PC monitors: How to buy the best LCD computer monitor Where and how to buy a computer monitor
What to look for in an LCD computer monitor
Picture quality is the main factor to consider when buying a monitor, followed by ease of use. A fast response time helps to provide crisp moving images, and colour balance and contrast make the picture more realistic, which is useful if you're editing images or video, or using your monitor to watch films.
How the monitor copes with black is very important when it comes to producing a good picture, as otherwise anything that’s supposed to be black will look grey. Choosing a monitor with buttons that are easy to access and a straightforward onscreen menu makes adjusting the settings easier.
Don't automatically go for the biggest screen you can afford. Large monitors are great for gamers or people who plan to watch films and videos on their computers. They're also really useful if you want to carry out lots of detailed work such as image editing. If you spend most of your time on the computer word processing or surfing the net, you'll probably find that a smaller screen is adequate.
Read Which? reviews of LCD computer monitors to find the right monitor for your needs. From 17-inch 4:3 monitors to 24-inch 16:9 widescreen displays, our expert reviews will help you find a Best Buy computer monitor.
Buying a monitor online or on the high street
You may find some good deals online as well as some of the older monitor models. However, it's also worth seeing a selection of monitors in person, so pop down to your local computer store first to get a feel for the shapes and sizes of the monitors on offer.
Ideally, you need to try a monitor before you buy, but this may not always be possible.
Which? reviews of computer monitors assess all aspects of their performance – from picture quality to usability, and power consumption to viewing angle. Which? experts ensure that you have the information you need to buy the best LCD computer monitor.
On the high street, check out monitors in shops to narrow down your choice, but bear in mind that the in-store lighting is likely to be different to the lighting in your home.
If buying a computer monitor online, make sure that the retailer’s policy on dead pixels is clear, and check the returns policy to find out what happens if the monitor you buy turns out to be unsuitable.
In the box
Check what comes with your monitor in the box. Usually you’ll get a user manual, either printed or on CD, which may also contain a monitor display driver and software. All monitors come with a power cord, but check what video cables are supplied.
Many monitors with digital video inputs are only supplied with analogue VGA cables, so if you want to connect with HDMI or DVI then you’ll need to buy separate HDMI or DVI cables or convertors.
