If you’ve spent time hunched over a tiny laptop screen, frantically dragging around plugin windows, piano rolls and mixer panels then you will know that when it comes to choosing the best computer monitors for music production, real estate is your friend. Maybe it’s time to consider giving your eyes (and patience) a break and upgrading to an external monitor.
With many home studios now revolving almost entirely around digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Ableton Live and Logic Pro, the humble computer monitor has never been more important. In this guide, we’ll explain the kinds of things you should consider when looking for a new monitor, along with offering some recommendations of the best computer monitors that suit home studio use.
If you’re looking for a monitor for your studio, the screen should have at least a 1:1 aspect ratio. 16:9 monitors are becoming more popular because they allow you to view more of your screen at once. They also give you more space to spread out your work area and avoid clutter when working on multiple projects at once.
If you’re just starting out and want something for occasional use, it’s less important that your monitor has a high resolution and more important that it offers enough space for your work area and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg—that means finding monitors with a low price tag.
A good rule of thumb is to use your monitor’s maximum resolution when mixing down audio tracks or watching movies through Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro (the latter two programs have their own built-in video encoders).
The LG 34WN80C-B 34” UltraWide Curved Monitor is the perfect large-screen monitor for work and play. With a 21:9 curved display, this monitor is great for multitasking, allowing you to view multiple windows at once. It has a WQHD resolution of 3440x1440p and a wide colour gamut of 99% sRGB which delivers detailed images and consistent colour with an impressive picture quality that is ideal for professional photographers, video editors, graphic designers, and others who need more than just a pretty screen.
With HDR10 compatibility, colours are vibrant and clear with deep contrast. The USB Type-C connectivity allows for easy data transfers, fast device charging and display connections all through a single cable.
For added convenience, this LG monitor has an on-screen control feature that allows you to adjust several features including volume, brightness, picture mode presets, Screen Split 2.0, Dual Controller and more with just a few clicks of the mouse.
No matter what’s on your screen, whether it’s graphic design or gaming videos this LG 34” UltraWide Curved Monitor lets you see it all in stunning detail.
DrawBacks
A great unit altogether, though it isn’t a primary choice for competitive gamers plus it doesn’t have built-in speakers which for me is a major drawback.
Pros
- Height and tilt adjustment
- Ultra thin bezels
- Curved screen
- 60Hz refresh rate
Cons
- No built in speakers
- Not for competitive gaming
The HP VH240a 23.8-inch display combines ultra-narrow bezels, Antiglare panel, and internal power supply with a sleek design for a solid performance at a competitive low price point. The panel is framed by slim bezels on all three sides for an expansive viewing experience, and the anti-glare finish reduces eyestrain by minimizing reflections.
It’s constructed with sturdy stand for long-lasting durability and features versatile tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustments to accommodate individual viewing preferences. The VH240a is compatible with industry-standard VESA mount for wall or monitor arm mounting options (mount sold separately).
A full high definition 1920 x 1080p experience on the 23.8″ screen delivers excellent detail, color and contrast, while dual speakers with audio controls provide quality sound.
Connectivity options include HDMI (with HDCP support) and VGA inputs, as well as a headphone/microphone combo port. You’ll also get 100 mm of smooth height adjustable range so you can easily transition from sitting to standing throughout the day.
DrawBacks
You won’t be getting a lot of port selection with this HP monitor which is the major flaw in its design.
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- IPS panel
- Ergonomic stand
- Built in speakers
- Exceptional sRGB colors
Cons
- Limited ports
- Only one year warranty
Create an efficient workspace with the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q 27 inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) LED Backlit LCD IPS USB-C Monitor (7GZ651). It features a sleek design with a 27-inch diagonal 4K UHD IPS screen and vibrant 3840 x 2160 resolution. It has a thin profile that supports virtually seamless multi-display setups.
The monitor offers exceptional visuals with in-plane switching (IPS) technology and 99% sRGB color gamut. With a wide viewing angle, you can see consistent, vibrant colors from different vantage points. The monitor comes equipped with DisplayPort, HDMI, USB ports, and Audio Line out for simple connectivity.
The Dell UltraSharp U2720Q comes with a sleek design that offers maximum functionality. The 27″ screen has vibrant 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution to deliver razor-sharp pictures. You get to see every detail of your work with over 8 million pixels on the screen.
DrawBacks
The monitor besides all it’s exceptional features doesn’t support any variable refresh rate technology.
Pros
- Great viewing angles
- Ergonomic design
- HDR support
- 4k resolution
Cons
- No VRR support
- Needs calibration to enjoy all the features
The Dell P2722H 27″ 16:9 IPS Monitor is built with an In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel that provides you with wide 178° viewing angles and vivid colours. Combined with a 300 cd/m² brightness rating, a 1000:1 static contrast ratio, and support for 16.7 million colors, the P2722H delivers darker blacks and brighter bright colours for more lifelike images. HDR10 content support is also available for enhanced color depth that delivers greater contrast between light and dark areas of an image.
Setup and configuration of the P2722H has been streamlined as this display comes equipped with HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, and VGA inputs. Once configured, it’s easy to adjust your viewing preferences as this stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment capabilities. Alternatively, you can install an alternate stand or mount using the 100 x 100mm VESA mounting holes on the back.
DrawBacks
If you are looking for a monitor with premium refresh rates and high pixel density, this might not be the one for you to invest in.
Pros
- Adaptable stand
- USB ports
- Great brightness ratio
- Affordable price
Cons
- No HDMI cable
- Low refresh rates
Samsung SF350 monitor boasts sleek curves and a stylish contoured stand that blends seamlessly with any room. It has an ultra-slim design, it’s as slim as a pencil. The simple circular stand will add a modern look to your space.
Using AMD FreeSync™ technology, Samsung’s monitor provides a smooth gaming experience. With AMD FreeSync™ technology, you can play any high-speed game without the annoyance of screen tearing or stuttering. It gives you a smooth gaming experience at a much lower price than G-Sync.
Samsung’s Flicker-Free technology minimizes distracting screen flicker to let you work and play for longer in greater comfort. Conventional monitors flicker at the rate of 250 times per second, which is unnoticeable to the naked eye but can cause fatigue over time. Samsung’s Flicker-Free technology frees you from this distraction allowing you to work and play more comfortably for extended periods.
DrawBacks
Samsung monitors are probably the leaders when it comes to picture quality and contrast ratio, however, this model doesn’t have any built in speakers plus it is not compatible with all VESA mounts.
Pros
- Ultra slim design
- Wide viewing angles
- Flicker free technology
- Great picture quality
Cons
- Not compatible with all VESA mounts
- No built in speaker
The EX3203R’s 1800R curvature is suitable for the human eye’s natural sight and ensures uniform focal lengths. The 31.5-inch curved monitor with a 2K QHD resolution delivers an immersive panoramic viewing experience and sharp images to ensure users can see every detail in the game.
The 144Hz refresh rate speeds up the frames per second to deliver ultra-smooth 2D motion scenes. With a response time that is 4x faster than the standard 60Hz monitors, you’ll never miss out on the action.
The EX3203R supports HDR technology across a range of luminance to deliver users detailed and lifelike visuals. The monitor is equipped with standard displayHDR 400 certified by VESA to offer greater brightness and contrast levels to deliver users a detailed and vivid image performance.
The AMD Free Sync 2 technology enables smoother motion and less stuttering in demanding games. Free Sync 2 also requires low-latency processing for both standard and HDR contents, reducing input lag. Users will enjoy a fluid gaming experience without tearing or broken frames.
With the USB Type-C port, the EX3203R offers single-cable connectivity for USB data transfers, charging, video signal delivery, and power delivery. Discover true super speed transmission with this portable yet powerful.
DrawBacks
Not the very economically correct monitor you’ll ever see, with ports out of sight and hard to reach, stand adjustability is limited to height and tilt only plus it doesn’t incorporate built in speakers too.
Pros
- Higher refresh rate
- Large screen
- Bright image
- AMD FreeSync 2
- QHD resolution
Cons
- Unsighted ports
- No built in speakers
You’ll get a beautiful, large screen with this Samsung monitor. The 27-inch display delivers stunningly sharp and detailed images with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. This monitor is curved, which provides an immersive experience for the user. The 1800R curvature of the screen provides a greater sense of depth. Plus, there’s no need for additional tracking equipment because the monitor employs inside-out tracking (IOT). IoT is also known as visual-inertial odometry (VIO) and allows the user to move in virtual reality environments.
This monitor has an ultra-fast 4ms response time, so even fast-moving scenes are rendered with sharp detail. It has a 16.7 million colour support for vivid and realistic images. The HDMI port allows you to connect your computer and other devices with just one cable.
The Samsung monitor is plug-and-play compatible and can be used right out of the box. There are no special settings required to use it and no special settings needed to enjoy its features. Simply connect your computer to it with the included HDMI cable and turn it on!
DrawBacks
It doesn’t come with built in speakers means you’ll have to buy the speakers on your own.
Pros
- Curved screen
- Higher contrast ratio
- Great picture quality
- Great for gaming
Cons
- No height adjustment
- No built in speakers
The ASUS VZ279H monitor features an IPS panel with a 178° wide-view angle. It delivers crisp, clear images with a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a high contrast ratio for a more colourful presentation.
It has two HDMI ports for connectivity to a variety of HD devices. In addition, the VZ279HE has an ultra-slim design that is ideal for multi-display setups.
The ASUS VZ279H is also factory pre-calibrated for accurate colour reproduction right out of the box. The ASUS Eye Care technology with TÜV Rheinland certification effectively reduces eye strain and other eye ailments with flicker-free backlighting and a blue light filter.
DrawBacks
It doesn’t support 4k resolution which means it isn’t designed to accommodate fast paced and pro games.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Eye care technology
- Good for gaming
- Ultra thin bezel
Cons
- No 4k support
- Not for competitive and fast paced gaming
LG UltraGear is the ideal gaming monitor for enjoyment of high end gaming. The 32GK850G with QHD resolution (2560×1440) delivers life-like detail and crisp images. The new Nano IPS technology also provides 1ms response time and a wide colour spectrum covering 98% of the DCI-P3 colour space.
The high resolution display in combination with the high refresh rate and NVIDIA G-Sync technology creates an extremely fluid gaming experience.
LG UltraGear with 1ms response time is also compatible with NVIDIA 3D LightBoostTM technology, which makes the image 2 times brighter1. When playing 3D games, you can see more details in dark scenes to give you a true cinematic gaming experience.
The 32GK850G further comes equipped with “Black Stabilizer”, which helps to brighten dark areas so that gamers can find enemies hidden in the shadows much easier2. This allows you to have better visibility during dark scenes in games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Battlefield V and Destiny 2!
The new LG UltraGear gaming monitor features Radeon FreeSyncTM Premium technology3 which enables smooth gameplay at a range of FPS (Frames Per Second). It also supports HDR10 providing realistic gaming experience.
DrawBacks
The disappointing thing about this otherwise a great monitor is it’s poor contrast ratio. Also, the design is not so ergonomic as one would want.
Pros
- Great reflection handling
- Low input lag
- Great response time
- Higher refresh rates
Cons
- Poor contrast ratio
- Below par ergonomics
Experience a striking view from all angles on the virtually borderless HP VH240a 23.8-inch display incorporating an ergonomic stand, built-in speakers and ultra-slim design at a competitively low price point.
Beautifully designed to impress, captivate your vision with a 3-sided micro-edge design and 4-way adjustable tilt for comfortable viewing.
Compatibility with VESA mounts gives you the freedom to select the best viewing position for your monitor whether at home, at work or anywhere in between. With 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, enjoy brilliant picture quality with 178° wide viewing angle over an IPS panel that supports up to 16.7 million colours.
Connectivity with HDMI and VGA ports allows you to connect both digital and analogue devices (HDMI cable included). Get a 60Hz refresh rate more than 2x faster than standard displays and experience amazingly fluid scrolling through websites and documents.
DrawBacks
If you want your screen to be bright and clear, it’s not a good choice because it’s brightness is not up to the mark with it’s competitors.
Pros
- Excellent colour coverage
- Ergonomic stand
- Built in speakers
- Higher contrast ratio
Cons
- Poor brightness
- One year warranty only