video display screens bright box pricelist

Video walls deliver the wow factor and imbue commercial office space with that modern look associated with cutting-edge companies. Video walls display content in a way that is unique and captures the attention of target audiences.

However, the high cost (or at least the perception of a high cost), typically associated with such display technology has prevented many businesses from building their dream video wall.

You can absolutely still create such displays on a budget without breaking the bank, though. This article will provide you with a general overview of what a video wall for a commercial enterprise might cost, from a very simple video wall to a much more elaborate setup. This will help you narrow down the size, style, and price range that fits your needs and budget.

The overall costs of a video wall depend largely on size, processor, type of display technology and quality of video mounts, as well as ancillary costs like installation, making video walls one of the most customizable pieces of technology you can install.

Now, one more note before I start breaking down options and prices. When I talk about video walls, I’m not referring to buying four TVs from a big box store and hanging them together. TVs are problematic as video walls for a number of reasons. Their bezels are usually larger and have logos, they’re usually not bright enough to serve as commercial displays, and they can’t meet the demand of 24/7 usage. You’ll hear me discuss LCDs and LEDs, but when I do, I’ll be referring to monitors, not TVs. It’s an important distinction.

While blended front projections and rear projection cubes are viable options for video walls, LED and LCDs are the most common display technology used for video walls.

When viewed from a distance, LED displays deliver a large seamless image presentation that’s ideal for stage presentation screens, corporate branding, and digital signage use cases. Using the correct pixel pitch makes LED display deliver a picture-perfect image that’s free of bezels or lines; however, they are not great for close viewing, though that is improving.

For simple video walls, a basic 2×2 high-quality LCD unit can cost as little as $4800, while larger, more elaborate setups with more advanced features (touchscreen capabilities) can go as high as $30,000.

You also need to consider the cost of mounting hardware and installation. A 2×2 mounting kit costs around $650, freestanding mounting kits go for $2,500 while complex sliding rails for very large displays can cost as much as $100,000. There are cost-effective options for enterprises on a budget as well as elaborate setups for companies who want to pull out all the stops.

A 1.2mm pixel pitch LED video wall costs approximately $2K sq./ft. This figure translates into $200K for a video wall with 160” x 90” outside dimensions. This includes the mounts, panels and installation costs without taking into account the cost of infrastructure, installation and programming and other ancillary costs (like tax and shipping).

There is also a new motorized video wall mount that allows monitors to be serviced without even touching them. I’ll discuss this more in a future post.

Video processors handle video rotation, layering, or windowing of content and other custom effects. Depending on the content to be displayed and how it will be displayed, video processors can easily become the most expensive component of the video wall. The cost depends largely on the number of simultaneous layers displayed on the wall at a given time and the number of physical inputs and outputs required. Processors can range from $15k to $80K, depending on complexity.

For very simple video walls, you can purchase processors that cost far less. However, you should always go for good quality processors since low-quality ones may produce slow videos that will ruin the effect of your displays.

Now, some video wall monitors actually have tiling built in, so basic functionality already exists within the displays themselves. So if what you are displaying is very simple and straightforward, you may not even need a processor.

Also, custom content needs to be created (or scaled to fit) for video walls that don’t come in standard resolutions like 1080P, 2K,4K, etc. You might want to avoid such non-standard walls since it can be quite expensive to create such custom content. Instead, try to use a video wall layout that maintains standard aspect ratios. For LED walls, this means a 16:10, 16:9, or other cinema aspect ratios while LCD arrays should come in 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, and other standard array sizes.

With the wide range in prices of video wall components, processors, mounts and other ancillary fees, companies can afford to build a video wall, no matter their budget constraints. While DIY installation costs can help reduce costs, it isn’t advisable. You should always look for reliable, high-quality vendors and installation experts to help you create the ideal video wall for your business.

Upgrading our equipment was one of the best decisions we could have made.  The new video board guaranteed compatibility with all of our existing timing and scoring equipment.  The video display has well exceeded our expectations, and the staff at Colorado Time Systems have been wonderful to work with.

This scoreboard is a nice thing for us!  We have never had the capacity before - now we will be able to do chase starts, run both ends of the pool; and have (2) 8-lane courses on the board at the same time.  We"ll be able to display heat, lane, time, and place, then come back and import for finals, and put names on the board.

We liked the flexibility of the scoreboard, with its ability to display multiple sports.  It  complements the facility -- the new scoreboard provides recognition for the swimmers by displaying their entire names.  The board has all of the features imaginable.  CTS stands by their products and they stand by their customer.

The Colorado timing and display system has tremendously helped our school to offer the most state-of-the-art pool facility.  CTS has been more than accommodating with all of our requests and it is evident that they strive for excellence with all of their products.  I would highly recommend CTS to any other Athletic Director across the country without hesitation.

Our team recently successfully competed at the US Masters Summer National Championship at the University of Maryland. USMS offered us one of your pace clocks, and we were happy to accept! We really appreciate the pace clock that Colorado Time Systems has provided us. Our team has been utilizing it in practices and it also serves as a great marketing tool to recruit new swimmers (the display is awesome and can be seen from afar!).

We are hosting the Mississippi Long Course Swimming Championships in July and the Mississippi High School Championships in the fall [2015]. The new video board your company installed last year has been a big asset to our swim meet experience.

Thank you so much for awarding the Colorado Time Systems" pace clock to Greenville Splash Masters.  We were thrilled beyond belief to receive it!  We are building a new Masters program at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Greenville, SC.  This facility did not have an electronic clock and the small pace clock was really difficult to see (especially for the older swimmers).  We are really enjoying the benefits of having a large digital display as we work out and do sets together as a team.  All of our members are very appreciative of this gift along with the facility.  We are happy to be adding new members each week, and I am sure that the pace clock helps to make our program more professional.

We installed our old Colorado Time Systems’ video display back in 2002.  Although the display still ran, it was time for us to upgrade to newer technology.  We have worked with CTS for years and their staff has always been extremely responsive and helped us through any issues that we have had.  It was the obvious choice to stay with them to complete this upgrade.  The new video board is  big, bright, it pops, and there are so many incredible things that we can do now.  As an example, we now have the ability to display complete information for two pool racing, as well as diving and swimming simultaneously.

We chose the Colorado Time Systems video system because of the additional features it has to offer.  The fans and spectators are going to enjoy its capabilities.  I"m most excited about the display"s latest technology and functions for our sport [swimming].  It will provide a better atmosphere for the meets.  We will be able to show videos prior and the times are easier to read.

We are excited to once again partner with Colorado Time Systems on the installation of a video display in our swimming & diving facility.  The display will nicely complement our existing Colorado Time Systems components.

We hosted the USA Swimming Training Camp prior to Tokyo in 2021.  We put a different message up on our video display each day, and we always had the time in Tokyo up.  They really enjoyed it, and it wouldn"t have been possible without your great equipment.  Thanks again for always taking care of us.

Shooting outdoors is usually a challenge in itself. From logistical challenges to unforeseeable lighting/weather changes, a bright monitor for judging your framing, focus, and exposure is key. Here are some monitors you can use for every project, no matter how bright your surroundings are.

While monitors in this size were expensive just until a few years ago, many budget options have come on the market in the last few years. Check out our bright monitors overview in 7″ size below.

Why we like it: The Dell P3421W has a sturdy adjustable stand, lots of ports (including a USB-C port that can handle power, display, and data over a single cable), and a three-year warranty. And it has a built-in KVM switch that allows you to easily swap your keyboard, mouse, and video between two computers. The 1440p display has a 60 Hz refresh rate, which is great for typical office work, web browsing, and casual gaming.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: If you use your display in direct sunlight, this monitor might not be bright enough for you. It can also provide 65 W of power over USB-C, but some laptops require more. If you have a laptop with an Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU or an Intel Core i7 processor, you might need to keep the laptop plugged in to a separate charger or use a Thunderbolt dock that can provide the extra power.

Most ultrawide monitors are also curved. This design helps minimize viewing-angle problems—when you’re sitting centered, things on the far edges of the screen won’t look as washed out as they would on a flat display of a similar width. But this also makes ultrawide monitors inaccurate for precision tasks requiring straight lines, such as drawing, photo editing, or similar design work.

Only the best monitors for video editing can accurately display your video masterpieces in the making. While you can cut, re-sequence, and colour-grade that commercial, film, or Instagram reel you"re currently working on using just about any display, only the right display can accurately reproduce your videos so that they translate well to other screens and mediums.

Using the best video editing software is just one part of the equation. You need the best video editing monitor that ticks a few things off the list as well. To be an effective video editing tool, resolution is key as more projects are produced in 4K or higher. It must also have a colour accuracy of Delta E < 2 or better as well as a colour gamut of at least 95% DCI-P3, a high contrast ratio, and a higher brightness level. Other factors to consider are HDR support if you"re working with HDR footage, screen size, base or mount articulation, and of course, price tag.

Let us help you choose the best monitors for video editing. From budget options to the best 4K monitors and the best USB-C displays, check out our top picks below.

The Asus ProArt PA348CGV may be an affordable video editing display. But it"s certainly not a budget one when it comes to performance and features. And, if you"re just starting to dip your toes in different creative industries, this might be the ideal video editing monitor for you.

Budding content creators and video editors will love its superb factory-calibrated colour accuracy DeltaE < 2 as well as its 100% sRGB and 98% DCI-P3 colour gamuts. Meanwhile, game designers will appreciate its 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium Pro support. On top of those, you"re also getting USB-C connectivity with 90W power delivery.

The Eizo ColorEdge CG319X might just be the ultimate monitor for video editing thanks to its unmatched performance and rare self-calibration feature. Designed for creative professionals doing pro work with no scope for errors, we found it to be a truly superlative display.

Novice and casual filmmakers and vloggers will appreciate the value the LG 32UN880 offers. It’s among the most affordable 4K monitors out there that offer 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage, HDR10 support, and brilliant picture quality, as well as a decently sized screen. It also comes with USB-C connectivity and a hub for all your video editing tools.

As a video editing display, the BenQ DesignVue PD3420Q truly delivers. It boasts 100% Rec.709, 100% sRGB, and 98% P3 colour gamuts and great factory-calibrated colour accuracy of Delta E ≤ 3 out of the box that video editors, designers, and graphic artists need. To simplify workflow and keep the focus on its users" creative process, it also comes with extras like its KVM switch, the BenQ Hotkey Puck G2, and the DualView mode that lets you display your work in two different colour modes side-by-side for comparison.

Of course, its 21:9 aspect ratio is a key factor as well. Not that 1440p resolution is obsolete, but 4K has now become a standard for video editing, one of the reasons being that it offers more screen real estate. To make up for not offering that, the PD3420Q gives you an ultrawide panel so you can spread out and make all your tools handy during editing sessions.

This is the best monitor for video editing if you"re working with 8K or 6K footage and need a way to view it at full 1:1-pixel quality. We"re not exactly swimming in 8K display options so far, but the Dell UltraSharp UP3218K makes sure that if you do get one, you"re getting an absolutely top-tier screen in so many ways. It"s about more than just the resolution – you also get 100% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, and 98% DCI-P3 colour coverage.

That sweet 4K resolution on a 27-inch panel spot means it’s the perfect combination of screen real estate, smaller footprint, and perfectly-sized visuals. Meanwhile, the 400 nits of brightness, 99% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 colour gamuts, and Delta-E accuracy of less than 1 make it an excellent tool for content creators. In addition, we found its colour space coverage claims to be spot-on and its colour and brightness uniformity good, if not exactly exceptional. And, naturally, we appreciate the inclusion of the shading hood.

You don’t need to exclusively film footage in HDR to take advantage of a true HDR display, but you do need to be a proper pro to justify getting one. HDR displays aren’t the cheapest, and the Asus ProArt PA32UCG-K’s steep price tag proves this. However, if you do have deep pockets, its DisplayHDR 1400 and 1,600 nits of peak brightness will blow you away.

Making it all the more worth your money is its Delta E < 1 colour difference and extensive colour space – apart from its 100%sRGB and 99.5% Adobe RGB, it also boasts 98% DCI-P3 and 85% Rec.2020 gamuts. The panel itself utilises smaller LEDs that offer 1152 local dimming zones for higher contrast and deep blacks. There’s plenty of input ports on hand as well, allowing you to spread out and really immerse yourself in your creative process. And, naturally, that 4K resolution takes care of displaying impeccable details.

If you"re looking for an excellent ultrawide display, the LG 38WN95C is worth considering. A stunning 3840 x 1600 display, it delivers that screen real estate you need to spread out when video editing and have all your tools handy so you can immerse in your creative process.

While it isn"t a 5K2K display like the PS341WU, it comes with its strengths. Content creators will find its 99% sRGB and 98% DCI-P3 colour gamuts most useful. Meanwhile, those that work with HDR content will appreciate VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification. Plus, its pixel-per-inch ratio of 110.93 is just the ticket for making those visuals sharp and those texts comfortably readable.

While we haven"t completed our review of Apple"s 6K display, we already know it"s a beast, aiming to be closer to a monitor in the pro film production sense, rather than a monitor in the "computer screen" sense we"ve been using it here. It"s intended to give you as close to perfect playback as you can get for the money (and, bear in mind, it"s a lotof money). You"ve got a resolution of 6016 x 3384, which is enough for many 6K formats (though not quitethe 6K full frame recording of a RED camera). Added to that is an incredible HDR peak brightness of up to 1,600 nits, with a typical brightness of 1,000 nits – and there are 576 individual dimming zones for backlight control, so contrast will be simply colossal.

In terms of colours, there are specific reference modes for DCI P3, sRGB, NTSC, BT.709, and many more. That includes a reference mode for "Apple display", which will make it match a MacBook Pro for brightness, so you get a consistent look if you have them side by side. There"s the option of a nanotexture effect on the screen to reduce reflectivity as low as it goes for monitors like this, too.

It comes with one Thunderbolt 3 port (meaning it can go at the end of a Thunderbolt chain, but can"t be a Thunderbolt hub), plus three USB-C ports for connecting accessories. The downside to all this is that it"s extremely expensive, and the price our widgets are pulling in here are just for the display… the official stand costs a further $999 / £949 / AU$1,699. You can also get a VESA mount adapter, if you prefer. If you"re interested in having an Apple monitor, you might also want to check out Apple"s latest display – see our Apple Studio Display review for more details.Is a 4K monitor good for video editing?Resolution isn’t everything when it comes to choosing the right monitor for video editing. But, if you’re hoping to produce content in UHD, you’ll need to be able to see your work in its native resolution. So, having a monitor capable of 4K resolution isn’t just good. For most video editors, it’s necessary. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a computer powerful enough to be able to deliver that high resolution content to a 4K monitor.Are curved monitors good for video editing?It’s not necessary to have a curved monitor to do great work on your video editing projects. But, curved monitors do offer a few advantages. Since they make the whole screen equidistant from your eyes, they’re easy to work with since you won’t have to strain as much to see the corners of your screen. And, many curved monitors come in a wider 21:9 aspect ratio, meaning you’ll have more screen real estate and can work on projects in their native resolution while still having instant access to your editing tools. However, you do have more limited viewing angles compared to flat displays. If you need to show your work to colleagues, they might not see an accurate representation of your project.Is Hz important for video editing?While refresh rate is crucial for video editing, just about every contemporary monitor comes with at least a 60Hz refresh rate. And, considering that most video is shot at 30 or 60 fps, having a faster refresh rate won’t make much of a difference. Of course, if you’re also doing animation or are hoping to game on that same display, having a speedier refresh rate becomes a bit more of a priority.

If you"ve just started out in video, on-camera monitors may seem like a luxury. Experienced videographers will tell you otherwise. As well as enlarging the display to make recording easier, lots of on-camera monitors can also improve your camera"s video output. Whether you"re shooting on a cine camera, a mirrorless, or a DSLR, an external monitor is a necessity if you want to get serious about filmmaking.

You might think you don"t want to add weight to your setup or make it any bigger but an on-camera monitor is worth it. The extra big display means when you"re shooting you can see a more accurate, live representation of your footage. Should there be a speck of dust on your lens or sensor, you"ll be able to tell much easier on a 7-inch screen rather than a 3-inch screen.

Some of the more high-end on-camera monitors not only increase the size of your display but can improve your camera"s video functionality. For example, when shooting with a Panasonic Lumix S5(opens in new tab) and an Atomos Ninja V external recorder, you can shoot 12-bit RAW instead of 10-bit 4:2:2 with its internal recording option. On-camera monitors are also great additions if your camera lacks features such as a fully articulating screen such as the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K(opens in new tab).

In this list, we run through the best external monitors and video recorders around so you can get the big-picture experience before you hit your editing suite and it’s too late to re-shoot.

Since the release of the Atomos Ninja V back in 2018, it has become pretty much the industry standard in monitor recorders. It"s a popular choice among both budding and professional videographers and filmmakers thanks to its beautifully calibrated 5-inch HDR display and its ability to support 4K 60p ProRes HQ, H.265, 4:2:2 ad DNxHR. The Ninja V will also support 6K Apple ProRes RAW and it"s the only monitor of this size to do so thanks to a deal between Apple and Atomos. Other features include pro-level monitor tools such as waveforms, false colors, HDR monitoring and LUT support.

If your camera doesn"t support 4K, the Ninja V might be a bit overkill as you won"t make the most out of the features you"re paying for. If you"re just after a monitor so that you can view your video easier, the Atomos Shinobi would be a better option and it will save you money. Alternatively, if you"re shooting some serious projects and need something even bigger, the Atomos Shogun(opens in new tab) which appears later in this list sports a massive 7-inch screen, perfect for using with the best cinema cameras.

If you"re just looking for an external monitor and don"t need recording capabilities, the Atomos Shinobi delivers the display quality of the Atomos Ninja V but at a fraction of the price. It"s the perfect choice for vloggers who shoot with a camera with limited screen articulation such as the Sony A7 III(opens in new tab) or the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K(opens in new tab) which has a fixed display.

The Blackmagic Video Assist 5-inch is the only recorder in our round-up that can capture Blackmagic"s own RAW code video introduced on its Pocket Cinema Camera Range and is an ideal option for any editors who use Davinci Resolve to grade and edit.

Announced at IBC 2019(opens in new tab), it excited video enthusiasts given its potential to tap into the RAW potential of compatible Canon and Panasonic cameras - Blackmagic is in talks with both manufacturers to ensure Video Assist works well with their products.

This is the big brother of the original Shinobi, offering a much larger 7inch display - and billed as the movie directors and focus directors, but also as a great presentation screen for vloggers wanting to see clearly what they are recording. Its bright 2200-nit screen is the key attraction here - but it also does much more than just monitoring your image. With HDR capability - it offers built-in Log conversion, so you can see what your raw footage is likely to look like when edited, and you can even load up your own LUTs via the built-in SD card slot.

* Offers subject to change, not combinable with all other offers. Dell may impose a purchase quantity limit (for example, 5 units per order). Taxes, shipping, and other fees apply. Free shipping offer valid only in Continental U.S. (excludes Alaska and P.O. Box addresses). Offer not valid for Resellers. Dell reserves the right to cancel orders arising from pricing or other errors.

Brigthtbox is a complete portable double-sided aluminium lightbox display system. It is designed to be set up quickly and easily and without the need for any tools. Just remove the box, twist out the feet of the base panel. Then use the numerical system to connect the remaining beams. SEG printed fabric panels slot into the frame channel and the power cable inserts under the base panel. Plug in and play in less than 10 minutes.

Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.What’s your monitor’s purpose?If it’s gaming, you’ll generally want something with a high refresh rate (ideally 100Hz or more), low response time and AMD FreeSyncor Nvidia G-Sync for fighting screen tears at low framerates. For general use, look for high contrast, and for creative work prioritize color accuracy.What resolution do you want? More pixels means a sharper image. No one should be buying anything under 1080p/FHD (1920 x 1080) these days. But if your budget can handle it, 4K is as sharp as it gets at a reasonable price. Many gamers find 1440p/QHD (2560 x 1440) a good compromise between price and high-refresh-rate performance.Contrast and color.We consider contrast the most important factor in image quality, with 1,000:1 being solid. Color errors are particularly important avoid for content creators, and anything with a Delta E (dE) greater than 3 may show visible errors.Panel tech:When it comes to image quality, TN< IPS< VA. VA monitors typically still have better contrast than even the best IPS panels, although IPS panels are also known to be very colorful.What size do you want?These days, 24-inches is on the small side and 27 inches is mainstream, while 32-inches is a good large size for those on a budget. Anything bigger than 43 inches probably won’t fit on a regular desktop. For portable monitors, stay in the 17-inch range or under. Anything bigger isn"t really all that portable.sRGB or DCI-P3? In most cases, you’ll either be getting a monitor made for the sRGBcolor space or the more colorful DCI-P3 one. Technically, Windows, the web and non-HDR games and video all use sRGB, but if you want an extra colorful screen, an accurate DCI-P3 monitor is more appropriate.

Earning a 5-star rating from Tom"s Hardware, the Samsung Odyssey G7 32-inch is the best computer monitor. For gamers, it boasts the strongest curve currently available, 1000R, for incredible immersion, along with speedy gaming numbers. The 240Hz monitor has a 1ms (GTG) response time and put up a 5ms response time score in our testing, beating some 165Hz screens by 2ms. In addition, benchmarking showed input lag at 20ms, a full 6 to 10ms faster than some 165Hz screens we’ve tested, including the Dell S3220DGF also on this page.

The Dell S3222DGM is the best gaming monitor for many gamers. This follow-up to the highly-rated S3220DGF(opens in new tab) boasts a 32-inch VA(opens in new tab) panel, QHD resolution and 165 Hz refresh rate with Adaptive-Sync(opens in new tab) support. Other perks in its favor are 85 percent coverage of DCI-P3 and a display curve with an 1800mm radius.

With a 1ms (GTG) response time and 144Hz refresh rate, the LG 27GN950-B is the best computer monitor for 4K gaming. If you’ve got the graphics card, ideally one of the best graphics cards, you need to handle 144 frames per second (fps) at 4K; this monitor will ensure that power doesn’t go to waste. In our testing, the monitor showed a 7ms response time, keeping up with pricier 4K, 144Hz screens, like the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ, and even beating some when it came to input lag. Plus, FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatibility will fight screen tears for those times when framerates drop below 48 fps.

eSports players and hopefuls rely on the fastest peripherals available to attenuate the delay between deciding on in-game action and when that action happens on screen. 360 Hz is the fastest refresh rate PC monitors have today, and the MSI Oculux NXG253R is the fastest of them all. Yes, the NXG253R is the fastest display we’ve ever tested, making it the best computer monitor for eSports you can buy.

If you want an affordable screen with many pixels, the Samsung UR59C is the best budget 4K monitor for you. The VA panel delivers contrast (2590.5:1 after calibration), making everything from photos to videos to games look better. This is clearly not a high-end gaming monitor with a 60 Hz refresh rate, 4ms (GTG) response, and noFreeSync or G-Sync. But casual gamers can make do, thanks to the combination of high pixel density and high contrast, keeping games looking realistic.

Curves are generally more effective on ultrawide screens, but the UR59C’s 1500R curvature was effective and beneficial for this 32-incher, such as when multitasking with multiple windows. And if you don’t mind calibrating, you can get rid of the UR59C pesky color errors, which, unfortunately, were visible out of the box. Our calibration settings reduced the error from 4.3dE to 0.9dE.

Making HDR pop over SDR is all about contrast, and for the ultimate contrast, there’s nothing better than OLED. The Aorus FO48U’s massive OLED panel not only delivers immeasurably high contrast, but we recorded 107.7% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space and near-flawless grayscale tracking. As a result, you get a rich image that’s also accurate out of the box. However, it’s not as bright as a premium LCD (399 nits with HDR, according to our testing).

Aorus’ OLED monitor is fit for high-speed HDR gaming on both PCs and consoles, thanks to DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC) and HDMI 2.1, respectively. The monitor held its own against 120Hz and 144Hz rivals in our speed tests, only falling 4ms behind its OLED gaming rival, the Alienware AW5520QF. Unfortunately, you don’t get Dolby Vision or support for the 50p and 24p TV formats, but the monitor has two 15W speakers and one 20w speaker for outstanding audio quality.

Asus has gone all out with the ProArt PA32UCG, combining 1152 dimming zones in its full-array Mini-LED backlight. A quantum dot film covers a considerable color gamut, almost 78% of Rec.2020. And it is the brightest monitor we’ve ever tested at over 1700 nits peak. To that, it adds precise out-of-box accuracy for every color mode in use today. Though it includes many calibration options and a bundled colorimeter, it’s ready for work or play, with no tweaking necessary.

According to our benchmarks, with 244 nits max brightness and 98% coverage of the sRGB color space, the ThinkVision M14 is perfect for surfing the web or watching a movie in SDR. USB-C connectivity, meanwhile, means it won’t run out of battery when plugged into a laptop. It can also deliver as much as 65W of power to a device if plugged into a wall adapter. But those whose PC or device, such as a Raspberry Pi, doesn’t have a USB-C port with DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode and USB PD 2.0 or better will be out of luck.

If you want sharp image quality, 4Kresolution is where you want to be in 2022. Sure, there are 8K screens and even more modest 6K ones(opens in new tab)making the rounds these days. And lower resolutions deliver higher frame rates on even the best graphics cards. However, 3840 x 2160 sits at the upper echelon of premium viewing experiences for what our eyes can perceive. So for most people, whether you"re gaming, watching a movie, surfing the web, watching your coworkers call you on the best webcams or getting work done, 4K is an ideal fit. And with one of the best budget 4K monitors, you can get there without breaking the bank.

4K was a luxury that wasn"t achievable for a reasonably priced PC monitor for years. But as these high-resolution screens have become more commonplace and the bleeding edge has turned to high refresh rates and full-array local dimming, a relatively large assortment of budget 4K monitors will allow you to take the plunge without shelling out several hundred dollars.

What size do you need?For a budget monitor, 32 inches is a nice sweet spot, providing ample screen space while still fitting atop a desk. If you don"t need to share the screen, consider 28-inch and 27-inch screens. They"re common in this price range and generally less expensive.Decide the monitor’s main purpose. For gaming, higher refresh rates and Adaptive-Sync (AMD FreeSyncor Nvidia G-Sync) are priorities, alongside a beefy graphics card. You should have a minimum of a GTX 1070 Ti or RX Vega 64 for medium settings at 4K or, for high or better settings, an RTX-series or Radeon VII. For general productivity or entertainment, look for high contrast for high image quality. Creatives should strive for accuracy. For more, see How to Buy a PC Monitor, plus our Best Gaming Monitorslist.Errors under 3Delta E(dE) are generally invisible to the naked eye. A monitor with a 5dE color error, for example, probably has colors that look visibly off. Accuracy is a bigger priority for creative work.Do you need HDR? A 4K monitor with the right HDRimplementation makes 4K/HDR content look much better than it would on a regular, SDR monitor. While many 4K monitors support HDR, few budget ones deliver it with noticeable impact. If you want a monitor that makes the HDR upgrade worth it, consider increasing your budget or opting for a lower resolution to save money. Read How to Choose the Best HDR Monitor for more.Consider ports and other features.Do you need HDMI 2.1 and/or the latest DisplayPort (1.4)? How important are USB Type-A ports to you? Do you want USB-C for charging or a single-cable setup? Speakers and the stand’s ability to tilt, swivel or rise are also considerations.

Ultrawide screens typically offer more noticeable curves, but despite its 16:9 aspect ratio, the UR59C"s1500R curve is pronounced and beneficial, allowing us to keep more windows in view.

You’ll have to pay a hefty price for a monitor that can push 8.3 million pixels at a 144 Hz refresh rate. The best budget 4K gaming monitor, the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q, is a slower 60 Hz but fights screen tears with FreeSync. Yes, input lag is significantly larger than what you’ll find on a 144 Hz monitor, as is response time. But this is an excellent option if you’re working with a budget graphics card and want your games to look detailed and realistic. SDR games looked extra colorful on the VG289Q, and dynamic contrast brought subtle visual benefits, like added dimension. However, there are screens on this page with better contrast.

If the best budget 4K monitor for you is in the 32-inch range, check out the LG 32UN500-W Contrast is a top consideration for image quality, and the 32UN500-W’s VA panel didn’t disappoint in our benchmarks, hitting 2,353.9:1 out of the box. In addition, the 32UN500-W’s native color gamut is DCI-P3, and it covers that color space accurately without any visible errors.

The Dell S2721QS earns the title of best 27-inch budget 4K monitor with a bright screen, reliably accurate image, and useful add-ons. Those bonus add-ons include the ability to connect multiple PCs and view them simultaneously via picture-in-picture or picture-by-picture and an optional app that makes it easy to calibrate the screen or arrange up to 6 windows in various preset layouts. The latter is a productivity boon.

But in terms of image quality, this is a bright screen, hitting 393 nits in our testing, along with solid contrast for an IPS monitor (1,101:1). You can also expect accurate colors. We recorded just a 2.6dE error with sRGB color.

You also have DisplayPort and HDMI options, and even a headphone jack. But there are no speakers, and like many budget 4K screens, HDR is a bust. You’re better off watching your HDR movies in the monitor’s SDR modes, but color will still look great. On top of that, the stand is reliable, even in portrait mode, but is a little low, despite height adjustment.

Whether you"re shopping for one of the screens that made our list of best budget 4K monitors above or something else, you may find savings by checking out our best monitor deals page, along with our lists of Dell coupon codes, Lenovo coupon codes, LG coupon codes, HP coupon codes, Monoprice coupon codes and Newegg promo codes.Round up of today"s best deals

Apple sells displays for its Macs, and you could go with its offerings, but its displays are a quite bit more expensive than what third parties have. Buying from a different company may mean you may not get a feature that Apple offers, but then it may also be a feature that you don’t need, depending on how you use the monitor. Note there are compatibility issues for M1 Macs. We have a guide to monitors for M1 Macs and what you need to know before buying.

Fortunately, there are plenty of companies that have great monitors that you can use with your Mac, without having to take out a second mortgage. Our sister publications TechAdvisor and PCWorld have tested several displays, and we list their top-rated ones that we have been able to confirm work with Macs, alongside the monitors we have reviewed below. Here are our recommendations in alphabetical order.

Apple’s highly specced Pro Display XDR is a stunning piece of engineering, and we found it hard to find fault with the picture quality and colour output, but at that price and with these features this is a display for a very specific audience.

The XDR is phenomenally well-specced: it’s 32in and 6K, offering 40 percent more screen space than Apple’s 5K displays, and offers a peak brightness of 1,600 nits (or 1,000 sustained). But it comes with a seriously eye-watering price tag, especially if you want to include the Pro Stand for adjustability and pivoting.

Picture quality is maintained at ultrawide viewing angles, thanks to industry-leading polariser technology. This is so that a creative team can gather round a single monitor and evaluate a photo, video or design project without suffering a loss of consistency.

As a production display, the Studio Display is still expensive but is an affordable alternative to the Pro Display XDR. Buyers will enjoy its handsome design, good image quality, and impressive spatial audio, but you can save a lot of money by going with a non-Apple display.

Apple displays have always produced very good image quality, and the Studio Display continues that tradition. Colors are rich, contrast is good, and the brightness is suitable for most tasks.

The Studio Display has a tilt-adjustable stand, but it does not pivot between landscape and portrait modes, like the Pro Display XDR. You can get a stand that provides about four inches of height adjustment but it doesn’t come cheap. The price tag for the tilt- and height-adjustable stand is a whopping $400/£400 more.

The Alogic Clarity is a stunning looking 27-inch display with built-in hub and a fantastic height-adjustable, tilt and pivot stand. It will appeal to Mac users with its Apple looks and is even, in some ways, a superior monitor to Apple’s own Studio Display, although its 4K resolution isn’t as sharp as Apple’s 5K screen.

The Asus ProArt PA279CV is a 4K monitor that offers accurate color and important “pro” features such as accurate gamma presets. It even has USB-C connectivity, making it an excellent choice for creators looking to upgrade from their laptop display.

It’s not a great-looking monitor, with larger than average display bevels on the plasticky chassis. It’s not luxurious but it’s fine for an office or workstation.

It also has three video inputs, four USB ports, and a stand that feels a bit cheap but offers numerous ergonomic adjustments. These features signal that the Nitro XV272, though not expensive, is a cut above entry-level 1080p monitors.

The Alienware AW3423DW makes every other 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor obsolete. It’s also a somewhat flawed display that won’t be ideal for everyone.

PC gamers will love this monitor. SDR image quality is great straight out of the box, providing a sense of dimensionality and realism that’s a cut above the competition.

Gigabyte’s M27Q X doesn’t look like much out of the box, but this 1440p/240Hz IPS panel delivers a superb media experience where it counts, with excellent motion clarity and stunning image quality for an HD screen.

It delivers bright, vivid image quality, but while it includes a USB-C upstream port, the power delivery is a mere 18W, which is nowhere near enough to charge a laptop, so you’ll still need to charge your MacBook with a charging cable or Mac docking station.

Display technology is a bit of a movable feast, with a lot of confusing jargon and technical features to wade through, as well as a variety of different interfaces and cables that are used by Apple itself and the various monitor manufacturers. So it’s worth taking a closer look at some of the factors that you need to think about when buying a monitor for your Mac.

Size isn’t everything, as the saying goes, but it’s a good place to start. Your decision will be influenced by how much desk space you have, and how comfortable you are while using the display. Some people think that a big screen is best, but then when they start to use it daily, they find that it’s too big. And the same goes for customers who think a small screen is best.

For professionals—graphics, video, audio, even spreadsheets—a large screen will help you be more productive. Think 27 inches and higher. You’ll be able to fit more elements on the screen and not waste your time scrolling.

If on-screen real estate is valuable to you, consider a multi-display setup. A smaller screen can be used for things like chat, email, web, and more, while the bigger screen is your main workspace. Or get screens of the same size and maximize the space.

Screen resolution can go hand-in-hand with screen size. Screen resolution refers to the number of pixels used to create what you see on the screen. The higher the resolution, the more detail you can see. Larger displays tend to have more resolution options, as well as the ability to support higher resolutions.

Often, when you find two displays that are the same size but have a wide price difference, it’s mostly because of the screen resolution. Monitors with high resolutions are more expensive. For example, Apple’s $1,599 Studio Display is 27 inches, and it has a high screen resolution of 5120×2880 (5K resolution). On the other hand, LG sells the 27-inch 27UK650-W, but it’s a 3840×2160 (4K) resolution display for content creators, and it’s $350–lower resolution, but $1,249 cheaper. (There actually aren’t other 27-inch 5K monitors available, except for the $1,449 LG UltraFine 27MD5KL-B.)

How a monitor connects to a Mac can be confusing. The traditional HDMI and DisplayPort connectors used by many monitors are being replaced–or complemented–by USB-C and Thunderbolt ports. And though USB-C and Thunderbolt cables may look the same, there are actually some important technical differences between them, so it’s important to check which ports your new monitor uses and make sure you buy the correct cables and adapters.

Most recent Mac models have Thunderbolt ports, so if you buy a monitor that has HDMI or DisplayPort interfaces only, then you’ll need an adapter to connect to the Mac. This can get a bit confusing, but Apple does provide a list of the ports included on most recent Mac models so that you can figure out what you need.

Apple also provides a guide to HDMI and DisplayPort technology, which covers Mac models going right back to 2008, so that should provide all the info you need for all the Macs you use at home or at work. Less expensive monitors still tend to use HDMI and DisplayPort, and while it’s not too costly to buy adapters that will allow you to connect your Mac, we reckon it’s worth future-proofing your new monitor by getting one that includes at least one USB-C or Thunderbolt port.

If a display uses Thunderbolt to connect to the Mac, it may have additional USB-C or Thunderbolt ports so the display can act as a hub. In this case, If you have a device you want to connect to your Mac, you can connect it to one of the ports on the monitor, which is already connected to the Mac and probably in an easier location for access.

If you’re going to spend a lot of time sitting at a desk looking at your lovely new display then you need to keep ergonomics in mind. The ability to tilt the angle of the monitor back and forth, swivel it around for easy viewing, and adjust the height of the monitor in order to avoid an aching back or neck.