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Choosing the best TV monitor could mean the difference between a highly productive work session or a poor refresh rate for slow-loading spreadsheets and web browsers. Our evaluation for this monitor buying guide focused on performance/display, input lag, and refresh rate, in addition to a number of other metrics.
After more than 16 hours of research, our pick for the best TV monitor goes to the Samsung NU6900 TV Monitor. This monitor delivers with a UHD engine 4K upscaler, Motion Rate 120 for smooth, no-blur motion, and PurColor technology for 1+ billion colors for amazing depth and contrast. Continue reading to learn more about these TV monitors. And, while you are at it, also check out our guide to the best TVs.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This large screen 43″ TV monitor comes with a full HD picture and UHD engine, for upscaling 1080p content to 4K, an excellent choice as a TV monitor to share with larger groups.
Read Full Review: Samsung NU6900 55 Review
This TV monitor’s strength is in its picture. Dynamic Crystal Color technology introduces 1+ billion shade colors for a more realistic picture, and a Motion Rate 120 frame rate ensures smooth image capture with no noticeable blur.
Our favorite feature with this TV/computer monitor combo is the SmartThings App, which allows users to connect and control multiple smart home devices. Its Smart Home Automation features allow for voice control command of lights, coffee makers, refrigerators, and other connected devices -excellent for home office workers who do not want to toggle different remotes or access a distant Echo Dot or Google Home device. . This Samsung monitor is a 2021 model, but keep in mind that the 2019 model features NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, and could be compared to one of the best G-Sync monitors on the market today
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This 4K Ultra HD TV monitor delivers an a7 GEN 2 intelligent processor for AI image rendering and full-array local dimming for black level and contrast optimization – an excellent choice for people who want a pure performer for even the most mundane of spreadsheet tasks.
Read Full Review: LG SM9000 Review
This TV monitor is an all-around performer, with a7 GEN 2 intelligent processor and HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, and Advanced HDR for a crisp picture. On the audio side, it’s also formidable – supporting Dolby Atmos for truly immersive surround sound. that casts over a room.
Big shoutout to this best 4K TV for computer monitor’s intuitive UI, which displays all of the traditional streaming services in an easy thumbnail format. This “ThinQ” and “AI” based OD offers smooth menu transitions, and a ‘Magic Remote’ uses an on-screen pointer to click on content – a much better alternative than button mashing. Kudos to built-in Alexa and Google Assistant for voice controls. Consider a 1080p 144hz monitor as well for added performance, especially if you’re a gamer. And if you’re starting to want to consider alternatives beyond a TV-monitor hybrid and want to use something you already have, like just your TV, consider using your TV as a monitor.
Award: Best Low Input Lag
WHY WE LIKE IT: This TV monitor shines with High Dynamic Range (HDR) support and 4K X-Reality PRO for upscaling non-HD content to 4K – a neat choice for people preferring a vivid picture and low input lag.
Read Full Review: Sony X720E
This big-screen TV panel is an all-around workhorse. The combo of High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Dynamic Contrast Enhancer provides crisp, vivid imagery and massive color depth with a separate refresh rate for technology-smooth game flow and response time. Our only knock is its limited brightness, with light output reaching roughly 360 nits, compared to pricer monitors routinely hitting 600 nits, so we don’t recommend using it in bright rooms.
This model runs the Google TV platform, but Sony’s own proprietary user interface. It decently transitions between menu items. Three HDMI ports and a single USB port are more than enough to connect a larger household or office’s external devices.
Award: Best for Gaming
WHY WE LIKE IT: This 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV features a breathtaking TRILUMINOS Display for a rich color palette and a dedicated game mode that ensures optimized motion rates for intensive applications – ane excellent choice for gamers.
Read Full Review: Sony XBR43X800H
This best monitor or TV for gaming is formidable, led by an X1 4K HDR processor for rich image rendering and HDR/Dolby vision support. Its TRILUMINOS display specializes in transforming notorious different shades (reds, greens, and blues) for better gradation and replication for a wider color spectrum – critical for a unique gaming experience. Another technique, Precision Color Mapping, uses its engine to optimize color output in real-time.
Our favorite feature of this HDR gaming TV monitor is its Android TV platform, which uses voice commands to access popular apps and content. Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant are compatible with direct connections to smart camera images and similar smart devices. All in all, we were very impressed with this TV monitor’s overall picture quality/depth of UI and streaming ability, and it is our choice for the best gaming monitor on this list, and one of the best HDR gaming monitors on the market. Compare this to the best 120Hz gaming monitors for more options.
Award: Best for Bright Rooms
WHY WE LIKE IT: This QLED TV set comes with Direct Full Array 12X technology for deep blacks and an anti-glare screen, making it an excellent choice for viewing in bright rooms.
Read Full Review: Samsung QN65Q80TAFXZC
This computer monitor is a visual stunner with a Direct Full Array 12X processor for sharpness, shade management, optimal contrast ratio, and 4K AI upscaling. Quantum Dot technology delivers 1+ billion colors for outstanding TV show clarity. Controlled backlights also deliver a richer palette of blacks. Kudos for a Real Game Enhancer+ and Motion Rate 120, which works to reduce blur in high-motion action scenes, excellent for football scrimmage, and intense gaming. If you like this product, you might be interested in our review of the best TVs for sports.
Down-firing and up-firing speakers also provide an immersive sound, filling the gaps in large rooms. Big bonus points go to built-in Alexa for voice control of remote functions and hands-free activation of smart home devices.
Award: Best Interface
WHY WE LIKE IT: This TV monitor is a serviceable workhorse, featuring 4K Creative Pro Upscaling for 1080p upscaling to 4K and an intuitive Roku TV platform for streaming content, an excellent choice for people who do not want to toggle buttons too much to find content.
Read Full Review: TCL 43s425 Review
This computer monitor delivers excellent value across the board, starting with a serviceable 4K Ultra HD display and support for HD10, a technology that renders more than over 1 billion colors for up to 1000 nits of peak brightness. It is a solid performer in bright rooms. A 60Hz, and 120Hz CMI also provides decent blur handling with high-motion scenes.
Arguably this computer monitor’s biggest strength is the Roku TV platform, one of the easiest-to-use interfaces we’ve researched with bold and bright thumbnail app icons, a classic lightbox-style navigation, and customized feeds. Why not compare this monitor with the best curved monitor, which has the same 1080p display, and boasts a subtle, yet highly effective, 1800r curvature, a relatively fast refresh rate of 75Hz, and integrated anti-flicker technologies?
Award: Best Compact Design
WHY WE LIKE IT: This TV monitor delivers modest FHD 1080p and an ultra-thin frame, an excellent choice for office tasks sitting in smaller desks and tables.
Read Full Review: Acer SB220Q
This TV computer monitor is pretty basic, with a 21.5 IPS display delivering a modest 1920 x 1080 resolution and a Zero Frame style that boasts only 0.24 inches of thickness. Along with a borderless display, it really maximizes screen share, even more so with a narrow bezel.
Gamers will especially appreciate this TV monitor’s AMD Radeon FreeSync technology, which consists of variable refresh rate and response time that helps to minimize tearing and stuttering, resulting in a smoother picture. First-person shooters and sports titles benefit greatly. All in all, the combination of a simple display and boosted refresh rates gives it poop for value-conscious gamers. Being one of the best FreeSync monitors, you should compare this with one of the best 1440P monitors in our review.
Award: Best for Wall Mounting
WHY WE LIKE IT: This 24-inch screen HD TV monitor comes with basic HD 720p and is wall mounted using a screw-hole rear panel, a great choice for someone with office desks sitting flush with the wall.
Read Full Review: LG 24LM520D-WU 24 Inch HD TV Monitor
This basic TV computer monitor offers great value and convenience. Images are passable with a Triple XD Engine graphics card for response time, contrast, and color optimization – along with single HDMI input, allowing it to connect to an HD source, such as a Blu-ray player or Amazon Fire Stick.
Our favorite feature of this TV monitor is its rear panel, which accommodates screw holes in a 75mm x 75mm configuration for easy mounting on a wall. Our only knock is that wall mounting hardware is not included and needs to be purchased separately.
Award: Best Value
WHY WE LIKE IT: This value-friendly full HD TV monitor comes with a modest 1080p resolution and multiple inputs (HDMI, VGA, Component, and Composite ), a solid choice for infrequent movie watching and extended work tasks.
Read Full Review: Sceptre E246BV-FC 24″ LED HDTV
Consider this TV monitor strictly no-frills, leading with a 1080p display that does an adequate job of color reproduction and contrasts. HDMI, VGA, Component, and Composite inputs allow multiple external devices to be connected, including old DVD/VCR player combinations and a Blu-ray player.
Our favorite feature of this TV monitor is its small, compact size (24″), which is good for smaller office desks. All in all, it’s an excellent choice for people who value cost savings over performance.
Award: Best on a Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: This budget-conscious TV monitor comes in an ultra-compact size (15.6 inches) and removable base stand, a great choice for people who would prefer to wall mount in tight spaces (e.g., under kitchen cabinets).
Read Full Review: Pyle 15.6-Inch 1080p LED TV
This TV monitor leads with a Full HD 1080p display. Built-in full-range stereo speakers also provide decent volume, and a removable base stand makes it ideal for wall mounting. A single HDMI port pairs well with an external streaming device (e.g., Amazon Fire Stick or Google Chromecast) for quick conversion to Smart TV.
Our only knock is this TV’s odd viewing angles, with so-so picture projection when viewing from the side or overhead. All in all, consider this TV more as a companion on road trips with a quick connection to a wall outlet to watch your favorite movies or perform quick work tasks.
We explored performance, picture quality, input lag, and refresh rate to determine the best TV monitors to buy.
The picture quality is king. Look for the best TV computer monitors that can support 4:4:4 chroma at 1080p with a 4K resolution for a good spectrum of deep blacks and high color contrasts, which should especially fare well when viewing in dark rooms. Our favorite display processor runs on NVIDIA GSync for up to 360Hz gameplay.
While researching, we easily determined input lag as a Top 3 criterion. Look for the best TV monitors with an input lag of 20 or less. Input lag at these levels is barely noticeable, with characters that do not stall or freeze up during gameplay. Even minute details, such as depicted smokestacks on the screen, will flow smoothly. Anywhere about 30 ms, and you will start to notice a difference.
Consider the refresh rate key. The refresh rate is the speed at which pictures refresh every second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the overall image appears. Our aim is for a refresh rate of at least 120Hz, which really kicks in solid response times. Kudos to TV monitors with a DisplayPort for HDMI for gaming. The best TV monitors for gaming have many more connection options too.
While you’re shopping for the best TV for PC monitor, it’s important to keep several factors in mind. How it looks, hertz and refresh rate should be top of mind for any great TV for monitor. But, this is contingent if you’re going to have a TV to use as a computer monitor. Most users would prefer to use a regular computer monitor. However, if you’re excited to find the best TV as a monitor, then keep reading.
Display
We recommend that displays carry a rich color spectrum range with a high native contrast ratio and deep uniform blacks. As a guideline for most best 4K TVs for a monitor, a high native contrast ratio makes for better viewing in a dark room. Picture quality should not degrade at any angle, and the picture should be equally bright in HDR and SDR modes. You’ll find some of the best TVs to use as monitors in our list of the finest Sony TV and top-tier LG TVs. Size is ultimately up to your preference, though the top 24″ monitor is a decent size if you want a more portable TV. Additionally, you can read our guide on some of the great 24-inch television options that are available.
Input Lag
Input lag is a very important consideration for any high-end TV as a computer monitor. Since external devices will be used to control both your PC and Smart TV, refresh rates and lag times must be on point. Streaming and game applications should flow smoothly with no cuts or dips in play. When translated to a number, look for the best TV monitors with a 20 or under ms input lag, a range where we find lag not noticeable. Anywhere about 30 ms, and you may be in trouble. Before you buy, this is also a good reason to compare input lag on a TV vs a monitor, so you buy the device you need.
Refresh Rate
Refresh rates determine how often your TV monitor results in the image per second. The more a picture is refreshed per second, the smoother the overall picture looks. Our preference is for TV monitors with refresh rates with a minimum 120Hz refresh rate. While the refresh rate is perfect for movies and gaming, it’s not that important for a conference room TV. You can learn more about refresh rates with our page on what is Hz on TV.
Additional Features
There are other features that will further enhance your experience of using the TV monitor, like screen size and sound quality. If you don’t want to invest in external speakers, make sure the built-in speakers produce decent audio quality. And a decent screen size with stunning picture quality can make the use of your TV monitor more pleasant and engaging.
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