Although gaming monitors got much of the attention at this CES, some other excellent monitors were shown off on the conference floor. We looked at several Apple Studio Display competitors, cheaper mini-LED options, and some with unique form factors. Here are the best monitors we’ve seen at CES 2023 so far.
samsung viewfinity 5k
Apple has had a monopoly on high-resolution Creator displays, but Samsung is challenging that status quo with the ViewFinity 5K. It’s a direct competitor to Apple’s Studio Display, outfitted with a 27-inch screen and 5K resolution that produces a pixel density of 218 pixels per inch (PPI). Samsung has some additional goodies, too. For example, you don’t have to spend extra for the matte finish, and although we don’t have an official price, it will probably cost less than Apple’s display.
It looks fantastic, and that’s due in no small part to the calibration feature that you can use with your phone. It adjusts the colors for your panel and even gives you a report when you’re done, a process that’s normally quite involved and requires expensive hardware. On top of that, you’re getting Samsung’s TV operating system, so you can use the Samsung Gaming Hub, streaming apps, and even remote desktop.
Dell UltraSharp 6K
Pixel density is all about stuffing more pixels onto a smaller screen, and Dell’s UltraSharp 6K is aiming at exactly that. It is a 32-inch display with 6K resolution, which produces a pixel density of 223 PPI. Dell says its goal was to capture the density found in high-end laptop displays on desktop monitors, all the while ensuring excellent color accuracy for creators.
Contrast and HDR won’t amaze you. But there will be resolution. The monitor looks impossibly sharp considering its size, boasting nearly double the pixel density of a 32-inch 4K display. Dell also includes a built-in 4K webcam and a nifty USB hub that you can flip up in front of the display. Samsung’s ViewFinity 5K is challenging Apple’s Studio Display, but the Dell UltraSharp 6K could be a winner for creators in 2023.
Asus ProArt Display OLED PA32DCM
We’ve been waiting a long time for Asus’s ProArt OLED PA32DCM, and the final product does not disappoint. It’s a 32-inch 4K monitor, and critically, it comes with an OLED panel. No, this isn’t the WRGB subpixel OLED we’ve seen with monitors like the Alienware 34 QD-OLED. This is true RGB OLED with a response time of 0.1 millisecond.
It also has 10-bit color, 99% coverage of sRGB, and built-in hardware calibration so you get as accurate colors as possible. That’s all well and good, but it’s the stand on the OLED PA32DCM that really, well, sets it apart. It’s small and slim, so you can place the monitor almost anywhere. Asus also includes a clip that goes over a cubicle, solving the problem of mounting the monitor without an arm.
Lenovo ThinkVision Mini-LED Monitor
If you want a bright monitor, the ThinkVision P27pz-30 (27-inch) and P32pz-30 (31.5-inch) are for you. They come in different sizes, but both offer a mini-LED backlight capable of 1,200 nits of peak brightness. Coupled with 1,152 local dimming zones, these monitors could deliver some of the best HDR performance we’ve seen in 2023.
On top of that, it can deliver up to 140 watts of power over USB-C, so you can even charge some gaming laptops, and it supports USB4. However, perhaps the most exciting development is the price. These monitors are still north of $1,500, but previous models sold for around $3,500. Mini-LED monitors have gotten a lot cheaper, and Lenovo’s new ThinkVision displays are a prime example.
Asus ZenScreen M16QHG
Portable screens are usually pretty rough, but the Asus ZenScreen M16QHG wants to change that. It’s 16-inch 16:10 display can be the perfect complement for portable gaming or even just hooking up your phone to a larger display. One of the reasons why is image quality. It’s not a showstopping screen, but the ZenScreen M16QHG still supports HDR and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space.
It is also highly portable. There’s a kickstand built into the display that houses all your connectivity, including HDMI, USB-C, and a headphone jack. Resolution is also not bad. It tops out at 2,560 x 1,600. And it comes with 120Hz refresh rate. Pack this monitor and the Xbox Series S when you’re traveling, and you’ve got a serious gaming setup you can fit in a backpack.
Gigabyte M32U-AE
Finally, we have the Gigabyte M32U-AE, which doesn’t have much going on. It’s nearly identical to last year’s Gigabyte M32U, but this time, instead of a stand, it includes a monitor arm that you can mount on your desk. It’s a small change, but it goes a long way toward clearing up the arm clutter, and even better, Gigabyte isn’t charging a premium.
The M32U is one of the best 4K monitors you can buy, and that’s because it represents a great value. Image quality is decent, it’s 32 inches, and it comes with a 144Hz refresh rate. Crucially, it’s only $700, which is an outright steal for a monitor of this caliber. The AE version comes in at the same price, while offering better cable management.
Editors’ Recommendations