Best monitor 2018: the top 10 monitors and displays we’ve reviewed

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The best monitors won’t increase your computer’s performance, but anything you’re looking at with your PC will definitely look a lot
better
You don’t even need to worry about breaking open your piggy bank either – many of the best monitors available today are affordable
enough for anyone to get in on the action
They can also feature higher resolutions and refresh rates than you may be accustomed to – a win for everyone.And, now that 2018 has
rolled around and manufacturers are showing off their new screens, it might be the best time to pick up one of the best monitors
So, whether you’re looking for a mid-range monitor or one of the best gaming monitors, TheIndianSubcontinent has you covered
We’ve created a list of the best monitors you can buy in 2018 – each tested and reviewed personally by us
So, without further ado, let’s dive in.1
BenQ PD3200UTop for (some of) the gamers and pros Screen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350
cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 8.5kg4K resolutionLarge
screenDesign may seem dull to someSome features a bit nicheNow that computers are equipped with the encoding technologies that can natively
display at the intended resolution, 4K monitors are in increasingly high demand
That explains why BenQ has added the PD3200U, a massive 32-inch Ultra HD display, to its Designer Monitor range
Intended for worker bees, the company has, seemingly by mistake, crafted a screen that gamers can enjoy wholeheartedly as well, so long as
they can fit it on their desks
Then again, given the comparatively sluggish 4ms response time, the PD3200U is best suited for creators
3D designers, for instance, will be grateful for the inclusion of a CAD/CAM mode, while everyone else will revel in the factory-calibrated
color accuracy and Rec
709 adherence. Read the full review: BenQ PD3200U2
AOC Agon AG352UCGA curvy ultrawide that even has G-SyncScreen size: 35-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Brightness:
300 cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 172/178 | Contrast ratio: 2,000:1 | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 26 poundsCurved 21:9
screenG-Sync compatibilityIt really is very bigPriceyThe Agon AG352UCG from AOC is proof that an ultrawide display doesn’t have to be
limited in resolution or extended functionality
In fact, this 21:9 IPS panel prides itself on its stately 3,440 x 1,440 resolution and G-Sync capabilities
That’s right, when paired with an Nvidia graphics card, this monitor uses G-Sync to eliminate screen tearing without adding stress to your
PC hardware
What’s more, you can expect better response times from the AOC Agon than with its closest competitors, meaning lower latency in games like
Overwatch or Lawbreakers that rely on faster pacing
The only downside is that the AOC Agon is rather bulky
Weighing in at 26 pounds (11.8kg) total, you’ll want to be sure your desk can support it.Read the full review: AOC Agon AG352UCG3
Acer Predator X34A gaming monitor with attitude Screen size: 34-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3440 x 1440 Brightness: 300 cd/m2 |
Response time: 4ms G2G (grey-to-grey) | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 100 million:1 | Colour support: SRGB 100% | Weight:
9.9kgAggressive designPerfect color accuracyLimited port selectionUnderpowered speakersWhen you start to get tired of that classic 16:9
aspect ratio, nothing does the trick like a cinematic, 21:9 screen
It may not be ideal for watching Netflix, or playing one of the few games that still don’t support it but the Acer Predator X34 is a great
example of what an ultra-wide monitor can do
Boasting an attractive aluminum bezel and a polygonal stand that resembles a crow’s foot, this massive 34-inch panel is a marvel to behold
What’s more, armed with Nvidia’s G-Sync tech, you don’t have to worry about enabling VSync and stressing out your graphics card
The Acer Predator X34 does all the heavy lifting for you
This is about as immersive as a gaming monitor gets. Read the full review: Acer Predator X344
Dell UltraSharp UP3218KScreen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 7,680 x 4,320 | Brightness: 400 cd/m2 | Response time: 6ms |
Viewing angle: N/A | Contrast ratio: 1,300:1 | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 8.5kgStunning 8K resolutionNice designVery priceyLimited
8K contentEvery once in a while, we run into technology that is so far ahead of the curve that we’re left dumbfounded
The Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is the most recent example
There are few monitors in the world that can reach the raw beauty that the UP3218K does
It’s not just the jaw-dropping 8K resolution either: Dell went a long way to make sure that the build quality and color reproduction were
as good as possible, and it pulled it off
Unfortunately, because of the very high cost of this monitor, it’s geared towards professionals exclusively – unless you have multiple
1080 Tis lying around, you wouldn’t be able to play games anyways
So, if you are looking for a monitor to edit photos or video, and price isn’t an issue, the Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is one of the best
monitors for you. Read the full review: Dell UltraSharp UP3218K This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this
writing
Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the BenQ PD3200U 5
Asus MG248QA reasonable price for 144Hz and Adaptive Sync Screen size: 23.6-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 |
Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 100000000:1 | Color support: SRGB 100%, Adobe RGB 72%
| Weight: 16.98 pounds144Hz refresh rate1ms response timeTN panelAdaptive Sync for AMD, Intel onlyIf your PC can't swing 1440p or 4K gaming,
the Asus MG248Q is the next best thing
Despite exhibiting a mere 1080p twisted-nematic, or TN, panel rather than IPS, the Asus MG248Q makes up for any shortcomings with lightning
fast response times and Adaptive Sync
The latter reduces screen tearing if you have an AMD graphics card, a clear demonstration that the MG248Q tailors to the budget gamer
On the other hand, even Nvidia fans can rejoice at the 144Hz refresh rate
But, without the right GPU equipped, you might be better off saving for the G-Sync equivalent Asus ROG Swift PG248Q. Read the full review:
Asus MG248QThis product is only available in the US at the time of writing
UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Acer S277HK  6
Acer S277HKScreen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle:
178/178 | Contrast ratio: 100,000,000:1 | Colour support: SRGB 100% | Weight: 11.9 poundsBezel-less designRefresh rateNo USB portsHeight not
adjustableYou’ll normally shell out an arm and a leg for a 4K display, but that’s not the case with Acer’s S277HK
In terms of pricing, this bezel-less beauty hits the sweet spot
With a 1,000,000,000:1 contrast ratio, a color gamut of 1.07 billion and a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160, the Acer S277HK is better seen than
heard about
Unfortunately, because of the way Acer designed it, there’s no way to mount it onto a wall for everyone to appreciate, nor is the height
adjustable
But, and this is a huge but, if you prioritize high pixel density, reasonable cost and “zero frame” over malleability, this is a monitor
to shoot for.Read the full review: Acer S277HK7
Alienware 25A ubiquitous solution to screen tearingScreen size: 24.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Brightness: 400
cd/m2 | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: sRGB 119% | Weight: 11.7kgGreat designHigh
refresh rateExpensiveOnly 1080pDepending on your budget, it might break the bank in classic Alienware style, but Dell’s 25-inch gaming
monitor won’t let your screen tear
Whether you’re siding with Team Red or Team Green for your graphics needs, there’s a configuration designed with specifically you in
mind
Taking away some of the heavy lifting away from the GPU that would otherwise be spent on VSync, the Alienware 25’s 120Hz refresh rate
might actually be viable
So, as long as your graphics card can handle it, you can expect to reach 120 frames per second
The 1ms response time is just gravy
 Read the full review: Alienware 25 8
BenQ Zowie XL2540A monitor tailored to the needs of professional gamersScreen size: 24-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
| Brightness: 400 cd/m2 | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: NTSC 72% | Weight: 7.5kgHigh
refresh ratesEasy setupExpensiveLimited appeal beyond pro gamersYou might not believe it at first glance, but the BenQ Zowie XL2540 is every
bit the gaming monitor that the Asus Predator X34 is
And though it may not seem it from the outside looking in, it does its job remarkably well too, sacrificing dazzling lighting effects for a
zippy 240Hz refresh rate and nigh-instantaneous 1ms response time
There’s no G-Sync or FreeSync, as this monitor assumes you already have a rig that’s plenty capable of eliminating screen tears on its
own
Instead, this monitor keeps it simple by supplying you with lots of visual presets, an “S Switch” control pod for managing those presets
and even a pair of adjustable light screens.Read the full review: BenQ Zowie XL25409
LG 34UC79G-BA reasonable entryway to ultra wide and FreeSyncScreen size: 34-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,080 |
Brightness: 250 cd/m2 | Response time: 10.3ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: sRGB 92.1% | Weight:
8.6kgCurved 21:9 screen designAMD FreeSyncLesser resolution than rivals Ineffective gaming modesIf you’re running games using AMD- or
Intel-based graphics and want to get into ultra wide displays without spending a fortune, this is the monitor to look out for
At 34 inches diagonally, the LG 34UC79G-B is equipped with AMD FreeSync for screen tear elimination and a 21:9 aspect ratio best suited for
games and cinema
Despite the resolution being lower than a lot of other widescreen displays on the market, there’s no denying that the LG 34UC79G-B pulls
off a crisp image nonetheless – and with stunning color accuracy at that
Plus, you can change the height, which is more than can be said for even some of the pricier 4K monitors available today.Read the full
review: LG 34UC79G-B10
Asus ROG Swift PG248QFaster than you can say G-Sync Screen size: 24-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 350
cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 180Hz | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Colour support: Adobe RGB 74% | Weight:
9.5kgCheapest G-Sync display on the marketAmazing 180Hz refresh rateJust two display inputsOnly 24 inchesIf you care more about frame rate
more than graphics or resolution, this one's for you
Because of its mind-blowing 180Hz refresh rate capabilities, the Asus ROG Swift PG248Q takes the 60fps gold standard for gaming and triples
it – provided you're equipped with a rig that can handle the extra stress
While you're unlikely to enjoy Forza Horizon 3 at 180fps on Ultra settings given its high demand, a higher refresh rate is more than welcome
in fast-paced, competitive games that don't necessarily depend on a wealth of resources
Plus, as one of the most affordable G-Sync displays on the market, it helps that you can rely on the monitor to prevent screen tearing,
too.Read the full review: Asus ROG Swift PG248QGabe Carey has also contributed to this articlefa5a3f870c548eb1f499bac56414d9af.jpg#