Monitor buying guide (mega-thread)

Nobody can give you an eyewitness account right now since this model is still relatively new—it’s not like anyone’s been living with it for five years yet.

Regarding the technical specs, 1440p resolution is naturally much more demanding than 1080p. Think of it like this: in gaming, it will likely push you toward upgrading to a beefier GPU sooner rather than later, or forcing you to dial back the settings and settle for lower FPS.

My bad, I wasn't even thinking about gaming at all.
I was checking out this specific model

https://eu.aoc.com/en/products/i2490pxqu-bt

They’ve packed a lot into that $417 price point—I mean, sure, it’s just a 24-inch screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio, but still—you get flicker-free tech, blue light control, built-in speakers, a whole mess of different ports, and honestly, the design looks pretty decent to me... On the flip side, the whole thing weighs in at a measly 3.2 kg. Which tells me it was probably slapped together by some cheap factory overseas.
So now I'm sitting here wondering about the actual build quality—like, how reliable is this thing really going to be? I don't know who their panel supplier is, but I'm betting it's some bottom-of-the-barrel, budget IPS.

Most of these brands outsource to the exact same factories, so you aren't really going to find much difference regardless of which label you pick or how much you spend. You won't find any monitors being assembled by German engineers in a high-end factory in Germany.

Regarding that monitor—assuming you meant a different HP model—if the specs line up with what you need and the price feels right, go for it. It’s essentially a standard entry-level setup for that budget (a 24" FHD, IPS panel at 60Hz, etc.).

As far as I know, Dell is still one of those brands where everything is manufactured exclusively in the USA. I’ve been using one at my office for eleven years now, but honestly, I really need to make the jump to a widescreen setup soon. And let me tell you, that's going to be $333 way more expensive than that linked HP model.
https://www.eizo.com/products/flexscan/ev2450/

I don't doubt for a second that it’s a top-tier monitor, but the price tag is nearly double. Then again—and this is just me being realistic—about five or six years ago, I paid almost that much for an IBM 23-inch display.
It’s all relative, I guess. But the bottom line is that every single brand is leveling up lately. It happens in every industry, really. I mean, just think back to how people used to look at early Samsung phones with such suspicion—it was ridiculous. So, maybe we shouldn't be so quick to dismiss brands that haven't had a massive footprint until recently.

Look, if you’re buying a monitor from $400, most people won't even blink as long as it stays functional while they're actually using it. If it dies within three years, you've got the warranty; if it dies after that, you just buy a new one and move on.

As for HP as a brand, they have made massive strides over the last few years. They now offer high-end options across every single category. In my opinion, they currently produce the most aggressive gaming laptops on the market, and until recently, they consistently topped the charts with their best gaming monitors (those ones in the 6-$2333 range), among others. Sure, they aren't dominating the professional workstation market like Dell, but across almost every price point, they are right there in the thick of it with everyone else.

Hey, would this monitor be alright to hook up to my Xbox One? I'm working with a pretty tight budget here, but honestly, it looks like a solid deal for what you get.

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-monitor...Google

Don't even think about it. A 22" screen with a TN panel? That's a joke. You can grab a decent 24" monitor for basically the same price. Check these out:

https://www.nabava.net/monitori/aoc-...9-219-21793531

https://www.nabava.net/monitori/aoc-...4-169-67500871

https://www.nabava.net/monitori/phil...6-169-67315111

https://www.nabava.net/monitori/aoc-...8-169-67314751

Hey everyone, I'm on the hunt for a solid 1080p gaming monitor, ideally staying under $400.
The main thing is that I'll be using this for gaming, but also for a ton of Word processing and general web browsing—since my job involves a massive amount of reading and typing, I really need something that hits that sweet spot between performance and clarity.

Right now, I've narrowed my search down to two specific models, but I'd honestly appreciate any and all advice you guys might have!

1. HP G2590VXQ 24.5" - $417 - 24.5", Adaptive-Sync, 75Hz. The 1ms response time is a nice little perk, but I am a bit worried about it having a TN panel instead of something better.

2. Dell SE2717H 27" - $417 - 27", Adaptive-Sync, 75Hz (??). On the plus side, it’s got a bigger screen and great reviews, plus it uses an IPS panel. My big hesitation here is the 6ms response time... I guess the logical question is, does that actually matter? I've been using a 2ms monitor until now, so I'm not sure if I'll even notice the difference, especially since it has Adaptive-Sync?

Regarding that second monitor, I'm a little confused about the refresh rate itself—some places say it's 60 Hz, while others claim 75Hz?

I'm really torn between going with the 24.5" or the 27". Part of me is worried because I've heard that 1080p resolution on a 27" screen isn't ideal and that you can actually start seeing the individual pixels—is there any truth to that?

A 6ms response time isn't actually an issue. The real question is whether a 27" screen feels too big for 1080p if you're sitting close to it—you might notice the pixel density dropping. As for 75Hz, it's

Otherwise, you can find plenty of 24" non-TN monitors with Adaptive-Sync running at 72/75Hz here:

https://www.amazon.com/lcd-monitors/hp...m_medium=click
https://www.bestbuy.com/mo...m_medium=click
https://www.walmart.com/LG-monitor-24MP...m_medium=click
https://www.walmart.com/Samsung-monitor...m_medium=click

That’s basically what I was thinking too—most of the time, my monitor is sitting about 28 inches from my face.

Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a 25" monitor? I feel like that might be the absolute "sweet spot" for me.

This Dell 24" Nitro looks pretty great to me... a 1ms response time on an IPS panel? From what I’ve gathered, IPS panels usually have slower response times, so this seems like a really solid option if there isn't anything larger available in that 24.5/25" range.

Look, whether it's 1ms, 2ms, 6ms, or 10ms is basically irrelevant unless you're stepping up to a 144Hz refresh rate. Don't sweat the response time too much; you won't actually feel the difference.
Panels are like a box of assorted chocolates—it's a total lottery. You never know exactly what you're getting. You and I could walk into Best Buy and buy the exact same monitor model, yet mine might have significant backlight bleeding while yours looks perfect.

A 25" ultrawide at a 21:9 aspect ratio is going to feel tiny to you. Since those inches are stretched across a wider area, the vertical height ends up being about the same as a standard 19 or 20-inch 16:9 monitor.

Hey, I'm looking to pick up a monitor like this for gaming. Right now I'm stuck at 1680x1050, and honestly, upgrading just to 1080p doesn't feel like much of a jump. Does anyone know where I could find a 1200p monitor for around $267? I wouldn't mind something used. Thanks...

If you're looking for a deal, you'll have to hunt for something used, because they don't really manufacture 1200p monitors anymore. Even the newer models that are somewhat available are going to cost you well over $250.

Hi there! I am on the hunt for a real "best buy" monitor with a budget of roughly $333(around $33). I definitely need an IPS panel and at least a 24-inch screen. It’s going to be strictly for gaming. Right now, I'm making do with my old Dell S2421H.
Thanks!

Here’s some of what I linked in those five posts above click

Amazon didn't exactly kill it during the holiday sales. It might just be because of how they priced that Samsung—I actually own one myself—but you end up getting a 5-year warranty (2 years from Samsung plus an additional 3 years through insurance).

Hey, anyone got a solid 27" monitor recommendation? I need something that can handle both my PC and a PS4... looking for something $1000. Thanks.

Hey everyone,
I'm weighing my options between the HP P24h, the Dell UltraSharp U24, and the HP EliteDisplay E243.
It's for work. I don't mind paying $100 a bit extra for the HP if it's a significant step up.

I'm currently torn between the Dell UltraSharp U24 and the P2418D (which hits 1440p), and honestly, they’re priced pretty close together. I'm wondering which one actually holds up better for video editing tasks. Is there a massive, noticeable difference in practice? Should I lean toward the lower resolution series if it comes with better color calibration and sharper clarity out of the box, or go with the P series just to get that extra resolution? I'll be hooking this up to my Razer Blade 15 laptop.

Hey everyone! I could really use some advice. So, I’m usually juggling a bunch of different programs and documents all at once, and I’ve realized I much prefer having three smaller monitors rather than one or two big ones—mostly because when I go full screen on a massive display, it just takes over everything. Right now, I’m working with a bit of a Frankenstein setup: an old 17" Dell, a 20" Samsung TV, and another little 17" LG. I think I’ll stick with the Dell since the stand is actually great—you can adjust the height and rotate it 90° almost with just one finger, which is super smooth. I’m looking to pick up two new monitors, and since they’ll be sitting side-by-side, I think I’d actually prefer them to be taller rather than wider. I don't know, maybe it sounds a little crazy, but what if I set both of them up vertically? I have plenty of desk space, so I guess it's possible!
What matters most to me is eye comfort and good picture quality. My workspace is pretty dim, so glossy screens wouldn't be a total disaster, though I definitely prefer matte. I mostly use Microsoft Office and Adobe apps. As for gaming... well, maybe Solitaire once a year? 😁
Also, I need a recommendation for a microphone that gives studio-quality sound and comes with a flexible boom arm. I was checking out https://www.amazon.com/microphone-studio-setup-black-100509036, but I’m not sure if the value is actually there or if I can find something better for my money.
Regarding audio, I don't have any dedicated speakers right now; I just use the sound from my Samsung TV, but sometimes it gets way too quiet, so I definitely need some better speakers—and they absolutely have to have decent bass.
Oh, and does anyone know which UPS would be best with standard US outlets to power three monitors and a PC? I just need enough juice to keep things running for maybe 5 to 8 minutes if the power cuts out.
If I totally missed the mark and this thread is strictly for monitors, and my question is more of a mix, please feel free to move me to the right section. Thanks a ton!

Brian Moore83 said:I'm torn between the Dell UltraSharp U2419H (1080p) and the P2418D (1440p); they're priced pretty similarly. Which one would be better for video editing? Will I notice a massive difference? Should I go with the lower resolution series if the colors come pre-calibrated and it looks sharper, or stick with the P series for the higher resolution? I'll be using my Lenovo Legion Y530 laptop.

My concern is that the UI might feel way too cramped on a 24" screen at 1440p...

Megan Campbell51 said:Hey everyone. I need some advice. I tend to work across multiple programs and documents simultaneously, so I find three smaller monitors more useful than one or two large ones—especially when I need to hit full screen on a single display. Currently, I’m working with a collection of old gear: a 17" Dell square monitor, a 20" Samsung TV, and another 17" Dell square monitor. I’d keep the Dell because its stand is great; it adjusts for height and rotates 90° almost effortlessly with one finger. I want to pick up two new monitors, and since they'll be side-by-side, I'd actually prefer them to be taller rather than wider. I'm not sure how ridiculous it sounds to set both up vertically, but I have plenty of desk space.
Eye comfort and image quality are my priorities. My workspace is dim, so glossy screens are an option, though I definitely prefer matte. I primarily use Microsoft Office and Adobe software. As for gaming, maybe Solitaire once a year. 😁
I also need a recommendation for a studio-quality microphone with a flexible boom arm. I looked at but I'm not sure if the value proposition is good or if there are better options out there.
I don't have speakers right now; I just use the audio from the Samsung TV, but it can be a bit quiet sometimes, so I need decent speakers—definitely with good bass.
Also, what is the best UPS with standard outlets that can handle three monitors and a PC? I need it to keep things running for at least 5-8 minutes during a power outage.
If I've posted this in the wrong place since it's a mix of topics and this forum is just for monitors, please let me know where it belongs. Thanks!

For situations like yours, an ultrawide 21:9 format or even a super-ultrawide 32:9 setup works wonders. You get the surface area of multiple monitors without the clutter of extra cables or those annoying bezels between screens...





I'm not sure what your budget looks like, but I'd suggest checking some reviews on YouTube.

32:9 models are significantly more expensive:

https://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress.../multitask.jpg

To help you visualize the scale: a 34" 21:9 monitor has roughly the same vertical height as a wide 27" 16:9 screen, while a 29" 21:9 model is comparable to a wider 24" 16:9 setup.



Regarding UPS recommendations, I suggest checking out the posts by our colleague Taipan click. Alternatively, feel free to start a new thread here if you have specific questions.

As for microphone advice, your best bet would be to browse or ask within the dedicated audio section of the forum.