Best monitors to buy in 2021

6 min readJun 11, 2021

It’s possible that the smart monitor you’re using now was packaged with your desktop PC, or that you purchased it when 1,024 by 768 was deemed “high resolution.” Because you spend so much of your day staring at your screen, it pays to be choosy when purchasing a new one. This is technology you’ll use for years to come. And nowadays, you get a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to monitors. Many low-cost panels easily outperform high-end versions from a decade ago.

It’s difficult to pick the best monitor for your needs because they differ so much in size, design, and performance. However, after putting 132 monitor to the test, we’ve discovered the best monitors to buy.

So, here we listed the best smart monitors to buy in 2021:

Dell SE2719HR
ViewSonic Elite XG270QC
Acer PEO Series ProDesigner PE320QK
Acer XFA240

Dell SE2719HR:

The Dell SE2719HR is our selection for a monitor that’s ideal for everyday usage and won’t break the bank. The Dell 27-inch monitor has an IPS panel, which means it will appear beautiful from any angle. The display is bright and bright, with brilliant color and deep black levels, even if it lacks the resolution of a 4K panel. It’s not ideal for gaming because it only has HDMI and VGA connectors, but the 27-inch display should be able to handle most other tasks owing to its low latency times and 75Hz refresh rate.

The display has an adjustable stand that allows you can alter the angle to your desire, and the bezels around the panel are remarkably thin. The monitor’s footprint is modest enough that you won’t have to give up much of your desk space, thanks to its modest stand. You might even buy two for a dual-screen office, thanks to the elegant design and low pricing. The Dell SE2719HR is the greatest monitor on our list in terms of function and value.

ViewSonic Elite XG270QC:

The ViewSonic Elite XG270QC is a huge curved monitor with a brilliant display. With its stylish triangle base, it will take up a lot of desk space, but the sacrifice is well worth it. A brightly colored 27-inch 1440p screen with a refresh rate of 165 Hz is included. This implies quad HD gaming monitor with the potential for more than 100 frames per second in each game for players with strong GPUs.

There’s really little to suggest against the XG270QC, other from its price and size. It includes a large menu system, several ports, and a number of useful presets for a range of games and apps. The XG270QC’s bright, bold, and attractive screen is the appropriate tool for the task, whether you need to play the newest games or enjoy a wide collection of streaming video.

Acer PEO Series ProDesigner PE320QK:

The Acer PEO Series ProDesigner PE320QK is a widescreen 4K monitor designed for professionals working with photos, video, and graphics that want the greatest color and accuracy possible. The PE320QK is one of the finest monitors for serious work since it is calibrated from the manufacturer, providing excellent accuracy right out of the box, and it has a matte display with a built-in display cover that prevents glare and ambient light that can distort color perception.

This fantastic display is designed with professionals in mind, and it supports HDR 10 and DCI-P3, as well as AMD FreeSync. It hits all the criteria for allowing you to perform your best work without the hassle of professional displays that may require considerable calibration to tune in the colour quality. The Acer PEO Series ProDesigner PE320QK is the perfect monitor for creative professionals, whether you’re a freelancer working from home or one of many in a studio or creative business.

Acer XFA240:

The Acer XFA240 proves that high-quality full-HD displays don’t have to be expensive. This 1080p monitor provides excellent colors and more more capabilities than you’d think for less than $200, including a complete vertical mode that makes it useful as a second screen. With a 144 Hz refresh rate and a range of connectors, including a DVI connector for older workstations, the monitor is suitable for both gaming and productivity.

The XFA240 has a few flaws that are to be expected in this price range. Its built-in speakers aren’t worth utilizing, the settings are complex, and the build quality is shabby. On the other hand, considering how well it shows games and how gorgeous the colors are with a little tinkering, it’s definitely worth the asking price.

How to choose the best monitor for you?

When you don’t know what to look for, finding the greatest monitor might be a difficult task. There are a few crucial elements to keep in mind with every monitor, as well as some particular recommendations for particular specialized applications.

Every monitor is judged on the same set of criteria, starting with its size and resolution. A bigger monitor is often a better buy since it provides more visual real estate, which is beneficial for both full-screen video viewing and split-screen multitasking. Higher resolution is also preferable since it allows for greater detail and helps you to view more information on a smaller screen. When it comes to both, the old adage “bigger is better” applies, and we recommend going for larger displays and greater resolution wherever feasible.

As part of our assessment process, we examine at how many colors the monitor can create and how well it shows each color. In every case, higher scores here result in a better show. Another consideration is display brightness; however, more brightness does not automatically imply a better display, however it may imply that a monitor may produce more rich color and may support HDR.

For some applications, like as professional graphics work, you’ll want to keep an eye out for new features and upgrades to the fundamentals. If color accuracy and gamut are crucial to you, search for factory calibrated displays and pay special attention to our evaluations’ color accuracy and gamut sections. You could also consider matte-finish panels, monitors with shade hoods, and adjustable stands for finding the best viewing angle.