In my opinion (and my wallet), if you’re looking for the best value for money in a new computer monitor, you’ll want to get a 27-inch QHD display or a 32-inch UHD display. These monitors will offer the most bang for your buck in terms of screen size, resolution and price. Almost any model with these specs will produce a reasonably sharp picture for the size of the panel while still being reasonably priced.
My current monitor is a 27-inch QHD (quad HD or 2560×1440 pixels) monitor that I bought for $250, but I almost went for a 32-inch UHD (ultra HD or 3840×2160 pixels) display that would offer more space and more pixels for a little more money. Between these two different sizes, you can easily find a screen that perfectly fits your desk space, your work needs, and most importantly, your budget. Creatives from around the world, hobbyists and professional gamers concerned about color gamut and refresh rate may find they need a higher-end screen than what you’ll find on our list, but these displays are large enough for most needs and with adequate pixel density for a clear, high-quality image.
Be sure to check out CNET’s guide to buying a monitor for more information and to keep up to date with the best deals I’m currently seeing among 27-inch QHD and 32-inch UHD displays. I will continue to update this story as prices fluctuate and I discover better deals, so check back often.
Best deals for 27 inch monitors
These 27-inch models have a QHD resolution and give you more screen real estate than a 24-inch FHD (full HD or 1920×1080 pixels) display, as well as a better resolution. And it gives you all that for not too much money. You may also come across 27-inch 4K displays when searching. These displays offer a certain quality that’s worth noting, but in my experience, QHD or 2K resolution is more than enough when stretched across a 27-inch panel.
LG
This is the model I bought on Amazon after my purchase. I got it for a reasonable $250 – about the same price as it is now. It’s an IPS panel with a QHD resolution, a nominal brightness of 350 nits, and thin screen bezels. I like the simple stand, although I wish it provided some height support. However, most monitors at this price don’t offer height adjustment, so I can live without it. It doesn’t have internal speakers, but they tend to be awful and not something I’d ever use if I had a bluetooth speaker in my home office. It has one DisplayPort and two HDMI ports, giving you the flexibility to connect to a variety of PCs and laptops. I have no complaints about his image, which I find bright and clear enough.
The 32-inch version of this monitor is also an attractive buy at $276 if you’re looking to upsize.
Amazon
I’m not familiar with the name Koorui, but this monitor gets good reviews on Amazon and costs $210. This is rare for a 27-inch monitor with QHD resolution. Most budget monitors are rated for a dismal 250 nits of brightness, but this Koorui model is rated for a more adequate 300 nits. It’s labeled as a gaming monitor because it has a 144Hz refresh rate, which is faster than the usual 60Hz refresh rate, and it also has AMD FreeSync. It is currently out of stock, so you may have to wait a few days or weeks for it to come back.
HP
This 27-inch HP monitor is quite similar to the M27fw, which was featured on our favorite monitors of 2022 list. Like the M27fw, it has an ultra-sleek bezel-less design for wide viewing angles, but with an improved QHD display. It boasts a 75Hz refresh rate as well as AMD FreeSync technology for smooth gameplay. In addition, it has a weak blue light to protect your eyes without compromising color accuracy.
You are receiving price alerts for HP M27fq: $240
Newegg
You can get this Pixio 27-inch monitor for a reasonable $230 on Amazon by applying $30 instant coupon on the product page, which lowers the price at checkout. It has QHD resolution along with AMD FreeSync and a fast 144Hz refresh rate if you want to use it for gaming in addition to work. It’s rated at a decent 350 nits of brightness, so it should be slightly brighter than the Acer and Koorui models above.
Viewsonic
A special feature of this ViewSonic model is its USB 3.2 Type-C port, which means you can connect a MacBook and other laptops with a USB-C port (but not HDMI) to the monitor without an adapter or special conversion cable. It also provides HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity along with AMD FreeSync and has a brightness of 300 nits. It’s currently $20 off on Amazon and retails for a very reasonable $290.
You are receiving price alerts for ViewSonic VX2785-2K-MHDU: $290
Best deals for 32 inch monitors
The next step up from the 27-inch QHD display is the 32-inch UHD display in size, resolution and price. Ultra HD is also commonly referred to as 4K.
Newegg
This Samsung model has a relatively low peak brightness of 270 nits, making it better suited for a basement or low-light room than a sun-drenched office. It has AMD FreeSync, two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, and a headphone jack, but no USB ports. It’s now marked down by $40, bringing it down to a very reasonable $300.
You are receiving price alerts for Samsung LU32J590UQNXZA: $300
Newegg
It’s one of the most affordable 32-inch 4K monitors around and features HDMI and DisplayPort connections, 300 nits of brightness, and built-in speakers. It also supports HDR10 and AMD FreeSync and comes in a compact base package with slim bezels.
LG
This LG is similar to the two monitors above – a 32-inch 4K display with FreeSync and built-in speakers – but is the brightest of the trio with a 350 nit rating. LG has it $30 off right now, making it the same price as the aforementioned Samsung and ViewSonic models.
AOC
This AOC model differs from the 32-inch UHD package in that it has a USB Type-C port, meaning you can connect your MacBook and other laptops with a USB-C port to the monitor without an adapter or special conversion cable. It’s rated for a decent 350 nits of brightness, and includes a pair of HDMI ports and a DisplayPort connection along with built-in speakers. It’s rare to find a USB-C monitor of this size and resolution at such a low price.
Dell
At 32 inches, the curved display is starting to become a possibility for more than just gamers. The curved display allows you to sit closer without having to tilt your head to see the entire screen. This Dell curved display features a soft 1800R curvature along with AMD FreeSync and built-in speakers. It also boasts abundant tilt, swivel, and height adjustments. It has plenty of connectivity with two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort connection, two USB-A ports, a USB-B port and a headphone jack. And it’s $50 off Amazon right now.
You are receiving price alerts for Dell S3221QS: $350