6 Best Monitors For Watching Movies – 2021
TOP PICK 
BLW's Score
97
94
92
92
90
MSRP
$679.00
$599.90
$599.99
$602.00
Price not available
More Information
Aspect Ratio
16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
Display Resolution
3840X2160 InfinityEdge 4K
1920 x 1080 FHD
2560 x 1440 QHD
1920 x 1080 FHD
1920 x 1080 FHD
Screen Size
27"
32"
27"
27"
25"
Panel Type
IPS
IPS
IPS
IPS
IPS
Inputs
HDMI / Display Port
HDMI / D-Sub / Display Port
2 x HDMI / Display Port
HDMI / Mini DP / Display Port
DVI / VGA / HDMI
Weight
20.72 lbs
14.3 lbs
9.5 lbs
14 lbs
7.01 lbs
TOP PICK
Model
BLW's Score
97
MSRP
$679.00
More Information
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Display Resolution
3840X2160 InfinityEdge 4K
Screen Size
27"
Panel Type
IPS
Inputs
HDMI / Display Port
Weight
20.72 lbs
Model
BLW's Score
94
MSRP
$599.90
More Information
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Display Resolution
1920 x 1080 FHD
Screen Size
32"
Panel Type
IPS
Inputs
HDMI / D-Sub / Display Port
Weight
14.3 lbs
Model
BLW's Score
92
MSRP
$599.99
More Information
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Display Resolution
2560 x 1440 QHD
Screen Size
27"
Panel Type
IPS
Inputs
2 x HDMI / Display Port
Weight
9.5 lbs
Model
BLW's Score
92
MSRP
$602.00
More Information
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Display Resolution
1920 x 1080 FHD
Screen Size
27"
Panel Type
IPS
Inputs
HDMI / Mini DP / Display Port
Weight
14 lbs
Model
BLW's Score
90
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Display Resolution
1920 x 1080 FHD
Screen Size
25"
Panel Type
IPS
Inputs
DVI / VGA / HDMI
Weight
7.01 lbs
So you’ve invested your hard-earned savings into a great laptop. The display is awesome, bright and sharp, but it just isn’t big enough to enjoy your favorite movies or streaming television programs.
Of course, you could buy a separate television with a large screen. However, if you are mostly watching streaming content then you’ve basically bought a monitor with a built-in computer anyway.
The benefit of a laptop combined with an external monitor is that you can use it for running your laptop applications when you aren’t on the go. As a bonus, it doubles as a great source of entertainment when you need a break from work.
If you think this would be a good option for you, then you’re in luck. We’ve done the research and have a list of great options to consider for a monitor to watch movies or play games at a reasonable price.
Factors To Consider
A computer consists of several elements, but monitor is surely one of the most important parts since you have to stare at it all day. Whether you are surfing the net, browsing through your favorite celebrity’s Instagram feed or catching up the latest Game Of Thrones episodes, you just can’t be satisfied with a subpar display.
The best thing about technology is that it is ever-evolving and you don’t need to strangle your wallet for affording its swanky new offerings. Today we have brought together five best monitors for movie viewing which are sure to tower over your expectations without creating a pocket pinch.
Featuring brilliant screens these high definition monitors portray images in their truest self. But with numerous accomplished manufactures coming out with state-of-art innovations every now and then, the selection process is going to be anything but easy.
Keeping such things in mind we have come up with a list which is sure to guarantee you an ultimate movie watching experience. Each of these five have been stringently tested and reviewed so that you don’t have to feel the pangs of technical glitches after bringing it home.
Our Top Picks for Best Monitors for Watching Movies and TV Series
1. Dell U Series U2718Q
Specs:
- 27″ LED-backlit LCD monitor
- 4K (3840 x 2160)
- USB 3.0 Hub
The Dell brand has forever been known for developing some of the most solidly built monitors and the UltraSharp U2718Q with incredibly thin bezels doesn’t disappoint either.
If movie watching ranks top on your radar of priorities then it is imperative to go for a HDR screen which combines striking clarity, high contrast and a greater color palette to serve visually realistic images.
This factory calibrated monitor having a sRGB coverage of 99.9% guarantees color correctness so that the pictures come out as an exact mirror reflection. The expansive 27 inch Infinity Edge display makes sure that your eyes doesn’t hover away from the screen as you feast on 3840×2160 pixels working their magic.
This TUV-Certified monitor comes with Comfort View feature which optimizes eye comfort by filtering out the harmful blue light emitting from the system. This color calibrated masterpiece from the house of Dell can be tilted, swiveled and height adjusted to support wide viewing of up to 178°.
Apart from the usual power socket, the U2718Q features HDMI 2.0 slots, Mini DisplayPort 1.2, DisplayPort 1.2, a built-in USB 3.0 hub and an audio line-out jack. So if you are on the lookout for a splendid 4k monitor without squeezing the last dime out of your wallet then the U2718Q shall definitely do you good.
2. LG 32MA68HY-P
Specs:
- 32” IPS Display
- FHD (1920 x 1080)
- Weight – 14.3 lbs
This razor sharp monitor having an appealing curved stand and compact bezel comes with all the standard connections which can hook you up with any and every device of your household.
There is a display and HDMI port for capturing higher-quality digital signals. For those who like to keep it old school, the LG model brings along a VGA port. There are also USB 2.0 ports which can be used for connecting your keyboard and mouse.
This 32 inch screen hikes up the viewable area by 70% in comparison to its 24 inch contemporaries. Its IPS panel makes every picture stand out in its true clarity even when viewed from extreme angles.
Now you can enjoy viewing four windows having 14 possible configurations in one single screen using its Screen Split 2.0 feature. So type a document, check out mails, watch a video and browse the net simultaneously like a compulsive multitasker.
Swap to the Reader Mode for going through your favorite e-books without having to bear the brunt of the harmful blue light emissions even when you sit in front of the desktop for long stretches of time. This VESA-compatible monitor can be easily wall-mounted for saving space and letting you enjoy unperturbed freedom.
3. ASUS Designo MZ27AQ
Specs:
- 27” IPS Display
- WQHD (2560 x 1440)
- Weight – 9.5 lbs
ASUS has for long stood as the epitome of innovative products having incredible designs and the MZ27AQ stands no different to this general perception. This bezel less beauty having an ultra-slim cabinet profile is countered by a curved bulge at the machine bottom which measures two inches in its widest rim.
The machine gets an appealing yet simplistic look curtesy the brushed aluminium coating in its reminder areas. The ring shaped precision-machined metal stand securely houses the 27 inch WQHD monitor.
With a maximum screen resolution of 2560×1400 , response rate of 5ms, refresh rate of 60Hz, optimum brightness of 350 cd/m2 and contrast of 1000:1, the MZ27AQ sets the stage for crisp detailing and color accurate imagery. Wide screen viewing of up to 178 degree promises exceptional visuals irrespective of extreme viewing angles.
The 2.1 channel speakers designed using Harmon Kardon technology can surely make the audiophile in you jump in awe with the rustling of every dry leaf which the gigantic monster tramples over on screen.
Asus Ultra Low Blue Light technology comes as a protective umbrella against the blue light emissions which surely are not our retina’s best friends. You can also bid adieu to eye strain courtesy its Flicker-free technology whereas its SplendidPlus technology hikes up the level of contrast, brightness and vibrancy so that your enjoyment becomes full-circle.
4. Dell Computer Ultrasharp U2415
Specs:
- 27” LED Display
- FHD (1920 x 1200)
- Weight – 14 lbs
People often think of monitors as just another computer accessory which brings nothing significant to the table. But the Dell Ultrasharp U2415 defies all these pre-conceived notions with its pixel perfect statute which guarantees a complete gaming bliss without harming the environment.
Its 1920×1200 pixel resolution screen spread across 24 inches enhances screen space by 11% in comparison to a 1080p monitor. With super thin bezels measuring 6.9 mm, you hardly notice anything apart from the virtually borderless and magnificent screen starting right back at you with sRGB coverage of 99% at a delta E < 3.
Its 16:10 aspect ratio paves the path for wide angle viewing of up to 178 degrees so that you can easily have your girlfriends come over for the slumber party as you play on some mushy romcoms. You can put the monitor wherever you fancy courtesy its tilting, rotating, pivoting and swiveling antics.
The Dell baby brings along a mammoth surge of flexibility as you connect it with external peripherals using five USB 3.0 ports, one DisplayPort, one mini-DisplayPort and two HDMI slots.
In case you are one of those with an unquenchable need-for-speed, then the USB 3.01 port located at the back of the monitor will surely keep you all charged up with its turbo boost. This VESA-compatible monitor can be wall-mounted or attached to a VESA compatible-monitor arm for bringing in optimum space utilization.
5. Acer RH251
Specs:
- 25” LED Display
- FHD (1920 x 1200)
- Weight – 7.01 lbs
It’s time to put on your seatbelts and turbocharge your movie viewing experience with the RH251 which makes a great first impression with its four-spoked stand having nifty copper highlights and a thin upper profile.
This 25 inch stunner sporting a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 paves the way for jaw dropping multimedia task, high end gaming and off course our ultimate relaxation buddy – movie viewing. With a refresh rate of 60Hz and contrast ratio of 100 Million:1, the screen radiates with the brightest of whites and darkest of blacks.
Now you can have access to immersive graphics just at your fingertips with rapid response time of 4ms which reduces deviation in transition time. This monitor looks great and saves space with a super-thin profile and practically no bezel.
Using mercury-free white LED backlighting, the Acer baby meets all ENERGY STAR requirements and brings about 68% power savings which surely is going to make you one happy soul when the electricity bill gets handed over to you at the end of the month.
With its low power consumption, the RH251 is one environmentally friendly offering which understands the value of conservation of limited resources. You can easily make use of its HDMI and DVI outputs to establish connectivity with your tablet or smartphone for easy content sharing without having to undergo the painfully long setup drill.
6. Asus TUF Gaming VG35VQ
Specs:
- 3440 x 1440 Pixels
- 0.423 ounces
- 100240 Volts
Movie monitors and gaming monitors are both built with the same goal – giving the viewer the most realistic experience possible for any given piece of media. This monitor includes the distinctive curve that has become popular in recent years, giving the viewer the impression of being surrounded by the media they are watching instead of simply looking at it through the window.
Physically speaking, this monitor is 39 inches by 18 and ten inches thick, and comes with a carefully balanced stand to make it ready for use almost as soon as it’s out of the box. While that may sound somewhat thicker than most monitors tend to be, it is important to remember that this monitor is built on a curve; the thickness takes the curve into account, although the monitor is far thinner at any individual point.
Graphics are what makes a monitor stand out, and this screen delivers them in style; the monitor features a 100Hz and 1ms rating with a 21:9 aspect ratio to give an exceptional experience with complicated graphics, and Asus has included several patented technologies to reduce blur and strain on the eyes even during prolonged viewing periods. A special boost has been added for both color and shadow, producing starkly realistic contrast and depth in any image.
As great an option as this monitor is, there are two things that might make a prospective buyer look elsewhere; first among these is the curve in the screen, as many buyers plan for a flat screen and a curved one presents an awkward and inconvenient shape for their desks. The second is price; the exceptional graphics and eye-saving technology make this monitor cost more than double some similar models.
Conclusion
When you are out there searching for your dream monitor, you will realize that there actually lies a lot of technical specifications than what actually meets our eye. Features such as response time, refresh rate, screen size, contrast, resolution and brightness need to be taken into account before proceeding with the purchase decision.
For example it is advisable to go for about 150 nits of brightness as monitors featuring more than that can actually harm our eyes. Black level which refers to the highest level of screen darkness is preferred in the lower range.
High definition films feel beautiful to watch when the black level is around or less than 0.5 nits. A contrast ratio of 800:1 is considered average. For enjoying pictures in its true light you should go for monitors having contrast ratio of 1000:1.
Resources
About the Author Marcus
Marcus has a graduate degree in computer engineering and has many years of experience in cutting-edge technology research and development in both startups and Fortune 500 corporations. In his free time, he enjoys RTS gaming.
