates the kind of innovation I would want from a high-end monitor and it’s just such a joy to consume content on.

This isn’t just the widest PC monitor, but the best out of the competitors in the super ultrawide space.

If you prefer the immersion/productivity possibilities of 32:9 over a larger 16:9 screen, then you’re going to really appreciate what this Samsung offering can do.

Our Rating: 9.75/10

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Dell U4919DW

Largest Monitor for Work: Dell U4919DW

As much as I gush about the Odyssey G9, there are certainly some other fantastic super ultrawide monitors available.

The U4919DW is the other one I think is worth highlighting. Designed as both the largest & widest monitor for business/general use.

With its 5120×1440 resolution & fantastic contrast/color gamut, the display looks as crisp as you would hope for anything from spreadsheets to video calls.

The real question is if you will prefer this to the CRG9/G9, and that comes down to a few areas.

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, the U4919DW boasts significantly less curvature with a rating of 3800R.

This has been designed because Dell expects business users to share content more and this curvature is more accommodating to larger viewing angles. A flatter screen can be slightly more ergonomic for “flat content” like spreadsheets (where games can benefit from the dramatic curve of the G9).

The monitor also proudly boasts its KVM capabilities, which allows you to connect 2 PCs at the same time to the monitor (the G9 can also do this, but the instructions are a little less clear because it isn’t marketed for work).

Not only is the picture great, but it’s also designed to accommodate business/general use (while the Samsung CRG9 is preset for gaming, you’d need to tinker with the settings to get an optimized screen for work purposes).

The thing that disappoints us with the U4919DW compared to the Samsung offering above is its price.

It’s certainly a high-end monitor worthy of a premium budget; but the Odyssey CRG9, with its more impressive specs across the board, is cheaper.

With that in mind, we think it’s worth going for the CRG9 over this Dell pick in a lot of cases, even if you are not interested in its gaming capabilities.

That said, if easy KVM functionality, no picture-setup requirements, less curvature & better viewing angles are important to you (and gaming isn’t), the U4919DW is your best large monitor choice.

Our Rating: 9/10

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Philips Momentum 558M1RY

Largest 16:9 Monitor Cheap Option: Philips Momentum 558M1RY

If you’re focused on a 16:9 monitor for gaming or work, but don’t have the budget for the largest screen at the top of our list and aren’t happy with an OLED TV as a replacement option, the Philips Momentum series is the next best thing.

Still an enormous 55-inch monitor, the 558M1RY boasts some excellent specs across the board at a significantly reduced price tag compared to our top ASUS offering.

With UHD resolution, 120hz refresh rate, DisplayHDR1000 capability, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro (G-Sync seems to run unofficially too) & 4ms GTG response time, the specs are excellent across the board.

When reviewing it, I also appreciated how the monitor manages to retain low latency even with HDR enabled, making it an incredible choice for immersive gaming titles.

One of the surprising USPs of the 558M1RY is its fantastic speaker setup.

On TVs and monitors alike, getting a standalone sound solution is nearly always the best bet. But here? You have a perfectly legitimate audio offering as far as gaming/media goes, with a Bowers & Wilkins-designed setup that emulates surround sound and boasts an integrated woofer.

Note: Through various user experience, we’ve noted that installing the latest drivers for this choice are integral when using it as a monitor (to ensure display/text sharpness).

For console gamers, there is no HDMI 2.1 here and we still highly recommend sticking to the LG OLED TV choice for your needs (unfortunately, there seems to be very little HDMI 2.1 availability amongst the biggest monitors).

It’s worth also touching on the quality and design of the 558M1Ry too; with an incredibly sturdy build that feels deceptive considering its tiny bezels and ultrathin depth, it’s one of the most beautiful monitors available.

55-inches is still a massive monitor, and with the Philip Momentum’s superb specs, this is a great choice for a high-end setup that demands some of the biggest PC display visibility for gaming or work.

Our Rating: 9/10

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Alternative Picks – Best of the Rest

Although the above choices are our absolute top picks for the biggest PC monitors today worth buying, we want to recommend some quick-fire options for users who:

  1. Run into stock issues with the above (these other choices are excellent alternatives).
  2. Want a large computer screen, but not quite as large as these, with some 40-inch monitors below.

Largest OLED Monitor: Alienware OLED AW5520QF

With the low latency of a PC monitor and the unrivaled contrast of OLED, this Alienware screen is a pricey, but stunning offering.

Our Rating: 8/10

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Largest 4k Monitor for Work: LG 43UN700-TB

If you instead want a 16:9 screen specifically tailored for work/high viewing angles, this 4k display is beautiful and very capable with non-gaming content.

Its most impressive USP is its ability to operate as a multi-client monitor, capable of running 4 1080p screens simultaneously.

Our Rating: 8.75/10

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Best 43-Inch Gaming Monitor: Asus ROG Strix XG438Q

If you were surprised that our largest monitor picks got as big as they did, you may appreciate the XG438Q; while still an enormous screen, it’s certainly not as all-encompassing as our top picks but just as high-quality.

If you would prefer even smaller, most of our other monitor features specialize in picks between 23 & 32-inches.

Our Rating: 9/10

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Cheapest Large Screen: ViewSonic VX4380-4K 43″

If you want a huge computer monitor for a fraction of the price, ViewSonic is the best brand in the business for offering the cheapest price tags.

Its picture/latency will be a tad less impressive, but it’s still an excellent value offering.

Check Price

Our Rating: 8.5/10

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Cheapest Super Ultrawide Display: VIOTEK SUW49C

If you liked the sound of the Samsung/Dell superwide monitors but can’t stretch to them, Viotek is a great brand for offering a budget version of high-end gaming monitors.


We don’t love it quite as much as the G9, but it’s still an excellent large PC gaming screen.

Our Rating: 8.75/10

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Largest 5K Monitor Alternative: LG 49WL95C-W

Filling nearly an identical need to our top Dell recommendation, this wide monitor from LG is a compelling alternative.

We only rate it lower because its availability is historically not as decent, but if you are work-focussed and it is in stock, we think you’ll enjoy its capability.

Our Rating: 8.75/10

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Best 65 Inch Monitor Alternative: HP Omen X Emperium

Finally, if your heart is set on the largest monitor in the world, but our ASUS pick is unavailable, the HP Omen X Emperium is a great alternative.

Our Rating: 9/10

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Final Word

And there you have it! After deliberation over everything from DPI to color gamuts to build quality, the above are our top picks for the largest computer monitors worth buying today.

If you were looking for a 75-inch monitor, 100-inch monitor, or something even crazier, you may be disappointed to see that the largest PC displays available don’t go quite that high (unless you count the LG OLED 77-inch choice).

We would say, however, with the current 4k alignment with mainstream options, getting a PC monitor in the 43″-55″ range is the sweet spot, and where we recommend you to go for crisp content if you’re sitting up-close.

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About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 5 Highest Hz Monitors of 2025

Highest Hz Monitor

The 5 Highest Hz Monitors of 2025

Covering the highest quality options for serious gamers

Highest Hz Monitor

This article has been updated for 2025. We’ve update a couple of picks and added some alternatives through the article for other specifications that we’ve enjoyed recently.

144hz? Sounds kind of slow!

If you’re into competitive gaming or looking for the best monitor possible for immersive titles, you’ll know how wonderful playing on a high hertz gaming monitor can be.

Thankfully, there have recently been a few exceptional products to take high Hz displays well beyond the usual 60-144hz + 1080p specs.

In today’s feature, we’ve reviewed the highest refresh rate monitors worth buying for different resolutions and budgets.

1

Alienware AW2524H

Highest Hz Monitor

Alienware AW2524H 500Hz

Our Rating: 9/10

Check Price

Read Review

2

LG 27GN950-B

Highest Hz 4K Monitor

LG 27GN950-B 27″

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Check Price

Read Review

3

Acer Nitro XV272U Xbmiipruzx

Highest Hz 1440p Monitor

Acer Nitro XV272U Xbmiipruzx 27″

Our Rating: 9/10

Check Price

Read Review

4

acer xf250q

Highest Hz Budget Monitor

Acer XF250Q Cbmiiprx 

Our Rating: 9/10

Check Price

Read Review

5

Highest Hz Monitor under $200

LG UltraGear 24GL600F-B

Our Rating: 9/10

Check Price

Read Review

Alienware AW2524H

Alienware AW2524H

Highest Hz Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS*

Screen Size: 24.5″ | Panel/Pixel Type: IPS | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Response Time: 0.5ms GTG | Refresh Rate: 500Hz (OC, 480Hz Native)

REASONS TO BUY

+ Fastest refresh rate on the market by far, with onboard software to minimize response time.

+ Well built & ergonomic

+ Decent secondary picture specs (particularly color accuracy)

REASONS TO AVOID
– Smaller than the average 27″ offering
 
– 500Hz will be overkill for many gamers (see our other picks below)
 

Our Rating: 9/10

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Usually, on our top monitor features, there is a close battle for the top choice.

But in this category? There is a clear winner.

With an incredible 500hz, this Alienware display is unrivaled by every other option.

Not only is this the highest Hz 1080p monitor available on the market, but it’s as good an offering as we could hope for with plenty of other decent specs elevating the screen’s quality.

To start, the AW2524H runs on an IPS panel. This is great to see when many of the other highest refresh rate displays have chosen TN/VA. Alienware has also negated the usual main downside of IPS with a 0.5ms GTG response time. With the refresh rate and the incredibly low latency, I easily rank this as one of the best monitors for esports & competitive gaming.

Working alongside the IPS panel is a 390 nits rating, G-sync, Nvidia Latency Analyser, and DisplayHDR 400 capability. We love that this gaming monitor hasn’t sacrificed picture quality for the highest refresh rate (you’re getting the best of both worlds).

Finally, with decent, sturdy adjustment options, thin bezels, and a beautiful design, the AW2524H feels like a premium gaming monitor should. I have no notable complaints on its build quality.

Alienware AW2524H 2

Source: Alienware

500hz vs 360hz vs 240hz Monitors

But let’s talk about 500hz for a moment.

A refresh rate 40% higher than the next common high refresh rate option (360hz), 500Hz is a huge technical achievement by Alienware.

With that said, this jump isn’t going to feel like a 40% improvement to the human eye. We’re reaching the point now where high refresh rates are becoming largely a vanity factor.

I’ve seen firsthand the 240hz, 360hz, and 500hz side-by-side; there is a difference between 240hz vs 360hz, but it isn’t huge (even professional gamers are happy on 240hz, even 144hz screens).

When it comes to 360hz vs 500hz, I honestly couldn’t tell the difference, and many people online seem to share the same experience.

This is why I’ve recommended many other types of picks below, I think gamers would often prefer a lower refresh rate at either a cheaper price, higher resolution, and/or larger screen size.

The Acer Predator X25 bmiiprzxm, for example, is around half the price of our 500hz pick for a 360hz monitor.

So really, your pick in this area comes down to your personal preference over resolution/size/refresh rate/budget, which is why I’ve highlighted some other recommendations further below.

We’re a long way away from ever seeing 1000hz monitors and beyond, so expect 500hz to be the king for a long time.

If none of this comparison deters you and you still want the smoothest experience possible, then know this isn’t just the highest refresh rate monitor ever, but a display that excels in the other important factors of what makes a great gaming display.

2025 update: The AW2524H replaces our previous top pick, the ASUS ROG Swift 360Hz PG259QN. It’s a very impressive technical jump, and I doubt we will see anything higher than 500hz for a long time. So if your singular goal is the highest refresh rate, this is perfect for you. But as my review goes into, I think the other picks in our list around the 144hz – 360hz mark will be the better choice unless you are a proffesional gamer.

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LG 27GN950-B

LG 27GN950-B 27 Inch UHD

Highest Hz 4K Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 27″ | Panel/Pixel Type: IPS | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Response Time: 1ms | Refresh Rate: 144hz

REASONS TO BUY

+ 4K, Nano IPS panel, 1ms latency & 144hz create a fantastic picture.

+ Beautiful, extremely thin bezel build

REASONS TO AVOID
– Competitive/esports gamers will likely prefer 360hz @ 1080p
 
– Requires a very good GPU to make the most of 4k @ 144Hz
 
 

Our Rating: 9.5/10

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Now, as much as we rate our top 360hz choice, if you’re focussed on immersive titles as much as you are on competitive gaming, then you will likely want to consider our next 2 choices.

This LG monitor offers an incredible UHD + 144hz combo. While nowhere near as smooth as 360hz, running games at 2160p with a high refresh rate is an entirely wonderful experience in itself.

Similar to our top pick, we love that LG has managed to base this model on an IPS panel with a 1ms response time. Taking the display further, this display also has an impressive DCI-P3 98% color gamut & VESA DisplayHDR 600. Between all these specs, you can expect fantastic blacks & colors, and when tied with the resolution and refresh rate? Well, few monitors are going to produce better output, especially at its respectable price point.

LG 27GN950-B 27 Inch

Source: LG

There’s G-sync / AMD FreeSync compatibility included, with a striking design and beautiful build quality. Two design areas specifically stood out to me:

  1. The incredible screen-to-body ratio, with some of the thinnest bezels of a premium display I’ve seen. This choice would make a fantastic high refresh rate monitor for a dual display setup.
  2. The RGB Sphere Lighting 2.0 is included on the back of the unit. This will output colorful lighting onto the wall behind your monitor which can be customized to blend into what you’re seeing on screen. It sounds gimmicky, but combined with its thin bezels, it’s a really nice effect to view in person.

Ranking at the top of our 4k 144hz display feature, there’s so much to love about this LG model. At its decent price point, it’s easily the best choice for someone after the highest refresh rate 4k monitor for gaming.

2025 update: Samsung has recently released a 4k 240hz monitor with some absolutely mind-blowing specs (its Odyssey series is known for the utmost quality amongst high-end choices). That said, we still highly rate this LG model as it comes in at a significantly lower cost and is more available (you’ll also need an exceptionally powerful PC for a 4k 240hz monitor to be fully effective).

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Acer Nitro XV272U Xbmiipruzx

Acer Nitro XV272U Xbmiipruzx 27"

Highest Hz 1440p Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 27″ | Panel/Pixel Type: IPS | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Response Time: 1ms | Refresh Rate: 240-270hz

REASONS TO BUY

+ 1440p @ 240hz is a nice compromise between resolution and refresh rate

+ Potential to overclock to 270Hz is nice bonus

+ Great color accuracy

REASONS TO AVOID
– Some users report backlight bleed issues
 
– Getting the best picture takes some tinkering
 
 

Our Rating: 9/10

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Last but not least out of our top 3 highest refresh rate gaming monitor picks is what you could call a “compromise” between the two choices above.

If you want the joys of very high refresh rates but also want a resolution that notably improves graphical capability beyond full HD, this is easily the best pick on the market for you.

At a stunning 240hz + 1440p, the Xbmiipruzx feels like the best of both worlds and is the top choice on our feature looking at monitors in this category.

Boasting an IPS panel that takes response time even further with 0.5-1ms response time with agile-splendor technology, this is one of the lowest latency monitors out of the premium choices on the market (we will say the difference between 0.5 and 1ms is often negligible even for high-level play, but it’s still a nice bonus).

Tied with these specs is a 99% Adobe RGB color gamut and HDR400. Alongside its IPS panel, there’s plenty of capability here for a gorgeous, bright picture (alongside the ability to use AMD Freesync / Nvidia G-Sync to reduce stuttering/screen-tearing).

acer xf270hu

Source: Acer

While the standard ceiling for 1440p is 240hz, the Xbiipruzx takes this a step further with the ability to overclock to up to 270hz with DisplayPort or USB Type-C. You don’t need this overclocking for the monitor to be incredibly capable of smooth gameplay, but it’s a nice bonus for those extra focused on building the highest FPS monitor for their setup. 

There are no complaints from us on the build quality either. With a sturdy, adjustable frame and beautifully thin bezels, the monitor is perfect for a multi-screen setup if desired. It looks a little plainer compared to our other top picks but this is a very negligible point.

The only thing we don’t like about this monitor is the model name (who knows what Acer was thinking with that eyesore!) but you know a model is good when the name is my biggest complaint.

While it is an expensive choice, we see many monitors well above this price point that don’t match the well-balanced nature of this Acer display’s specs.

If you’re looking for the highest refresh rate 1440p monitor that is worth buying today at a mid-range price point, you’ve found it.

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acer xf250q

Acer XF250Q Cbmiiprx 24.5"

Highest Hz Budget Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 24.5″ | Panel/Pixel Type: TN | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Response Time: 1ms | Refresh Rate: 240hz

REASONS TO BUY

+ Fantastic value for 240Hz

+ Picture quality decent for the price after some configuration

REASONS TO AVOID
– 24.5″ may be small for some
 
– Picture quality doesn’t reach the peaks of more expensive monitor
 
 

Our Rating: 9/10

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Now, if your budget allows, I’d recommend one of the other 3 picks above for someone after the highest Hz monitor for esports/gaming.

That said, our last two picks are great options if your wallet demands something closer to the $150-300 range.

The Acer XF250Q still boasts a fantastic 240hz refresh rate and is a superb option for someone after an esports monitor.

One of the cheapest 240hz displays on the market, the model still has a lot going for it; with 1ms response time and AMD Freesync compatibility.

Acer Nitro XV272U Xbmiipruzx

Source: Acer

In addition, we like that there doesn’t feel like any skimping on build quality/adjustability here, even going far as to include a vertical orientation option. It’s also from one of the best monitor brands in the business. Sometimes, cheaper options mean going to less reputable manufacturers. That’s thankfully not the case here.

So, where does this choice lack compared to our top picks? Well, of course, the main loss in this category is at 1080p, there is a superior 360hz display available which will be a significant increase for serious gamers. And if you’re happy with 240hz, then the 1440p 240hz options available are notably better.

This isn’t just true in terms of resolution/refresh rate, our top 3 picks also have IPS panels, very high nits brightness, and great color accuracy. This Acer XF250Q model isn’t bad in these areas (certainly superior to many similarly priced picks I’ve reviewed), but it runs on a TN panel and will not give the same premium picture you can expect from our top picks.

With all that said, if this price point is the furthest your wallet can stretch, then know we included this great option for a reason. It is easily my top recommendation for those after the highest refresh rate monitor on a budget.

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LG UltraGear 24GL600F-B

Highest Hz Monitor under $200

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 24″ | Panel/Pixel Type: TN| Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Response Time: 1ms | Refresh Rate: 144hz

REASONS TO BUY

+ 144Hz is a good balance for people who can’t afford a build that will run higher settings

+ Great value for 144Hz, 1ms latency & FreeSync compatibility

REASONS TO AVOID
– Enthusiast gamers with good hardware will benefit from investing in the picks above
 
– Picture quality is mediocre
 

Our Rating: 9/10

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To round off our list, we wanted to include another commendable budget pick for those after the highest refresh rate monitor at a very low price.

This LG offering strikes an incredible balance; not much more expensive than the cheapest 60hz monitors we would recommend, it somehow manages to run 1080p 144hz with a 1ms response time.

This really is very impressive for the price point. Of course, don’t expect gameplay close to as smooth/sharp as the picks above, but we’re still floored by what they’ve managed to pack in here.

144Hz vs 240Hz

If you’re trying to decide between our two budget picks, we would say the upgrade to 240hz will be worth it for those with powerful PC setups who focus on competitive games (CS: GO, LOL, Dota 2, etc.).

If, however, you’re more of a single-player gamer, or your PC is also a budget build, you will still see benefits from 240hz, but there will likely be diminishing returns compared to say, spending more money on a nicer GPU.

LG UltraGear 24GL600F-B

Source: LG

Running on a TN panel (as you’d expect at this price point), the monitor still has serviceable colors/brightness and boasts Freesync compatability.

The build quality is decent for the budget too, with some decent adjustability. The screen-to-body ratio isn’t quite as nice as our other picks, but really at this price point, I’d be amazed if it was!

While we’d love to recommend our top picks to everybody, we appreciate that isn’t feasible for every budget.

Luckily for those tight wallets, LG’s option here is not just a very high refresh rate for the price, but we’d argue it’s the best gaming monitor under $200 in any category.

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Round-Up

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

* Specifications throughout our articles are double-checked and intended to inform our users, but should not be treated as factual information. When making final decisions on your products, please check the manufacturer pages to confirm the fine details.

The 5 Best Gaming PC Bundles of 2023

Gaming PC Bundle

The 5 Best Gaming PC Bundles of 2023 (With or Without Monitors)

Gaming PC Bundle

I have significantly updated this article in 2023 to cover the release of new 4000-series GPU PCs. Now’s a great time to buy, with these GPUs set to be the best on the market for some time.

Right now, Skytech has particularly impressed us across most budgets. They’ve been offering great pre-built PCs at a reasonable price while still retaining good build quality, which is why they dominate this list for recommendations.

If you’re looking for a new personal setup or buying a gift for someone, there are some really great offerings out there for a pre-built PC gaming bundle.

With that in mind, today’s feature will take you through my reviews and rankings of the best combination of gaming PCs & monitors available today.

I’ve separated the monitor picks from the main PC/peripherals bundles because 1. I know some of you may not need a new display and 2. monitors are nearly always better value when bought independently (plus if one is out of stock, there are other options available on this list as back-up).

Nearly all of the PCs below come with a mouse and keyboard, but we’ve listed some alternatives at the bottom of the article too should you want other options.

1

Skytech Archangel Formatted

Overall Best Gaming PC Bundle

Skytech Archangel RTX 4060 Ti

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Dell S2721HGF

+ Dell S2721HGF

Our Rating: 10/10

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2

Skytech Shadow RTX 3050

Best Gaming Bundle Under $1,200

Skytech Shadow

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Acer SB220Q

+ Acer SB220Q

Our Rating: 9.25/10

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3

Skytech Azure Formatted

Best RTX 4070 Gaming PC Bundle

Skytech Azure 4070 Ti

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LG 32GK650F-B

+ LG 32GK650F-B

Our Rating: 9/10

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4

Skytech Azure Formatted

Most Powerful RTX 9080 Bundle

Skytech Azure 4090

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Dell S-Series S2719DGF

+ Dell S-Series S2719DGF

Our Rating: 9.75/10

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5

Alarco GTX 650

Cheapest Gaming Bundle under $650

Alarco GTX 650

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ViewSonic VS2210-H

+ ViewSonic VS2210-H

Our Rating: 8.5/10

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Skytech Archangel Formatted
Dell S-Series S2719DGF

Overall Best Gaming PC Bundle: Skytech Archangel RTX 4060 Ti & Dell S2721HGF

Ranking as the best gaming desktop on multiple What in Tech features, this Skytech Archangel model ticks all the right boxes we think a mid-range buyer will be looking for.

Lead by the fantastic RTX 4060 Ti, your gaming setup will have the best value GPU in 2023, with more than enough capability in managing decent settings and framerates for all current titles (including Cyberpunk 2077/Red Dead Redemption 2/Elden Ring) and will undoubtedly be capable of playing games well for the next few years.

If you’re a fan of e-sports like Fornite, CS: GO & Overwatch (or slightly older popular titles like Minecraft & Fallout 4) you can be sure to run most of these types of games at stupidly high framerates, even with max settings.

Working with the RTX 4060 Ti is a Core i5 12400F, 16GB DDR4 RAM & a 1TB NVMe SSD. These are great specs to work alongside the GPU. Let me make one thing clear; you can find many other 4060Ti gaming PCs on Amazon, some cheaper than this, but many will come with gaps that will bottleneck your performance.

I love the Archangel because it’s well-rounded and very impressive for the price with all specs considered; yes the GPU is where most of the budget goes to, but it’s not severely hindered by any of the other hardware.

All housed in a gorgeous cash with 4 attractive RGB fans, the cooling is decent and the full setup looks fantastic (especially when powered on, stock photos never do these machines justice!).

Alongside the PC an included RGB gaming keyboard and mouse. While these won’t be the same quality as say, a Logitech or Corsair product, they add excellent value for a gaming setup.

Tied to this gaming PC bundle is the fantastic Dell S2721HGF 144hz screen (don’t worry, the display is a lot better than the model name!).

While you can purchase a cheaper 60hz 1080p screen if desired (like the monitor in our pick directly below), we think that if you’re purchasing the Shiva, having a monitor with a high refresh rate will make your gaming experience so much better. With a 1ms response time and a gorgeous 1500R curve, the monitor will be perfect for esports and competitive gaming (27″ is a perfect size for most setups too, you can choose a 144Hz 24″ screen if you need to save a little more money).

Important note on monitors: While the Dell pick is our go-to best value for this gaming bundle, we’d recommend having a quick look at other 144hz monitors in case any are notably cheaper because it’s not uncommon to see them on a large discount (look out for low MS response time & a reputable brand).

I’ve included some more expensive options below that would be fantastic if you can stretch further, and some cheaper ones if this isn’t realistic for you. But with that said, I think the Shiva + Dell combo package represents the best sweet spot between price and quality on the market.

2023 update: The Archangel replaces our previous top pick, the Skytech Shiva. It’s a big upgrade from 6 months ago and a great time to buy a PC in this price range.

Our Rating: 10/10

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Skytech Shadow RTX 3050
Acer SB220Q

Best Cheap Gaming PC Bundle under $1,200: Skytech Shadow & Acer SB220Q

While we would push our readers to at least go for our top choice in terms of the price range for a gaming PC package, we appreciate some of you will be looking for cheaper options.

Our favorite one for those around the $1200 point is this Skytech / Acer combo. Lead by an RTX 3050 graphics card, I love that this machine still manages to boast a 3000-series card at this price. You’ll still manage plenty of decent performance in the latest games (including Cyberpunk 2077, benchmarks suggest similar systems can achieve 50-60fps with medium settings) and a computer that will continue to do so for a good amount of time in the future.

With a Ryzen i5 10400F, the CPU is a little underwhelming. But I think this is to be expected as the budget for the PC went mostly to the RTX 3050 (this is a good decision for budget gaming where the GPU rules the roost). The 10400F does still pack enough punch to not be an alarming bottleneck.

With 8GB of DDR4 RAM, you have enough for now. But in the future, we would definitely recommend upgrading to 16GB (don’t worry, even if you didn’t want to build a PC, adding extra RAM is one of the easiest parts to install).

Another area I’m super impressed over is the inclusion of a 1TB NVME SSD. Storage is usually one of the first areas a manufacturer cheaps out and I find this so annoying. Let’s be real; games can often be 100GB-200GB in size, and you need a decent amount of space. So while we recommend the RAM upgrade, take solace in knowing you have a decent storage off-the-bat (but plenty of space to upgrade further too, if needed).

With an attractive RGB case and a decent provision of cooling, everything else about this gaming computer bundle checks out. Including the added LED gaming keyboard and mouse which are great for a budget setup.

Alongside this bundle, we recommend the Acer SB220Q monitor. This is one of the cheapest Full HD monitors that still offers a decent picture for gaming (with an IPS panel and 4ms response time, the colors and low input lag are great for gaming at this price range). 

We love that even at its low cost, this screen still has a solid build quality; with good tilt/maneuver options (many more expensive monitors don’t include such features!).

Overall, if you can’t stretch to our top pick and want the best budget gaming PC package at an incredibly low $1200 price range, you’ve found it!

2023 update: While this bundle is still great for the price range, if at all possible I would recommend forking out the extra $200-300 for out top pick as the jump to a 4060 Ti is well worth the extra cost. If you can’t, there is another version of the Shadow with 16GB RAM and a 3060 GPU which sometimes goes on sale for around $999; that’s a great pickup if you’re lucky to find it at that price. But if not, don’t worry, the Shadow RTX 3050 edition is still a great bundle.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

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Skytech Azure Formatted
LG 32GK650F-B

Best RTX 4070 Gaming PC Bundle: Skytech Azure RTX 4070 Ti & LG 32GK650F-B

Now, for those with a decent mid-range budget that want something notably powerful, this Skytech Azure model is a beast of a pre-built gaming desktop package.

While our top pick is a great offering, the Azure is a great increase in capability if you can afford it. The RTX 4070 Ti is one of the most sought after GPUs on the market right now. Between this GPU and the Azure’s other improved specs, you can expect a fantastic performance across gaming and general use (it’s worth noting that diminishing returns kick in when you purchase a more expensive PC, but the 4070 Ti is a nice balance).

Working alongside the GPU is a Ryzen 7 5800X, 16GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. The storage, in particular, is a great addition. With enough space on ultra-fast NVMe for your OS, favorite files/software and games. And like our top pick, you have the option to add more RAM/storage in the future easily if needed (but you likely won’t need to for a long time).

With these specs, you have fantastic capability for a 4K gaming PC setup. With modern games capable of running at these high resolutions/framerates (even for many brand new titles, you can expect to hit 1440p 144hz with max settings, you’ll still have excellent performance and plenty of capability for raytracing/something that is decently future-proofed for the next several years).

Everything is housed in another beautiful Azure case with decent cooling and a gorgeous aesthetic. I expect the included gaming keyboard and mouse won’t be quite up to standard with the expectations of gamers at this budget, but I’ve included some premium keyboard/mouse combos at the bottom of this page if that sounds like you.

To go alongside this powerful gaming package, I’ve chosen the LG 32GK650F-B 1440p 144hz monitor.

If you’re tight on budget, you could pick up the 144hz 1080p monitor from our top pick, but I really think that having a QHD resolution alongside a high refresh rate is what will make this setup extra special. With a huge 31.5″ screen, fantastic 1ms response time, and a decent picture, this LG monitor will serve well for either immersive gaming, or someone focused on a high-paced competitive e-sport that demands fast reaction time. I was really impressed at how beautiful both the screen and build quality were of this particular screen in person. It’s certainly a premium display in every sense.

The RTX 4070 Ti is an amazing card and we’re pumped to see a setup at this price that doesn’t skimp in any area significantly. This feels like a complete gaming bundle for someone serious about a long-lasting system.

2023 update: The Azure replaces our previous top pick. Last year, the same price got you a 3070, so for the same budget to get you a 4070 Ti build is a great sign of the value on display here!

Our Rating: 9/10

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Skytech Azure Formatted
Dell S2721HGF

Most Powerful RTX 4090 Gaming PC Bundle: Skytech Azure 4090 Edition & Dell S-Series S2719DGF

This pick is for those after the most powerful PC money can buy. Full disclosure; there are technically PCs that come with more bells and whistles for a higher cost, but I’ve chosen the pick that is top-range, without going into rip-off territory.

At the forefront of this PC’s great specs is the monstrous RTX 4090 GPU. This is  the best gaming graphics cards on the market today.

Alongside the GPU is a Intel Core i9 13900K CPU, 64GB RAM & a 2TB NVMe SSD. These are simply incredible specs; some other manufacturers offer a 4090 pre-built PC at similar pricing with weaker CPUs and less storage/RAM, but Skytech has nailed the specs here, all of these accompany a 4090 perfectly for maximum performance.

With this system, you can expect to achieve excellent settings and framerate in any game and that will last well into the future. This is an excellent PC gaming bundle for people focussed on high refresh rate 4k.

With a well-ventilated case, the system looks fantastic and also includes some RGB lighting.

Included in the package is an RGB gaming keyboard and mouse. We will say at this price point, although this kit will be perfectly serviceable (and we recommend trying it before judging), we expect users would prefer the Corsair/Logitech combo we’ve included at the bottom of this page.

To work alongside this powerful pre-built RTX 4090 gaming PC setup we recommend the Dell S-Series S2719DGF as a suitable premium monitor to take advantage of a high refresh rate and 1440p gaming.

This is a gorgeous monitor with a 1ms response time, 350-nits & up to 155hz (overclocked, 144hz by default). Even with a VA panel, the display looks sharp and is fantastic for high-end gaming.

Appreciating that some gamers will want to be playing at 2160p, there is a couple of 4K monitors you can go for. Either this Philips screen for a more reasonable budget or this impressive VIOTEK display for 4k & 120hz. These will also be great choices; or if you want an even higher refresh rate, you can check our other feature on the incredible emerging 1440p 240hz monitors.

Overall, if you’re looking to have one of the most powerful pre-built PC combo possible with the capability to last many years into the future, I think this Shiva setup is pretty unparalleled (without going into ridiculous budgets).

Our Rating: 9.75/10

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Alarco GTX 650
ViewSonic VS2210-H

Cheapest Gaming PC Bundle under $650: Alarco GTX 650 & ViewSonic VS2210-H

Let me be clear; I would strongly recommend investing in at least the $1200 gaming bundle above because once you get much further below that price-wise, the options become very limited.

With that said, we appreciate some readers will be looking for the cheapest pre-built gaming PC bundle possible (that we can still actually recommend to play some games).

If that sounds like you, the Alarco GTX 650 is your best option and would be a good gaming PC bundle for kids/beginners.

Quick note: we’re reviewing this PC based on a price of $550. If it fluctuates well above that, it is probably instead worth waiting to save for our more expensive picks.

With an Intel i5 3.10GHz, 8GB RAM, and a GTX 650 GPU, you still have a budget PC here capable enough to decently play Fortnite, Overwatch, CS: GO, Minecraft, and other older titles (with some framerate or setting compromises). We wouldn’t recommend this PC if you’re trying to play any newer titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2 however.

Another potential idea with this build is that you can treat the current specs as a base, something to set you up for the short-term, with the option to upgrade to a better GPU when budget allows.

On top of light gaming, this machine should still be fine for personal use, business use, and internet browsing/Netflix.

One thing that is pleasant to see here is the inclusion of its 1TB HDD, Alarco could’ve easily shortchanged this build with a 512GB drive, but 1TB should set up budget gamers for a long time. On the other hand, seeing a hard drive-only build in 2022 is certainly disappointing; if you intend to upgrade anything (other than the GPU), we’d suggest buying a small SSD that can run the operating system.

Even with the price so low, you’re still getting a wi-fi-enabled motherboard, Windows 10, and decent USB port availability. 

One important omission on this choice is that it does not come with a keyboard + mouse like our other top picks. Again, in the spirit of tight budgets, it may be more prudent to reuse a mouse and keyboard you already own, if that isn’t doable, you can check out our cheapest control combo at the bottom of this article

We appreciate that the case comes equipped with a decent aestehtic and 3 controllable RGB fans, the cooling in here isn’t anything to shout about but relative to the price? It’s a pretty impressive setup.

To compliment this PC, we think the best monitor for you would be the ViewSonic VS2210-H.

This is the cheapest 1080p IPS monitor right now. Yes, while you could go cheaper and get a 720p monitor, we really don’t recommend this. These monitors are only a little cheaper and look significantly worse in gaming and general use.

The ViewSonic, for its low budget, has an impressive picture. And with the Alarco ‘s ability to play older games on FHD, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised as long as you can keep your expectations measured for such a cheap build.

All in all, while it’d be great if you can budget for our other picks, we understand that isn’t always possible. And for playing older games, the Alarco still has a lot going for it. This is easily the cheapest gaming package we’d recommend.

2022 mid-year update: In terms of the monitor pick, we’ve been seeing lots of variability on pricing at this very budget range. Instead of going for this specific pick, we’d recommend doing a product search for “1080p monitor” and looking at what is on sale; if your budget is tight, we would say get the cheapest 1080p monitor that is large enough for your needs (typically 22″+).

Our Rating: 8/10

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Alternative Gaming PC Accessory Combos

The above pre-built gaming PC combos all come with gaming mice and keyboards, but if you were looking at this list specifically for just accessories, we’ve included some extra options below.

Additionally, the final option is for those who may want something a little more premium when purchasing the above setups.

Best Gaming Accessories Bundle with Headphones: Orzly 4 in 1 Package

Coming in at a super impressive price-point is this Orzly bundle that includes a well-received pair of budget headphones (you’re, of course, not going to get what you can expect from an audiophile pair, but still great for a cheap gaming package).

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Cheapest Gaming Accessories Bundle without Headphones: Havit Package

What’s extra impressive about this Havit keyboard/mouse combo is that the keyboard has enough tactile feedback to be considered mechanical (don’t expect a $100 mechanical keyboard feel of course, but certainly better than we’d expect for a budget gaming rig!).

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Best High-End Gaming Accessory Package: Logitech G502 + SteelSeries Apex 5 + Corsair MM300

Now, if you’re purchasing one of the more expensive gaming PCs and want a premium mouse, keyboard, and mouse pad combo, we highly recommend buying the pieces separately as opposed to one Amazon listing.

These 3 are our top recommendations for each accessory, with value in mind (yes these are more expensive, but they’re not simply overpriced for no reason).

The G502 feels like the perfect answer to a gaming mouse. With great DPI settings, precision, ergonomics, and aesthetic, it has everything we think you’ll need at a reasonable price.

The Apex 5 is a beautiful RGB gaming keyboard with great hybrid blue switches that will feel great and tactile for gaming.

And to sit underneath is the Corsair MM300. We’ll be clear, you can just as easily pick up an ultra-cheap mouse pad and it will work nearly as well. But for a top-quality smooth surface, the MM300 is great (we like pads that sit under the keyboard too for presentation).

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About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 8 Best 1080p Ultrawide Monitors of 2023

1080p Ultrawide

The 8 Best 1080p Ultrawide Monitors of 2023

I updated this feature in June after reviewing the new ultrawide releases of 2023. None of the top choices have been this time around, but I’ve added a couple of good alternatives where relevant.

Ultrawide monitors make for some of the best screens for immersive gaming and media viewing, not to mention providing an aspect ratio perfect for extended productivity.

Which is why today’s feature is here to guide you through the best UWHD monitors available today at various price-points/specs.

Top Picks

Best of the Rest: Quick-Fire Picks

Overall Best 1080p Ultrawide Monitor: Sceptre Curved C305B-200UN

No monitor better encompassed what we think our gaming readers will be looking for than this fantastic Sceptre display.

Offering an unrivaled balance in picture quality, build quality, and price, the Sceptre C305B ticks all the boxes at a lower cost than we expected.

Note: We’ve based this top pick specifically around the best 1080 ultrawide gaming monitor. If you have no interest in gaming (or it’s at least not your main priority), the next 2 picks will be better suited for you.

To start, you are getting up to a whooping 200hz when using DisplayPort. Combined with its ultrawide resolution, this is a truly fantastic coupling of specs for competitive gaming/e-sports and playing through more immersive titles (if you haven’t played at high refresh rates before, it’s hard to overstate just how much they improve gaming).

On top of these leading specs, you’re also getting a display with a 90% sRGB color gamut, excellent blacks with its VA panel, and a 5ms GTG response time; you are well-positioned to have an excellent picture quality.

Freesync is also supported, enabling you to minimize ghosting/stuttering at the C305B’s higher refresh rates.

What makes us love this cheap 1080 ultrawide gaming monitor, even more, is that it’s not compromising on build quality too.

Built like a premium display should be; the stand/overall design is durable, the bezels are incredibly thin and there is even some subtle LED lighting on the back, which if your monitor is near a wall, will add some nice light-blend.

While we wouldn’t recommend any monitor speakers for an audiophile gaming setup, this display’s included sound is decent compared to many others we’ve experienced.

On top of everything else that’s great about this pick, it’s also a curved 1080p ultrawide monitor. Truthfully, there was enough going for this Sceptre display that we would’ve given it the top spot without this feature, but having curvature too will really take the immersion in gaming, media, and general use that extra bit further. If you’ve never used a curved monitor before, it’s something that is simply more impressive in person.

There is simply so much to love about the C305B.

Coming in at an incredible price range, we think anybody in the market after a full HD ultrawide monitor for gaming will simply love this pick.

2023 update: The C305B is still my top choice for the best 1080p ultrawide monitor. None of the new options I’ve reviewed balance price and quality better than this pick with the mid-range buyer in mind.

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Best IPS 1080p Ultrawide Monitor: LG 34WN650-W 34-Inch

Our next pick is for those focussed less on a gaming monitor, and more on a very vibrant picture quality that’s perfect for media and general use (also perhaps best 1080p ultrawide monitor for Mac).

This LG display has one of the best picture qualities on the list, especially when considering its mid-range price.

Boasting an IPS panel, VesaDisplay HDR400, and an sRGB99% color gamut; the picture here is simply stunning, with excellent colors, blacks, and whites (particularly from the HDR400). This is easily our pick for the best 1080p ultrawide monitor for video editing and other production work.

With its core target focussed around being the perfect general use/office ultrawide monitor, this LG offering has some great quality-of-life features for users focussed on business software and general internet use; utility like flicker safe/reader modes, screen split, and ergonomic tilt/height options. It’s a nice, well-rounded display that meets its goals as a productivity monitor perfectly.

If you are still into gaming, we’re not trying to imply this LG 1080p ultrawide monitor isn’t more than capable of it. With its gorgeous picture quality and some decent game modes available, you can still have a quality, immersive setup on here (we just think that if you’re serious about gaming, the utility of the high refresh rate on the Sceptre ultrawide monitor or Samsung pick will be so beneficial for you).

With all that said, if you are focused on picture quality and great utility for a productivity/office monitor, this is easily the best IPS full HD ultrawide display for the job.

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Best Cheap 1080p Ultrawide Monitor: LG 25UM58

Our next pick is arguably the most impressive display on the list.

Not because it’s the best, but because it’s an incredible budget 1080p ultrawide monitor. We’ve seen 16:9 full HD displays in this price-range with lower picture quality, so this LG monitor feels like it was made with some kind of wizardry to achieve a decent 1080p 21:9 display at this budget.

With an IPS panel, 99% sRGB color gamut, and up to 250-nits brightness, the specs here will still provide a decent enough picture for a nice office/budget gaming setup.

This 21:9 ultrawide display lacks support for Freesync, which isn’t as good as our top pick for hardcore gamers/those interested in esports, but will still be fine for many gamers who can’t stretch to the pricepoint.

As far as business and personal use go, we think the 25UM58 has the specs you need to create a productive visual workspace.

Perhaps the most important distinguishment between this and our other choices is that this LG display ultrawide display is 25 inches, versus the 34″+ of our other favorite choices.

This is a notable decrease. You still have a gorgeous workspace compared to traditional aspect ratios, though, but it’s probably the biggest reason why it’s still worth stretching to the better picks if you can.

Of course, at this price range, you’re not going to get the vibrance, low response times, high refresh rates, and fantastic blacks/whites as our other picks.

But we’re still floored by what a great option this is if you can only stretch to a budget display. The monitor even has bezels as thin as many of the more expensive picks which we would never expect usually with a budget pick.

If your wallet is tight but you still want a 21:9 desktop then this is, without doubt, the best cheap 1080p ultrawide monitor on the market today.

2023 update: I still highly rate the 25UM58, but wanted to make readers aware of the Philips 292E2E which often hovers around 5-10% more expensive but offers 4″ more screen space, slightly superior color, and, in my view, a more attractive design than our top LG pick; if you can fork out a little more, I think it’s worth the upgrade.

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Best 1080p Super Ultrawide Monitor: Samsung 49-Inch CHG90

The last main pick on our list is for the best 1080p ultrawide screen money can buy.

Yes, it’s an expensive offering, but this Samsung ultrawide monitor is something truly special.

To start, this is a super ultrawide display.

Sounds like marketing jargon, we know, but it in fact means the CHG90 boasts a 32:9 monitor aspect ratio and a 3840 x 1080 resolution.

With standard monitors being a 16:9 aspect ratio, this Samsung offering is literally the size of 2 1080p monitors in one screen; and with its enormous 49-inch size, you really feel the presence of 2 monitors (effectively both 24.5 inches).

This dual monitor in one design makes this a beast of a productivity display, with pretty much limitless potential for business and personal use.

And combined with its QLED screen, 350-nits brightness & HDR support, the vibrant picture you will get on this display is simply phenomenal.

But there’s more; let’s talk gaming.

With a 144hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, stunning picture quality, and, of course, the 32:9 aspect ratio, this is one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors on the market.

It’s hard to overstate just how more immersive a normal ultrawide monitor can be; to get the extra screen width of the CHG90 takes this to a whole other level.

There is also a decent amount of support for this aspect ratio too. You may be worrying if you have a gaming PC powerful enough to run 3840x1080p 144hz, but this resolution has half the pixels of a 4k monitor, and there plenty of 4k 144hz displays on the market. As long as you have a mid to high-range setup, you should be able to run an array of titles here.

To top off the gaming features is built-in support for AMD Freesync 2, which is one of the best technologies available to minimize common monitor issues such as ghosting on high-end displays.

Then there is the build quality; this Samsung 1080p ultrawide display is gorgeous, with a sturdy, well-built frame. It’s worth mentioning that it doesn’t have speakers, but we think you’ll want a real audiophile solution for gaming/general use to appreciate how immersive/productive this display can be anyway.

Last but not least, this is a curved super ultrawide monitor. On top of everything else this display has going for it, its 1800R curvature offers an additional layer of immersion.

Between all the great features we’ve discussed, you probably realize why we rate this screen so highly.

If you have the budget, this is an incredible choice, and the best 1080p ultrawide monitor on the market; something truly special that will last you a long time.

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Alternative Picks – Best of the Rest

While the top 4 picks are our absolute favorite options for gaming, media, and general/business use alike, we wanted to provide a few more quick-fire picks in case any of our readers have very specific requirements/briefly explain why we may not have chosen them above the top 4.

34″ 1080p Ultrawide Alternative: Sceptre C345W-2560UN

While we think the main Sceptre monitor we’ve recommended is the better choice value-wise, this is a great option if you happen to find it at a discount/if the top Sceptre choice is out of stock and you want something of similar quality.

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Second Cheapest IPS 1080p Ultrawide Monitor: LG 34WL600-B

If you like the look of out budget 1080p ultrawide display pick but want something with a better design/picture quality, this LG monitor is a great pick “in-between” our top cheap and high-end IPS choices. We’d just say it will usually be worth picking up the top Sceptreor LG displays if possible over this.

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Mid-Range 1080p Ultrawide IPS Monitor: Philips 342E2E

Operating in a similar space to the LG pick directly above, this is a good middle-ground pick for users focussed on a business/general use display (while we prefer our main picks, it would be decent on a discount).

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Best 200Hz 1080p Ultrawide Monitor: MSI Optix MAG301CR

Our last pick is an MSI gaming monitor with a superb refresh rate; the main reasons we don’t rate this as highly as our top pick is its significantly larger price-range and user-reports of ghosting. We’d say this is only worth considering if you’re after a very high refresh-rate monitor and the other viable picks are not available.

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1080p vs 1440p Ultrawide Resolution

Before we wrap up, we wanted to address the common question on the differences between 1080p and 1440p for ultrawide. Some users seem to think that 2560 x 1080 resolution is “not good enough” for ultrawide monitors. This simply isn’t true.

Of course, if you have the extra budget and a semi-powerful PC, 1440p ultrawide is a marvel to behold. But there is nothing wrong with 1080p, UWFHD monitors are still far superior and more immersive than their 16:9 counterparts and you can still expect a crisp image with full HD, making them a perfect budget ultrawide option; not to mention our Samsung monitor choice proves that this form factor has some incredible premium options too.

If your budget is more in-line with the cost of 1080p ultrawide, don’t fret! We think you’ll love the options above, with the top picks selected with a balance of the picture, high refresh rate, and build quality in mind, you can expect them to be excellent options for gaming, media, or general use.

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About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

Should You Buy a 280Hz Monitor in 2022? Guide, Best Picks & Alternatives

280Hz Monitor

280Hz Monitor Buying Guide in 2022 - Should You Buy & Best Picks

How to find the perfect high refresh rate display for gaming (and more)

280Hz Monitor

Short answer: There are very few 280Hz monitors on the market but there are a few excellent choices (we’ll cover them below).

If you’re looking for the highest refresh rate monitor possible, we cover displays up to 360Hz in another detailed feature.

280Hz displays, what a time to be alive!

Not too long ago, 144Hz was hailed as the highest refresh rate available. Today, the top manufacturers have well surpassed this limit to provide some stunning ELMB monitors (extreme low monitor blur).

Today we’ll go through the best 280Hz monitors available, and a couple of premium/budget alternatives.

Table of Contents

Should You Buy a 280Hz Monitor?

280Hz screens are designed primarily with gaming in mind.

Such a high refresh rate (combined with anti-screen tear technologies like AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync) enables your content to boast extremely low motion blur alongside the snappiness/responsiveness of high-FPS.

If you’re a serious e-sports or online multiplayer gamer, this refresh rate is a fantastic choice, you’ll notice a huge difference between 280Hz vs 144Hz (280Hz vs 60Hz isn’t even comparable!).

There are higher refresh rates available on the market (the best alternative we cover below), but 280Hz is a decent sweet spot for most (because the highest refresh rate options cost significantly more for what we would consider diminishing returns for most gamers).

If you’re focused primarily on single-player games, 280FPS monitors are still a good choice, but we expect you’ll prefer something that prioritizes a higher resolution (280Hz monitors are currently all 1080p).

Other options to consider:

If 280Hz monitors are your best option, then read on for the best picks…

Best 280Hz Monitor: ASUS TUF VG279QM

We considered all of the 280Hz monitors during this review feature, but there is a clear stand-out in this ASUS offering.

The VG279QM’s main feature is, of course, its high refresh rate. The fluid screen is simply stunning for esports and single-player titles alike.

That said, it’s such a great offering because of everything else packed into the display at a very modest price.

With a 1ms response time, decent contrast (alongside DisplayHDR400 options), and a good color panel, the screen quality is great for a mid-range gaming monitor (you’ll certainly enjoy this quality across other types of content, e.g. TV & internet browsing).

This ASUS 280Hz monitor is also set apart by its excellent variety of gaming modes that ensure low screen-tearing and lag, namely ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB-sync) which can work alongside FreeSync to provide a stable picture.

Don’t underestimate how even some premium high refresh rate monitors can have notable problems with screen tearing and other visual artifacts (a quick look at customer reviews will show this issue for a huge array of expensive offerings). This TUF 280Hz monitor’s ability to keep the picture smooth and clear is a huge buying factor.

1080p 27″ is a good size/PPI for responsive gaming (we would like to see 1440p, but this resolution at 280Hz doesn’t yet exist, the closest is 240Hz + 1440p).

We’re also happy to see great adjustability and build quality, with everything from titling to rotating (i.e. vertical monitor orientation) available, alongside the monitor’s good connectivity (DisplayPort + HDMI options, with good compatibility for lower refresh rate modes when using with an Xbox Series X and PS5).

VG279QM vs VG258QM

You may have noticed that despite our specific highlight on the 27″ version, there is a slightly cheaper and smaller version, the VG258QM.

The 24.5″ version is just as capable in screen quality, refresh rate, and anti-screen tear technology as its larger counterpart.

The reason we focus on the 27″ version is that, for most gamers, we find 27″ to be the sweet spot for setups (small enough to offer a good PPI with 1080p, large enough to spot details in games at the average eye-to-screen distance).

That said, if the idea of a slightly smaller version that comes in a little cheaper is important to you, then know that the VG258QM is just as capable as its larger brother.

What else is there to say? With good screen quality, buttery-smooth refresh rates, snappy response time, and a solid build all offered at a price tag lower than its competitors, ASUS has created a fantastic offering here.

Not only is this the best ELMB monitor on the market, but it’s one of the top offerings across any category. If you’re looking for the best 280Hz monitor for gaming, you’ve found it.

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Other 280Hz Monitors

VG279QM vs VG258QMvs XB253Q vs XF273 Zbmiiprx

As part of this feature’s research, we reviewed each of the top 280Hz screens with price in mind. So why did the VG279QM come out on top?

The other two options worthwhile are:

Both of these Acer 280Hz monitors are great; with good specifications across color, blacks/whites, low response times, and anti-screen tearing technology.

With that said, at the time of writing, they both come in between 15-25% more expensive than their same-sized ASUS monitor counterparts.

The Zbmiiprx, with 99% sRGB and HDR10, has an impressive picture quality, but it’s not so notable of a change to be worth the extra price (at this cost, you can look at our 360Hz monitor pick below).

In some ways, we’d say the ASUS choices are even better with price out of the equation due to the included ELMB technology and improved adjustability (the Zbmiiprx doesn’t boast vertical orientation).

With their insane value in mind, the ASUS 280Hz monitors are our top picks for 24.5″ and 27″ buyers, but if you happen to see either Acer choice on a sale that leaves them at a similar price, we can then recommend picking them up (particularly the Zbmiiprx if you value a slightly better screen quality over extra adjustability and ELMB-sync).

Best 280Hz Monitor Premium Alternative: Alienware AW2521H

With the top 280Hz choice and its competitors covered, we wanted to also quickly highlight an option for those of you who saw the mid-range price tag of these 280Hz options and wanted to take their budget further.

As buttery-smooth as 280Hz is, the highest refresh rate available in today’s monitor market is 360hz! This is an incredible offering for competitive gamers or those after a generally top-end experience.

One of the best offerings in this spec is Alienware’s AW2521H, which matches the quality of its refresh rate with superb picture/build quality, G-sync compatibility, 1ms GTG response time, and great connectivity options, the Alienware is a good premium offering all-around. 

As much as we love our top option, if you could stretch your budget a little further, this would be a worthy upgrade for those after a competitive gaming monitor.

If you want more options (including the highest refresh rates at different resolutions) we have a detailed feature breaking this area down more.

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Best Budget 280Hz Monitor Alternative: ASUS TUF VG24VQE

If you were interested in a 280Hz display but the prices are alarming you, fear not! The VG24VQE is a great monitor for those who want the joy of a high refresh rate screen at a cost not that much higher than a traditional 60Hz monitor.

Boasting 165Hz (which is a visible improvement compared to the most popular 144Hz gaming monitors), this may not reach the same prowess as 280Hz but is still perfectly suitable for competitive and single-player gamers alike.

We also appreciate that despite its lower price point, it still includes great anti-tearing tech between ELMB-sync and FreeSync Premium (the best compatibility we’ve come across at its price range) on top of its good connectivity. The IPS panel also still manages to offer a decent picture between blacks and colors (it’s not quite as sharp as our more premium picks, but we’re impressed by what we’ve seen for the price).

This model is small, but if you can stretch your budget a little further, there is an equally compelling 27″ version. It completely depends on your setup (if your eyes are fairly close to the monitor, a 23.6″ offering will be manageable).

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Final Thoughts

And there you have it! That’s everything we recommend you needing to know in the world of 280Hz monitors.

To summarise, if you are a serious multi-player/esports gamer, or simply love the idea of an extremely snappy screen with low motion blur (and you have a mid-range budget), our top 280Hz monitor pick (or the alternatives mentioned when on offer) are perfect for you.

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The 10 Best Cheap Second Monitors in 2022

Cheap Second Monitor

The 10 Best Cheap Second Monitors in 2022

For gaming, work, and everything in between

Cheap Second Monitor

If you spend a decent amount of time (like most of us do) at your PC, a second monitor is a must.

But that shouldn’t mean you have to fork out the same price tag as your primary screen, it’s secondary for a reason!

That’s why today, we’ll be looking through the best budget second monitors for your setup.

We’re not just including the cheapest we can find, but the ones we confidently recommend despite their lower price tags.

Top Picks

Acer SB220Q

Overall Best Cheap Second Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS*

Screen Size: 21.5″ | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Refresh Rate: 75Hz | Response Time: 4ms | Brightness: 250 nits | Contrast Ratio: 1000:1

Our Rating: 95%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Incredible price

+ Good screen quality

+ Deceptively thin and well-built

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Better specs are available at higher prices
 
 − Limited adjustability
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Topping the list is one of the most impressive value offerings in today’s market.

The Acer SB220Q somehow manages to pack in some decent specifications at a price point where many rival manufacturers don’t even offer a full HD monitor.

On top of the 1080p resolution (which, at 21.5″, looks very crisp), the cheap screen boasts an IPS panel with decent colors and contrast.

The 4ms response time means it’s perfectly serviceable for budget gaming (we do have a more recommended screen for gaming below if you can stretch your budget though).

We’re pleased to see that the listing includes 24″/27″ model options. These are not just similar in spec, but also in value (of course, always expect to pay a little more for larger sizes). Where possible, we recommend picking up a budget second display that’s the same size as your primary screen for aesthetics and ease of use across different content (that said, a smaller display is also OK for your second screen, which is why we specifically recommend the 21.5″ option as the best cheap choice).

At this price point, you can’t expect everything to be the best. As highly as we rate the SB220Q, its brightness is a tad low (250 nits is quite common in monitors, but if your screen faces a lot of sunlight, you may want to consider a slightly more expensive option). The picture quality is good, but you will certainly find better colors, blacks, and whites at higher prices.

We’re pleased to see the monitor is sturdy and well-built, with the only area lacking being limited adjustability (if you want your second monitor to align vertically, see our top streaming pick).

When we think of usages of a second screen, it’s often work-related, IMs, background video content, and internet browsing.

What we love about the SB220Q is, compared to other monitors at the same price, it is perfectly suitable for all these activities (and yes, we are keeping cost in mind, but one of the best things we can say is that it doesn’t feel like a cheap option).

The SB220Q is our comfortable top pick for the best cheap second monitor available today.

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AOC G2490VX

Best Cheap Second Gaming Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 24″ | Panel Type: VA | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Response Time: 1ms (MPRT) | Brightness: 350 nits | Color: 125.95% sRGB & 92.85% DCI-P3 | Contrast Ratio: 4000:1

Our Rating: 95%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Unmatched value for a 144hz FHD screen

+ Great colors & contrast

+ Beauitful, sturdy design

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Some rare user defects reported
 
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As much as we’ve raved about the top Acer choice for the average user, we’re pleased to report that those after a cheap secondary monitor for gaming have an option just as compelling

The G2490VX packs an incredible amount of value in its price tag.

The big changes that make this an ideal choice for gamers compared to our pick above are the fantastic 1ms response time & 144hz refresh rate. For anything from competitive to single-player titles, we can’t attest just how lovely it is to play on a high refresh rate display with very low input lag.

Now, as much as we like 144hz @ 1ms, what really gives this monitor such a high score from us is how AOC produced a screen quality that excels across the board: offering good color accuracy across DCI-P3 and sRGB, fantastic contrast, and decent brightness.

Even if the monitor had similar specs to our top pick outside of refresh rate/response time, we still would’ve been impressed, so adding better contrast, color and brightness is such a huge value add at the price.

The monitor runs off a VA panel, which compared to IPS, tends to offer better blacks at the cost of slightly inferior viewing angles and color. That said, we don’t think the monitor lacks in any of these departments, VA makes sense as its typically cheaper to produce a low response time screen at this price range (to put it another way, we don’t think you’ll find an IPS screen of the same quality at this price).

Most user reception of the G2490VX has been very positive, but it’s worth pointing out a small number of buyers who have had issues with defective panels/dead pixels.

We don’t consider this a reason not to invest as the AOC warranty here (including for dead pixels) is quite generous compared to some competitor options.

Between its picture, build, and price, we’re delighted that the G2490VX (and its 27″ counterpart) are available for those after a cheap second screen for gaming, it’s a fantastic choice that exceeds many options available at higher prices.

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HP VH240a

Best Cheap Second Monitor for Streaming

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 24″ | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Response Time: 5ms | Brightness: 250 nits | Color: 72% sRGB | Contrast Ratio: 1000:1

Our Rating: 85%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Fantastic adjustable build

+ Good picture

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Too expensive if you don’t plan on using vertically
 
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When it comes to purchasing a good second streaming monitor, one of the very common utilities we like to see is being able to align your monitor vertically (this often suits looking at chat, Twitch/Youtube analytics, and other second screen content best for streamers).

With that in mind, the VH240a is HP’s answer to what our top Acer pick accomplishes so well: a cheap yet high-quality jack of all trades monitor.

Its specs are similar (other than the larger 24″ screen) with a good (albeit somewhat average) color/contrast, and the same 250 nits of brightness.

Where the HP VH240a vs Acer SB220Q battle differs is in adjustability, the HP offering is one of the cheapest vertical monitors available, with a fantastic stand and durable build that would be suitable for work environments and regular movement.

That said, it comes at a premium: the VH240a runs at around 30% more expensive (at the time of review) compared to the 24″ version of our top pick.

If you’re a streamer or worker that could value a vertical alignment (e.g. programmer), we think the adjustability can be worth it.

But if you expect to just use your monitor in the traditional landscape orientation, the HP screen is great, but not worth the premium over cheaper second monitors like our top pick. 

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Sceptre E205W-16003R

Cheapest Second Monitor Worth Buying

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 20″ | Panel Type: TN | Resolution: 1600×900 | Refresh Rate: 75Hz | Response Time: 4ms | Brightness: 250 nits | Color: 99% sRGB | Contrast Ratio: 3000:1

Our Rating: 80%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Very cheap

+ Surprisingly thin and well-built

+ Picture is a good quality

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Not full HD
 
 − TN panel
 
 − Better options available at only slightly higher prices
 
 
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Although our top choices are already at very competitive price points, we appreciate some readers will just be looking for the cheapest option possible (perhaps those who only have very basic uses in mind for their second screen).

If this sounds like you, this Spectre offering is the cheapest second monitor on the market that we would recommend (yes, you can go cheaper, but you’ll be met with no-name manufacturers and screens of awful quality).

The e205W boasts some decent colors (we’re pleased to see 99% sRGB) and a good contrast despite its low price. The quality is decent, with the major caveat being its 1600×900 resolution means it’s not suitable for full HD content.

It’s a tiny monitor, at only 20″; for some second screen users, this may be a nice pick if you don’t want a large, imposing screen. It also means that the 900p resolution isn’t too problematic because the screen is small enough that the pixels per inch (PPI) will still look crisp.

We’re pleased to see that the monitor doesn’t look cheap, with a decent, sturdy build quality that includes some basic ergonomic tilt options.

One larger point to consider on picture quality is the TN panel this screen is built on.

TN (typically speaking) is good at offering decent specs at very low prices, which is why its compelling for budget options. A major problem with the panel type, however, is its poor viewing angles.

When you are not looking at the monitor dead-center, the screen can become more washed-out and unclear.

For a usual budget offering, we’d say this is manageable and made up for with the decent contrast and color, but as we’re considering a second monitor, we expect most users won’t be looking dead center at this screen (it will instead be off to their left or right). It’s still certainly usable, but it’s another reason to fork out a little more for an IPS/VA offering.

All things considered, we think the 10-15% it usually costs to upgrade to our top choice is worth it over this Spectre pick.

That said, if every cent counts, or you want the best small second monitor, this is still a great choice.

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ASUS ZenScreen

Best Cheap Second Screen for Laptop

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 15.6″ | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Response Time: 5ms (GtG) | Brightness: 250 nits | Contrast Ratio: 800:1

Our Rating: 90%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Beautiful crisp screen for the price

+ High-quality build

+ Single cable for power & connectivity

REASONS TO AVOID
 − More expensive than no-name manufacturer options
 
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What if your setup isn’t static? If your idea of a cheap second screen involves portability/laptop use, the ZenScreen is our favorite option.

The screen boasts a decent IPS screen with an excellent PPI (1080p at 15.6″ is going to provide some very crisp content).

The brightness and contrast are mediocre but serviceable, we would’ve liked to see a slightly higher nits rating considering the portable intention of the device (something to consider if your laptop environment is often very sunny), but overall, it’s a high-quality offering compared to other devices at its price range here.

The exception to this rule is if you are willing to purchase from smaller manufacturers. The portable monitor market has way more no-name suppliers who don’t have the brand power (and by extension, support/warranty) as big names like ASUS, but certainly offer some pretty compelling products at cheaper prices if this doesn’t worry you too much (this screen is a great example, offering similar specs at about 30% cheaper).

Another plus we will give the ZenScreen specifically is its build quality. It’s important to consider design and durability when you’re picking up a portable offering; the screen is deceptively thin, lightweight, and includes a high-quality sleeve that allows you to align the device horizontally and vertically.

If you like the look of the ZenScreen but want a cheaper option, ASUS also produces a 768p version at a significantly lower price (we don’t rate this version as highly and think most users will appreciate the full HD screen, but it’s still a good product if you can’t afford the 1080p version).

Overall, between its high-quality internal and external setup, we still consider the ZenScreen the best budget second laptop monitor and think it’s worth the slight premium over other options.

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Spectre U275W-UPT

Best Cheap 4K Second Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 27″ | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Refresh Rate: 70Hz | Response Time: 5ms | Brightness: 350 nits | Color: 99% sRGB | Contrast Ratio: 1000:1

Our Rating: 85%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Incredible price for 4K

+ Great connectivity options

+ Pleasing design

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Better specs & larger size might be appreciated for 4K users
 
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The U275W is an impressively priced 4K choice for a cheap dual monitor setup. At a price-point not that much higher than our 1080p/1440p picks, it doesn’t just boast an incredible PPI (UHD @ 27″ is very crisp), but also some good secondary specs.

The contrast, color accuracy, and brightness are all at a good middle range, and we’re pleased to see the monitor not skimping on design or connectivity either.

The main gripe we have with this cheap UHD monitor is that, while its picture is of decent quality, when you’re considering a 4K monitor, we imagine many of you are professional users (video/photo editors) or content enthusiasts demanding the highest quality picture.

Even though this Spectre offering has a good screen, 4K is a premium market, and you will see the benefit in higher color accuracy/better contrast & brightness if you invest more in an alternate option.

If you’re a gamer, a 4K 144hz screen will serve you better (these aren’t cheap, but if you’re running a 4K gaming PC, we think you should be expecting to spend to match the quality of your PC).

We would, for example, say it’d be better to combine a higher quality primary 4K monitor, with a cheaper 1080p/1440p option.

Also, given the pixel density of a 4k screen at 27″, unless you are very close to your monitor or simply like the higher PPI possible, we think many 4K-enthusiasts will prefer 32″+, where the benefits of 4K can be observed by lesser-trained eyes.

That said, this is still a gorgeous, crisp screen and we’re recommending it for a reason. We know some users will want a mid-range 4K offering at a decent price, this Spectre pick excels at providing just that far better than any other option we’ve come across.

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Spectre E275W-QPT

Best Cheap Second 1440p Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 27″ | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 2560 x 1440p | Refresh Rate: 75Hz | Response Time: 5ms (GTG) | Brightness: 300 nits | Color: 99% sRGB | Contrast Ratio: 3000:1

Our Rating: 90%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Decent specs for the price

+ Good screen size for crisp 2K image

+ Good build quality

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Poor speakers
 
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1440p is a wonderful compromise between 4K and 1080p, especially for a secondary screen.

At 27″, 2K is a sweet spot, offering a crisp image without being, for many eyes, overkill.

The E275W stands at the top of the pile. Boasting a very impressive price point that rivals some of our earlier 1080p picks, the screen is gorgeous.

Like the 4K Spectre pick above, it boasts a good picture quality with mid-range specs for brightness, color, and contrast.

It’s also a similarly well-built device with good connectivity across HDMI and DisplayPort (there is limited adjustability in its stand however if that is important to you).

There is little we don’t like about this Spectre offering unless you happen to want decent onboard speakers, the ones on offer here are pretty poor quality so we’d recommend combing them with decent headphones or standalone speakers.

Overall, the E275W hits a really nice sweet spot for those after a budget second 1440p monitor, at a very fair price, you’re not just getting great resolution but a screen that feels mostly mid-range in quality.

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Spectre E275B-QPT168

Best Cheap 1440p Second Screen for Gaming

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 27″ | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Refresh Rate: Up to 165Hz | Response Time: 1ms | Brightness: 300 nits | Color: 99% sRGB | Contrast Ratio: 3000:1

Our Rating: 95%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Great balance between spec and price  for gaming

+ Sturdy build

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Notably more expensive than our top 1080p gaming option
 
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If you like the sound of the above 2K display but have gaming in mind, this pick is for you.

On top of the crisp 1440p resolution at 27″, decent brightness/contrast, and good color, the E275B earns our gaming recommendation above its other 2K brother by boasting a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time.

We can’t speak highly enough of what a great combination of specs are on offer here for the price. Providing you have the gaming PC to run it, single-player and competitive titles alike are going to not just look fantastic, but feel snappy and responsive.

The monitor boasts great connectivity too, with 2 x HDMI and 2 x DP 1.4 (worth noting that HDMI is limited to up to 144Hz, but this is still a fantastic refresh rate if you don’t want to use DisplayPort).

AOC G2490VX vs Spectre E275B-QPT168

The only reason we wouldn’t recommend the Spectre pick for gamers is its price.

Overall, it’s an excellent figure for what’s on offer, but we do appreciate our top AOC 1080p gaming pick is notably cheaper (as we’re reviewing second screens here, unless your primary monitor isn’t gaming-focused, this may be overkill for some users).

But if your idea of a cheap second screen for gaming includes excellent resolution on top of great secondary specs, this Spectre screen is our favorite pick for you.

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Spectre C305B-FUN200W

Best Cheap Second Ultrawide Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 30″ | Panel Type: VA | Resolution: 2560 x 1080 | Refresh Rate: Up to 200Hz | Response Time: 1ms | Brightness: 250 nits | Color: 99% sRGB | Contrast Ratio: 3000:1

Our Rating: 80%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Good balance of specs

+ Great for productivity & gaming

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Low brightness
 
 − Too expensive for many dual-screen setups
 
 
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If your idea of a second screen includes a wider form factor for more immersive content with fewer bezels interfering with your viewing, or if you’re someone in-between picking up 1 or 2 extra monitors, this pick is for you.

The C305B is an ultrawide monitor, which, as the name implies, means it is significantly wider (21:9 aspect ratio, compared to the standard 16:9 screen, so just over 30% wider).

This can be a wonderful choice for many types of content; working on an ultrawide can be a dream, but this specific choice also excels at gaming with an impressive 200Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time.

The brightness is a little low at its price-point for 250nits, but we appreciate the 3000:1 contrast ratio produced by its VA panel, which means you can expect decent blacks/whites in spite of the low brightness (providing you don’t have too much sun glare).

Important note: This pick, with its low response time and high refresh rate, has been recommended with gamers also in mind, if your pure focus is on productivity, see our other 1080p ultrawide options for cheaper choices.

We do like this ultrawide display, but it gets the lowest score on our list purely because of today’s focus on the best second monitor for PC setups with cost in mind.

We expect it’s not what many people have in mind for their price range, and a majority of you will prefer our traditional 16:9 picks.

Still, if you do have a slightly larger budget and want to fork out extra for the wonderful immersion for gaming and content on offer in an ultrawide, this is a great offering for you.

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Philips 325E8

Best Cheap Second Large Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 32″ | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 2560×1440 | Refresh Rate: 75Hz | Response Time: 5ms (GTG) | Brightness: 250 nits | Contrast Ratio: 1200:1

Our Rating: 95%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Good size and resolution for an amazing price

+ Elegant design and good build quality

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Picture specs are good, but not great
 
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Many of the options on this list hover in the 20-27″ range.

So to wrap up the list, we wanted to highlight an excellent offering from Philips for those after a larger second monitor.

And what a great choice it is; boasting a 1440p resolution, we appreciate Philips not opting for 1080p here (at 32″, you’ll begin to notice the pixel count more, 2K is a great balance between crisp image and price).

The other specs are all respectable, with a decent response time, color rating, and contrast ratio running on an IPS panel. We would’ve liked to see 300-350 nits brightness and slightly better color accuracy included, but like many options on this list, we’ve focussed on price first.

And it’s really worth highlighting the price of the Philips offering as a huge deal; most larger monitors come with a hefty premium, so to not only get 32″, but also 1440p, at a price range not too much more expensive than some of our other picks is an incredible deal compared to the other competitors’ options we reviewed.

Even if the picture quality is “good, not great”, we still think the 325E8 is a very good product and easily our pick for the best budget large second monitor available today.

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Final Thoughts

And there you have it! We’ve been through a lot of cheap second screens today, if that leaves you a little confused on which to choose, our top overall pick is an excellent choice for the average user, we would pick the size that best matches your primary monitor and go with that if you’re in doubt.
 

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About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

* Specifications throughout our articles are double-checked and intended to inform our users, but should not be treated as factual information. When making final decisions on your products, please check the manufacturer pages to confirm the fine details.

The 10 Best TVs for Cars in 2022 (Headrest, Portable & Overhead)

TV for Car

The 10 Best TVs for Cars in 2022

Portable options for Netflix, Wi-fi, Bluetooth and more

TV for Car

Buying a TV for your car used to be a luxury few could afford.

But today, there are a ton of affordable, high-quality, and flexible devices that can work for streaming, games, and more.

Whether you’re looking for a car TV for kids, adults, or both, we’ve broken down the main types of TVs to installing in your car.

If you’re new to the world of car TVs, don’t fret, we’ve included plenty of detail on what to look for depending on your needs just below.

Best Car Headrest TVs

Best Car Overhead TVs

Best Portable DVD Players/Monitors

Best Tablet + Car Mount Combos

Best Headphones for Car Trips

A quick word on low-quality car TVs

Before we start, we wanted to make our readers aware of the emergence of low-quality, cheap-manufacturer offerings in the car TV market.

There are plenty of great portable screens on offer, but we also came across many overpriced (borderline scams) in our searches.

Where possible, stick to the recommendations we’ve provided below. But if you want to stray to other picks, make sure there is already a large positive reception online (it’s easy for scammers to fake a few good reviews).

Now, let’s get to it!

Types of Car TVs

Today’s feature is broken down into 4 different types of Car TV screens – follow the links to the ones you are most interested in:

  1. Headrest Car TVs: This is the type of display we would recommend to most users. Often sold in pairs, these are made to wrap around the back of your front seats to provide backseat passenger entertainment. They’re also one of the cheaper options (with premium types available).
    Jump to headrest car TVs
  2. Car Overhead TV: As the name implies, these monitors are typically installed on the inner roof of your vehicle (usually between the 2 front seats). This is a good option if you want your kids/backseat passengers to watch the same content (often the best choice for those after a gaming TV for the car). It’s also the best alternative if the back of your front seats aren’t suitable for mounting screens (most sturdy seats are, unless you are the type of front passenger who is constantly adjusting their position).
    We would recommend headrest car TVs first as the installation is much simpler and they tend to be more affordable compared to car roof TVs.
    Jump to car overhead TVs
  3. Portable DVD Players/Monitor: If you want something that can be moved easily and/or used for other purposes (e.g. a monitor in your hotel room during a car trip) then a portable screen may be your best bet (as long as you’re happy for it to not be mounted).
    Jump to portable DVD monitors/players
  4. Tablet + Car Mount Combo: If you’re focussed on getting a car TV for kids/babies, you may want to consider picking up a tablet (or use ones you already own) in combination with separate car mounts. These may cost a little more upfront, but having the tablets for your kids to use at other points provides a lot more value overall.
    Jump to car tablets

The best car headrest TVs

This first offering we’ll be reviewing is a smaller type of TV (usually 7-13″) that are designed to be strapped or mounted to the back of your front seats to provide each backseat passenger with a screen for Netflix, Disney+, DVDs, etc (streaming is limited to the premium options).

These are the most popular type of car TV screens and the ones we recommend for a majority of our readers, due to their:

  • Low cost compared to other options.
  • A competitive market means the top products are of a decent picture and build quality
  • Included mounts are usually flexible for a wide range of seats
  • Designed for individual usage (often sold in discounted pairs) they’re better if you’re looking for a car TV for multiple passengers (e.g. 2 kids sitting in the back who want to watch different shows)
  • They often come with all the necessary extras (wiring setups, headphones, etc.)

NAVISKAUTO 10.1" Dual Car Monitors

Overall Best Car TV

SPECIFICATIONS*

Screen Size: 10.1″ | Extras Included: Remote + headphones (x2) | DVD player: Yes | Memory Options: USD/SD up to 128GB | Battery: Car charger-powered | Controls: Buttons & remote

Our score: 95%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Fantastic value

+ Good warranty and support

+ Serviceable quality for kids

+ DVD & memory card options for storage

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Better quality available at higher pricing
 
 − No screen mirroring for non-DVD content
 
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Kicking off our top picks is a choice that we think is what many of our readers will have in mind on their search for the best TV for car trips.

This Naviskauto offering is a pair of 10.1″ monitors with all of the necessities bundled. That includes 2 pairs of headphones (their quality isn’t mind-blowing, but are a serviceable value-add for car entertainment).

The screen is at a decent resolution for the device’s size and boasts some decent UI to play movies/TV shows.

The included DVD player isn’t just decent and lightweight, but also designed to mirror across both devices (in other words, you can set one DVD up to play on both screens for multiple passengers).

We’re also pleased to see the device includes up to 32GB storage for SD/USB content – On top of this, it supports MP4s up to 1080p. This is one of the value-adds of this offering over some of our cheaper picks directly below (which may support SD card movies, but not necessarily full HD or the most common file types, meaning you may have to convert some content before watching).

One disappointment here (even though it’s fairly universal across similar devices) is that the screen mirroring only works for DVD content. If you’re playing movies from the SD card, you’ll have to set up SD cards in both of the devices instead of being able to mirror from one.

The displays also have decent ports available, most notably HDMI-in, meaning you could as easily play content from a phone/laptop/tablet (providing you have the right cables to connect each).

There are quite a few similar dual-monitor offerings out there, so what makes us rate this one the highest?

Overall, we think the NAVISKAUTO hits the sweet spot between price, included extras, screen quality, and memory upgrade options.

Finally, their warranty and customer service have been well-received by a huge array of previous customers. Don’t underestimate the importance of this: although the included car mounts are well received, there is no such thing as a 100% universal car mount, so having a supplier that seems to be (from previous customer experiences) willing to provide alternate mounts is a great bonus add (warranty also helps when you’re buying something intended for kids/babies!).

Simply put, the NAVISKAUTO is the best all-around choice; there are certainly other great options throughout this feature, but if you’re looking for simplicity and value (without going too cheap), these are the best headrest TV screens we’d recommend to you.

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A AINAVI 13.3" Android Screen

Best Premium TV for Cars

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 13.3″ | Extras Included: USB Flash drive | DVD player: No | Memory Options: 16-64GB internal options + TF card/USB port up to 128GB | Battery Life: Car battery-powered | Controls: Android tablet/touschreen

Our score: 90%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Best car TV picture quality

+ Smooth, fast and well-built

+ Wi-fi & Bluetooth support

+ Good screen mirroring

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Expensive
 
 − No DVD player
 
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If you have a larger budget, or perhaps have older children/adult passengers who will appreciate a premium experience, this next pick is for you.

The A AINAVI screens are a delight; they are very sturdy and well-built while retaining a deceptively thin, lightweight form factor. 

But the magic is really in the internals; with a nice, large 13.3″ screen that is not just full HD in resolution, but supports up to 4K video (downscaled) due to its excellent speedy hardware. These good specs don’t just help with video playback, but also ensure the experience on the device is smooth (with fast load times and responsive UI, something that can be a little painful on cheaper TVs for vehicles).

The device doesn’t just have a decent resolution; it’s bright, has decent contrast, and boasts great colors compared to the usual $150-200 screen pairs, it’s one of the best picture qualities we’ve come across that older passenger, in particular, are sure to appreciate.

Another super important inclusion over the cheaper options is that this is a tv for cars with wi-fi & Bluetooth. Not only does this give you so many connectivity options with your car and other devices (e.g. Bluetooth headphones), but the wi-fi support enables you to access live streaming (if you have good mobile data during your car journey).

In other words, this is one of the best car TVs for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and more (it’s worth adding though, that many of these services have options to download local videos that you may be able to use with some of the cheaper options).

One minor omission on these devices is that they do not include a DVD player. We think the manufacturer figured that for those looking for a premium device in 2022, you’d likely be focused on digital content (but if DVD is important to you, look at our other headrest screen options).

Now, other than a lack of a DVD player, there is very little not to like about these dual vehicle screens, other than the price tag included that matches the excellent features.

We’d say that many of you may be happy with the cheaper TVs on offer.

But if you have the budget, or specifically are looking for large, high-quality screens with better connectivity features, then these AINAVI offerings are the best car TV screens on the market we’ve come across.

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WONNIE 10.5'' Dual Screen

Best Budget TV for Cars

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 10.5″ | Extras Included: 1 remote | DVD player: Yes | Memory Options: SD card/USB up to 32GB | Battery Life: Up to 5 hours | Controls: Buttons/remote

Our score: 85%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Amazing value

+ Fair picture quality for budget device

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Less memory/video support than the top picks
 
 − Shorter warranty/slightly more problems observed
 
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WONNIE has created a cheaper offering to our top pick while retaining many of the critical areas that make it an excellent headrest TV set.

Boasting a similar screen size, DVD player, and build quality, the WONNIE dual screen set is a fantastic value offering.

Its picture quality isn’t anything too impressive, but it’s certainly serviceable for most types of content.

One feature we appreciate here is the included battery which means you don’t need to always have the device powered by the car mains if that is inconvenient for your car setup.

(We appreciate that as a budget choice, this may still be expensive for some, see our next pick for the cheapest set we’d recommend).

So, with similar specs to our top pick at a slightly lower price, why do we not put this as the best overall TV for vehicles?

Well, although it’s a close race, the NAVISKAUTO has a couple of extra features we think will be worth the money:

  1. An extra 6 months of warranty with excellent customer feedback; for a portable device that is often used by kids/babies, we think this is an excellent value-add
  2. WONNIE has slightly less support when it comes to digital filetypes, most notably MP4s (the most common for downloaded movies) – this means that  if you plan on using an SD card/USB stick for movies, you may have to convert them on your PC first which is a bit of a slog for a device that is about adding convenience to your journies.

With that said, if these extras do not seem all that important to you, the WONNIE screen pair is an excellent choice and the best cheap TV for cars we’ve come across.

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FANGOR 7.5’’ Dual Car DVD Player

Cheapest Screens - Best Car TV for Babies & Young Kids

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 7.5″ | Extras Included: Remote | DVD player: Yes | Memory Options: USB or SD up to 32GB | Battery Life: Up to 3 hours | Controls: Buttons & remote

Our score: 85%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Incredibly cheap for 2 units

+ Decent size for younger children

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Servicable but basic picture quality
 
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Although we’d recommend the 10″ screens above for older kids where possible, we’re quite impressed by the amount of value included in this package.

At an incredibly low price, you’re still getting 2 screens with a DVD player, memory card options, a basic battery included, and decent car mounts.

The memory card options, like our above pick, also only support basic video formats (no MP4) so will likely require conversion for most types of content.

The screen quality is decent for a 7.5″ screen, but don’t expect anything too impressive (the size is quite small so bear this in mind, this is largely why we consider it a car TV for babies and young kids primarily).

One important omission to bear in mind is the lack of an HDMI-in port, you won’t be able to stream content from a phone/tablet/PC with this device. 

We’ve been through a few negatives, but that’s only to make it clear that it’s a more basic, budget device.

For the price, you are still getting 2 good quality screens that serve as great entertainment devices, if your budget can’t stretch much further, these are still excellent vehicle TVs to pick up.

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The best overhead monitors and car roof TVs

Next up is the other common mounted option in cars.

Overhead car screens are usually installed on the roof between the front 2 seats to allow backseat passengers to all enjoy the same entertainment.

With this in mind, this option is great for those who:

  • Want their passengers to watch the same content together
  • Are more interested in a gaming car TV screen (passengers can play multiplayer games together on these displays)
  • You have a larger vehicle and want multiple rows of passengers to have access to entertainment

Installation can be a little tricky, so bear this in mind before making your final purchase (you can usually find someone to complete the installation fairly cheaply).

Pyle Overhead Display

Best Overhead Car TV

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 17.3″ | Extras Included: Remote | DVD player: No | Memory Options: USB/SD Card up to 32GB | Battery Life: Car battery connection | Controls: Remote

Our score: 90%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Great picture quality

+ Good price for what’s included

+ Well-built and sturdy once installed

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Quite challenging to setup
 
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The most impressive solution we reviewed is the Pyle overhead display. There’s a lot on offer in this car roof TV at an impressive mid-range price point.

Firstly, the picture quality is one of the better options on the list, with a bright, 800P screen that supports 1080p content and a large 17″ dimension, it’s the ideal size for a screen made for multiple passengers’ eyes.

The device has lots of good compatibilities, with HDMI-in, and 32GB memory support (including a wide range of video files like MP4, making your media setup less time-consuming when you’re getting the memory card ready for the road).

We appreciate the audio options available here too: the stereo speakers are of decent quality, but you also have cabling available to set up your car stereo to output sound for your content.

We sound pretty positive, so why do we tend to recommend headrest TVs before this type of offering?

Well, the major con is that overhead displays can be a nuisance to set up, they require more power draw, and it’s often advisable to get a professional to install them on your roof.

Headrest TVs, on the other hand, are very simple to mount without being an enthusiast (and even when there are problems in fittings, our top choices have some pretty decent customer support in finding alternative mounts).

If you’re not intimidated by the setup challenges, this Pyle offering is an excellent choice and our pick for the best car overhead display on the market.

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XTRONS TFT Screen

Best Car TV for Gaming & Premium Users

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 17.3″ | Extras Included: Remote | DVD player: No | Memory Options: USB/SD Card up to 32GB | Battery Life: Car battery powered | Controls: Remote

Our score: 90%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Great full HD picture quality

+ Sturdy & well-built

+ Good HDMI mirroring for Playstation/Xbox

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Difficult installation
 
 − Premium price for resolution increase
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If you have a slightly higher budget or are looking for an overhead car TV for gaming, this next pick is for you.

In many ways similar to our top Pyle pick, the XTRONS TFT screen boasts a nicely sizes 17.” inch screen with great picture quality, speakers, and media compatability.

Where this screen differs is in its resolution: the display is a gorgeous 1080p/full HD which is a notable increase for gaming on Playstation 4/5, Xbox One X & Nintendo Switch.

Even if you’re not a gamer, the full HD resolution can be a gorgeous inclusion for movies too.

It really comes down to your budget, the XTRONS typically runs about 20% more expensive than our top pick.

If you have that extra budget, we think it’s worth the premium if you’re serious about screen quality (but if not, the Pyle display is still a great choice and our top pick for a reason).

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The best portable DVD players and portable monitors

Next up is the classical type of portable screen: a monitor that is essentially designed to be used anywhere (from your lap to a campsite).

We expect most of you, who came to this article for a car-mounted display, will prefer our other options above because they are designed with a static position in mind, with portable monitors, you’ll need to rest them on the laps/hold them while using.

If however, that doesn’t sound like a problem to you, and you also want the convenience of being able to easily use the device elsewhere e.g. take it into your hotel room once your car trip is over) then these are well worth considering.

KYY Portable Display

Best Portable Monitor

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 15.6″ | Extras Included: Smart Cover| DVD player: No | Memory Options: None | Battery Life: Standard power adapter connection | Controls: Touchscreen

Our score: 80%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Beautiful 1080p picture quality

+ Thin, light, and well-built

+ Good device compatibility

REASONS TO AVOID
 − As a car TV: has no internal storage (requires an external device to play content)
 
 − Requires mains power adapter to work
 
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The KYY portable display is stunning to look at, inside and out.

Externally, the device lives up well to its portable intentions by boasting a thin, light, yet strong build that certainly feels made to withstand being moved around a fair amount.

Internally, the screen is full HD with one of the best picture qualities available on the list (including a 1000:1 contrast ratio and good brightness to provide great whites and blacks). The 15.6″ screen size compliments the 1080p resolution will, providing a nice, large, crisp image that is great not just for watching movies, but also being a practical second monitor for a laptop if required during your trip.

With great picture quality, a nice slim build, and the ability to use it in many different ways, you may be asking why we don’t rate this a higher in the list as far as car TV screens go; as good as this KYY device is, there are a couple of drawbacks compared to the above options.

Firstly, you need mains power to use this (no battery or car charger options), many cars have these options now but it’s worth making sure your setup can accommodate it (there are also many car chargers – > mains convertors, but make sure your car’s voltage can support such a connection).

Secondly, unlike overhead and headrest TVs, a portable monitor has no built-in memory card reader/video support. In other words, it’s just a screen, not a media player, you will need to have another device (phone, laptop, etc.) to connect to play content.

If these things don’t detract you, then you’re getting a truly beautiful display that can be used in many versatile ways across a road trip, it comfortably sits as our top choice for the best portable car monitor.

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WONNIE DVD Player

Best Portable DVD Player

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 14.1″ | Extras Included: Remote | DVD player: Yes| Memory Options: USB/SD Card up to 32GB | Battery Life: Car battery, mains adapter, and internal battery up to 6 hours | Controls: Remote

Our score: 90%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Basic device, but incredible quality for the price

+ Plenty of battery options

+ Supports SD/USB content despite DVD focus

REASONS TO AVOID
 − USB/SD card content limited in compatibility
 
 − Slightly underwhelming sound quality
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Our next pick is not really comparable to the KYY portable monitor as it’s designed with a different type of car user in mind.

The WONNIE DVD player is one of the cheapest offerings on this list and offers some pretty compelling value for the price point it’s at.

Boasting a nicely sized 14.1″ screen, DVD player, basic memory card support, and rechargeable battery, there is a good amount of features included that make it a great budget choice for basic movie watching.

We also really appreciate that a basic car mount strap is included (this may not be as universally fitting as some of our other picks’ mounts, but it’s a nice value add nonetheless).

We also like how on top of the internal battery are car charger and AC adapter options, making the power options here more versatile than many of our other picks.

Now with all that said, there are some drawbacks.

Firstly, the picture quality is decent and the sound serviceable, but overall, they are not particularly impressive compared to many of the options on the list.

The memory card format also shares the limited filetype support that some of our budget headrest TVs have. In other words, as a DVD player, it’s perfect, but if you’re trying to play files from the memory card, you have to convert to different file types (and perhaps even resolutions) before playing.

(Note: If you’re looking at at least a pair of screens for your backseat passengers, then the budget headrest TVs we recommend above will likely better value because they are offered in pairs).

All in all, the WONNIE player is an excellent cheap alternative for car entertainment, especially if you want something that can be easily placed in other positions, or you’re looking for 1 device instead of 2. It’s the best DVD player for car trips we’ve come across.

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Best car tablet screens + car mounts

Last but not least, is an option that tends to cost a little more, but we think many of you might like.

If you already own a tablet or two for your kids (or are interested in buying them), by simply buying tablet car mounts, you can repurpose these devices to effectively act as overhead car screens for your backseat passengers.

We think this can be a great fit because:

  • Tablets can be a little pricier, but offer more value overall (your kids can use them elsewhere/access more apps)
  • Because its a device they use more often, their entertainment will be readily available (you won’t have to “set up” the device every time you go on a long car trip, your kids will likely already be familiar with them)
  • Most tablets today come with decent screens

Although we like the benefit of having a static headrest TV that you don’t have to move in and out, the tablet option is certainly compelling.

The only other thing to consider is tablets, not being designed for car usage, won’t come with headphones (but we recommend some very cheap suitable options further below). 

Fire 7 Tablet

Best Cheap Tablet for Car Trips

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 7″ | Extras Included: Front and rear-facing cameras| DVD player: No | Memory Options: 16/32GB internal – up to 512GB external with SD | Battery Life: Up to 7 hours internal battery | Controls: Touchscreen

Our score: 95%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Unparalleled value for quality of device

+ Great app/streaming compatibility

+ Good battery and storage size potential

REASONS TO AVOID
 − No remote control/DVD player
 
 − Can be a tad slow if using it for lots of intense apps
 
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The Fire 7 is one of our top-scoring devices on the list for a reason.

There is so much on offer here at what feels like an almost too-good-to-be-true price.

Starting with its features, the Fire 7 boasts great internal memory options (16GB/32GB) with up to 512GB external storage (way more than our other options on the list) with a great internal battery for up to 7 hours and decent quality front/rear-facing cameras.

One important thing to bear in mind is that 7″ is on the small side for a car TV screen. If you have older kids or adult passengers, it’s very likely you’ll enjoy the HD pick directly below.

That said, the tablet packs a punch in the screen it does have: with a bright, 600p IPS panel, it’s a gorgeous display with a crisp resolution for its size.

Working alongside the screen is a set of specs designed to not just be a portable media player, but a fully-fledged tablet for a variety of app usage (if you’re using intensive apps regularly, it can be a little slow compared to the below pick, but as far as a TV screen/media viewing device goes, it’s perfect).

If you’re looking for a TV for your car with wi-fi and Bluetooth support, this is an excellent alternative over the expensive premium headrest TV we recommend earlier in the article, it’s the cheapest wi-fi supported device on the list so good for those focussed on live streaming content.

All-in-all, the Fire 7 is a fantastic offering. With so much versatility in memory, device compatibility, and connectivity all packaged in a good durable build and a decent screen. There’s a lot to love, especially at the price point, which is why we rate it the best tablet for car trips today.

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Fire HD 10 Kids Pro

Overall Best Tablet for Car Journies

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen Size: 10.1″ | Extras Included: Rear/front cameras, 2 year warranty | DVD player: No | Memory Options: 32GB internal + microSD up to 1TB | Battery Life: Internal up to 12 hours | Controls: Touchscreen

Our score: 90%

REASONS TO BUY

+ Good screen quality and fast specifications for a great price

+ Durable and with 2 year’s extensive warranty

+ Great battery and memory options

REASONS TO AVOID
 − Might be more than needed for younger kids
 
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Now as much as we love the Fire 7, if you have a higher budget or older passengers, the Fire HD 10 is one of the best tablets for a premium car entertainment experience.

Boasting a larger 10″ screen with a full HD screen and great secondary picture specs, the screen is simply stunning and will provide an excellent viewing experience for any type of content (including the variety of apps/games you can access on Fire tablets).

The faster specs of the HD 10 also make the overall experience of using it faster than any other device on the list, with excellent loading times and a tried-and-tested UI that any type of user will find pleasant to navigate.

We’ve specifically recommended the kids version as it usually offers better value for older kids/teenagers, but if you want to use this as an adult-orientated device when it’s not a car screen, the “adult” Fire HD 10 version is a great choice.

The Fire 10 has some other features over the Fire 7: namely a battery life of up to 12 hours, SD cards up to 1TB, and a 2-year warranty with decent coverage (a great value-add for a device designed for younger audiences).

With all of this said, why do we give this a slightly lower score compared to the Fire 7? It’s really down to price-point and usage.

If your primary focus is on a device that is primarily going to be used as a car TV screen, then the Fire 7 will likely do the job fine.

If however, you can see yourself using the tablet/s for more extensive things (like the other apps available), if you have a higher budget or if you have kids/passengers that you think will enjoy the higher quality screen more, then the Fire 10 is simply a stunning choice.

Not only is this one of the best tablets for car journies, but it’s one of the best basic tablets available in any category.

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Best Car TV mount: WANPOOL Headrest Holder

This universal headrest is a great choice not just for its cheap price and suitability across 7-10″ tablets, but also in the fact that it can mount vertically or horizontally (in other words, it can be used on seats that have an integrated headrest).

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Best headphones for car entertainment

Although many of our picks above come with included headphones, it’s worth checking before you purchase as some options don’t.

If not, don’t fret, we’ve included the best options to pick up here.

We’ve focussed on over-ear headphones as you tend to want some noise-cancellation for long car journies (your kids will still hear you if you call for them!).

The 2 picks are also rather cheap as we expect most backseat passengers aren’t going to need the highest home-quality headphones around (if you are an audiophile, however, you can look at another feature we have).

Best Cheap Headphones for Car Trips: Sony MDR-ZX110

The MDR-ZX110 may seem almost too cheap, but for car journies, we think the sound and build quality of these are a treat and exactly what most passengers will need (especially younger kids).

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Best Premium Headphones for Car Trips: Anker Soundcore Life

If you have older kids or adult passengers, the Sony MDRs would still suffice, but if you have the budget, the Anker Lifes will give you a sound much more akin to a premium cinematic experience (while still not costing 100s of dollars like some audiophile solutions demand).

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What to look for when buying a TV for your car

Hopefully, after reading this guide you’ve come to some conclusion about which type of device you’re looking for.
 
If however, you’re still deliberating, we’ve put together a brief buying guide on the main factors to consider when choosing:

Value

An obvious point, but the different types of car display offerings tend to run for notably different prices (with headrest TV screens usually offering the best value, especially when sold in pairs).

If you have a higher budget, then your focus will be on devices that have higher screen quality, battery life, and wi-fi functionality (for Netflix/Disney+ streaming instead of local device storage).

Screen quality & size

Most passengers (especially car TVs for babies and kids) will be fine with the standard 7″-13″ screens on offer for most offerings (these are similar in experience to the screens you find on long-haul flights).

Quality for portable TVs is usually dictated by the price and resolution, with the more premium options having crisp, 1080p/full HD screens (this isn’t a requirement by any means, but we’d try and go for at least 600P options if your budget can allow for it).

Wi-fi/Bluetooth availability

TVs for cars in the cheaper range tend not to include these features.

If you want to stream content from Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, and more live, you will need a car TV with wi-fi included (alongside a mobile data connection), some of our premium options in this post include this.

We would say that this isn’t a necessity however, many portable/headrest car TVs run on local storage. A lot of Netflix/streaming service plans include the option to download some content locally, we think this is the more economically viable solution for most of our readers.

Installation/mounting

With the 1000s of different cars our readers will be driving, it’s impossible to offer any universal recommendation on what the best car TVs are for your specific vehicle mounting.

With that said, headrest TVs and the mounts included tend to be designed with the variability of cars in mind (often simple straps to attach to your front seat headrests).

If you have any doubt about your car’s suitability for TV mounting, we’d suggest trying to read the myriad of customer reviews available on some of our top recommendations. You may not find your exact car being used, but you’ll likely come across similar vehicles being used for the TV mounting.

UI

This isn’t a huge factor, more of an afterthought, but for kids especially, you may want to consider how easy the content is to access (e.g. is it a touchscreen, does it have a remote, is there voice control?).

Most TVs for cars are designed with easy usability in mind, but more expensive screens will tend to come with better controls.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it! We’ve been through a lot of car TV options in today’s feature, we appreciate it can be a little overwhelming to pick between so many different types of screen.

If you’re still unsure about your decision, we’ll leave you with a brief final summary of our thoughts:

  • Car overhead TV: Best choice for most, easy setup, affordable and designed for each screen to be used by 1 passenger
  • Car roof TV: Good choice for passengers who want to game on the same screen & car enthusiasts who are comfortable with a more complex install
  • Portable monitor/DVD player: Good choice for those who aren’t too interested in mounting to the backseats and instead want something that can be easily taken out of the car/used for entertainment by the front seat passengers
  • Tablet with car mount: Good choice for those who can find other uses for tablets (e.g. kids).

All of these options are great for car entertainment, if you stick to our top picks, we think you’ll be pleased regardless of what you go for.

Safe travels!

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About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

* Specifications throughout our articles are double-checked and intended to inform our users, but should not be treated as factual information. When making final decisions on your products, please check the manufacturer pages to confirm the fine details.