Picking the right ports: The best USB-C monitors

When discussing the best monitors, you would be right to focus on-screen performance, but the build ports are just as important, and a USB-C connection is a fantastic feature that not every screen has. More and more of our daily devices use USB-C, but you might find your current monitor to be lacking any compatible ports. USB-C is here to stay, so it's a bright idea to look for an upgrade.

Anyone working from a desk, whether that's in an office or at home, knows the struggles of keeping your cables organised. Your keyboard, mouse, laptop and all your other devices want to be connected to each other, and adding a monitor or two into the mix can be even more taxing. Being able to bring most of these devices together in one place is very handy, and that's why the port selection of your monitor is crucial to consider. This goes doubly so for any dual monitor setup.

The best USB-C monitors at a glance:

• Best overall USB-C monitor: Dell S2722DC QHD Monitor - View on Amazon

• Best USB-C monitor for programmers: BenQ GW2785TC Monitor - View on Amazon

• Best Flicker-free USB-C monitor: ASUS VA24DCP Eye Care Monitor - View on Amazon

• Best budget-friendly USB-C monitor: PHILIPS 24E1N1300A FHD Monitor - View on Amazon

• Best USB-C monitor for ports: Dell U2422H UltraSharp Monitor - View on Amazon

• Best USB-C office monitor: Lenovo L32p-30 4K Ultra HD Monitor - View on John Lewis

• Best USB-C curved monitor: Samsung Odyssey G8 OLED Curved Monitor - View on John Lewis

• Best USB-C 4K monitor: Gigabyte M32UC Curved Monitor - View on Currys

Of course, while a USB-C port is very important, you still want to factor in other specs. Brightness, measured in nits, is exactly as it sounds, with anything above 300 nits providing plenty of light. Colour support is also self-explanatory. Refresh rate and response time are less clear; they represent how often the screen refreshes and updates its image and how quickly the pixels can change respectively. Resolution is the pixel detail, with FHD and QHD being great, and any 4K monitor looking excellent.

There are a lot of monitor brands out there, and the options available can feel quite overwhelming, but we're here to help. We've curated a list of some of our favourite USB-C monitors for your consideration. We've factored in their strengths, weaknesses, and specs, so you can be assured that each of these is a quality pick.

The best USB-C monitors:

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

FAQs

Why use USB-C?

You may have noticed that it feels like more monitors feature regular USB (or USB-A) rather than USB-C, so why should you prioritise finding this connection?

In essence, USB-C is the upgraded form of USB-A, being better than it in several ways. More modern monitors include USB-C ports, and going forward more monitors should feature them too.

USB-C connections are faster, both for data transferring and charging. If you have a device connected to a monitor via USB-C, it will likely charge faster, perform more consistently, and respond quicker than you would expect from a USB-A connection.

It's also worth noting that USB-C has a minor yet convenient edge over other USB connections. We all know the dance of flipping a USB around to find which way is up, but now, with USB-C, that won't be necessary. Both faces of the head work regardless of orientation, so there's no right or wrong way up when connecting it.

Should you use a curved monitor?

A few monitors on our list are curved, so you may be curious about the benefits of using one. They can seem a bit unorthodox, and they take up a fair bit of space, so why choose a curved monitor?

In brief, a curved monitor caters to our eyes better than a flat screen. The screen's curve draws our eyes and attention better to the screen, making you less likely to be distracted by anything outside of the frame. This subtle, simple guidance for our eyes helps to reduce unnecessary eye movements and, in turn, helps to prevent eye fatigue from kicking in so quickly. Whether it's work or relaxation, a curved monitor is certainly worth your consideration.

Any other important connections?

The only notable port that you will need to keep an eye out for is the lightning connection. While Apple appears to be going with USB-C compatibility in their devices going forward, a lot of its products still require a unique lightning connection. It has many of the same benefits as USB-C, but you will need to find a compatible monitor for any Apple devices you use. Usually, this will be an Apple monitor.

Kyle Purves is a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.

They’re well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They’re also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.

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