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Buying Guide: The Best High-Resolution Monitors
It's official; HD is old hat. In a world where 1080p has been left behind by devices touting everything from Apple's Retina display to 4K Ultra HD, if it's not time to upgrade your monitor now, it definitely will be soon. For the latest in high-resolution displays, you'll want to look beyond simple 1080p HD, so we've rounded up the best high-resolution monitors we've reviewed.
For better than HD resolution, you'll want to look to monitors that offer higher resolutions, starting as low as 1,920-by-1,200 for widescreen content, and up to 4K Ultra High Definition (3,840 by 2,160). These higher resolutions aren't just good for watching Blu-rays and streaming HD movies. Higher-resolution displays are indispensable for photo and video professionals who want to work with media at full resolution while still having access to all of the necessary tool bars and editing palettes of multimedia software.
Gamers will also want in on the action, since higher-resolution displays are the best way to take full advantage of a gaming rig that has one or more top-tier graphics cards. The finer details and sharper images not only provide a competitive edge when facing off against friends and rivals, they also make for a more immersive gaming experience.
Even if brilliantly detailed video and media isn't your thing, there's still plenty of reason to upgrade. A large, high-resolution display can effectively function as both screens of a dual-monitor set-up, letting you work with multiple windows side-by-side, and the finer detail makes for more readable text and more visible information on the screen at all times. Higher resolutions are also easier on the eyes, allowing you to do more work without the eye strain, slouching, and headaches that can be brought on when your body attempts to physically compensate for tired eyes.
There are several other features you'll want to keep an eye out for, in addition to high resolution. Beyond the sheer number of pixels, the type of display technology used directly impacts the color quality and viewing angles. Look for a monitor that uses In-Plane Switching (IPS) or indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) technology.
You'll also want something with the right video inputs. Depending upon what's found on your desktop or laptop PC, you'll need to know whether a potential monitor offers HDMI, DVI, or DisplayPort connectivity. Many monitors feature some or all of these ports.
An adjustable stand will also add an ergonomic element to your display, letting you tweak the height and angle to your liking. For even more versatility, consider getting a monitor that also pivots between landscape and portrait layouts. Stands that allow rotation let you shift to a longer layout, which can be especially useful during multimedia editing, and many of the best monitors not only offer physical rotation, but also automatically rotate the screen orientation. Other choice features include color-calibration tools, built-in speakers, and integrated USB hubs for connecting peripherals. Check out our buying guide for what else to look for when buying a monitor, as well as more specific guides on choosing the right monitor for graphic design or photo editing.
Whatever features you opt for, the move to a higher resolution is one that you're not likely to regret. Below are some of the best high-resolution monitors we've seen, but also check out our full selection of monitor reviews for a wider range of products and all the latest reviews.
FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP
Lenovo ThinkVision LT3053p
$1,599
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Lenovo ThinkVision LT3053p is a well-appointed 30-inch monitor for professionals who demand accuracy. It's pricey, but it delivers excellent color and grayscale performance and is loaded with features, including a KVM switch and a shading hood. Read the full review ››
Dell UltraSharp 32 Ultra HD UP3214Q
$3499.99
The Dell UltraSharp UP3214Q is an enormous (and enormously expensive) Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) monitor that delivers exquisite 4K image detail, along with very accurate colors. Read the full review ››
NEC MultiSync EA274WMi
$799.00
%displayPrice% at %seller% The NEC MultiSync EA274WMi is a pricey, 27-inch, business-class monitor that delivers solid all-around performance and is packed with features. Its green color accuracy is slightly off, but not to the point of oversaturation. Read the full review ››
Acer B276HUL
$599.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Acer B276HUL is a reasonably priced, 27-inch, professional-grade monitor with a 2,560-by-1,440 resolution and a strong feature set. It offers accurate colors and wide viewing angles, but its gray-scale performance could be better. Read the full review ››
NEC MultiSync EA294WMi
$799
%displayPrice% at %seller% The NEC MultiSync EA294WMi is a pricey, 29-inch, ultra-wide monitor offering good gray-scale performance, wide viewing angles, and a wealth of features. Its color is generally good. Read the full review ››
Viewsonic VP2770-LED
$789.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The ViewSonic VP2770-LED is a well-appointed 27-inch monitor for professionals who require accurate colors. It's a solid performer, but it has trouble at the dark end of the gray scale, and it's expensive. Read the full review ››
Asus PQ321
$3,499
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Asus PG321 offers stunning 4K image detail via a massive 31.5-nch IGZO monitor. However, it's wildly expensive and its out-of-the-box color accuracy could use a little tweaking. Read the full review ››
BenQ BL2710PT
$699
%displayPrice% at %seller% The BenQ BL2710PT is a 27-inch WQHD monitor designed for CAD/CAM professionals. It is equipped with numerous ports and convenient features, but its color accuracy is a bit off, and the darkest shades of gray are crushed. Read the full review ››
LG 29EA73-P
$599.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The LG 29EA73-P monitor delivers good all-around performance, courtesy of a 29-inch, ultra-wide, In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel. I/O ports are plentiful. The USB ports could be more conveniently located, and the stand offers limited adjustability. Read the full review ››
Planar PXL2790MW
$699
The Planar PXL2790MW is a stylish, 27-inch, In-Plane Switching (IPS) monitor that delivers solid performance and is equipped with a generous variety of video inputs. It's expensive, though, and it could use a few USB ports. Read the full review ››