If you’re shopping for a new monitor and want the best value for your money, you’ll probably want to buy a 27-inch QHD monitor or a 32-inch UHD monitor. These screens generally offer the best specs for the money when it comes to screen size and resolution. There are great options for both work and gaming, and almost any of these models will deliver a satisfyingly sharp image for their size without breaking the bank.
My current monitor is a 27-inch QHD (Quad HD, or 2,560 x 1,440 pixels) monitor that I bought for $250. I almost had a 32″ UHD (very high definition or 3840 x 2160 pixels) monitor that would have provided more space and more pixels for just a little less money. Between these two different sizes, you can easily find a monitor that fits your desk space, business needs, and most importantly, your budget. Creators, hobbyists, and professional gamers in the world who worry about color gamut and refresh rates may find they need a higher-end monitor than you’ll find on our list, but these monitors are large enough for most needs, and with enough pixel density to produce a sharp, high-quality picture.
Make sure you check out CNET Monitors Buying Guide And How do we test screens For more information, and stay tuned for my current best deals between 27″ QHD and 32″ UHD monitors. I’ll keep updating this story as prices fluctuate and I discover better deals, so check back often.
Best deals for 27 inch monitors
These 27-inch models feature QHD resolution and give you more screen real estate than a 24-inch Full HD (Full HD, or 1,920 x 1,080 pixels) screen, and better resolution, too. And they give you all that for not a lot of money. You may also come across 27-inch 4K monitors in your search. These monitors offer a certain quality that’s worth considering, but in my experience QHD or 2K resolution is more than enough when stretched across a 27-inch panel.
At $150, this Acer WQHD monitor is the most affordable model you’ll find on this list. It sports a sleek, nearly bezel-less design, which makes it a great choice if you have a multi-monitor setup and are equipped with one Display Port and two HDMI ports. It has a 27-inch IPS display with a 75Hz refresh rate, and it supports AMD Radeon FreeSync technology.
The Pixio 27-inch Monitor is a great value even at the full list price, and now on Amazon you can get it for even less. It is automatically discounted by $40, and you can save an extra $20 by activating Instant coupon on the product page. It has a QHD resolution with AMD FreeSync and a fast 144Hz refresh rate if you want to use it for gaming as well as work. It’s rated for an ample 350 nits of brightness.
This Samsung monitor is designed for serious gamers. It features a 27-inch QHD display with IPS panels and features a 165Hz refresh rate for smooth action. It also supports G-Sync and FreeSync Premium to prevent frame rates from dropping mid-game, as well as an impressive 1ms response time. The stand allows you to adjust the height, tilt, and swivel, and you can even rotate it a full 90 degrees to use it in portrait mode.
Best deals for 32 inch monitors
The next step up in size, resolution, and price from the 27-inch QHD monitor is the 32-inch UHD monitor. Ultra HD is also referred to as 4K.
This Samsung ViewFinity monitor is a solid value under $300. It features a vibrant 4K UHD display with HDR10 support for rich colors and sharp contrast. Plus, it automatically optimizes brightness and color temperatures based on your environment to help reduce eye strain. This deal also comes with some bonuses, including six free months of Norton 360 Deluxe and three free months of YouTube Premium.
This 32-inch LG monitor features an IPS panel with a QHD resolution, 350 nits of brightness and thin screen bezels. I like the simple stand, although I wish it provided height support. However, most monitors at this price don’t offer height adjustment, so I could live without it. It doesn’t have internal speakers, but overall it’s awful and not something I ever use when I have a Bluetooth speaker in my home office. It has a DisplayPort and two HDMI ports, giving you the flexibility to connect to a variety of PCs and laptops. I have no complaints about its image, which I find bright and crisp enough.
This LG is similar to the two monitors above—a 32-inch 4K monitor with FreeSync and built-in speakers—but it’s the brightest of the three with a rating of 350 nits. It’s $50 off at LG now.
This is one of the most affordable 32-inch 4K monitors with its current $40 discount. It has HDMI and DisplayPort connections, a 300-nit brightness rating, and built-in speakers. It also supports HDR10 and AMD FreeSync and comes packed into a small if basic package with slim bezels.
