USB-C is the one connection to rule all of them—actually, in lots of circumstances, because of a current legislation handed by the European Parliament. Its reputation has made USB-C a standard sight on new screens. A USB-C monitor can simply join with a variety of units, from laptops to smartphones; and a few USB-C screens may even cost a related machine whereas in use.
The small print of USB-C may be complicated, nevertheless, and pricing for USB-C screens is usually larger than that for screens that lack the interface. Our information to the very best USB-C screens will aid you choose the fitting show to your wants.
To study extra, see our part on what to search for in a USB-C monitor beneath our suggestions.
For much more monitor suggestions, try our roundup of the very best screens throughout all classes.
Up to date 03/01/2023: To incorporate the Viewsonic ColorPro VP16 OLED as our alternative for finest transportable USB-C monitor. Learn beneath for more information on our newest choose.
1. Dell U3223QE – Finest USB-C monitor total
Execs
- IPS Black panel fulfills its promise
- Correct coloration with broad gamut
- Excessive brightness in SDR
- USB-C hub with 90 watts of energy
Cons
- Edges of show are noticeably vibrant
- HDR efficiency disappoints
- Solely a 60Hz panel
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,149.99
The Dell U3223QE, which ranks as our greatest monitor total, is a superb USB-C monitor with an enormous vary of connectivity. It additionally packs a cutting-edge IPS panel with alluring picture high quality.
Connectivity is great. The monitor has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and as much as 90 watts of Energy Supply for charging a related machine. It additionally drives a USB hub with a complete of 5 extra USB-A ports, ethernet, and DisplayPort-out. That’s sufficient to attach a wired mouse, keyboard, and show—and nonetheless have a number of ports left over for exterior drives or your smartphone.
This monitor is among the many treasured few with an IPS Black show panels. Because the title implies, this expertise improves black ranges, providing roughly twice the distinction ratio of competing screens with IPS panels. Only a few screens have this panel, so it provides the Dell U3223QE a big edge over its rivals. The monitor additionally has 4K decision and excellent out-of-the-box coloration accuracy.
This monitor has a smaller twin, the Dell U2723QE, which packs the identical options and IPS Black panel at a lower cost. It’s a sensible choice if you happen to don’t need an enormous 32-inch monitor or do need a USB-C monitor on a extra modest finances.
Learn our full
Dell U3223QE assessment
2. NZXT Canvas 27Q – Finest finances USB-C monitor
Execs
- Enticing and sturdy design
- 4 video inputs together with USB-C
- Nice coloration efficiency
- Excessive movement readability at 144Hz and 165Hz
Cons
- Restricted picture high quality adjustment
- Audio system not included
- HDR mode is barebones
Worth When Reviewed:
$319.99
The NZXT Canvas S27Q is the go-to alternative if you need a USB-C monitor and don’t want a variety of USB-C hub connectivity. Its extra threadbare function set helps NZXT ship USB-C connectivity and excellent picture high quality for lower than $300.
This monitor has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode, that means it might deal with video enter. It lacks Energy Supply, nevertheless, so the USB-C port gained’t cost a related laptop computer or pill. The USB-C port connects to 2 extra USB-A ports. On the plus aspect, this monitor has two HDMI-in ports and one DisplayPort-In, for a complete for 4 video inputs. Most reasonably priced screens have simply two or three.
The NZXT Canvas S27Q is a 27-inch 1440p monitor with an IPS panel and a refresh fee of as much as 165Hz. It additionally helps AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, which is nice information for avid gamers.
The monitor has wonderful picture high quality and scores significantly nicely in coloration efficiency and accuracy. It could possibly go toe-to-toe with rivals priced $100 to $200 above it, so it’s an incredible alternative if you need most worth to your cash.
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NZXT Canvas 27Q assessment
3. Asus ProArt PA348CGV – Finest ultrawide USB-C monitor
Execs
- Wonderful SDR picture high quality
- Sturdy, hefty design
- Wide selection of customization
- 120Hz refresh fee
Cons
- USB-C hub lacks video-out or ethernet
- HDR is merely satisfactory
Worth When Reviewed:
729.99
The Asus ProArt PA348CGV is a spectacular ultrawide USB-C monitor. It manages to serve an enormous vary of individuals, from avid gamers to prosumers and professionals, with out letting anybody down.
This monitor has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and as much as 90 watts of Energy Supply, so it might cost a related laptop computer or desk. The USB-C port can drive as much as 4 extra USB-A ports, providing a variety of bodily connections. It doesn’t help ethernet or video-out, nevertheless, so some homeowners will nonetheless want an extra adapter.
Picture high quality is excellent. Coloration accuracy is great, the colour gamut is broad, and most brightness is excessive. The monitor’s 34-inch panel has a decision of 3440×1440, which is roughly equal to a 27-inch 1440p monitor and appears sharp in on a regular basis use. The monitor has a most refresh fee of 120Hz and helps AMD FreeSync Premium Professional, which is nice information for avid gamers.
The ProArt PA348CGV is fairly priced, as nicely, at $729.99—not a cut price, however decrease than most ultrawide screens with related options. Its value, wide selection of options, and wonderful picture high quality make the ProArt PA348CGV an incredible USB-C monitor for avid gamers and content material creators.
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Asus ProArt PA348CGV assessment
4. LG DualUp 28MQ780-B – Finest USB-C monitor for productiveness
Execs
- Distinctive facet ratio is helpful for picture, video enhancing
- Makes an superior second monitor
- Extremely adjustable stand
- Vivid, correct coloration
Cons
- Tough to slot in a small house workplace
- USB-C port gives restricted downstream connectivity
- Can lack immersion in some content material
Worth When Reviewed:
699.99
The LG DualUp 28MQ780-B is a USB-C monitor with a singular 16:18 facet ratio that’s virtually precisely sq.. It could possibly rotate right into a 18:16 facet ratio if you happen to’d favor. The monitor is far taller than most screens and, consequently, has an adjustable stand that clamps to the rear of your desk as a substitute of a traditional desktop stand.
The monitor’s odd type issue is good for viewing giant, complicated paperwork and may be helpful for enhancing portrait or sq. pictures. It’s additionally nicely fitted to use as a second monitor alongside a big 32-inch show.
The DualUp 28MQ780-B has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 90 watts of Energy Supply, so it might cost a related laptop computer or pill. The USB-C port can prolong connectivity to 2 extra USB-A ports. Sadly, the monitor lacks ethernet or video-out, so some homeowners may have an extra adapter.
What about picture high quality? It’s nice. The monitor has nice coloration accuracy, a large coloration gamut, and respectable sharpness because of its decision of 2560×2880. Simply be warned: The odd facet ratio makes it an odd match for gaming and films. This can be a monitor constructed for work, not play.
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LG DualUp 28MQ780-B assessment
5. Viewsonic ColorPro VP16 OLED – Finest transportable USB-C monitor
Execs
- Versatile, helpful stands
- Good connectivity, cables included
- Quite a few picture high quality customization choices
- Prime-tier picture high quality even at default settings
Cons
- Audio system are included, however weak
- Dear for a transportable monitor
- No HDR
Worth When Reviewed:
$399.99
The Viewsonic VP16-OLED is a exceptional transportable OLED monitor that brings collectively top-notch picture high quality, USB-C connectivity, and an revolutionary stand design.
The monitor’s 15.6-inch 1080p OLED panel delivers distinctive coloration accuracy, gamut, and distinction. It surpasses many full-sized OLED screens and practically all transportable screens. This makes it an incredible alternative for productiveness, although it additionally appears wonderful when viewing motion pictures or taking part in video games.
The VP16-OLED’s stand can be utilized as a kickstand or expanded to carry the monitor upright, making it best for professionals who need to maximize their workspace or want improved ergonomics. The stand contains two USB-C ports, each of which might present energy and video enter to the monitor, and a micro-HDMI port for compatibility with non-USB-C units. The monitor contains all the mandatory cables in addition to a USB-C energy brick.
There’s a disadvantage: the price. The Viewsonic VP16-OLED’s MSRP of $399.99 is dear for a transportable monitor. Nonetheless, if you happen to place a excessive worth on picture high quality and need the very best monitor to your transportable workplace, the Viewsonic VP16-OLED is a superb alternative.
Learn our full
Viewsonic ColorPro VP16-OLED assessment
What to search for in a USB-C monitor
Many options fascinating in a USB-C monitor are the identical as on another show. A pointy, vivid, vibrant, and contrast-rich display is finest. Nonetheless, buyers who need to purchase a USB-C monitor ought to regulate particulars solely related to USB-C.
Bear in mind, too, {that a} USB-C show can be utilized in two contexts. First, you’ll be able to join your USB-C monitor to a desktop PC or laptop computer through a USB-C cable, and use it like a conventional USB-C hub through the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps interface. That’s fairly easy.
Second, you can even use the USB-C cable as a alternative for a show cable like HDMI or DisplayPort, particularly for newer laptops which may remove an HDMI or DisplayPort port.
It’s right here that USB-C screens can get tough. The normal rule of thumb is {that a} USB-C port can help a 4K show at 30Hz decision. DisplayPort Alternate Mode (see beneath) will increase that to 4K60, which is far simpler on the eyes. Newer laptops use DisplayPort 1.4, which mixes a high-bit-rate mode (HBR3) with a DSC compression mode that ought to permit for 4K60 video alongside the flexibility to make use of USB 3.1 storage units.
Remember, nevertheless, that the USB-C cable’s 20Gbps throughput might not permit for video to be handed to premium shows just like the NZXT Canvas S27Q at its full 1440p, 165Hz refresh fee. These specs in all probability assume that you simply’re utilizing a devoted video port like DisplayPort, as a substitute, in addition to its separate video cable. You’ll be able to definitely join the show to your laptop computer utilizing each a video cable and the USB-C cable concurrently, nevertheless.
In case your laptop computer makes use of both Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 — all of which use a 40Gbps knowledge connection and a USB-C port in your laptop computer — you need to in all probability haven’t any points connecting your laptop computer to the monitor on the full refresh fee utilizing a Thunderbolt cable. Simply seek the advice of your laptop computer’s specs and/or handbook to verify.
Energy Supply
USB-C Energy Supply supplies energy over a USB-C cable. It’s not a part of the core USB-C specification, so units with USB-C (together with screens) don’t at all times help it. Energy Supply can pack as much as 240 watts, however most USB-C screens present simply 65 to 90 watts. It’s an ideal match for many who personal a thin-and-light laptop computer, 2-in-1, or pill.
Energy Supply is insufficient for some units, reminiscent of gaming laptops, which eat extra energy than present USB-C screens can present. These laptops should cost when left at idle however will cost slowly (and even discharge the battery) when in use.
Ethernet
Wired ethernet is a fascinating function in a USB-C monitor. Many fashionable laptops lack a bodily Ethernet port, so its inclusion on a monitor is handy. It could possibly enhance the pace and reliability of a related machine’s web connection.
Whereas helpful, that is an costly function accessible solely on premium fashions. The Dell U3223QE is the one USB-C monitor on this listing with ethernet help.
DisplayPort Alternate Mode
DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a function accessible to USB-C that handles video as if the USB-C cable was a DisplayPort cable. It helps all of the options you’d anticipate from DisplayPort together with excessive refresh charges and adaptive sync.
A monitor with out this function gained’t settle for video over USB-C, that means you’ll have to attach each USB-C and a separate video enter. All of the screens on this listing help DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
How we check screens
PC World’s monitor guides are the results of impartial assessments by PC World employees members and freelance expertise journalists.
We check every monitor with a SpyderXElite coloration calibration software. This software can measure a monitor’s brightness, distinction, coloration gamut, coloration accuracy, uniformity, gamma, coloration temperature, and different necessary elements of show high quality. Utilizing a software that measures goal high quality helps us objectively examine dozens of screens.
Our assessments of USB-C screens additionally take into account the vary of USB-C connectivity and options accessible. We favor to see a USB-C monitor with a whole vary of bodily connectivity together with ethernet and at the very least 90 watts of Energy Supply, however these fascinating options are balanced towards the monitor’s value.
FAQ
Do I actually need a USB-C monitor?
A USB-C monitor is an effective way to broaden your pc’s connectivity with out the added litter of a USB-C hub or dock. It reduces the wires current in your desk, releasing up area for different makes use of. PC World’s information to USB-C hub screens has the total story.
USB-C screens are wonderful when used with a USB-C laptop computer that consumes lower than 90 watts of energy at load. Docking a laptop computer at a desk may be annoying if you happen to use a wired keyboard, wired mouse, and exterior monitor. A USB-C monitor can consolidate all of your wired units to a single USB-C cable.
If these advantages sound good, then a USB-C monitor may very well be for you. If not, it’s possible you’ll get extra worth from a standard monitor.
Are USB-C screens costly?
Sure, USB-C screens are costlier. Fundamental screens with out USB-C retail for as little as $100, whereas related screens with USB-C begin round $150.
That value premium persists by all value classes. You’ll be able to anticipate to pay round $50 to $100 extra for a USB-C monitor than you’d for the same monitor with out it.
Premium productiveness {and professional} screens are an exception. Almost all screens in these classes supply some type of USB-C help. They continue to be costly, although, and are sometimes priced between $500 to $1,000 (and generally extra).
Are USB-C screens good for gaming?
Technically talking, USB-C screens may be nice for gaming. USB-C video is dealt with over DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which preserves all the same old advantages of DisplayPort. This contains nice help for top refresh charges, excessive resolutions, and adaptive sync.
However there’s a catch: Many screens which have a USB-C port don’t help necessary gaming options like an enhanced refresh fee, low pixel response instances, or adaptive sync. The Asus ProArt PG348CGV, our choose for finest ultrawide with USB-C, and the NZXT Canvas 27Q, our greatest finances choose, are two notable exceptions. Simply just be sure you’re connecting to them with a devoted DisplayPort or HDMI video cable, and never utilizing the USB-C cable because the video cable, too.
