Best overall		Samsung S95C		SEE IT	Samsung’s latest OLED offering makes a strong statement.
Best for gaming		LG C2 OLED		SEE IT	Excellent connectivity and a bright picture make this a gaming superstar.
Best budget		LG B2 OLED		SEE IT	A balanced suite of features goes nicely with excellent image quality.

Step in front of the giant wall of TVs at your local big box store, and the OLED TVs will likely stand out. Their popping color and abundant contrast give these high-end panels an edge over much of their competition. And while technologies like Mini LED and Micro LED may eventually challenge OLED’s image quality crown, it hasn’t happened yet. At the same time, you know that the showroom has all the settings pushed to their peak to overwhelm you with vivid images. So, to help you separate the best from the rest, we’ve collected this list of top-tier OLED TVs across various brands and price points. While you shouldn’t expect to find a truly budget OLED TV, we have reached a point where there are strong options at relatively affordable (for high-end) prices. Sony debuted the first OLED TV back in 2007. It had an 11-inch screen with a 960 x 540 resolution for a tidy sum of $2,500. Spend that much now, and you can get a massive OLED display with some of the best picture quality and color reproduction around. The following are our selections for the best OLED TVs currently available.

• Best overall: Samsung S95C OLED
• Best for gaming: LG C2
• Best for PS5: Sony BRAVIA XR A80K Series 4K
• Best 8K: LG Z2 OLED evo
• Best budget: LG B2
• Still worth buying: LG C1

How we chose the best OLED TVs

I have been writing about consumer electronics and home theater technology for nearly two decades, including a stint as the digital editor for the venerable A/V publication Sound & Vision. This list results from a combination of research and real-world impressions, plus data sourced from user and editorial reviews across the web.

We focused on emphasizing a solid mix of performance and price to choose our picks. All but one of the entries here include HDMI 2.1 ports, which we think will be important for some users now (particularly gamers) and others down the road. Obviously, LG is well-represented on the list as it’s the only company that physically manufactures OLED panels, which gives it an inherent edge that we can’t deny.

The best OLED TVs: Reviews & Recommendations

Because OLEDs sit near the top of the TV heap, pretty much any model you choose will perform at least reasonably well. The differences, then, lie in the details. We’ve dug into those specs to find the displays that best fit your needs.

Best overall: Samsung S95C OLED

Stan Horaczek

SEE IT

Specs 

• Sizes: 55”, 65”, and 77”
• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz (Up to 144Hz in some modes)
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 3 USB-A, RF, Optical out
• HDR: HDR 10+

Pros

• Ports live on a box connected by a wire for versatile installation
• Extremely bright for an OLED
• Exceptional picture quality
• Robust smart TV offerings
• Solid sound
• Pantone-certified color reproduction

Cons

• Pricey
• Bloated menu system

Samsung’s flagship OLED TV has, at least for the moment, knocked LG off the OLED throne. The S95C TV relies on Samsung’s latest generation of OLED panels, which integrate Quantum Dots into the equation to add extra brightness. OLED displays typically excel in contrast ratio, but that’s because they can achieve such deep black levels. That can kneecap their overall brightness. However, I spent time with Samsung’s S95C in a brightly lit room and found myself very impressed with its performance. 

As a flagship-level display, this TV offers almost all the bells and whistles you want. All its ports live on an external box connected by a single wire to the display. That makes it very easy to install the super-flat panel wherever you want while keeping all the ports accessible. The S95C comes toting four HDMI 2.1 ports, which is essential if you plan on doing high-framerate or high-res gaming on a current-generation console. 

During the review period, I played the PS5-exclusive Returnal and found the visuals extremely crisp and the refresh rate very smooth. This panel natively runs at 120Hz but can bump up to an even-smoother 144Hz in some situations. 

I also watched portions of a few movies, including the latest Venom movie, which taxes a TV by showing lots of fine details moving quickly across the screen with lots of contrast. The S95C managed to keep everything we like about OLEDs while adding the extra brightness that makes it viable in any space, even those with lots of ambient light. 

We haven’t had a chance to test the LG C3 yet, which will likely find itself in close competition with the S95C, but we’ll update this article once review units of the LG become available.

Best for gaming: LG C2

LG

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Specs 

• Sizes: 42”, 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, and 83”
• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 3 USB-A, Ethernet, RF, Headphones
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Pros

• Lots of sizes to choose from
• All HDMI ports are 2.1 for max compatibility
• Brighter than previous models
• Dynamic tone mapping for localized image improvements
• G Sync and Freesynch compatibility for variable refresh rates

Cons

• Middling smart TV features

The LG C1 was a blockbuster of a TV that took top honors in just about every TV buying guide back in 2021. The only real downside was its relative lack of brightness (typical of OLEDs). By adding Quantum Dot tech to an OLED panel, LG gave the C2 considerably more brightness than its already excellent predecessor. 

The C2 is technically a 2022 model, but the C3 is only just starting to roll out. While the C2 isn’t the newest, it does offer the vast majority of what you’ll find in the C3 for a fraction of the price. With the C2, you get four side-mounted HDMI 2.1 ports, all of which can handle 4K action at 120 fps. 

As for gaming chops, this TV offers native support for the GeForce Now game streaming platform, so you can game even if you don’t have access to a PC or console. The C2 also supports several popular flavors of variable refresh rate technology, which prevents problems like screen tearing and game-ruining lag from spoiling your time behind the controller. 

Even if you’re not a huge gamer, the C2 is still a phenomenal all-around option, especially considering the lower price now that a new model has come around with updates. 

Best for PS5: Sony BRAVIA XR A80K Series 4K

Sony

SEE IT

Specs 

• Sizes: 55”, 65”, and 77”
• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Ports: 4 HDMI (2 of which are HDMI 2.1), 2 USB-A ports, RF, Ethernet
• HDR: HDR10 Dolby Vision

Pros

• PlayStation 5 users get specific benefits due to Sony Synergy
• Excellent picture
• Price has come down since release
• Among the best upscaling you’ll find
• Ample contrast

Cons

• Not as bright as some newer flagships
• No headphone jack

It may come as no surprise that Sony wants to add a little extra incentive for people to buy both its latest TVs and its gaming console. For the most part, this is a typical high-end OLED display. It offers the deep blacks and excellent contrast ratios you expect from an OLED. You also get some of the best ai-powered image upscaling you’ll find in a TV thanks to Sony’s XR processor, which analyzes the on-screen image and tweaks it for maximum performance. So, if you’re not always watching native 4K content (and most of us aren’t), it will still look good. 

Plug a PlayStation 5 into one of the two HDMI 2.1 ports (out of a total of four) and this setup is capable of 4K gaming at 120 fps, even if consoles haven’t quite caught up to those lofty specs just yet. The TV does, however, get special tone-mapping abilities for more robust HDR performance exclusively with the PS5. Plus, those two HDMI 2.1 ports support Variable Refresh Rate tech with the PS5 to avoid screen tearing and other unwanted effects. In many ways, this TV was designed to work ideally with the PS5, so if you consume most of your content through that console, this is a great choice.

Best 8K: LG Z2 OLED evo

LG

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Specs 

• Sizes: 77” and 88”
• Resolution: 8K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 3 USB-A, RF, Ethernet
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Pros

• The only 8K OLED around
• Enormous sizes match the flashy design
• Excellent picture quality
• Robust smart features

Cons

• Could be brighter
• Very expensive

LG’s flagship Z2 TV pushes its maximum resolution all the way up to 8K. That means you get roughly 32 megapixels of image information every time the screen refreshes. That’s a serious amount of pixels. Of course, there really isn’t much native 8K content out there at the moment. LG remedies that issue by equipping its TV with its most powerful a9 image processing hardware. It relies on AI to upscale the on-screen image to fit the massive 8K screen. If you’re still regularly watching DVDs, this probably isn’t the TV for you. But if you’re watching native 4K and even streaming content, it should look very solid. 

In addition to all those pixels, this TV also has a classier design than most of its competition. At 77” and 88”, there’s no small option to sneak into a guest bedroom. This is a centerpiece TV made to occupy the main spot in the living room. It comes mounted on its own stand, allowing it to reside wherever you have the space. Whatever you do, however, please don’t put it too high above the fireplace. It deserves better than that. 

Is this TV practical? No, 8K is still in its infancy, and you’re definitely paying a premium for the fancy design. But why not get something fancy if you’re not worried about a measly $13,000 (or $25,000 for the 88″)? 

Best budget: LG B2

LG

SEE IT

Specs 

• Sizes: 55”, 65”, and 77”
• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120 Hz
• Ports: 4 HDMI ports (two of which are HDMI 2.1), 2 USB-A ports, Ethernet, RF, Headphones, Optical audio
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Pros

• Lots of features considering the price
• OLED image quality makes for great contrast
• Filmmaker Mode for easy tuning
• Available up to 77 inches
• Variable Refresh Rate

Cons

• Only two HDMI 2.1 ports
• Not as bright as some high-end models

The LG B2 offers a lot of performance for its price. While this is technically a 2022 model, and the B3 is already on the market, the B2 offers all the features most users will ever need. It has a pair of the latest HDMI 2.1 ports (two of the four total HDMIs), both supporting 4K at 120 fps. So, if the current-generation gaming consoles ever live up to their full potential, this TV can handle it. 

Like every OLED, the B2 offers sky-high contrast ratios with deep blacks and excellent color reproduction. As this isn’t a flagship model, it doesn’t offer the same kind of brightness you’d expect from displays that also integrated Quantum Dots. That’s really only an issue if you’re trying to put this TV in a room with a ton of ambient light. This will look fantastic if you have a space to pull the shades and turn off the overheads. 

Because this is a somewhat down-market option and has been out for more than a year, you can often find deep discounts on all three sizes. If you don’t absolutely need the very best and the brightest, then you can get this display and leave lots of cash to pay for that ever-growing list of streaming services.

Still worth buying: LG C1

LG

SEE IT

Specs 

• Sizes: 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, 88”
• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, RF, 2 USB 2.0, ethernet, optical audio, headphone out
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Pros

• Impeccable picture
• Solid mix of features and price
• Lots of size options
• Excellent upscaling

Cons

• Just OK brightness

This was our best overall pick for some time, and it’s still absolutely worth checking out if you don’t need the most advanced features or the brightest display. You can often find it at a very solid discount.

Across all of your content consumption, the C1 provides an excellent contrast ratio thanks to its super-deep black levels. For movie watching, LG offers filmmaker mode, which turns off motion smoothing and tones down the vibrance and brightness to make the picture look more like what you’d expect at the theater. 

The C1 supports all the most popular flavors of HDR, as well as the two dominant Variable Refresh Rate technologies, G-Sync and FreeSync, which gamers will appreciate. In fact, the C1 has a lot to offer gamers. All four HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1, giving you enough to hook up a PS5 and Xbox Series X for 4K/120fps gameplay. Plus, it boasts a 1ms response time in gaming mode, which cuts down potentially game-ruining lag. 

It’s not the brightest TV around, but that’s also one of the few drawbacks of OLED TVs across the board. Aside from that quibble, the C1 has just about anything anyone could ask for, and it won’t require ill-gotten crypto funds to afford it.

What is OLED, and how does it work?

Want to dig deeper into how these displays actually work and what makes them different from the rest of the TVs on the wall at the store?

Well, in an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, each pixel is an LED that emits its own light. When content requires dark or black areas on the screen, the display can simply turn those pixels off to create a “true” black that most other backlight technologies can’t match. The difference often becomes especially apparent in areas where bright objects butt up against darkness, which can cause light to spill where it shouldn’t go.

Typical LED backlit TVs rely on an array of LEDs sitting behind an LCD panel that controls how much light to let through. This is the same basic idea that has powered almost every flat-screen TV since the technology’s inception, and it comes with a few drawbacks. The primary issue arises when the LCD panel can’t block all of the light coming from behind it: The excess light distorts black and even darker colors, making them look gray or washed out. Depending on the arrangement of the LEDs in the backlight, it can also result in a picture with unnatural banding or patchiness, especially around the edges. If you’ve ever noticed light leaking from the top, bottom, or sides of your TV screen during a dark scene, OLED fixes that problem. 

While OLEDs are fantastic, they aren’t perfect. They’re still often pricier than their QLED competition at the same size. They also aren’t as bright and instead rely on their super-dark black levels to create a punchy, vibrant image. If you’re planning to watch TV in a super sunny room all day, then OLED probably isn’t your best bet. Otherwise, it’s hard to beat. 

What to know even more about backlighting tech? Check out our QLED vs. OLED vs. Mini-LED primer.

Things to consider when buying an OLED TV

Size

Dig into the OLED offerings, and you’ll find that most manufacturers hover around the 55- to 65-inch sweet spots for their most popular models, with an increasing amount of options in the 70s. If you’re in the market for a small TV, OLED probably isn’t the right choice for you. As with all big-screen TV, expect a noticeable price jump when you go above 65 inches. Manufacturers commonly offer 77-inch and even 88-inch displays, but they command a huge premium for all that real estate. 

Connectivity

Since you’re spending considerable cash on a new TV, you want it to last a while, which makes paying attention to the ports important for futureproofing. This is especially true if you plan to use your new panel with a fancy next-gen gaming console. 

Ideally, you’ll want a set with multiple HDMI 2.1 ports to prepare you for anything you may one day hook up. HDMI 2.1 represents the most recent iteration of the familiar connector. The extra bandwidth HDMI 2.1 provides allows compatible cables and devices to display high resolutions and fast frame rates, both of which will be increasingly important as streaming and gaming tech advance in the next few years. Right now, it’s only really relevant if you’re using a PS5 or Xbox Series X, but more devices will be able to take advantage down the road.

You’ll often find that TVs have a mixture of HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 ports, so just ensure you have enough high-performance connectivity to connect the devices you plan to use. 

Frame rate

High TV frame rates earned themselves a bad reputation early on when “motion smoothing” technology made our favorite movies look like cheesy soap operas. Many TVs still offer 60Hz refresh rates, which means the TV redraws the on-screen image 60 times each second. Higher-end TVs, however, support 120Hz refresh rates, which doubles the redraw frequency and creates smoother on-screen motion. While it won’t drastically improve movies and TV shows, it can make sports and video games look noticeably better. 

Some TV manufacturers have also started to support Variable Refresh Rate technologies like Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. These gaming-focused features can reduce stuttering and other weirdness that can ruin your experience. Check out our round-up of the best TVs for gaming for a more in-depth take on these features.

Resolution

If you’re buying a current-generation OLED TV, it will almost certainly offer 4K resolution. This has been the standard for several years, and it’s where you want to be. Technically, 8K is an option, but it’s wildly impractical for most people. Right now, there’s a nearly complete dearth of 8K content to watch on those fancy TVs. Even newer game consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5, which technically support 8K gaming, lack any native 8K games or content. Upgrade to 8K if you want the bragging rights. Otherwise, 4K is plenty for now. 

Smart TV features

While a TV’s software won’t impact your viewing experience as much as its technical specifications, it may affect your interaction with your new OLED display if you don’t use an external streaming device or game console. Most TV manufacturers have a single platform on which all their TVs run. Since we’re talking about OLEDs, you’re very likely to end up using LG’s own WebOS platform since that brand shows up more than others. Sony often relies on Google TV software. While these services aren’t all created equal, none is so much better or worse than the others that they should affect your purchasing decision.

HDR

High-Dynamic Range is basically the whole sales pitch for OLED TVs. By making the dark areas and blacks basically devoid of illumination, it makes the brights seem even more brilliant. There are two HDR standards: the near-universal HDR10 and the less common Dolby Vision. Some critics suggest that Dolby Vision works better, but fewer places support the standard. Luckily there are very few TVs, if any, that support Dolby Vision but not HDR10. Realistically, the important thing to know is that any OLED worth buying says “HDR” on the box.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best OLED TVs

• Best overall: Samsung S95C OLED
• Best for gaming: LG C2
• Best for PS5: Sony BRAVIA XR A80K Series 4K
• Best 8K: LG Z2 OLED evo
• Best budget: LG B2
• Still worth buying: LG C1

If you’re in the market for the best possible picture quality in a TV, OLED is still the champ for the moment. With prices on the best OLED TVs coming down in recent years, this is actually a great time to take the leap into the OLED arena while competing technologies like Mini LED and Micro LED are still relatively early in their cycles. 

While you’re generally safe picking pretty much any LG OLED, make sure that you get the features that you need to support the style of content consumption you typically do. After all, that fancy new console isn’t all that fancy if you don’t have an HDMI 2.1 port to plug it into. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best OLED TVs in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo		SEE IT	This modem-router combination takes the guesswork out of Spectrum compatibilty.
Best cyber secure		Gryphon AC3000		SEE IT	Hackers are no match for this protective router.
Best budget		TP-Link AC1750		SEE IT	Lots of expensive features are packed into this budget-friendly router.

If you work from home—and you’re a Charter Communications customer—you know there’s a huge difference between a bad router and the best routers for Spectrum internet. A bad router means long wait times talking to customer service, annoyingly slow load speeds, and a pixelated presence on work video calls. Choosing the best router for work, play, and just surfing the web makes life easier—and reduces the amount of low to no bandwidth-induced headaches you might get. 

• Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo
• Best for gaming: ASUS AX5700 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
• Best for streaming: Linksys – Dual-Band AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router
• Best mesh: NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
• Best cyber secure: Gryphon AC3000
• Best budget: TP-Link AC1750

How we chose the best routers for Spectrum

We know how important a strong Wi-Fi connection is to effortless, lag-free gaming and streaming high-quality lossless audio. I personally have made the mistake of not doing my research before buying a router—would not recommend spending a few days Wi-Fi-less and with my own thoughts. To prevent you from facing a similar situation, we looked to personal testing, peer recommendations, critical reviews, and user impressions to find the best Spectrum routers.

The best routers for Spectrum: Reviews & Recommendations

The best routers for Spectrum can handle everything, whether it’s a day full of video meetings, nights scrolling TikTok, intense gaming sessions, or streaming lengthy explainer videos on YouTube. These are our top picks.

Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: You don’t have to worry about purchasing a separate modem with this trusted combination device.

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 1,900 Mbps
• Coverage: 1,800 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: Up to 400 Mbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: Four 1-gigabit Ethernet ports; one USB 2.0 port

Pros

• Easy installation
• Independent channels for 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz
• Warrants fast, reliable internet. 

Cons 

• Slow return on investment
• No support for Wi-Fi 6

The Netgear Nighthawk proves that two is better than one: This router also features a built-in modem, meaning you don’t have to shop for a Spectrum-compatible modem. This router covers 1,800 square feet for up to 30 devices and is compatible with Spectrum speed plans up to 400 Mbps. It includes separate networks for 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands, meaning you can organize your devices based on band level. You can plug in gaming consoles and computers to Ethernet thanks to four one-gigabit Ethernet ports, and can share storage with a connected device using the USB port. The router supports Wi-Fi 4 and 5 but does not support Wi-Fi 6. It features a WPA2-PSK security protocol, which is secure enough to protect your home without an enterprise authentication server—simply provide an 8- to 62-character-long passphrase to encrypt your network. However, it will take some time to see a return on your investment with the Nighthawk. Multiple reviews note that owners’ internet speed and performance were improved after setup, making the purchase worth it. Find more options for the best Netgear routers here.

Best for gaming: ASUS AX5700 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router

ASUS

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Reduced lag and latency are a tap away thanks to the router’s game mode and support for Wi-Fi 6. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 5700 Mbps
• Coverage: 2,500 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: two 3.2 USB ports; one 2.5 G WAN/LAN port; one WAN port; four Ethernet ports

Pros

• Fiber internet compatible
• Easy installation
• Plenty of LAN ports for devices if need be

Cons 

• Upright design can hinder placement 

We are no strangers to the ASUS AX5700—we’ve previously named it the best all-purpose gaming router. And it is compatible with Spectrum’s Internet Gig plan, which can handle up to 1 Gpbs, making it a perfect addition to this list. It’s Wi-Fi 6 compatible and includes MU-MIMO functionality for increased speed and security. Download the ASUS Router app to turn on the mobile game mode, which reduces lag and latency for back-to-back Victory Royales. AiMesh support allows you to bring seamless, interruption-free coverage to your home—and, considering the price of mesh routers, that makes this one a steal. Hackers will be KO’d thanks to free lifetime access to ASUS AiProtection Pro, which includes WPA3 protection—the latest Wi-Fi security protocol—powered by Trend Micro, a cyber security software company. However, you can only set the router vertically, which could pose a problem if you need a horizontal router. 

Best for streaming: Linksys – Dual-Band AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router

Linksys

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Between the wide coverage range, support for more than 30-plus devices, and splittable price, this router means the only thing your roommates will lag on is doing their dishes. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 5.4 Gbps
• Coverage: 2,800 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 4 Ethernet ports; 1 internet port; 1 USB port

Pros

• Easy setup
• Separate guest access
• Easy device connection thanks to a WPS button

Cons 

• Reviews note trouble connecting the router to the Linksys app

We’ve all had the problem of the internet slowing because it’s slogged down by everyone’s respective phone, laptop, and gaming system streaming at once. This problem is exacerbated if your roommates like Internet-of-Things smart devices that connect to the network. Expect the slog to stop with this dual-band router, which can connect to more than 30 devices. Additionally, this router is Wi-Fi 6 compatible, meaning it’s fast and futureproof. This router includes four Ethernet ports, one internet port to connect the router to the modem, and one USB port. Also, the router can create a guest access network so your roommates’ siblings or frequent callers don’t cause security problems or snag too much bandwidth when they add their binge-watching to what’s pulling down all the data. A WPS button makes device connection easy, and you can use your smartphone, tablet, or computer browser for quick set-up. The second biggest problem with this router is deciding who will take it at the end of the lease. The largest problem is connecting it to the Linksys app.

Best mesh: NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System

NETGEAR

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Why it made the cut: Up to 5,000 square feet of coverage and an included satellite extender means you can take meetings almost everywhere in your home without lag.

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 4.2 Gbps
• Coverage: 5,000 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 1 Ethernet WAN port; 3 Ethernet ports; 2 Ethernet ports on satellite extender

Pros

• No dead zones
• Wide coverage area
• Tri-band Wi-Fi

Cons 

• Must pay Netgear to service software issues
• Expensive
• App capabilities are only free for 30 days

We’ve all experienced the pain of being laggy and pixelated on a video call, either from weak signals or dead spots in the home. Say goodbye to all that with the Netgear Orbi, which covers 5,000 square feet and includes a satellite extender for more reach. This router, our pick for working from home, can support up to 40 devices and has a crazy-fast data transfer rate of 4.2 Gbps, plus support for Wi-Fi 6 for futureproofing. Unlike other routers, this one supports a tri-band frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band for connecting your devices, and a separate 5 GHz band so the router and included satellite can communicate with each other. Netgear Armor Antivirus and data theft protection powered by Bitdefender means business secrets will stay secret. However, there is a catch: this capability, along with others in the Orbi app like parental controls, are only free for 30 days. Afterward, you’ll need a subscription. And you’ll have to pay Netgear for software troubleshooting—that can be a lot of money to spend after purchasing an already-expensive router.

Best cyber secure: Gryphon AC3000

Gryphon

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This router does not use a web browser for configuration, making it less likely that a hacker will jack your info. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 3 Gbps 
• Coverage: 3,000 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 1 WAN port; 3 Ethernet ports with backhaul capabilities

Pros

• Easy installation with Gryphon app
• Free intrusion detection in the first year
• Responsive support team

Cons 

• No advanced customization options

You won’t need to worry about hackers and internet thieves with the Gryphon AC3000, which offers advanced security thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 functionality, vulnerability scans, and app configuration that prevents hackers from accessing your network via the web. It also secures connected devices and sends alerts when it detects vulnerabilities, weak passwords, or infected devices. The router has fantastic basic security and you also get one year of intrusion detection for free with purchase. Afterward, it’s $89 per year. It covers 3,000 square feet—an average 2-3 bedroom home—at lightning-fast speeds thanks to its 3 Gbps data transfer rate. If you purchase multiple Gryphon routers, you can create a mesh network for even stronger, wider coverage. The Gryphon Connect app includes robust parental controls, including content filtering, screen time, and usage monitoring. Its user interface is incredibly streamlined and simple. However, reviews note that there could be more advanced customization options, like more device categories and fields for categories that should be blocked.

Best budget: TP-Link AC1750

TP-Link

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The TP-Link AC1750 features high-end capabilities at a fraction of the cost. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 1750 Mbps
• Coverage: 2,500 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 400 Mbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 1 USB port; 1 WAN port; 4 Ethernet ports

Pros

• VPN Server
• Alexa compatibility
• Bandwidth prioritization (QoS)

Cons 

• Not compatible with Wi-Fi 6

The TP-Link AC1750 tops Amazon’s list of computer routers for a reason: it includes a VPN server, bandwidth prioritization, parental controls, Alexa compatibility, and can connect up to 50 devices—all for under $100. A 2,500-square-foot range means you can take video calls outside and bandwidth prioritization allows you to assign devices to either of the dual bands to prevent congestion and slow internet speeds. Connect it to Alexa to turn the guest Wi-Fi on or off using your voice, or use the TP-Link Tether app to set up and manage your network. WPA/WPA2 wireless encryption keeps the entire family protected from hackers, and parental controls protect your kids from looking up mature content on the internet. The only downside of this router? It’s not Wi-Fi 6 compatible, which means it could become obsolete as new Wi-Fi protocols come out.

What to consider when buying the best routers for Spectrum

Routers are not one-size-fits-all. Here is what you need to know when shopping for the best routers for Spectrum:

Modem vs. router

A modem connects you to a wide area network, or WAN—the internet that Spectrum provides. A router connects your devices to a local area network, or LAN—your own little piece of the internet that Spectrum provides. You can’t connect to a router without a modem. Spectrum customers are required to use an authorized modem, and the company provides a preconfigured Wi-Fi router for a monthly fee. However, that adds up, and purchasing your own can save money in the long run. If you buy your own router, you don’t have to give it back if you cancel your service—you can use it with your new internet provider.

Compatibility with Spectrum

Make sure that the router your purchase is compatible with Spectrum. Otherwise, you’ll have to return it. You can find a list of Spectrum-compliant routers on the company’s site. Although buying the correct modem is more important, it never hurts to double-check. Also, the router can only run as fast as your internet plan provides. For example, if you have a router that can only reach speeds of 300 Mbps and have an internet plan for 200 Mbps, you’ll only max out at 200 Mbps.

Wireless protocol

The wireless protocol, or Wi-Fi standard, determines your router’s throughput and range. You can determine the protocol by finding the number 802.11 and a certain letter combination:

• 11ax (Wi-Fi 6): Wi-Fi 6 is the newest standard and delivers speeds up to 10 Gbps. However, not all devices and internet connections support Wi-Fi 6. You may not need to upgrade just yet, but switching to Wi-Fi 6 will help futureproof your internet connection. This standard is the fastest.  
• 11ac (Wi-Fi 5): This standard appears on most routers, and supports speeds up to 3.5 Gbps. 
• 11n (Wi-Fi 4): This standard supports speeds up to 600 Mbps and was the first to allow both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. This standard, compared to Wi-Fi 5 and 6, is the slowest. 

Range and signal strength

Wi-Fi range is determined by the kind of router you’re using, the wireless protocol the router follows, and the space you’re in. Wi-Fi signals have a harder time permeating through concrete, compared to wood, stucco, and other building materials. For example, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi routers can reach up to 150 feet indoors and 300 feet outdoors and should be used if you’re looking for long-distance Wi-Fi. Routers running on 5 GHz bands can reach around one-third of these distances since it uses narrower wavelengths—because of this, you should choose a 5 GHz router for speed but only if your devices can be located nearer to your internet access point. Newer routers operate on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to reach greater distances and achieve maximum throughput for devices in closer proximity.

Budget

The best routers range from $50 up to $500. The best Wi-Fi extenders can help with spotty internet, but Consumer Reports recommends using a mesh router system that relies on multiple systems to spread strong Wi-Fi signals. However, a mesh router system can be pricey. On the flip side, Wi-Fi extenders are cheaper and can be a perfect solution if you’re looking for more reliable coverage in certain areas of your home. However, poor placement of your extender won’t help your Wi-Fi woes and can cause more connectivity problems if your Wi-Fi extender creates a separate network that your device has to switch between.

Extra features

Many newer routers are compatible with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, have parental controls, and provide separate networks for guests. Built-in VPNs and routers with multi-user, multiple-input, and multiple-output technology—also known as MU-MIMO—can help with security and network speed, respectively. However, if you would not benefit from the bells and whistles—and the added costs associated with them—then there’s no shame in going for a basic router.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best routers for Spectrum

• Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo
• Best for gaming: ASUS AX5700 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
• Best for streaming: Linksys – Dual-Band AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router
• Best mesh: NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
• Best cyber secure: Gryphon AC3000
• Best budget: TP-Link AC1750

Whether you decide on a router that helps you jumpstart your streaming career, keeps your new battlestation in sync with the rest of the squad, or feeds your OLED TV buttery-smooth 4K video, the best routers for Spectrum will be suited to your lifestyle and internet needs. It doesn’t matter if you go ham-handed on the features or keep it simple—the best routers will get you streaming, web surfing, online gaming, and working with ease.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best routers for Spectrum of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Gigabyte M32U		SEE IT	Gigabyte is somewhat new to monitors, but they already have some of the very best offerings.
Best gaming		Acer Nitro XV282K KVbmiipruzx		SEE IT	The Acer Nitro XV282K is a well-rounded 4K gaming monitor with a USB-C connection that can charge a laptop.
Best budget		Dell S2722QC		SEE IT	Dell S2722QC is responsive, ergonomically sound, and perfectly priced.

Even with wireless mice and keyboards and cable ties, our desks can still turn easily into a mess of cables, and an unlikely solution may be to get a USB-C monitor. USB-C promises to help clean things up by giving you just one cable to charge all your tech. With the right setup, you can even use a USB-C cable to charge a laptop and plug it into a monitor. Who needs HDMI or DisplayPort when one cable makes everything so easy? Here’s the thing: Not every monitor with a USB-C port will get the job done. You need the right laptop and the right display. The best USB-C monitors will offer great performance while mitigating cable clutter at your work setup.

• Best overall: Gigabyte M32U
• Best gaming: Acer Nitro XV282K KVbmiipruzx
• Best for creatives: Dell UltraSharp 27 PremierColor (UP2720Q)
• Best ultrawide: Gigabyte M34WQ
• Best portable: ARZOPA Portable Monitor 2K
• Best budget: Dell S2722QC

How we chose the best USB-C monitors

I’ve been working as a tech critic for almost 10 years and have tested monitors and other computing gear for The Tech Report, TechnoBuffalo, and Popular Science. In that time, I’ve used some of the best and worst options from different brands out there.

To make our selections, we drew upon our monitor testing program, sourced opinions from critics at multiple publications and user impressions from across the internet, and leveraged our general knowledge of display technology. We looked for interesting monitors to fit a few different categories. Our picks have no price limit and displays can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.

The best USB-C monitors: Reviews & Recommendations

You have the right laptop and a good Thunderbolt-certified USB cable. It’s time to pick out the best USB-C monitor for you. Whether you’re looking for an all-in-one option or something more particular, we’ve covered some of the most common use cases for which you might want to pick a monitor. All of these monitors have a USB-C port that features DP Alt Mode: Hopefully, that will spare you the time and heartache that comes from comparing too many spec sheets.

Best overall: Gigabyte M32U

Gigabyte

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Gigabyte M32U has a great feature set and a fair price, making it easy to recommend.

Specs

• Size: 32-inch
• Resolution: 3840×2160 (4K)
• Panel type: IPS
• Max refresh rate: 144 Hz
• Ports: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (24 Gbps), 1 x USB Type-C, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A
• USB Type-C power delivery: 15W

Pros

• 4K resolution
• IPS panel ensures bright colors and great viewing angles
• HDMI 2.1 ports, high refresh rate, and VRR are great for console gamers

Cons

• Contrast is not ideal on IPS screens
• Doesn’t charge your laptop while connected

Though PC component maker Gigabyte is relatively new to the monitor game, it already has found a strong foothold in the space with some truly great gaming displays. At $799, the Gigabyte M32U delivers a 4K IPS display with a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz over DisplayPort and HDMI. It’s one of only a handful of monitors right now with two HDMI 2.1 ports, making it an excellent choice for anyone plugging their PS5 or Xbox Series X into a monitor. In fact, you could connect an Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, desktop gaming PC, and multimedia laptop to the same display, turning your desk into the ultimate tech hub. 

There are some minor flaws in the formula, though. The M32U only puts out 15W of power delivery through USB-C, so it won’t charge your laptop while you’re using it. Its HDMI 2.1 connections are limited to 24 Gbps of the spec’s 48 Gbps, too, so if you use all of the HDMI 2.1 features offered by a console or graphics card with HDMI 2.1 ports, it may introduce Display Stream Compression, which can limit supported resolutions on that device.

Even keeping those in mind, this is a killer monitor for the price and a display that should last you for years easily.

Best gaming: Acer Nitro XV282K KVbmiipruzx

Acer

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: HDMI 2.1 and a suite of gaming features make this a great monitor for any gamer.

Specs

• Size: 28-inch
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)
• Panel type: IPS
• Max refresh rate: 144hz
• Ports: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x USB Type-C, 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1
• USB Type-C power delivery: 65W

Pros

• HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and USB-C connectivity
• IPS means great color and viewing angles
• Charges your laptop while it’s plugged in

Cons

• HDMI 2.1 ports are limited to 24 Gbps

Similar to our top pick, the Acer Nitro XV282K can serve incredible visuals for gaming, work, and everyday computing across all kinds of connections, including USB-C. This 4K, 144Hz IPS panel features DisplayPort for your desktop PC and HDMI 2.1 for consoles and recent graphics cards. It features VRR in the form of Nvidia G-Sync compatibility for most Nvidia graphics cards and AMD FreeSync Premium for AMD cards and the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. The USB-C port offers up 65W of USB power delivery, so it can charge your laptop while you use it as a secondary display.

It also shares some of the Gigabyte M32U’s flaws—namely that its HDMI 2.1 ports on this display are limited to 24 Gbps and may compress high-resolution images when using certain niche HDMI 2.1-specific features. On the other hand, the Nitro XV282K can send up to 65W of power over USB-C, so laptop users connecting that way can keep their computers charged while using the display. 

It also costs $100 more on average than the M32U at launch. You could argue that the Acer Nitro XV282K delivers the complete dream of a USB-C gaming monitor, allowing you to route an entire gaming laptop set up through a single cable. The question is, are you willing to spend an extra $100 to achieve it?

Best for creatives: Dell UltraSharp 27 PremierColor (UP2720Q)

Dell

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Bold, accurate 4K and a built-in colorimeter make this display a standout for creative professionals.

Specs

• Size: 27-inch
• Resolution: 3840×2160 (4K)
• Panel type: IPS
• Max refresh rate: 60 Hz
• Ports: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB Type-C Upstream (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x USB Type-C Downstream (Thunderbolt 3), 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
• USB Type-C Power Delivery: 90W

Pros

• Built-in colorimeter
• 90W USB power delivery
• Tons of ports

Cons

• Very expensive
• Low brightness

Professional artists, photographers, or video editors have a separate set of priorities when picking out a monitor for creating their work. Everyone wants a bold, beautiful monitor with vibrant colors, but creatives need the fullest, most accurate colors possible. That pursuit may lead them to consider a specialized display like the Dell UltraSharp 27 PremierColor, which is made—and priced—for professionals. This 27-inch IPS panel covers 100% Adobe RGB and 98% DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut for incredibly deep and reliable color. Unlike most creative monitors, it features a built-in colorimeter, a piece of equipment you normally purchase separately to help you maintain that high color accuracy. Having it built in means you can schedule regular calibrations to run while you’re away and check the results when you’re ready to work.

Like many other creative screens, the UltraSharp 27 PremierColor has a shading hood to block out glare and reflections. It also offers picture-in-picture, allowing you to view the same image in different color spaces or compare images from two different sources. Even better, it features two Thunderbolt 3-certified USB Type-C ports with 90W power delivery, allowing you to plug in two laptops, charging both while you compare and contrast.

At well over $1,000, this is an expensive piece of professional equipment made for people who need to achieve this high standard. If you’re one of those people, this is one of the best options out there.

Best ultrawide: Gigabyte M34WQ

Gigabyte

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: There aren’t a ton of ultrawide displays out there with USB-C connectivity, and the Gigabyte M34WQ is affordable and solid.

Specs

• Size: 34-inch
• Resolution: 3440×1440 (21:9)
• Panel type: IPS
• Max refresh rate: 144 Hz
• Ports: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB Type-C, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A 
• USB Type-C power delivery: 15W

Pros

• High refresh rate and low input lag
• FreeSync Premium support
• Vibrant color even at sharp angles

Cons

• IPS contrast is somewhat limited

If “ultrawide” and “USB Type-C” are both on your monitor checklist, Gigabyte’s M34WQ should be your go-to option. There aren’t too many options combining the two niche categories, and Gigabyte’s option stands out for its performance and price. 

The $500-on-average M34WQ features a strong set of gaming features and lots of ports. The IPS display means vivid colors, and the screen offers an above-average 400 nits brightness to back that up. That also means limited contrast, with blacks looking closer to grays in a dark room as with any other IPS display. 

With DisplayPort and HDMI options, as well as two USB Type-A ports and, of course, the required USB-C port, you can plug a ton of stuff into this screen to make it the center of your desktop. On the other hand, its USB-C connection only delivers 15W of power … so it won’t charge your laptop. Likewise, the screen technically supports HDR, but it’s VESA DisplayHDR 400, so it doesn’t guarantee a tangible difference in games.

Like our best overall and budget screens, this is more of a generalist’s screen, albeit with a high refresh rate for gaming. It will serve its purpose well no matter how you use it. 

Best portable: ARZOPA Portable Monitor 2K

ASUS

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Arzopa’s portable display has better specs than its modest price would suggest.

Specs

• Size: 13.3-inch
• Resolution: 2560 x 1600
• Panel type: IPS
• Max refresh rate: 60 Hz
• Ports: 1 x DP Alt/Charging USB Type-C, 1 x Charging USB Type-C, 1 x Micro HDMI
• USB Type-C power delivery: 0W

Pros

• Thin design
• High-resolution screen
• Multiple inputs

Cons

• Both USB-C ports are on one side

If you want a USB-C monitor to take on the road, Arzopa’s 13.3-inch 1440p screen is the ideal second screen. The display’s resolution and size are identical to Apple’s 13-Inch MacBook Pro (pictured above), which makes them a particularly good pair. During my tests we found text, video, and photos looked crisp and clear on this monitor, though I recommend immediately enabling the display’s HDR mode for the most accurate color reproduction. This mode isn’t on by default, but can be toggled easily in the display’s settings.

Every workflow is different, but our tests, which included using the display as a dedicated screen for research or editing photos, to be beneficial to our productivity. Anyone who’s used to working on a 13.3-inch laptop will immediately feel comfortable using this portable USB-C monitor because they’ll already know how many apps they can reasonably fit on the screen without feeling overwhelmed.

Arzopa’s portable has a pair of USB-C ports and one Mini HDMI port, which allows you to connect multiple devices to it at the same time. The company includes both a USB-C cable and Mini HDMI cord, so it’s ready to connect immediately. Our only complaint with the portable USB-C monitor’s design is that both USB-C ports are located on one side. In our tests, this required us to snake a cable around the back of our MacBook Pro to plug it in. Having one USB-C port per side would have made connecting to this monitor a little easier.

Overall, we found this monitor to be simple to setup and use. Our computer connected to it immediately, and we were able to make adjustments to its resolution and orientation within MacOS’ Display Settings app. A little switch on the monitor itself allowed us to change its brightness, contrast, and enable the aforementioned HDR setting. It took roughly five minutes to complete the monitor’s setup process, and hooking it up took only seconds.

A majority of 13.3-inch portable USB-C monitors have a 1080P screen, so the extra resolution on Arzopa’s 2K display makes a noticeable difference. The ability to see additional information on the display is reason enough to upgrade if you have a lower-resolution portable USB-C display, and a great entry point if you don’t.

Best budget: Dell S2722QC

Brandt Ranj

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Why it made the cut: The Dell S2722QC is a great 4K monitor for a laptop-centric work-from-home setup.

Specs

• Size: 27-inch
• Resolution: 3840×2160 (4K)
• Panel type: VA LCD
• Max refresh rate: 60Hz
• Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB Type-C, 2 x USB-A, 1 x headphone jack
• USB Type-C power delivery: 65W

Pros

• 65W of USB Type-C Power Delivery means you can charge your laptop while you use it
• Sturdy Stand
• Rotation and height adjustment

Cons

• Response rate too low for gaming

Dell’s S2722QC makes the dream of USB-C monitors a reality for many more people because of its low price point—the display’s cost fluctuates, but it’s possible to pick one up for under $300. The most surprising feature of this monitor is its overall build quality. Yes, Dell used plastic, but its stand and foot feel sturdy. This was true even when rotating the display 90 degrees or adjusting its height. Those ergonomic features made it possible to position the display at just the right spot to avoid neck strain.

This monitor’s USB-C port is the star of the show—our 13-inch MacBook Pro never had a problem connecting or charging—but it’s complemented by a pair of HDMI ports, two USB-A ports, and a headphone jack. Those USB-A ports come in handy if you want to connect a webcam and external hard drive to your machine when you plug your laptop into this display.

Overall, we were pleased with the performance of Dell’s S2722QC during common tasks like reading articles, streaming video, and being a part of digital meetings. The display’s color accuracy was good enough for casual photo editing, but professionals are better off with a display that covers 100% of the sRGB color spectrum. On the other hand, the monitor’s 4K resolution made those photos, videos, and text look sharp.

If anything, our time with the Dell S2722QC shows just how far USB-C monitors have come in the past couple of years. To get this level of performance from a display that’s this inexpensive is remarkable and proves the company’s commitment to pushing premium features in less expensive hardware.

Things to consider before buying one of the best USB-C monitors

USB Type-C—or, casually, USB-C—can get more complicated than you might expect if you’re using it for anything other than charging. While it was conceived as a universal cable, there are multiple versions of the technology that dictate how it can be used, which vary from device to device. On top of that, using USB-C to link a PC to a monitor requires certain technology in your computer. In other words, picking a USB-C monitor isn’t as easy as checking whether your display has a USB-C port.

Once you figure out which monitors suit your connectivity needs and which do not, you still have to pick one! That means wading through specs that may immediately make sense to the average PC user, including resolution, refresh rate, color accuracy, and panel type. We will focus on the specifics of picking a USB-C monitor here because it is complicated. Still, we recommend checking out some of our other monitor explainers (best ultrawide monitors, best 240hz monitors, and best monitors for color grading), where you can read thorough but efficient descriptions of the core specs that will help you pick a fantastic monitor for yourself.

Before we start: Does your PC support DisplayPort Alternate Mode?

Not all USB-C connections are created equal. In 2022, there were three versions of USB-C, or five if you include the physically identical but more feature-rich Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 connections. The more fully featured the port, the more expensive it is to manufacture, and USB-C ports that effectively transfer enough data to support a display are on the pricey side. As such, you’ll need to keep a sharp eye out and ensure that your PC and monitor have the ports you need.

To connect your PC to a USB-C monitor, the computer must support a software feature called DisplayPort Alternate Mode, or DP Alt, which allows you to use your USB-C port as a DisplayPort output, transmitting video at full bandwidth. Here’s the tricky part: Not all USB-C ports support DP Alt mode; it is an optional feature that manufacturers can add if they want. There are easy ways to check whether your laptop has USB-C ports with DP Alt Mode, but you may be forced to check the specs for your laptop.

That said, there are a few visual markers that may quickly indicate if a specific USB-C port can be used to connect to a USB-C monitor.

A “DP” DisplayPort logo placed next to a USB-C port means explicitly the port supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode. More broadly, the lightning bolt icon indicates that the USB-C port supports Thunderbolt 3 or 4. Thunderbolt is a more feature-rich version of USB-C and guarantees support for DP Alt Mode. It’s important to recognize these two, specifically, because there are also symbols that do not tell you whether your USB-C port can connect to a monitor: The USB SuperSpeed logo, for example, refers to the connection’s maximum bandwidth. (USB, as it turns out, is extremely complicated.)

So what laptops support DisplayPort Alternate Mode? Most modern Apple laptops should, including MacBook Pros made in 2016 or later and MacBook Air models released after 2017. Among Windows laptops, there is no hard and fast rule. You can specifically check spec sheets for DisplayPort Alternate Mode, check the laptop for either the Thunderbolt 3 or DisplayPort Alternate Mode logos.

There isn’t really a standard for how this is handled, unfortunately, so it may require some sleuthing. For example, the Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook doesn’t feature the markings to accommodate its more sleek look, and the spec sheet just says “2 Thunderbolt 4 ports.” Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Yoga features two USB ports that show the lightning bolt icon, and the spec sheet explicitly says “2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 3 (Power Delivery, DisplayPort).” Both laptops support the mode but label it differently.

Video over USB-C support

Once you’ve confirmed that your PC can connect to a monitor over USB-C, it’s important to ensure the monitor you pick out can do the same. Not every display that has USB-C ports can transmit video that way. To ensure a display supports video over USB-C, check the display’s specs for a Thunderbolt 3 port or higher, supports DP Alt mode, or lists USB-C as a supported video connection.

All the monitors on this list can transmit video over USB-C, so all of our picks will set you up for success.

You need the right cable, too …

We had to talk about the port on your laptop, and we had to talk about the port on your monitor. Why wouldn’t we also have to talk about the cable that runs between them? Connecting a PC and monitor is, unfortunately, not as simple as just grabbing the nearest Type-C cable out of your drawer and plugging it in. (We know you have one, but some of those chargers are 10 years old and you don’t even remember what they’re for, so get rid of them!)

Like the ports, there are many kinds of USB-C cables, and some are intentionally created on the cheap. The cable that will most likely come with your monitor will work fine. If, for some reason, you need to pick another, look for a Thunderbolt-certified USB Type-C cable to make sure that you’re getting something reputable and safe.

Can it charge, though?

One of the primary benefits of connecting a laptop to a monitor over USB-C is the promise that your monitor will be able to charge, or at least power, your computer while it’s plugged in. As it turns out, though, this feature is a niche within a niche. A monitor may be able to charge or power a laptop, depending on how many Watts (W) it delivers to power-hungry devices and how much power your laptop uses. Between those two factors, a simple question gets pretty complicated; even official explainers like this one from PC accessory company Belkin can be pretty vague.

Laptops typically require between 20W of charging power for a thin productivity laptop to upwards of 100W for gaming laptops with large graphics cards. Right now, the highest wattages offered on monitors with USB-C ports are 65W and 90W, which should be enough to charge most compatible laptops. Many monitors, however, feature 15W charging, enough to extend your laptop’s battery life a bit if it’s running while you’re plugged in. A 15W connection is enough to charge a phone, tablet, or any other small device you might want to plug in.

We hope that, a few years from now, this will get much simpler. At the very least, we hope manufacturers standardize how monitor-grade USB-C connections work. For now, though, it requires a fair amount of research to predict the compatibility of a specific laptop and USB-C monitor.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best USB-C monitors

• Best overall: Gigabyte M32U
• Best gaming: Acer Nitro XV282K KVbmiipruzx
• Best for creatives: Dell UltraSharp 27 PremierColor (UP2720Q)
• Best ultrawide: Gigabyte M34WQ
• Best portable: ARZOPA Portable Monitor 2K
• Best budget: Dell S2722QC

Finding a great monitor that fits the bill can become difficult as your needs get more specific. Finding a monitor with a USB-C port isn’t too tough, but finding one with a USB-C port that supports DP Alt Mode and delivers enough power to charge a laptop limits you to a pretty small group of displays. It’s so small, in fact, that we’re not quite ready to make 65W a prerequisite for making our list. Add to that the fact that you need to check your laptop to make sure it’s compatible, and picking a USB-C monitor becomes a fairly complicated task. Search for information about your particular laptop and USB Type-C before splurging on one of the best USB-C monitors, but if you have the right setup, plugging your monitor in this way will make your workspace more convenient and flexible.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best USB-C monitors for 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Samsung Odyssey G7		SEE IT	The Samsung Odyssey G7 is an incredible valuable display with a bright QLED panel, deep 1000R curve, and elite gaming speed.
Best for gaming		Dell Alienware AW3423DW		SEE IT	The Alienware AW3423DW brings the sharper contrast of an OLED display to PC gaming.
Best for work		Dell UltraSharp U3421WE		SEE IT	The Dell UltraSharp U3421WE gives you an ultrawide workspace to make you more productive.

Whether you’re gaming or taking on a big project at work, upgrading to a curved monitor can elevate your computing experience. While using one feels a bit different, and may not be for everyone, an increasing number of people swear by them. The graceful arc of a curved display draws you further into the experience, increasing your immersion and blocking out distractions. The best curved monitors feature all the impressive specs and features of any other display while bringing a few unique tricks all their own.

• Best overall: Samsung Odyssey G7
• Best for gaming: Dell Alienware AW3423DW
• Best for work: Dell UltraSharp U3421WE
• Best 4K: Gigabyte M32UC 
• Best ultrawide: LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B
• Best budget: AOC G2 Series C27G2Z

How we chose the best curved monitors

I’ve worked in gaming and tech journalism since 2013. During that time, I’ve evaluated a wide range of monitors, from affordable flat panels to luxurious curved ultrawides. Covering displays and computers for sites like IGN, Reviewed, and Tom’s Hardware, I’ve built a deep understanding of what makes a monitor great.

Our selections for the best curved monitors are the product of extensive testing and research. Beyond testing and reviewing many of these monitors, I took a deep look at the most important specs: screen size, resolution, refresh rate, response time, and the core features that separate a great display from a basic one. I also turned to reviews from experts and impressions from real customers to see how they stacked up in dedicated performance tests and real-world scenarios.

The best curved monitors: Reviews & Recommendations

Now that you have a good handle on the monitor-buying basics, let’s talk about the best curved monitors you can buy. Even with all the knowledge we’ve shared, finding the best curved monitor may still feel like a daunting task. Our picks, selected through testing and extensive research, are a great place to start (and end) your search.

Best overall: Samsung Odyssey G7

SAMSUNG

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Buy it used or refurbished: Amazon

Why it made the cut: The Samsung Odyssey G7 delivers a great picture and outstanding value.

Specs

• Screen size: 27-inch
• Curve: 1000R
• Resolution: 2560×1440 
• Panel type: QLED
• Brightness/HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 600
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• Response time: 1ms

Pros

• Deep, immersive curve
• Crisp 1440p resolution
• An esports-grade 240Hz refresh rate
• QLED panel ensures high brightness and contrast

Cons

• 1000R curve may be too deep for some people
• Expensive

The Samsung Odyssey G7 is a performance powerhouse that provides surprisingly incredible value. It isn’t cheap, but you’d be hard-pressed to find another curved monitor that brings so much value to the table. Its vivid, Quantum Dot-enhanced picture enables exceptional brightness and contrast, winning it a DisplayHDR 600 rating. Colors pop on this display, and you can make out more detail in the screen’s dark and bright areas.

The G7 is definitely a gaming-first display. Its deep 1000R curve covers more peripheral vision, enhancing your immersion. Pushing 1440p resolution at up to 240Hz, you’ll get a perfect pairing of crisp visuals and high frame rates. Motion blur will be less of an issue on the Odyssey, giving you the edge to one-up the competition.

There are bigger, brighter monitors on the market, including several from Samsung: the 32-inch Odyssey G7 Neo, which offers an incredible 2000 nits of peak brightness, the 4K-enabled 16:9 Samsung Odyssey G8, and, if you have a gaming desk with space for an ultrawide display, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8. You can really level up that battlestation with this 34-inch 21:9 Ultra-WQHD screen supporting 0.03ms response times, 175Hz, FreeSync VRR support with G-SYNC compatibility, and DisplayHDR True Black 400 levels. The Neo G8 has more resolution (good for streaming content) and a higher refresh rate/lower lag for competitive gaming. In a dark environment, however, the OLED G8 offers amazing contrast with impossibly inky blacks and smoother motion handling, making it both perfect for productivity and very console-friendly.

Those are notable upgrades, but they come with much steeper price tags ($1,000 on average). For many players, the $500 Odyssey G7 is more than enough to allow systems to hit peak performance without overspending.

Best for gaming: Dell Alienware AW3423DW

Dell

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Alienware AW3423DW’s fast, color-rich OLED screen makes games look better than ever; it’s expensive but very impressive.

Specs

• Screen size: 34.18-inch (Ultrawide)
• Curve: 1800R
• Resolution: 3440×1440 (21:9)
• Panel type: QD-OLED
• Brightness/HDR: 1000-nit peak brightness (DisplayHDR 400 True Black)
• Refresh rate: 175Hz
• Response time: 0.1ms

Pros

• QD-OLED panel enables incredible contrast and sharpness
• 1000-nits peak brightness
• Quantum dots for rich, accurate colors
• G-Sync Ultimate

Cons

• Very expensive
• Doesn’t work well with PS5
• No HDMI 2.1 ports

The Alienware AW3423DW is a rare curved display indeed. It features a Quantum Dot-enhanced OLED panel. Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) displays feature “self-emitting” backlighting, where each pixel is individually backlit and independently controlled. This allows for incredible contrast, including “true” blacks. Standard OLED screens are known for lacking the brightness of conventional displays, but Quantum Dot technology enhances the screen’s inherent brightness, allowing the AW3423DW to hit an HDR-bright 1000 nits. It only achieves that maximum brightness in small spots on the monitor but is still more than capable of generating quality HDR gameplay.

You won’t have to worry about artifacts dragging down your gaming experience with the AW3423DW. With a ridiculously fast 0.1ms response time, ghosting just isn’t an issue for this display. A 175Hz refresh rate and Nvidia’s G-Sync Ultimate certification ensure excellent picture quality without screen tearing.

It isn’t perfect, though. The AW3423DW has a small number of flaws, particularly for console players who’d pair it with a PlayStation 5. It lacks HDMI 2.1, for example, so it can’t play games in 4K at 120Hz over HDMI cable. It also can’t downscale 4K content, so the PS5 can only run in 1080p on the monitor. (Luckily, there are monitors particularly well-suited to PS5.)

The Alienware AW3423DW is one of a few OLED gaming monitors in 2023. As a result, the distinctive, high-performance panel comes with a very steep price tag. If you’re a PC player who wants to see the sharpest possible picture on a monitor, though, it is worth it.

Best for work: Dell UltraSharp U3421WE

Dell

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Dell Ultrasharp U3421WE can replace multiple monitors and comes with productivity-enhancing features

Specs

• Screen size: 34.1-inch (Ultrawide)
• Curve: 1900R
• Resolution: 3440×1440 (21:9)
• Panel type: IPS
• Brightness/HDR: 300 nits
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Response time: 8ms

Pros

• Connects via USB-C
• Built-in KVM lets you switch between two PCs with one mouse and keyboard
• Useful software quickly divides screen space
• Remembers window positions between uses

Cons

• Expensive
• Low brightness

Looking to replace your multi-monitor setup for work with a single ultrawide monitor? The 34-inch Dell Ultrasharp U3421WE is as tall as a standard 27-inch monitor and provides roughly eight inches of extra width on either side, so you have plenty of space to work. It also features some productivity-enhancing software that can partition that space into 38 different configurations for up to five windows. You’ll be able to see everything you need to work quickly and efficiently. When you’re done for the day, the software can re-open those windows, allowing you to pick up right where you left off. 

It isn’t uncommon for monitors to feature a couple extra USB ports for your peripherals, but the U3421WE not only connects via USB-C but it also doubles as a bona fide USB-C hub. It features two USB-C ports, one of which empowers you to connect and charge a laptop. There are also a whopping five USB 3.0 ports (one upstream and four downstream), to connect all of your peripherals and transfer large files. There’s even an Ethernet port to connect to your office’s network. 

It may not be quite as wide as two 27-inch monitors, but the Dell Ultrasharp U3421WE makes a strong case for optimizing your home office with a curved ultrawide display.

Best 4K: Gigabyte M32UC

Gigabyte

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Gigabyte M32UC is a big screen with a crisp 4K picture and features to spare.

Specs

• Screen size: 31.5-inch 
• Curve: 1500R
• Resolution: 3840×2160 (4K)
• Panel type: SuperSpeed VA
• Brightness/HDR: DisplayHDR 400
• Refresh rate: 160Hz
• Response time: 1ms 

Pros

• Crisp 4K visuals in a large viewing area
• Fast refresh rate
• Great color coverage
• Built-in KVM

Cons

• Limited HDR performance
• Minor ghosting without overdrive

Curved 4K monitors usually get expensive quickly, and the Gigabyte M32UC balances performance, features, and price better than most displays out there. It isn’t cheap by any stretch, but you get a color-rich gaming display with a ton of great features in return. You may have to adjust a couple of settings to make the most of it, but once you do, you’ll see that it’s a hidden gem among ultrawide gaming monitors.

SuperSpeed VA panel. Unlike traditional VA panels, the M32UC’s SuperSpeed VA panel gives it an unexpectedly low 1ms response time. It’s also fast, with a 160Hz refresh rate, which is high for a 4K display. With 93% DCI-P3 wide color gamut and 123% sRGB, it offers incredible color depth and accuracy, which is great for creatives. If you’d like to connect to a second PC for streaming or home office use, it also features a built-in KVM to swap your peripherals between devices quickly. The monitor also features a full suite of competitive gaming features, like a “Black Equalizer” that helps you peek into shadows, and an FPS monitor that can overlay on any game.

There are some important trade-offs with the M32UC that you should know before you buy in. First, with 8-bit color and only 400 nits of brightness, it can’t really handle HDR gameplay. Some users have also reported minor ghosting with Overdrive disabled, but that’s a quick fix within its settings menu. Even with these shortcomings, the M32UC is an outstanding choice if you’re shopping for a 4K monitor with an immersive curve.

Best ultrawide: LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B

LG

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B doesn’t come cheap, but its spacious Nano IPS screen is a joy to behold.

Specs

• Screen size: 34-inch (Ultrawide)
• Curve: 1900R
• Resolution: 3440×1440 (21:9)
• Panel type: Nano IPS
• Brightness/HDR: DisplayHDR 600
• Refresh rate: 180Hz 
• Response time: 1ms

Pros

• 10-bit color and DisplayHDR 600 certification
• Rapid refresh rate adds smoothness to games
• G-Sync Ultimate certified (FreeSync also supported)

Cons

• Very expensive
• Low IPS contrast

Gamers who have taken the leap already know: A great ultrawide monitor can take your gaming experience to the next level. That’s certainly the case with the expansive LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B, which delivers a crisp 3440×1440 picture empowered by LG’s Nano IPS panel. A proprietary LG display technology, Nano IPS displays feature a coating of nanoparticles on the backlight that expand their color gamut to an incredibly vibrant 98% of the DCI-P3 color space, or roughly 135% of sRGB. 

Somehow, professional-grade color accuracy and gaming-grade speed go hand-in-hand. LG quotes a 1ms response time on its “faster” preset, dramatically reducing the chance for visible ghosting. Meanwhile, its perfectly respectable 144Hz refresh rate can be overclocked to hit an impressive 180Hz for competitive play. It’s also Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate certified so you can count on fluid gameplay without a hint of screen tearing.

The UltraGear 34GP950G-B is certified by VESA for DisplayHDR 600 high dynamic range. It has a higher peak brightness of 600 nits and true 10-bit color so that you can make out more detail in the shadows and highlights. Its HDR tech comes with a local dimming feature, but critics found it to be too distracting to actually use. Since it also uses an IPS panel, contrast levels are also low, which makes blacks look dark gray in dark rooms. Even with local dimming turned off, there’s little room to argue with how good this monitor truly is.

Best budget: AOC G2 Series C27G2Z

AOC

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The AOC G2 Series C27G2Z offers a lot for little. It costs less than $250 but still delivers strong performance.

Specs

• Screen size: 27-inch
• Curve: 1500R
• Resolution: 1920×1080
• Panel type: VA
• Brightness/HDR: 250 nits 
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• Response time: 0.5ms

Pros

• Large screen
• 240Hz refresh rate 
• Good VA contrast
• Good color coverage

Cons

• Low brightness
• No HDR
• Low pixel density

If you’re on a limited budget, the AOC G2 Series C27G2Z is easily one of best curved monitors for under $300. It offers a handful of key features that make it an incredible value at a price point where you rarely find any. Its 27-inch screen is large enough to make good use of its 1500R curve, taking up more of your field of view and drawing you further into your entertainment experiences.

Now, a 27-inch, 1080p screen stretches its pixels a bit thin, but not dramatically. If you’d prefer to go smaller to maintain the screen’s sharpness, the 24-inch, 165Hz AOC C24G1A is our favorite curved gaming monitor under $200.

The C27G2Z is also quite a capable gaming monitor. It features a rapid 240Hz refresh rate—fast enough for competitive esports. Response time is also excellent at 0.5ms in its fastest mode, but you should plan on turning this down a touch for the best image quality—but with 0.5ms to start, there’s responsiveness to spare. Color coverage is also impressive at 90% of the DCI-P3 color space so that hues will look deeper and more saturated.

Unfortunately, the C27G2Z scrapes the bottom of the barrel with peak brightness and has a luminance of only 250 nits. That’s fine for most games, but you’ll want to position it away from direct sunlight. HDR is also out of the question, but these are fair trade-offs considering its price.

Things to consider before buying a curved monitor

Once a niche offshoot of conventional PC displays, the curved monitor has become an increasingly popular gaming and office work option. Going for a curved monitor adds a couple of extra specs to the long list of considerations you want to keep in mind when buying any monitor. We’ll walk you through the basics, so you can make your own decision when you’re ready to buy your next monitor.

Setting the curve

The big difference between picking a curved display and a standard flat panel is the curve itself. Just like the size of the monitor, the depth of the display’s arc varies from model to model.

The arc of a curved display is measured using the distance from the outer edge of the screen to its center. That number, measured in millimeters, is expressed as the monitor’s Radius (R) and indicates the recommended viewing distance to fully experience that curve’s benefits. The lower the radius, the deeper the curve will be. The deeper the curve, the more immersive your viewing experience will feel.

As with other specs, there is a range of possible curvatures ranging from 3000R to 1800R, all the way down to 1000R. Most curved monitors tend to fall between 1800R and 1500R, as large shallow curves typically require larger screen sizes than is typical for computer monitors. These curvatures range from a gentle bend to minimize how often you twist your neck to a noticeable curve that can enhance the immersive qualities of first-person games. Some gaming monitors drop down to 1000R. As this excellent explainer from Viewsonic describes, 1000R is the same curve as the human eye and should theoretically feel most “correct,” though such a deep curve can also be the hardest to adapt to.

Curved monitors are an acquired taste. It’s hard to know whether you’ll like a curved monitor, or what curve arc you’ll prefer without seeing them in person. Pictures just can’t replace the experience of sitting before one and seeing what each curve feels like for yourself. We recommend stopping by the electronics section of your retailer to see for yourself. If that’s not possible, be sure to buy from a retailer with a friendly return and exchange process.

Resolution

Beyond the curve’s arc, there’s no major difference between picking a curved monitor and any other. There are three core specs that we look at first when picking any PC display: resolution, screen size, and refresh rate.

Resolution refers to how many pixels your display uses to generate an image. All other things being equal, a higher resolution enables a sharper, more detailed image. Manufacturers currently stick to three primary resolutions for all widescreen (16:9) monitors: The baseline is 1920 x 1080 pixels, more commonly known as 1080p. The middle option, which we frequently recommend for gaming, is 2560 x 1440 pixels (you may see manufacturers call this 1440p, or QHD). Lastly, you have 3840 x 2160 pixels, also known as 4K. Unlike TVs, where 4K has become the standard, 4K monitors are still luxury and usually expensive.

If you plan on using your monitor for gaming, remember that higher resolutions require more powerful hardware to run well. If you’re a gamer but aren’t sure what resolution will work best for you, download and run a selection of the best benchmarks to grasp your system’s performance better.

Screen size

Curved displays aim to take up more of your peripheral vision so, unlike conventional widescreen monitors, we recommend going with the largest display that feels comfortable for you.

That recommendation comes with a caveat: There is a correlation between screen size and resolution. Larger displays need more pixels to achieve the same level of sharpness as their smaller counterparts. So, while a larger screen will enhance the benefits of using a curved display,  we only recommend you do so if you can also afford to scale up to 1440p or 4K for a screen above 27 inches.

With curved displays in particular, it also makes sense to consider whether you’d be interested in the standard, 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, or a 21:9 ultrawide monitor. Ultrawide monitors extend the horizontal viewing area without making the display taller than a traditional display, which pushes the edges of the screen closer to your peripheral vision. Since curved displays work best when they extend to the outer edges of your field of view, the ultrawide form factor enhances the benefits of a curved panel. Pairing the two unconventional form factors often leads to a more expensive display, but a large curved ultrawide creates enough screen space to replace two monitors in most setups. It’s expensive, but a unique pleasure.

Refresh rate

For gaming, refresh rate often feels just as important as screen size and resolution. Refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), refers to how many times the screen updates the image on screen each second. Productivity monitors usually stick to basic 60Hz-75Hz, since smooth animation isn’t considered a priority. For gaming, however, a higher refresh rate allows games to run at a higher frame rate, making them look smoother and reducing motion blur. 

In general, we look for gaming monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate or higher. For office work, a little bump to refresh rate is a nice luxury, but not a crucial feature.

Panel type

The physical screen panel can impact a monitor’s color accuracy, contrast, and responsiveness. Aside from a few exceptions—some of which you’ll see on this list—monitors rely on one of three panel types:

In-Plane Switching, or IPS, panels have the best colors and widest viewing angles of the three types. Because of this, they have become a staple in the creative industries and are a popular choice for digital artists. At the same time, IPS panels typically have slower response times and low contrast.

Twisted Nematic, or TN, panels are traditionally regarded as the “fastest” monitor panels because they generally introduce less input lag. Their high performance comes at the expense of color accuracy and viewing angles, so images may not look as vivid as they would on a VA or IPS panel. Manufacturers have closed the gap in response time between TN panels and the others, so you really only see them in very cheap displays, or esports monitors with extremely high refresh rates.

Vertical Alignment, or VA, panels are the middle ground between IPS and TN, offering a balance between deep color and high speed. VA panels also benefit from superior contrast. While a great IPS panel may have a 1000:1 contrast ratio, many VA panels triple that and come in at 3000:1. Blacks are typically much darker on VA panels and are a better fit for use in low-light environments. 

While panel type impacts your monitor’s picture, the impact of using one panel type vs. another is usually quite small. They are a general indication of how a monitor may perform, but the nuances of a monitor’s color depth are usually best judged with the naked eye. (Or, if you’re a creative pro, using a colorimeter.)

HDR and brightness

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is one of the most popular display standards available today. In a nutshell, HDR content leverages new display technologies to display a much wider range of colors and brightness levels, capturing more vivid colors and enabling your monitor to depict a wider range of light and shadow in a single image. 

Judging whether a monitor supports HDR content or not is a surprisingly contentious issue. To really see HDR as intended, your monitor needs to be capable of getting very bright, so it can show both high- and low-light situations. Many PC monitors technically can serve HDR content, but can’t get bright enough to properly display it. For most PC monitors—32 inches or smaller—we look for a maximum brightness of 600 or higher. On larger screens, including TVs, you really want 1000 nits or more. Monitors that support HDR, but fail to reach those marks will appear brighter in HDR mode, but will not change how an image is lit. HDR also requires advanced color depth, so be sure the display you’re looking at also supports 10-bit color or higher. 

HDR-enabled monitors make it easy to check their maximum brightness, as they feature a DisplayHDR certification from the Video Electronics Standards Association, commonly known as VESA. The DisplayHDR rating system includes the monitor’s maximum brightness as part of its rating—which ranges from HDR400 (400 nits) to HDR1400 (1400 nits).

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best curved monitors

• Best overall: Samsung Odyssey G7
• Best for gaming: Dell Alienware AW3423DW
• Best for work: Dell UltraSharp U3421WE
• Best 4K: Gigabyte M32UC 
• Best ultrawide: LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B
• Best budget: AOC G2 Series C27G2Z

Curved monitors are more popular than ever before. They provide a comfortable, immersive experience that enhances games and productivity. With the market for curved monitors expanding, there are options at any price point now, so if you’ve tried one and want to make the jump, there’s an option for every budget.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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Memorial Day Weekend is here, meaning it’s time to score some quick deals before heading out to a cookout or hitting the highway to visit friends and family. While the holiday is traditionally synonymous with mattresses and outdoor gear, you can score discounts on computer hardware that may make returning to work a little easier come Tuesday morning. Whether you’re looking for a computer for an upcoming college student or want to treat yourself to a home office upgrade as you settle into permanent remote or hybrid work, it’s a good time to pick up a new laptop, desktop, or monitor while saving a lot of money. Just remember, these deals can sell out, so if you see something you want, don’t hesitate.

M2 MacBook Pro $1,099 (Was $1,299)

Apple

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Apple isn’t holding its own Memorial Day Weekend sale, but you can save $200 on its latest MacBook Pro by shopping on Amazon. The M2 MacBook Pro has 8GB of RAM (memory), 256GB of storage, and a 13.3-inch high-resolution “retina” display. It runs on Apple’s latest M2 chip, which means it’s capable of resource-intensive tasks like 4K video editing and gaming (if the game has a Mac version) and common use cases like online shopping, video chatting, editing documents, and streaming video. This processor is also energy-efficient, allowing the laptop to get up to 20 hours of life per charge, though the amount you get will depend on how you use the machine.

If you hate passwords, its Touch ID fingerprint reader will allow you to unlock the machine and authenticate yourself when installing software, which is much more convenient. All in all, the M2 MacBook Pro is a laptop we can recommend to anybody, and Amazon’s Memorial Day Weekend deal addresses the one issue we typically have with Apple gear: cost. If you’ve been waiting for a good MacBook deal for work or school, now’s the time to pick one up.

The best Memorial Day laptop deals

• Dell Inspiron 16 5630 Laptop, $1,230.22 (Was $1,299.99)
• Dell Inspiron 3511 Laptop, $859 (Was $949)
• Acer Aspire 5 A515-46-R3UB, $319.99 (Was $389.99)
• Acer Aspire Vero AV15-51-7617, $509.99 (Was $699.99)
• ASUS TUF Dash F15, $1,449.99 (Was $1,599.99)
• ASUS VivoBook Pro 16X, $1,397 (Was $1,649.99)
• Razer Blade 15, $1,799.99 (Was $2,999.99)
• Razer Blade Pro 17, $1,799.99 (Was $3,199.99)

The best Memorial Day desktop deals

• M2 Mac Mini, $499 (Was $599)
• Dell Inspiron 3910 Desktop, $640 (Was $749.99)
• Acer Aspire TC-1760-UA92 Desktop, $549.99 (Was $619.99)
• Acer Predator Orion 3000 PO3-630-UA15 Gaming Desktop, $1,599.97 (Was $1,699.99)
• ASUS ROG Strix GA35 Gaming Desktop, $3,409.98 (Was $4,299.99)
• HP 2022 Newest All-in-One Desktop, $529 (Was $589)
• HP Envy Desktop Bundle PC, $1,229.99 (Was $1,599.99)

The best Memorial Day monitor deals

• Dell E1916HV, $76.52 (Was $109.99)
• Acer Nitro KG241Y, $119.99 (Was $179.99)
• Acer R240HY, $99.99 (Was $149.99)
• ASUS VG247Q1A, $159 (Was $169)
• SAMSUNG CF39, $159.99 (Was $219.99)
• SAMSUNG LC49G95TSSNXZA, $1,049.99 (Was $1,399.99)
• LG SDQHD, $596.99 (Was $699.99)
• BenQ GW2780T, $199.99 (Was $229.99)

The post The best Memorial Day laptop, desktop, and monitor deals are easy to process appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Apple AirPods Pro 2		SEE IT	Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 offer the best balance of sound, battery life, comfort, and extra features.
Best noise cancellation		Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II		SEE IT	The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II will become the most indispensable gadget for your plane trips or commute.
Best budget		EarFun Air Pro 3		SEE IT	EarFun’s Air Pro 3 earbuds offer better sound than we’d expect from a pair that cost well under $100.

If you’re wondering just how broad the personal audio market has become, consider the vast world of earbuds, ranging from less than $25 to well over $1,000. While wired earbuds still exist, True Wireless (TWS) earbuds have become the most popular option, thanks to improvements in micro-sized receivers that can deliver huge sound. Bluetooth technology has evolved to the point it can all but guarantee seamless connections, while an array of microphones and sensors help keep music and conversations clear. That means TWS earbuds are no longer a luxury item made by a select few companies. Yet there are still times when a wire is the way to go. Whether you’re an audiophile or a devout Apple enthusiast in the market for sports or gaming earbuds, we’ve compiled what you need to know to find the best earbuds that’ll match your needs.

• Best overall: Apple AirPods Pro 2
• Best noise-cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
• Best for multiple devices: Technics EAH-AZ80
• Best battery life: beyerdynamic Free BYRD
• Best for sustainability: House of Marley Redemption ANC 2
• Best for gamers: ASUS ROG Cetra
• Best for working out: Apple Beats Fit Pro
• Best planar-magnetic earphones: 7Hz Timeless AE
• Best budget: EarFun Air Pro 3

How we chose the best earbuds

There are nearly infinite earbuds available—models of all shapes, sizes, and price points—so we relied on hands ears-on testing to determine the best ones currently available. Our tests helped us determine the best earbuds for several specific use cases, like gaming or podcast listening, and let us single out pairs that performed best when using key features like active noise cancellation. Audio quality was paramount when making our selections, so each earbud you see below passes our sound quality tests regardless of how much money you spend.

The most discerning listeners will be able to pick up the subtle improvements on more premium pairs, but each set of earbuds will sound great if you open up a streaming app, find the music you’re looking for, and hit play. Our focus has mostly been on TWS types, which have become the dominant style in recent years, popularized in the mainstream by Apple’s AirPods. The convenience of these earbuds is undeniable, and current-generation pairs from well-known audio companies and newcomers alike offer incredible sound for their size. But we threw in some other options, too. There’s no shortage of new and exciting earbuds, but these are the best ones you can get today.

The best earbuds: Reviews & Recommendations

Whether you’re heading out for a trail run, on an open-world quest, or need to get locked in a work groove, you can get a pair of earbuds to suit your needs. And you can find them below, where we’ve collected some of the best options for any purpose and across every price point.

Best overall: Apple AirPods Pro 2

Tony Ware

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Specs

• Style: True wireless
• Battery life: Up to 6 hours
• Active noise cancellation: Yes
• IP rating: IPX4
• Microphones: Yes (3)

Pros

• Well-balanced sound
• Solid battery life
• Compatible with Spatial Audio
• Updated case with “Find My” support

Cons

• Best technical features only work when connected to Apple devices

Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro—colloquially known as AirPods Pro 2—are the best earbuds you can get in 2023; there, we said it. The latest version of Apple’s true wireless earbuds feature appreciable improvements in audio quality, active noise-cancelling performance, Spatial Audio support, and they come in an updated case with genuinely useful features. In short, it’s the total package, and it should be the default choice for many, especially if you use Apple devices.

In our first impressions, and continued tests conducted over several months of frequent use, the AirPods Pro 2 consistently impressed. The earbuds don’t have a totally flat frequency response, but Apple’s sonic sculpting—a little extra boost to the bottom end and slightly raised mids—doesn’t make songs sound unnatural or artificial. Music with a lot of low-end sounds extra full without bass distortion, while live music, pop, rock, and jazz benefit from Apple’s tweaks. We never found ourselves wanting to muck around with a digital multiband EQ. Apple did the research to determine what would sound good to most people, and it mostly stuck the landing.

The original AirPods Pro earbuds were lauded for bringing premium active noise cancellation to earbuds, and the second generation brings several improvements in this area. The AirPods Pro 2 could block out far more ambient noise—keys being typed, birds chirpings, footsteps—and loud sporadic noises like a New York City subway car clattering on the tracks. It’s not the best active noise cancellation we’ve experienced in a pair of earbuds, but it’s not too far off.

Apple says the AirPods Pro 2 earbuds get up to six hours of playtime per charge, with an extra 24 hours thanks to its battery case. That’s mostly been true in our experience, though keeping active noise cancellation enabled all the time did drain the earbuds more quickly. With one or two 15-minute breaks, you should be able to get through an entire international flight with the AirPods Pro 2’s ANC turned on. If you work in an office, coffee shop, or at home with another people, the active noise cancellation should be sufficient to create a reasonable buffer between you and the outside world.

One of the big bets with the original AirPods was support for Spatial Audio, a type of binaural surround sound you can take on the go. The technology was impressive, if unproven, but Apple has spent the past few years coaxing artists to re-release classic albums or release new ones with a Dolby Atmos mix. The library for surround sound music on Apple Music has exploded, and the AirPods 2 let you take full advantage of it—though if you want the true Dolby Atmos experience, you’ll need to pony up for an Apple TV and surround sound speaker system.

Spatial Audio tracks on the AirPods 2 do sound more immersive than their stereo counterparts, especially if you enable head tracking, which will automatically pan music based on how your head is turned to recreate the experience of listening to music on speakers. Spatial Audio mixes are still hit or miss, but at least there’s a variety of music to choose from. Apple offers a way to personalize the Spatial Audio experience by taking pictures of your face and ears, but we didn’t notice a big difference and performance.

One of Apple’s most unexpected updates to the AirPods Pro 2 was changing its case. The new case has a larger battery, lanyard loupe, and support for “Find My,” which allows you to track the location of your AirPods 2 case in case the earbuds get lost. A built-in speaker can play a chime, making it easier to find. These welcome improvements make a tangible difference in the earbuds’ overall usability. Sometimes it boils down to nice things being nice.

The only potential downside to using the AirPods Pro 2 is that they’re designed to work best with Apple’s other gear, so if you don’t have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you’ll get a slightly worse experience. The AirPods Pro 2 will still sound the same and have identical active noise-cancelling performance, but features like instant pairing are absent. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s something to consider if you live in the Windows and Android world.

Are the AirPods Pro 2 the best-sounding earbuds? No. Are they the best active noise-cancelling earbuds? No, but by offering a great technical and audio experience, they’re the most well-rounded pair. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and we can’t imagine anyone complaining about this pair of earbuds.

Best noise-cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

Tony Ware

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Why it made the cut: Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds II have the most-efficient noise cancellation of any earbuds we’ve ever tested—to an almost eerie extent.

Specs 

• Style: True wireless
• Battery life: Up to 6 hours
• Active noise cancellation: Yes
• IP rating: IPX7
• Microphones: Yes (4)

Pros

• Best-in-class noise cancellation
• Four microphones per bud
• Bose app is actually helpful

Cons

• Only three pairs of eartips are included

Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds II are actually kind of scary. Their active noise cancellation was so effective that sounds I used to test it, like clapping my hands, didn’t produce an audible sound. The difference between what I was seeing and hearing was actually jarring. At some points, the only thing I could hear and feel was my heartbeat, a unique experience compared to my experience with other ANC earbuds. I’m not alone; our associate managing editor was also impressed while commuting with them on the New York City subway.

The reason for this incredible active noise cancellation? Each bud has two microphones instead of one. The mics are located above and below each bud’s ear tip, which also improves your vocal quality while taking calls. This hardware is tightly integrated with Bose’s custom processor, which continually adjusts to filter frequencies with laser precision. This performance comes in a pair of earbuds that’s roughly a third smaller by volume compared to the first-generation pair and comes in a dramatically smaller case.

If you don’t want to experience the full isolation chamber-like experience the QuietComfort Earbuds II can offer, you can adjust their active noise cancellation via Bose’s mobile app, which is better than you’d expect. The app walked us through the earbud’s initial pairing process and made it easy to switch between quiet and aware—noise cancellation and transparency modes, respectively—and allowed us to set two custom modes based on our personal preferences. We opted to create a “home” mode with active noise cancellation at 100%, allowing us to experience the earbuds’ true potential.

On the audio side, Bose updated the QuietComfort Earbuds II with 9mm dynamic drivers and Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the SBC/AAC codecs. We liked how the earbuds’ sounded out of the box and didn’t need to futz around with the digital EQ in Bose’s app—though we were pleased it was present. We could hear each instrument in complex arrangements, even while listening to lossy audio with ANC on. Subtle sounds—like the piano on “Smog Eyes” by Warne Marsh— were as present as prominent ones, a true feat. The earbuds could have heavy-handed treble on occasion, but that had to do with how certain tracks were mastered rather than a technical deficiency on the earbuds themselves.

There’s no shortage of excellent active noise-cancelling earbuds, but the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II currently reign supreme.  

Best for multiple devices: Technics EAH-AZ80

Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

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Specs

• Style: True wireless
• Battery life: Up to 7 hours
• Active noise cancellation: Yes
• IP rating: IPX4
• Microphones: Yes (8)

Pros

• Smooth multi-point pairing
• Four microphones per ear
• Compact size
• LDAC support

Cons

• Cost

Technics may be most synonymous with club turntables thanks to its legendary SL-1200 (now 1210MKII), a deck used worldwide by DJs. Still, music listeners (rather than performers) should immediately acquaint themselves with the company’s new EAH-AZ80 earbuds. Their marquee feature is triple multipoint pairing—the ability to keep the earbuds connected to three devices simultaneously—but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve had the opportunity to test the earbuds for a couple of weeks, and they’ve become the top pair we’ve tried in 2023.

Let’s start with their multipoint pairing, which works astonishingly well. After pairing the earbuds to a couple of devices, they would automatically connect to both as long as they were within range. If I paused music on the first device, I could hit play on the second, and the audio would immediately start to play. The same was true when I threw a third device into the mix—to be clear, I approach any Bluetooth earbuds multipoint pairing with skepticism, and no earbuds claim to work with three devices. This is very difficult to pull off technically, and the only earbuds that have done it as well are Apple’s AirPods 2. But Apple’s top-tier earbuds only support seamless multipoint pairing when connected to the company’s other devices. The EAH-AZ80s can be multipoint paired with any gear regardless of its operating system.

On the active noise cancellation front, these earbuds stand above the AirPods Pro 2 but not quite at the level of QuietComfort Earbuds II. They blocked out almost—but not quite—as much sound as the latter. Commuters and travelers can turn to Technics earbuds for excellent ANC performance, and it’s up to most of the rest of the audio industry to play catch up. As for how others can hear you through ambient noise, eight high-sensitivity MEMS mics plus advanced noise reduction capture and transmit your voice clearly. Surprisingly, Technics went from off our consumer earbud radar to near the top, but that’s how good the EAH-AZ80s have performed in our tests.

While we were pleased with the earbuds’ technical performance, we were blown away by how good the 10mm free-edge drivers (housed in a custom acoustic chamber) sound. Rich bass, smooth as silk midrange, and clear highs were present each time we hit play. It didn’t matter if we were listening to Miles Davis’ “Kind Of Blue” for the umpteenth time or catching up with the latest Dawes album released earlier this year; the EAH-AZ80s would continue to reveal new sounds during repeated listenings. These are reference-grade Bluetooth earbuds, especially if you’re using one of the few devices that support the LDAC codec (either a small selection of Android smartphones or a dedicated digital audio player), which offers near-lossless audio quality streamed wirelessly. If you have the right setup and audio files, these earbuds are basically peerless.

All of this performance comes at a cost, and while the EAH-AZ80s aren’t the most expensive earbuds out there, they’re a sizable investment. However, if you regularly bounce between different devices, stream high-resolution audio, prefer smaller earbuds, or can appreciate any combination of the three, we can’t see how these earbuds would let you down.

Best battery life: beyerdynamic Free BYRD

Tony Ware

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Specs

• Style: True wireless
• Battery life: Up to 11 hours
• Active noise cancellation: Yes
• IP rating: IPX4
• Microphones: Yes (2)

Pros

• Incredible battery life
• Bundled with eight sets of ear tips
• Phenomenal fit

Cons

• They stick out from your ears

Beyerdynamic has been a part of the audio world for decades, impressing us with its mixing headphones, among others, but its latest long-lasting earbuds took us by surprise. While we were pleased by the Free BYRD’s sound and fit, its 11-hour battery life (eight if you leave active noise cancellation off) is in the top tier of true wireless earbuds. If you toggle ANC on and off regularly, you should have no problem getting nine hours of music playback before popping them back into their case. If you do somehow run out of juice during a single listening session, the Free BYRD’s case offers an hour of music playback off a 10-minute charge.

Most true wireless earbuds last roughly five to six hours with ANC turned on—the extra two hours offered by the Free BYRDs make a huge difference on a transatlantic flight, where tuning out the whirring sound of an engine can make the difference between sleep and misery. The Free BYRDs’ battery life is impressive, but it’s not the only reason they’ve made the cut. We were also very taken by the earbuds’ noise cancellation, which only comes up short when compared to the QuietComfort Earbuds II.

While the Free BYRDs didn’t produce the same eerie isolation chamber-like effect as Bose’s earbuds, they did block out a significant amount of noise. When listening to music at 80%, only the loudest sounds—think a sudden, expected clang, or jackhammer on the street—could pierce the bubble. One of the reasons for this impressive performance was that Beyerdynamic includes eight pairs of eartips in the box, so you can find the ones that fit your ears perfectly.

A tight seal around your ear is essential to getting good active noise-cancelling performance, and the Free BYRDs pass that test with flying colors. A tight seal can put unwanted pressure on the inside of your ear, but that was never the case with these earbuds. Another upside: The earbud seal was so tight we could headbang to our heart’s content without the risk of them falling out.

Concerning audio, the Free BYRDs’ 10mm dynamic drivers produced sound on par with our top-rated earbud pick, the AirPods Pro 2. They support SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs in their Bluetooth 5.2 container. In our tests, which included listening to music from different genres and spoken word audio like podcasts and audiobooks, the Free BYRDs never skipped a beat. Everything we listened to sounded surprisingly natural, which is particularly great when listening to people speaking.

Punchy bass, midrange clarity, and never-crispy treble are always a winning combination, as they are here. The sound was so good we never thought about mucking with the digital EQ in beyerdynamic’s MIY app. You can run through a hearing test in the app to tune these earbuds based on how sensitive your ears are to different frequencies, but this is entirely optional. We can’t imagine anyone being upset with the way the Free BYRDs sound out of the box.

You should be aware of the guitar pick-like shape of these earbuds, which makes them protrude from your ears. It’s not that you look silly wearing the Free BYRDS, but they will look different than most modern earbuds. That’s a small price to pay for their great sound, solid active noise cancellation, and exceptional battery life.

Best for sustainability: House of Marley Redemption ANC 2

Brandt Ranj

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Specs

• Style: True wireless
• Battery life: Up to 6 hours
• Active noise cancellation: Yes
• IP rating: IPX5
• Microphones: Yes (2)

Pros

• Made from sustainable materials
• Fast charging support
• Surprisingly good fit

Cons

• Lackluster app

With the Redemption ANC 2 earbuds, House of Marley has made bedfellows out of technology and sustainability without any major concessions. These earbuds—case and all—are made (in part) from a mix of solid bamboo, natural wood fiber composite, and recycled plastics.

In our tests, choosing these materials didn’t impact the Redemption ANC 2s sound, fit, or noise cancellation performance, which is especially impressive considering their relatively low price. They even beat some of our favorite earbuds in the durability department due to their IPX5 rating, which will protect them from damage by sweat or splashes of water—getting caught running in a rainstorm won’t spell trouble. This feature is especially welcome because the Redemption ANC 2 earbuds’ fit is so good that we can easily recommend them for working out. Running and jumping couldn’t dislodge them from our ears.

Active noise cancellation is the namesake feature of these earbuds, and we were pretty pleased with their performance in this area. They aren’t at the level of our more premium earbud recommendations, but that’s to be expected given their sub-$160 price. The earbuds effectively blocked keyboard typing and footsteps, but loud noises like car horns could still be heard prominently. They may not be the best choice for airplane flights, but the Redemption ANC 2s are perfectly suited for office use.

Our experience with the earbuds’ sound was similarly satisfying. We could detect a difference in clarity when comparing the Redemption ANC 2s directly to the AirPods Pro 2 or QuietComfort Earbuds II, but that didn’t dampen our enjoyment of listening to music. If you get these earbuds, you’re not going to be disappointed by the way they sound unless you veer toward audiophile hardware, in which case the Redemption ANC 2s aren’t targeted at you. There was some muddiness in the low end and some sibilance at the high end, but overall the earbuds produced a pleasing sound. You can mitigate some of these audio abnormalities by tuning the EQ in House of Marley’s app, but we were disappointed by how barebones this software was.

Despite this setback, we feel comfortable recommending the House of Marley ANC 2s to anyone who takes the sustainability of their technology seriously. You’ll end up with a good-sounding, great-fitting set of relatively inexpensive true wireless earbuds with a fair lower environmental impact than most gadgets.

Best for gamers: ASUS ROG Cetra

Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

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Specs

• Style: True wireless
• Battery life: Up to 5.5 hours
• Active noise cancellation: Yes (Hybrid)
• IP rating: IPX4
• Microphones: Yes (2)

Pros

• Virtual 7.1 surround sound
• Case has an LED
• Price

Cons

• Not the fullest ANC
• So-so audio quality for music

ASUS’ ROG Cetra is a pair of budget-priced true wireless earbuds with features designed for gamers—provided you use the company’s Armory Crate software. One advantage of the ROG Cetras is that the earbuds fit into a hardware ecosystem. ASUS has desktops, laptops, mobile gaming handhelds, controllers, and these earbuds are designed to fit in. Their case has a pleasing rounded-off shape, and opening it reveals an LED—a trademark of PC gaming rigs.

The earbuds themselves feel comfortable to wear and get solid battery life for a pair that costs under $100. We didn’t find ourselves reaching for a charger more than twice a week during our tests, which is on par with earbuds that cost three times the price. The biggest difference between the ROG Cetras and their premium counterparts is noise cancellation. These earbuds support hybrid noise cancellation, which uses external and internal feedforward/feedback mics but isn’t fully effective at blocking noise. Light background sounds would fade away, but moderately loud ones remained audible.

A big draw for gamers who use ASUS Armoury Crate software is the ability to activate the low-latency gaming mode and use these earbuds to create a virtual 7.1 surround sound environment. The effect wasn’t as impressive as Spatial Audio on the AirPods Pro 2, but we could hear some additional separation when the settings were correct. The experience varied from game to game, and ASUS can’t control the sound mixing of each title, so your experience may vary.

We’re recommending these earbuds to gamers because they were designed with this use case in mind. Chiptune music from older and indie games, or explosions and dialogue from newer ones, sounded pretty good, but the ROG Cetra’s 10mm drivers weren’t tuned for music, which didn’t sound very clear. Nuances we could hear with higher-end earbuds were gone on the Cetras, and it was more difficult to discern sounds across different frequency ranges. If you need a pair of inexpensive earbuds to pair with your portable gaming machines, these are a solid pick, but music lovers should look at our other recommendations.

Best for working out: Apple Beats Fit Pro

Stan Horaczek

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Specs

• Style: True wireless
• Battery life: 6 hours single-charge; 24 hours with case
• Active noise cancellation: Yes
• IP rating: IPX4
• Microphones: Yes

Pros

• High-performance active noise canceling in a compact earbud design
• Secure design stays in ear when running or working out
• Compatible with dynamic head tracking on iOS devices
• Includes pocket-sized travel case and three eartip options

Cons

• No wireless charging
• iOS device required for full functionality
• Not protected against water immersion
• No multipoint pairing

We’ve thoroughly reviewed the Apple Beats Fit Pro, and they’re the best for working out thanks to their sound quality, movement-friendly design, and fantastic iOS compatibility. They contain the same proprietary H1 chip found in Apple’s AirPods, enabling near-instantaneous pairing, steady, reliable connections to iOS devices, and battery life optimization. Like AirPods, the Beats Fit Pro earbuds are also fully compatible with iOS head-tracking and Spatial Audio features for simulated surround sound and immersive media listening. Their inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes make them equally useful on the road and at the gym. We also love the range of colors these buds come in, particularly their unique skin tone range.

The Beats Fit Pro earbuds are designed to sit securely in your ears using small rubber wings that rest comfortably against your outer ear along with three sets of variously sized ear tips. A quick optional setup step uses the earbuds’ onboard microphones to test your fit for sound leaks. Once your optimal fit is achieved, the Beats Fit Pro can endure almost every exercise imaginable—from running to rowing—without budging. The earbuds’ conveniently pocked-sized charging case brings their total battery life to around 24 hours. While it would be nice to see wireless charging in a product with this price tag, we appreciate that the case is chargeable via USB-C rather than Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector.

If you work out regularly and are an iPhone user, you’d be seriously hard-pressed to find a better in-ear option because of the snug fit, balanced sound, and seamless iOS connectivity. If you’re sold on the Beats features but are looking for an option with earhooks, the Powerbeats Pro earbuds are also a solid choice.

Best planar-magnetic earphones: 7Hertz Timeless AE

Chris Coke

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Specs

• Style: Wired
• Type: Closed-back earphones
• Frequency Response: 5Hz – 40kHz
• Impedance: 14.8 ohm
• Sensitivity: 104dB
• Weight: 5.5 grams (each earpiece)

Pros

• Very well-tuned, balanced sound
• Full of detail
• Good bass performance

Cons

• Unusual shape 
• Limited soundstage

Unlike dynamic and balanced armature drivers, which comprise most earbuds, planar magnetics feature larger, thinner membranes—contributing to lighting-quick low-distortion transients but often require more voltage to drive. Luckily, the technology has evolved so that planar earphones are no longer expensive unicorns. Still, there has rarely been such a well-tuned option at such an affordable price. The magic of the 7Hertz Timeless AE lies in the tuning of its 14.2mm drivers (powered by double-sided N52 magnet arrays), updated to provide deeper, more impactful bass and smoother treble for hours of easy listening. It’s a warmer sound that delivers an enjoyable amount of detail, combining to make these earphones a well-balanced buy at $249. If you’re into wired earphones and want ones that don’t skimp on the bass, the 7Hz Timeless AE is an impeccable balance of price and performance. The Timeless isn’t perfect, however. It breaks the mold with the divisive, quarter-like shape of its earpieces. You’ll either be ambivalent about the shape or outright hate the shells—there doesn’t seem to be much in between.

And suppose you’ve got $1,500 and want something exclusively yours. In that case, the Campfire Audio Supermoon is an in-ear monitor featuring 14mm, 2-micron-thick planar drivers in solid-body enclosures custom-molded to your ear canals. The bass is textured but controlled, the midrange is dynamic, and the treble is honest (which can be a good or bad thing, depending on the recording). Planar IEMs are really coming into their own.

Best budget: EarFun Air Pro 3

Tony Ware

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Specs

• Style: True wireless
• Battery life: Up to 9 hours
• Active noise cancellation: Yes (Hybrid)
• IP rating: IPX5
• Microphones: Yes (6)

Pros

• Bluetooth 5.3—with support for SBC, AAC, aptX adaptive, plus LE Audio & LC3
• Multipoint connectivity
• 45-hour playtime: 9 hours + 36 hours with wireless-compatible charging case
• Delivers insane performance:price ratio

Cons

• ANC, while good, isn’t going to match premium earbuds
• Mics can pick up wind
• Volume can seem low with some devices
• Not going to rival the sonic separation of earbuds that cost 3x as much (but they cost 3x as much)

There’s cheap, and then there’s a bargain, and the two shouldn’t be confused. The EarFun Air Pro 3 is the latter: budget TWS earbuds that pack ridiculous features and value for $79 (less with regular discounts). Stemmed earbuds in the style of their namesake (the AirPods, natch), the Air Pro 3 earbuds feature active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3, six mics, 9 hours of battery life, touch controls, multipoint connections, and more in a classic, comfortable ergonomic form factor. If you like the idea of AirPods but not the price, especially if you want that type of earbuds for an Android device, the Air Pro 3 is a top pick.

Bluetooth 5.3—with support for SBC, AAC, aptX adaptive, plus LE Audio & LC3—delivers a low-power, stable signal to feed the 11mm wool composite dynamic drivers higher-bitrate content. Bass is the standout frequency band, punchy without being paunchy, but its confident strut is nicely balanced by fleshy midrange and bright highs. And QuietSmart 2.0 hybrid active noise cancellation up to 43dB ensures you can enjoy that richly appointed range; it’s not Bose-level ANC but proves more than efficient. Plus, there’s a graphic EQ-enabled app to tweak settings and coax clarity. While imaging isn’t the best, and they’re not the most compact, the EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds are great if you want to take some fun thump on your commute and they are the budget ANC earbuds to beat, particularly for fans of modern bass-heavy genres.

What to consider when shopping for the best earbuds

From a secure fit to fabulous sound, the best earbuds can provide what you need. Here are the main things to consider when shopping: 

How can I ensure a good fit?

TWS earbuds have become so popular, in part, because companies have been able to develop earbuds that won’t fall out. The best wireless earbuds include ear tips (typically sized S, M, and L, but sometimes including middle sizes like SM or ML) that fit snugly and comfortably in the canal of your ear. Some models offer flexible wings or fins that fit the concha and make the earbuds feel locked in place, while others come with hooks or malleable wires that curl over your ear to secure things. Deciding on the best design is a personal choice but, thankfully, many models come with multiple ear tip options—most often a mix of silicone (better for quick insertion/removal) and foam (better for isolation)—to give you a good chance of finding a fit that’s right for your ears. 

What if I might get caught in the rain?

The best earbuds offer some water resistance, and you can even find waterproof earbuds. The way to determine how your electronics can cope with environmental intrusions is by checking the Ingress Protection, or IP, rating—two numerals that indicate resistance to liquids and dust. Earbuds can go all the way up to an IP68 rating—meaning they can be fully submerged in over 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes without damage, and won’t be heard by a tumble into the sand at a beach. If you live in a wet climate or work up a prodigious sweat on the treadmill, look for models with higher water-resistance ratings. But if you just need earbuds that can withstand a little drizzle or a few drops of sweat, an IPX4 rating could suffice. Many charging cases for the best wireless earbuds offer their own amount of water and dust protection. However, some of the best budget wireless earbuds sacrifice that added security to reduce costs.  

What if I’m a music-first type? 

TWS earbuds can work for audiophiles. The best earbuds have high-resolution receivers, digital audio converters, custom-tuned drivers, and amplifiers that combine to deliver sound replicating the original recording as closely as possible. Look for the newest 5.2 or 5.3 versions of the Bluetooth protocol with support for codecs (the digital format that compresses and transmits the sound) that match your device to your earbuds. Everyone supports SBC, but Apple prefers AAC, Sony promotes LDAC, and Android devices are likelier to support aptX/aptX HD/aptX adaptive/aptX Lossless. And these various formats operate at varying bitrates, from basic to high-resolution, with the top of the scale minimizing the lossy properties of compression.

Additionally, information like frequency response can tell you how well the earbuds reproduce low tones to high notes—20Hz to 20kHz is the baseline from which to expand—while the maximum decibel output tells you its capability. At the end of the day, the surest test is to see how the buds sound in your ears, but some of the best earbuds offer detailed EQ customization that almost ensures they’ll play music tailored to your tastes. And if you’re looking for the purest signal, it’s always going to come wired.  

What if I need some peace and quiet?

Almost all earbuds provide some amount of passive noise isolation, which means that they are designed with snug-fitting tips that can mute the outside world. Many of the best earbuds, however, offer active noise cancellation (ANC), which means microphones measure surroundings and speakers emit sound waves to neutralize the ambient noise in your environment—the effect makes listeners feel like they are in a cocoon of silence (though some users report a pressurized sensation). Some high-end earbuds step it up to adaptive noise-canceling, which adapts the noise-canceling algorithm based on the sound levels/types or location, and this is often accompanied by a transparency mode, which lets in (and sometimes amplifies) ambient sound when you want to listen to music but also need to hear external announcements, the traffic coming up behind you, etc.    

Yeah, what if I still have devices with a headphone jack?

If you’re an audiophile needing the most full-spectrum sound or a gamer needing the lowest lag, or maybe you’re just traveling and want to plug into the in-flight entertainment, shop for the best wired earbuds. While Bluetooth 5.0 should provide a fairly seamless connection, the only way to entirely eliminate lag or frequency response loss is to plug in—although the best Bluetooth earbuds limit these shortcomings to the point where most users can’t even notice it.

What if I’m taking a lot of calls?

If you want to talk to your helpful virtual assistant or want to handle work calls with your staff, you’ll need earbuds equipped with microphones (and if the earbuds have features including ANC, it’s safe to assume there are mics to spare). Beamforming microphones will focus on your voice rather than the sounds around you, while cheaper microphones may mean your listener will get lost in the chatter if you’re in a busy place. Earbud microphones are typically protected by fabric designed to limit wind noise, but if you have the buds in an amplifying mode rather than a noise-canceling mode, you may find the wind distracting.     

What if I need my earbuds to last all day?

Earbuds offer playtimes anywhere from a couple of hours to the length of a workday. Charging cases add additional hours—or even days—of battery life before needing to be plugged back in (typically with a USB-C connection). While average earbud life is anywhere between four and eight hours, recharging them typically takes 1.5 hours to 3.5 hours. And many of the best earbuds offer quick-charging options that let you gain an hour or so of playtime in a tiny fraction of that time.   

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best earbuds

• Best overall: Apple AirPods Pro 2
• Best noise-cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
• Best for multiple devices: Technics EAH-AZ80
• Best battery life: beyerdynamic Free BYRD
• Best for sustainability: House of Marley Redemption ANC 2
• Best for gamers: ASUS ROG Cetra
• Best for working out: Apple Beats Fit Pro
• Best planar-magnetic earphones: 7Hz Timeless AE
• Best budget: EarFun Air Pro 3

In many ways, the best earbuds are earbuds that you don’t even think about. They fit in your ear without coming loose and they deliver a sound quality as good as live music. Still, shopping for the best earbuds leaves you with much to consider. Set your price point and go from there. Then, determining whether you need features like ANC, transparency, low latency, and customizable sound depends on how you plan to use them and the sharpness of your ear. With the array of earbud options available, you can definitely find the best earbuds for you. Here’s to making a sound choice.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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My games closet has been a cramped disaster since I was a kid, filled to the brim with classic board games like Monopoly and Operation, along with boxes upon boxes of puzzles that I put together maybe once. Now that I live in NYC, I barely have room for my clothes in my apartment, let alone an entire collection of board games. Arcade1Up’s Infinity Game Board attempts to solve the space and missing-piece problems by packing over 100 digital games and activities—from gaming heavyweights like Hasbro and Asmodee—into a digital tablet.

Chelsey B. Coombs

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Overview

• Arcade1Up’s Infinity Game Board packs dozens and dozens of classic games into a space-saving digital form.
• Fifty board games and activities are included, and 50+ more are available from an online store.

Pros

• Saves space compared to regular board games
• Hasbro and Asmodee partnerships mean you can play top board games
• The puzzle options are endless
• Game library expands monthly
• No more lost pieces

Cons

• A little heavy and needs an additional expensive battery to be truly portable
• Some especially tactile games, like Hungry Hungry Hippos and Operation, don’t translate
• Touchscreen can be finicky

Verdict: Board game enthusiasts and tiny home dwellers can conserve space without sacrificing choices with Arcade1Up’s Infinity Game Board.

The build

Arcade1Up’s $499 Infinity Game Board is an 18.5-inch HD (1920 x 1080) touchscreen tablet that lets you play board games and other activities both locally and online with other Infinity Game Board users. It supports games for up to six players, but you can play many games and activities with fewer people or even by yourself. It’s a more portable, compact, and less expensive alternative to the company’s $1,000 Infinity Game Table (originally an October 2020 Kickstarter project).

It’s a fairly substantial device, coming in at around seven pounds and 18.4” L x 11.25” W x 3.25” H after extending the legs. The ability to tilt those legs up is especially nice for playing one of the device’s pinball offerings. You’ll need to make sure you’re playing relatively close to an outlet because, without the AC adapter, you won’t be able to turn it on unless you buy the $199 battery, sold separately. The included AC adapter has a fairly long 10-foot cord, though, so it’s not as big of a hindrance as you might expect. 

The setup

Set up is simple: plug it in, connect the board to a WiFi network, then create your Infinity Table account. You’re then taken to the main dashboard, which shows the Game Store, which has free and paid games, along with any games already in your collection. And with 16GB of storage space, the Infinity Game Board allows for a lot of games.

The performance

The great thing about the Infinity Game Board is that many of the most famous board games (Monopoly, Scrabble, Guess Who, Trivial Pursuit, Battleship, etc.) come free with the device. That’s probably partially why the device is $499—licensing all those classics from Hasbro can’t be cheap. Thankfully, there are so many included games and activities available that you don’t have to buy more titles unless you’d really like to.

And many of those classics play like the originals, just without physical pieces and with digital animations. Monopoly was a huge success for me. It feels just like playing the physical version. One highlight of the Infinity Game Board is that if your game goes too long (who hasn’t played a six-hour-long Monopoly slog), you can save it and come back later without worrying about having your carefully constructed real estate empire pieces falling all over the place when you move it from the dining room table. Most of the other games can also be paused and saved for later.

In some games, like Scrabble and Connect Four, the board also helpfully flips for easier viewing during your turn. That’s not very practical with a physical board and pieces.

Digital vs. physical games

I was curious how physical games that rely on opponents not seeing your pieces, like Guess Who and Battleship, would work on a digital game board, and I found some great solutions the software developers had come up with. You can remember what your chosen Guess Who character looks like by pressing on the digital card for a few seconds until it flips over, allowing you to move your other hand around it so your opponent can’t see. In Battleship, you can check your fleet’s positions by clicking on a smaller version of the gameboard that you can cover with your hand, as well.

Puzzle Play was one of the highlights of my experience with the Infinity Game Board. You can choose from several photos from categories like abstract, architecture, flowers, etc., that can be turned into a custom puzzle with nine to 529 pieces. However, I’d probably steer clear of creating puzzles with the highest number of pieces because the Game Board itself is too small to organize the pieces without creating an overwhelming amount of on-screen clutter. If you want to dive hard into puzzles, the larger Infinity Game Table is probably better.

There’s even background music with bird sounds and flowing water that makes the experience of doing puzzles even more relaxing. I spent hours upon hours doing puzzles by myself and never got bored. There are also paid versions of Puzzle Play featuring themed image packs from DC Comics, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter. And you never have to worry about losing a piece.

It’s also great that more complicated and specialized board games are available, usually for purchase. You can get Hasbro’s Risk, Asmodee’s Pandemic, or Ticket To Ride for $9.99. Harry Potter fans will enjoy the themed version of Trivial Pursuit and Wizard’s Chess, too. I hope that in the future, more Asmodee titles, especially those that tie in with pop culture licenses from Marvel to Star Wars to Stranger Things, are added to the Game Store.

The feel of the games

While many of the digital versions of these games are fun, I did sometimes miss the tactile stimulation that is such an important part of the board game experience. What’s The Game of Life without physically putting the tiny plastic people into the car you move around the board? I missed dramatically flipping down the plastic frames in Guess Who that don’t match your opponent’s chosen character and pressing on the Trouble bubble, even though there is some haptic feedback on the board.   

Some of the Infinity Game Board games lacking this tactile stimulation I would skip altogether because they don’t translate well to a digital screen. Hungry Hungry Hippos just doesn’t feel right when you don’t get to press the hippos’ levers and grab the marbles physically. It almost felt like there was a pre-determined winner because the computer makes up where the marbles go, and if you’re on the wrong side, you’re out of luck. Operation is also a miss for me—instead of relying on the physical skill of keeping the forceps from touching the buzzing sides of the patient’s cavities, you just move your finger along a non-complicated maze, which isn’t difficult, even for children. 

The Infinity Game Board really shines with games and activities that naturally lend themselves to a digital experience, like Solitaire, Poker, and other card games, Love Charms (which is essentially Candy Crush), Minesweeper, and, I would imagine, the soon-to-be-downloadable Wheel of Fortune. I hope that when choosing games to make available in the future, Arcade1Up leans into that, potentially adding games like Family Feud or Scene It that would work well in this format. They could also lean into their company’s arcade machine roots, adding more pinball games or other classics like Pac-Man and Frogger.

So, who should buy the Arcade1Up Infinity Game Board?

I had a great time playing with the Arcade1Up Infinity Game Board, and if you love having friends and family over for game and puzzle nights, especially if you live in a home without a lot of extra storage space, it’s worth it. The infinite puzzle options alone make this a great buy. For those often playing video games on their phone or tablet, the Infinity Game Board also allows you to play a wide selection of them on a larger screen. Some games, like the aforementioned Hungry, Hungry Hippos, and Operation, will always be better in their original physical form. Still, there are so many other great options included for free and for purchase in the Game Store that the $499 price point is well worth it. 

The post Arcade1Up Infinity Game Board review: Time to clear out your games closet appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best mesh		Netgear Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System RBKE963		SEE IT	Netgear’s most powerful hardware creates a robust mesh network for fast coverage of a huge area.
Best overall		Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 WiFi 6E Router		SEE IT	This powerful router offers everything many homes will need at a very reasonable price.
Best for gamers		Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router XR1000		SEE IT	Gaming-specific features allow players to tune their systems for minimal ping and maximum performance.

A router is an absolutely essential part of any home here in 2023, and Netgear routers have been delivering fast, reliable internet for the better part of three decades. They don’t slack on security, either. In 2021, the company won our Best of What’s New award in the security category for its Netgear Armor technology. And while the company offers strong products across the board, you’ll want to choose the best Netgear router to match your bandwidth, coverage, and speed needs.

Routers are essential components—they work with your modem to create a home network of interconnected devices capable of simultaneously delivering high-speed internet to all your devices. After all, what’s the point of your high-definition television if you can’t stream 4K video quickly? If your wireless connection lags, how can you stream the latest virtual reality, PC, and video games? Netgear routers use the most advanced WiFi technology to deliver low ping rates to gamers (meaning smoother gameplay), glitch-free video conferencing, and high-definition downloads with consistent, reliable speed. This buying guide explores and recommends the best Netgear routers for your home streaming needs.

• Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 WiFi 6E Router
• Best mesh: Netgear Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System
• Best for gamers: Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router XR1000
• Best for small homes: Netgear Nighthawk 4-Stream AX4 WiFi 6 Router RAX40
• Best for families: Netgear Nighthawk 12-Stream WiFi 6E Router RAXE500
• Best budget: Netgear 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router R6700AX

How we chose the best Netgear routers

Living in a house with two remote-working adults and two obsessed teenage gamers, I know how essential it is to have reliable, fast internet that can juggle multiple devices without lag. For this buying guide, I researched over 20 models of Netgear WiFi routers. All the models I reviewed support WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E, the newest, most advanced (next-generation) WiFi, at least in a practical sense. WiFi 6 and 6E make connecting to the internet more efficient by splitting fast connections across a network of devices. As individuals and families are now connecting to more devices, this is crucial for optimal performance.

Purchasing your router, rather than renting from your internet provider, saves you monthly cash on your internet bill and allows you to select a router model ideal for your home and lifestyle. I compared models based on features like network communication speed, frequency channels, wireless signal range, security, parental controls, customer reviews, and prices. So whether you want the most powerful Netgear router on the market or a high-speed solution for your apartment, we have options to keep your home network lightning-fast and seamlessly connected.

Over several decades, I have covered innovation, tech, and business for the likes of Fast Company, Popular Science, CyberArk, and many others. I specialize in distilling complex ideas and technical data into easily consumable content, providing straightforward recommendations, advice, and explanations. 

The best Netgear routers: Reviews & Recommendations

While we offer specific recommendations for different types of users, it’s worth checking out all the entries before purchasing. There’s always some overlap between needs and models. The best Netgear router for you depends on your specific usage, living space, and needs. While you can buy Netgear routers at most major electronics retailers, many models (especially on the high end) offer a free year of the Netgear Armor security software, usually costing $99 annually.

Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 WiFi 6E Router

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Specs

• Speed: Up to 7.8Gbps
• Ports: Five (5) 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports + one (1) 2.5G/1Gbps Multi-Gig port and USB 3.0 Type-C port
• Signal Range: Up to 2,500 square feet
• WiFi Technology: 6/6E
• WiFi Streams: 8 simultaneous WiFi streams
• Security: Netgear Armor and Smart Parental Controls

Pros

• Sleek modern design
• Six antennas deliver stronger connections with less interference
• Netgear Armor provides an automatic shield for cybersecurity

Cons

• Very old wireless products may take some work to get connected

The Nighthawk RAXE300 router is our choice for best overall because, for a reasonable price, it delivers an impressive spec sheet and can easily handle a larger network of devices without compromising speed. For less than $400, you’ll get a powerful router that uses WiFi 6E—delivering the fastest WiFi and the greatest capacity for your new WiFi 6E-compatible devices (such as Apple’s M2 iPad Pro, 2023 MacBook Pro, 2023 Mac mini, and lots of current high-end Android phones). By reducing data loads on the other two bands (tri-band), WiFi speeds increase for all networked devices. The futuristic design, which resembles a stealth aircraft, utilizes six pre-optimized antennas to deliver strong connections throughout your space, up to 2,500 square feet. 

This router will handle networks with multiple users, even all high-definition streaming. With eight simultaneous WiFi streams, your household can all enjoy no-lag AR/VR gaming, 4K streaming (it could handle 8K if that were a thing), and seamless video calls at the same time. Other significant features include many ports that allow for wired connections. For internet safety, this router is compatible with Netgear Armor for state-of-the-art cybersecurity. For families, parents can access Netgear smart parent control, which allows parents to manage screen time and accessibility, all with the Netgear app. If you’re a typical or semi-advanced internet user, this likely has everything you need for a very reasonable price.

Best mesh: Netgear Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System

Netgear

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Specs

• Speed: Up to 10.8Gbps
• Ports: Three 2.5G connections, nine 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 10 Gig Internet port
• Signal Range: Up to 9,000 square feet
• WiFi Technology: 6/6E
• WiFi Streams: Quad-Band technology and Dedicated Backhaul WiFi
• Security: Netgear Armor and Smart Parental Controls

Pros

• A 3-piece WiFi system, including one router and two satellites, covers up to 9,000 square feet 
• Get max speed connections for up to 200 devices
• 10 Gigabit internet port allows you to connect to the fastest internet plans

Cons

• Pricy to get started

Netgear Orbi RBKE963B Mesh system is our upgrade pick because it’s the most flexible and powerful WiFi system offered by Netgear. With up to 10.8Gbps WiFi speeds and coverage for up to a whopping 9,000 square feet, including front and back yards, this 3-piece mesh system is ready for your smart home and high-definition devices.

An attractive design, the three-piece Orbi system features 12 internal antennas, a 2.2 GHZ quad-core processor, and high-power amplifiers within each device. Style-wise, each device looks identical, but one is your router, and the other two are satellites. Each device allows for wired connections with LAN ports and gigabit ethernet jacks. While this system may offer more than you need now, as more internet companies offer higher speeds and more devices adopt WiFi 6E, this system will prepare your home network for the future.

This package includes one year of the Netgear Armor security software for free if you buy directly from Netgear. The Black Edition is also exclusive to Netgear.com so get it there if you prefer it to the white version.

Best for gamers: Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router XR1000

Netgear

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Specs

• Speed: Up to 5.4Gbps
• Ports: Five (5) 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports—1 WAN & 4 LAN, USB 3.0 Type-C port
• Signal Range: Up to 2,500 square feet
• WiFi Technology: 6
• WiFi Streams: 6 simultaneous WiFi streams
• Security: Netgear Armor and Smart Parental Controls

Pros

• Fast file transfer speeds
• Users can customize and filter game servers with Geo-Fencing
• Ping Heatmap lets you see your connection quality to each server
• Bandwidth Allocation—allows you to prioritize gaming devices

Cons

• May require firmware updates to avoid delayed transmission of WiFi signal

Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000 router is our choice for best for gamers because of the unique features and customized controls designed specifically to enhance gameplay. This slim router features a red and black design with four antennas which helps it fit in with the aesthetics of most PC gaming accessories. You can often find this model on sale for up to $100 off its retail price, making it a very solid buy if you don’t need the WiFi 6E functionality.

Gamer-friendly features include DumaOS 3.0 software, which was built specifically for games. It reduces ping rates by up to 93% (which means less jittery gameplay and lower buffering times) and allows for lag-free online gaming. Users can maximize internet speed with custom controls that prioritize applications and devices, eliminate network congestion and enhance the gaming experience. The Geo-Filter setting helps you filter out high-ping game servers and helps you choose the server with the best connection. It takes a little work to get everything set up perfectly for your gaming, but that elbow grease will pay off when you’re lagging a lot less than your competition.

Best for small homes: Netgear Nighthawk 4-Stream AX3000 WiFi 6 Router RAX40

Netgear

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Specs

• Speed: Up to 3Gbps
• Ports: Five (5) 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN & 4 LAN) and USB 3.0 Type-C port
• Signal Range: Up to 1,500 square feet
• WiFi Technology: 6
• WiFi Streams: 4 simultaneous WiFi streams
• Security: Netgear Armor and Smart Parental Controls

Pros

• Stream 4 devices with HD & 4K UHD content at the same time
• Two external antennas help extend strong WiFi signals throughout your home
• USB 3.0 Port allows you to backup and access stored media

Cons

• No WiFi 6E

Netgear Nighthawk AX3000 router is our choice for best for small homes because it delivers speed up to 3Gbps and offers four simultaneous WiFi streams up to 1,500 square feet. While many specs of this router match our choice for best value, this router also delivers a higher internet speed connection at a reasonable price (again, maximized for smaller spaces).

With WiFi 6, this router efficiently delivers faster internet speed to multiple devices in your network, allowing you to stream ultra HD 4K/8K quickly. It also allows you to try out Netgear’s security services free of charge for 30 days (after which you can decide if you would like to pay to continue to use it). Netgear Armor offers a wide range of cybersecurity protections, and Netgear Smart Parent Controls allow parents to monitor and limit access to devices within the network. This reasonable price tag brings bang for your buck and will allow your family to stream multiple devices quickly and precisely.

Best for families: Netgear Nighthawk 12-Stream WiFi 6E Router RAXE500

Netgear

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Specs

• Speed: Up to 10.8Gbps
• Ports: Five (5) 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN & 4 LAN) + one (1) 2.5G/1Gbps Multi-Gig port, two (2) USB 3.0 ports
• Signal Range: Up to 3,500 square feet
• WiFi Technology: 6E
• WiFi Streams: 12 simultaneous WiFi streams
• Security: Netgear Armor and Smart Parental Controls

Pros

• Tri-band offers 200% more spectrum than dual-band
• More high-bandwidth WiFi channels
• Ultra-low latency for an enhanced gaming experience
• High-speed WiFi up to 10.8 Gbps

Cons

• May be overkill for some more casual users

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is our choice for best for techie families because it delivers impressive speed, can juggle multiple users, and covers up to 3,500 square feet. When you have a high-tech household, this powerful router is a great choice; it offers the same WiFi connection speed as the Orbi mesh system. The RAXE500 is under $500 on sale, making this much more comparatively affordable.

With 12 streams of WiFi 6E, your network will be able to connect multiple devices with state-of-the-art speed. A new 6GHz band offers fast speed to new WiFi 6E devices and reduces data loads with three bands (Tri-band). This high-powered router is a great option for a techie family with multiple smart devices and the latest 6E technology.

Best budget: Netgear 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router R6700AX

Netgear

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Specs

• Speed: Up to 1.8Gbps
• Ports: Five (5) 10/100/1000Mpbs Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN & 4 LAN)
• Signal Range: Up to 1,500 square feet
• WiFi Technology: 6 Technology
• WiFi Streams: 4 simultaneous WiFi streams
• Security: Standards-based WiFi Security, Netgear Armor, Smart Parental Controls

Pros

• Unleash fast speed on multiple devices with WiFi 6
• 1.5GHz Quad-Core processor for stronger streaming and gaming experience
• Use the Nighthawk app to protect and monitor household

Cons

• Not for larger homes, as the signal range covers up to 1,500 square feet

Netgear R6700AX router is our choice for best value because it is available for less than $100 and delivers strong connections best for smaller households. Using four streams of WiFi 6 technology, you’ll get more consistent speed and connectivity on all your network’s devices. Simultaneous dual-band allows for better connection and less interference.

Setting up your WiFi and managing your settings, speed, and security is managed through the Nighthawk app. You can also use voice control to control your network, as this router is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. With a lower price point, this isn’t the absolute fastest on our list, but for most average users, this affordable router will deliver the speeds they need for fast streaming, gaming, and video calls. The Nighthawk app also allows you to keep tabs on speed and performance.

Things to consider when choosing the best Netgear router

When you are in the market for a new router, there are important things to consider before purchasing. Here are some factors to remember to help you choose the best router for your home:

Compatibility with your internet provider

Before you decide on a router, check with your internet service provider to ensure the router will be compatible with your current modem.

Size of your space

Think about the size of your space and the location where you will install the router. Ideally, a router should be in the center of your home. Wireless coverage is based on square footage; more square footage covered means a more expensive router. Most people should be good with a single router, but if you have a larger space or a spread-out space, you may opt for a mesh system that offers routers and satellites to extend WiFi coverage.

Price

Routers and mesh systems vary in price from under $100 to well over $1,000, with higher-end models offering high-speed connections, more coverage area, and customizable features. 

Netgear Armor

In 2021, we awarded Netgear’s advanced network security tech our coveted Best of What’s New award in the security category. Netgear Armor monitors the network and its devices for malicious activity. Once it identifies something troubling, it addresses the problem while alerting other users and devices of the problem. That keeps you informed about security issues that may pop up on your network and fixes them before they can cause serious harm. Netgear Armor typically costs $99 annually for a subscription, but some routers on this list offer a free year if you buy directly through Netgear.com.

Hardware compatibility

The latest WiFi technology, 6 or 6E, offers significant improvements, but you should check to see if your hardware is compatible to reap the benefits. Your laptop, smartphone, and other smart home devices should also support WiFi 6/6E.

WiFi bands

Most routers are at least dual-band, supporting frequencies like 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) and 5 GHz. Other routers offer tri-band, which broadcasts three signals. Newer routers may include a 6 GHz band. WiFi bands affect speed and range. If you use a lot of smart devices, you should be aware of your WiFi bands for optimal setup.

Ports

While routers provide WiFi, they also can be hardwired with an ethernet cable for devices like PCs and TVs to ensure they operate with the fastest internet speed. Make sure you have enough ports for the devices you want to hardwire.

Security

Routers often come with cybersecurity protection and parental controls. Many of Netgear’s routers come with a free trial of Netgear Armor (internet security) and Netgear Smart Parental Controls, which will cost extra if you choose to use them.

Speed

Routers offer differing maximum speed levels; the faster the speed, the more expensive the router. However, it’s important to consider that your internet provider determines the maximum speed, so ensure you have upgraded your internet service package.

FAQs

Final thoughts regarding the best Netgear routers

• Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 WiFi 6E Router
• Best mesh: Netgear Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System
• Best for gamers: Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router XR1000
• Best for small homes: Netgear Nighthawk 4-Stream AX4 WiFi 6 Router RAX40
• Best for techie families: Netgear Nighthawk 12-Stream WiFi 6E Router RAXE500
• Best budget: Netgear 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router R6700AX

Even if you have the most basic needs for internet in your home or office, choosing the right router can make a big difference in the quality time you spend on your computer or phone. The best Netgear routers run the gamut from advanced mesh network systems to basic (and rock solid) stand-alone devices that dish out a constant stream of connectivity exactly where you need it. The company’s excellent and hard-earned reputation and broad product offerings will keep the TikToks flowing for years to come.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best Netgear routers for 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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The radical success of Valve’s Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch has proven a deep appetite for handheld gaming exists, and competitors are popping up left and right in an attempt to take a piece of that pie. ASUS is the latest company to step up to the plate, and if it aimed to create a faster, nicer-looking, better-feeling Steam Deck, the ROG Ally is a resounding success.

The handheld PC game console, available for preorder now and will launch June 11 for $599, is fast enough to play many of the latest titles, offers a surprising amount of customization, and achieves surprising stability for a first-generation piece of hardware. Yet what holds the ROG Ally back from near-perfection is the one piece of the puzzle it couldn’t fully control: Windows.

Brandt Ranj / Popular Science

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Overview

• The ASUS ROG Ally is the first mainstream Steam Deck competitor, and on a technical level, it bests Valve’s popular gaming handheld in almost every way.
• The handheld’s Windows system is more versatile than a streamlined operating system like SteamOS but also increases power consumption and complexity.
• For serious PC gamers who favor customizability and power, the ROG Ally offers the best balance of performance and price.

Pros

• Incredible price
• Excellent performance
• Good battery life
• Ergonomic design
• Smooth-feeling analog sticks
• Expandable storage
• Surprisingly full-sounding speakers

Cons

• Operating system not designed for handheld gaming
• Can be complex to access certain settings

Verdict: The ROG Ally is the handheld gaming system to beat if you can get over the pain of Windows gaming on a portable device.

The ASUS ROG Ally build

I’ve been playing handheld game consoles since the original Game Boy, and I was immediately smitten with how the ROG Ally looked and felt out of the box. Its 7-inch screen is the same size as my Switch OLED edition and the Steam Deck. ASUS’ display is 1080P and supports refresh rates up to 120Hz instead of the 720P 60Hz panel on Nintendo and Valve’s systems. The difference in sharpness and fidelity compared to the Switch was noticeable and made up for the fact that the ROG’s great-looking LCD display isn’t quite as vibrant as an OLED screen.

An analog stick and directional pad flank the handheld system’s screen on the left side, while an analog stick and four face buttons are on the right. A pair of buttons and triggers on top of the handheld are complemented by two on the system’s backside. A headphone jack, volume controls, and power button line the system’s top, along with two vents for the fans.

This is more or less the same button configuration popularized by the Xbox 360 in 2005, which made the ROG Ally feel familiar before I even booted up a game. Four additional buttons give you quick access to common actions, like bringing up the ROG Ally’s performance options and going to a game-select screen. More importantly, the handheld feels great in hand. The angular cut-outs on the front of the device make it easy to grip, while the curves on the back contoured to my hands. ASUS designed the ROG Ally to feel good whether you’re holding it or have it propped up on a desk, and the result is a home run where ergonomics are concerned.

I was pleased—though not surprised—to see the handheld’s USB-C charging port, which ASUS opted to put on the top rather than the bottom of the system. The mass adoption of a single charging port for most electronics is one of the best recent advancements in consumer tech. The ROG Ally’s MicroSD card slot, which can be used to expand its storage to hold more games easily, is also located on top of the system, which makes it immediately and easily accessible without opening the console’s case. In general, my impressions of the hardware have been very positive.

The ASUS ROG Ally setup

ASUS did its best to ensure the ROG Ally’s setup process was as easy as possible. I was greeted with a familiar Windows 11 lock screen. Tapping the OK button—my review unit came pre-configured with a user account but no password—brought me to Microsoft’s desktop. Preinstalled software called ASUS Armoury Crate launched within seconds and brought me to a user-friendly screen where I could log into my Steam and Xbox accounts to download games from their respective digital libraries. The only real roadblock during my setup was navigating to Windows’ WiFi settings and typing in my password.

All my downloaded titles appeared as icons in Armoury Crate, making them easy to launch. This system isn’t as slick as the Switch or Steam Deck’s user interface, but those systems are only designed for gaming. The ROG Ally runs a full version of Windows, which means it could be hooked up to a monitor and be used for Google Docs and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications in addition to booting up the latest PC games.

Overall, the ROG Ally’s user interface is pretty user-friendly. However, it took a little time to get the hang of downloading games and navigating the Xbox Game Pass portal, which is annoying to use on a PC without a keyboard and mouse. Switching the ROG Ally from handheld to desktop mode allowed me to replicate the functionality of a mouse with the right analog stick moving the cursor, but the experience was still kind of clunky. Steam was designed to be used natively with a game controller, and I had no issues there.

Even the ROG Ally’s control panel, which can be toggled with a button press, was neatly organized. This settings menu allows you to switch between quiet, performance, and turbo modes, which automatically ratchet up the system’s processor to the detriment of its battery life. Other settings include changing the screen’s resolution between 720P and 1080P, adjusting the display’s brightness, switching between handheld and desktop modes, and other common controls. It’s clear ASUS wanted to make the ROG Ally as accessible as possible, and it succeeded.

The ASUS ROG Ally performance

I’ll be the first to admit my PC gaming needs are pretty basic, but the ROG Ally still exceeded my expectations. The older and indie titles like The Legend of Heroes: Trails In The Sky, Tales of Zestiria, Hi-Fi Rush, and Tunic all ran without a hitch using the handheld’s quiet setting. I tried more resource-intensive 3D games during my demo at an ASUS event two weeks before my review unit arrived, and those ran great, too—albeit only when the battery-sucking turbo setting was enabled. The only time I ran into trouble was trying to play Jet Grind Radio, which refused to launch no matter how many times I tried playing it. I deleted and re-downloaded it in case of a weird one-time bug, but the system didn’t play nice with SEGA’s high-octane, early-2000s title.

ASUS equipped its handheld with an eight-core Z1 processor, designed in-house explicitly for gaming. The system’s lower-end model comes with the standard Z1, which offers 2.9 teraflops of graphical performance, while the premium system’s Z1 Extreme tops out at 8.6 teraflops. There’s only a $100 difference between both configurations, and I recommend going with the higher-end one if you primarily play PC games. Casual users like myself could get away with the entry-level version without a hitch. Both ROG Ally handheld models are more powerful than the Steam Deck and blow the six-year-old Nintendo Switch out of the water.

I didn’t notice any stuttering or dropped frames when playing my games, which I expected, given their modest system requirements. Still, the experience of playing games on the ROG Ally was so good it felt natural to pick up the system and play. I could hit the power button mid-game, knowing I could return to it immediately once it was time to begin my next play session. The benefit of playing smaller titles with the screen brightness at roughly 75% was I could extend the battery life pretty far. I could get about four hours of gameplay per charge, which has more to do with the inefficiency of Windows than the ROG Ally’s battery size or the energy consumption of my games. There’s simply a lot of overhead to run a game on Windows, which is a shame.

I was happier with the fact that I could play the system for several hours at a time without my hands or arms feeling fatigued. The system’s angled shape made resting the system on my thighs while curled up on the couch feel as natural as holding it in front of me. The system’s 1.34-pound weight makes it feel appreciably lighter than the Steam Deck, which comes in at 1.47 pounds. In handheld gaming, every tenth of a pound counts and can make the difference between putting the system down because you want to and pausing your game session out of necessity.

The ROG Ally’s Z1 processor, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM (memory), 4GB of VRAM (video memory), and 512GB of storage gives the handheld enough overhead to future-proof it for a few years. The reality is playing a handheld PC will always be limiting because there’s only so much space for components and cooling. That said, it’s possible to play many of the latest games at high settings if you’re okay with limiting your battery life or keeping it plugged into a power source all the time.

The ASUS ROG Ally software

Every part of the ROG Ally’s experience that ASUS had direct control over is a grand slam. It’s the platonic ideal of a modern handheld gaming system, and I’m gobsmacked that the company got so much right on the first generation of a product. We’re talking original iPhone levels of hardware polish, and the design team should feel proud of the hardware’s performance, given its incredibly reasonable price.

Unfortunately, the system is hamstrung by Windows, the dominant operating system for PC gaming—and computers in general. It’s laudable that ASUS designed its Armoury Crate software to make gaming on the ROG Ally possible, but there’s no denying the system runs on a general-purpose operating system. Both the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch boot directly into software explicitly designed for games that are optimized for optimal performance. There are no unnecessary background tasks draining power and resources—the streamlined systems can download and play games, that’s it.

There are problems ASUS can’t address or fix because of Windows, even if the versatile operating system opens the door to turning the ROG Ally into an emulation powerhouse for nostalgic gamers who want to relive their childhood alongside playing the latest PC games as they come out. But the occasional awkwardness of navigating an operating system designed for traditional peripherals rather than analog sticks and buttons was a reminder of the ROG Ally’s main limitation.

ASUS’ options to address this issue are limited. It could develop its own operating system like Valve’s SteamOS, but that would take several years and untold resources to accomplish with very limited upside. it could shop the software around to other handheld PC makers, but that would mitigate its market advantage. The company could partner with Valve to launch the system with SteamOS installed. However, that’d require them to get the operating system up and running on custom-designed hardware and disallow gamers from playing titles on Xbox Game Pass or similar streaming services.

The ASUS ROG Ally vs. Valve’s Steam Deck

Many handheld PC gamers will be deciding between the Steam Deck and a Windows-based handheld for their portable gaming; honestly, there’s no right or wrong choice. The Steam Deck has worse tech specs—most notably a sub-1080P display—and a bigger chassis, but the streamlined nature of SteamOS makes it easier to pick up and play. The ROG Ally is svelter and more powerful, but you have to deal with the complexities of Windows and its constant additional power drain. If you’re a serious PC gamer, go with the ROG Ally; if you’re more casual, the Steam Deck is the better choice. If you want to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, well, get the Nintendo Switch OLED.

Final thoughts

The reason I keep harping on the downsides of Windows is that the ASUS ROG Ally is a nearly perfect piece of hardware. It’s better than all of its mainstream direct competitors and undercuts boutique handheld PC makers on price to the point of absurdity. Let me be clear: If you want to play PC games on the go, this is your best option by a long shot. But picking up the ASUS ROG Ally means dealing with the compromises of building a game console running general-purpose software. ASUS has done all it can to make the user experience as seamless as possible, but it’s hard not to think about the grand slam the company could have had if it had complete control over the hardware and software experience.

The post ASUS ROG Ally review: The best way to game on the go appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

The classics evoke a unique nostalgia that cannot be replicated. Bring back memories and get the Retro-Inspired Game Console with 620 Games Pre-Loaded for only $24.99.

In an era where gaming consoles have evolved to offer advanced graphics, immersive experiences, and online multiplayer, there is a certain charm in revisiting the simplicity of retro games. Pre-loaded with over 600 memorable 1980s-1990s classic games, you’ll get a blast from the past with this easy-to-use console. Pick from various categories—action, sports, racing, and more—and enjoy your gaming time from the comfort of your couch.

With so many gaming choices pre-loaded directly into the console, there’s bound to be something for everyone, resulting in endless hours of entertainment at your next family gathering or get-together with friends. This retro device will bring back memories or show new generations the games of the past. With titles like Super Mario Bros., Pac-Man, Tetris, X-Men, and Street Fighter II, the console pays homage to gaming legends and allows players to relive the joy and challenges that made these games iconic.

Measuring 5.12 inches x 3.94 inches, the compact console offers versatility with its TV-compatible AV system. The package includes the console, two controllers, and a TV AV adapter cable for seamless TV integration. With its intuitive menu system and simple controls, players can effortlessly navigate through the vast library of games. Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or looking for a gift for someone who loves games, this console is the ideal choice.

Verified buyer Catherine Greulich gave the console 5 out of 5 stars and wrote, “I didn’t know what to expect[,] but the game works great. Both adults and children love it! It is a great price too!”

Gear up for unfiltered access to memorable games with this jam-packed bundle.

While the Retro-Inspired Game Console with 620 Games Pre-loaded regularly sells for $27, you can purchase it for a limited time for $24.99. 

Prices subject to change. 

The post Relive the classics with this retro-inspired console featuring over 600 games appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

You might have 20 hours logged into realistic physics masterpiece The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but you can’t get the full experience of diving off sky islands and running away from the creepy, hand-like Gloom Spawn if you have a subpar gaming monitor. Solve that problem and get back to saving Hyrule—and save some cash while you’re at it—with up to 40% off Samsung monitors on Amazon.

Samsung 32″ Odyssey G65B QHD Curved Gaming Monitor $499.99 (Was $799.99)

Samsung

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If you’re looking for a step up from an HD gaming monitor but don’t want to pay 4K prices, find a happy meeting in QHD, which packs 1.7 times more pixel density than full HD. A 240Hz refresh rate means you’ll be able to fire off arrows at lickety-split speeds, and a 1000R curve gives you some ergonomics while you spend hours looking for Korok seeds.

Thankfully, if you’re looking just to upgrade your office monitor, Samsung has you covered there as well. The company’s 27-inch S39C monitor is ergonomically curved and on sale for $199.99, down from $269.99.

And don’t forget to pick up an HDMI cable to make a master connection so you can get that Master Sword. Ultimately, seeing is believing, and you’ll be happy you tried a monitor when questing for the Triforce. Don’t wait to add one to your inventory.

Here are more Samsung monitor deals to look at:

• SAMSUNG Odyssey G7 Series 27-Inch WQHD Gaming Monitor $499.99 (Was $699.99)
• SAMSUNG UR59 Series 32-Inch ViewFinity 4K UHD (3840×2160) Curved Computer Monitor $349.99 (Was $449.99)
• SAMSUNG 32″ Odyssey G65B QHD 240Hz 1ms (GTG) HDR 600 Gaming Hub 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor $499.99 (Was $799.99)
• SAMSUNG 27-Inch CF39 Series FHD 1080p Curved Computer Monitor $159.99 (Was $219.99)
• SAMSUNG 32″ M70B Series 4K UHD USB-C Smart Monitor & Streaming TV $299.99 (Was $399.99)
• SAMSUNG 43-Inch Odyssey Neo G7 Series 4K UHD Smart Gaming Monitor $699.99 (Was $999.99)
• SAMSUNG 34-Inch Odyssey G85SB Series QD-OLED Ultra WQHD Curved Gaming Monitor $1,299.99 (Was $1,499.99)
• SAMSUNG Odyssey G52A Series 32-Inch WQHD (2560×1440) Computer Monitor $369.99 (Was $529.99)
• SAMSUNG 28” Odyssey G70B Series 4K UHD Gaming Monitor $599.99 (Was $799.99)
• SAMSUNG CJ79 Series 34-Inch ViewFinity Ultrawide QHD (3440×1440) Computer Monitor $499.99 (Was $594.99)

The post Get a better glimpse of Hyrule when you take up to 40% off Samsung monitors appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B		SEE IT	The LG UltraGear 27GN650-B works delivers solid gaming specs and high performance for a rotating display.
Best for gaming		Asus VG248QG		SEE IT	The Asus VG248QG gives you competitive speed at a very low price.
Best for coding		BenQ PD2700U		SEE IT	Computer programmers don’t have to choose between productivity and comfort with the BenQ PD2700U.

Add a vertical monitor to your setup and you can drastically improve the way you work and game. If you’re crunched for space or primarily use it as a secondary display to show a long, scrolling website like Twitter or Facebook, the best vertical monitors give you useful options for optimizing your setup.

Rotating a display from landscape to portrait mode can convey ergonomic benefits as well. In vertical (or portrait mode) you aren’t moving your eyes, head, and neck from left to right as much. Less movement results in a more comfortable viewing experience. Plus, it’s easier to scroll up and down than from left to right (don’t take my word for it, look at the scrolling design of your mouse!).

Vertical monitors are still a relatively new concept, so it’s not a standard feature. It’s also only one part of the display: You still need to judge core elements like resolution, size, and refresh rate, to name a few. Realistically, you don’t need top specs if you’re looking for a secondary screen to flip. Still, the best vertical monitors do more than just rotate, and here are our picks to add this extra efficiency feature into your workflow. 

• Best overall: LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B
• Best for gaming: Asus VG248QG
• Best for coding: BenQ PD2700U
• Best for streaming: Dell 25 Gaming Monitor (S2522HG)
• Best 4K: Philips Brilliance 279P1
• Best portable: KYY K3 
• Best budget: HP VH240a

How we chose the best vertical monitors

As a freelance journalist for over 10 years, I’ve reviewed home and tech products for many publications, including Popular Science, CNN Underscored, NBC News Select, Popular Mechanics, Architectural Digest, Tom’s Guide, The Daily Beast, USA Today’s Reviewed, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and Bob Vila. Our vertical monitor selections are based on personal testing, extensive research, recommendations from experts and fellow critics, and user impressions.

The best vertical monitors: Reviews & Recommendations

Vertical monitors are still a relatively new concept, so it isn’t a universal feature. That said, there are plenty of great ones at various price points with wildly varying specs. Some have a better framerate, and others have a better response time. They also vary in size and price. However, at least one of these monitors should have everything you need, whether you’re rotating your primary display or keeping a secondary screen permanently vertical on the side.

Best overall: LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B

LG

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: For the price, this monitor combines the best features and also has plenty of inputs.

Specs

• Size: 27-inch
• Resolution: 2560 x 1440
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• Response time: 1ms
• Ports:  2 x HDMI 2.0, USB 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4, 3.5mm Audio

Pros

• Clear, impressive image
• Adjustable height and angle
• Plenty of inputs
• Anti-glare coating

Cons

• No built-in speakers

The LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B Monitor has the perfect number of features without costing an arm and a leg. The generous 27-inch 1440p monitor provides plenty of screen real estate and great viewing angles, whether you’re viewing it vertically or horizontally. It’s good for both work and gaming, with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. There are also many inputs, including two HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.0, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Last but not least, it also offers nice adjustability: Both the stand’s height and the monitor’s angle can be adjusted, and the stand has a cable holder in the back. 

Best for gaming: ASUS VG248QG

ASUS

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: For a sub-$200 monitor, the Asus VG248QG gives you incredible speedy specs, including 165Hz refresh rate and a 0.5ms response time.

Specs

• Size: 24-inch
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 165Hz
• Response time: 0.5ms
• Ports: HDMI 1.4, DVID, DisplayPort 1.2, headphone jack, Audio In

Pros

• High refresh rate
• Tilts, swivels, height adjustable
• Numerous inputs
• Eye care

Cons

• No built-in speakers

We’re beyond impressed with the ASUS VG248QG. It features some strong specs for a gaming monitor that costs less than $200, including a 165Hz refresh rate and a 0.5ms response time. The 24-inch display features a stand that rotates, tilts, swivels, and features height adjustment options, making it an ergonomic choice. It also features eye-strain protections, including an anti-glare screen and blue light filter. Throw in Nvidia G-Sync compatibility to minimize your screen tearing and you’ve got a very solid gaming monitor for a very nice price. 

Best for coding: BenQ PD2700U

BenQ

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Buy it used or refurbished: Amazon

Why it made the cut: With 4K resolution, dual control, and three viewing modes, the BenQ PD2700U lets coders and other professionals maximize their work time and space.

Specs

• Size: 27-inch
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Response time: 5ms
• Ports: HDMI 1.4, 2 x DisplayPort 1.4, 4 x USB 3.0 ports, 2 x USB Type-B, 3.5mm audio

Pros

• Excellent image, brightness, and colors
• Dual view and dual control
• Swivel, tilt, and adjust height
• 3 viewing modes
• Eye care features

Cons

• No built-in speakers

The BenQ PD27000U does double duty as a great vertical monitor for programmers and a great choice for creative pros looking to avoid spending a fortune. The larger 27-inch 4K panel makes it easier to see small details, but it’s really the display’s strong color accuracy—100% sRGB and 100% Rec.709 color—that keeps creative projects looking sharp.

There are three specialty settings for different types of creative work: A darkroom mode for photographers, CAD/CAM mode for designers, and an animation mode that highlights dark spaces without reducing color accuracy. It also features a dual-view mode, which lets you view an image in two images side-by-side, or a single image in two different specialty modes.

It also comes with a built-in Keyboard Video Mouse (KVM) switch, which lets you use the same keyboard and mouse to control two different laptops feeding into the monitor. It also features anti-glare, blue light filters, and a flicker-free setting to reduce eye strain.

Best for streaming: Dell 25 Gaming Monitor (S2522HG)

Dell

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: With a 240Hz refresh rate, crystal clear picture, and ambient lighting, the Dell S2522HG makes it easy to see what you’re doing and put your best foot forward.

Specs

• Size: 25-inch
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• Response time: 1ms
• Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, 5 x USB 3.2 ports, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros

• Clear, colorful images
• Super fast
• Ambient lighting
• Lots of ports

Cons

• No built-in speakers

The Dell S2522HG is a very affordable, very fast gaming monitor with features that make it a strong pick for streamers. The 25-inch 1080p IPS panel features strong color accuracy, making it a good fit for content creation. With an esports-grade 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time allow for snappy gameplay. It also features ComfortView blue light reduction, which helps you avoid eye strain from blue light when you’re streaming for a long time. 

It’s also a very adjustable monitor, with swivel, tilt, and height adjustment options on the stand. Last, but not least, it has a ton of ports, including two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, five USB 3.2 ports, which will come in handy as your streaming setup expands.

Best 4K: Philips Brilliance 279P1

Philips Computer Monitors

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Philips Brilliance 279P1 is a slick, affordable 4K USB-C display.

Specs

• Size: 27-inch
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Response time: 4ms
• Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C, 4 x USB 3.0, 3.5mm audio out, Ethernet

Pros

• Stunning images
• Supports USB-C connection, which charges laptops
• Built-in Speakers
• Swivel, tilt, and also adjust the stand’s height  

Cons

• 4K is overkill for most vertical applications

Certain features usually push the price of a monitor sky-high. The ability to connect a PC via USB-C is one, as is offering 4K resolution. It is impressive, then, that the Philips Brilliance 279P1 offers both for less than $500. While not cheap, it’s a very solid value for both features. The 279P1 provides extremely clear, extremely detailed images and features an “Easy Read” setting that increases contrast and adjusts brightness for reading text files. The monitor is height adjustable and also tilts and swivels. Inputs include two HDMI ports, in addition to DisplayPort, four USB ports, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio out.

Best portable monitor: KYY K3

KYY

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The KYY K3 is an easy-to-use portable display for when you need a vertical monitor away from home.

Specs

• Size: 15.6-inch
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Response time: N/A
• Ports: Mini HDMI, 2 x USB-C, 3.5mm audio in

Pros

• Lightweight
• Cover serves as a stand
• Built-in speakers

Cons

• Limited ports

If you need a portable monitor that you can toss in your bag and that works well in vertical mode with any additional support, we recommend the KYY 15.6-inch Portable Monitor. It’s small—lighter than an iPad—but still outputs at 1080p like most of the full-size monitors on our list. It connects via HDMI or USB-C to connect your laptop, smartphone, or game console. Though the monitor comes with a smart cover that doubles as a stand for landscape mode, the KYY K3 also works as a portrait, or vertical, display.

Best budget: HP VH240a

HP

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: If you plan to set a monitor vertically and leave it that way, the HP VH240a does everything you need and doesn’t cost much.

Specs

• Size: 24-inch
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Response time: 5ms
• Ports: HDMI, VGA

Pros

• Great price
• Built-in speakers
• Height adjustable

Cons

• No DisplayPort

The HP VH240a is a stellar monitor to buy specifically for a permanent vertical setup. For less than $200, about as little as you can spend on a new monitor, you’ll get a decent 1080p productivity display with a highly adjustable stand and slim bezels. Obviously, any recommendation in this price range comes with caveats. Aside from baseline specs, the VH240a cannot connect to your PC via DisplayPort, which may be a non-starter for some people.

What to consider when picking one of the best vertical monitors

The concept of a “vertical monitor” is kind of a misnomer. Most monitors, our selections included, aren’t explicitly designed to be used in landscape orientation. On top of that, most people aren’t going to use their primary display in a vertical orientation. For most people, including some of PopSci’s staff, your vertical monitor is the secondary screen that you turn for Slack or Twitter or whatever you prefer.

Given that, the best vertical monitors are usually budget-friendly generalist displays. You don’t need a high refresh rate for a vertical monitor. You usually don’t need 4K resolution or the most precise color accuracy. Obviously, those things never hurt, but all we’re really looking for is a decent display that can turn on its stand but would also work well as your primary monitor.

Size

Size is more important than usual with vertical monitors, as much of the speed and color accuracy-related matter considerably less when you plan to use a monitor vertically. Picking a larger monitor will also allow you to see your vertically-oriented content more easily at glance. If you’re looking at real-time analytics or audio levels, a bigger display makes it easier to see small nuances quickly.

If you’re in a tight space, don’t forget that your monitor’s dimensions change drastically when rotated vertically. If you have a monitor that’s 27 inches wide and 14 inches tall, the monitor will be 13 inches higher when you flip it. Also, keep in mind that you may need to adjust your chair to view the monitor comfortably if you’re adding a second monitor for the first time. If you need a more dynamic space to make sure everything lines up, we recommend looking for an adjustable standing desk or a monitor arm to give yourself more flexibility.

Resolution

Resolution refers to how many pixels your monitor displays on-screen, horizontally and vertically. These numbers determine the quality of the image displayed on the monitor. Most modern monitors come in one of three standard resolutions: 

1920 x 1080, also called 1080p or Full HD, is the baseline resolution for smaller and less expensive displays. We recommend 1080p displays for 24-inch monitors and work-from-home setups. In most cases, 1080p will be the best choice for a vertical monitor.

2560 x 1440, commonly known as 1440p or Quad HD, is a sharper resolution. Popular Science often refers to 1440p as a “sweet spot” for gaming monitors, as it allows players with mid-range or powerful gaming PCs to play many games at higher frame rates.

3840 x 2160, or 4K UHD for short, is the highest resolution you’ll see on a monitor. Unlike TVs, 4K resolution is definitely considered a luxury in a monitor. Unless you want the best image quality possible, 4K is overkill most of the time. If you’re planning to buy a very big monitor, 32 inches or larger, you might want to consider 4K to keep the picture looking as sharp as possible.

Refresh rate and response time

A monitor’s refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), tells you how many times your screen can update what’s happening on screen each second. Most productivity monitors feature a refresh rate at 60Hz, which works perfectly well for web browsing, word processing, and other everyday computing. If you’re a gamer, streamer, or doing intensive photo and video editing and you don’t want a highly specialized (and probably noticeably more expensive) monitor, we recommend picking a gaming monitor—particularly one with a 144Hz refresh rate, which allows for smoother animation.

Response time refers to the very small amount of input lag that your monitor introduces in sending actions from your keyboard or mouse to your computer, and then to your screen. Response time is a minor concern for most productivity monitors, including a vertical monitor. It is primarily a concern in competitive gaming. When looking at gaming monitors, we suggest looking for at least a 1ms response time, which is very common.

Connectivity

Before picking up a monitor, ensure it has the appropriate number of ports or inputs for your devices. Most modern monitors feature HDMI and DisplayPort connections to connect to a computer. Many also have USB ports to connect and charge additional devices. If you’re using an old PC, remember that you may need an adapter to connect over older connections like DVI.

Other features

By definition, all of the vertical monitors on our list can be rotated vertically. However, you may also find it important to adjust the monitor’s height or tilt it as well, which some stands allow and others do not. Likewise, some, but not all, monitors come with built-in speakers to play music or a built-in webcam.

FAQs 

Final thoughts on the best vertical monitors

• Best overall: LG UltraGear 27GL83A-B
• Best for gaming: Asus VG248QG
• Best for coding: BenQ PD2700U
• Best for streaming: Dell 25 Gaming Monitor (S2522HG)
• Best 4K: Philips Brilliance 279P1
• Best portable: KYY K3 
• Best budget: HP VH240a

Flipping a monitor 90 degrees to give yourself some scrolling room can be very useful, whether you’re looking at social media, coding, or reading long documents. If you’re buying a monitor with a vertical setup in mind, remember that it’s very easy to go overboard on the specs. You really don’t need a high refresh rate, 4K resolution, or best-in-class color accuracy for most of the applications where a vertical monitor makes the most sense.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best vertical monitors in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Asus ROG Swift		SEE IT	The Asus ROG Swift is expensive but offers one of the best experiences at this size.
Best budget		Acer CB242Y		SEE IT	It’s small at just 24 inches, but the Acer CB242Y is a solid monitor that offers a vibrant picture and solid contrast.
Best 4K monitor		Acer Nitro XV282K		SEE IT	The Acer Nitro XV282K features a 28-inch 4K IPS display, 144Hz refresh rate, and all the ports you need.

Whether you’re planning to stream on Twitch, or simply don’t have a ton of space, sometimes it makes sense to play your consoles on a monitor instead of a TV. If your console of choice is the quasi-retired PlayStation 4, you can get a monitor that suits your needs for a very affordable price. Whether you have a standard PS4 or the 4K-capable PS4 Pro, these are the best monitors for PS4.

• Best overall: Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX
• Best 4K monitor: Acer Nitro XV282K
• Best curved monitor: AOC C27G2Z
• Best budget: Acer CB242Y

How we picked the best monitors for PS4

I’ve been writing about TVs, monitors, and PC gaming for the past 10 years, and keep up with new advances in the industry. Between my work at PopSci and writing for TechnoBuffalo, I’ve also tested gaming monitors from many manufacturers over the years.

To select the best monitors for PS4, I drew on my own personal testing experience, as well as reviews from experts specializing in display technology and impressions from consumers. Our top monitors offer the best overall value with a strong balance between refresh rate and price.

The best monitors for PS4: Reviews & Recommendations

You don’t need a great gaming monitor to get the most of your PS4—you only need 1080p/60Hz. The best monitors for PS4, we believe, go beyond that standard so you can get solid budget or mid-level performance on PC as well, without forcing you to spend more money than you need for an ideal gaming experience on your console of choice.

Best overall: Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX

ASUS

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX features a 32-inch 4K display and a peak brightness of 1,400 nits.

Specs

• Resolution: 3840×2160
• Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• Size: 32-inch
• Ports: 3 x HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4
• Panel Type: IPS
• HDR: HDR10

Pros

• Big, sharp picture
• Ample ports
• HDR

Cons

• Very expensive

The Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX is a top-flight gaming monitor for any console, not just PS4. The 32-inch 4K display supports a 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,400 nits, so you’ll really get the full effect of HDR. This monitor features a mini-LED backlight, unlike the other monitors on this list, and features a max brightness of 500 nits. The biggest downside is the monitor is a little large at 32 inches, so if you’re sitting up close, the PS4’s 1080p output might not look amazing. Still, your eyes might not care after getting blasted with 1,400 nits of Bloodborne.

Best 4K monitor: Acer Nitro XV282K

Acer

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Acer Nitro XV282K features a 28-inch 4K IPS display, 144Hz refresh rate, and all the ports you need.

Specs

• Resolution: 3480×2160
• Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• Size: 28-inch
• Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.2, 4 x USB
• Panel Type: IPS
• HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 400

Pros

• 4K resolution
• VESA DisplayHDR 400
• HDMI 2.1

Cons

• Expensive

With a 28-inch 4K IPS display, 144Hz refresh rate, and two HDMI 2.1 ports, the Acer Nitro XV282K is overkill for the PS4. It’s a much better match for the PS4 Pro or PS5, the latter of which is capable of gaming at 4K 120Hz. Like our budget pick, the Nitro XV282K has an adjustable stand and supports a 1ms response time. It also features two HDMI 2.1 ports, so you can enjoy the benefits of the new standard if you upgrade to a PS5 or Xbox Series X.

Best curved monitor: AOC C27G2Z

AOC

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The AOC C27G2Z features a 1500R curve, plenty of ports, and FreeSync support.

Specs

• Resolution: 1920×1080
• Refresh Rate: 240Hz
• Size: 27-inch
• Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2
• Panel Type: IPS
• HDR: No

Pros

• Curved display
• Ample ports
• 240Hz refresh rate
• 0.5ms response time

Cons

• No HDR

Curved displays aren’t for everyone, since they force you to sit directly front and center, but the AOC C27G2Z makes a strong case for checking one out. The 27-inch VA 1080p display has a 1500R curvature, 240Hz refresh rate, and 0.5Ms response time. It’s also Freesync compatible and includes two HDMI 2.0 ports, so you can plug in your PS4 and PC. There’s no HDR and the display is fairly dim at 250 nits, but the 27-inch curved display offers a sharp, immersive experience.

Best budget: Acer CB242Y

Acer

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Acer CB242Y offers a great 24-inch IPS panel and a fantastic adjustable stand that’s height adjustable and can pivot 90 degrees.

Specs

• Resolution: 1920×1080
• Refresh Rate: 75Hz
• Size: 24-inch
• Ports: HDMI, VGA
• Panel Type: IPS
• HDR: No

Pros

• Small and lightweight
• Adjustable stand
• Slim display bezels

Cons

• 250 nit brightness

The Acer CB242Y may seem on the small side at 24 inches, but it’s a perfectly good size for a 1080p display, especially when it’s sitting within arm’s reach on your desk. The 1080p, IPS panel offers great color-accuracy and decent contrast. Normally, its 75Hz refresh rate would disqualify it from consideration, but it’s just the right speed for the PS4. The monitor also supports FreeSync technology, which helps eliminate screen tearing on PC, although the PS4 doesn’t support the feature.

The best part about the Acer CB242Y is its stand, which is height adjustable and can tilt, swivel, and pivot 90 degrees. The stand makes it easy to adjust the monitor for the best possible viewing experience.

What to look for when choosing the best monitors for PS4

Standard specs for monitors have evolved significantly since the PS4 launched in 2013. Models at every price point support faster refresh rates, higher resolutions, and better display technology. As such, the best gaming monitors available sport specs well beyond the PS4’s capabilities.

The standard PS4 aims to run games in 1080p at 60 frames per second over an HDMI 2.0a connection, which enables high dynamic range (HDR). The more powerful PS4 Pro features support for 4K at 60fps, with support for HDMI 2.0b. In both cases, you have a very specific cap on what your console can do, so it pays to get a monitor that’s just powerful enough to meet those needs.

Size and resolution

When we talk about monitor size, we’re referring to the diagonal length of the screen, from corner to corner, in inches. Resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen (width by height). Although the PS4 supports a max resolution of 1920×1080 (Full HD), some monitors support 2560×1440 (Quad HD) and 3840×2160 (Ultra HD).

When choosing a monitor, it’s important to remember that the size and resolution are inherently connected when generating a clear picture. A monitor’s size and resolution are linked because the image quality can suffer depending on the combination you get. A large monitor with a low resolution can look blurry, particularly when sitting close.

Since the PS4’s top resolution is 1080p, you’ll want to choose a monitor on the smaller side. We recommend picking up a monitor with a display that’s 27 inches or under; otherwise, your games may not look as sharp as they would on a smaller screen. If you have a PS4 Pro and want to play in 4K, we recommend going all out and getting a large monitor—32 inches or more. 

One last thing to keep in mind: Neither the PS4 nor the PS4 Pro support 2560 x 1440 resolution, also known as 1440p or Quad HD. If you’re buying a monitor specifically to play PS4 games, you should avoid buying a 1440p monitor as a reach for the PS4 or a compromise pick for the PS4 Pro.

Refresh rate

Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), refers to the number of times your monitor can draw and redraw what’s happening on the screen. It’s been a core feature of monitors for years and has only gotten more advanced. Some monitors today top out at 360Hz, which is far more than what a PS4 can support. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the animations. If you play online games like Call of Duty: Vanguard, a higher refresh rate will help you respond more quickly to the action taking place.

Usually, we recommend players buy a gaming monitor with a top refresh rate of 144Hz, which allows players to run most games with uncapped frame rates on a powerful PC. That said, PS4 supports a refresh rate up to only 60fps, so you won’t need a monitor that supports anything higher. (This is especially helpful on the PS4 Pro since many 4K monitors max out at 60Hz.)

There is one extra wrinkle here. The now 18-month-old PlayStation 5 can play some games in 4K resolution at 120fps. If you’re planning to upgrade to the new console in the near future—supplies permitting—it may make sense to buy a 4K monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate. For more advice on futureproofing, check out our guide to the best monitors for PS5.

Panel type

Most monitors use Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panels lit by LED backlights, and there are a few different types to choose from that offer various levels of quality. For this roundup, we focused on two panel types used most often by display manufacturers: vertical alignment, or VA, and in-plane switching, or IPS.

Monitors with IPS panels offer the best color performance among its peers, often providing 95% or higher of DCI-P3, the widest color gamut used in the film industry. They also tend to bring black levels to their most extreme, making it difficult to distinguish details in dark scenes.

VA panels offer excellent contrast, refresh rates, and response times. They also provide impressive colors, often reaching the Adobe RGB color gamut. Due to the remarkable contrast ratio of VA panels, they work well with HDR content. That said, VA panels tend to have poor viewing angles, so you want to sit directly in front of them to get the best experience.

High dynamic range (HDR)

High dynamic range, or HDR, is a display technology that allows a monitor or TV to show greater detail in scenes with higher contrast. Imagine a game that needs to show dim and bright light simultaneously. With HDR, a monitor can accurately show details in challenging light scenarios and offer richer, more vibrant colors.

The PS4 supports HDR10, an open standard for the tech common among TVs. It calls for screen brightness of up to 1,000 nits. While HDR has been a common feature in TVs for years now, it’s less common in monitors. Generally, monitors that support HDR offer only basic HDR performance, which may be due to the monitor’s limited brightness and lack of local dimming technology, which can dim specific parts of a screen. Generally speaking, you need a brighter screen for HDR to work well—a dim screen will not be able to differentiate between high- and low-lit areas at the same time.

While comparing monitors, you may notice that some monitors list support for HDR according to the VESA DisplayHDR certification program, rather than mentioning HDR10 or Dolby Vision, the most common choices among TVs. The Video Electronics Standards Association, or VESA, ranks HDR performance from best to worst: 1400, 1000, 600, 500, and 400. Often, cheaper monitors with support for HDR will fall on the lower end of the spectrum with a rating of 400. For the best HDR experience while gaming, you want a monitor that offers VESA DisplayHDR 600 or above.

Lastly, since great 1080p monitors with HDR support and high brightness are rare and often expensive, it’s worth noting that not all PS4 games support HDR. Push Square has a list of HDR-compatible PS4 games, which is long but focused on AAA games from the second half of the PS4’s lifespan. Only select games available for PS4 support HDR, including Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Last of Us 2. You may need to enable it on the console and in the game you’re playing to use the feature.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best monitors for PS4

Almost every monitor we researched had the basic specs necessary to make the PS4 shine. Most great monitors far exceed the console’s simple resolution and frame rate needs. Unless you care strongly about high dynamic range, you have a wide array of worthy choices. That said, if you’re buying a new monitor to pair with a PS4, it wouldn’t hurt to choose something with an eye toward what can also get the most out of a PS5.

The post The best monitors for PS4 in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Secretlab Magnus Metal Desk		SEE IT	The Secretlab Magnus desk is simple, well-designed, and features more than a few modular upgrades for customization.
Best computer desk		Cooler Master GD160 ARGB		SEE IT	The Cooler Master GD160 ARGB is a great standing desk with RGB lighting and other gaming-centric features.
Best budget		SEVEN WARRIOR Gaming Desk		SEE IT	The Seven Warrior gaming desk offers gaming-focused features at an unusually affordable price.

Every PC and console needs a home, and a great gaming desk can be where you build up a dynamic, ergonomic arsenal. There are so many options to choose from, including hundreds of dedicated desktops. A good one can live with you for years and shape your PC gaming experience with a stylish surface and helpful features like built-in USB ports, LED lighting, and extra storage. Not all gaming desks are created equal, though. Let’s talk about what’s special about the best gaming desks and how to pick the right one for you.

• Best overall: Secretlab Magnus Metal Desk 
• Best computer desk: Cooler Master GD160 ARGB 
• Best converter: VIVO Extra Wide Corner Height Adjustable 38-inch Stand-up Desk Converter 
• Best L-shaped desk: ODK L-Shaped Gaming Desk 
• Best standing desk: Eureka Ergonomic 65-inch Standing Desk
• Best with storage: GIKPAL Computer Desk with Drawer
• Best budget: SEVEN WARRIOR Gaming Desk

How we chose the best gaming desks

Over the last 17 years, I’ve set up gaming rigs using everything from folding tables to expensive solid wood standing desks. I pride myself on creating battlestations that are as eye-catching as they are reliable. As a member of the tech press for the last eight years—writing for sites like IGN, Reviewed, and Tom’s Hardware—I’ve had more opportunities than most to build systems and create gaming areas for friends, family, and colleagues. With all that hands-on time building PC gaming setups and testing out high-performance laptops, I’ve developed a good eye for what makes a good desk for gaming.

To make these recommendations, I did extensive research, pulling recommendations from the PC gaming community and cross-checking them with user impressions of the products and manufacturers. There is no best gaming desk for every user, but every selection in this list is at the top of its class and well worth your consideration.

The best gaming desks: Reviews & Recommendations

Unlike most gaming-focused gear, the world of gaming desks doesn’t have an established set of trusted manufacturers. They come in countless shapes and sizes, ranging from cheap to exorbitantly expensive. Now that you know what to look for, you’re ready to pick a gaming desk on your own. To help you get started, take a look at our current favorites.

Best overall: Secretlab Magnus Metal Desk

Secretlab

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Why it made the cut: The Secretlab Magnus blends high-quality craftsmanship, style, and an innovative design to deliver class-leading quality.

Specs

• Desktop dimensions: 59 x 28 inches (width x depth)
• Height: 29 inches 
• Special features: RGB lighting, cable management, magnetic accessory kits (sold separately)
• Maximum supported weight: 220 pounds
• Price at time of publication: $549

Pros

• Great build quality
• Very stylish
• Effective cable management system included 
• Plentiful options for desktop customization

Cons

• Desk mat not included
• Accessory kits cost extra

The Secretlab Magnus sets the standard for the modern gaming desk. It features an exceptionally sleek style with its dark, gunmetal body, but takes that a step further with an RGB strip hidden in its real cable tray. With a durable steel frame, this desk is sturdy enough to hold over 200 pounds of gaming equipment. Even with a decked-out gaming PC and massive monitor, you’ll never need to worry about it wobbling or collapsing.

Apart from its understated aesthetic and strong build quality, the Magnus desk has a uniquely attractive key feature—modular upgrades that magnetically latch onto the desk’s steel frame. The magnetic “ecosystem” of attachments runs the gamut from cable anchors and sheaths to headphone hangers to a magnetic desk mat.

Those upgrades are also Magnus’ biggest flaw: These are optional add-ons that heap onto Magnus’s already high price tag. The basic Magnus, for $549, includes the basic frame and a cable management tray. The other attachments cost between $13-$79 apiece. Even the basic Magnus is a really nice, solid, gaming desk, but taking full advantage of its features requires a serious spend.

Best computer desk: Cooler Master GD160 ARGB

Cooler Master

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Why it made the cut: The Cooler Master GD160 RGB brings standing desks and gaming desks together in a stylish and functional package 

Specs

• Desktop dimensions: 63 x 30 inches (width x depth)
• Height: 25.6-51.4 inches
• Maximum supported weight: 220.5 pounds
• Special features: RGB lighting, USB charging port, cable management, motorized adjustment for sitting/standing
• Price at time of publication: $799

Pros

• Wide surface area
• Front and rear RGB
• Cable management
• Full height adjustment

Cons

• Expensive
• Complicated assembly

The Cooler Master GD160 ARGB brings a full range of features to play, including RGB lighting, a USB-charging port, and the ability to adjust from seated to standing and back on the fly. Its dual-motor provides fast and quiet lifting power up to 220 pounds while reducing wear and tear that builds on a standard standing desk motor. Short of laying on the desk, you’ll never have to second-guess whether you’re overloading the frame.

Cooler Master’s signature purple accents are immediately eye-catching, but it’s the desk’s integrated RGB lighting that really steals the show. Customizable front and rear lighting elements shine throughout your gaming room, lighting up the wall behind your desk. An included cable management tray keeps your cables hidden and your setup tidy. It lacks some of the smaller flourishes, like a headphone hanger and cup holder, but features an extra useful perk: a USB-A port behind the control pad to charge your phone.

It’s an exceptional desk, but it has an exceptionally high price to match: $799. The GD160 ARGB is expensive, even compared to other standing desks. On top of that, the standing desk mechanics make this a tough build. If you’re willing to spend the money and have a friend to help you put it together, it has the perks to satisfy players who invest.

Best converter: VIVO Extra Wide Corner Height Adjustable 38-inch Stand-up Desk Converter 

VIVO

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Add this simple monitor stand to any desk to incorporate standing-desk functionality on a budget.

Specs

• Desktop dimensions: 37.5 x 18 inches (length x depth)
• Height: 4.8-20 inches
• Special features: 33-pound lift assist
• Maximum supported weight: 33 pounds
• Price at time of publication: $189.99

Pros

• Spacious enough for two monitors
• Lift assistance makes adjustments fast and easy
• Keyboard tray preserves desk space
• Limited assembly

Cons

• Bulky
• Doesn’t look great

If you’re interested in trying a standing desk but don’t want to buy a whole new piece of furniture, a monitor stand like the VIVO Extra Wide Desk Converter can help you get the best of both worlds on your current desk. The 37.5- x 18-inch surface is large enough to hold two reasonably sized monitors (or maybe one ultrawide curved one), with plenty of room for pictures, chargers, and other essentials. Once it’s in place, a lever triggers a pneumatic piston to easily raise or lower its spacious surface up to 20 inches above the surface of your desk. With only a few minutes of assembly, you’ll be able to find the perfect position for your gaming rig and stay competitive even when it’s time to stand up and stretch your legs. Not every folding or portable desk is perfect for gaming, but this one is.

Want to make things even easier? VIVO also sells a larger, motorized version for only $100 more. Since it’s an add-on for an existing desk rather than a new piece of furniture, we feel the pneumatic version will make more sense for most people. To get the full experience with a motorized standing desk, there’s no substitute for a desk designed for that purpose from the ground up.

Best L-shaped desk: ODK L-Shaped Gaming Desk 

ODK

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The ODK L-Shaped Gaming Desk combines two desks into one, and comes with extra accessories.

Specs

• Dimensions: 47 x 59 inches (Length x Depth)
• Height: 29.83 inches
• Special features: Spacious surface area, headphone hanger, monitor riser, and additional storage cubby included
• Maximum supported weight: N/A
• Price at time of publication: $118.99

Pros

• Huge surface area
• Sturdy metal frame
• Added storage
• Useful accessories
• Affordably priced

Cons

• Lacks gaming flair
• Challenging assembly
• No cable management

ODK’s L-Shaped Gaming Desk offers outstanding value, whether you’re a gamer or just in need of a massive corner desk. It combines two surfaces: a long surface for your traditional PC setup and a shorter right side where you can put your computer tower, game consoles, or have a secondary space for other things. It doesn’t scream “gamer,” but has plenty of functional benefits for PC players.

In addition to its expansive surface area, the ODK gaming desk has many accessories that enhance its functionality, including a moveable monitor stand, an iron headphone hook, and an attachable storage bin for controllers and cables. This desk isn’t just about added space; it’s about creating functional space.

At $118.99, this desk borders on shockingly cheap, partly because ODK isn’t a well-known brand. That said, this desk has earned glowing reviews from users, who praise its durability, overall quality, and value. It has also attracted some negative feedback as well, namely that it is not easy to assemble.

If you like the design of the OKL but want a little bit more color and extra “gaming” flair, the Bestier L-Shaped Gaming Computer Desk features a similar frame, plus features like LED lighting and a cup holder, for a slightly pricier $161.99.

Best standing desk: Eureka Ergonomic 62-inch Standing Desk

EUREKA ERGONOMIC

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Eureka Ergonomic Standing Desk has a huge surface and gaming-first features.

Specs

• Dimensions: 27 x 62 inches (Length x Depth)
• Height: 29.92-48.43 inches
• Special features: Wide surface area, dual headphone hanger, cup holder, custom desk mat
• Maximum supported weight: 220 pounds
• Price at time of publication: $499.99

Pros

• Well-priced for size and features
• Included accessories designed around gaming
• Extra desk space compared to most gaming desks
• Aggressive aesthetics 

Cons

• Complicated assembly 
• Limited height range
• Limited RGB settings

We have something you need to see if you’re looking for an exceptionally large standing desk designed for gaming at a surprisingly reasonable price. At 62 by 28 inches, the Eureka Ergonomic 65-inch Standing Desk is wide enough to comfortably seat two people for side-by-side co-op. If you’re more interested in solo play, that extra space makes room for speakers, a tower, a big-screen gaming monitor, or multiple displays to truly make a showpiece battlestation. Knowing that you’re likely to have extra wires with the larger desk surface, Eureka has included two cable grommets that lead to an included cable management tray to keep the desk looking clean and tidy.  

Along the left and right sides, you’ll find a headphone hanger and cup holder, as well as customizable LED strips to position your own lighting elements. There’s also a rack to hold your favorite games and a pair of controllers, doubling as a USB hub. Topping it off, a custom-fit desk pad spans the entire desk surface without blocking the two wire grommets. Little details like that really make this desk feel like it’s designed specifically for PC gaming.

The standing functionality really feels like icing on the cake. Using the included control pad, the entire desk can raise up to 48 inches or lower to 30 inches for standard seating height. That’s a smaller range than other gaming desks with standing adjustability, including the Cooler Master GD160 ARGB. Standing-desk maker Autonomous has found that the average standing desk height for 5’11” users is 44 inches. Likewise, a standard desk for a user around this height is roughly 30 inches. That means you may need a taller chair to use this desk sitting down.

Even for a standing desk, this Eureka desk requires much time to build. Nothing with this desk comes pre-assembled, even the desktop. You’ll need to do everything from bolting both halves of the desk to piecing together the frame, connecting the wires, and screwing on the accessories. However, given all this desk offers, the end result is worth the extra effort upfront.

Best with storage: GIKPAL Computer Desk with Drawer

GIKPAL

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Why it made the cut: This spacious desk has enough shelves and drawers to hold all your accessories, so you can always work on a clean desktop.  

Specs

• Dimensions: 19.7 inches x 47.2 inches (Length x Width)
• Height: 33.8 inches
• Special features: Two drawers, two shelves, a raised desktop-computer space, a built-in monitor stand, integrated USB ports and power outlets
• Maximum supported weight: N/A
• Price at time of publication: $149.99

Pros

• Multiple storage areas
• Integrated USB ports and oulets
• Built-in monitor stand

Cons

• Company does not provided maximum supported weight

Anyone who uses the same desk for work and gaming knows the importance (and difficulty) of keeping your space clean. Tech accessories, pencils and pens, plates, glasses, and everything else end up cluttering up a place that should be used for work and play. GIKPAL addressed all of these issues with its gaming desk, which has shelves, drawers, and a very clever integrated cable management system.

This desk’s drawers are the perfect place to store controllers, external hard drives, battery packs, carrying cases, games, or any other peripheral that isn’t always necessary. You can even use them to store your mouse and keyboard if you prefer to play PC games with a controller or have a console hooked up to the same monitor. If you play games on a desktop PC, you can make use of this desk’s bottom-right shelf, which was designed for this style of computer. Keeping your desktop elevated will make it easier to reach and provide a buffer if your computer room floods.

The pair of shelves on the left-hand side of the desk are the perfect size for game consoles or VR headsets. If you play physical games, you can keep the titles you’re jumping between most often on them too. This is the only gaming desk we’re recommending with a built-in monitor stand, which can greatly improve the ergonomics of your setup if you’re using a display that doesn’t have height adjustment. The space between the desktop and the top of the riser is just big enough for smaller speakers or a slim console if you really want to maximize your space.

If you’ve struggled with cable management before, GIMPAL has you covered. The company has built a three-outlet power strip into the top of this desk, which also features a pair of USB-A ports for charging your devices. You can snake the power strip’s cable down the leg of the desk and into an outlet behind your setup. If you have a lot of tech accessories that require power or opt to keep a console between the desktop and monitor riser, this is a key feature.

GIMPAL declined to provide a maximum weight limit for this desk, but that’s less of an issue because it’s designed to let you distribute your on multiple shelves instead of keeping everything on top. If you want to clean up your setup with a gaming desk, this is the one to get.

Best budget: SEVEN WARRIOR Gaming Desk

SEVEN WARRIOR

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: This affordable desk offers a lot for little, providing ample space, attractive aesthetics, and plentiful accessories. 

Specs

• Dimensions: 55 x 24 inches (Length x Width)
• Height: 29.5 inches
• Special features: Full-size waterproof desk mat, dual headphone hanger, cupholder, game and controller rack
• Maximum supported weight: 400 pounds
• Price: $139.99

Pros

• Lots of included accessories
• Sturdy steel frame capable of holding 400 pounds
• Enough space for most gaming setups
• Carbon fiber texture

Cons

• Desktop comes in two pieces 
• Inconsistent quality control
• No cable management tray

SEVEN WARRIOR may not be a brand you’ve heard of before, but it’s made a splash in the affordable gaming desk space. And this desk is a prime example of why. At $139, it offers a great balance of features and functionality for a very affordable price.

Available in 44-, 55-, and 60-inch surface sizes, you can find a size that fits your space. The desk is finished with a waterproof carbon fiber texture and includes a size-matched waterproof desk mat, making spills easy to clean up. At 24-inches deep, it’s on the shallow side but still gives you plenty of room for a full gaming PC setup. Two cable grommets allow you to route wires out of sight, but you’ll need to bring your own cable runner if you care to keep things tidy underneath the desktop. SEVEN WARRIOR also throws in a cup holder, dual headphone hanger, and a combination game and controller rack that doubles as a USB hub.

The vast majority of reviews on this desk are overwhelmingly positive. Customers routinely remark on its easy setup and durability. When users are unhappy, though, it’s always for one reason—inconsistent quality control. Many users have reported that their desks came with misaligned parts or, worse, were missing pieces entirely. Sadly, this story is not uncommon with cheaper, lesser-known furniture brands. If the price is right, make sure to double-check all the parts before putting the desk together.

Things to consider before buying a gaming desk

Before you pick out a gaming desk, or a desk with PC gaming in mind, knowing what features to look for before you start is helpful. With so many different options to choose from, knowing what measurements and features you personally need can help you form a solid game plan to narrow down your options.

What is a gaming desk, exactly?

Gaming desks are very similar to any other kind of desk, but some core differences set them apart. While many desks feature wood grain or solid-colored finishes, gaming desks are designed to show off bright colors, decals, and stylized metallic surfaces like carbon fiber. It’s also more common for gaming desks to come with integrated features tailored to enhance your gaming station, including custom-fitted desk mats, headphone hangers, cupholders, and cable management solutions to keep your wires hidden. These aesthetic and utilitarian flourishes make a gaming desk; It’s all about style and convenience.

Size

Its surface area is the most important quality of any desk used for gaming (or work). Gaming desks come in all shapes and sizes, so consider how much space you’ll need. Desks come in many sizes, but a full-size desk surface typically measures around 60 inches wide—side-to-side—and 30 inches deep–front to back. That’s more than enough for a full PC setup.

That said, it may also take up more space than you have in your home office, bedroom, or wherever you plan to set up your gaming rig. As with any furniture purchase, your first step should be to take measurements and determine how much space your desk can fill. Before settling on a purchase, consider exactly what you plan to place on it. Here are some questions to consider before deciding on the right size for you:

• Will your computer tower be on the desktop or on the floor? 
• How big is the monitor you will be using? 
• How much space will you need to move your mouse?
• What else would you also like to place on your desk?

Answering these questions and measuring out the dimensions of your PC, monitor, and peripherals will give you a good idea of what a comfortable width would be. One more tip: When planning where to put your desk, ensure there’s enough room for a gaming chair.

Knowing how your desk space fits into your home is important, but you shouldn’t stop there. Take a minute to consider everything you would like to place on the desk. Placing your gaming desktop on your desk looks flashy but can take up a significant amount of space you may need for your mouse and mousepad, peripherals, or any other things you want to keep within reach. Figuring out where you plan to place the key components of your setup—the PC, as well as a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and possibly a router—will help you pick a gaming desk capable of realizing your vision.

Adjustability

Some desks come at a specific set height, but others feature some amount of adjustability. Certain dedicated gaming desks, in particular, feature electric motors that allow you to adjust the height of your desk on the fly so you can swap between standing and seated configurations when you want. Some also allow you to adjust the angle of the desktop, though this is less common. 

When shopping for a gaming desk, consider its specified height and how that would fit with the height of your chair. Ideal seated posture and desk layout are important to prevent muscle strain, eye strain, and repetitive stress injuries. According to the New York Times, it’s important to ensure that the desk you choose allows you to sit with your arms at a 90-degree angle for typing and that your eye level is several inches below the top edge of your monitor. Many gaming desks allow several inches of movement up or down to find the perfect position for your body. Even desks without on-the-fly adjustability may offer some amount of adjustability during assembly.

Assembly and reliability

Few, if any, gaming desks come preassembled out of the box. Before committing to a purchase, consider whether you have the time and resources to put your desk together. Cheaper desks often take longer to assemble, as part of the savings comes from limiting the assembly being completed at the factory. Even expensive desks can have their challenges and require multiple people to complete, though.

There is no easy rule to determine whether a desk will be easy or challenging to put together. The best way to learn about the assembly process is through user reviews on retailer sites and forums. When people have an especially easy or difficult time putting a desk together, it often heavily influences their comments. If possible, downloading the assembly guide from the manufacturer’s website can also give you a cursory understanding of what you’ll need to do.

Since desks aren’t professionally reviewed as often as gaming PCs, user reviews are crucial for determining whether a desk is well-made. Poor craftsmanship often becomes clear during the assembly process, and user reviews will hopefully alert you to specific red flags. Users are also quick to point out when parts of the product break or wear out early, both of which should be key factors in your decision-making process.

Accessories

One thing distinguishing a “gaming desk” from universal designs is a bevy of integrated features and included accessories that many players buy second-hand to add to their setup. Many gaming desks come with attachable hooks for headphones and cup holders. Others feature RGB lighting built into the desk frame, custom-cut mouse pad surfaces, and integrated cable management. It’s less common, but an especially luxe gaming desk may come with monitor stands or additional storage. 

While many of these extras may seem superficial since you can purchase them separately, getting a desk with these elements included will save you some time and may save you money. It also ensures that your accessories fit and match your desk, which isn’t always the case if you buy them after the fact. That said, you can get most of them elsewhere, so you shouldn’t pick a desk with flashy accessories over one that perfectly fits you and your space.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best gaming desks

• Best overall: Secretlab Magnus Metal Desk 
• Best computer desk: Cooler Master GD160 ARGB 
• Best converter: VIVO Extra Wide Corner Height Adjustable 38-inch Stand-up Desk Converter 
• Best L-shaped desk: ODK L-Shaped Gaming Desk 
• Best standing desk: Eureka Ergonomic 65-inch Standing Desk
• Best with storage: GIKPAL Computer Desk with Drawer
• Best budget: SEVEN WARRIOR Gaming Desk

Choosing the right gaming desk can be, forgive the pun, game-changing. A good desk draws you in and makes you want to use it. It becomes a highlight of the room and puts your gaming station center stage. Finding the right choice can be intimidating when there are so many options, but taking the time to select the best choice is well worth the investment. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best gaming desks for 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		ViewSonic Elite XG320U		SEE IT	ViewSonic’s ELITE XG320U strikes the ideal balance between size, refresh rate, and resolution.
Best 27-inch		Samsung Odyssey G7		SEE IT	The Samsung Odyssey G7 is an incredibly balanced high-performance curved gaming monitor.
Best budget		Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A		SEE IT	ASUS’ TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A is a big, fast screen with a small price tag.

It’s easy to go into a store and get seduced by the biggest, brightest screen in the room, but the best gaming monitor varies from person to person and setup to setup. There are very good reasons to limit yourself to a smaller display and plenty of valid reasons to go extra large and ultrawide. The important thing is that you adjust your expectations for your monitor’s performance and price to match the size you’re looking for. We’ve looked at every shape and size, rating them by resolution, form factor, and function. If you need a quick recommendation on the best monitor size for gaming, we’ve got you; and if you want a longwinded explanation for why certain specs work better for some monitor sizes than others, we can help with that, too.

• Best overall: ViewSonic Elite XG320U
• Best 24-inch: Dell Alienware AW2521H
• Best 27-inch: Samsung Odyssey G7
• Best 32-inch: Gigabyte M32U
• Best 40-inch or larger: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
• Best ultrawide: Dell Alienware AW3423DW
• Best budget: Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A

How we picked the best gaming monitor by size

We here in Popular Science’s gear department spend a lot of time thinking about screens—particularly TVs and monitors. In the last year, we’ve published dozens of recommendation lists like this one about gaming monitors. I’ve personally teased out, concentrated, and absorbed countless hours of testing and research about the nuances of display technology, as my primary background as a critic is gaming and gaming hardware. Before contributing to PopSci, I reviewed games and peripherals for PCMag, IGN, Gamespot, GamesRadar, LaptopMag, Lifehacker, Gizmodo, and more. Needless to say, I play games every day and scrutinize them closely.

The best gaming monitors, by size: Reviews & Recommendations

If you were on the fence about what size monitor you wanted, I hope my brief rundowns helped you narrow down your choice. Now that we theoretically know what we want, here are the monitors that take the best advantage of their size. From a small, speedy 24-inch esports display to a massive TV-like monitor, we have an option for each of the major screen sizes. If you’d like to drill a little deeper and check out a wider range of monitors by resolution or utility, we’ve put together many types of monitor recommendations.

Best overall: ViewSonic Elite XG320U

ViewSonic

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: Amazon, eBay

Why it made the cut: ViewSonic’s Elite XG320U offers a fast refresh rate with very few compromises.

Specs

• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels
• Refresh rate: 150Hz
• Panel type: Fast IPS
• Response time: 1ms
• HDR/brightness: HDR600
• Ports: HDMI 2.0 x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 1, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.2 with upstream, USB 3.2 with battery charging, USB 3.2 x 3, Audio line out, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros

• High resolution and high frame rate
• AMD FreeSync support
• Wide port selection

Cons

• Price

In 2022, we selected ViewSonic’s Elite XG320U as the best gaming monitor you can get, which is why it was the natural choice for this guide, too. This 4K display has a 150Hz refresh rate, which offers the best balance of resolution and refresh rate for most gamers. Console gamers can play the latest games at their maximum settings, while most PC players will have their needs satisfied. The only gamers who need a monitor with a faster refresh rate are those who play first-person shooters on a competitive level—nobody else will feel constrained by this display’s refresh rate.

We’re also pleased by the XG320U’s generous port selection. This display can be connected to one PC (via DisplayPort) and two consoles (via HDMI ports) simultaneously. Devices connected to this display’s DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1 port will be able to take full advantage of its high resolution and refresh rate due to its higher bandwidth. Meanwhile, this display’s assortment of USB-A ports turns it into an accessory hub.

The XG320U’s performance requires a pretty hefty up-front investment, but it’s absolutely worthwhile if your PC’s monitor is your primary gaming screen.

Best 24-inch: Dell Alienware AW2521H

Alienware

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Buy it used or refurbished: Amazon, eBay

Why it made the cut: The Alienware AW2521H offers the fastest possible refresh rate you can get right now, with the fewest compromises.

Specs

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Refresh rate: 360Hz
• Panel type: Fast IPS
• Response time: 1ms
• HDR/brightness: HDR10 (400 Nits)
• Ports: HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.2 with upstream, USB 3.2 with battery charging, USB 3.2 x 3, Audio line out, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros

• Extremely high refresh rate
• Fast IPS panel gives you high speed and better color gamut
• Lots of extra USB ports

Cons

• Expensive for a 24-inch display
• Low max brightness

There are only a handful of 1080p monitors that can run games at 360Hz, which is the fastest refresh rate available from a monitor right now without overclocking. (There is a 500Hz gaming monitor on the way, though.) Of the current displays offering that arguably overblown spec, the Alienware AW2521H has the most polished look and balanced performance. Thanks to a “Fast IPS” panel, you’ll see brighter colors than other 360Hz displays, which feature fast but muted TN panels. 

It also features numerous quality-of-life features, including a thoughtful and suitably sci-fi-inspired design, as well as a shocking number of connection options, including five USB 3.2 ports. The AW2521H’s only glaring flaw is its poor brightness, which isn’t sufficient for playing games with HDR. That said, most players who prioritize the highest possible frame rate over everything else won’t lose sleep over the loss.

Best 27-inch: Samsung Odyssey G7

SAMSUNG

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Buy it used or refurbished: Amazon

Why it made the cut: The Samsung Odyssey G7 hits all the right specs, including an esports-grade refresh rate and an extra-bright QLED panel.

Specs

• Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• Panel type: QLED (VA)
• Response time: 1ms
• HDR/brightness: VESA DisplayHDR 600
• Ports: HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4 x 2, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros

• 27/1440p is a good size/resolution pair
• QLED-enhanced panel
• HDR-ready brightness
• 240Hz refresh rate

Cons

• Curved displays may not be for everyone

The Samsung Odyssey G7 is one of our favorite monitors. It’s our top curved monitor, our top 240Hz monitor for esports players, and popped in many other conversations. Why? Well, we love a 27-inch, 1440p monitor: It’s a great baseline spec for most players who have a mid-range or powerful gaming PC bought or built in the past few years. It’s fast, hitting a competition-ready 240Hz. It’s bright, topping out at an HDR-ready 600 nits. The Odyssey G7’s panel features a 1000R curve, which comes close to fully encompassing your field of view. Not all players love curved displays, particularly deep curves like this one, but it is a perfect fit for those who do. And if you’ve never tried one? Well, you may as well start something that nails all the other specs. (After trying it in a store, of course.)

Best 32-inch: Gigabyte M32U

Gigabyte

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Gigabyte M32U has nearly every feature you’d want in a 4K gaming monitor, and it doesn’t even cost that much.

Specs

• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K)
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• Panel type: Fast IPS
• Response time: 1ms
• HDR/brightness: VESA DisplayHDR 400
• Ports: HDMI 2.1 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.0 x 3, USB-C, USB-B, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros

• Affordable for size and resolution
• Built-in KVM Switch
• Strong color gamut
• Supports USB-C connection
• Multiple HDMI 2.1 connections

Cons

• Low max brightness
• USB-C video connection doesn’t charge laptop

Gigabyte’s M32U isn’t the flashiest 4K monitor by the most coveted gaming peripheral brand, but specs speak louder than branding. The 32-inch 4K display features a fast IPS panel that achieves a 90 percent DCI-P3 wide color gamut for bold, vivid color. It also features a tremendous range of connection options, including two HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing you to play compatible PS5 and Xbox Series X games in 4K at 120Hz. It also works as a USB-C monitor thanks to DP Alt mode support, though it doesn’t deliver power so you’ll have to charge your laptop separately. Twitch streamers with day jobs will appreciate its built-in KVM switch, so you can plug your keyboard and mouse into the monitor’s USB ports and automatically switch them from device to device when you change inputs.

Though 4K monitors aren’t as exorbitant as they once were, it’s still very impressive to find such a fully featured monitor for less than $1,000. Even with a few flaws, like a poor max brightness of 400 nits, you’re getting incredible value here.

Best 40-inch or larger: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9

SAMSUNG

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The 49-inch super ultrawide Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 is the height of curved ultrawide decadence.

Specs

• Resolution: 5120 x 1440 pixels (32:9)
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• Panel type: VA
• Response time: 1ms
• HDR/brightness: DisplayHDR 2000
• Ports: HDMI 2.1 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.0 x 2, PC in, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros

• Gigantic curved ultrawide display
• Mini-LED backlighting provides immense brightness.
• Esports-ready 240Hz
• Deep 1000R curve

Cons

• Extremely expensive
• You may have trouble fitting it on a desk

For curved ultrawide obsessives, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 is a grail display. It’s an absolutely massive 49-inch, 32:9 panel that somehow manages a 240Hz refresh rate. (Such speed is usually reserved for smaller monitors.) With Quantum Mini-LED backlighting, it achieves TV-level brightness that’s perfect for HDR. Obviously, such a large monitor comes with some eccentricities: It’s big and very bright but features a 1000R curve that demands you sit very close to it to stay in the sweet spot. Also, at 49 inches, it may not even fit a smaller, more compact desk setup. On the other hand, it’s big enough to replace two 27-inch monitors. If you’re willing to build/adjust your setup to accommodate it, the Odyssey Neo G9 is an extremely curved ultrawide gaming experience.

Prefer a flatscreen and saving up to a grand? The 43-inch Odyssey Neo G7 offers a 4K UHD, 144Hz, 1ms, VESA Display HDR600 with Quantum Matrix Technology, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Samsung Gaming Hub access.

Best ultrawide: Dell Alienware AW3423DW

Dell

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Why it made the cut: Dell’s first QD-OLED offers refined sharpness and bold color in a curved ultrawide form factor.

Specs

• Resolution: 3440 x 1440 (21:9)
• Refresh rate: 175Hz
• Panel type: QD-OLED
• Response time: 1ms
• HDR/brightness: DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400/1000 nits
• Ports: HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.2 Gen 1 downstream x 4, USB 3.2 Gen 1 upstream, Audio line out, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros

• QD-OLED screen generates incredible color, brightness, and contrast
• Speedy 175Hz refresh rate
• Lots of USB ports

Cons

• Expensive
• No HDMI 2.1

Until 2022, companies haven’t really offered OLED gaming monitors. OLED TVs have occupied store shelves for years, and we’re seeing companies put OLED displays in phones, game consoles, and laptops. Still, dedicated monitor manufacturers have held off on making the jump. Alienware is the first of a handful of manufacturers to do so this year.

The AW3423DW features a hybrid QD-OLED technology, which combines the color-enhancing “Quantum Dot” layer found in QLED TV panels with the backlighting technology of the OLED screen, where each pixel features its own independently controlled backlight. The combination, in theory, enhances the inherently low brightness of the ultra-sharp OLED display.

As such, the AW3423 can generate an incredibly vibrant picture, with an unprecedented 99 percent DCI-P3 wide color gamut for tremendous color accuracy and some of the best contrast you can get in a gaming monitor. That alone makes it worthy of special consideration, but it’s also a well-rounded display, with a high 175Hz refresh rate and a whopping five USB ports for extra connectivity. Since this is a “first” for gaming monitors, the AW3423 is tremendously expensive, and some users may want to wait until a wider range of QD-OLED monitors launch later this year to see if there are any kinks in the technology. Still, we expect (read: hope) that this could be the first step toward a “quantum” leap for high-end gaming monitors in all shapes and sizes.

Best budget: Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A

ASUS

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A gives you a well-balanced, 27-inch, 1440p monitor that can hit 170Hz for less than $400.

Specs

• Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
• Refresh rate: 170Hz
• Panel type: IPS
• Response time: 1ms
• HDR/brightness: HDR10/350 nits
• Ports: DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros 

• Great value
• Strong balance of screen, resolution, and refresh rate
• Lots of adjustability options

Cons

• DisplayPort 1.2, not 1.4
• Low max brightness

A perennial pick when you want strong core specs on a tight(ish) budget, the TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A gives you great value with well-balanced core specs for a lot less money than our other picks. The 27-inch IPS panel delivers decent color performance, with 99% sRGB coverage, and a great trio of core monitor specs: 27-inch screen size, 1440p resolution, and 170Hz refresh rate. Since this is an older model display—Asus makes a newer version—it is missing a couple of things we’d like, including up-to-date HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort connections. That said, if you don’t want to splurge on a killer monitor, this one will give most players what they need for an affordable price.

What to consider when buying a gaming monitor

Clearly, the size of your gaming monitor is important, but it is actually just one of many specs that make a gaming monitor good or great (or terrible). In fact, you should pick your monitor by balancing screen size, resolution, price, and several other factors. I bet you’ve already got your heart set on a specific size, so rather than running you through a crash course in what each spec means, I’ll provide some general insight into why you might want to pick each individual size.

If you’re interested in some deep dives into PC display specs, please check out some of our other monitor-focused explainers, such as the best cheap gaming monitors and the best monitors for color grading.

Size

There are thousands of gaming monitors on the market, but most fall into three sizes: 24, 27, and 32 inches. Our guide reflects that, although there’s a larger display available if you need—or have room for—an ultra-wide monitor.

Resolution

Your display’s resolution has the biggest impact on how good (clear) a game will look on the screen—assuming we’re talking about a modern game designed with the latest graphics. A 1080P (HD) screen will look fine, but 1440p and 4K screens will look even better. On the other hand, you’ll need a very powerful PC to play modern games in 4K, so it may make sense to get a screen with a lower resolution but a higher refresh rate.

Refresh rate

A monitor’s refresh rate, which indicates how many times your monitor can update what’s happening on screen each second, sets the high bar for your games’ frame rate. A 144Hz refresh rate translates to 144 frames per second. That’s enough to allow most players to play many games at the highest frame rate their systems can handle.

Though a higher frame rate delivers diminishing returns to visual fidelity above 144Hz, splurging on a 1080p monitor with an even higher 240Hz, 300Hz, or even 360Hz refresh rate may generate an imperceivable but meaningful improvement to their reaction time. In the last couple of years, 240Hz monitors have shown up in larger sizes and higher resolutions, but you still need a smaller, lower-resolution monitor to unlock the highest possible refresh rate.

Ultrawide aspect ratios

In addition to conventional 16:9 displays, there’s a whole range of 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide gaming monitors, which can extend your game out to the edges of your vision and enhance your immersion. Ultrawide monitors come in their own range of sizes and tend to trend larger to accentuate their expanded reach. A large ultrawide can take the place of two monitors, providing a similar amount of screen real estate for work, while allowing for a bezel-free experience in games, 

With curved monitors and ultrawides, we usually recommend buying the largest option that’s comfortable and compatible with your setup, as the overwhelming immersion is the selling point. Just make sure there’s room on and around your desk for it.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best monitor size for gaming

• Best overall: ViewSonic Elite XG320U
• Best 24-inch: Dell Alienware AW2521H
• Best 27-inch: Samsung Odyssey G7
• Best 32-inch: Gigabyte M32U
• Best 40-inch or larger: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
• Best ultrawide: Dell Alienware AW3423DW
• Best budget: Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ1A

Without knowing details like what kind of gaming PC you’re running and how much money you’re looking to spend, no one can really tell you what monitor size you should buy. You should make that decision based on what you have and how important it is that your games look their absolute best. It is very easy to overspend on a gaming monitor, especially if you’re into hardware, so the most important thing is to be honest and realistic with yourself.

And if that doesn’t help … a 27-inch, 1440p 144Hz monitor falls right in the middle. If it’s overkill, maybe it won’t be in your next system.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best monitor size for gaming in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Acer Aspire 5		SEE IT	The Acer Aspire 5 offers decent power at an affordable price.
Best for video editing		Asus Vivobook 15		SEE IT	Make a memorable home movie with the Asus Vivobook 15.
Best for school		Dell Inspiron 15		SEE IT	If you’re a student in need of an affordable but powerful machine, the Dell Inspiron 15 is a great pick.

At their best, gaming laptops offer powerful specs, high-resolution displays, and fast refresh rate screens. Unfortunately, the absolute best gaming laptops cost thousands of dollars. If money is no object, you can pay a tremendous amount of money and get an incredible machine in return. However, most of us have to think more pragmatically and that’s where the best gaming laptops under $500 come in.

Many of us do not have the luxury of spending a lot of money on a new laptop. In the world of gaming laptops, spending less money means you have a shorter window of playing the latest AAA games at high specs before you’ll need to upgrade again. If you’re willing to put concerns about fidelity aside, though, you can get a perfectly good laptop that should play a decent number of PC games for as little as $500. Will they all look great and run well? Probably not, but they’re still fun to play. The best gaming laptops under $500 give you the most gaming power possible on a shoestring budget.

• Best overall: Acer Aspire 5
• Best for video editing: Asus Vivobook 15
• Best for school: Dell Inspiron 15
• Best for streaming: Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
• Best 2-in-1: Dell Inspiron 14

How we chose the best gaming laptops under $500

I’ve been booting up games on Steam for as long as I can remember, and have written about computers for more than a decade on sites like Popular Science, Gear Patrol, and CNN Underscored. I’ve tested all manner of PCs and laptops to find the latest and greatest devices. To find the best gaming laptops under $500, a challenging task, I researched what kind of hardware you may be able to purchase with such a budget. With that information in-hand, I selected the individual picks based on third-party reviews and consumer feedback.

The best gaming laptops under $500: Reviews & Recommendations

Finding a good laptop for under $500, let alone one capable of playing games, is a serious challenge. As you’ll see, most of our picks fall well under the basic standards we set for gaming laptops. Make no mistake: These are compromise picks to help you make the best of a less than ideal situation. With $500, we’d recommend people purchase a console for gaming, an iPad for general computing, or hold out for a major sale like Prime Day or Black Friday in the hopes of getting a rare deal on a more expensive gaming laptop.

Best overall: Acer Aspire 5 Slim

Acer

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Aspire 5 Slim’s Ryzen 3 3350U will ensure you can play many of the industry’s most popular games on low settings.

Specs

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3350U
• GPU: Radeon Vega 6
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Screen size: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• Dimensions: 14.31 x 9.74 x 0.71 inches
• Weight: 3.97 pounds
• Connectivity: USB-C 3.1 Gen 1, USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 x 2; HDMI 1.4b, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1

Pros

• Expansive 15.6-inch FHD display
• Decent port selection
• 8GB of RAM

Cons

• Plastic build

The newest version of the Acer Aspire 5 Slim features an expansive 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, AMD Ryzen 3 3350U quad-core processor, and 8GB of RAM. (For $40 more, you can bump that up to 12GB of RAM.) The laptop also features Radeon Vega 6 graphics and a 256GB SSD, so games should run and load quickly. There is also a spacious trackpad, a full keyboard with a row of number keys, and a numeric keypad on the right.

Additionally, the Acer Aspire features a USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port, an HDMI port with HDCP support, Wi-Fi 6, and up to 8 hours of battery life. It’s a good mix of specs, battery life, and price—and should be enough to run games like Fortnite and Minecraft.

Best for video editing: Asus Vivobook 15

ASUS

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Vivobook 15’s combination of the Intel i3, UHD graphics, and 8GB is enough to edit memorable family vacation videos.

Specs

• Processor: Intel i3-10054G1
• GPU: Intel UHD
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Screen size: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• Dimensions: 14.1 x 9.1 x 0.78 inches
• Weight: 3.75 pounds
• Connectivity: USB-C 3.2, USB-A 3.2, USB-A 2.0 x 2, HDMI, microSD, WiFi, Bluetooth

Pros

• Decent port selection
• 8GB of RAM
• Fingerprint sensor

Cons

• Small trackpad

Video editing on an affordable laptop isn’t ideal, but the Asus Vivobook 15 provides users with a decently-powerful experience. The laptop features a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor, an Intel UHD GPU, and 8GB of RAM. That’s good enough for basic video editing and color correction of short clips for social media—just don’t expect to edit any video other than Full HD or lower.

The Asus Vivobook 15 also features a 128GB SSD, a touchpad and keyboard, and USB-C 3.2, so you can quickly transfer video files to and from external devices. You also get an HDMI port, USB-A 3.2, and USB-A 2.0 for connecting additional peripherals.

Best for school: Dell Inspiron 15

Dell

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Dell Inspiron 15’s simple design is great for schoolwork, and can play a game or two between study sessions.

Specs

• Processor: Intel i3-1115G4
• GPU: Intel UHD
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Screen size: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• Dimensions: 14.11 x 9.27 x 0.74 inches
• Weight: 3.82 pounds
• Connectivity: USB-A 3.0 x 2, USB-A 2.0, HDMI, SD card, WiFi, Bluetooth

Pros

• Big, comfortable 15.6-inch display
• Decent size SSD
• SD card slot

Cons

• Limited port selection

If you need something simple to power through note-taking, research papers, and presentations, the Dell Inspiron 15 (3511) is an excellent option. Of course, you’ll want to take breaks—and there’s no better way to unwind than with video games. Dell’s affordable laptop features an Intel Core i3 processor, UHD graphics, and 8GB of RAM to power through games like Rocket League and Counter-Strike: GO. The Inspiron 15 also features a 256SSD, giving you plenty of storage to save those vital school projects and download your favorite titles from Steam.

Best for streaming: Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

Lenovo

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i features Intel Iris Xe graphics, 512GB SSD, and 8GB of RAM, making it a powerful option for gaming and streaming.

Specs

• Processor: Intel i3-1115G4
• GPU: Intel Iris Xe
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Screen size: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• Dimensions: 14.26 x 9.98 x 0.78 inches
• Weight: 3.75 pounds
• Connectivity: USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 x 2, USB-A 2.0, HDMI 1.4, SD card, WiFi 5, Bluetooth

Pros

• Screen can fold flat
• 512GB SSD
• Intel Iris Xe

Cons

• Thick bezels

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is still nowhere near one of the best gaming laptops available but it provides fairly impressive performance for its extremely affordable price. It  features an Intel Core i3 processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and 8GB of RAM, giving you the components necessary to broadcast your games to the world. It may not be the smoothest experience, but you must start somewhere. The IdeaPad 3i also features a 512GB SSD, HDMI, two USB-A 3.2, and a 45Wh battery, which should get you through a full day of usage with light to medium use.

Best 2-in-1: Dell Inspiron 14

Dell

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Dell’s Inspiron 14 packs in decently powerful specs for the price in an attractive 2-in-1 design.

Specs

• Processor: Intel i3-1115G4
• GPU: Intel UHD
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Screen size: 14-inch FHD (1366 x 768)
• Dimensions: 12.77 x 8.77 x 0.75 inches
• Weight: 3.58 pounds
• Connectivity: USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 x 2, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 1.4b, SD card, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1

Pros

• 2-in-1 design
• Small, portable design
• USB-C and SD card

Cons

• Lower resolution display

For just a smidge over our $500 budget, the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 features a 14-inch HD touchscreen display, an Intel Core i3 processor, Intel UHD graphics, and 8GB of RAM. That’s enough power to run multiple applications and browser tabs smoothly. More importantly, it’s good enough to give us our gaming fix—and the 256GB SSD is plenty big to download free-to-play and other popular titles. The Inspiron 14 also features a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port for power delivery and data transfer and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports. It also features an SD card slot, rounding out one of the sleeker, more sophisticated options on our list.

Things to consider when shopping for the best gaming laptops under $500

The fact of the matter is, you can’t really get a new dedicated gaming laptop for $500. For reference, our list of the best cheap gaming laptops highlights strong systems that cost less than $1,000, and it often features models that are 1-2 years old. Most of our picks are budget productivity laptops that happen to provide decent processing power for their prices. Few, if any, feature a dedicated graphics card, which you’d need to play many of the biggest games. Those that work will only run on low or medium settings.

If you are purchasing this device specifically for gaming, there are many other devices that will offer you a much better experience for that same $500. Though they can be hard to find, we would recommend any of the current game consoles over these laptops, including the PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Nintendo Switch. You might also consider the 2022 iPad Air, which provides access to an increasingly large library of games thanks to game streaming services like Xbox Game Pass. In the realm of PCs, you may be able to build a budget desktop gaming PC for around $500 using older and/or used parts. This may be more difficult than in the past due to pandemic-era supply constraints, but it is not outside the realm of possibility.

If you have your heart set on a laptop, or need a more holistic device, here are the basics of picking a laptop so you can make your own choice:

Processor

The central processing unit, or CPU, is the beating heart of any computer. It performs the computations your computer makes to run programs and perform various tasks, from word processing to editing photos. A computer’s true performance relies on a number of factors, but the two easiest ways to gauge the power of a CPU, specifically, are the chip’s computing cores and its clock speed. Clock speed, shown in Hz, measures the number of computations or “cycles” the processor can make each second. For example, a CPU with a clock speed of 2.8Ghz executes 2.8 billion cycles per second. 

Meanwhile, compute cores give your processor the ability to handle multiple tasks at the same time. Broadly speaking, more cores means better multitasking, especially with more processor-intensive tasks like encoding video.

When discussing the best, we expect modern Windows laptops to feature an 11th or 12th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor with 6-8 processor cores, or an AMD Ryzen 5 processor with 6-8 cores. Since we’re looking at laptops with the tightest of cost constraints, you’re more likely to see the older version of the most basic processors available, such as a 10th-Generation Intel Core i3 processor, or something from AMD’s Ryzen 3000 series. If forced to choose, it never hurts to sacrifice bells and whistles for a basic laptop with a good CPU. The processor, more than any other component, determines how long your laptop will perform at its peak level.

Graphics

The graphics processing unit, or GPU, is an essential component in any gaming laptop and makes it possible to render graphics in 2D and 3D. If you’re working with high-resolution video and art, a GPU takes some of the strain off the CPU and makes rendering everything much faster.

Typically, gaming PCs feature dedicated graphics cards–a second processor to handle visual processing for games, video encoding, and other tasks with lots of … well, graphics. Two companies, Nvidia and AMD, make dedicated graphics cards for desktops and more compact versions for laptops. Occasionally, you will find a very large laptop with a “full-size” desktop graphics card. These laptops often weigh more than you should carry on your back every day.

For the purposes of this list, however, we will focus on integrated graphics, which is a small processing chip built into your laptop’s CPU. Integrated graphics are designed to perform basic graphics processing, such as web browsing and streaming video. They aren’t designed to handle new games or other GPU-intensive work. In the current gaming landscape, there are lots of games that can run acceptably well on integrated graphics, but no game will look as good or run without hiccups on integrated graphics, especially the integrated graphics on a low-end processor.

Memory

Random access memory, or RAM, gives your applications a place to temporarily store data, and quickly access it again if necessary. If your workflow involves using several applications at once, you’ll want a laptop that offers more RAM. Manufacturers generally allow consumers to upgrade their RAM before they make a purchase, and sometimes even after. 

For gaming, we recommend 16GB on a new machine, since you often cannot add RAM to a laptop. This will give you the space to run more intense games while performing other tasks, like running streaming software. Again, though, for $500 or less you’ll likely have to settle for 4GB or 8GB.

Display

As with dedicated gaming monitors, the best gaming laptops can make games look great with sharp, vibrant displays. Gamers may want a larger screen, as it helps build immersion, especially in a temporary space. If we had to highlight one size in particular, it would be 15 inches. At this size, the screen is large enough for a comfortable gaming experience, but it doesn’t make your laptop too big to carry all day. Some gaming laptops offer 17-inch displays, but that’s only a good size if your laptop spends most of its time on a desk.

Whatever size you land upon, chances are it will feature a 1080p (Full HD) screen. A 1080p display will make your games look sharp enough and ensure your computer doesn’t buckle under the strain. If you want a display that’s 1440p (Quad HD) or 4K (Ultra-High Definition) and offers a high refresh rate, you’ll have to look at a more expensive gaming laptop with a more powerful GPU.

Battery life

People buy gaming laptops so they can play games anywhere, but the PC battery life can limit that promise substantially. The hard truth is that gaming laptops don’t offer the best battery life. Even the best, most expensive models won’t get through a full day of heavy use.

With our current picks, which don’t have dedicated graphics cards, you may actually see better battery life than a great gaming laptop—a small bright spot. That said, your laptops will burn through battery much faster when playing games than other tasks, so you should be strategic about how much you play. Keep one eye on your battery indicator and the other on the lookout for available outlets.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best gaming laptops under $500

• Best overall: Acer Aspire 5
• Best for video editing: Asus Vivobook 15
• Best for school: Dell Inspiron 15
• Best for streaming: Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
• Best 2-in-1: Dell Inspiron 14

The good news is that modern processors with integrated GPUs are becoming more powerful every year, making it possible to play games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox on a wide range of machines. That said, the best gaming hardware you can buy for $500 is not a laptop. It’s a console or a tablet. If you want a gaming laptop that will make your games sing, you’ll have to spend substantially more. 

If you’d like to know more about buying a gaming laptop that delivers great performance and value, check out some of our other explainers on the topic, including the best gaming laptops and the best cheap gaming laptops. They may be expensive, but a great laptop will last five years or more, while you may only get a couple of good years out of these recommendations.

The post The best gaming laptops under $500 of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		HP Pavilion 32 QHD 32-Inch Display		SEE IT	This beautiful big screen has you covered no matter what you want to do.
Best 27-inch		HP E27m G4 QHD USB-C Conferencing Monitor		SEE IT	With a pop-up camera, two anti-echo microphones, and an ergonomic stand, you’re in business with this productivity-focused monitor
Best 4K		HP Z27k G3 4K USB-C Display		SEE IT	Plenty of pixels and connectivity bolster this screen.

A good computer monitor is an absolute necessity. After all, it’s your window to the world. Everything you do on your computer will happen through your monitor—whether that be work, web surfing, gaming, or streaming content—so it may as well as be as good as you can afford. “Good” here certainly includes size (we all like to have a lot of real estate at our disposal), but it also includes things like refresh rate, contrast, color, ergonomics, and useful extras. In a word, get the biggest and best that your budget and workspace allow. Your digital life will thank you for it. And if you’re in the market for the most bang for your buck, consider the best HP monitors.

There are quite a few monitor manufacturers to choose from. Hewlett-Packard—better known as HP—makes office equipment, computers, and computer peripherals, including a wealth of solid choices for your next monitor. With more than 80 years of experience, this American manufacturer knows what it’s doing and many of the company’s screens are of both high-quality and affordable. One caveat: given HP’s history as a business-focused provider, many of its monitors are aimed at work rather than play, but that’s not to say that the company doesn’t have gamers covered too, as we’ll see in this list.

• Best overall: HP Pavilion 32 QHD 32-Inch Display
• Best 27-inch: HP E27m G4 QHD USB-C Conferencing Monitor
• Best 24-inch: HP 24mh FHD Monitor
• Best for video editing: HP Z43 42.5-inch 4K UHD Display
• Best 4K: HP Z27k G3 4K USB-C Display
• Best gaming monitor: HP OMEN 27c Monitor
• Best budget:HP VH240a 23.8-inch 1080p IPS LED Monitor

How we picked the best HP monitors

As a freelance writer and computer-based musician who works from home, I spend a lot of time looking at a monitor. And my monitor of choice happens to be an HP. To arrive at this, I spent a lot of time researching monitors from other companies, as well as those of HP. It seemed the natural choice for my budget and I’ve been nothing but pleased with my purchase. To arrive at the screens on this list, I used a similar selection process, looking at features, specifications, and prices of a number of units, then comparing them to expert analysis from peers, trusted consumer product reviewers, as well as user impressions.

The best HP monitors: Reviews & Recommendations

Our recommendations for the best HP monitors cover the gamut from business machines to gaming displays, with a number of different sizes and resolutions available, and with prices that range from budget-conscious to high-limit credit card level. There’s also a variety of connectivity on hand. Grab your monitor shopping list and start ticking off those boxes.

Best overall: HP Pavilion 32 QHD 32-Inch Display

HP

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Why it made the cut: Beautiful and true colors, plus generous screen size, make this the perfect monitor for general use cases.

Specs

• Size: 32-inch
• Resolution: 2560 x 1440
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Ports: HDMI 1.4 I/O, DisplayPort 1.2 (1), DisplayPort 1.4 (1), USB-C (1), USB 3.0 (2)
• Panel type: VA

Pros

• Excellent image quality
• QHD resolution
• FreeSync support
• Mini joystick controller

Cons

• No height or swivel adjustment
• No built-in speakers

You’re not a specialist in any one area. You just need a monitor that will perform well across the board. If this is you, look no further than HP’s Pavilion 32 QHD 32-Inch Display. As the name suggests, it has a 32-inch screen, which is plenty of real estate for whatever you need to do, whether that be work, video editing, gaming or streaming. The QHD 2560 x 1440 resolution and 92 pixels per inch density are acceptable for general home use. With its VA panel type, it’s particularly well-suited to video and photos, with excellent colors and sRGB—Standard Red Green Blue, the main color space used by monitor manufacturers—representation. The casual gamer will enjoy the AMD FreeSync support, which ensures that there’s no image tearing as a result of incompatible frame rates. However, the 60Hz refresh rate could be a turn-off for hardcore gamers (don’t worry, we’ve got you covered later in this list). Plenty of connectivity and a joystick-based navigation system round out the package. At around $250 street, it’s also extremely affordable.

Best 27-inch: HP E27m G4 QHD USB-C Conferencing Monitor

HP

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Why it made the cut: This Zoom-certified business monitor has all the extras you need for video conferencing and remote work, plus impressive color and brightness.

Specs

• Size: 27-inch
• Resolution: 2560 x 1440
• Refresh rate: 75Hz
• Ports: HDMI 1.4 (1), DisplayPort 1.2 I/O, USB-c (1), USB 3.1 (4), RJ-45 Ethernet (1)
• Panel type: ISP

Pros

• Good sRGB color
• 5-megapixel webcam
• Stereo speakers and two microphones
• Ergonomic stand

Cons

• Expensive
• Navigation is fiddly

The rise in remote work/schooling has changed many things, including what we need for “the office.” With more and more people working from home, video conferencing has become de rigueur in business. Enter the conferencing monitor, a new category of business monitor that places video meetings front and center. HP’s E27m G4 QHD USB-C Conferencing Monitor is our pick for the best 27-inch monitor for just this reason. With its built-in pop-up 5-megapixel camera, loud stereo speakers, and dual anti-echo microphones, it excels as a conference facilitator. Throw in easily accessible ports including USB-C, regular USB, and even an Ethernet port (and network management function support) plus plenty of swivel and mounting options, and you’re ready to rock and roll in a business-appropriate manner. It’s even Zoom certified. As a monitor, it’s no slouch, either, with 2560 x 1440 resolution and 108 pixels per inch, solid sRGB color results, and a refresh rate of 75Hz. All of these perks come with a price tag (around $550) but, hey, you can always write it off as a business expense.

Best 24-inch: HP 24mh FHD Monitor

HP

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Why it made the cut: A high contrast ratio and superb color response plus a flexible stand push this HP 24-incher out into the limelight.

Specs

• Size: 23.8-inch
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 75Hz
• Ports: HDMI 1.4 (1), DisplayPort 1.2 (1), VGA (1)
• Panel type: IPS

Pros

• Surprising sRGB response
• High contrast
• Ergonomic stand
• Built-in speakers

Cons

• Brightness could be better

When you buy a 24-inch monitor, you can’t expect too much. Higher resolution and fancy extras are par for the course with bigger displays but you’re often forced to take what you can get when space is at a premium. Thankfully, there’s very little to sacrifice with HP’s 24mh FHD Monitor. It’s got an excellent sRGB response for a screen this size, plus a very nice contrast ratio. It even boasts a refresh rate of 75Hz, which is good news for those working with video or playing the occasional MMO. Where it really surprises, though, are the extras. With a DisplayPort 1.2 connector, plus HDMI and VGA, it can be used as a second monitor. You can also adjust the height up to 4 inches and even switch to portrait mode. Two 2-watt speakers complete the package.

Best for video editing: HP Z43 42.5-inch 4K UHD Display

HP

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Why it made the cut: A massive screen and 350 nits of brightness make this HP’s best for video editing.

Specs

• Size: 42.5-inch
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Ports: HDMI 2.0 (1), DisplayPort 1.2 (1), USB-C (2), USB 3.0 (3)
• Panel type: IPS

Pros

• Great big 42.5-inch screen
• 4K resolution
• Nice and bright
• Plenty of connectivity

Cons

• 60Hz refresh rate
• No height adjustment

There’s something to be said for a big monitor. Whether you’re working with video, gaming, or just need a lot of space to keep many windows open, a large display can be a wonderful thing. HP’s Z43 Monitor has you covered then. With a 42.5-inch screen, there’s lots of wide open space to get lost in. It’s also 4K with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 and pixel density of 103 PPI. HP rates the brightness at 350 nits, meaning the screen will stay visible even in bright light, and with sRGB coverage of 96%, your photos and videos will translate to other viewing situations reliably. Plus its gray-to-gray response time of 8ms will ensure little to no ghosting in movies. The 60Hz refresh rate could be better, and height adjustment to go along with the tilt and swivel functions wouldn’t hurt, but if you’re set on an HP to expand on a laptop for video editing setup, the Z43 should be on your list.

Best 4K: HP Z27k G3 4K USB-C Display

HP

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Why it made the cut: A wealth of productivity options bolster the specs on HP’s Z27k G3 4K display.

Specs

• Size: 27-inch
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Ports: HDMI 2.0 (1), DisplayPort 1.4 I/O, USB-C (1), USB 3.2 (4), RJ45 Ethernet (1)
• Panel type: IPS

Pros

• Impressive colors
• Solid contrast
• USB-C port can deliver 100 watts of power
• Ergonomic stand

Cons

• Pricey

When it’s time to get down to work, you need a monitor that will do more than just not get in your way. You want a display that will work with you and hopefully do it in 4K. You’re in luck, as HP’s Z27k G3 4K Display is just that productivity monitor. The specs start with UHD 3840 x 2160 resolution—given that it’s a 27-inch monitor, that puts the pixel density at a luxurious 163 PPI. Higher density means sharper images, and that’s just what you get here, crisp enough even for small text and images. Color is superb, as is contrast, with enough brightness (350 nit) for most situations. The productivity side comes into play with the docking station, with tons of connectivity including USB-C that charges at a hot 100 watts—that is, if you’re using an HP laptop. Otherwise, it’s 65 watts. The stand is suitably ergonomic as well, and the panel can be pivoted to vertical (portrait) mode if need be. While it’s a little on the pricey side compared to other models with similar specs, this display is certainly impressive in all the right places.

Best gaming monitor: HP OMEN 27c Monitor

HP

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Why it made the cut: A blisteringly fast refresh rate and aggressively curved monitor make HP’s gaming monitor a solid contender.

Specs

• Size: 27-inch
• Resolution: 2560 x 1440
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• Ports: HDMI 2.0 (1), DisplayPort 1.4 (1), USB-C (1), USB 3.2 (2)
• Panel type: VA

Pros

• Super fast 240Hz refresh rate
• 1000R curvature
• Strong color accuracy
• FreeSync support

Cons

• Visual artifacts from VA display

HP has built its reputation on business-focused devices and peripherals. You don’t often think of the company when it comes to gaming. That’s changing, though, and HP’s OMEN 27c Monitor is proof of that. A strong gaming monitor at a more than reasonable price, it’s not perfect but it does excel in a few key areas. The first you’ll notice before you even turn it on. With a curvature of 1000R, it draws your field of view naturally into the gameplay, helping to create an immersive experience and avoid repetitive stress on your neck. The other selling point is the refresh rate. At 240Hz (one of our favorite specs for a top-notch gaming monitor) it’s quite zippy, resulting in butter-smooth motion. As with the other HP monitors on this list, the color response is also superb—throw in a high contrast ratio and plenty of brightness, and you’re set for a long night of gaming. It’s not perfect, though. There are occasional visual artifacts as a result of the VA response time, and the display’s HDR implementation could be better, but if gaming is your thing, it could be just the golden ticket.

Best budget: HP VH240a 23.8-inch 1080p IPS LED Monitor

HP

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Why it made the cut: A grip of extras plus solid colors and contrast lift this budget monitor above its price point.

Specs

• Size: 23.8-inch
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Ports: HDMI (1), VGA (1)
• Panel type: IPS

Pros

• Impressive colors for the price
• High contrast
• Ergonomic stand
• Stereo 2-watt speakers

Cons

• Lacking in connectivity

While there’s a lot to be said for a monitor that can do it all, sometimes all you need is a monitor to show you what’s on your computer screen. Extensive connectivity, gaming extras, web cameras—these are all unnecessary. If this is your concern, or you’re on a budget and just need a monitor that will get the job done, HP’s VH240a Monitor is the one for you. With a 23.8-inch IPS screen and a 60Hz refresh rate, it’s more than capable of handling day-to-day computing tasks. It has HP’s solid color numbers, with a nice, high contrast ratio that’s impressive at the sub-$200 price point. Surprisingly, it also boasts a highly ergonomic stand that can pivot to portrait mode, making it a good candidate for a second screen. It even has stereo speakers, a bonus for a monitor of this price. While it may be lacking in connectivity, it has plenty else to recommend it.

Things to consider when shopping for the best HP monitors

With such a wide variety of monitor types, it can be hard to know where to start. The first thing you’ll want to consider is size. Monitors come in a number of different sizes (measured diagonally across the screen, of course). Bigger is probably better but there’s also the matter of desktop real estate. A small corner desk will require a monitor with very different dimensions than, say, a wide table. You’ll also want to keep in mind how you plan to use your new screen. A monitor geared toward remote work will have a number of features that you may not need if your intended use is for streaming content or gaming. Connectivity is another matter to examine. What kinds of ports do you need? Once you’ve settled this, you’ll find your options narrowing down to a few strong candidates.

What makes up a monitor?

Not every monitor is the same. Even ones of the same screen width could have very different specifications. There’s size, of course, but there’s also resolution. A nice, wide monitor may give you the space you need but it won’t look good without a high-enough resolution to do it justice. A good resolution will give you both clarity of image and more space to spread out your work. Another aspect of monitors is refresh rate—how many times per second the display is able to redraw images. This is important when it comes to motion—streaming video and games, especially. For non-gaming monitors, a 60Hz refresh rate is standard but faster rates will give you smoother results.

Not every monitor is made of the same stuff. There are three main types of display panel used in modern monitors. They are IPS (In-Plane Switching), TN (Twisted Nematic), and VA (Vertical Alignment). They all have different plusses. IPS is the most common and offers a solid balance of features. TN monitors tend to be more affordable and provide a slightly better response time. Lastly, VA monitors excel at contrast and black levels but can lag when it comes to response time.

Display resolution: Resolution refers to how many pixels a monitor can display in terms of width and height. The more pixels crammed into a display, the sharper the image will be. There are resolution standards, with HP often referring to these standards with acronyms. HD (also known as 720p) has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The next up on the list is Full HD, or FHD (also known as 1080p). This has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Continuing up, there’s WUXGA (widescreen ultra extended graphics array) with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. Next is QHD (quad high definition) with 2560 x 1440 resolution. This has four times the resolution of standard definition; it’s also sometimes referred to as 2K. After that is Ultra HD (or UHD) with 3840 x 2160 pixels. This is also known as 4K. The current top level is 5K with 5120 x 2880 pixels found in specialty (read very expensive) models, such as Apple’s Studio Display.

Connectivity: There are a number of different kinds of ports that you can find on monitors. The most common is HDMI but there are actually four different HDMI cable types. HDMI standard can handle resolutions up to 1080p; HDMI High Speed is for 4K resolution; HDMI Premium High Speed will work with HDR-enabled devices; and HDMI Ultra High Speed (made to meet the HDMI 2.1 standard) is what you’ll need if you require support for uncompressed 8K video and 48 Gbps bandwidth.

Launched in 2008, DisplayPort is a newer standard and is often used for gaming or video editing. There are three types of DisplayPort cables. DisplayPort 1.2 is for monitors with a resolution of up to 3840 x 2160 (UHD 4K) with a 60Hz refresh rate. DisplayPort 1.3 handles 8K video at a 30Hz refresh rate, while DisplayPort 1.4 is for 8K video at 60Hz and HDR video.

Another connection type is USB-C. For modern machines, this is the preferred way to connect laptops to external monitors. You may also encounter regular USB ports on some monitors as well. Meanwhile, two older types you may see are DVI and VGA.

FAQs

A final word on selecting the best HP monitors

Hewlett-Packard has been in the business for a long time. The company brings all of that experience to bear on its products, monitors included, so HP’s screens should always be considered when making the decision to buy a new one. While HP does lean toward business-focused screens, there are plenty of other types available, and often at very reasonable prices. With the right research and a category-focused approach, you’ll be able to select the best HP monitor that will hopefully complement your computing needs.

The post The best HP monitors of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		LG 34WN80C-B UltraWide Monitor		SEE IT	Plenty of display real estate, plus the ability to split the screen, make this wall-mountable USB-C monitor extra efficient.
Best 4K		HP 27-inch 4K UHD		SEE IT	Ultra-thin bezels, blue light protection, low-blur technology, and great tilt range make for an optimum viewing option.
Best Value		Samsung Business S27R650FDN		SEE IT	Wide viewing angles, plus equally robust connectivity options, are packed in an energy-saving easy on the eyes display.

Programming and living behind a screen are basically synonymous, so for high-quality coding and study you deserve comfort and an optimized monitor for programming is a great place to start. While the stereotype of the hacking coder, slouched into a chair, wearing a hoodie, and blasting their eyes with a bright screen in a dark room is fun to think about, the result will only be a horrible experience.

Instead, if you’re a real coder of today, you probably realize that you have a long, steady career ahead of you. Increased comfort and feeling good on the job will lead to a fruitful workday and a clear head, ready to innovate. With work from home not going anywhere soon, especially in the knowledge work sector, it is falling more and more on the shoulders of the worker to get their own computer equipment. As a result, we invite you to consider upgrading your life with one of our best monitors for programming picks.

• Best overall: LG 34WN80C-B UltraWide Monitor
• Best 4K: HP 27-inch 4K UHD
• Best value: Samsung Business S27R650FDN
• Best for gaming and programming: Samsung Odyssey G9
• Best portable: SideTrak Swivel 14”
• Best budget: BenQ GW2780

How we chose the best monitors for programming

Staring at screens, typing out notes, and looking through comparison tables is something both the writer and the programmer handle on a daily basis, so personal experience helped guide this guide. Discussing the matter of picking a monitor with software engineers themselves helps too, of course, with key concerns including size and resolution. I also looked at user impressions, their concerns, and what critics see as coming trends, such as more working from home; for these reasons, I adjusted toward results that prioritize comfort and eye health after long-term usage.

Ultimately, good monitors for programming are good monitors for computing. Expect to see some overlap in how programming monitors are evaluated with other categories of monitor, such as gaming monitors and trading monitors, etc. The key differences, such as being used for work activities with less chances of a break, are going to be where we put in a significant portion of our comparison efforts, but a good monitor will always be a good monitor.

The best monitors for programming: Reviews & Recommendations

The best monitors for programming include a wide range of brands, makes, and features. Again, a good monitor for programming will be good for a wide variety of uses. Any of the monitors on this list will be good for any purpose, but also happen to have some qualities that give them the edge over the competition when it comes to quality coding time.

Best overall: LG 34WN80C-B UltraWide Monitor

LG

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Why it made the cut: This monitor is ultrawide, the perfect size, and has on-screen controls to make it the best possible experience for people wanting to use multiple windows at once.

Specs

• Size: 34”
• Resolution: 3440 x 1440 pixels
• Screen: Anti-glare, Hard coating

Pros

• Built-in screen-splitting options
• USB-C works great with the MacBook Pro
• Excellent height adjustability for neck comfort
• 100 x 100 VESA wall-mountable

Cons

• Expensive

The LG 34WN80C-B Ultrawide is designed for intensive programming at home. This is seen in its On-Screen tech, maneuverability, and MacBook Pro connectability. It also happens to be one of the best ultrawide monitors for working at home.

The first way this can be seen is through the huge customization ability available through LG’s On-Screen control options. Using this feature you can subdivide your screen into defined boxes. Click, drag, and pop your relevant windows into place to fill each section and get the most out of the monitor. You’ll notice that you have space for debugging windows, coding screens, GitHub pages, and more all on one monitor without feeling cramped. Naturally, the 34-inch ultrawide size of this LG plays into that, but the on-screen controls will certainly pull their weight.

Next, let’s talk about maneuverability. This monitor does a great job of accommodating coders of any height by having just over half a foot of vertical height adjustment. Furthermore, this is accomplished without finicky knobs or difficult-to-reach panels, you can just move it with your hands and the spring-loaded mechanism of the stand will take care of the rest.

Finally, consider that this monitor supports USB-C, making it a really good combo with MacBook Pro laptops. Considering that macOS is a preferred programming environment, there’s a good chance that either your current or next company computer will be one. There are other good monitor options for MacBook Pro users but not all of them will prove to be best for programmers.

Best 4K: HP 27-inch 4K UHD

HP

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Why it made the cut: This is a 4K monitor for programming with built-in blue light filtering, excellent tilting, and the ultra high resolution you deserve.

Specs

• Size: 27”
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels
• Tilt: 5 degrees forward, 16 degrees backward

Pros

• AMD FreeSync for low blur
• Ultra-thin bezel
• Built-in blue light protection
• Great backward tilt range

Cons

• Not VESA compatible for mounting

The HP 27-inch 4K UHD provides a decent size while giving you the 4K resolution you’ll need for intensive graphical projects and standard computer use. The added blue light protection that comes built-in with the monitor is a nice addition for making sure a couple of crunch time hours at night don’t cut into your success the next day.

Multi-monitor setups will particularly enjoy the sub-quarter-inch bezel around the sides of the monitor. Quickly flicking your eyes to your other monitor is comfortable and not immersion-breaking like it can be with some monitors. In fact, if you manage to bump your monitors close enough together, it can feel practically like one monitor from a vision perspective.

One thing I wasn’t so happy about with this monitor was the lack of VESA mount holes. Luckily, the monitor is still quite adjustable with six degrees downward tilt and 17 degrees upward, making this HP quite great for those of you that like to tower over your monitor as you work. Ultimately, we think you’ll likely not miss the ability to pair this with a monitor arm unless that just so happens to be a priority for you.

It all comes together to give us an outstanding monitor for programming that fits in well with HP’s solid general-purpose monitors. While this HP fits in as the best 4K monitor for programming, you should certainly check out the others if you are an HP fan.

Best value: Samsung Business S27R650FDN

Samsung

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Why it made the cut: This monitor approaches budget pricing while still having great features for professionals.

Specs

• Size: 27”
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Viewing angle: 172 degrees

Pros

• Includes Eye Saver Mode
• Wide viewing angle for collaboration
• Full connectivity panel
• Energy-saving mode

Cons

• Unreliable DisplayPort connection

The Samsung Business S27R650FDN has “business” right in the name but does it hold up to being the best value monitor for programming work? Based on the features and specs that Samsung has managed to pour into it, we’d respond with a resounding “yes.” That’s without mentioning one of the most businesslike features of all, its economical energy-saving mode and bargain sticker price.

With workers in mind, the Samsung Business uses the included Eye Saver Mode to reduce blue light from the monitor. Flicker-Free technology is also included to keep your eyes comfortable and feeling rested through a long shift.

Especially useful for teams and collaborative efforts, the Samsung Business has a 172-degree viewing angle and a wide connectivity panel to support a wide range of devices, including those that use USB 3.0 (including B type), USB 2.0, DisplayPort, HDMI, and old school RGB. For those with a ton of devices, this will certainly be the best value monitor for programming. The only caveat to this is that the DisplayPort is touchy and unreliable, dropping for some users.

Best for gaming and programming: Samsung Odyssey G9

Samsung

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Why it made the cut: The Samsung Odyssey G9 is the best monitor for gaming and programming due to its size, resolution, and high-performance gaming screen.

Specs

• Size: 49”
• Resolution: 5120 x 1440 pixels
• Refresh rate: 240Hz

Pros

• Gigantic screen size
• Vivid color display
• Intensive curve

Cons

• Very expensive

Here’s another fantastic ultrawide option for your gaming and programming pleasure. Much like our pick for the overall best monitor for programming, the Samsung Odyssey G9 provides a massive screen ready to fit many windows, charts, graphs, debug menus, and the like.

What’s different about the G9 is that it is also one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors, with insanely high refresh rates of 240Hz and a 1 millisecond response time. Add on top of this the AMD FreeSync technology that ensures that your monitor matches a compatible graphics card frame-by-frame and you have a recipe for back-to-back after-work headshots.

Additionally, the G9 has a curve at a degree that copies the curve of the human eye. This helps reduce the need to constantly bend your neck to take in the fullness of the screen. That doesn’t mean that you’ll never wish to crane your neck or tilt your head while using a G9, of course, but you should notice a subtle reduction in neck and shoulder stress when compared to other curved monitors for programming.

One thing to keep in mind is that the G9 is bigger than nearly any other monitor out there, which makes it a great choice of large monitor for programming. Unfortunately, the sticker price has had the chance to measure every square inch of the G9 and has been able to keep up with it. While this is certainly not a cheap monitor for programming, it will keep you happy.

Best portable: SideTrak Swivel 14”

SideTrak

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Why it made the cut: This portable monitor naturally attaches to your laptop to give you the dual-monitor office feel on the go.

Specs

• Size: 14”
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Weight: 1.5 pounds (3.1 with attachments)

Pros

• Connects to any laptop
• No tool installation
• Plug and play, download-free installation

Cons

• Designed for right-side attachment only

As working on the go has become more and more popular, especially in the programming field, the desire to have a second monitor to travel with us has grown immensely. This can be seen with the expansive list of fantastic portable monitors coming out over the past few years. So, what makes the SideTrak Swivel the best portable monitor for programming?

While maintaining the high quality of the other portable monitors, the SideTrak Swivel has superior attachment and connectability options. With a combo of sticky pads and computer-safe magnets, the monitor attaches directly next to the side of your laptop’s screen. Unlike other portable monitors that are stuck resting in a stand, you can tilt it to the angle you’re used to in the office. Really, that’s what it all comes down to, recreating the dual-monitor office setup that you like anywhere you go.

Furthermore, the SideTrak Swivel has a ton of connectivity options. You can have USB-C, with DisplayPort capabilities, for your MacBook Pro or use standard USB-A or HDMI for other notebook computers. It’s even compatible with Chromebook and can connect to just about any device while remaining plug-and-play.

The only disappointing thing about the SideTrak experience is the fact that it could just as easily be called the RightSideTrak. The attachment mechanism is designed to be attached to the left part of the monitor. If, like me, you’re used to having your second monitor on the left, you can do so, but you’ll be stuck with an unsightly upside-down monitor as a result.

Best budget: BenQ GW2780

BenQ

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Why it made the cut: This monitor checks all of the basic boxes, gives you a bit extra, and still has a price tag worthy of the best budget monitor for programming. 

Specs

• Size: 27”
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Screen: Glossy LED

Pros

• Intelligent brightness adjustment
• Wall mountable with 100 x 100 VESA
• Built-in cable management

Cons

• Low-quality built-in speakers

Our best budget monitor for programming, the BenQ GW2780, stays cheap but has a lot of nifty features that make it worth your while for programming or any other purpose. 

You can see the standard features that make it great for programming with the 27-inch screen or the fact that it has 100 x 100 VESA mount capabilities.

However, it is the extra features that aren’t costing you any extra that make the BenQ outcompete other budget monitor contenders. One cool example is a sensor that adjusts your screen’s brightness for you automatically. Another is the built-in cord control in the stand. Sure, these aren’t features most of you are begging for, but it’s these kinds of thoughtful touches that show BenQ is going the extra mile to make a worthwhile product for the budget tier.

One extra you probably won’t love, however, is the included speakers. They’re low-quality and quiet, and even people who aren’t professed audiophiles tend to struggle to like them. If you are in need of some speakers on the cheap, there are quite a few desktop speakers or budget Bluetooth speakers out there that will better suit your needs.

What to consider when buying the best monitors for programming

Getting monitors for programming, much like getting monitors for home offices, can be tricky because you’ll want the monitor to be good for other purposes, too. Luckily, many of the factors that translate to being one of the best monitors for programming, also make for great general monitors. For example, programmers are likely to care a lot about size but people watching Netflix aren’t complaining about monitors being too big. We’ll examine all of the big factors in this sort of multimodal way, including resolution and comfort.

Size

This one is relatively straightforward. In almost every case, bigger is better. The ability to have multiple windows open at the same time and look at things side-by-side cannot be overstated. Moving your head from one monitor to another can make direct comparisons tricky, whereas having everything ready at a glance will help keep you in a happy programming flow state.

While there are some people that might look at a very large screen and feel overwhelmed, it is easy to make your windows smaller and focus on what is important. You cannot do this the other way around—making windows larger than the screen to be more comfortable. Getting something a tad bigger than you’re used to will likely go fine, you’ll get acclimated to the larger size, but going too small will trap you in.

So, when might it be bad to have a larger monitor? When the monitor is so big that it pushes out your other monitors. Sure, the advantages of side-by-side comparison given by a large monitor are important, but that doesn’t mean that having the ability to throw something up in full screen on another monitor is less important. Finding balance and what works appropriately with your given desk space is critical.

Resolution

In the world of movies, we always seem to see blocky, pixelated coding text. The real world won’t have it. Resolution is the most important factor for getting a crisp, easy to look at picture out of your monitor. The higher the resolution, the more pixels you’ll see in a given patch of monitor space.

Resolution is defined by both numbers and letters, which can be somewhat confusing. The numbers give a reading of the pixels shown, horizontally and vertically. For example, a resolution of 1920 x 1080 shows 1920 pixels from right to left and 1080 pixels from top to bottom. Resolution numbers are often abbreviated to just show the vertical number—1920 x 1080 is known in this system as 1080p.

Letter abbreviations are also commonly used. Some of the most common abbreviations are as follows: FHD (Full High Definition) is 1920 x 1080; QHD (Quad High Definition) is 2560 x 1440; and UHD (Ultra High Definition) is 3840 x 2160. Interestingly, despite only getting to 3,840 pixels wide, this is commonly referred to as 4K.

So, what resolution is good for programming? This is another case of the bigger, the better, but we recommend going for at least 1080p, with 1440p and higher offering the best experience. One often unmentioned, but nonetheless worthy, note is that your desktop space changes with your resolution. So, if you’re the type of programmer with about 40 to 50 files and folders on your desktop, plus a dozen or so game shortcuts, then you’ll definitely want to be opting for the highest resolution possible!

Comfort

It’s a sad fact but you’re probably going to be working more often than you’d like to be. Be comfortable while you do it. For this review, we’re looking at three key comfort factors that can work for you:

Range of tilt: Your monitor’s ability to tilt will add comfort by increasing the flexibility of its facing. Having a monitor that is tilted too high or too low could have the negative effect of subconsciously forcing your head to match, giving you headaches or unnecessary shoulder tension.

Ability to wall mount: Rigging up your monitor with a reliable wall mount or desk stand will give you the advantages of increased desk space and heightened maneuverability of your monitor. Look for VESA-compatible monitors, with 100 x 100 mounting surfaces giving you the most options in terms of wall mounts to buy and 200 x 200 being an okay alternative for ultrawide monitors.

Eye comfort: Screens that are too bright, glossy, or that suffer from screen flickering can all cause discomfort to the eyes. Nowadays, monitors are also providing built-in blue light blocking to improve users’ sleep quality. All of these factors can greatly affect how you perceive your time with your monitor and the quality of your work, so much so that we’d recommend you check out our monitors for eye strain if this is a recurring problem for you.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best monitors for programming

• Best overall: LG 34WN80C-B UltraWide Monitor
• Best 4K: HP 27-inch 4K UHD
• Best value: Samsung Business S27R650FDN
• Best for gaming and programming: Samsung Odyssey G9
• Best portable: SideTrak Swivel 14”
• Best budget: BenQ GW2780

Getting one of the best monitors for programming doesn’t have to be difficult. If you find a monitor that is easy to use in daily life, treats your eyes well, and connects properly with your work computer, then you’ve probably found a decent programming monitor. Still, considering a unique monitor like the LG 34WN80C-B UltraWide or the business-minded Samsung Business S27R650FDN might give you the extra edge you’ve been looking for.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best monitors for programming in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		AOC G2490VX		SEE IT	The AOC G2490VX has all the specs we look for in a basic gaming monitor including 1080p, 144Hz gameplay.
Best curved		AOC C24G1A		SEE IT	The AOC C24G1A features a few small luxuries, including a fully adjustable stand and a 1500R curve.
Best for consoles		Acer Nitro QG241Y Pbmiipx		SEE IT	The Acer Nitro QG241Y Pbmiipx has three ports, including an HDMI 2.0 port that allows for high refresh rates on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

First things first: You should set your sights relatively low if you have $200 or less to spend on your new gaming monitor. The best monitors—the ones that support 4K, high refresh rates, and superior color accuracy—often cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Not everyone needs the best of the best, though. Many older and/or less expensive systems can’t take advantage of resource-intensive specialty features. The best gaming monitors under $200 meet PC players’ basic needs, bringing their games to life for as little as possible.

• Best overall: AOC G2490VX
• Best curved: AOC C24G1A
• Best for consoles: Acer Nitro QG241Y Pbmiipx
• Best 27-inch: AOC 27GS2
• Best budget: Sceptre E248W-19203R

How we picked the best gaming monitors under $200

As a critic covering games and gaming hardware, I’ve written about computing and monitors for Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, and NBC Select. I’ve researched, tested, and reviewed dozens of gaming monitors, and have a strong sense of which specs are important, and which are not.

To pick the best gaming monitors under $200, we relied on my mix of hands-on testing, peer suggestions, user impressions, and information from professional reviews. We focused on core specifications crucial to a great gaming monitor: resolution, frame rate, connectivity options, and price.

The best gaming monitors under $200: Reviews & Recommendations

The best gaming monitors under $200 come from a few well-known monitor manufacturers, primarily Acer and AOC. Many of our recommendations feature similar specs, including a 1080p resolution, a 24-inch screen, a VA panel, and a 144Hz response time. Though the range of specs is limited, they can still make your games look good.

Best overall: AOC G2490VX

AOC

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The AOC G2490VX gives all the specs you need at the price you want.

Specs

• Size: 23.8-inch
• Native resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Panel type: VA
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• Response time: 1ms
• Ports: HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, audio out
• Ergonomics: Tilt, VESA mountable
• Variable refresh rate: AMD FreeSync
• Built-in speakers: No