Check out our top picks for PC monitors with USB-C connectivity
Best
USB-C Monitors
Windows Central
2022
Investing in one of the best USB-C monitors will set you nicely for the future with both display quality and connectivity. These monitors generally have a modern design appeal, high-quality panel, and they can work as well with laptops as they can with desktop PCs. We’ve rounded up a bunch of the best USB-C monitors for a variety of uses, including gaming, mobile computing, and ultrawide setups.
Best overall: Razer Raptor 27
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The unique design sees cable management at the forefront, with dedicated channels along the back stand. The monitor tilts for easy access, but you do have to use proprietary cables. Ports include HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C PD (with DP 1.4), and two USB-A 3.2. Color accuracy hits 100% sRGB, 90% AdobeRGB, and 96% DCI-P3, making this monitor just as comfortable handling photography or design as it is with gaming.
If you need a monitor with USB-C connectivity that can also handle just about anything you throw its way, the Razer Raptor 27 is a top choice. You can get it with a standard 144Hz refresh rate, or you can bump things up to 165Hz for even faster performance. This will tack on some money, but rest assured the more affordable version is still an excellent choice.
Pros:
- Non-glare IPS WQHD
- Outstanding color accuracy
- HDR + 144Hz or 165Hz
- Cable management and design
- NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync
Cons:
- Expensive
- Proprietary cables
- No Chroma RGB with VESA mount
Also great: Monoprice Dark Matter 27
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
In our testing, the Dark Matter 27 hit 100% sRGB, 97% AdobeRGB, and 93% DCI-P3 color reproduction, all excellent results for a monitor this price. The 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time means it can be used for competitive gaming, though there is no official G-Sync or FreeSync certification. The display has DisplayPort 1.4a, three HDMI 2.0b, and USB-C for connectivity.
The display loses some marks due to its lack of height adjustment and fairly plain look, but that’s not going to matter to a lot of people. If you want a high-performance display without paying a high price, this is a great way to go. Check out our collection of the best gaming monitors for more options on this front.
Pros:
- Color-accurate Sharp IGZO panel
- 180Hz refresh rate
- Simple design, minimal branding, LED lights
- Nice ports, clearly labeled
- Excellent price
Cons:
- No height adjustment
- Rather generic look
Best portable: ASUS ZenScreen GO MB16AHP
Source: Windows Central
The display works best with a USB-C cable, though it does also offer micro-HDMI connectivity. It weighs in at only about 860g, meaning you can easily tuck it under an arm along with your laptop. And the last neat trick to know about is the hole on the bottom right. You can pop even just a pen in there as a handy stand if you don’t have the case.
Pros:
- Light and portable
- Can use Type-C or micro-HDMI ports
- Doesn’t drain laptop battery
- Works with more than just your laptop
Cons:
- Origami cover is just OK
- No touch support
Best ultrawide: LG 38WN95C-W
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The LG 38WN95C-W is one of our picks for best ultrawide monitor thanks to a deep feature set, 38-inch 3840×1600 resolution, modern look with thin bezel and ergonomic stand, VESA DisplayHDR 600, and generous connectivity including USB-C and Thunderbolt 3.
The monitor’s 21:9 aspect ratio is perfect for productivity work, but it can also easily handle gaming thanks to a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. It comes equipped with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and it’s NVIDIA G-Sync compatible, meaning it works great with just about any PC.
Color reproduction hit 100% sRGB, 88% AdobeRGB, and 95% DCI-P3 in our testing, and it hit about 545 nits brightness at peak. The anti-reflective coating helps cut down on glare immensely. If you aren’t looking to go full 4K with your ultrawide, LG’s behemoth is an expensive but worthwhile investment.
Pros:
- Color-accurate display
- VESA DisplayHDR 600
- Built for serious gaming
- Thunderbolt 3 with 94W PD
- 3840×1600 resolution, thin bezel
Cons:
- Expensive
- Very plastic
- Not TÜV Rheinland certified
Budget 4K: INNOCN 27C1U
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
The overall design is fairly simple (ideal for an office) but the stand offers tilt, swivel, height, and rotation adjustments for easier ergonomics. It can also be mounted thanks to VESA 100mm x 100mm compatibility. Connect with two HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, three USB-A 3.0, 3.5mm audio, or USB-C complete with 65W of power delivery back to a host (great for use with a laptop).
Pros:
- Attractive design
- Good selection of ports
- USB-C power delivery (65W)
- Great color reproduction
- HDR 400
Cons:
- No FreeSync or G-Sync
- 400 nits peak brightness
Great for photographers: BenQ SW271C PhotoVue
Source: Windows Central
The chunky bezel isn’t particularly modern looking, but the ergonomic stand makes it easy to get the look you want. There are tons of ports, including USB-C with PD and DP Alt-mode, two HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-B, two USB-A 3.1, 3.5mm audio jack, and an SD card reader. It’s also compatible with 100mm x 100mm VESA mounting if you’d like to get it up off your desk.
Check out the BenQ SW271 for a similar display with USB-C connectivity, albeit costing considerably less. And be sure to have a look at our collection of the best monitors for photo editing and design for more options.
Pros:
- Gorgeous 4K picture with wide gamut support
- Minimal backlight bleed
- Fully ergonomic stand
- Tons of ports, with USB-C
- Hotkey puck and shade hood included
Cons:
- Chunky design
- HDR is restricted
- Low brightness
- High price
Bottom line
Why should you bother with a USB-C monitor at all? The answer may not be obvious right now, but as time passes, we get closer and closer to the standard being ubiquitous. USB-C can solve multiple problems simultaneously, including video, data, and power.
The obvious ones are Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4, which not only handle superfast data but also video output at high resolution and refresh rate. These high-end standards utilize the USB-C connector. If you’re buying a new, higher-end Intel-based laptop, nowadays you’re almost guaranteed to have Thunderbolt.
But USB-C without Thunderbolt is still capable of handling video output, data transfer, and even charging. There are already monitors mentioned here that can charge a USB-C laptop while it’s in use down the same cable that sends the video output. It’s neat, it’s effective, and it is the future. USB-C has been around for a few years now, but gradually it is being accepted as the new standard. As more and more laptops and desktop PCs embrace it, having a monitor with the feature will become extremely convenient.
Any of the displays listed here can be used with USB-C for a hassle-free connection. But if we’re picking just one, we can’t help but recommend the Razer Raptor 27. It’s our pick for the overall best computer monitor thanks to its QHD resolution, accurate color reproduction, high refresh rate, and unique build with cable management baked right in. It’s a mix of gaming, design, and pro features that should appeal to many people.
If the price tag for the 165Hz model is a bit too much to swallow, consider saving some money on the 144Hz model. It’s still packing the same excellent feature set, and you might not even notice the lack of those extra frames.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Cale Hunt is a staff writer at Windows Central. He focuses mainly on PC, laptop, accessory coverage, and the emerging world of VR. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech.
Rich Edmonds is a staff reviewer at Windows Central, which means he tests out more software and hardware than he cares to remember. Joining Mobile Nations in 2010, you can usually find him inside a PC case tinkering around when not at a screen fighting with Grammarly to use British words. Hit him up on Twitter: @RichEdmonds.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
These are the best Netgear routers available now
Love Netgear and want to improve your home internet? We’ve rounded up the best routers available now, whether you’re looking to game, set up a mesh network, or just enjoy lag-free internet in your home.