The best monitor 2018: the top 10 monitors and displays we’ve reviewed

While the best monitors won’t increase your computer’s actual performance, it will make everything you see look a lot better. You don’t even need to worry about breaking open your piggy bank, either – many of the best monitors available today are affordable enough for anyone to get in on the action. They can also feature higher resolutions and refresh rates than you may be accustomed to – a win for everyone.

And, now that 2018 has rolled around and manufacturers are showing off their new screens, it might be the best time to pick up one of the best monitors. So, whether you’re looking for gaming monitor to keep up with your gaming PC or the best USB-C monitor for your MacBook or Dell laptop, TechRadar has you covered. We’ve created a list of the best monitors you can buy in 2018 – each tested and reviewed personally by us. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.  

Now that computers are equipped with the encoding technologies that can natively display at the intended resolution, 4K monitors are in increasingly high demand. That explains why BenQ has added the PD3200U, a massive 32-inch Ultra HD display, to its Designer Monitor range. Intended for worker bees, the company has, seemingly by mistake, crafted a screen that gamers can enjoy wholeheartedly as well, so long as they can fit it on their desks. Then again, given the comparatively sluggish 4ms response time, the PD3200U is best suited for creators. 3D designers, for instance, will be grateful for the inclusion of a CAD/CAM mode, while everyone else will revel in the factory-calibrated color accuracy and Rec. 709 adherence. 

Read the full review: BenQ PD3200U

It might be marketed as a gaming monitor, but if you need an ultra-wide monitor, you really can’t do much better. With its fantastic color support, strong contrast ratio and lightning-fast 120Hz refresh rate – everything you do on your PC is going to feel quick, snappy and it’ll look good while doing it. It comes in on the expensive side, but when you consider all of the tech that’s built into the AOC Agon AG352UCG6 Black Edition, it’s really not that hard to see why it’s one of the best monitors you can buy in 2018 – just make sure you have the hardware to power it.

Read the full review: AOC Agon AG352UCG6 Black Edition 

When it comes to the best monitors, sometimes we’ll come across something that manages to combine so many high-end features that it seems almost alien – the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ is one such display. Not only does this gorgeous display feature an Ultra-HD 4K display, but it tops that off with HDR and Nvidia G-Sync tech – a trifecta of high-end features that makes this the best monitor you can buy today, if you have the cash. If you’re doing any kind of photo or video editing work, you really can’t go wrong with this display.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ 

When you start to get tired of that classic 16:9 aspect ratio, nothing does the trick like a cinematic, 21:9 screen. It may not be ideal for watching Netflix, or playing one of the few games that still don’t support it but the Acer Predator X34 is a great example of what an ultra-wide monitor can do. Boasting an attractive aluminum bezel and a polygonal stand that resembles a crow’s foot, this massive 34-inch panel is a marvel to behold. What’s more, armed with Nvidia’s G-Sync tech, you don’t have to worry about enabling VSync and stressing out your graphics card. The Acer Predator X34 does all the heavy lifting for you. This is about as immersive as a gaming monitor gets. 

Read the full review: Acer Predator X34

Rarely we run into the kind of technology that’s so far ahead of what everyone else is doing that we’re left dumbfounded. The Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is the most recent example. Finding a monitor that can reach the raw beauty that the UltraSharp UP3218K does would simply be nearly impossible. It’s not just the resolution, either – Dell went a long way to make sure that the build quality and color reproduction were the best in the business, and it pulled it off. It’s a very expensive monitor, but it is aimed at professionals – it’s unlikely many consumers would have the horsepower to drive this thing anyway. So, if you’re a professional looking for the best monitor for your work, look no further. 

Read the full review: Dell UltraSharp UP3218K 

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the BenQ PD3200U 

If your computer can’t handle 4K or even 1440p gaming, the Asus MG248Q is the next best thing. Despite exhibiting a mere 1080p TN panel, rather than IPS, the Asus MG248Q makes up for any shortcomings with lightning fast response times and Adaptive Sync. The latter reduces screen tearing if you have an AMD graphics card, a clear demonstration that the MG248Q tailors to the budget gamer. On the other hand, even Nvidia fans can rejoice at the 144Hz refresh rate. But, without the right GPU equipped, you may be better off saving up for the G-Sync-equipped Asus ROG Swift PG248Q. 

Read the full review: Asus MG248Q

• This product is only available in the US at the time of writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Acer S277HK  

Depending on your budget, it might break the bank in classic Alienware style, but Dell’s 25-inch gaming monitor won’t let your screen tear. Whether you’re siding with Team Red or Team Green for your graphics needs, there’s a configuration designed with specifically you in mind. Taking away some of the heavy lifting away from the GPU that would otherwise be spent on VSync, the Alienware 25’s 120Hz refresh rate might actually be viable. So, as long as your graphics card can handle it, you can expect to reach 120 frames per second. The 1ms response time is just gravy.  

Read the full review: Alienware 25 

You might not believe it at first glance, but the BenQ Zowie XL2540 is every bit the gaming monitor that the Asus Predator X34 is. And though it may not seem it from the outside looking in, it does its job remarkably well too, sacrificing dazzling lighting effects for a zippy 240Hz refresh rate and nigh-instantaneous 1ms response time. There’s no G-Sync or FreeSync, as this monitor assumes you already have a rig that’s plenty capable of eliminating screen tears on its own. Instead, this monitor keeps it simple by supplying you with lots of visual presets, an “S Switch” control pod for managing those presets and even a pair of adjustable light screens.

Read the full review: BenQ Zowie XL2540

If you’re running games using AMD- or Intel-based graphics and want to get into ultra wide displays without spending a fortune, this is the monitor to look out for. At 34 inches diagonally, the LG 34UC79G-B is equipped with AMD FreeSync for screen tear elimination and a 21:9 aspect ratio best suited for games and cinema. Despite the resolution being lower than a lot of other widescreen displays on the market, there’s no denying that the LG 34UC79G-B pulls off a crisp image nonetheless – and with stunning color accuracy at that. Plus, you can change the height, which is more than can be said for even some of the pricier 4K monitors available today.

Read the full review: LG 34UC79G-B

If you’re planning on picking up a new Nvidia Turing graphics card on launch (we can’t blame you), you’re going to want a monitor that can take advantage of that powerful graphics card. The HP Omen X 35, then, might just be the best gaming monitor for you. Rocking a WQHD panel with 98.7% sRGB coverage, the best PC games are going to just pop on this display. And, it’s G-sync enabled, so you don’t even need to worry about screen tearing or artifacting. 

Read the full review: HP Omen X 35 

Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas have also contributed to this article

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