Best Monitors For Work, Play, and Content Creation in 2021
With more people working from home than ever before, having a versatile monitor that can be used for a variety of purposes is a growing priority. You might wonder if two monitors will offer you a better workflow, or whether an ultrawide screen might be more beneficial? Let’s take a look at some of the top monitors for 2021 to help you work out which ones will best suit your needs.
Do you need two monitors?
If you have desk space, having dual screens can be a lifesaver for multitasking, whether you are editing videos, writing code, or joining a conference call. The separated screens even come in handy when playing games – keep your map or other info on one screen and the main game action on the other. And if you’re streaming, you can keep an eye on the chat while you play. One of the best monitors for dual screens is the Dell UltraSharp U2721DE with its daisy chain feature, which makes it effortless to link two monitors together.
Ultrawide, curved, or both?
Ultrawide monitors extend out to offer a screen ratio of 21:9 or even 32:9, significantly more than a standard 16:9 monitor. Because of this, many ultrawide monitors are curved, allowing the full screen to better fit into your field of vision. It also makes for a more immersive viewing experience, whether you are playing games or watching movies or live streams.
Ultrawide monitors can stretch up to 49 inches, like the Samsung C49RG9, giving you much more space to work with. The main advantage over a dual-screen set up is that you can split up your on-screen space according to your various tasks with no gap between them.
Monitors for different types of work
Naturally, choosing the best monitor for work will depend on what your work is. If you do a lot of video editing, you’ll likely prioritize resolution and an HDR color gamut, while those working in the gaming industry will be looking for a monitor with low input lag and a high refresh rate to offer a fast and focused experience.
Gaming-centric monitors may also support G-Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync/FreeSync 2 (AMD) display technologies to take your gaming and streaming to the next level, especially if you are using XSplit Broadcaster to deliver your content. If your job involves reviewing documents or working with spreadsheets, choosing a screen with a high resolution is sensible for readability.
What about ergonomic monitors?
The monitor you use will play an important part in maintaining a healthy posture. Check that your monitor can be adjusted to different heights, tilted and rotated, allowing you to position it in whichever way works best for you and your body.
Many monitors will also come with additional features that can help prevent strain on your eyes, such as the VX2457-MHD from ViewSonic with FreeSync Eye Care. It has a flicker-free feature as well as a blue light filter, both of which can help reduce headaches and fatigue.
Work hard, play harder
In this age of working from home, monitors are no longer solely for work, or even just for gaming. Many people will use their monitor and computer as their main entertainment center, both for browsing the internet and watching TV and movies. To truly enjoy the benefits of Ultra HD movies or the latest Netflix show streaming in crystal clear 4K, you’ll want a monitor with a resolution to match. If you fancy recreating the darkroom experience of the cinema, look for monitors with high contrast ratios to make the blacks deeper and the colors explode off the screen, such as the Samsung Odyssey G7.
Ultimately, coming up with a shortlist of potential new monitors may mean prioritizing some features over others. There are some great all-round monitors out there at budget prices. However, if you need a monitor designed for a specific purpose, such as content creation, gaming, or streaming, you may have to pay a little bit more, but it will be a worthwhile investment, especially when your content starts making money.