Do you enjoy cable clutter? Is your idea of a good time hunting around for the right adapter to connect a laptop to a display? If the answer is a resounding “no!” to these questions, you ought to consider a USB-C monitor for your next display upgrade.
A USB-C monitor offers the most streamlined setup and saves you from having various cables cluttering your desk.
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With a USB-C monitor, a single cable delivers audio, video and power to the display. No need for an HDMI or DisplayPort connection for audio and video, with a separate USB cable to power the monitor’s USB ports. No need for an adapter or conversion cable to connect an HDMI or DisplayPort cable to your laptop. As laptops grow thinner, many have ditched the HDMI port altogether and offer only USB-C connections. Most notably, Apple’s MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro lack HDMI ports. And a USB-C monitor pairs nicely with a USB-C laptop.
In terms of resolution, I recommend at least full HD (1,920×1,080 pixels) for a 24-inch display; Quad HD (2,560×1,440 pixels) for a 27-inch display and Ultra HD (3,840×2,160 pixels, or 4K) for anything 32 inches or larger. The other spec to keep an eye on is the maximum brightness rating, which you’ll see range from 250 to 500 nits. Lower-end monitors are usually rated at 250 or 300 nits, which will likely suffice for a dark den or basement. For a sun-drenched office, however, you’ll want something that’s rated for 350 nits or higher. For more on that, I direct your attention to CNET’s monitor buying guide.
Check out the best USB-C monitor deals we can find right now. The screen sizes range from 24 inches to a 34-inch ultrawide display. What you won’t find here are professional-grade monitors with wide color gamut or gaming displays with fast refresh rates. These are general-purpose monitors for home, office and home office use.
Amazon
This basic USB-C display from ViewSonic is surprisingly well-rounded for the price. It serves up a full HD resolution, which ought to provide a crisp image across the 23.8-inch panel. In addition to USB-C connectivity, it also features both HDMI and VGA connections. It’s far from a gaming monitor, but if you want to play the occasional game, it does feature AMD FreeSync to help eliminate screen tearing and stuttering. Integrated speakers are on board — not always a given — and it’s adjustable with both tilt and swivel (but no height adjustment). With a minimal 250-nit brightness rating, however, it’s best used under artificial light rather than a room that receives a ton of natural light. It’s on sale for $160 at Amazon right now.
ViewSonic
This ViewSonic model is a 27-inch display with a QHD resolution for a sharper picture than an FHD display provides. It’s one of the most affordable 27-inch QHD monitors you’ll find, and it’s rated for a sufficient 350 nits of brightness. The stand isn’t the sleekest, but it makes up for its clunky design with flexibility, offering pivot, swivel, height and tilt adjustments.
Lenovo
This Lenovo model offers USB-C connectivity along with both HDMI and DisplayPort. It’s rated for 350 nits of brightness and also supplies integrated speakers and a modern design with thin bezels and a flexible stand that provides height, tilt, swivel and pivot adjustments. It’s slightly discounted at Amazon right now from its already reasonable $350 list price.
Dell
This Dell monitor that offers similar specs as the above models — 27 inches, QHD resolution, USB-C connectivity, 350-nit rating — along with a 5-megapixel, pop-up webcam for all of your video conferences. It’s price has gone up slightly; last month it was on sale for only $330. It might be worth waiting to see if its price dips back below $350 before pulling the trigger on a purchase.
BenQ
This BenQ model at its current price of $349 is one of the most affordable 32-inch 4K displays with USB-C connectivity. It’s rated for 300 nits of brightness and also features AMD FreeSync and both HDMI and DisplayPort connections.
AOC
This 32-inch 4K AOC display, with a rating of 350 nits, should provide a panel that is a bit brighter than the above BenQ. It supplies a DisplayPort connection and a pair of HDMI ports in addition to USB-C connectivity. It also has integrated speakers and a flexible stand with height, tilt and swivel adjustments.
LG
This ultrawide display acts like a two-monitor setup but without the break in the middle between the display. It features an ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratio and a 2,560×1,080-pixel resolution. In addition to being plenty wide, it should be plenty bright with a 400-nit rating. It also features AMD FreeSync. It’s reasonably priced at $400 and even more so right now at Best Buy with its $50 discount.