USB-C is the one connection to rule all of them — actually, in lots of circumstances, due to a current legislation handed by the European Parliament. Its reputation has made USB-C a standard sight on new displays. A USB-C monitor can act as USB hub, supplying you with extra ports for connecting varied USB units, however the monitor’s USB-C port may function a video-input various to HDMI or DisplayPort; and a few USB-C displays may even cost a related gadget whereas in use.
The main points of USB-C will be complicated, nevertheless, and pricing for USB-C displays is usually greater than that for displays that lack the interface. See our patrons’ information beneath our suggestions to raised perceive the nuances.
For much more monitor suggestions, try our roundups of the perfect displays and the perfect displays for a house workplace. And when you’re at it, try our listing of finest monitor arms so you’ll be able to optimize the ergonomics and luxury of your desk setup whereas viewing that model new monitor.
Up to date October 15, 2024: See our overview of the Acer Predator X34. It’s one other in a spate of OLED displays with a 240Hz refresh charge, however with the added distinction of boasting a curved display screen for immersive gameplay. In fact, it additionally options USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts of USB Energy Supply and a group of USB-A and -C ports for connecting peripherals.
Dell Ultrasharp U2724DE – Finest USB-C monitor general
Execs
- Engaging and useful design
- Class-leading Thunderbolt and USB connectivity
- IPS Black improves distinction
- 120Hz refresh charge
Cons
- Most rivals supply 4K decision
- No HDR assist
- Adaptive Sync has some caveats
The Dell U2724DE Ultrasharp has distinctive connectivity that caters to a mixture of workplace productiveness, gaming, and multimedia use. It helps Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, and video-out. It additionally offers as much as 90 watts of Energy Supply over USB-C for charging a related laptop computer or pill.
Dell employs a brand new kind of show panel known as IPS Black, which achieves a greater distinction than previous IPS panels. It enhances the monitor’s depth and immersion which, although not capable of conquer OLED or Mini-LED, is best than common for its class. The monitor scores excessive marks in colour accuracy and presents a large, vibrant colour gamut.
Essentially the most shocking characteristic is the monitor’s 120Hz refresh charge. Boosting the refresh charge improves movement readability and fluidity in 3D video games. It additionally makes the Home windows desktop really feel extra responsive. Only a few competing USB-C displays have a 120Hz (or higher) refresh charge, and those who do lack the U2724DE’s vary of connectivity.
Dell makes a pair sacrifices to attain a refresh charge of 120Hz. It sticks to a modest show decision of 2560×1440 as a substitute of 4K (3840×2160). HDR is lacking, too. These prepared to sacrifice the 120Hz refresh charge for 4K decision and HDR ought to think about the U2724DE’s predecessor, the U2723QE.
Dell’s U2724DE carries an inexpensive MSRP of $649.99 which, although not cheap, is sweet worth for the monitor’s many options. It’s an awesome USB-C monitor for work and play.
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Dell U2724DE overview
BenQ GW2790QT – Finest finances USB-C monitor
Execs
- Engaging and ergonomic design
- Sharp, vivid picture
- Consists of USB-C and DisplayPort-out
- Acceptable built-in audio system and microphone
Cons
- Mediocre picture high quality
- No HDR
- No Adaptive Sync
The BenQ GW2790QT is a cheap monitor that doesn’t skimp on USB-C. Although priced at simply $300 (with occasional drops to $280 on Amazon), it encompasses a USB-C port with 65 watts of Energy Supply and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which makes it potential to attach and cost a laptop computer or pill.
It additionally has HDMI, DisplayPort, three USB-A 3.2 downstream ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It even consists of DisplayPort-out, a uncommon characteristic that simplifies cable administration by enabling daisy-chaining to a second monitor.
That’s not all. The GW2790T has built-in audio system and a microphone, which makes it an all-in-one video conferencing show. The microphone admittedly isn’t the perfect, but it surely’s tremendous for video conferencing.
BenQ throws in an ergonomic stand with changes for top, tilt, swivel, and pivot. The stand’s sturdy base ensures the monitor stays securely in place in your desk. It additionally has a singular cut-out that can be utilized as a smartphone or pill stand.
The GW2790T’s many strengths are offset by a pair downsides. It lacks gaming-oriented options like AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync, and it doesn’t assist HDR. These lacking options make the GW2790T much less helpful for leisure, but it surely’s a go-to choose if you’d like an reasonably priced USB-C monitor on your workplace.
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BenQ GW2790QT overview
Viewsonic ColorPro VP16 OLED – Finest transportable USB-C monitor
Execs
- Versatile, helpful stands
- Good connectivity, cables included
- Quite a few picture high quality customization choices
- High-tier picture high quality even at default settings
Cons
- Audio system are included, however weak
- Expensive for a conveyable monitor
- No HDR
The Viewsonic VP16-OLED is a exceptional transportable OLED monitor that brings collectively top-notch picture high quality, USB-C connectivity, and an progressive stand design.
The monitor’s 15.6-inch 1080p OLED panel delivers distinctive colour accuracy, gamut, and distinction. It surpasses many full-sized OLED displays and practically all transportable displays. This makes it an awesome alternative for productiveness, although it additionally appears glorious when viewing films or enjoying video games.
The VP16-OLED’s stand can be utilized as a kickstand or expanded to carry the monitor upright, making it splendid for professionals who wish to maximize their workspace or want improved ergonomics. The stand consists of two USB-C ports, each of which may present energy and video enter to the monitor, and a micro-HDMI port for compatibility with non-USB-C units. The monitor consists of all the required cables in addition to a USB-C energy brick.
There’s a downside: the price. The Viewsonic VP16-OLED’s MSRP of $399.99 is dear for a conveyable monitor. Nonetheless, if you happen to place a excessive worth on picture high quality and need the perfect monitor on your transportable workplace, the Viewsonic VP16-OLED is a wonderful alternative.
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Viewsonic ColorPro VP16-OLED overview
LG DualUp 28MQ780-B – Finest USB-C monitor for productiveness
Execs
- Distinctive side ratio is beneficial for photograph, video modifying
- Makes an superior second monitor
- Extremely adjustable stand
- Vivid, correct colour
Cons
- Troublesome to slot in a small house workplace
- USB-C port presents restricted downstream connectivity
- Can lack immersion in some content material
The LG DualUp 28MQ780-B is a USB-C monitor with a singular 16:18 side ratio that’s virtually precisely sq.. It will probably rotate right into a 18:16 side ratio if you happen to’d favor. The monitor is far taller than most displays and, consequently, has an adjustable stand that clamps to the rear of your desk as a substitute of a standard desktop stand.
The monitor’s odd type issue is good for viewing giant, complicated paperwork and will be helpful for modifying portrait or sq. images. It’s additionally effectively suited to use as a second monitor alongside a big 32-inch show.
The DualUp 28MQ780-B has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts of Energy Supply, so it could cost a related laptop computer or pill. The USB-C port can lengthen connectivity to 2 extra USB-A ports. Sadly, the monitor lacks ethernet or video-out, so some homeowners might have an extra adapter.
What about picture high quality? It’s nice. The monitor has nice colour accuracy, a large colour gamut, and respectable sharpness due to its decision of 2560×2880. Simply be warned: The odd side ratio makes it a wierd match for gaming and flicks. It is a monitor constructed for work, not play.
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LG DualUp 28MQ780-B overview
Philips Evnia 8000 – Finest super-ultrawide USB-C monitor
Execs
- Wonderful SDR picture high quality
- Nice movement readability
- A lot of connectivity together with USB-C
- Lovely design
Cons
- Ergonomic stand is deep, extensive, and requires meeting
- Default colour temperature, gamut barely off beam
- HDR efficiency could possibly be higher
The Philips Evnia 8000 takes the crown as the final word big-screen, super-ultrawide monitor. This 49-inch QD-OLED monitor combines top-notch design and intensive connectivity with spectacular picture high quality.
Philips nails the design with the Evnia 8000. The smooth white-and-silver aesthetic and geometric rear panel stand out in any setup. Though the ergonomic stand requires extra desk house than some may favor, it presents top, tilt, and swivel changes. The satisfying 30-watt speaker system delivers clear, loud audio, and the ultra-bright Ambiglow lighting system offers customizable RGB LED backlighting.
Connectivity is a perk. It options a number of HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C port with 90W Energy Supply, catering to a variety of units from gaming PCs to work laptops. The monitor additionally features a USB hub with 4 USB-A ports and an extra USB-C port, making it simple to attach peripherals like keyboards, mice, and webcams.
Picture high quality doesn’t disappoint. The show has 5120×1440 decision and a 240Hz refresh charge for vibrant visuals and clean, responsive movement. The monitor additionally excels in distinction and colour accuracy.
The Philips Evnia 8000 is priced at an intimidating $1,350, but it surely’s not a foul worth for what it presents. Its dimension, connectivity, and picture high quality make for a powerful but versatile show.
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Philips Evnia 8000 overview
What to search for in a USB-C monitor
Many options fascinating in a USB-C monitor are the identical as on another show. A pointy, vivid, vivid, and contrast-rich display screen is finest. Nonetheless, consumers who wish to purchase a USB-C monitor ought to control particulars solely related to USB-C.
Bear in mind, too, {that a} USB-C show can be utilized in two contexts. First, you’ll be able to join your USB-C monitor to a desktop PC or laptop computer through a USB-C cable, and use it like a standard USB-C hub through the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps interface. That’s fairly easy.
Second, you too can use the USB-C cable as a substitute for a show cable like HDMI or DisplayPort, particularly for newer laptops which may get rid of an HDMI or DisplayPort port.
It’s right here that USB-C displays can get tough. The standard rule of thumb is {that a} USB-C port can assist a 4K show at 30Hz decision. DisplayPort Alternate Mode (see beneath) will increase that to 4K60, which is far simpler on the eyes. Newer laptops use DisplayPort 1.4, which mixes a high-bit-rate mode (HBR3) with a DSC compression mode that ought to permit for 4K60 video alongside the power to make use of USB 3.1 storage units.
Remember, nevertheless, that the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps throughput could not permit for video to be handed to premium shows just like the NZXT Canvas S27Q at its full 1440p, 165Hz refresh charge. These specs most likely assume that you simply’re utilizing a devoted video port like DisplayPort, as a substitute, in addition to its separate video cable. You possibly can actually join the show to your laptop computer utilizing each a video cable and the USB-C cable concurrently, nevertheless.
In case your laptop computer makes use of both Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 — all of which use a 40Gbps knowledge connection and a USB-C port in your laptop computer — you need to most likely haven’t any points connecting your laptop computer to the monitor on the full refresh charge utilizing a Thunderbolt cable. Simply seek the advice of your laptop computer’s specs and/or guide to verify.
Energy Supply
USB-C Energy Supply offers energy over a USB-C cable. It’s not a part of the core USB-C specification, so units with USB-C (together with displays) don’t at all times assist it. Energy Supply can pack as much as 240 watts, however most USB-C displays present simply 65 to 90 watts. It’s an ideal match for many who personal a thin-and-light laptop computer, 2-in-1, or pill.
Energy Supply is insufficient for some units, comparable to gaming laptops, which devour extra energy than present USB-C displays can present. These laptops should still cost when left at idle however will cost slowly (and even discharge the battery) when in use.
Ethernet
Wired ethernet is a fascinating characteristic in a USB-C monitor. Many trendy laptops lack a bodily Ethernet port, so its inclusion on a monitor is handy. It will probably enhance the velocity and reliability of a related gadget’s web connection.
Whereas helpful, that is an costly characteristic out there solely on premium fashions. The Dell U3223QE is the one USB-C monitor on this listing with ethernet assist.
DisplayPort Alternate Mode
DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a characteristic out there to USB-C that handles video as if the USB-C cable was a DisplayPort cable. It helps all of the options you’d count on from DisplayPort together with excessive refresh charges and adaptive sync.
A monitor with out this characteristic gained’t settle for video over USB-C, that means you’ll have to attach each USB-C and a separate video enter. All of the displays on this listing assist DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
How we take a look at displays
PC World’s monitor guides are the results of unbiased exams by PC World employees members and freelance expertise journalists.
We take a look at every monitor with a Datacolor Spyder X2 Extremely colour calibration device. This device can measure a monitor’s brightness, distinction, colour gamut, colour accuracy, uniformity, gamma, colour temperature, and different essential facets of show high quality. Utilizing a device that measures goal high quality helps us objectively evaluate dozens of displays.
Our exams of USB-C displays additionally think about the vary of USB-C connectivity and options out there. We favor to see a USB-C monitor with a whole vary of bodily connectivity together with ethernet and at the very least 90 watts of Energy Supply, however these fascinating options are balanced in opposition to the monitor’s worth.
Study extra in our article “How we take a look at displays at PCWorld.”
FAQ
Do I actually need a USB-C monitor?
A USB-C monitor is a good way to broaden your pc’s connectivity with out the added litter of a USB-C hub or dock. It reduces the wires current in your desk, releasing up house for different makes use of. PC World’s information to USB-C hub displays has the total story.
USB-C displays are glorious when used with a USB-C laptop computer that consumes lower than 90 watts of energy at load. Docking a laptop computer at a desk will be annoying if you happen to use a wired keyboard, wired mouse, and exterior monitor. A USB-C monitor can consolidate all of your wired units to a single USB-C cable.
If these advantages sound good, then a USB-C monitor could possibly be for you. If not, it’s possible you’ll get extra worth from a traditional monitor.
Are USB-C displays costly?
Sure, USB-C displays are costlier. Fundamental displays with out USB-C retail for as little as $100, whereas related displays with USB-C begin round $150.
That worth premium persists by all worth classes. You possibly can count on to pay round $50 to $100 extra for a USB-C monitor than you’ll for the same monitor with out it.
Premium productiveness {and professional} displays are an exception. Practically all displays in these classes supply some type of USB-C assist. They continue to be costly, although, and are sometimes priced between $500 to $1,000 (and typically extra).
Are USB-C displays good for gaming?
Technically talking, USB-C displays will be nice for gaming. USB-C video is dealt with over DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which preserves all the same old advantages of DisplayPort. This consists of nice assist for top refresh charges, excessive resolutions, and adaptive sync.
However there’s a catch: Many displays which have a USB-C port don’t assist essential gaming options like an enhanced refresh charge, low pixel response instances, or adaptive sync. The Asus ProArt PG348CGV, our choose for finest ultrawide with USB-C, and the NZXT Canvas 27Q, our greatest finances choose, are two notable exceptions. Simply just remember to’re connecting to them with a devoted DisplayPort or HDMI video cable, and never utilizing the USB-C cable because the video cable, too.