The best computer monitors

Give your eyes a treat with an upgrade of one of the best monitors in Australia.

Best computer monitor overall
Samsung Odyssey G65B
Samsung Odyssey G65B
From$797
Display type
27-inch VA screen
Connectivity
WiFi, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB, Ethernet
Resolution
1440p @ 240Hz (350 nits)
Best cheap computer monitor
LG 22MR410-B
LG 22MR410-B
From$119
Display type
21.45-inch VA screen
Connectivity
1x VGA, 1x HDMI 1.4
Resolution
1080p @ 100Hz (250 nits)
Best gaming monitor
Alienware AW3225QF
Alienware AW3225QF
From$1,519
Display type
31.6-inch QD-OLED screen
Connectivity
1x DisplayPort 1.4, 3 x HDMI 2.1, 5x USB 3.2
Resolution
2160p @ 240Hz (1,000 nits)
Best 4K computer monitor
Acer XV275KP3
Acer XV275KP3
From$939
Display type
27-inch IPS Mini-LED screen
Connectivity
1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C
Resolution
2160p @ 160Hz (1,000 nits)
Best portable computer monitor
Espresso Display 15 Touch
Espresso Display 15 Touch
From$749
Display type
15.6-inch IPS touchscreen
Connectivity
2x USB-C ports
Resolution
1080p @ 60Hz (300 nits)
Nathan Lawrence
May 23, 2024
Icon Time To Read5 min read

Computer monitors have come a long way since their chunky CRT forebears. Today’s computer monitors offer big screens, better resolutions and comparatively slimline designs with at least a couple of connection options. There are more a handful of big-name monitor brands nowadays, and more options than ever before. But don’t worry. We’ve got you.

After combing through dozens of contemporary computer monitors, we’ve rounded up the best options to start your display search. In terms of price, you can pay around $100 for a smaller-screen 1080p monitor or hundreds for a versatile 1440p upgrade. For those who want to invest in the best, expect to pay at least a few hundred for a portable monitor and $1,000+ for 4K gaming monitors with the latest panel technologies.

Scroll on for our picks of the best computer monitors in Australia.

Compare the best computer monitors

Best for
Product
View more
Display type
Connectivity
Resolution
Best computer monitor overall
27-inch VA screenWiFi, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB, Ethernet1440p @ 240Hz (350 nits)
Best cheap computer monitor
21.45-inch VA screen1x VGA, 1x HDMI 1.41080p @ 100Hz (250 nits)
Best gaming monitor
31.6-inch QD-OLED screen1x DisplayPort 1.4, 3 x HDMI 2.1, 5x USB 3.22160p @ 240Hz (1,000 nits)
Best 4K computer monitor
27-inch IPS Mini-LED screen1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C2160p @ 160Hz (1,000 nits)
Best portable computer monitor
15.6-inch IPS touchscreen2x USB-C ports1080p @ 60Hz (300 nits)

Samsung Odyssey G65B

Best computer monitor overall

Display type
27-inch VA screen
Connectivity
WiFi, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB, Ethernet
Resolution
1440p @ 240Hz (350 nits)
Starts at$797

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Great all-round performer
pro Solid port selection
pro Smart TV-like experience
con
Cons
con Colour accuracy vs refresh rate
con Some reports of menu flickering
con Concerns over VA Samsung panel history

The best computer monitor overall is one that’s just at home for work tasks as it is for play, with a decent size, resolution and lots of connection options. Cue the entry of the Samsung Odyssey G65B. For a reasonable investment you get a 27-inch curved computer monitor with 1440p resolution. The G65B offers a near comprehensive range of connectivity options, including speedy DisplayPort and HDMI, plus WiFi, USB 3.0 ports and even Ethernet. When you switch from work to play, there’s a 240Hz refresh rate to keep up with competitive online games. If it’s not quite big enough, consider the 32-inch upgrade instead.

For alternatives, consider any of the options below alongside the 4K Dell UltraSharp U2723QE for work or the Philips 329P1H for USB-C connectivity.

LG 22MR410-B

Best cheap computer monitor

Display type
21.45-inch VA screen
Connectivity
1x VGA, 1x HDMI 1.4
Resolution
1080p @ 100Hz (250 nits)
Starts at$119

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Killer price
pro VGA input for older devices
pro Ticks the boxes for most uses
con
Cons
con Colour accuracy isn’t amazing
con Unhelpful documentation
con No DisplayPort

If you want to save money and don’t have a graphics card that lends itself to higher resolutions and faster frame rates, you’ll want to look at a 1080p monitor. Start comparisons with the LG 22MR410-B, which is a 1080p display with a 100Hz refresh rate. That display combo is good enough for work and games, plus the 21.45-inch size is a better fit for desks where real estate is a premium. Modern connectivity is restricted to a single HDMI 1.4 port but there’s also a VGA connector if you want the versatility of using the screen with older computers.

Alternatively, consider the ViewSonic Omni XG2431 if you want a gamer-centric monitor or the HP E24 G5 for an everyday display.

Alienware AW3225QF

Best gaming monitor

Display type
31.6-inch QD-OLED screen
Connectivity
1x DisplayPort 1.4, 3 x HDMI 2.1, 5x USB 3.2
Resolution
2160p @ 240Hz (1,000 nits)
Starts at$1,519

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Gorgeous display
pro Ultra responsive
pro Bright screen
con
Cons
con TV-level investment
con Reports of a VRR flicker
con USB-C input, please

Gaming monitors come in all manner of sizes, budgets, panel types, resolutions and refresh rates. For our category, we’ve gone for a higher-end option with the Alienware AW3225QF. At the heart of this screen is a 32-inch curved display with a 4K resolution, a competitive 240Hz refresh rate and great 1,000 nits brightness. Your eyes will appreciate the QD-OLED monitor panel, plus there’s a great selection of ports. Use DisplayPort or one of the HDMI 2.1 ports for a computer, then connect a PlayStation 5 and/or Xbox Series X to the other spare HDMI ports. This Alienware gaming monitor also acts as a USB hub with four USB 3.2 ports (including one Type-C with power charging).

For gaming alternatives, consider the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 1440p monitor or the Dell S3222DGM for a cheaper 1440p screen.

Acer XV275KP3

Best 4K computer monitor

Display type
27-inch IPS Mini-LED screen
Connectivity
1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C
Resolution
2160p @ 160Hz (1,000 nits)
Starts at$939

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Versatile high-res display
pro Excellent brightness
pro Logical input options
con
Cons
con Input lag on lower refresh rates
con Iffy physical controls
con Potential multi-monitor woes

While Micro-LED screens may as well be sci-fi as far as gaming displays are concerned, Mini-LED screens are an affordable stopgap. Take the Acer XV275KP3, for instance. For a competitive price, you get a 4K Mini-LED screen with a respectable 160Hz refresh rate and solid 1,000Hz nit brightness. Whether you’re a low-light gamer or a bright-light worker, expect this Acer computer monitor to provide great image clarity and straightforward visibility. Connectivity options include the expected DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1, plus a USB-C input for greater platform versatility. This 4K Acer computer monitor supports every monitor use case, looking great in SDR and HDR while it’s at it.

For 4K monitor alternatives, consider the Dell S3221QS for something cheaper or the Gigabyte M27U.

Espresso Display 15 Touch

Best portable monitor

Display type
15.6-inch IPS touchscreen
Connectivity
2x USB-C ports
Resolution
1080p @ 60Hz (300 nits)
Starts at$749

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Lightweight portability
pro Easy to use
pro Responsive latency
con
Cons
con Front-on viewing only in bright rooms
con Extra costs for full versatility
con Speakers ain’t great

Most monitors are designed to live in semipermanence on a desk. But portable monitors like the Espresso Display 15 Touch are designed with mobility in mind, handy for bigger-screen viewing of smaller-screened devices or a portable second display. The Display 15 Touch takes out the top spot because it ticks all the right boxes. Its lightweight and slim design make it extremely portable. When it’s time to use, fold out the magnetic EspressoScreen protector for an ad hoc tablet-like case or invest in the beefier EspressoStand for more viewing angles. The Display 15 Touch works in landscape or portrait mode and is compatible with devices that offer a USB-C port (which is a lot of them).

For portable alternatives, Espresso also offers 13-inch and 17-inch portable monitors. Otherwise, consider the Mobile Pixels Glance Pro for an OLED alternative or the Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE if you want a gamer-centric option.

What to look for in a computer monitor

Space and use case should be the first considerations before anything else. If you have limited desk space and want a second monitor, you’ll likely want a 27-inch or smaller screen. Similarly, gaming monitors generally have higher refresh rates, while portable monitors aren’t as fully featured as their stationary counterparts.

Higher-resolution monitors are generally easier on the eye, plus there are different panel types, including, IPS, VA, Mini-LED and QD-OLED (listed from good to best). Generally, the higher the resolution and the newer the panel type, the more you can expect to pay.

Some monitors include additional features like inbuilt speakers (typically average sounding), USB pass-through and extended connectivity options like USB-C or WiFi display. Bear in mind that the graphics card in the device you’re connecting to a monitor will determine the attainable output resolutions, overall fidelity and refresh rates.

icon-expertise

How we choose the best computer monitors

We scoured through dozens of recent-model computer monitors to determine our short-list contenders. The next step was to use the most popular Google search terms in Australia to determine categories, specifically for gaming, 4K and portable picks.

To separate contenders from winners, we considered a range of factors, including resolution, refresh rate, number of ports (and port generation) as well as panel type. Each pick was then narrowed down in terms of price, with cheaper or moderately priced monitors favoured over the many thousands you can spend on the highest-end screens.

We then looked through the specs list for our shortlist contenders, then read professional and consumer reviews to pick the winners of each category. Our final picks were based on our own hands-on experience with the specific models or the dozens we’ve personally tested.

Best computer monitors frequently asked questions

The best monitor brand depends on what you’re after. Samsung is a good starting point for a reliable monitor brand that offers a range of options, including gaming and ultrawide monitors. Consider LG for cheaper everyday monitors, Alienware for premium gaming monitors and Acer for great 4K screens.
No, if you have the desk space for it, a 27-inch monitor is a good choice for office work. The larger screen size makes it easier to have side-by-side software and visibility should be better from a comfortable viewing distance.
Curved vs flat monitors are generally personal preference. That said, curved monitors are considered to be more immersive as they draw your gaze to the middle of the screen.
Nathan Lawrence
Written by
Nathan Lawrence has been banging out passionate tech and gaming words for more than 11 years. These days, you can find his work on outlets like IGN, STACK, Fandom, Red Bull and AusGamers. Nathan adores PC gaming and the proof of his first-person-shooter prowess is at the top of a Battlefield V scoreboard.

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