If you’re still working off a laptop screen — squinting at tiny text, hunching forward, running out of space — an external monitor is probably the single biggest upgrade you can make to your home office.
We’ve tested five of the best monitors for working from home in 2026, covering every price point from budget-friendly to premium. None of these are gaming monitors (we’ll leave that to other sites). These are monitors optimised for productivity: sharp text, accurate colours, comfortable viewing, and sensible features for all-day work.
Already have your monitor sorted? Make sure it’s paired with a proper desk and chair — our home office setup guide walks through everything.
What Makes a Good Work Monitor? #
Not all monitors are created equal, and the specs that matter for gaming (high refresh rate, low response time) aren’t the same ones that matter for work. Here’s what we prioritised:
- Resolution — sharper text means less eye strain. 1440p (QHD) is our recommended minimum for a 27" screen. 4K is ideal at 27"+ but costs more.
- Panel type — IPS panels offer wide viewing angles and accurate colours. VA panels have better contrast but worse angles. TN panels are outdated for work use.
- Size — 27" is the sweet spot for most desks. 32" is great if you have the space. Ultrawide (34"+) suits specific workflows.
- Ergonomic stand — height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments. Or skip the stand and use a monitor arm.
- USB-C connectivity — one cable for video, data, and laptop charging. Genuinely life-changing if your laptop supports it.
- Flicker-free and low blue light — reduces eye fatigue during long sessions.
Quick Comparison Table #
| Monitor | Best For | Size | Resolution | Panel | USB-C | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell U2723QE | Best overall | 27" | 4K | IPS Black | Yes (90W) | £450–550 |
| LG 27UP850N | Best value 4K | 27" | 4K | IPS | Yes (96W) | £350–400 |
| BenQ GW2780 | Best budget | 27" | 1080p | IPS | No | £150–180 |
| LG 34WN80C-B | Best ultrawide | 34" | 3440×1440 | IPS | Yes (60W) | £400–500 |
| Dell P2725HE | Best under £250 | 27" | 1080p | IPS | Yes (100W) | £200–250 |
1. Dell U2723QE — Best Monitor for Working From Home Overall #
Price: $540 / £450–550
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The Dell U2723QE is the monitor we’d recommend to most remote workers without hesitation. It uses Dell’s IPS Black technology, which delivers the wide viewing angles of IPS with contrast ratios that approach VA panels — meaning deeper blacks and richer colours without the washed-out look.
At 27 inches and 4K resolution, text is razor-sharp. You can comfortably run the display at native resolution with scaling, or drop to an effective 1440p with macOS/Windows scaling for larger UI elements that still look crisp. Either way, reading text on this screen is a pleasure.
The USB-C hub is the real star — one cable connects your laptop and delivers up to 90W of charging, plus there are downstream USB-A ports for your keyboard, mouse, and webcam. Add a USB-C cable to your laptop and you’re done. No dock needed.
Pros #
- IPS Black panel delivers excellent contrast for an IPS
- 4K resolution makes text incredibly sharp
- USB-C hub with 90W charging replaces a docking station
- Excellent ergonomic stand (height, tilt, swivel, pivot)
- Accurate sRGB and DCI-P3 colour coverage
- Daisy-chain support for multi-monitor setups
Cons #
- Premium pricing — you’re paying for the USB-C hub
- 60Hz only (fine for work, not ideal for gaming)
- Slightly thick bezels compared to newer frameless designs
- Stand footprint is large
Best for: Anyone who wants the best all-round work monitor and values the convenience of single-cable USB-C connectivity.
2. LG 27UP850N — Best Value 4K Monitor #
Price: $420 / £350–400
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If you want 4K sharpness without paying Dell U-series prices, the LG 27UP850N delivers. The standard IPS panel doesn’t match the Dell’s IPS Black contrast, but it’s still a very good display with accurate colours and wide viewing angles.
USB-C connectivity with 96W power delivery is included — actually more charging power than the Dell, which is a nice bonus for power-hungry laptops. The stand offers height and tilt adjustment but lacks swivel and pivot, so consider a monitor arm if you want full flexibility.
Pros #
- 4K resolution at a competitive price
- USB-C with 96W charging
- HDR400 support (modest but noticeable)
- Good colour accuracy out of the box
- DAS Mode reduces input lag
Cons #
- Standard IPS — contrast is average
- Stand lacks swivel and pivot
- Built-in speakers are tinny (as expected)
- Menu navigation via joystick is slightly awkward
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who still want 4K sharpness and USB-C convenience.
3. BenQ GW2780 — Best Budget Monitor #
Price: $180 / £150–180
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Not everyone needs 4K, and the BenQ GW2780 proves that a 1080p monitor can still be a great work screen if it’s well-executed. At under £180, it’s accessible for almost any budget, and BenQ’s eye-care features (flicker-free, low blue light, brightness intelligence) make it comfortable for all-day use.
The 1080p resolution on a 27-inch screen means text isn’t quite as sharp as higher-resolution alternatives — if you work with lots of small text (code, spreadsheets), you might find it slightly soft. For general office work, email, documents, and video calls, it’s perfectly fine.
Pros #
- Excellent price
- BenQ eye-care technology (flicker-free, low blue light)
- Slim, clean design
- Brightness Intelligence auto-adjusts to ambient light
- Good IPS panel for the price
Cons #
- 1080p can look soft on 27" — fine at arm’s length
- No USB-C connectivity
- Stand only tilts (no height adjustment)
- Limited colour accuracy for creative work
Best for: First-time external monitor buyers on a tight budget. If you’re upgrading from a laptop screen, this will feel like a revelation regardless of the resolution. A great companion while setting up your first home office.
4. LG 34WN80C-B — Best Ultrawide Monitor #
Price: $480 / £400–500
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If your work involves multitasking — comparing documents side by side, referencing material while writing, or just having Slack visible without alt-tabbing — an ultrawide monitor is transformative. The LG 34WN80C-B gives you a 34-inch, 3440×1440 curved IPS panel that effectively replaces two monitors with one seamless screen.
The curve is subtle (1800R) and helps reduce the distance difference between the centre and edges, which reduces eye fatigue during long sessions. USB-C with 60W charging is included, and LG’s OnScreen Control software lets you snap windows into predefined zones.
Pros #
- Ultrawide replaces a dual-monitor setup
- Curved IPS panel is comfortable for all-day use
- USB-C with 60W charging
- LG OnScreen Control for window management
- Excellent for side-by-side document work
Cons #
- 60W charging may not be enough for larger laptops
- Takes up significant desk real estate
- Not ideal for vertically-oriented work (coding, long documents)
- Colour accuracy is good but not professional-grade
- Some video call apps don’t handle ultrawide well
Best for: Multitaskers who work with multiple windows and want to ditch the dual-monitor setup. Pair it with a wide desk — at least 140 cm — from our standing desk guide.
5. Dell P2725HE — Best Monitor Under $(1.2 * 250 | bc) / £250 #
Price: $250 / £200–250
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The Dell P2725HE sits in a sweet spot: it’s affordable enough to be an easy purchase, but it includes USB-C connectivity with 100W charging — a feature that usually costs £350+. The trade-off is 1080p resolution rather than 1440p or 4K, but for many users that’s perfectly acceptable.
The ergonomic stand is fully adjustable (height, tilt, swivel, pivot), which is unusual at this price. Dell’s ComfortView Plus reduces blue light without distorting colours, and the IPS panel delivers reliable viewing angles.
Pros #
- USB-C with 100W charging at an incredible price
- Fully adjustable ergonomic stand
- ComfortView Plus low blue light
- Clean Dell design
- Daisy-chain support for dual monitors
Cons #
- 1080p resolution — noticeable on 27" for detailed work
- Colours are accurate but not vivid
- Basic aesthetic (it’s a business monitor)
- 60Hz only
Best for: USB-C laptop users who want single-cable convenience without spending £400+. The charging power alone makes this worth considering.
Our Top Pick #
For most remote workers, the Dell U2723QE is the best monitor you can buy. The combination of 4K sharpness, IPS Black contrast, and USB-C hub functionality makes it the most complete package. One cable, no dock, brilliant image quality — it’s hard to beat.
If budget is a concern:
- Best value 4K: The LG 27UP850N gives you 90% of the Dell experience for 70% of the price.
- Best budget pick: The BenQ GW2780 is unbeatable under £200.
- Best USB-C on a budget: The Dell P2725HE offers 100W USB-C charging for around £220.
- Best for multitasking: The LG 34WN80C-B ultrawide replaces two monitors.
Monitor Setup Tips #
Getting the right monitor is half the battle. Setting it up correctly is the other half.
Distance #
Position your monitor at arm’s length — roughly 50–70 cm from your eyes. If you find yourself leaning forward to read, either increase the font size or consider a higher-resolution panel.
Height #
The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. This encourages a neutral neck position. If your monitor stand doesn’t go high enough, use a monitor arm (£30–80) or even stack some books underneath temporarily.
Dual Monitor Setup #
If you use two monitors, position the primary one directly in front of you and the secondary off to the side at a slight angle. Don’t split them evenly unless you use both equally — you’ll end up turning your head constantly.
Blue Light and Night Modes #
Most monitors now include hardware blue light filters. Use them, especially in the evening. They reduce eye strain without the colour distortion of software-only solutions like f.lux or Night Shift.
Calibration #
For general office work, you don’t need to calibrate your monitor. Out-of-the-box settings on the monitors in this guide are accurate enough. If you do creative work (photo editing, design), consider a hardware calibrator like the Datacolor SpyderX.
Monitor FAQ #
Is 4K worth it for office work? #
Yes, especially at 27 inches. The difference in text clarity between 1080p and 4K is immediately noticeable and reduces eye strain. If 4K stretches your budget, 1440p (QHD) is a strong middle ground.
Do I need USB-C on my monitor? #
If your laptop has USB-C/Thunderbolt, absolutely. A single cable for video, charging, and data is a game-changer. If your laptop only has HDMI, USB-C on the monitor won’t help you, and you can save money by choosing a display without it.
Curved or flat for work? #
For standard 27" monitors, flat is fine. For ultrawide (34"+), a curve is genuinely helpful — it keeps the edges of the screen at a more consistent distance from your eyes and reduces the need to turn your head.
How long do monitors last? #
Most monitors will last 7–10+ years. LED backlights dim gradually over time, but modern panels maintain brightness well. The main reasons to upgrade are usually wanting higher resolution or better features, not because the monitor died.
Should I get a monitor arm? #
For most people, yes. They’re inexpensive (£30–80), free up desk space, make height adjustment instant, and let you push the monitor out of the way when you need the desk for other tasks. It’s one of the best value accessories in a home office.