Enhance your setup with the best 4K monitors of 2024

Hunting down the best PC monitors can be tricky enough, but finding the best 4K monitors introduces another level of complication - for those new to 4K and high-def acolytes alike. Like most tech, 4K displays are now cheap enough to be commonplace, and so the marketplace is full of impressive-looking monitors that promise mind-bending detail and realism. But are they really that good?

Well, it depends. Thankfully, the tech experts here at What's The Best have taken a high-definition toothcomb to the growing list of manufacturers, models and spec sheets - from high-end screens to budget monitors. We've looked at screen size, refresh rate, ports and more; then put the very best 4K monitors into useful categories to help you choose. One thing's for sure: 4K is easy on the eyes - the added pixel count really does count.

The best 4K monitors of 2024 at a glance:

• Best overall 4K monitor: ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q - View at Amazon
• Best budget 4K monitor: KOORUI 27 Inch 4K Computer Monitor - View at Amazon
• Best office 4K monitor: ASUS VP32UQ Eye Care Monitor - View at Amazon
• Best for designers: ASUS ProArt Display PA329CRV Professional Monitor - View at Wex Photo Video

Different monitors are designed for different purposes. If you're a gamer you'll want fast response times and high refresh rates. Those who need a monitor for photo editing will want a high colour range and accurate colour reproduction. For most users, a 4K monitor that is flicker-free and running at 60hz or more will be comfortable to use, especially as a monitor for a home office or study. Whatever you need it for, there's a 4K monitor to suit you.

To make things a little easier, we've included a guide to common monitor jargon, described the different panel types, and answered some of your questions. So, let's ditch that fuzzy old screen, clear some desk space and get ready for some of the best 4K monitors available right now.

The best 4K monitors of 2024

All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.

How to choose the best 4K monitor for you: Buyer's guide

Consider how you'll be using it

Most general users will work and watch videos or browse. That means any 4K screen - whether it's an IPS or a VA panel - is likely to be a perfect choice. But, if you want to use the monitor for design or video editing you'll want to look at the panel type and colour accuracy. IPS tends to be a wise choice for most,

As for gamers, even consoles will be fine, including having the best monitor for a PS5 - even if not all games are in 4K. PC gaming tends to be a little more demanding in terms of monitor specifications. A game may vary its output anywhere between 60 frames per second to 120 frames per second.

Unsurprisingly, your monitor should be able to match this as much as possible, and that's where Variable refresh rates (VRR) come in. Sometimes known as FreeSync or G-Sync, if a gaming monitor can take the varied frame rates kicked out by the graphics card, you're in for smooth, tear-free gameplay.

One final consideration is the panel type. The underlying tech that makes the screen display a picture counts for a lot. There's a brief run-down of these below, but in general, OLED panels, QLED and MiniLED are popular with creatives and movie fans thanks to their impressive contrast ratio and colour accuracy. High Dynamic Range (HDR) is also recommended here. And you might even like a curved monitor for even more immersion; and less eye strain thanks to more natural and consistent viewing distances.

Check your system

Some PCs have an HDMI port on the rear panel from the motherboard's onboard video input. Often, if the system is fitted with a dedicated graphics card, that original onboard port will be rendered useless. That means you need to inspect your graphics card and make sure that it has digital ports such as HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI (although that will be limited to lower resolutions) or the latest USB-C connection. And then...

Check your monitor's connections

Having identified which monitor ports you have available on your system, you'll need to make sure your chosen monitor has matching inputs. Thankfully, you can mix and match connection types - as long as they support the same resolution as each other. If your graphics card has one HDMI and one DisplayPort, each will support a range of high resolutions. If your PC doesn't have DisplayPort but does have HDMI, or vice versa, you can use DisplayPort to HDMI adapters.

Best 4K monitors of 2024: Frequently asked questions

Is a 4K monitor worth it?

As always, this really comes down to your budget. But, in short, yes. No matter what you're using it for, the added resolution will reduce eye strain. This is particularly true with monitors equipped with other eye care features. They also improve productivity.

More desktop space means more apps open at once, with room to really zoom in if you're a designer. And you can buy back some desk space by removing the stand and going for one of the best monitor arm mounts instead. If you're a gamer, you'll experience 4K once and then never go back. Investing in a 4K monitor really is a no-brainer these days, especially since prices are now very affordable.

What graphics card do I need for 4K?

If your system has a relatively modern dedicated graphics card, it's highly likely it will be capable of outputting 4K resolution. Even most motherboards with onboard graphics capability will support it. You may have an HDMI port or DisplayPort to hook your monitor up to. If in doubt. investigate your current computer system and see what it's capable of before you buy.

And a quick note on ultrawide monitors: A handful of these now support genuine 4K on a screen with wider ratio. Now, just because your machine can pipe out content at 4K, doesn't necessarily mean it can drive the screens. Ultrawide 4K screens have resolutions as wide as a staggering ‎5120 x 2160 pixels.

Can 4K monitors do 1440p?

Yes. Any screen that can display 4K is capable of displaying lower resolutions. The real issue here is whether or not the monitor can handle 1440p effectively. That's to say, the native resolution (the one the monitor is designed to display by default) may be 4K, but it will need to upscale 1440p to fit the native resolution.

Sometimes, because everything is effectively magnified, you'll more easily see some small digital artefacts from the upscaling. At the end of the day, if you're sitting at a proper distance and can accept the consequences of upscaling, there's no reason why you can't buy one of the best 4K monitors and play everything on it at 4K or lower.

Best 4K monitors of 2024: Jargon buster

Refresh rate

The refresh rate is how often monitors update every second. So 60Hz means the monitor updates 60 times a second. In essence, this means the monitor's maximum frame rate is 60 frames per second. Higher refresh rates mean the monitor is more responsive and, if you are using it for games, the gameplay will look smoother. A high refresh rate running on something like a 4K curved monitor will really create a greater illusion of reality, thanks to the smooth motion and field of view.

Screen latency and response time

Latency, or input lag, is the time between when an event is triggered (such as moving, shooting etc.) and that event happening on-screen. Measured in milliseconds, a response time of anything below 70ms is acceptable, and under 40ms is excellent. The smaller the latency the better - it means you can react faster and with more accuracy in games. If this is too high, that means motion on the screen may produce 'ghosting' - or appear smeared as the pixels struggle to update fast enough.

HDR and colour gamut

A screen that supports HDR - or High Dynamic Range, will benefit from higher contrast levels and a vastly wider colour palette than standard screens. With over one billion colours to display, HDR10 and its close cousins will take your monitor to the next level. Similarly, the colour gamut is the range of colours a monitor can produce. The higher the colour gamut the more accurate your colours - and that's why designers prefer monitors that are calibrated or certified to universal colour standards, like sRGB or Adobe RGB.

Resolution

Resolution is the number of pixels on a display, expressed as height x width. The greater the number of pixels, the sharper the detail of the image. Some of the more common ones are below, but for a more comprehensive view, read our guide to TV and monitor resolutions.

HD = 720p - 1280 x 720 pixels

Full HD = 1080p - 1920 x 1080 pixels

Quad HD (QHD) = 1440p - 2560 x 1440 pixels, often referred to as 2K

4K UHD = 2160p - 3840 x 2160 pixels, also referred to as ‘Ultra HD resolution’

IPS panel

IPS panels (In-Plane Switching) are used in TVs and smartphones. They're more costly but generally have great colour ranges than standard TN panels. They can be an excellent choice for designers and gamers; gamers should be happy to hunt down an IPS panel with a high enough refresh rate and low enough response time though.

VA panel

VA panels, or Vertical Alignment panels, are a hybrid of both IPS and TN panels. They offer great colour and high refresh rates but sometimes suffer from motion blur or smearing. They're best suited to static office-type applications.

QLED / OLED / Mini LED

These are the new kids on the block in terms of base panel technology. Unlike the three above, which are generally based on LED panels, these three are new. They still support identical resolutions, but each has a new LED-based approach.

OLED display tech means that each organic LED pixel provides its own illumination. Known for its high contrast ratio and lighting precision, QLED uses tiny quantum dots instead of organic LEDs. It offers enhanced brightness and colour. Mini LED displays combine the best of the two above but with more light bleed. What you prefer the look of is down to you.

Adaptive Sync

There are currently two main contenders when it comes to screen sync technology: Nvidia G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync. These features are often built into monitors for gamers or anyone dealing the fast-moving graphics. Sometimes you'll find both built into the same monitor. It prevents screen tearing or stuttering at the same time as minimising motion blur. It does this in various ways, but mainly by varying the refresh rate of the screen to match the output from your graphics card.

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Chris Duffill is a Senior Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best and Yours. His background includes writing, editorial, marketing, design, video production and photography.

He specialises in home entertainment and audiovisual tech, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, streaming media players, and TVs. He is also one of our resident experts in computing (PCs, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches), DSLR photography and all kinds of digital cameras. He also writes about retro gaming, game consoles and various electronic gadgets. If it plugs in, lights up or makes a noise, he’ll write about it.

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