8 Best Computer Monitors (2026): Budget, OLED, 4K, and More

There was a time when recommending a 4K monitor for “most people” felt silly. But when 4K monitors like the Dell 27 Plus 4K (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are selling for the same price as 1080p models, there’s little reason not to spring for the extra pixels. 27-inch monitors with 4K resolution make for incredible sharpness, and with this display’s 120-Hz refresh rate, animation and motion are buttery smooth too. Throw in the included AMD FreeSync Ultimate support, and you’ve got a decent little gaming monitor when it needs to be. I was even impressed by the pair of 5-watt speakers, which are surprisingly full-sounding. For a display this crisp, along with its simple white aesthetic, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a model under $300 that has this much going for it.

As much as I really like this monitor, though, there are a couple of downsides worth mentioning, namely the lack of USB ports. Fortunately, Dell has a model with a USB-C hub for laptop users that’s identical. It should also be noted that while the Dell 27 Plus 4K can adjust, tilt, rotate, and swivel, it can’t be rotated fully to be used as a vertical monitor. It does have a VESA mount on the back, so you can use it vertically once it’s connected to a monitor arm.

But all in all, it’s the monitor most people should buy right now. The price has already been discounted to as low as $225, but it can fluctuate to its $300 MSRP depending on the day. I’ve also tested the 1080p version of the Dell 27 Plus, the S2725HSM. It comes in at just $175, despite having the same adjustability and VESA mount. Those are both rare for monitors of this price, and if you’re looking to get under $200, this 1080p model is a great value for what you get.