Key Points:
- While it’s still early days for USB-C monitors, there are a lot of great models on the market with exciting features such as HDR and 4k UHD support.
- LG 32UN880-B UltraFine Display Ergo features a sleek design with a stunning screen with a 95% DCI P3 color gamut, 4K resolution, and 350 nits of brightness. It comes with numerous ports, such as two HDMI, a DisplayPort, and a USB hub with two USB-A ports.
- BenQ GW2485TC is a great budget monitor that can be used with a PC or a Mac. It has a noise cancellation mic that comes in handy during calls and an eye care feature allows you to work for long hours without experiencing eye strain.
- A monitor with a response rate of 120Hz or higher can provide a better gaming experience than one with a lower response rate.
USB-C technology is quickly becoming the standard charging and connectivity port across most mobile devices. It has also found its way into many new monitors, with some of the best USB-C monitors coming in at higher resolutions than their counterparts that use other ports, like DisplayPort or HDMI. While it’s still early days for USB-C monitors, there are a lot of great models on the market with exciting features such as HDR and 4k UHD support. Here are five of the best USB-C monitors you can buy today, along with their specs.
- Best USB-C Monitor Overall: LG 32UN880-B UltraFine Display Ergo
- Best Budget USB-C Monitor: BenQ GW2485TC
- Best Ultrawide USB-C Monitor: LG 34UM69G-B
- Best USB-C Monitor For Portability: AOC i1601fwux
- Best 4K USB-C Monitor: BenQ EW3270U
Best USB-C Monitor Overall: LG 32UN880-B UltraFine Display Ergo
- 32” UltraFine UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS Display
- Viewing angle: 178º (R/L), 178º (U/D)
- Brightness: 350 nits
- DCI-P3 95% Color Gamut with HDR 10
- USB Type-C with 60W PD
The LG 32UN880-B UltraFine Display Ergo Monitor takes the title of the overall best USB-C monitor due to its fantastic features and capabilities. Its 32″ LCD is ultra-thin and comes with all the features you need for a business-friendly workspace. The design of this monitor is also quite impressive—it has an ergonomic stand that helps you set it up easily and comfortably, and the display itself sits on a hinge that allows you to adjust the tilt angle and pivot.
In addition to its sleek design, this monitor also packs some pretty amazing features. It features a stunning screen with a 95% DCI P3 color gamut, 4K resolution, and 350 nits of brightness. Although it may be lacking in other features, it comes with numerous ports, such as two HDMI, a DisplayPort, and a USB hub with two USB-A ports.
The LG 32UN880-B is an excellent option for virtually anyone seeking a USB-C monitor. It can handle graphic design, gaming, and productivity tasks, among other tasks. Even better, it is among the most affordable alternatives available.
Specifications
| USB-C ports | 1 |
| Screen size | 31.5-inch |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Resolution | 3,840 x 2,160 pixels |
| Brightness | 350 cd/m2 |
| Response time | 5ms |
| Viewing angle | 178/178 |
| Contrast ratio | 1000:1 |
| Color support | 95% DCI P3 |
| Weight | 10.3 kg |
Check out the LG 32UN880-B UltraFine Display Ergo on Amazon.
Best Budget USB-C Monitor: BenQ GW2485TC
- 1080p FHD IPS display
- 75Hz refresh rate
- Built-in speaker
- Noise cancelling mic
- USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort connectivity
Next up is the BenQ GW2485TC, a great budget monitor with many features, including a 24-inch display with an anti-glare finish. This monitor is compatible with USB-C cables and has an adjustable stand.
This monitor has an LED backlight and comes with a 1-year warranty. It has a 24″ screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, and you use it with almost any PC or Mac. The stand can be adjusted and rotated, so you can place it in any position that works best for you. This monitor has a noise cancellation mic that comes in handy during calls. Its eye care feature allows you to work for long hours without experiencing eye strain.
The DisplayPort v.1.2 ports support dual monitor setup via daisy chaining. If you spend a lot of time in front of screens, you will benefit from this BenQ Monitor. TUV Rheinland EyeSafe, Flicker Free, and Low Blue Light Emission certifications are included. You also get an ambient light sensor that controls the screen brightness, and the ePaper mode is ideal for reading online publications without straining your eyes.
The monitor has an ergonomic design with excellent viewing angles. The tilt angles range from -5 to 20 degrees, and the swivel angles range from +/- 45 degrees, providing the ideal view angles with minimal strain on your neck and back. With the 90-degree pivot option, you can switch from landscape to portrait mode.
Specifications
| USB-C ports | 1 |
| Screen size | 24-inch |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Brightness | 250 cd/m2 |
| Response time | 5ms |
| Viewing angle | 178/178 |
| Contrast ratio | 1000:1 |
| Color support | 72% DCI P3 |
| Weight | 6.2 kg |
Check out the BenQ GW2485TC on Amazon.
Best Ultrawide USB-C Monitor: LG 34UM69G-B
- 34" Widescreen Full HD IPS Display. Resolution-2560x1080
- 21:9 Aspect Ratio and Refresh Rate:75Hz
- 1ms Motion Blur Reduction
- AMD Free Sync
- Height Adjustable Stand
One of the top USB-C monitors in the market, the LG 34UM69G-B has a 34-inch FHD+ display with 2560 x 1080 pixel resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio. Even though the pixel density is lacking, the panel’s Ultra-Wide aspect ratio makes it ideal for productivity tasks such as side-by-side multitasking.
The bezel on the monitor is thin, but the actual display area is surrounded by a 0.5-inch-thick black border, which drops to about.25-inch on the bottom of the screen. While a borderless display would be preferable, the current design allows for the simple addition of a separate webcam at the top of the screen.
Since the 34UM69G-B is primarily marketed as a gaming monitor, it includes some gaming-specific features. It supports AMD’s FreeSync technology, which syncs the monitor’s frame rate with your AMD graphics card for smoother gameplay. Since the 34UM69G-B employs an In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel, it has excellent color reproduction and viewing angles. The sRGB color gamut, a standard that reduces color discrepancies between input and output based on a narrow range, is rated at more than 99%.
The 34UM69G-B has USB Type-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, and 3.5mm audio ports for connectivity and I/O. The monitor can be tilted forward (up to 20 degrees) and backward (up to 5 degrees), and it can also be adjusted in height by up to 4.7 inches. It comes with a one-year warranty.
Specifications
| Inputs | USB Type-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, and 3.5mm audio |
| Screen size | 34-inch |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1080 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 75Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 21:9 |
| Viewing angle | 178/178 |
| Contrast ratio | 1000:1 |
| Inputs | 72% DCI P3 |
| Weight | 10.2 kg |
Check out the LG 34UM69G-B on Amazon.
Best USB-C Monitor For Portability: AOC i1601fwux
- 15.6"-inch portable monitor with Full HD screen
- Extremely slim and lightweight (800 grams)
- Works with Thunderbolt 3, 4, USB4, and USB-C ports
- Use one USB-C cable for power and video signal
- Auto-Pivot detects the monitor's orientation
Easily the smallest of all the models reviewed here, the AOC i1601fwux is an excellent choice for those looking for a portable monitor. It lacks the bells and whistles of other models but offers everything you need in a workable size at an affordable price. Its 15.6-inch FHD display, with a 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio, is ideal for those constantly on the go or needing a second screen to go with their laptop.
A flexible stand lets you switch from landscape to portrait modes and comes. You can tilt it forward (up to 25 degrees) and backward (up to 5 degrees) for easy viewing angle adjustment (s). Despite its metal alloy casing, the I1601FWUX weighs only 1.8 pounds, making it small enough to fit in a backpack. However, in terms of parameters such as brightness and color accuracy, it isn’t exactly the best.
Because the I1601FWUX is portable, it has a single USB Type-C port charging port that doubles up as a video output. In addition, there is only one button (Power on/off) for changing settings via the on-screen menu.
Specifications
| Size | 15.6-inch |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Inputs | USB Type-C |
Check out the AOC i1601fwux on Amazon.
Best 4K USB-C Monitor: BenQ EW3270U
- 4K UHD HDRi DCI-P3 display
- Built-in speakers
- 60Hz refresh rate
- USB-C Connectivity
- Blue light filter
For this category, no monitor fits the bill better than BenQ EW3270U. This 31.5-inch Ultra HD display delivers stunning, detail-rich color far superior to what you see on traditional 1080p displays. You will get crisp, vibrant visuals thanks to the LED backlighting. The LED brightness is adjustable from 100% down to 90%, which helps conserve energy.
The EW3270U has an anti-glare coating that reduces reflection when using it in brightly lit areas. It’s excellent for gaming and video editing, thanks to its 4ms (GtG) response time and 60Hz refresh rate. One drawback is that its built-in speakers are tad lacking, so you’ll need to invest in a set of external speakers if sound quality matters to you.
The BenQ EW3270U is an excellent all-around option for a USB-C monitor for your MacBook Pro or Windows laptop. With its stunning 4K resolution, High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, AMD FreeSync, and Opt-Clarity technology, this monitor is perfect for watching TV online or playing light video games. In particular, the Flicker-Free, Low Blue Light, and Brightness Intelligence Plus features make this screen comfortable for extended use. Because of the monitor’s eye care technology, your eyes won’t hurt no matter how long you’ve been staring at the screen.
Specifications
| USB-C ports | 1 |
| Screen size | 31.5-inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Brightness | 350 nits |
| Response Time | 5s |
| Viewing Angles | 178/178 |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,000:1 |
| Colour Support | 95% P3 |
| Weight | 8.5kg |
Check out the BenQ EW3270U on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best USB-C Monitor: Step by Step
USB-C is a hot new standard for connecting peripherals to your computer. If you’re in the market for a new monitor, knowing where to start can be a challenge. There are many options and brands, making picking a monumental task. Here are some things to consider when choosing the best USB-C monitors:
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Size
The monitor’s size matters a lot. A large monitor will show more content on your screen and take up less space on your desktop or laptop. In addition, it will also give you greater flexibility when it comes to adjusting color settings and brightness levels.
Resolution
Next, consider how much resolution you need in your display. A high-resolution display is important because it allows more detail and clarity in your screen’s images, videos, and other content. In addition, higher resolutions tend to be sharper than lower ones due to their pixel density. This allows for greater detail when viewing text or images.
Refresh Rate
Response rate refers to how quickly images are displayed on the screen. A response rate of 60Hz or higher is generally considered acceptable. A monitor with a response rate of 120Hz or higher can provide a better gaming experience than one with a lower response rate. Most monitors have 60Hz refresh rates, but some come with 120Hz refresh rates, which provide smoother video playback compared with 60Hz models.
Connectivity Options
The best thing about USB-C monitors is that you can replace multiple cables with a single USB-C connection. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll need more. If you want to connect game consoles and other video sources, look for a monitor with multiple HDMI inputs or one with a headphone jack.
What To Know Before Buying the Best USB-C Monitor
The world of monitors changes frequently, but right now, there are some key features to think about when shopping for one. You’ll want to ask yourself what the monitor is used for – will it be used primarily for design work? Gaming? Watching YouTube videos? The next thing you’ll want to consider is size – do you need a big screen, or do you only require a small one for browsing the web? Depending on your needs, there are all kinds of different monitors out there.
Using A USB-C Monitor: What it’s Like
A USB-C display or USB-C laptop allows you to transfer data, video, audio, and power more efficiently while maintaining specifications such as refresh rate and color quality, which is ideal for professions such as graphic design, where color space and color gamut are critical. You can transfer data quickly with a USB-C cord or Thunderbolt 3 cable capable of transmitting larger image signals.
A USB-C monitor also allows you to charge your laptop and monitor simultaneously (along with other compatible devices such as mobile devices), with the monitor supplying juice to the laptop via USB power delivery. USB-C cables also eliminate multiple cables, saving desktop space and keeping your workspace organized. If you intend to use dual monitors with Windows 10, you should know the cable connections required for your setup to function properly. Though USB-C technology is now an improved data transfer connector, you may experience motion blur on any content transferred via the cable, so look for monitors with black frame insertion to mitigate any blur.
Many people are switching to these monitors because they can handle higher refresh rates and provide better performance than their regular counterparts. Plus, many laptop manufacturers have moved away from HDMI ports because most devices no longer come with traditional cables.
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