An essential piece of tech that every business owner should invest in is a high-quality business monitor. The business monitor serves as the window to productivity, and an efficient one can significantly influence your performance at work. Choosing the right monitor, however, can be a maze, given the endless choices of models, brands, sizes, technical specs, and additional features out there. Don't worry; we are here to make the selection process easier.
In this article, we've put together a selection of top business monitors with varying specs and price ranges. No matter your specific needs - be it for intense multitasking, creative projects, or comfort during long hours, we've included options to suit a range of needs. By simplifying the process of buying a business monitor, this lets you focus on what truly matters - steering your business towards success.
What to consider when choosing a business monitor
Before diving into our top picks, it is helpful to understand the different factors of a monitor. This can help you determine which monitor is best suited to you and your business needs. These are some factors to consider when choosing a business monitor:
Use Case: Different roles and industries will have unique requirements for a business monitor. For example, creative fields such as graphic design, a high resolution, colour accuracy, and perhaps even a larger screen are vital. For businesses largely involved in written communication or coding, monitors with comfortable text display, low blue light filters, and adjustable heights may be the most desirable for reducing eye strain. Understanding how the monitor will be used will help to choose the best monitor for your business.
Resolution: The resolution is the number of pixels a monitor can display, with common resolutions being 1080p (Full HD), 1440p (2K), and 2160p (4K). Higher resolution monitors offer more screen real estate, which is ideal for multitasking and requires less zooming and scrolling.
Screen Size: Screen size, measured diagonally in inches, impacts how much information you can view at once. Larger screens can increase productivity, especially when working on tasks that require multiple windows or tabs. Larger display sizes are ideal for those who do creative work or work with analytics and large datasets.
Refresh Rate and Response Time: Refresh rate (measured in Hz) refers to how many times your monitor updates with new information per second. For most office work, 60Hz is sufficient. However, if you're doing video editing or 3D animation, you might want a higher refresh rate. Response time, measured in milliseconds (ms), relates to the time it takes for a pixel to change from one colour to another. Lower response times ensure smoother movements on the screen, and once again, will matter most for video editors.
Panel Type: Monitors typically come with IPS, TN, or VA panels. IPS panels offer the best colour accuracy and wide viewing angles, making them suitable for design-oriented roles. TN panels have the fastest response times of the three, beneficial for video editing or gaming, while VA panels are a good middle-ground choice. OLED panels are newer and stand above the rest in all regards but come at a premium.
Connectivity Options: Check for ports and compatibility with your current devices. Key connectivity options include HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and DVI. A built-in USB hub can also be useful to connect additional peripherals like a keyboard and mouse.
Ergonomics and Adjustability: Monitors should offer a wide range of adjustments for height, tilt, and swivel, allowing you to arrange your workspace for optimal comfort and productivity.
Additional Features: Look for monitors with eye-care technologies such as flicker-free and low blue light settings to reduce eye strain and fatigue, especially if you're working long hours.
Budget: Last but not least, consider your budget. Professional-grade monitors vary greatly in price, so it's vital to balance your needs against your budget. Luckily, there are good options to be found across a wide range of price points.
Top Business Monitors
Top Ultrawide Monitor - Philips 499P9H1/75 49” Curved
The Philips 499P9H1/75 49” Super Wide Curved Monitor encapsulates a blend of style and cutting-edge technology. It effortlessly secures a spot as the 'Top Ultrawide Monitor for Business' for a number of reasons. This Philips monitor boasts a sizable 49-inch display that provides an ultrawide field of view, making multitasking and large projects a breeze. You can comfortably have multiple windows open, relieving you from the stress of constantly switching between them. Its impressive 5120x1440 resolution ensures sharp, clear images, while the VA panel delivers consistent colours and contrasts, which means every spreadsheet cell or design detail will be crisp and vibrant.
Another feature to note is the built-in KVM switch that allows you to easily switch between sources, making it ideal for those who use multiple machines simultaneously. Concerned about long hours in front of the screen? Philips addresses this issue with its integrated low blue mode and flicker-free technology, which reduce eye strain and improve work comfort. Besides being supremely functional, this Philips model is a stylish addition to any office with its minimal bezel design and sleek, curved shape.
Top Dual Screen Monitor - LG Ergo 27QP88D-BS 27"
The LG Ergo 27QP88D-BS 27” Dual QHD Monitor takes the spot as our Top Dual-Screen Business Monitor due to its innovative design that marries ease of use with high functionality. This model consists of two 27-inch screens, each offering QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, meaning you can enjoy ample workspace and highly detailed, clearer images. One of the biggest challenges with dual-screen setup is desk space. LG addresses this cleverly with the Ergo stand. The Ergo stand's unique extendable arm allows you to smoothly adjust the screens' orientation, height, and distance. The easy-to-mount clamp makes installation a breeze, and it helps maintain a tidier, clutter-free workspace.
The monitor also comes equipped with an IPS panel which offers great visuals from various angles. Plus, it covers 99% of the sRGB spectrum, making it a great choice for those that demand accurate colour reproduction. With built-in features like AMD FreeSync and Black Stabiliser, intensive tasks like video editing or large data manipulation become simpler and smoother. Given these impressive features combined with the intuitive fit of dual screens, this monitor is an excellent choice for those who want top performance and productivity wrapped into one.
Top Portable Monitor - MSI Pro MP161 15.6"
Sleek portability and noteworthy functionality can be found in the MSI Pro MP161 15.6" Portable Monitor, earning it the spot as our 'Top Portable Monitor. Often in a business environment, mobility is key, and that's where this MSI model shines. Weighing just under 2 pounds and sporting a slim profile, the MSI Pro MP161 is a lightweight companion that doesn't compromise on performance. Its 15.6-inch IPS display projects clear, bright images with a decent 1920x1080 Full HD resolution.
The MSI Pro MP161 features a unique folding cover that doubles as a stand, allowing for various comfortable viewing angles. Connectivity is a breeze with its USB-C port offering a convenient way to connect and power the monitor through your laptop or your phone. The real clincher, however, is its impressive battery life. This makes the MSI Pro MP161 an incredibly reliable piece of tech during business trips, long commutes, or urgent off-site presentations. With the MSI Pro MP161, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a second screen no matter where you are!
Top Monitor for MacOS - LG Ultrafine 27MD5KL-B 27” 5K
When it comes to high demand professional workflows, it's hard to match the intricacies offered by the LG Ultrafine 27MD5KL-B 27” 5K Monitor. Its top-tier features and premium technology make it a great pick for creative professionals - particularly those who are running MacOS. Serving an extraordinary 5K resolution- encompassing 14.7 million pixels, this LG model sets the benchmark for image brilliance and detail precision. This means every texture, every gradient, and every shadow on your project can be viewed with stunning clarity. The wide colour spectrum (P3 99%) reproduces digital colour content as you scan and visualize it, ideal for photo and video editing, graphic designing, or any creative task that requires accurate, vibrant colours.
One of its notable features is its seamless integration with macOS, allowing you to harness the full capabilities of the latest MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. The monitor itself features a USB-C port, providing power delivery up to 94W, and three USB ports to connect to various devices. What's more, the sleekly designed ergo stand enables you to customize the monitor's height, tilt, pivot, and its swivel for a truly comfortable work setup. These spectacular specifications make the LG Ultrafine 27MD5KL-B a remarkable tool for creative professionals looking to elevate their work game.
Top Creative Monitor - Dell UltraSharp U3224KB 32" 6K UHD
If your creative work demands the absolute best, the Dell UltraSharp U3224KB 32" 6K UHD Monitor is the beast you're after! Asserting its dominance in this category, the U3224KB is a formidable game-changer. Blending impeccable precision and incredible resolution, it boasts a stunning 6K UHD screen that delivers 33.2 million pixels of detail. This is four times more content than Ultra HD 4K resolution and a billion colours for creatives to work with - a feature that pushes the envelope for professional content creation. The expansive 32-inch screen ensures that every hue and detail is presented with remarkable clarity, making it an unparalleled choice for those involved in visual-focused businesses.
Further adding to its appeal, Dell’s virtually borderless InfinityEdge design will let you enjoy an immersive viewing experience. The ergonomic design of the stand allows tilt, swivel and height adjustability, thereby ensuring maximized comfort for long working hours. The applications and advantages of the Ultrasharp U3224KB extend beyond its exceptional display capabilities. A single Thunderbolt 4 cable reduces desk cable clutter, provides fast transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps and delivers up to 140W of power to your PC. Other connectivity options include DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-A, and USB-C. Given its superior display, comfort-oriented design, and productivity-boosting features, the Dell Ultrasharp U3224KB offers a significant professional advantage for any creative business.
Top USB-C Docking Monitor - Philips 24B1U5301H 24” FHD
The Philips 24B1U5301H 24” Full HD Monitor takes the lead for 'Top USB-C Docking Monitor' due to its unique blend of efficiency, visual quality, and advanced docking capabilities, in particular its package tailoring to business requirements. The monitor measures 24 inches diagonally and delivers clear, vivid images thanks to its Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution. In addition, its IPS technology enables full-colour views from all angles, meaning that even during collaborative work sessions, everyone can easily see the screen. Additionally, it features a built-in webcam - perfect for those who frequently have video calls.
Where the Philips 24B1U5301H truly excels is its robust built-in USB-C docking station. With its USB-C connector, you can connect your devices directly to the monitor. You can connect laptops that support power delivery via USB-C to the monitor, and it will charge your device while simultaneously transmitting data and video signals. This means fewer cables on your desk and a streamlined work setup. Moreover, it also hosts additional connectivity options including HDMI, RJ45 for secure Ethernet connection, and USB 3.2 ports to link multiple peripherals. Philips also incorporates its LowBlue Mode and Flicker-Free technology into this monitor, prioritizing comfort for long hours of work.
Best Value Monitor - Lenovo L27i-30 27” FHD
The Lenovo L27i-30 27” FHD Monitor stakes a clear claim to our 'Best Value' spot, packing in solid features at an impressively budget-friendly price. This 27-inch monitor offers a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, ensuring clear and sharp images for all your business needs. Coupled with an IPS panel, it guarantees consistent color reproduction and wide viewing angles, making it excellent for tasks like data analysis, video conferencing, or just typically large amounts of reading. The minimalistic design with near-edgeless bezels (on three sides) provides an unobstructed screen area, perfect for multi-monitor setups in your workspace.
Its TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort certification serves as a testament to Lenovo's commitment to reducing eye fatigue. This product’s blue light filter and flicker-free technology help lessen eye strain during extended periods of use. But what rises the Lenovo L27i-30 to the top as the 'Best Value Business Monitor' is the unrivaled value it offers. You get all of these exceptional traits at an affordable price, making this not only a smart choice for cost-conscious businesses, but also an example of excellent performance not always having to break the bank.
Choosing the right business monitor is an essential step in ensuring a comfortable and productive work environment! We hope this article has helped you to find the right monitor for your business needs. Be sure to head over to our Monitors department to check out our entire range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best size monitor for business?
The best monitor size for business largely depends on the type of work. A monitor between 24 and 27 inches is typically sufficient for most office work, providing adequate screen space for multitasking without occupying too much desk space. For those involved in tasks requiring more detailed visuals or multitasking across many windows, a larger monitor, an ultra-wide monitor, or a dual monitor setup might be more suitable. Those doing creative work for example will likely benefit from a larger 32" monitor.
What type of monitor is best for office work?
For office work, consider a monitor that is comfortable to use for long periods and suits the type of work you do. A monitor size between 24 and 27 inches is usually sufficient, with a resolution of at least 1080p, although a 1440p or 4K resolution can provide a sharper, clearer image for detailed tasks. Comfort features like adjustable height, tilt capabilities, and blue light filters can help reduce eye strain. If multitasking, a bigger ultra-wide monitor, or even multiple monitors could be advantageous.
Is a curved monitor better for office work?
Whether a curved monitor is better for office work depends on personal preference and the nature of the work. Curved monitors can offer a more immersive and comfortable viewing experience, particularly for larger screens, by reducing eye strain and fatigue. They can be especially beneficial for multitasking or working with large spreadsheets or multiple windows, as they offer wider horizontal viewing space. However, for tasks requiring precise straight lines, like graphic design, a flat monitor might be more suitable. Additionally, the optimal viewing experience with a curved monitor is usually from a centered position, which may not suit all work setups.
What is better for office work out of IPS or VA?
Both IPS (In-Plane Switching) and VA (Vertical Alignment) monitors have their advantages, but for most office work, IPS is typically the preferred choice. IPS monitors offer better colour accuracy and wider viewing angles, making them ideal for tasks involving visuals, graphics, or design. On the other hand, VA panels have higher contrast ratios, making them better for viewing in a dark environment and for tasks with high-contrast visuals. However, they can suffer from colour shifting when viewed from different angles. So, unless high contrast is a priority, an IPS monitor is generally better for office work.
What is the best monitor refresh rate for office work?
For most office work, a refresh rate of 60Hz is sufficient. Standard office tasks, such as working with text documents, spreadsheets, email, and web browsing, don't require high refresh rates. Higher refresh rates (120Hz, 144Hz, or even 240Hz) are mostly beneficial for fast-paced gaming or high-definition video editing where motion clarity is critical. Therefore, unless your office work involves such tasks, investing in a monitor with a refresh rate higher than 60Hz may not provide noticeable benefits.
