The Best Monitors According to the CNET Staff Who Use Them

The Best Monitors According to the CNET Staff Who Use Them

Over the last few years, office workers across the world have found themselves having to work from their homes. While this has increased productivity and reduced a lot of stress for many, a lot of workers didn't have the right equipment to create a home office. Even here at CNET, we had to find new ways to make our space work. 

Having a good monitor, or even two, makes working from home much easier, as being hunched over a laptop can cause severe back pain and stresses you might not notice right away. It's much better to spend your day looking at a big screen than a little one.

Read more:  The Best Office Chairs According to the CNET Staff Who Use Them

The CNET team is full of diverse experts; people who spend their lives reviewing products and testing them, so we know how to pick a good product. We collected testimonials from the editorial staff and engineers about their favorite monitors and why you should buy one too.

Gigabyte

I got this Gigabyte monitor when I bought a new gaming desktop. I wanted a 27-inch screen with 1440p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, and this was on offer for around $300 about a year ago. Never having heard of the brand, I took a punt on it.

I'm really happy with it. It looks great, day and night, with hardly any reflections. The bezel is super thin. It can be adjusted up and down, as well as tilted. And it has all the ports you'd probably need. The only thing I would change is that the power button is also a menu joystick and it's on the back, which is fiddly on the few occasions I need it.

-- Nick Hide, Managing copy editor

Asus

I love this monitor from Asus. Since I am a video editor by trade, who also edits a lot of photos in his spare time, having a monitor with excellent color rendition is super important, and this ProArt monitor does that really well.

It has a bit more resolution than a standard 1080p monitor which is fantastic as well, it adjusts easily into landscape and portrait mode, and it can move up and down for different desk setups.

But probably the biggest selling point is the price. It's more expensive than a standard monitor, but for what it delivers on picture and color quality, it's probably the most affordable monitor for professional photo and video folks. The ProArt is much more affordable than something from Apple. 

-- Owen Poole, Video producer

LG

This Full HD monitor is intensely basic for the price, but it's so easy to use and has gotten me through some of the busiest pandemic news cycles. With two HDMI ports, one audio jack and a D-sub connector, I've been able to seamlessly connect its 24-inch glory to my work Mac (for editing and digital production), as well as my former Windows laptop and current personal desktop (for video games) with minimal interruptions to my productivity. It's 6.8 pounds, which might be heavy for a monitor -- I wouldn't know -- but I've also taken to carting it into other areas of my house without issue. And it has... screen tilt!

-- Dawnthea Price Lisco, Copy editor

Sceptre

When we set up our home office, my wife and I used these Sceptre curved displays for a long time. The curve is gentle enough not to strain your eyes, while also making you feel like you have a wrap-around experience. I eventually changed out my monitors for something more gaming focused, but my wife loves her Sceptre. 

The color tone can be a little uneven and it took us a while to get them dialed in, but now that they are, they're worth the small cost. We ended up getting two for the full experience.

-- James Bricknell, Senior editor

HP

While I wanted to have good gaming monitors, I couldn't afford some of the bigger curved displays you see here. My gaming on a PC consists of 1080p resolution games anyway so 4K just wasn't needed.

I picked up two of these ultra-thin HP monitors as they have FreeSync for gaming, but are also low profile enough to leave room on my desk for the keyboards I test. Plus, the bezel-less display is fire.

-- James Bricknell, Senior editor

Lepow

For most of the pandemic, I couldn't work in the same spot in my house every day. Setting up a big monitor or even a regular desk to put one on was out of the question. Lepow's 15.6-inch portable monitor gave me just enough extra room to work, whether my "office" was in my dining room, living room or bedroom.

The display setup takes seconds with a single USB-C cable for both the picture and power though it does have an HDMI input if necessary. All the cables come in the box, too, along with a screen protector. It has a folio case that doubles as a stand (newer versions have a built-in kickstand for better positioning and use less desk space). It even has a headphone jack and basic built-in speakers so it can connect to a game console. When you're done for the day, it folds up and easily stores in a drawer or backpack. Easy.

-- Josh Goldman, Senior editor

LG

 A few years ago I upgraded to the LG Ultragear ultrawide, and everything about it makes me extremely happy. Its 3440x1440 resolution is the sweet spot for a 34-inch gaming setup since it doesn't tax a GPU as hard as a 4k monitor. It's 144hz, with Gsync and VESA adaptive sync (freesync) support. I play Final Fantasy 14 and Destiny 2 on a custom-built gaming rig, and the frame rates are amazing. 

Since I'm not even maxing out the specifications on this monitor -- a GPU upgrade in a year or two will let me max out the 144hz part of the monitor -- I'm going to be keeping this for a good long while.

-- Wesley Radcliffe, Engineering manager

CNET's Eric Franklin got me into ultrawide monitors, and for a long time I had an entry-level LG that did the job. When the pandemic hit though, I decided to go bigger and I'm so glad I did. I bought this one Used/Like New from Amazon, and it's been a dream to work with. 

I bought the 120hz because I don't game at higher refresh rates anyway, and most of the time I was relying on this for work. I also found a monitor arm for it that cleans up my workspace really well.

- Ian Sherr, Editor at large

More stuff we use every day

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Apple's Magic Keyboard for iPad: Still Excellent, but Time for a Revision

Apple's Magic Keyboard for iPad: Still Excellent, but Time for a Revision

I'm typing, right now, on a 12-inch iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard, alternating with the iPad Air and the same keyboard, but smaller. I've done this, off and on, for a while. Sometimes I forget I'm on an iPad at all. You can indeed make an iPad feel very laptop-like, and there are several keyboard case accessories that get you there. Apple's $300 case might be the best, but it's also a product that's oddly imperfect -- and expensive. 

I love the Magic Keyboard. But I sometimes get annoyed by it, too. Though the angled, hovering iPad stand design makes it a great iPad-as-laptop or desk-typing accessory, it still lacks some features you'd really expect for this price. Who knows... maybe Apple will give it an update when the next iPad Pro arrives.

What I like

The keys

The best thing about Apple's keyboard case is the feel of its keys. For me, the key travel is perfect, and it mirrors the feel of Apple's most recent MacBooks. I write fast and instinctually, and the positioning of the keys is pretty good for my muscle memory. The trackpad beneath is just the right size. Sure, it could be bigger, but it's big enough.

I'm talking about the 12-inch version of the Magic Keyboard -- the 11-inch model is a little more compressed. It works, but I also get that "typing on a Netbook" old-fashioned feeling I had years ago on 10-inch laptops. The side keys (Tab) and the edge-oriented keys (Return, some symbol keys) suffer the most. All the keyboard cases made for the 11-inch iPads have some sort of key compression like this, though.

The backlit keys are subtle and work well in low light or darkness, although sometimes the lights take too long to automatically turn off. And Apple has no key backlighting adjustment controls on the keyboard (which other keyboard cases often have).

The Magic Keyboard adds an extra pass-through USB-C charge port that can be used while the iPad's USB-C port is connected to other things.

Scott Stein/CNET

And the extra USB-C charge port

The Magic Keyboard has one little bonus that's been super handy -- there's a pass-through charge port for USB-C on the side of the hinge. It's on the left side, while the USB-C port on the iPad is on the right. This means I can charge from either side at a desk, which is really important to prevent the iPad from becoming incredibly annoying. That port can't output to things like monitors (you need to use the iPad's own USB-C/Thunderbolt port for that), but it's a useful charge-up aid.

And the portability

The Magic Keyboard folds smaller than most other keyboard cases, wrapping tightly around the iPad. But it lacks protection for the iPad sides, and the magnets can detach when inside a bag or if you drop the iPad, knocking the entire case loose. 

What needs fixing 

No function keys

Some iPad keyboard cases have extra rows of dedicated function keys, including volume control and play/pause buttons. I love these, and Apple oddly left them out on the Magic Keyboard. Apple has a lot of keyboard shortcuts in iOS, but dedicated function keys would be a great addition.

The iPad (left, with the Smart Keyboard) vs. the iPad Air (right, with the Magic Keyboard). The floppy old smart keyboard cover isn't as good, but it does fold back flat.

Scott Stein/CNET

It can't fold flat as a folio case

The Magic Keyboard's odd design means it can't fold all the way back, with the keyboard parked behind the screen. You either use it as a laptop-thing, or fold it shut. iPads are sketchpads and readers, too, and you can't use the iPad easily for those purposes with the Magic Keyboard on. That means popping the case off (it attaches with magnets), and then you're left holding a naked iPad. Surely Apple can figure this out? The old Smart Keyboard cover isn't as good for work, yet was more flexible as a folio case solution. But it doesn't work with the Magic Keyboard-compatible iPads (Air, Pro).

And that price

At $300 (or $350 for the 12.9-inch version), this is just a lot of money for a keyboard case, especially when the entry iPad costs about as much. It's half the price of the iPad Air! It'd be lovely if a new model split the difference and became at least somewhat more affordable, because having a good keyboard on the go is increasingly useful with iPadOS.

I still love the Magic Keyboard, and it tends to stay on every iPad I've used it with. But it sure can be weird sometimes.

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How to use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac

How to use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac

A dual monitor setup helps with multitasking, organization and overall efficiency, which is why so many people spend hundreds of dollars on a second monitor for their computer. That extra real estate can be used for video calls, browsing the web, sending emails or even drawing with your stylus. But if you own a Mac and an iPad, you may not have to spend any money to put together a two-monitor setup in your home.

As long as you have a compatible Mac and iPad, you can quickly and easily connect the two Apple devices and use the iPad as an extra display for your Mac computer. Using Sidecar, which comes built-in to supported devices, you can then either extend your MacOS desktop or mirror it onto your iPad, equipped with touch screen controls to seamlessly use the two devices together.

Here's what you need to know.

Requirements to use your iPad as a second display

As mentioned above, both of your devices need to support Sidecar, which is the feature that allows you to use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac. For your Mac, you must be running MacOS Catalina or later and it has to be one of the following models:

• MacBook Pro (2016 or later)
• MacBook (2016 or later)
• MacBook Air (2018 or later)
• iMac (2017 or later and Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
• iMac Pro
• Mac Mini (2018 or later)
• Mac Pro (2019 or later)

And for your iPad, it must be running iPadOS 13 or later and includes the following models:

It's best to update your devices to the latest software available to avoid any issues. 

Also, both devices must be logged in to the same Apple ID account, using two-factor authentication. 

If you plan on going wireless, the two devices must be within 30 feet of one another. You can also use your USB to connect the two devices, with the advantage of being able to also charge your iPad while it's in use as a second monitor.

Share your entire Mac desktop to your iPad

Depending on what software update you have on your computer, sharing your computer desktop to your tablet may vary. If you're running MacOS Big Sur or later, click the Display icon in the menu bar at the top right. In the menu that appears, choose your iPad.

If you're on MacOS Catalina, you'll instead click on the AirPlay icon in the menu bar and then select your iPad. If for some reason you don't see the AirPlay icon, click the Apple menu in the top right and go to System Preferences > Displays and check Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available.

Click the Display option in the menu bar to find your iPad.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Once your Mac and iPad are connected, you have several options to choose from that appear in the Display/AirPlay menu:

• Mirror Built-in Retina Display: Mirror your exact desktop to your iPad. This will shift your computer desktop to look more like your iPad.
• Use As Separate Display: Use the iPad as an extension to your desktop. To use your iPad display, drag any window or files from your Mac computer to the right of your screen, which will take you to the tablet. To go back to your computer, simply drag your cursor back to where you came from.

Share only one Mac window to your iPad

Alternatively, you can quickly share a window instead of dragging it over to your iPad. For example, you could share your web browser in Safari or what you've jotted down in your Notes. To do this, simply hover your mouse cursor over the green full-screen button that appears on the top left of most windows. After a second of hovering, you should see an option that says "Move to iPad," which will share that window to your tablet. You can share multiple windows, in succession, to your iPad.

Hover over the full-screen button to send that window to your iPad.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Using the Sidebar controls, gestures, and Touch Bar on your iPad

Once your screen is shared over to your iPad, a set of controls will appear on the left side of your iPad, which are Sidebar controls you'll commonly see on your Mac. That includes, from top to bottom:

• Menu bar: Show or hide menu bar when in full-screen
• Dock: Show or hide dock
• Command: Double-tap to lock key
• Option: Double-tap to lock key
• Control: Double-tap to lock key
• Shift: Double-tap to lock key
• Undo: Undo last action
• Keyboard: Show or hide keyboard
• Disconnect: Disconnect iPad from Mac

In addition to these Mac controls, you can also use a number of swipe gestures to control certain things on the second monitor (you won't be able to use the touchscreen as usual though). That includes swiping with two fingers to scroll, pinching in with three fingers to copy, swiping left with three fingers to undo and more.

And finally, you may also be able to use the Touch Bar, if the application on your iPad is compatible. For instance, if you move Safari over to the iPad, you'll see Touch Bar controls to go back and forward, use the search bar, flip between tabs and open a new tab. In Messages, you would see controls to create a new text, send an emoji and predictive text. The Touch Bar may not appear for every app you use on your iPad.

This is what your iPad will look like as a second monitor.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

If you don't want to use the Sidebar or Touch Bar controls, you can also get rid of them. On your Mac, click on the Display icon in the menu bar, and underneath your connected iPad, you should see Hide SideBar and Hide Touch Bar. Click on either or both options to hide the controls from your iPad.

Using your iPad while connected to your Mac

Even if you're using your iPad as a second monitor, you can still swipe up to exit the Sidecar application and use your iPad as usual. In your dock, you'll see a blue icon with two monitors on it -- this is Sidecar. To go back to using your iPad as a second monitor, tap on the Sidecar app icon in the dock.

You can use your iPad as usual, even when connected to a Mac via Sidecar.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

If you're interested in learning more about what your iPad is capable of, check out how to declutter your iPad dock by removing this annoying feature and 9 things to do immediately after you get a new iPad.

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