LCD Monitors Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best LCD Monitors. See our ratings criteria

For recommendations of best LCD Monitors, see our Fast Answers page, which summarizes what these reviews say. A longer summary and analysis appears in our Full Story report for LCD Monitors. Our Where to Buy page contains information on retailers and LCD Monitors prices.

Where to Buy

Fast Answers

Full Story

All Reviews

LCD Monitors Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	LCD Monitors Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. TFT Central	TFT Central Reviews Simon Baker As of June 2008		TFT Central is a British website with excellent professional reviews. Testing and documentation are exceptional, but a little technical for some readers. All aspects of usage are evaluated, including office use, which few other reviewers adequately address. Balance and objectivity are very good. TFT Central does not rank or rate monitors, but a TFT Selector wizard somewhat accomplishes that purpose and guides consumers to the best product using simple terminology. The best monitors for gaming, professional use, general use and value are reasonably easy to identify. One negative is that not all of the monitors covered are available in the U.S.
2. GCN (Government Computer News)	Big-screen LCDs, for the most part, keep up appearances from end to end John Breeden II July 17, 2007		John Breeden reviews eight larger LCD monitors. Testing is objective and more relevant than any other review source except TFT Central. Thorough testing of text quality is unmatched, and Breeden looks at multiple fonts. Brightness uniformity is also a focus. Ratings are comparative in every regard; the NEC LCD2490WUXi and Eizo S2431W are top-rated. Breeden also reports that monitors have improved in a couple of ways since the magazine’s previous roundup (below).
3. XBitLabs.com	22" Monitors Roundup: Part 2 Oleg Artamonov Apr. 9, 2008		X-bit’s lab testing and documentation of testing are unmatched. The results can be challenging to decipher, both because of awkward English and overly technical description and use of terminology. In this roundup, a dozen 22-inch widescreen monitors are directly compared; this test follows up a previous test of seven additional LCD monitors. The Asus VW222u and Samsung 2232MW are top-rated.
4. XBitLabs.com	19" LCD Monitors Roundup: Part VIII Aleksey Meyev Feb. 20, 2008		X-bit Labs reviews more 19-inch monitors than anyone else. Eight conventional and widescreen LCD monitors are compared here. Additional articles, all published within the past year, cover an additional 42 monitors. In general, Aleksey Meyev is most impressed with Samsung monitors. He says that the few 19-inch monitors with some type of PVA display are definitely better than the TN-based models, but more expensive. A weakness is that the best LCD monitors in each roundup aren’t compared with those from previous roundups.
5. XBitLabs.com	20" Monitors Roundup: Part V Oleg Artamonov Dec. 20, 2008		X-bit Labs compares nine conventional and widescreen monitors in its most recent 20-inch monitor roundup. An earlier roundup, published in Sept. 2007, is still valid and helpful; it covers 13 additional monitors. Oleg Artamonov expresses a strong dissatisfaction with TN-based monitors. While acknowledging that they cost more, he recommends monitors with VA or IPS panels, based on his exhaustive tests. Monitors from HP, Dell and NEC are top rated.
6. PC World >> Details/Subscribe	The Wide World of Monitors Danny Allen Dec. 30, 2007		Seventeen LCD monitors are tested and ranked in a comparison chart with others that have the same resolution. One monitor in each size group is selected as a Best Buy. Testing is not comprehensive, but the test procedure is impeccable. A panel of independent viewers compares monitors side-by-side with brand names obscured. In the test reports, each LCD monitor receives scores for text quality and graphics quality.
7. XBitLabs.com	24" LCD Monitors Roundup: Part II Oleg Artamonov Apr. 28, 2008		X-bit Labs tests six 24-inch monitors in this roundup. Eight additional 23- and 24-inch monitors were tested for Part I, which was published in Oct. 2007. As in other sizes, models with S-IPS or PVA displays outperform those with TN displays. Though explicit recommendations are not made, specific monitors emerge as equally worth buying, and Artamonov explains the disadvantages of each in ways that should make one model stand out based on a consumer’s specific needs. As always, X-bit Labs’ measurements of response time, color accuracy, viewing angles and contrast ratio are exceptional.

LCD Monitors Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	LCD Monitors Ratings Comments on Reviews

8. Bit-tech.net	Hardware: Monitors Editors of Bit-tech.net As of June 2008		UK hardware review and PC-modification site Bit-tech.net provides excellent reviews with one significant weakness: the site is oriented to gamers (as are ratings), and text quality is ignored. Otherwise, LCD monitor reviews are exceptionally substantive. Testing is terrific and visual documentation is revealing.
9. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	LCDs John R. Delaney As of June 2008		PC Magazine is a prolific reviewer of LCD monitors. The reviews dwell on entertainment performance and features. Unlike the best reviewers, PC Magazine doesn’t reveal the actual panel model or even the type of panel used. Otherwise, the LCD monitor reviews are very good, and based on sufficient testing. Only one model reviewed in the past year -- the Dell SP2208WFP -- earns an Editor’s Choice award.
10. Which.co.uk >> Details/Subscribe	PC monitors Editors of Which.co.uk Feb. 2008		British consumer magazine Which? reviews 30 LCD monitors. Some are not available in the U.S., however. Four models are honored as Best Buys, including two sold in the U.S. Ratings charts for each monitor include sub-category ratings for picture quality, screen speed, viewing angle, ease of use, versatility and environmental considerations. Image quality is underrated in the overall scores, and no delineation is made between text and video quality.
11. BeHardware.com	22 inch LCD monitors: the 3rd wave! Vincent Alzieu Dec. 12, 2007		BeHardware.com's Vincent Alzieu compares eight 22-inch TN monitors with 15 previously reviewed models. Not all models are available in the U.S. Testing is thorough and test results are displayed. However, the material is too technical for many readers to follow. Text quality is not addressed in the review copy, but each monitor gets a rating for "office" use. However, all LCD monitors earn the same perfect score for that subcategory.
12. MaximumPC.com	Monitors Katherine Stevenson, David Murphy As of June 2008		Maximum PC regularly reviews LCD monitors. Reviews are short and mainly focused on features, but are supported by testing and are well balanced with occasional comparisons. This enthusiast magazine reviews several brands that are rarely covered elsewhere, such as Hanns-G and Planar.
13. HotHardware.com	Video Editors of HotHardware.com As of June 2008		HotHardware’s reviews are among the best in most regards. Testing is comprehensive. Subjective analysis includes gaming, movies and general usage. The major limitations are the relatively small number of monitors covered, all of which are of 22 inches or larger. However, the quality of the reviews is inconsistent, and LCD monitor reviews are mixed in with other hardware.
14. Anandtech.com	Display Section Jarred Walton As of June 2008		AnandTech doesn’t review a lot of LCD monitors, and only reviews those with 22-inch and larger screen sizes. Given those limitations, however, the reviews are excellent and critical. They are balanced, comprehensive, well-documented and comparative. Still, this site is really useful only for those with the budget and space for a large widescreen LCD monitor.
15. Tom’s Hardware Guide	Four Wide Screen 19" Monitors Compared Benoît Dupont Mar. 8, 2007		In this roundup, Benoît Dupont tests four widescreen 19-inch monitors. Each monitor is extensively tested, and detailed graphs showing test results are published. The only flaw here is that text quality is all but overlooked. Age is the biggest negative to this review, and the top-rated monitor is now discontinued.

LCD Monitors Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	LCD Monitors Ratings Comments on Reviews

16. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Monitors Editors of Consumer Reports June 2008		Consumer Reports evaluates and rates 28 monitors ranging in size from 19 to 24 inches. A whopping 13 of them are selected as Quick Picks, which greatly waters down the recommendations. All but three models are rated to have very good image quality. The implication that all monitors are just about the same coupled with no explanation limits the value of this roundup review.
17. Trusted Reviews	LCD Monitor Reviews Riyad Emeran, Benny Har-Even As of June 2008		Reviews here are similar to PC Magazine’s reviews, but with less comparison. Testing and description are comprehensive except for too little attention paid to text quality. Monitors are rated one to ten with sub-category ratings for design and features, image quality and value. Oversized LCD monitors receive the most review attention. Many of the reviewed monitors aren’t sold in the U.S.
18. Techtree.com	Monitors: Reviews Sudeep Naik As of June 2008		Techtree.com India regularly reviews monitors, most of which are available in the U.S. Reviews are comparative, balanced and supported by standard testing. Review conclusions and ratings make helpful distinctions between LCD monitors and guide readers to appropriate products, but text quality isn't adequately addressed.
19. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	High-performance LCD Monitors Tony Hoffman, John R. Delaney Aug. 15, 2007		This article is an introduction to three previously reviewed LCD monitors, all of which fill distinct market niches. Samsung's SyncMaster 305T is the choice for people whose wallets and desktops can accommodate a 30-inch LCD monitor. The EIZO FlexScan S2111W is a high-end 21-inch widescreen that’s recommended for photo- and video-editing professionals. The HP w2007 is rated as a budget choice. The 20-inch widescreen display is not a great all-around LCD monitor, but Tony Hoffman sees it as a strong value among large monitors.
20. Computer Shopper	LCD Monitors Les Shu, Bill O'Brien As of June 2008		Computer Shopper’s strength is reviewing budget products that get too little attention elsewhere. Consumers who want a larger or better monitor will be better served by more substantive reviews.
21. GCN (Government Computer News)	LCDs and the digital revolution John Breeden II July 17, 2006		GCN’s 2006 LCD monitor roundup is excellent. Although the frame of reference is old, many of the monitors covered are still available, including a couple of the top-rated monitors.
22. Extreme Tech.com	3D Graphics, Audio & HDTV Loyd Case, Jason Cross As of June 2008		ExtremeTech reviews a handful of high-end monitors for gamers. The reviews admirably cover performance for that purpose, but they inadequately address how easy these expensive flat-panel monitors are on the eyes for more mundane purposes.
23. Techgage.com	Displays Rob Williams, Matt Serrano As of June 2008		Techgage has begun regularly reviewing monitors in the past six months or so. Reviews attempt to be professional, but fall short in too many regards. For example, no testing data is provided. Still, the reviews do have some significant virtues. Comparisons are good, ratings are varied to the extent that models that aren’t recommended have no rating and the reports are in non-technical language.

LCD Monitors Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	LCD Monitors Ratings Comments on Reviews

24. CNet.com	LCD Monitors Editors of CNet.com As of June 2008		CNet reviews an average of about one monitor per month. Published DisplayMate test results show other LCD monitors for comparison, but not all are direct competitors or even the same size. Lori Grunin says of the Dell 2707WFP: "Extended viewing may leave you feeling a bit woozy, as it did me." Yet, the monitor is rated Very Good overall. The reviews are easy to read, but we didn't find them as useful as those of other reviewers.
25. Newegg.com	Monitors - LCD Contributors to Newegg.com As of June 2008		Newegg.com lets customers post opinions about the monitors that they have purchased. ViewSonic and Samsung monitors are also popular. The Hanns-G HW-191DPB has the most reviews and the highest average rating among the many monitors with hundreds of reviews. The Acer AL2216Wbd and Chimei CMV 221D top the 22-inch LCD monitors.
26. I4U News.com	Monitor Reviews Mark Raby, Shane McGlaun As of June 2008		I4UNews reports on five large monitors, but the reviews are short and relatively superficial. Testing is entirely subjective, although the real-world testing is more thorough than some others conduct. Because all the LCD monitors get similar high ratings, it's hard to tell which might be best.
27. Tweaknews.net	Computer Monitor & Display Reviews Nathan Glentworth As of June 2008		TweakNews only reviews Samsung and ViewSonic LCD monitors, which limits this site's usefulness. The reviews are well-intentioned and based on experience with enough LCD monitors, but Glentworth doesn’t provide enough substantive information. Still, if you have settled on a Samsung or ViewSonic LCD monitor, this site is definitely worth checking.
28. CircuitCity.com	Monitors: Flat-panel LCD Contributors to CircuitCity.com As of June 2008		Monitors are one of the few technology products where customer impressions formed from use can be as valid as professional reviews. The HP W2207 is the top-rated monitor. It handily has the highest rating after nearly 100 reviews. In general, it's worth checking here once you've narrowed your choice.
29. Consumer Guide.com	Computer Monitors Reviews and Prices Editors of ConsumerGuide.com As of June 2008		ConsumerGuide reviews an average of about one monitor per month, but all get similar ratings. No formal testing is referenced, although image quality is usually briefly addressed.
30. Amazon.com	LCD Monitors Contributors to Amazon.com As of June 2008		Amazon.com is a good source for customer reviews of many products, but not of LCD monitors. Only a few LCD monitors receive more than 20 reviews, and average ratings are mostly similar. We found no consistency among user complaints with any monitor.
31. CADalyst.com	Monitors Ron LaFon As of June 2008		Cadalyst invited all the leading manufacturers to submit models and three companies complied, but none of the models receive lower than a grade of "A" so we can't tell which of the three might be better.