best touch screen monitors 2021 free sample

2023-01-03 12:32:11

The best touchscreen monitors can offer advantages for certain workflows. Whether it’s for creative use or to improve general productivity tasks, the best touchscreen displays can make navigating certain programs more intuitive and more precise, particularly for tasks like making a selection in an image.

They can deliver a seamless, responsive experience that feels like writing with a pen on paper, and an immediacy that you don"t get with even the best mice to the best keyboards. But while touch screens now abound in phones and tablet, most monitors don"t offer touch. There are some excellent touch displays out there, however.

Below, we"ve made our pick of the best touchscreen monitors after evaluating a range of options for their accuracy and responsiveness, design, extra features and price. From regular-sized displays ideal for a desktop PC to portable monitors for those on the road, these are the best touchscreen monitors we"ve found.

If you prefer a more traditional monitor, possibly with a higher resolution, check out guides to the best monitors for photo editing and the best 4K monitors. If accurate colours are important to you, whether you’re a photographer or video editor, you might want to invest in one of the best monitor calibrator tools.

With so many options on the market, our choice of the best touchscreen monitors comes down to the details. And detail is something that Dell"s P2418HT monitor does brilliantly. This 1080p monitor on a 23.8-inch panel boasts an LCD screen to deliver excellent resolution, contrast, and colour. Moreover, it boasts an anti-glare surface that works beautifully in distracting light conditions as well as ultra-thin bezels that give it a stylish flair and you more screen real estate.

Looking for a cheap touchscreen monitor from a reputable brand? The 21.5in Dell P2219H IPS monitor is available at a brilliant price, and it still does an impressive job, making it one of the best touchscreen monitors available for those on a tighter budget.

While creative professionals usually go for larger screens, there’s definitely a place for portable monitors in content creation. Nomadic users in particular can benefit from a portable monitor that’s designed specifically with video editors, designers, and music producers in mind.

The ProArt Display PA148CTV is something of a rarity in the sea of portable monitors with its robust set of features targeted towards creatives. They include the Asus Dial, a physical dial that you can use to make effortless adjustments to your project whether you’re in Lightroom, Premiere Pro, or Photoshop. There’s also the Virtual Control Panel function, which allows you to use the display itself as your touchscreen control panel, simplifying your workflow.

The ViewSonic TD2230 is small, light and portable touchscreen monitor, making it perfect for anyone with limited desk space and/or who needs to travel with their screen. The 22in, Full HD, IPS display offers beautifully sharp image quality and high visual accuracy. The screen is also scratch-poof, and the bookstand design allows it to be tilted and adjusted from 20 to 70 degrees, or rested flat.

The connection ports are all on the side of the monitor, offering easy access. You get HDMI, DisplayPort and VGA and USB connectivity. The monitor offers low power consumption – great for both your pocket and the planet. The colours are a little dull, but overall this is an excellent buy for anyone looking for a portable touchscreen monitor.

The Philips 242B9T is another good touchscreen monitor. It might not be the most stylish looking touch monitor but it has an awful lot to offer. For a start, it comes with built-in 2W speakers. Also, you can connect it to a wide range of devices via HDMI, DVI, VGA and DisplayPort.

The Asus VT229H comes with many features you’ll find on most touchscreen monitors, including 10-point multi-touch capacity, 178/178 viewing angles, flicker-free backlighting, and blue light filter to make it easy on the eyes. However, it also boasts a few extras you won’t find on rival displays, and these help make your workflow more seamless.

Want a larger touchscreen monitor? Most touchscreen monitors tend to be on the smaller side, but this 27in offering from Planar offers a relatively large IPS LED-backlit display. While Full HD is a little thin for a 27in display, the screen offers dependable color accuracy and contrast that won"t shift depending on where you"re looking.

It"s a versatile monitor too, with a built-in HD webcam and microphone, making it great for home office working and video conferencing. It boasts 10-point capacitive multi-touch and an ergonomic stand that can take the display from completely flat to a 70-degree tilt.Is it worth buying a touchscreen monitor?If you’ve ever used a touchscreen laptop and wished you could do the same at your desk, then the slightly higher price of a touchscreen monitor over its non-touch counterpart is well worth it. After all, there’s no other way to get that kind of nuanced control when navigating various windows and apps. For example, if you want to translate handwriting to text or draw directly on the screen using your finger, one of these panels is the way to do it. And, instead of having to use keyboard shortcuts to carry out a command, you can perform the actual action directly on the screen.

But, you won’t be holding a touchscreen display the way you would a tablet or smartphone. So, consider whether you’re comfortable using your fingers to navigate a screen that’s sitting at eye level for long periods.What are the disadvantages of a touchscreen monitor?There are some drawbacks to using a touchscreen monitor. For example, holding your arm up to interact with a touchscreen throughout a day’s worth of work will get tiring no matter how strong you are. And, you’ll have to clean that screen regularly. Otherwise, that buildup of smudges and fingerprints can get in the way of seeing it properly.

Most importantly, however, touchscreen displays are more likely to experience some kind of damage. This is because there’s much more going on under the hood than with non-touch monitors. And, when something goes wrong, it will cost more to fix due to the more complicated design of these panels.What is a 10-point touchscreen?A 10-point touchscreen can register 10 distinct points of contact all at once. Not all touchscreen devices and displays utilise this technology. But, having it makes a huge difference in the accuracy of your taps, swipes, and various gestures. With one or two-point touchscreens, any accidental contact like the edge of your palm grazing the screen could confuse the interface and register a tap where it shouldn’t be. Utilising a 10 point touchscreen largely eliminates that kind of accidental interaction. And, it also allows for more complex interactions like typing directly on the screen.Can I use a touch screen monitor with any computer?Yes, you can use a touch-sensitive screen with any PC, or even a laptop. provided it has the right ports to connect with your machine. Check what ports your device has, but most touchscreen monitors will have several, including USB and HDMI.

best touch screen monitors 2021 free sample

There are many touch screen monitor reviews on the web. We"ve decided to make it simple and compared the best touch screen computer monitors by the essential features only.

The first feature you should consider when choosing a touch screen monitor for computer is the touch screen featuresof every device. There are 2 major types of LCD monitor touch screen technologies used in monitors and other gadgets - resistive and capacitive. Resistive panels are already obsolete - they don"t support multi-touch, they react to any object, etc. That"s why the vast majority of today"s touch screen monitors are based on capacitive panels that are much better: they react only to your hands, support multitouch (which allows using a virtual keyboard, zoom images in and out, etc.). Of course, you should check if the monitor is certified by Microsoft. If it is, you can be sure it"s fully compatible with one of the latest Windows versions. Keep in mind that uncertified monitors might be incompatible with Windows. Also, some people want to use Mac OS based computers with touch screen monitors. If you are one of them, be sure to pick the monitor which is fully compatible with the latest versions of Mac OS.

The next step you should make is to check the display specification or, in other words, all the crucial features of the screen itself. The first of them is the screen size - a large monitor with a diagonal of 27 inches is considered to be the best for comfortable and versatile use. Such monitors usually support at least Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), while some of them support the resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, so there will be no granularity on the screen. The image quality heavily depends on the technology used in a panel. We recommend you to pick a monitor with an IPS or VA panel, which provides excellent image quality, wide viewing angles, quick response time, high contrast ratio, etc.

Also, don"t forget to pay attention to connectivity options. It"s always an advantage for an owner if a monitor has lots of slots and ports, so you can connect it to nearly any PC unit. For example, the best monitors have the following ports: HDMI, VGA, DVI, and Display port. All of them allow you to connect a tablet or a projection device, for example. Having at least 1 USB port is also important; this option allows you to use a monitor as a hub, to charge your gadgets, and so on. Also, the most multifunctional computer monitors have built-in speakers and a camera, so you don"t need to buy them for video calls, conferences, etc.

Finally, you should check the ergonomics. The casing of the monitor should be durable enough - you will touch the screen every day, so you might accidentally flip the device over. Next, any touch screen monitor must be comfortable in use, so find out to what degree you can tilt it. No need to say, it"s far easier to use such a screen if it"s in a horizontal position. Also, some people like to attach their computer monitor to a wall, and that"s when a VESA mount comes in handy. Most monitors have VESA mount support, though some models have a built-in mount.

best touch screen monitors 2021 free sample

The best touchscreen monitors allow a version of hybrid work where you can use your computer similarly to standard desktops or enable you to achieve a more portable and interactive session.

If your keyboard and mouse are holding you back from productivity and creativity, it’s time to get a touchscreen monitor that’ll help transform your working process.

The ViewSonic TD2455’s in-cell touchscreen gives you a next-gen experience of touch-enabled monitors. What this feature does is render every swipe, pinch, tap, zoom, and multi-touch efficiently. Thus, you get a lag-free drawing of content when you’re presenting to a live audience.

If you need more accuracy than your fingertips, you can make use of a stylus on this touch-enabled computer monitor. The monitor supports a wide range of styluses. Hence, choose this monitor if you don’t want to compromise on sketching, note-taking, and drawing.

Thanks to its wide array of input/output ports, this monitor is a true cross-environment-compatible device. You can seamlessly use the monitor for touch-enabled purposes on operating systems like Windows, Linux, Android, and Google Chrome.

ASUS QuickFit Virtual Scale aligns your documents accurately so that you get to know the true post-print size. Thanks to the ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Technology, it lets you set the color gamut for your movie using up to eight preset modes. The monitor comes with 10-point multi-touch sensitivity along with durable bezels and a stand. Therefore, the monitor will last longer even if you expose it to public use.

The multi-touch sensitivity ensures complete freedom with touch gestures. Finally, you should get this touchscreen monitor as it"s truly safe for your eyes. Its flicker-free display and ultra-low blue light emission ensure your eyes are protected no matter how long you binge, play, or work.

The AOC 16T2 is a versatile touchscreen monitor that can be your primary display or an extension for all those extra-wide graphics. That’s not all! It functions as a portable power bank for USB-C-compatible devices like smartphones or tablets, thanks to its 8000mAh battery. Its IPS display ensures that image or video colors look accurate at any angle up to 178 degrees.

IPS display also delivers a more life-like image quality than any other conventional technique. This IPS display also recognizes up 10 points of projective-capacitive touch gestures. This ultra-lite touch-enabled monitor should be the top pick because it adds convenience and clutter-free usage to your life.

This touch-enabled monitor should be your first choice because it doesn’t confine you to a few devices. You can make it a cross-platform monitor by plugging it into various display sources like smartphones, Windows computers, tablets, Linux computers, etc. You can make use of connectivity ports like HDMI, VGA, DP, USB 2.0, and USB 3.0.

Its 10-point touch feature features give you freedom over touch gestures. For example, you can interact with your content via swiping, tapping, sliding, and pinching. All touch actions feel more natural and smoother. Its edge-to-edge anti-glare screen lets you navigate the software, websites, games, and big drawings easily. It processes multi-touch using a two-handed touch recognition feature.

The Planar Helium PCT2435 is ideal for high-performance multi-touch use at work or home. It uses the latest projected capacitive technology that enables the monitor to register up to 10-point touches. That too, with truly fast sensitivity and sharper drawing, doesn’t let you down in front of your audience.

Another reason for you to buy this monitor is it doesn’t expose your eyes to fatigue. Eye fatigue is unavoidable when you work for long hours on a monitor that doesn’t come with a flicker-free image processing and blue light filter. Planar Helium PCT2435"s onboard technology reduces the blue light and screen flickering, thus ensuring eye safety.

UPERFECT Portable Monitor’s capacitive touchscreen technology can support up to five points of touches. It"s compatible with many devices like Windows, Chromebooks, smartphones, and tablets. It also lets you use it as a display unit for gaming consoles like Xbox and PS4.

Its 100 percent sRGB color processing offers a better display of images, graphic content, and videos. It covers more RGB color to deliver realistic visuals. Its 2000:1 ultra-high contrast ratio ensures an immersive visual for lifelike images. So, if you"re looking for a high-quality, versatile, and portable touchscreen monitor, this is a fine choice.

The ViewSonic TD2760 offers the latest 10-point multi-touch feature to let more than one person co-create designs on a single monitor. The monitor registers each gesture accurately whether you and your co-creator use styluses or fingers.

It utilizes SuperClear MVA display panel technology to support multiple viewing angles delivered by the dual-hinge stand. This feature ensures that you get consistent color and brightness in a wide range of viewing angles. If you"re searching for a touchscreen monitor that lets you collaborate with others, the ViewSonic TD2760 is a great option.

Touchscreen monitors are more useful than normal computer display units. These monitors give you freedom in choosing different gestures to interact with your computer. If you’re a teacher, you can use your touch-enabled monitor to draw diagrams just like you used to do on a classroom whiteboard. Hence, online classes become more interactive and informative.

Professionals who often need to go live for presentations can also make use of a good touchscreen monitor. And then, if you’re a creative designer, artist, or game developer, you must know that touchscreens make you more productive and efficient.

Buying a touchscreen monitor is a big investment. You need to get an average or big-size monitor rather than a small one. Also, it’s wise to get multi-touch monitors.

You can opt for repair should your touchscreen monitor stop working. The repair cost will vary depending on the type of fault. For example, touch activity not working issue tends to attract more cost than other faults.

best touch screen monitors 2021 free sample

The best touch screen monitors allow you to interact with your desktop computer via tap, swipe and pinch-to-zoom. Alternatively, you can install it as a secondary monitor to use with an office-based laptop.

In this article, we"ve gathered together the best touch screen monitors available today – in a range of sizes from 21 inches to a special ultrawide monitor(opens in new tab) that"s 49 inches. If you"re after a smaller secondary monitor that can be carried with your laptop for use on the go, see our list of the best portable monitors(opens in new tab). (Portable monitors can also be had with touch sensitivity, but they"re smaller and are powered by your laptop"s battery, so they don"t need their own power supply.)

If you"ve already researched the best monitors for photo editing(opens in new tab) or the best video editing monitors(opens in new tab), you may have realized that none of them are touch screen monitors. But why not? Why would you consider choosing a new monitor without touch sensitivity?

After all, the best touch screen monitor will add an extra, more ergonomic form of user input, so must be better, right? Well, it"s not quite that simple. At the bottom of this page, you"ll find tips on what to look for when buying a touch screen monitor, including connectivity, size, and that all-important image quality.

Dell"s P2418HT has fairly typical touch screen display credentials: a 23.8-inch screen size and Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. But it stands out from the crowd in other areas.

Its special articulating stand transitions the display from a standard desktop monitor to a downward 60-degree angle touch orientation. It also supports extended tilt and swivel capabilities, so you can adjust the screen to your task or a more comfortable position. Plus, a protective cushion at the base of the screen offers a buffer against bumps when the stand is fully compressed.

Marketed at commercial and educational settings as well as home use, the TD2230 boasts a 7H hardness-rated protective glass for extra scratch protection and durability. Super-thin screen bezels give the panel a modern, sleek look, plus there are integrated stereo speakers for added versatility.

The ViewSonic TD2230 boasts upmarket image quality thanks to its IPS LCD display that provides better color and contrast consistency, regardless of your viewing position, while the 1920 x 1080 screen res is high enough for crisp image clarity when spread across the 21.5-inch panel size. 250 cd/m2 max brightness and a 1000:1 contrast ratio are pretty typical, while HDMI, DisplayPort and analog VGA connectors ensure you"ll be able to hook this monitor to pretty much any computer running Windows 10, Android or Linux.

Want a larger than average touch screen monitor? This 27-inch offering is our pick, as it"s based around an IPS LED-backlit display. That translates more dependable color accuracy and contrast that won"t shift depending on whether you"re viewing the centre of the screen or the corners.

The Full HD resolution is spread a little thin across a 27-inch display, so images will look slightly pixelated, but this is an unavoidable compromise you have to make if you want a touch screen monitor larger than 24 inches. The PCT2785 does score well in terms of versatility though, as you get a built-in HD webcam and microphone, making it great for homeworking(opens in new tab) and video conferencing.

The T272HL boasts a slightly above-average 300cd/m2 brightness, along with 10-point capacitive multi-touch. There are also a pair of 2w internal speakers, and the stand allows a large 10-60 degrees of tilt to enhance touch ergonomics.

If you"re after a larger-than-average touch screen monitor, the T272HL is a reasonable choice, but there are compromises to be made. For starters, this is still a 1920 x 1080 Full HD monitor, so while it may be physically larger than a 23/24-inch Full HD display, images will simply look larger, not more detailed.

If you can get past the uninspiring black plastic design of the Philips 242B9T, this touch screen monitor has a lot to offer. It should be easy to connect to pretty much any computer, thanks to its full array of HDMI, DVI, VGA and DisplayPort connectivity and included cables for all but DVI. It"s even got its own built-in 2W stereo speakers, while the clever Z-hinge stand allows a huge -5 to 90 degrees of tilt adjustment, making it extra-ergonomic when using the 10-point capacitive multi-touch display.

At 21.5 inches, the Asus VT229H is one of the smaller touch screen monitors on this list, but it still sports the same Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution as larger 24 and even 27-inch touch screen displays, meaning you get more pixels per inch and slightly crisper image quality. This is also an IPS LCD, with wide 178 x 178-degree viewing angles and reliably consistent color and contrast, regardless of your viewing angle.

Most touch screen monitors are just that: a monitor, with a touch interface. But this 21.5-inch display also adds a pair of 2W stereo speakers for sound output, along with dual-array microphones and a built-in webcam for video conferencing. The IPS LCD display panel ensures decent color and contrast uniformity, while the Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution is easily enough to for crisp image quality on a screen this size.

The square black exterior is typical of Lenovo"s business-orientated products and may not be to everyone"s taste. Plus you"ll need to connect via DisplayPort only, as there"s no HDMI input. But otherwise this touch screen monitor offers a lot for a very reasonable price.

The obvious drawback with a touch screen monitor is the aforementioned size restrictions because if you want one larger than 27 inches, you"re out of luck. The next step up in size for touch screen monitors are 50+ inch displays designed for corporate presentations rather than home computing.

Even most 27-inch touch screen monitors have the same Full HD 1920 x 1020 resolution as their smaller 21-24-inch stablemates. So you"re not actually getting more pixels, only bigger ones. This can make your images just look more blocky unless you sit further away from the screen.

It"s not just outright screen resolution where touch screen monitors can fall short of their non-touch alternatives. Top-end screens designed for image and video editing are often factory color calibrated: they use LCD displays that can display a huge range of colors, or feature fast refresh rates for smoother video playback and gaming. However, touch screen monitors aren"t intended for color-critical image or video work: they tend to be all-purpose displays designed for more general applications like web browsing and basic image viewing.

Connectivity also tends to be compromised on touch screen monitors. You can forget about USB-C hubs(opens in new tab) with Power Delivery, and even DisplayPort connections can be a rarity.

These are the two primary forms of touch input. Resistive touch requires you to physically press the screen (which itself is slightly spongy) for it to register an input. It"s a cheaper form of touch input, and a resistive touch screen is also tougher than a capacitive equivalent, so they"re popular for use in ATMs and retail checkouts.

However, resistive technology doesn"t support multi-touch and won"t give the same fluid sensitivity as the touch screens we"re now accustomed to on phones and tablets. Consequently, most modern touch screen monitors use capacitive touch screens supporting 10-point multi-touch. These operate exactly like a phone or tablet"s touch screen, requiring only a light tap, swipe, or pinch to register inputs. All the monitors on this list use 10-point capacitive touch screens.

Put simply, even the best iMacs(opens in new tab) and MacBooks(opens in new tab) don"t support touch screen monitors. Consequently, all the touch screen monitors on this list will only work with Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and some Linux and Android operating systems.

Not all LCD monitors are created equal. LCD displays use three types of construction - IPS (In-Plane Switching), VA (Vertical Alignment), and TN (Twisted Nematic). Each one of these three LCD types exhibits noticeably different image quality characteristics, clearly visible to the average user.

For image and video editing, TN-based monitors should really be avoided. These are the cheapest to manufacture and deliver compromised image quality thanks to their restrictive viewing angles. This results in highly uneven color and contrast across the screen, effectively hiding shadow and highlight detail in your images. IPS-based monitorsare the gold standard for image quality. These produce color and contrast that doesn"t shift depending on which part of the screen you look at, making image editing much more precise. Most of the touch screen monitors on this list are IPS-based, and the rest are VA-based monitors. These can"t quite match the image quality of an IPS monitor but are much more color-accurate than a TN screen.Round up of today"s best deals

best touch screen monitors 2021 free sample

Touch screen monitors add an entirely different dynamic to your computer usage. Most of us are fairly adept with a mouse and keyboard, but screens with touch capability add a different dimension and new functionality beyond the typical input devices. Today’s touchscreen monitors deliver a type of tactile control that has been honed for technological generations. They allow users to scroll with a finger swipe, resize with a pinch, and sign your signature with a pen. They often deliver high resolution, precise color gamuts, and impressive refresh rates, all while supplying a simple intuitive interface. Whether you’re a photographer looking for great computer screens to help you with photo editing and collage, a business professional who’s looking for large computer monitors for presentations, or simply a touch oriented person who wants a new way to play, read on for the best touchscreen monitors of 2022.

Before you dive into the touch screen market, there are some features and terms you should understand. Doing so ensures that you find the right touchscreen monitor that’s right for your needs.

There are three main groups of LCD screen type used in touch screen monitors. IPS monitors (in plane switching) have great color reproduction and clarity at all viewing angles, they use LCD crystals positioned horizontally to the viewing plane. TN or twisted nematic monitors on the other hand, are less consistent across the whole screen surface, but are cheaper to produce and refresh faster. TN monitors are only really a thing to seek out if you’re looking for an affordable high-speed gaming monitor, or a monitor for a POS or business setting. VA, or vertical alignment monitors, use a technology that’s more often used in television, which involves LCD crystals that are perpendicular to the viewing plane, rather than parallel — as is found in IPS. Vertical alignment monitors are a decent choice in a touch screen monitor, even if IPS is generally the gold standard.

For the purpose of this list we highlighted premium capacitive touch monitors with ten finger touch. This is the same type of touch response used in a smartphone, and doesn’t require you to apply pressure to the screen. The other type of touch technology, called resistive touch, is used in screens aimed at the public, such as ATM machines, but doesn’t allow multiple points of touch.

IPS panels are capable of quite impressive color displays with wide gamuts and good sensitivity, and touch screen monitors should be no different. Monitors designed for photographers and designers will generally cover a wide color gamut that covers most or all of the standard web color space, titled sRGB, and deliver some coverage of other color spaces, including AdobeRGB, and DCI-P3.

Color accuracy is slightly more complicated. Manufacturers sometimes offer a Delta-E value, often written ΔE

Gone are the days where 1080p HD ruled the space. However, touchscreens generally prioritize other technologies rather than high resolution. Most touchscreen monitors are 1080p HD. None on this list stray toward 4K or even WQHD. Some larger HD touchscreen monitors actually use a 1080p design with larger pixels, keeping the same pixel count on a 27 inch screen rather than a 22 inch. When researching your future touchscreen monitor, consider the resolution and sharpness you need.

Designers might care about Delta-E, but for the competitive gamers it’s all about Hz and response time. Refresh rate determines how fast a screen refreshes. This is notated with Hz. A high refresh rate ensures that competitive gamers get that high frame rate they need to keep ahead of the action. 60 Hz is standard and totally fine for most common tasks. Hight-end and dedicated gaming screens usually start at 120 Hz. Premium gaming screens can hit 360 Hz. Response time dictates how fast pixels change from black to white, or one gray to another. 5 milliseconds (ms) is a good rate for a gaming monitor, though premium gaming monitors can hit sub 1 ms.

We wanted our list of the best touch screen monitors to be as authoritative as possible. As a digital artist and tech reviewer, I use and review many screens. Currently I own multiple touch screen devices. It’s an important part of my workflow, whether I’m editing in Google Docs with my fingers and a pen, drawing in photoshop, or piecing together collages with my fingers in Procreate. To assemble this list, we researched numerous touch screens from leading manufacturers, perusing the spec sheets, and stacking them up against the competition, and compared them to the monitors and screens we know and use daily. We evaluated a few criteria to make our final choices:

Image qualitydoesn’t need to be stifled with touch screen tech. Theoretically touch screen IPS displays are capable of much the same image quality, resolution, and color quality as regular IPS screens. In practice this isn’t always the case. Touch technology takes money, and this means that touch screen monitors often don’t also put the premium on image quality. There aren’t many 4K touch screen monitors on the market. Because of this we highlighted the instances where touch screen monitors do achieve really good screen quality.

Form factoris always important, but when a product is designed to be used for tactile manipulation, this is more important than ever. We noted how each product worked as a touchable, tactile device. For a device to be reliable as touch-tech it needs to be sturdy, responsive, and positionable. We prioritized monitors that fold, sit flat, and can be positioned on angles.

Connectivity is ever important in the modern era, and yet many touch screen monitors suffer here. Don’t expect lots of thunderbolt ports, or necessarily more generic USB-C hubs. Still wherever we found it we highlighted monitors with versatile connectivity.

Budgetvaries when it comes to touch screen monitors. As touch screen tech is pricey in itself, touch screen monitors are often somewhat pricier than other monitors with equivalent feature sets. We looked for monitors that don’t skimp on features and cost significantly more, while highlighting a few that make sure to put the premium on a value price point.

Sizeis a bit more limited in the touch screen market. If you’re looking for large computer monitors, the largest touch screens designed for standard home use are about 27 inches.

Why It Made The Cut:With top-grade wide-gamut color and a powerful stylus, the Wacom Cintiq Pro drawing tablet easily has the best color and screen quality on the touch-screen market.

Wacom has been the industry leader in stylus and touchscreen art-tablets for years, and the Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 represents one of their biggest achievements yet. It delivers a vibrant, 4K screen with exceptional stylus support. The Cintiq Pro 16 is fully responsive to touch and pen, and … very beautiful. While monitors and drawing tablets have traditionally been classified as different categories of tech, they have slowly been inching closer and closer together over the years, until now, when crossover products such as the touch screen computer Microsoft Surface Pro havely largely rendered the category-differences moot.

There are only two functions that the Cintiq Pro 16 doesn’t perform well that the other monitor’s on this list do a good job with. Unlike other monitors, the Wacom is designed to be manipulated on your desk surface, either at an angle or flat, this helps with touch functionality, as well as giving you a natural surface for its electromagnetic pen. Those who want traditional mounted touch screen monitors should stay away. Its screen refresh time and pixel response is also slower than gamers will want. These differences make the Wacom good at what it is, a drawing-tablet with an immaculate touch-display built right in.

The Cintiq Pro has one of the best screens on the market. It delivers 98% AdobeRGB, which is a significantly larger color gamut than sRGB, meaning you’ll see colors that not even a Macbook Pro can display. Its 4K resolution is beautiful and crisp, delivering extremely detailed images. It isn’t all that fast, with a 30 ms response, but unless you’re gaming, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Because Wacom comes from a line of drawing tablets, rather than monitors, the Cintiq Pro 16 is an unconventional choice for a list of the best touch screen monitors. However, it’s hard to argue with the specs, especially when they handily beat out all of the competition. If you work in photo-editing, graphic design, or illustration, the Cintiq Pro is the best for work, even if it’s expensive, plus it works with Apple computers, unlike many traditional touch screen monitors. It should be noted that because it doesn’t achieve a vertical position, it is probably best as a second monitor, particularly when paired with a great graphic design or photo editing monitor. For more on the Cintiq Pro, read my review here.

Why It Made The Cut:Great image quality, easy touch controls, a solid anti glare coating, and an intuitive repositionable stand all work together to make this IPS Dell screen an easy pick.

A solid business-class monitor, the Dell P2418HT 24IN IPS delivers well on all fronts, offering impressive touch controls, as well as decent color and brightness. Perhaps the most immediate appeal to this monitor is its impressive folding stand, which intuitively transitions from a classic monitor position to an angled tabletop touch screen surface.

The monitor’s plastic screen uses an anti-glare coating, and pumps out about 250 nits of brightness. It’s responsive to touch, and intuitive. The plastic coating is both a perk and a detractor, and will appeal to some more than others. While the anti-glare coating is a nice feature, the screen smudges easily, and feels less sturdy than glass.

Across the rest of the specs, the Dell P2418HT does a good enough job to be the best 24 inch touch monitor out there. It has decent color that exceeds many business class monitors, even if it falls short of what’s on offer with most design or photo-focused monitors. Its HD resolution does a good job on the IPS screen, and its refresh rate makes it a viable choice for gamers who still want touch. All in all, the Dell does almost all of it right, in a way that makes it the most widely appealing touch-screen around, even if it doesn’t excel at the particulars to secure specific niches.

Why It Made The Cut:With a large screen, decent color, a webcam, and more, this is a great touch screen monitor for home offices that easily converts between flat and vertical alignments.

As monitors go, the Planar Helium PCT2785 27″ is the best for productivity for most people. It’s also a great choice for a second touch screen monitor for school. With a big bright screen that pumps out about 300 nits, its HD IPS screen is big enough to wow.

The monitor uses capacitive touch with ten points of manipulation.It also comes with a 720p webcam, speakers, and an audio in/out, plus two USB-A 3.0 jacks. Best of all, its stand easily transitions between vertical and flat positions, so you can use touch how you like to.

It has to be noted that this monitor is a bit tricky with its sizing, it is 27 inches diagonal, rather than horizontal. Factor that into your decision before you buy, still 23.54 inches is large — large enough in fact that the HD resolution looks a little pixelated. All in all, it’s a decent large touch screen monitor that does a good job at whatever you throw at it.

Billed for use in retail environments and setting up in the field, the ViewSonic TD2230 is a great choice for those who move around a lot. It sports an extra-hard 7H glass screen and solid overall ruggedness. Its stand offers easy conversions between vertical alignments and flat.

While the screen isn’t the most vibrant out there, it does have some decent features. It offers a 76 hertz refresh rate that’s better than average among touch screens. Its IPS panel sports an HD resolution, that looks a little pixelated on the monitor’s larger size, but won’t bug most users. It’s also easy to connect on, with a DisplayPort connection, two USB-A ports, a USB-B, HDMI, and audio In & Out.

All in all, the ViewSonic is a good choice if you’re looking for a moderately large touch screen monitor you can take on the go for presentations, or set up as a workstation at a retail establishment, it’s also the best as a second monitor.

Why It Made The Cut:Great for use as a POS machine, as a monitor for multiple cameras, or as an easy touch control station, this twisted nematic monitor crams a lot of great features into a highly affordable touchscreen body.

Sometimes a utilitarian, budget monitor is just what you need. The ASUS VT168HR doesn’t come with frills, but if you’re looking for the basics delivered with reliable touch, then this ASUS TN monitor might be just right for your business.

Make no mistake, the VT168HR’s screen isn’t going to wow you with media. With a resolution of only 1366 x 768, it doesn’t hit HD definition, and you’ll notice. It doesn’t have speakers, and its color is also nothing impressive. Instead of great visuals and sound, the VT168HR focuses on utilitarian function. It’s one of the cheapest monitors out there, but its TN screen still comes with flicker-free tech that reduces eye strain, and a filter that cancels out blue light. Its touch screen is responsive, and it connects via HDMI and VGA. This monitor is a good choice for businesses that need a reliable basic monitor for security cameras, POS, spreadsheets, or a second touch-screen monitor to supplement a main monitor. It’s not a monitor to brag about, but it could be the best small display for specific touch applications.

Touch screen monitors vary in cost substantially. The cheapest touch screen monitor on this list is under $200, while the most expensive is closer to $1500. This price jump reflects great variability in the feature set and the technologies that are included.

Most of the time, all one needs to do to connect a touch screen monitor to your computer is plug it into the correct jacks. Usually the monitor will then prompt you to download the appropriate drivers.

Touch screen monitors have the advantage of touch. While not everyone needs touch functionality on their monitor it can be a boon for many settings: POS systems usually use touch, graphic designers and photographers can find the control handy, and some people simply like it for the intuitive control it affords.

If you’re looking to add a whole new dimension to the control of your computer, consider a touch screen monitor. Touch screen monitors provide tactile control over your digital world, making for a great desktop monitor or a great portable controller. If you’re after the best 27-inch monitor, the Planar Helium PCT2785 27″ is about as good at touch as 27 inch monitors get. If you’re a creative, the pricey Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 is the top choice, and does about everything you need from a touch computer monitor, even if it comes from a family of drawing tablets (It also has the best screen quality out there). If it’s a desktop monitor for less, the ASUS VT168HR is a stripped down display that is rugged and affordable enough for business applications, like POS, and security monitoring. Finally, the Dell P2418HT 24IN IPS is the best touch screen monitor for most users, with its solid media delivery and good response.

best touch screen monitors 2021 free sample

Working with a laptop computer can be a challenge—especially if you need to multitask with multiple windows open once. But when you’re on-the-go, it isn’t practical to lug around a full-size monitor. This is where portable monitors come in: This is where portable monitors come in: These lightweight, external second screens go where your laptop goes. The best portable monitors can increase your available screen real estate, which can improve your productivity without requiring the same weight or bulk as a dedicated monitor.

“Portable monitors are mainly aimed at business travelers looking for enhanced productivity while on the road,” notes Paul Gagnon, vice president and industry advisor on consumer technology at research firm The NPD Group. “But they can also have utility for hybrid workers or students not looking to invest in a dedicated home office setup for space or financial reasons.”

Portable monitors typically come in sizes that pair well with laptop computers—14 to 17 inches—and typically offer a baseline resolution of 1080 pixels. The larger you go in screen size or the more screens you add, the heavier your remote work setup will be. Some monitors stand apart with 2K or 4K resolution—like our best overall pick, the SideTrack Solo 4K 15.6-Inch—while others have a touchscreen display, a fast refresh rate, built-in speakers or some combination of all four.

No matter which flavor of portable monitor you choose, these handy devices can help you do more in less space—wherever you may be. To guide you in your search, we’ve done the testing and research to narrow down the best portable monitors available right now.

The SideTrak Solo is a free-standing portable monitor, unlike most other models from this company that attach to your computer screen. The Solo is among the priciest models we’ve seen, but it also packs all the features you could want in a monitor—with 4K resolution, a touchscreen and built-in speakers. It connects to your computer using a single cable and also has a built in blue light filter to help reduce eyestrain.

For less than $200, you can easily connect this Lepow C2S portable monitor to your laptop computer and benefit from an additional 15.4-inch screen. You get 1080p resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate in a 1.7-pound package. The display uses an integrated and adjustable-angle kickstand so you can position it horizontally or vertically. The monitor has multiple inputs, with USB Type-C, Mini-HDMI and Mini-DisplayPort, plus a second USB Type-C port for power.

It has a 178-degree viewing angle, wide enough so you can sit off center from the monitor and still clearly see the screen. The monitor has three modes: extend, duplicate and second screen. The dual built-in speakers produce stereo sound, and it has a 3.5mm audio jack for connecting headphones.

The Newsoul MDS-15608 monitor comes in at a budget price, one of the lowest we’ve seen for a model with multiple inputs. It displays content at 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, with a refresh rate of 60Hz and a 16:9 aspect ratio. This highly affordable monitor comes with a wall mount and a foldable screen cover which doubles as a stand for either horizontal or vertical use. The screen has a 178-degree viewing angle, making it useful for sharing what’s displayed on your screen with others—like a PowerPoint presentation.

Its 16:9 aspect ratio LED screen has an anti-glare coating to help with eyestrain. You also get a 178-degree viewing angle. The monitor’s brightness can reach a reasonably bright 300 nits, which makes it easier to use in ambient light. Built into the base are two USB 3.1 Type-C ports for connecting to your laptop and power. And it comes with a protective sleeve, so you can comfortably toss the monitor into your bag when on-the-go.

All portable monitors are, by definition, easy to tote around. But this Dell 14 Portable Monitor C1422H takes portability to the next level. At a mere 1.3 pounds, it won’t add much weight to your travel bag. And at 14-inches, it pairs well with most 13- to 15.6-inch laptops, without adding the extra heft and bulk of a larger 15.6-inch portable monitor.

This screen also has a maximum brightness of 300 nits, brighter than some laptops and other portable monitors. To help prevent eyestrain, it has blue-light reduction built in. Without speakers or lots of ports, though, this monitor is all business—making it good for work, but not play. It has just two USB Type-C ports, one on each side of the monitor’s adjustable base.

The Asus ZenScreen MB16AMT 15.6-inch display sets itself apart by having a built-in rechargeable battery inside its slim, two-pound chassis. This monitor offers 1,920 x 1,080 resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate and a 16:9 aspect ratio. It also has two 1W internal speakers for stereo sound. The 7800mAh battery lasts for up to four hours per charge.

The monitor adapts automatically to horizontal or vertical orientation. Its touchscreen works with Windows, Android and Chrome OS. The certified flicker-free backlit screen also has blue light filtering. Together, these features work to mitigate eye fatigue. The included Smart Case protects the screen during transport. It folds out to create a multi-position tabletop stand.

The ViewSonic TD1655 is a 15.6-inch touchscreen portable monitor at one of the best prices of any similar model from major manufacturers. This pick is also one of the few touchscreen monitors to work with both Macs and PCs—thanks to ViewSonic’s vTouch driver. This driver enables full touch and gesture control on the display when paired with macOS Big Sur, Catalina, Monterey or Ventura running on Intel, M1 or M2 chips. The touchscreen works without the driver on Windows 10 or newer computers with USB Type-C connectivity.

The TD1655 has a 16:9 aspect ratio and comes with a screen cover and a built-in stand to use in either horizontal or vertical orientation. It also comes with a passive stylus for use on the in-cell capacitive LED touchscreen. The screen is flicker-free—with a blue light filter to reduce eyestrain. And it packs two 0.8-watt speakers, plus an impressive 250 nits of brightness.

Australian start-up Espresso Displays’ eponymous V2 model comes in 13- and 15.6-inch versions with a touchscreen, along with a 13-inch version without touch. Espresso’s prices are a bit more than some competitors, but all models share the same stylish design aesthetic, plus a bevy of features other portable monitors don’t have. Take the 15.6-inch touchscreen portable monitor, for example. It has a brushed aluminum and glass chassis and a super-slim (0.2-inch) design, with a 16:10 aspect ratio display and two USB Type-C ports. The maximum screen brightness is 300 nits.

This model works with a pressure-sensitive stylus, though the tool doesn’t come with monitor and costs an extra $79. However, the stylus supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and closely mimics the feel of pen and pencil—making this a great choice for drawing or writing on screen. Other optional accessories include a choice of stands, the coolest one being the espressoStand, a $69 foldable magnetic stand for mounting the monitor for vertical or horizontal viewing. Last but not least, this pick is versatile. The Espresso comes with its own software, called Duet, allowing you to use the touchscreen on both Mac and PC laptops.

While this 12.5-inch monitor is a smaller-size display than most, the SideTrak Swivel mounts directly to your laptop’s display with a magnetic frame. It then pulls out from behind the screen when needed. This approach makes it extremely easy to transport and ensures both displays are at the same height. You can manually adjust the SideTrak’s viewing angle, or you can rotate the monitor 360 degrees. If you’re looking for some detachment, the Swivel’s collapsible mounting frame also allows the monitor to stand on its own using a built-in kickstand.

This version of the SideTrak Swivel Portable Monitor is compatible with Windows or Mac laptops, with a built-in display between 13 inches and 17 inches. It is not, however, compatible with Microsoft Surface devices that have their own kickstand, or with many 2-in-1 laptops whose screens contort into different positions. The 16:9 monitor’s refresh rate is 50Hz (most portable monitors are at 60Hz), but its brightness is higher than others, at a maximum of 300 nits. The unit comes with the mounting plates needed to attach securely it to your computer.

The Xebec Tri-Screen 2 uses a mounting frame to attach two slide-out 10.1-inch displays to the back of your laptop’s existing screen. Each Xebec display slides out from behind your laptop—one on each side of your laptop’s display—thus creating a highly portable three-display work area. Installing these two monitors and its bracket requires the supplied frame clamps, but nothing extra, like magnets or glue.

The ViewSonic VX1755 targets gamers who need portability and speed. This 17.2-inch display carries 1080p resolution, and it has a fast 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium support to help gameplay look buttery smooth. It also has an anti-glare and flicker-free screen with a built-in blue light filter.

It comes with a convenient magnetic Smart Cover which doubles as an adjustable stand. Thanks to the 178-degree field of view, multiple people will have no trouble viewing the monitor at the same time—even if they’re looking at it from an angle. It’s heavier than most portable monitors, listed at 4.8 pounds.

Consider the overall size and weight of the monitor, especially if you expect to carry it along with your laptop when on the road. Smaller screen sizes are lighter than larger ones, by nature. An attached monitor may make sense, given its small size and light weight. It also conveniently attaches to your laptop’s screen, so you can carry everything as one unit.

As a secondary monitor used for multitasking, you may find a smaller size display will accommodate your work habits and need for extra portability. Meanwhile, if your work requires photo editing, writing, drawing or annotating, choosing a second monitor with a touchscreen display will be likely be beneficial.

Many portable monitors rely on your laptop’s power, unless they come with their own built-in battery. Some monitors have a second USB Type-C port, through which you can attach your own power source. If you’re using a monitor powered by your laptop, then expect your laptop’s battery charge to run low faster. And the monitor will drain power faster still if it’s 4K, since higher resolution displays require more power. Power might be one reason brightness suffers on a portable monitor, so we advise to look for monitors with an LED backlight for a brighter display that’s usable in a well-lit environment.

This is display panel technology used by monitors to produce better colors and widen the display’s effective viewing angle. Especially if you"ll be playing games, viewing graphic or video-based content, or working with high-resolution digital images, look for a monitor that uses IPS. Beware lower-cost models that use less capable display technologies.

While some portable monitors have two tiny, low-powered speakers built-in, chances are the speakers built into your computer offer higher-quality audio. For the best audio experience, consider using headphones or wireless earbuds with noise cancellation, as opposed to relying on the audio that some of these portable monitors can generate. Check out our picks for the best wireless headphones and earbuds.

All non-touchscreen portable monitors can work with a Mac or a PC. Some models can work with other operating systems, such as ChromeOS or Linux, so double check the specs if you want to use the monitor with one of those operating systems.

Touchscreen portable monitors are trickier. All have Windows support, but only some support additional operating systems—including MacOS, ChromeOS and Android. If you want to use the monitor with a Mac, look specifically for monitors with a dedicated driver or software to enable touch. ViewSonic, Espresso and SideTrak all come with some variation of Mac software.Use your Apple iPad as a second screen for your MacBook or iMac thanks to the SideCar feature.Apple

Portable monitors are small, compact and lightweight computer screens designed to be connected to your laptop computer to expand the on-screen real estate available to run your favorite applications. A portable monitor makes multitasking on a laptop computer much easier and more efficient.

Most portable monitors rely on your laptop computer’s battery power to function—requiring just one cable to link it with your computer. This option will reduce your laptop computer’s battery life between charges. However, some portable monitors have their own built-in rechargeable battery. All are easy to transport and can likely fit within your existing laptop case, briefcase, or carry-on bag.

The best portable monitors come in a wide range of sizes. The size you choose is a matter of personal preference and should be based on your work habits and needs, as well as how much you want to spend.The SideTrak portable monitor attaches to the back of your laptop computer"s existing screen and ... [+]provides a second screen.SideTrak

Some portable monitors are extremely compact and provide an extra 12- to 14-inch display, although it’s more common for a portable monitor to offer at least a 15.6-inch display. A few displays go up to just over 17 inches. Displays larger still are more cumbersome to travel with and typically need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to function, making them less portable and more like a smaller desktop monitor.

As for thickness, most portable monitors are less than 0.5 inches and the monitors themselves weigh less than two pounds. Most come with a travel case or cover—making them very easy to transport with your laptop computer. Of course, this varies based on the screen size and model you choose.

Yes. Portable monitors typically include some cables, such as a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable, a Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable and a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable. As soon as you plug a portable monitor into your computer, Windows or Mac identifies it as a display and it should work immediately. In some cases, however, you may need to download a free driver or adjust the System Display Settings (Windows) or Display System Preferences (Mac) on your computer for the portable monitor to function properly.

With the proper drivers installed, almost any portable monitor will work with almost any Windows PC or MacOS-based laptop computer. For the best user experience, position the additional monitor directly to the side of your laptop computer’s existing monitor, making sure they’re both at the same height. Or, choose a vertical portrait orientation, so you can see a document in a longer length, just as you can on a tablet.

A portable monitor adds screen real estate, either doubling or tripling your screens (if you get a multi-screen model as from Xebec). This makes multitasking much easier, and it allows you to view multiple applications at once. The extra screen space can help if you have a laptop with a smaller display, such as a 13-inch ultraportable laptop.

It all comes down to what you use your computer for, whether being able to multitask is important to you and how much physical space you have to set up your equipment on a desk or flat surface. Most people discover that having two or even three screens can be extremely beneficial for increasing their productivity and making their workflow easier. This is a must-have accessory if you’re a remote worker who need to be highly productive from airports, hotels, or even coffee shops. However, not everyone needs a 4K resolution portable monitor or one that’s 15-inches or larger. You’ll typically save money going with a smaller display that offers 1080p resolution.

best touch screen monitors 2021 free sample

Touchscreens aren’t just available for laptops and mobile devices: There are many desktop monitors that include touchscreen capabilities for those who like to tap and swipe. This can make managing more complex tasks easier, and touchscreens are often preferred by designers and other professionals taking an active approach to their work. Here are the best models.

Dell’s touchscreen display is more than meets the eye: This 24-inch monitor has a sturdy base when upright, but can also collapse down at an angle for more serious touchscreen work whenever you want. That also makes this monitor an excellent choice for either a primary display or a secondary monitor to link up and use for specific, touchscreen-oriented tasks when needed.

Those looking for a more affordable desktop monitor will appreciate this Asus 22-inch monitor with touchscreen capabilities. While not loaded with features, the 1080p monitor is well-prepared for a full day of work with a study design and all of Asus’s eyecare software to help manage backlighting and flickering for the best experience.

The Asus VT229H offers up to a 75H refresh rate, brightness up to 250 nits, and connections that include both HDMI and VGA. With its smaller size, it serves well as an accompanying touch monitor in a professional setup or can work as a primary display when space is limited and a touchscreen is a vital feature to have.

If you already know that you need your primary monitor to have touchscreen capabilities, check out this full-sized, 27-inch model from ViewSonic. It offers 10-point multitouch capabilities for every kind of touchscreen control option, and the 1080p panel is made to be durable. This is another model that offers a dual-hinge design so you can angle back or lay it flat against the table depending on how you prefer to work. Oh, and if you’re using something like a Mac Mini, it offers full compatibility with MacOS too, so you won’t lose any touchscreen capabilities.

Some types of PC touchscreens are made to be portable. These smaller displays take only seconds to set up, allowing them to serve as a secondary display for almost any occasion, from working with your laptop to helping out in a flexible office situation. This 1080p Asus model measures 15.6 inches and easily collapses down, similar to a tablet, for quick carrying around or storage. It also has a built-in 7800mAH battery so you don’t have to worry about managing a power connection wherever you are.

The Asus ZenScreen MB16AMT includes speakers, two USB ports, both Type A and C, and Asus’ eyecare technology makes an appearance here, too. It works with pretty much any operating system you have in mind and comes with a smart cover and a stylus hole for easy storage.

Asus’ 22-inch monitor offers a high-durability glass surface and 10-point touch support that are exactly what we like to see in a touchscreen monitor made for serious work. The design also offers the ability to easily tilt to get just the right angle for your work and whether you prefer to sit or stand. AMD users will also be pleased to see that FreeSync is supported on this mode to reduce screen tearing and associated issues.

There’s another option for a touchscreen desktop that may be particularly appealing for some buyers – an all-in-one PC that combines the PC and monitor into one component that can save

best touch screen monitors 2021 free sample

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