As part of the ongoing story, its popularity has made USB-C a common sight on fresh monitors. A USB-C monitor can act as USB hub, giving you additional ports for connecting various USB devices, but the monitor’s USB-C port can also serve as a video-input alternative to HDMI or DisplayPort; and some USB-C monitors can even charge a connected device while in use. USB-C is the one connection to rule them all.
Industry observers note that see our buyers’ guide below our recommendations to better understand the nuances. The details of USB-C can be confusing, however, and pricing for USB-C monitors is often higher than that for monitors that lack the interface.
The report highlights that we’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we review dozens of monitors every year. All of our recommendations have been personally tested and vetted by our expert reviewers, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. Why you should trust PCWorld for monitor reviews and buying advice: PCWorld prides itself on PC devices experience and expertise.
Industry observers note that the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE is an excellent choice for professionals who need a high-quality display with best-in-class USB-C connectivity.
According to the latest update, it functions Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C ports with 140W of Power Delivery—enough to charge most laptops—along with HDMI, DisplayPort, and a secondary DisplayPort for daisy-chaining multiple monitors. A built-in 2.5Gbps Ethernet port ensures a fast and stable wired network connection, a rare capability among monitors. It also offers six USB-A ports, a pop-out USB hub with quick-access USB-C and USB-A ports, and KVM switch functionality for seamless switching between two connected PCs. The U3225QE’s connectivity eliminates the need for external docks and adapters.
Industry observers note that the 120Hz refresh rate enhances responsiveness, making tasks like scrolling through documents and multitasking smoother. The ergonomic stand provides height, tilt, swivel, and portrait mode adjustments, and the anti-glare coating ensures comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions. In addition to its connectivity, the U3225QE has a sharp 31.5-inch 4K IPS Black panel with excellent color accuracy and an above-average contrast ratio for a productivity monitor.
Industry observers note that while it lacks built-in speakers and its HDR performance is limited, the U3225QE’s extensive connectivity and high-quality display make it a standout choice for professionals who need a central hub for their workspace.
In a fresh development, check out the Dell Ultrasharp U2725QE. It has a similar 4K IPS Black display panel and Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C connectivity. Want a smaller version of this monitor?
According to the latest update, read our full.
According to the latest update, dell Ultrasharp U3225QE review.
Industry observers note that the BenQ GW2786TC is one of the best USB-C monitors you can buy for under $200. It offers a 27-inch IPS display with 1080p resolution, a 100Hz refresh rate, and an ergonomic stand with height, tilt, and swivel adjustments. While it’s not the sharpest monitor at this size, it delivers good contrast and a smooth viewing experience for everyday work. Budget shoppers, take note.
Industry observers note that it also includes DisplayPort-out for daisy-chaining a second monitor, a rare perk in this price range. Built-in speakers, a noise-canceling microphone, and an ambient light sensor add extra convenience for home office use. It has USB-C with 65W Power Delivery, allowing a single-cable connection for video, power, and data.
Industry observers note that benQ markets this monitor as a companion for MacBooks like the MacBook Air, but don’t let that fool you: It works just as well with Windows PCs, Chromebooks, and Linux laptops.
Industry observers note that the BenQ GW2786TC’s biggest flaw is its lack of adaptive sync, which means gameplay won’t appear as smooth as on some price-competitive alternatives.
According to the latest update, that aside, the BenQ GW2786TC’s numerous functions and low price make it one of the best budget-friendly USB-C monitors available.
According to the latest update, read our full.
The report highlights that benQ GW2786TC review.
In a fresh development, it brings together top-notch image quality, USB-C connectivity, and an innovative stand design. If you want a work setup worthy of productivity that’s also easily transportable, the Viewsonic VP16-OLED is a remarkable portable OLED monitor for the job.
The report highlights that it surpasses many full-sized OLED monitors and nearly all portable monitors. This makes it a great choice for productivity, though it also looks excellent when viewing movies or playing platform releases. The monitor’s 15.6-inch 1080p OLED panel delivers exceptional color accuracy, gamut, and contrast.
The report highlights that the VP16-OLED’s stand can be used as a kickstand or expanded to hold the monitor upright, making it ideal for professionals who want to maximize their workspace or need improved ergonomics.
As part of the ongoing story, the monitor includes all the necessary cables as well as a USB-C power brick. The stand includes two USB-C ports, both of which can provide power and video input to the monitor, and a micro-HDMI port for compatibility with non-USB-C devices.
According to the latest update, the Viewsonic VP16-OLED’s MSRP of $399.99 is expensive for a portable monitor. However, if you place a high value on image quality and want the best monitor for your portable office, the Viewsonic VP16-OLED is an excellent choice. There is a drawback: the cost.
According to the latest update, read our full.
The report highlights that viewsonic ColorPro VP16-OLED review.
Industry observers note that our monitor guides are the result of extensive product testing by freelance and staff contributors with decades of combined experience.
Industry observers note that this specialized devices can objectively measure a monitor’s brightness, contrast, color gamut, color accuracy, luminance and color uniformity, gamma, and many other aspects of image quality. While we rely on a hands-on evaluation of real-global stage usage for an initial impression, we also thoroughly test each monitor with a Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra color calibration tool.
As part of the ongoing story, using this tool helps us detect strengths and weaknesses that don’t necessarily appear at a glance and guarantees that a change in lighting conditions or monitor location won’t skew our impression.
According to the latest update, for more details, see our article on on how we test monitors at PCWorld.
As part of the ongoing story, smith is a freelance technology journalist with more than 15 years of experience reviewing consumer electronics and PC devices, including the universe of computer monitors. In addition to PCWorld, his work can be found on Wired, Digital Trends, Reviewed, Lifewire, and other technology publications. Matthew S.
Industry observers note that a sharp, vivid, bright, and contrast-rich screen is best. However, shoppers who want to buy a USB-C monitor should keep an eye on details only relevant to USB-C. Many functions desirable in a USB-C monitor are the same as on any other display.
In a fresh development, first, you can connect your USB-C monitor to a desktop PC or laptop via a USB-C cable, and use it like a traditional USB-C hub via the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps interface. That’s pretty straightforward. Remember, too, that a USB-C display can be used in two contexts.
As part of the ongoing story, second, you can also use the USB-C cable as a replacement for a display cable like HDMI or DisplayPort, especially for newer laptops that might eliminate an HDMI or DisplayPort port.
In a fresh development, the traditional rule of thumb is that a USB-C port can support a 4K display at 30Hz resolution. DisplayPort Alternate Mode (see below) increases that to 4K60, which is much easier on the eyes. Newer laptops use DisplayPort 1.4, which combines a high-bit-rate mode (HBR3) with a DSC compression mode that should allow for 4K60 video alongside the ability to use USB 3.1 storage devices. It’s here that USB-C monitors can get tricky.
According to the latest update, those specifications probably assume that you’re using a dedicated video port like DisplayPort, instead, as well as its separate video cable. You can certainly connect the display to your laptop using both a video cable and the USB-C cable simultaneously, however. Be aware, however, that the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps throughput may not allow for video to be passed to premium displays like the NZXT Canvas S27Q at its full 1440p, 165Hz refresh rate.
As part of the ongoing story, just consult your laptop’s specifications and/or manual to make sure. If your laptop uses either Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 — all of which use a 40Gbps data connection and a USB-C port on your laptop — you should probably have no issues connecting your laptop to the monitor at the full refresh rate using a Thunderbolt cable.
Industry observers note that it’s not part of the core USB-C specification, so devices with USB-C (including monitors) don’t always support it. Power Delivery can pack up to 240 watts, but most USB-C monitors provide just 65 to 90 watts. It’s a perfect fit for those who own a thin-and-light laptop, 2-in-1, or tablet. USB-C Power Delivery provides power over a USB-C cable.
The report highlights that these laptops may still charge when left at idle but will charge slowly (or even discharge the battery) when in use. Power Delivery is inadequate for some devices, such as tech industry laptops, which consume more power than current USB-C monitors can provide.
As part of the ongoing story, many modern laptops lack a physical Ethernet port, so its inclusion on a monitor is convenient. It can improve the speed and reliability of a connected device’s internet connection. Wired ethernet is a desirable capability in a USB-C monitor.
According to the latest update, the Dell U3223QE is the only USB-C monitor on this list with ethernet support. While useful, this is an expensive capability available only on premium models.
Industry observers note that it supports all the functions you’d expect from DisplayPort including high refresh rates and adaptive sync. DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a capability available to USB-C that handles video as if the USB-C cable was a DisplayPort cable.
Industry observers note that all the monitors on this list support DisplayPort Alternate Mode. A monitor without this capability won’t accept video over USB-C, meaning you’ll have to connect both USB-C and a separate video input.
According to the latest update, in addition to being a high-quality 4K IPS display capable of meeting the needs of a professional, the monitor is unparalleled when it comes to connectivity, featuring Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C ports with 140W of Power Delivery—enough to charge most laptops—along with HDMI, DisplayPort, and a secondary DisplayPort for daisy-chaining multiple monitors. It also offers a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for a fast and stable wired network connection, as well as six USB-A ports, a pop-out USB hub with quick-access USB-C and USB-A ports, a KVM switch. The best USB-C monitor is the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE.
The report highlights that while it’s come up in price since our original review, it still offers good value at $250. It has USB-C with 65W Power Delivery, allowing a single-cable connection for video, power, and data. It also includes DisplayPort-out for daisy-chaining a second monitor, which is uncommon at this price range. The best budget USB-C monitor is the BenQ GW2786TC.
According to the latest update, built-in speakers, a noise-canceling microphone, and an ambient light sensor are nice extras that make this monitor great for home office use.
As part of the ongoing story, it reduces the wires present on your desk, freeing up space for other uses. PC Worldwide scene’s guide to USB-C hub monitors has the full story. A USB-C monitor is a great way to expand your computer’s connectivity without the added clutter of a USB-C hub or dock.
The report highlights that docking a laptop at a desk can be annoying if you use a wired keyboard, wired mouse, and external monitor. A USB-C monitor can consolidate all your wired devices to a single USB-C cable. USB-C monitors are excellent when used with a USB-C laptop that consumes less than 90 watts of power at load.
As part of the ongoing story, if not, you may get more value from a conventional monitor. If these benefits sound good, then a USB-C monitor could be for you.
The report highlights that basic monitors without USB-C retail for as little as $100, while similar monitors with USB-C start around $150. Yes, USB-C monitors are more expensive.
As part of the ongoing story, you can expect to pay around $50 to $100 more for a USB-C monitor than you would for a similar monitor without it. That price premium persists through all price categories.
Industry observers note that nearly all monitors in these categories offer some form of USB-C support. They remain expensive, though, and are often priced between $500 to $1,000 (and sometimes more). Premium productivity and professional monitors are an exception.
Industry observers note that uSB-C video is handled over DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which preserves all the usual benefits of DisplayPort. This includes great support for high refresh rates, high resolutions, and adaptive sync. Technically speaking, USB-C monitors can be great for tech industry.
According to the latest update, the Asus ProArt PG348CGV, our pick for best ultrawide with USB-C, and the NZXT Canvas 27Q, our best budget pick, are two notable exceptions. Just make sure that you’re connecting to them with a dedicated DisplayPort or HDMI video cable, and not using the USB-C cable as the video cable, too. But there’s a catch: Many monitors that have a USB-C port don’t support important tech industry functions like an enhanced refresh rate, low pixel response times, or adaptive sync.
According to the latest update, smith is a freelance technology journalist with 15 years of experience reviewing consumer electronics. In addition to PCWorld, his work can be found on Wired, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, Reviewed, IGN, and Lifewire. Matthew also covers AI and the metaverse for IEEE Spectrum and runs Computer Tech industry Yesterday, a YouTube channel devoted to PC tech industry history. Matthew S.