Best monitor 2022: Get more productivity out of remote work

March 23, 2022 admin

Many business users rely on a laptop as their primary work tool — and with millions of people now regularly working from home, there’s continuing demand for external monitors. In Q3 2020, for example, worldwide monitor shipments grew 15.9% compared to the same quarter in 2019, according to analyst IDC, with consumer demand driving much of the upswing.

“Whether it is studying, working, or gaming, many consumers have a new-found consideration for their long-neglected monitors as uncertainty about office and school attendance persist,” said IDC research manager Jay Chou. “With inventory still at healthy levels and enticing promotions for gaming as well as bigger displays, IDC believes the solid momentum should last well into the first half of 2021,” Chou added.

Having a larger display is obviously easier on the eye when you’re staring at the screen all day long, and can also help to reduce neck and back problems as you don’t have to keep bending over your laptop while working.

There are other key factors as well, with size being the most obvious. If you’re simply running Microsoft Office and firing off emails to colleagues, then a low-cost 21-inch or 24-inch monitor might well be adequate (especially if it’s hogging your kitchen table). However, 27-inch monitors are increasingly popular — and increasingly affordable, too. Larger screens are obviously good for graphics work or presentations, but number-crunching software such as Excel can also benefit from as much screen space as possible.

Cheaper monitors tend to be limited to FHD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) and that’s acceptable for web browsing or simple word processing and spreadsheet work. However, higher resolutions such as QHD (2560 x 1440) provide more room for browsing through documents and having multiple documents or windows on-screen at the same time. Meanwhile, 4K or UHD displays (3840 x 2160) are tempting, and pretty much essential for graphics and video software, but remain something of a luxury for routine office work.

Connectivity is important too, especially for owners of older ‘legacy’ devices, so you’ll need to make sure you can actually connect your new monitor to your laptop. Many laptops and PCs use either HDMI or DisplayPort to connect to external displays, although there may be a few old PCs still floating around that use the now-ancient VGA or DVI interfaces. And, of course, many new laptops (PC and Mac) include USB-C, which is ideal for monitors in use at home as a single USB-C cable can provide video and data connections, and even charge your laptop too.

Acer ConceptD CP5

Hood helps to block out external light sources and glare

Acer’s ConceptD displays are quite expensive, and are primarily designed for professional graphics, design and video work. The CP5 is Acer’s mid-range 27-inch model, priced at $599.99.

Its 2560-by-1440 resolution (108.8ppi) is relatively modest, but the CP5 supports 99% of the Adobe RGB color standard, along with HDR 600. There are three video input options — HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C — to provide compatibility with a wide range of devices, and the USB-C port can charge your laptop at the same time.

The 144Hz refresh rate will be easy on the eye, and the display also includes a light sensor that automatically adjusts brightness levels as the ambient light changes throughout the day. The CP5 includes a hood that helps to block out external light sources and glare while you’re working. Video editors who need 4K resolution can opt for the top-of-the-range CP7, which costs around $2200 — although that’s still a lot cheaper than Apple’s Pro Display XDR.

Pros:

Excellent color volume
USB-C charging and video output
144Hz refresh rate

Cons:

144Hz through DisplayPort only

AOC 16T2

A smaller, portable display

A large screen is great for graphics work or delving into large spreadsheets, but sometimes a smaller, portable display can come in handy — especially if you’re quickly trying to fire off a few emails on a smartphone or tablet while working from home.

AOC makes a number of portable displays, all with 15.6-inch screens and 1920-by-1080 resolution (141.2ppi). The 16T2 is the top-of-the-range model, priced at $289.99, but it’s packed with useful features. The screen measures just 8.5mm thick and weighs 1kg, so it’s easy to carry around at home or in a bag when you’re travelling. It includes two USB-C ports and micro-HDMI to provide compatibility with a wide range of devices, and has its own built-in battery so that it doesn’t drain your laptop’s battery. There’s a small set of stereo speakers built in, and the display is touch-sensitive too — when connected via USB-C — allowing you to quickly jot down notes and annotations while you’re working.

Pros:

Decent touchscreen size
2 USB-C ports
Integrated speakers

Cons:

No stylus included
Screen is somewhat dim at 250 nits

AOC B27B2H

The low price means there are no built-in speakers

AOC’s ‘Basic’ range focuses on providing large-screen displays at a competitive price. The 27B2H is the successor to last year’s 27B1H, and manages to offer even better value for money, with a 27-inch display priced at just $179.99.

The specification is fairly basic too, with just 1920-by-1080 resolution (81.6ppi), although that’s still adequate for mainstream office software such as Word and Excel, and Zoom calls when you’re working from home. The 27B2H also provides 75Hz refresh rate, along with flicker-free and ‘low-blue’ modes to help reduce eye-strain while you’re working. There’s no USB-C or DisplayPort interfaces, so it’s not the best choice for newer laptops and PCs, but the HDMI and VGA ports will be handy for people who are still making do with older devices. The low price means there are no built-in speakers, but there’s a 3.5mm audio jack for external speakers or headphones.

Pros:

Great price
Great picture quality
Blue light filter

Cons:

No integrated speakers
No DisplayPort connection

BenQ Eye-care GW2480

Analyzes the image being displayed to enhance or tone down parts

If you’re burning the midnight oil working from home, then you may appreciate a display such as BenQ’s Eye-care GW2480. As well as the blue light and flicker-free filters now offered by many monitors, the GW2480 has a number of ‘brightness intelligence’ features that are designed to enhance visibility and reduce eye-strain.

A built-in sensor monitors the levels of ambient light in the room and adjusts the screen brightness for comfortable viewing. It can also analyze the image being displayed on the screen itself, and enhance darker areas or tone down harsh, bright parts of the image. And, for people with color vision problems, there are filters that allow you to adjust the levels of red and green displayed on the screen.

Prices start at $119.99 for the 24-inch model shown here, which has 1920 by 1080 resolution (92.6dpi). A 27-inch model, the GW2780, is also available for $179.99.

Pros:

Adaptive screen brightness
Colorblind filters
Integrated speakers and cable management channels

Cons:

Dell P2418HZM

Loaded with features that are handy for video conferencing

Video conferencing has been the key application for remote workers during the pandemic, and Dell’s P2418HZ is ready-made for that purpose.

The 23.8-inch display is fairly conventional, with 1920 by 1080 resolution (92.6dpi), and at $315.41 the P2418HZ is pricey for a display with modest specifications. However, it’s loaded with features that will be handy for video conferencing and general office use.

The video side of things is handled by an integrated 2MP webcam, which is certified for use with Windows Hello and Skype for Business. There’s a built-in set of stereo speakers (2 x 5W), and a 3.5mm combo audio jack for headphones or microphone. The display can pivot into the upright (portrait) position for talking-head video sessions, and there’s also an integrated USB hub with four USB 3.0 ports for all your office peripherals. The P2418HZ includes VGA, HDMI, and DisplayPort for the video connection, but there’s no USB-C.

Pros:

Integrated webcam and speakers
4 USB ports
Tilt and pivot

Cons:

No USB-C ports
Disappointing 60Hz refresh rate

Dell S2721DS

Ideal for running Microsoft Office and other productivity software

The Dell E2720H that we covered last year is still available from Dell if you’re after a low-cost ($174.99) 27-inch 1920-by-1080 (81.6ppi) display for working from home. The newer Dell S2721DS is a little more expensive, at $299.99, but it steps up to a more useful 2560-by-1440 resolution (108.8ppi), which will be ideal for running Microsoft Office and other productivity software. The stand allows you to adjust the height, tilt, and even rotate the screen into the upright (portrait) position if you need to, and there’s a built-in set of stereo speakers as well.

The display provides three input options for connecting multiple devices — two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort — and the S2721DS supports a 75Hz refresh rate to reduce eye-strain, along with a ComfortView mode that reduces blue light emissions. There’s also a tempting 4K (3840 x 2160, 163.2ppi) model, the S2721QS, which costs $374.99.

Pros:

1440p resolution
Portrait and landscape mode
Integrated speakers

Cons:

Low 75Hz refresh rate
No USB-C ports

HP E27d G4

Impressive connectivity features will ensure that it earns its keep

HP has embraced USB-C for its new range of ‘Advanced Docking’ monitors. Admittedly, the E27d is fairly expensive at $534 for a display with 2560-by-1440 resolution (108.8dpi), but its impressive connectivity features will ensure that it earns its keep — especially when you’re working at home on a laptop.

There are HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C connectors for video input, with a built-in KVM switch (keyboard/video/mouse) that allows you to connect two computers to the display and share the same keyboard and mouse. Using the USB-C input allows you to charge your laptop via the monitor, and also provides access to the monitor’s integrated USB hub, which provides four USB 3.0 ports for connecting your office accessories, along with an additional USB-C port for devices, such as hard drives, that may require power over USB-C. There’s even a built-in 1080p IR-equipped webcam with a privacy slider that you can use for video calls, or just to log into your PC using Windows Hello.

If you want a more in-depth look at the HP E27d G4, you can read our full review.

Pros:

Dual computer control
USB-C video and charging
Integrated webcam

Cons:

HP U27 4K Wireless Monitor

Anti-glare coating and a ‘low-blue’ mode reduces eyestrain

Any 4K display costing less than £500 is good value, but HP’s $419.99 U27 manages to throw in wireless connectivity along with other useful features. The slimline 27-inch display provides attractive image quality with 3840-by-2160 resolution (163.2dpi) and 99% of the sRGB color standard, making it suitable for graphics and photo editing, as well as word processing and web browsing. It also includes an anti-glare coating and a ‘low-blue’ mode to reduce eyestrain.

There are HDMI and DisplayPort interfaces for wired video input, along with a set of internal speakers and a three-port USB hub. It’s a little disappointing that there’s no USB-C as well, but the key feature of the U27 is, of course, that wireless option. If you’ve got a PC running Windows 10, then you can just hit ‘Windows-Key + K’ to pair with the monitor over Wi-Fi, making it easy to quickly get a bigger picture from your laptop at home, or to quickly get set up for a presentation in the office.

Pros:

4K resolution
Great color volume
Wireless connectivity

Cons:

No USB-C ports
Only one HDMI port

Philips 346B1C

An affordable ultra-wide

Philips

Affordable monitors tend to max out at 27-inches, with larger displays being a luxury enjoyed by well-heeled business executives. However, Philips’ 346B1C provides an imposing 34-inch, ultra-wide curved display for a very competitive price of just under $600 (£640).

It does have to compromise a little – rather than providing true 4K resolution, it’s actually closer to 3.5K (3440×1440), but that still provides plenty of room to juggle multiple apps and documents on screen all at the same time. The extra wide 21:9 aspect ratio helps too, while the curved screen lets you really immerse yourself in the task at hand. That’s the only real compromise, though, and the 346B1C includes a wide range of additional useful features, including two HDMI ports, DisplayPort and USB-C that will allow you to connect two computers at the same time, and also charge your laptop too. There’s a KVM switch that lets you share your keyboard and mouse with two computers, built-in stereo speakers, and the USB-C connectivity allows the 346B1C to include a handy hub with four USB ports for your office accessories, and an Ethernet port for a lag-free wired network.

Pros:

Ultra-wide 34″ screen
HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C input
Built-in USB hub
competitive price

Cons:

Not quite 4K resolution
No webcam

Philips 279P1

Suitable for graphics, presentations and photo-editing work

Priced at just $459.99, the Philips 279P1 provides a 27-inch display with full 4K resolution (3840 x 2160, 163.2dpi). It supports 122% of the sRGB color standard, making it suitable for graphics, presentations and photo-editing work, as well as general office productivity software. The stand also allows you to adjust height, tilt and swivel, and even to rotate the screen into the upright (portrait) position.

The 279P1 includes two HDMI ports, DisplayPort and USB-C for video input. The USB-C port makes it ideal for working from home with your laptop, as it can charge the device; it also allows you to use the built-in USB hub that includes four additional USB ports and RJ-45 Ethernet for a wired network connection.

Pros:

4K resolution
Excellent color volume
USB-C charging and video output

Cons:

How did we choose these monitors?

With home and remote working in mind, we’ve tried to concentrate on more affordable monitors that you can use with a laptop without spending a fortune. A 4K display isn’t essential for office work – unless you’re a graphic designer – but we’d still recommend a display with QHD resolution (2560×1440) or higher, in order to provide plenty of room for viewing your documents on screen. We also like displays that provide extra value with space-saving features such as built-in speakers, additional USB ports, or a KVM switch – keyboard/video/mouse – that allow you to connect two computers to the display at the same time.

Which monitor is right for you?

First and foremost, your choice of monitor will depend on the type of work that you need to do. Designers and creative users will probably require a more specialized, high-resolution display that supports Adobe RGB or the DCI-P3 colour standard that is used in video-editing. Business users may prefer to focus on sheer size, with larger displays that allow them to have multiple apps and document windows open at the same time. If you’ve been doing a lot of video-calls with colleagues or clients then a monitor that includes a high-quality webcam will help you make a good impression. Laptop users may also appreciate a display that has a USB-C port that can charge up your laptop too.

Product	Price	Screen size	Resolution
Acer ConceptD CP5	$599.99	27-inches	1440p
AOC 16T2	$289.99	15.6-inches	1080p
AOC 27B2H	$179.99	27-inches	1080p
BenQ GW2480	$159.99	24-inches	1080p
Dell P2418HZM	$315.41	24-inches	1080p
Dell S2721DS	$299.99	27-inches	1440p
HP E27d G4	$534	27-inches	1440p
HP U27 wireless monitor	$419.99	27-inches	4K
Philips 346B1C	$559.18	34-inches	1440p
Philips 279P1	$459.99	27-inches	4K

What About Connectivity?

Connectivity is a bit of a movable feast – some users still need displays that can support old ‘legacy’ devices that have outdated DVI or VGA interfaces. Most modern displays concentrate on HDMI and DisplayPort interfaces, with multiple ports that will allow you to connect two computers at the same time. However, the latest displays also use the more versatile USB-C interface. This can handle video output from your laptop or desktop PC, but USB-C can handle other types of data too, and many displays that have USB-C also include a built-in hub that provides additional USB ports for a mouse and keyboard, audio output, and even options such as an Ethernet port for a wired network.

Sound And Vision

Modern displays aren’t just about eye-candy. Many less expensive monitors save money by not including a built-in set of speakers. That’s fine if you’re happy to use a headset for video-calls, or simply don’t need speakers when you’re in number-crunching mode. However, speakers can be useful for tasks such as presentations or podcasting, and if you’re working from home then a built-in set of speakers can save space by eliminating the need for a separate set of external speakers.

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Acer ConceptD CP5

Hood helps to block out external light sources and glare

AOC 16T2

A smaller, portable display

AOC B27B2H

The low price means there are no built-in speakers

BenQ Eye-care GW2480

Analyzes the image being displayed to enhance or tone down parts

Dell P2418HZM

Loaded with features that are handy for video conferencing

Dell S2721DS

Ideal for running Microsoft Office and other productivity software

HP E27d G4

Impressive connectivity features will ensure that it earns its keep

HP U27 4K Wireless Monitor

Anti-glare coating and a ‘low-blue’ mode reduces eyestrain

Philips 346B1C

An affordable ultra-wide

Philips 279P1

Suitable for graphics, presentations and photo-editing work

How did we choose these monitors?

Which monitor is right for you?

What About Connectivity?

Sound And Vision

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