USB-C is the one connection to rule all of them — actually, in lots of instances, because of a current regulation handed by the European Parliament. Its reputation has made USB-C a standard sight on new screens. A USB-C monitor can act as USB hub, supplying you with further ports for connecting varied USB units, however the monitor’s USB-C port also can function a video-input various to HDMI or DisplayPort; and a few USB-C screens may even cost a related machine whereas in use.
The small print of USB-C could be complicated, nevertheless, and pricing for USB-C screens is commonly larger than that for screens that lack the interface. See our patrons’ information under our suggestions to raised perceive the nuances.
For much more monitor suggestions, take a look at our roundups of the very best screens and the very best screens for a house workplace. And when you’re at it, take a look at our record of greatest monitor arms so you possibly can optimize the ergonomics and luxury of your desk setup whereas viewing that model new monitor.
Up to date August 15, 2024: Players ought to take a look at our critiques of the Gigabyte Aorus F032U2 and Auros FO27Q3. Each of those QD-OLED panels present their gaming chops with excessive refresh charges and Adaptive Sync assist, in addition to 4 video inputs apiece together with USB-C, they usually additionally every toss in a pair downstream USB-A ports to energy peripherals.
Dell Ultrasharp U2724DE – Greatest USB-C monitor total
Professionals
- Engaging and purposeful design
- Class-leading Thunderbolt and USB connectivity
- IPS Black improves distinction
- 120Hz refresh charge
Cons
- Most opponents supply 4K decision
- No HDR assist
- Adaptive Sync has some caveats
The Dell U2724DE Ultrasharp has distinctive connectivity that caters to a mixture of workplace productiveness, gaming, and multimedia use. It helps Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, and video-out. It additionally supplies as much as 90 watts of Energy Supply over USB-C for charging a related laptop computer or pill.
Dell employs a brand new sort of show panel known as IPS Black, which achieves a greater distinction than previous IPS panels. It enhances the monitor’s depth and immersion which, although not in a position to conquer OLED or Mini-LED, is healthier than common for its class. The monitor scores excessive marks in shade accuracy and provides a large, vibrant shade gamut.
Essentially the most stunning function is the monitor’s 120Hz refresh charge. Boosting the refresh charge improves movement readability and fluidity in 3D video games. It additionally makes the Home windows desktop really feel extra responsive. Only a few competing USB-C screens have a 120Hz (or higher) refresh charge, and those who do lack the U2724DE’s vary of connectivity.
Dell makes a pair sacrifices to realize a refresh charge of 120Hz. It sticks to a modest show decision of 2560×1440 as an alternative of 4K (3840×2160). HDR is lacking, too. These keen to sacrifice the 120Hz refresh charge for 4K decision and HDR ought to think about the U2724DE’s predecessor, the U2723QE.
Dell’s U2724DE carries an affordable MSRP of $649.99 which, although not cheap, is nice worth for the monitor’s many options. It’s an important USB-C monitor for work and play.
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Dell U2724DE assessment
BenQ GW2790QT – Greatest finances USB-C monitor
Professionals
- Engaging and ergonomic design
- Sharp, vivid picture
- Contains USB-C and DisplayPort-out
- Acceptable built-in audio system and microphone
Cons
- Mediocre picture high quality
- No HDR
- No Adaptive Sync
The BenQ GW2790QT is an affordable monitor that doesn’t skimp on USB-C. Although priced at simply $300 (with occasional drops to $280 on Amazon), it encompasses a USB-C port with 65 watts of Energy Supply and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which makes it potential to attach and cost a laptop computer or pill.
It additionally has HDMI, DisplayPort, three USB-A 3.2 downstream ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It even contains DisplayPort-out, a uncommon function that simplifies cable administration by enabling daisy-chaining to a second monitor.
That’s not all. The GW2790T has built-in audio system and a microphone, which makes it an all-in-one video conferencing show. The microphone admittedly isn’t the very best, nevertheless it’s effective for video conferencing.
BenQ throws in an ergonomic stand with changes for peak, tilt, swivel, and pivot. The stand’s sturdy base ensures the monitor stays securely in place in your desk. It additionally has a singular cut-out that can be utilized as a smartphone or pill stand.
The GW2790T’s many strengths are offset by a pair downsides. It lacks gaming-oriented options like AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync, and it doesn’t assist HDR. These lacking options make the GW2790T much less helpful for leisure, nevertheless it’s a go-to choose if you’d like an reasonably priced USB-C monitor on your workplace.
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BenQ GW2790QT assessment
Viewsonic ColorPro VP16 OLED – Greatest moveable USB-C monitor
Professionals
- Versatile, helpful stands
- Good connectivity, cables included
- Quite a few picture high quality customization choices
- High-tier picture high quality even at default settings
Cons
- Audio system are included, however weak
- Dear for a transportable monitor
- No HDR
The Viewsonic VP16-OLED is a outstanding moveable OLED monitor that brings collectively top-notch picture high quality, USB-C connectivity, and an revolutionary stand design.
The monitor’s 15.6-inch 1080p OLED panel delivers distinctive shade accuracy, gamut, and distinction. It surpasses many full-sized OLED screens and practically all moveable screens. This makes it an important selection for productiveness, although it additionally seems wonderful when viewing motion pictures or taking part in video games.
The VP16-OLED’s stand can be utilized as a kickstand or expanded to carry the monitor upright, making it very best for professionals who need to maximize their workspace or want improved ergonomics. The stand contains two USB-C ports, each of which may present energy and video enter to the monitor, and a micro-HDMI port for compatibility with non-USB-C units. The monitor contains all the required cables in addition to a USB-C energy brick.
There’s a downside: the fee. The Viewsonic VP16-OLED’s MSRP of $399.99 is dear for a transportable monitor. Nevertheless, for those who place a excessive worth on picture high quality and wish the very best monitor on your moveable workplace, the Viewsonic VP16-OLED is a superb selection.
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Viewsonic ColorPro VP16-OLED assessment
LG DualUp 28MQ780-B – Greatest USB-C monitor for productiveness
Professionals
- Distinctive side ratio is beneficial for picture, video enhancing
- Makes an superior second monitor
- Extremely adjustable stand
- Vivid, correct shade
Cons
- Tough to slot in a small house workplace
- USB-C port provides restricted downstream connectivity
- Can lack immersion in some content material
The LG DualUp 28MQ780-B is a USB-C monitor with a singular 16:18 side ratio that’s virtually precisely sq.. It could rotate right into a 18:16 side ratio for those who’d favor. The monitor is far taller than most screens and, in consequence, has an adjustable stand that clamps to the rear of your desk as an alternative of a standard desktop stand.
The monitor’s odd kind issue is right for viewing giant, complicated paperwork and could be helpful for enhancing portrait or sq. pictures. It’s additionally effectively fitted to use as a second monitor alongside a big 32-inch show.
The DualUp 28MQ780-B has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts of Energy Supply, so it could actually cost a related laptop computer or pill. The USB-C port can lengthen connectivity to 2 further USB-A ports. Sadly, the monitor lacks ethernet or video-out, so some homeowners may have an extra adapter.
What about picture high quality? It’s nice. The monitor has nice shade accuracy, a large shade gamut, and respectable sharpness because of its decision of 2560×2880. Simply be warned: The odd side ratio makes it a wierd match for gaming and films. This can be a monitor constructed for work, not play.
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LG DualUp 28MQ780-B assessment
Philips Evnia 8000 – Greatest super-ultrawide USB-C monitor
Professionals
- Glorious SDR picture high quality
- Nice movement readability
- Plenty of connectivity together with USB-C
- Lovely design
Cons
- Ergonomic stand is deep, huge, and requires meeting
- Default shade temperature, gamut barely off track
- HDR efficiency could possibly be higher
The Philips Evnia 8000 takes the crown as the last word big-screen, super-ultrawide monitor. This 49-inch QD-OLED monitor combines top-notch design and in depth connectivity with spectacular picture high quality.
Philips nails the design with the Evnia 8000. The modern white-and-silver aesthetic and geometric rear panel stand out in any setup. Though the ergonomic stand requires extra desk house than some would possibly favor, it provides peak, tilt, and swivel changes. The pleasant 30-watt speaker system delivers clear, loud audio, and the ultra-bright Ambiglow lighting system supplies customizable RGB LED backlighting.
Connectivity is a perk. It options a number of HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C port with 90W Energy Supply, catering to a variety of units from gaming PCs to work laptops. The monitor additionally features a USB hub with 4 USB-A ports and an extra USB-C port, making it straightforward to attach peripherals like keyboards, mice, and webcams.
Picture high quality doesn’t disappoint. The show has 5120×1440 decision and a 240Hz refresh charge for vibrant visuals and clean, responsive movement. The monitor additionally excels in distinction and shade accuracy.
The Philips Evnia 8000 is priced at an intimidating $1,350, nevertheless it’s not a foul worth for what it provides. Its dimension, connectivity, and picture high quality make for a formidable but versatile show.
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Philips Evnia 8000 assessment
What to search for in a USB-C monitor
Many options fascinating in a USB-C monitor are the identical as on some other show. A pointy, vivid, vivid, and contrast-rich display is greatest. Nevertheless, consumers who need to purchase a USB-C monitor ought to keep watch over particulars solely related to USB-C.
Keep in mind, too, {that a} USB-C show can be utilized in two contexts. First, you possibly can join your USB-C monitor to a desktop PC or laptop computer through a USB-C cable, and use it like a conventional USB-C hub through the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps interface. That’s fairly simple.
Second, you can even use the USB-C cable as a substitute for a show cable like HDMI or DisplayPort, particularly for newer laptops that may eradicate an HDMI or DisplayPort port.
It’s right here that USB-C screens can get difficult. The normal rule of thumb is {that a} USB-C port can assist a 4K show at 30Hz decision. DisplayPort Alternate Mode (see under) will increase that to 4K60, which is far simpler on the eyes. Newer laptops use DisplayPort 1.4, which mixes a high-bit-rate mode (HBR3) with a DSC compression mode that ought to enable for 4K60 video alongside the power to make use of USB 3.1 storage units.
Bear in mind, nevertheless, that the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps throughput could not enable for video to be handed to premium shows just like the NZXT Canvas S27Q at its full 1440p, 165Hz refresh charge. These specs in all probability assume that you simply’re utilizing a devoted video port like DisplayPort, as an alternative, in addition to its separate video cable. You’ll be able to actually join the show to your laptop computer utilizing each a video cable and the USB-C cable concurrently, nevertheless.
In case your laptop computer makes use of both Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 — all of which use a 40Gbps information connection and a USB-C port in your laptop computer — you need to in all probability haven’t any points connecting your laptop computer to the monitor on the full refresh charge utilizing a Thunderbolt cable. Simply seek the advice of your laptop computer’s specs and/or handbook to ensure.
Energy Supply
USB-C Energy Supply supplies energy over a USB-C cable. It’s not a part of the core USB-C specification, so units with USB-C (together with screens) don’t all the time assist it. Energy Supply can pack as much as 240 watts, however most USB-C screens present simply 65 to 90 watts. It’s an ideal match for many who personal a thin-and-light laptop computer, 2-in-1, or pill.
Energy Supply is insufficient for some units, similar to gaming laptops, which eat extra energy than present USB-C screens can present. These laptops should still cost when left at idle however will cost slowly (and even discharge the battery) when in use.
Ethernet
Wired ethernet is a fascinating function in a USB-C monitor. Many fashionable laptops lack a bodily Ethernet port, so its inclusion on a monitor is handy. It could enhance the velocity and reliability of a related machine’s web connection.
Whereas helpful, that is an costly function out there solely on premium fashions. The Dell U3223QE is the one USB-C monitor on this record with ethernet assist.
DisplayPort Alternate Mode
DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a function out there to USB-C that handles video as if the USB-C cable was a DisplayPort cable. It helps all of the options you’d anticipate from DisplayPort together with excessive refresh charges and adaptive sync.
A monitor with out this function received’t settle for video over USB-C, that means you’ll have to attach each USB-C and a separate video enter. All of the screens on this record assist DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
How we check screens
PC World’s monitor guides are the results of unbiased checks by PC World workers members and freelance expertise journalists.
We check every monitor with a Datacolor Spyder X2 Extremely shade calibration software. This software can measure a monitor’s brightness, distinction, shade gamut, shade accuracy, uniformity, gamma, shade temperature, and different vital features of show high quality. Utilizing a software that measures goal high quality helps us objectively examine dozens of screens.
Our checks of USB-C screens additionally think about the vary of USB-C connectivity and options out there. We favor to see a USB-C monitor with an entire vary of bodily connectivity together with ethernet and at the very least 90 watts of Energy Supply, however these fascinating options are balanced in opposition to the monitor’s worth.
Be taught extra in our article “How we check screens at PCWorld.”
FAQ
Do I actually need a USB-C monitor?
A USB-C monitor is an effective way to develop your laptop’s connectivity with out the added muddle of a USB-C hub or dock. It reduces the wires current in your desk, liberating up house for different makes use of. PC World’s information to USB-C hub screens has the total story.
USB-C screens are wonderful when used with a USB-C laptop computer that consumes lower than 90 watts of energy at load. Docking a laptop computer at a desk could be annoying for those who use a wired keyboard, wired mouse, and exterior monitor. A USB-C monitor can consolidate all of your wired units to a single USB-C cable.
If these advantages sound good, then a USB-C monitor could possibly be for you. If not, chances are you’ll get extra worth from a standard monitor.
Are USB-C screens costly?
Sure, USB-C screens are dearer. Primary screens with out USB-C retail for as little as $100, whereas related screens with USB-C begin round $150.
That worth premium persists by way of all worth classes. You’ll be able to anticipate to pay round $50 to $100 extra for a USB-C monitor than you’ll for the same monitor with out it.
Premium productiveness {and professional} screens are an exception. Almost all screens in these classes supply some type of USB-C assist. They continue to be costly, although, and are sometimes priced between $500 to $1,000 (and generally extra).
Are USB-C screens good for gaming?
Technically talking, USB-C screens could be nice for gaming. USB-C video is dealt with over DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which preserves all the standard advantages of DisplayPort. This contains nice assist for top refresh charges, excessive resolutions, and adaptive sync.
However there’s a catch: Many screens which have a USB-C port don’t assist vital gaming options like an enhanced refresh charge, low pixel response instances, or adaptive sync. The Asus ProArt PG348CGV, our choose for greatest ultrawide with USB-C, and the NZXT Canvas 27Q, our greatest finances choose, are two notable exceptions. Simply just be sure you’re connecting to them with a devoted DisplayPort or HDMI video cable, and never utilizing the USB-C cable because the video cable, too.