What resolution do you need?

The size of your display is a major determining factor in choosing the optimal resolution. The larger the monitor the more resolution is needed to maintain a sharp image. What you’ll be using the screen for, and the power of the computer you’re using to drive it are also important factors to consider. If you’re doing detail-oriented design work or photo editing, then higher resolution (1440p, 4K, and up) will aid your work, but for things like web browsing, media consumption, and productivity, you can get away with a lower resolution (1080p) screen.

Does refresh rate matter?

Refresh rate refers to the number of frames a monitor is capable of displaying per second, rated in hertz. Generally, higher refresh rates are only critical for motion, like that in first-person shooters or action movies. For a monitor you'll mostly use for productivity tasks, a lower refresh rate is fine.

Does panel type matter?

If you plan to spend a lot of time parked in front of a display, panel type is important. Relying on an outdated technology like TN (twisted nematic) with its poor color accuracy and abysmal viewing angles can increase eye strain, and should only be considered when budget restraints make it a necessity. Your target should be at least a VA panel or, ideally, an IPS panel (or perhaps one of its variants) with improved color depth and pixel density.

The 4 Best USB-C Monitors of 2023

USB-C is a modern computer connector quickly becoming the standard for connecting and powering many devices. Computer monitors are no exception.

Here are the USB-C monitors we like.

The Rundown

Best Overall:

LG 27UK850-W at Amazon

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Best for Portability:

AOC i1601fwux at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best 4K:

BenQ EW3270U at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best 5K:

Dell U4021QW at Amazon

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in this article

Our Picks
What to Look For in a USB-C Monitor
FAQ

View On Amazon

What We Like

Great picture quality
Lots of connectivity ports

What We Don't Like

No auto input switching

LG 27UK850-W Monitor Review

With the perfect balance of features and performance, LG's 27UK850-W is one of the best USB-C monitors you can get today. Its 27-inch 4K display has a 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio. Thanks to HDR10 support, you'll see vibrant colors and improved contrast levels.

The monitor can tilt forward (up to 20 degrees) and backward (up to 5 degrees) and has a height adjustment of up to 4.7 inches. It can be used in both landscape and portrait orientations.

The 27UK850-W packs many I/O and connectivity options, including USB Type-C (with data transfer, 4K output, and power delivery capabilities), USB Type-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, and 3.5mm audio. It also includes built-in speakers.

_{Size: 27-inch | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Inputs: USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, and 3.5mm audio}

LG 27UK850-W 27-inch 4K — Lifewire / Bill Loguidice

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Extremely lightweight
No external power required

What We Don't Like

Average display quality

On the hunt for a feature-packed monitor that can be carried around anywhere? Meet AOC's I1601FWUX. With a 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio, its 15.6-inch FHD display is perfect for those who're always on the move and often need a second screen to go with their laptop.

The panel can be used in landscape and portrait orientations and comes bundled with a smart cover that doubles as a kickstand. It can also be tilted forward (up to 25 degrees) and backward (up to 5 degrees). Despite its metal alloy casing, the I1601FWUX weighs just 1.8 pounds, which makes it light enough to be tossed in a backpack. This portability comes at a cost: brightness and color accuracy leave something to be desired, and it only comes with a single USB Type-C port.

_{Size: 15.6-inch | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Inputs: USB Type-C}

Courtesy of B&H

View On Amazon View On Adorama.com View On B&H Photo Video

What We Like

Multiple HDR presets
Ambient light sensor

What We Don't Like

No USB Type-A port

BenQ's EW3270U proves that a well-rounded USB-C monitor doesn't always have to cost an arm and a leg. Its 4K display works equally great for everything from editing high-resolution photos to streaming video content. The panel is also accurate, with around 95 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 wide color gamut.

Among the most exciting features of the EW3270U is a dedicated button, which lets you choose from four levels of HDR processing for the best picture quality. It also supports AMD's FreeSync technology for a smoother gameplay experience with your AMD graphics card.

It comes with USB Type-C (having data transfer and video output functions), DisplayPort, HDMI, and 3.5mm audio. You also get dual 2W speakers, forward (up to 15 degrees), and backward (up to 5 degrees) tilt adjustment.

_{Size: 31.5-inch | Panel Type: VA | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Inputs: USB Type-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, and 3.5mm audio}

Dell

View On Amazon View On Dell

What we like

5K resolution
Enormous 40-inch ultrawide screen space
Impressive color accuracy
USB-C hub
Support for multiple simultaneous inputs

What we don't like

Extremely expensive

The Dell UltraSharp stands out for its excellent 5K/2K resolution that spans its 40-inch surface and ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratio. That 5120 x 2160 resolution isn't the only impressive feature of this display; you also get a 1.07 Billion color depth rated as 100 percent RGB color accurate.

The U4021QW has good audio output thanks to its 9W built-in speakers. It also sports an enormous array of ports, enabling it to function as a powerful and versatile USB hub. It can also accept inputs from two separate sources and automatically detect and display those inputs.

Furthermore, the monitor uses Auto KVM software to switch control between the two PCs seamlessly. This enables you to use two computers simultaneously on one screen with the same keyboard and mouse.

_{Size: 40-inch | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 5120 x 2160 pixels | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Aspect Ratio: 21:9 | Inputs: Displayport 1.4, 2 HDMI 2.0, Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB Type-B Upstream Port, USB Type-C Downstream Port, 4 USB Type-A ports, 3.5mm Jack, RJ45 Port}

What to Look For in a USB-C Monitor

USB-C Hub

If your laptop has limited USB ports, look for a monitor with a built-in USB-C hub. This allows you to use a single USB-C connection to send video to your monitor, power your laptop, and even plug in as many extra USB devices as the monitor supports.

Thunderbolt

USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 connectors look the same and are mostly compatible, but you need a Thunderbolt-equipped computer to take advantage of a Thunderbolt-equipped monitor. If your laptop has a regular USB-C connection but not Thunderbolt, don’t spend extra money on a monitor with Thunderbolt-dependent features.

Additional Connections

A great feature of USB-C monitors is you can accomplish the work of multiple cables with a single USB-C connection. Look for a monitor with multiple HDMI inputs to connect game consoles and other video sources or a headphone jack if you want to plug in headphones.

FAQ

What resolution do you need?

The size of your display is a major determining factor in choosing the optimal resolution. The larger the monitor the more resolution is needed to maintain a sharp image. What you’ll be using the screen for, and the power of the computer you’re using to drive it are also important factors to consider. If you’re doing detail-oriented design work or photo editing, then higher resolution (1440p, 4K, and up) will aid your work, but for things like web browsing, media consumption, and productivity, you can get away with a lower resolution (1080p) screen.
Does refresh rate matter?

Refresh rate refers to the number of frames a monitor is capable of displaying per second, rated in hertz. Generally, higher refresh rates are only critical for motion, like that in first-person shooters or action movies. For a monitor you'll mostly use for productivity tasks, a lower refresh rate is fine.
Does panel type matter?

If you plan to spend a lot of time parked in front of a display, panel type is important. Relying on an outdated technology like TN (twisted nematic) with its poor color accuracy and abysmal viewing angles can increase eye strain, and should only be considered when budget restraints make it a necessity. Your target should be at least a VA panel or, ideally, an IPS panel (or perhaps one of its variants) with improved color depth and pixel density.