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BenQ

BenQ GW2486TC: the downsides first

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#5 of 8
$1080p/1440pScore 3.5/5
9%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)Very small sample: 60 ratings on the '24-inch 100Hz, USB-C 60W, height-adjustable' listing.

The budget pick at both Wirecutter and PCMag (Editors' Choice): a 24-inch 1080p monitor that adds rare-at-this-price features like a fully adjustable stand, USB-C with laptop charging, daisy-chaining and a 100Hz screen. The trade-offs are a dim screen, big text from the low resolution, awkward menu buttons, and some Amazon reports of units failing soon after purchase.

Top complaints

  • Dim screen and modest resolution

    Wirecutter measured 241 nits, a bit under the advertised 250, and says it can look washed out in a sunny room. PCMag lists modest resolution and brightness as a con, and Wirecutter notes text looks big at 1080p.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT) best budget monitors, PCMag review
  • Some units fail early

    Amazon's summary says reliability is a concern, with reports of units failing shortly after purchase.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Awkward menu buttons; not for color work

    PCMag dislikes the six OSD buttons and prefers a mini joystick. Wirecutter says the 8-bit, sRGB-only panel isn't suited to design or media editing.

    Source: PCMag review, Wirecutter (NYT) best budget monitors

What owners love

Good for
  • A first monitor under $200 for a USB-C laptop
  • Ergonomics on a budget (height, swivel, pivot)
  • Basic office work, email and video

Scores (tap for why)

What experts say

  • Wirecutter (NYT): Top budget pick, and the budget pick in its main monitor guide (updated 2026-06-10). The flaws are a dim screen and 8-bit color.
  • PCMag: 4.5, Editors' Choice, best budget home-office monitor (updated 2026-09-04). The cons are awkward OSD buttons and modest resolution and brightness.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked computer monitors whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in computer monitorsDell UltraSharp U2725QE

Wirecutter's best 4K monitor and RTINGS's upper mid-range work pick. It has a sharp 27-inch 4K IPS Black screen with about twice the contrast of most rivals, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a huge hub with 140W USB-C charging, Thunderbolt 4 and a KVM switch. The catches are a stand Wirecutter calls wobbly, mediocre reflection handling, and a high price.

Its catch: wobbly stand#2 in computer monitorsBenQ PD2706U

Wirecutter's pick for anyone who switches between computers. It's a 27-inch 4K screen that arrived extremely color-accurate, with 90W USB-C charging, a KVM that moves your keyboard and mouse automatically, and a handy hotkey puck. But it's only 60Hz, its most accurate mode cuts contrast to about 550:1, and Amazon owner feedback is thin.

Its catch: most accurate mode costs contrast#3 in computer monitorsAsus ProArt Display PA279CRV

RTINGS's best mid-range work monitor. It's a factory-calibrated 27-inch 4K screen with very accurate sRGB color, an excellent stand and 96W USB-C charging, for less than the Dell U2725QE. But contrast is low, HDR is weak, there's no KVM or Thunderbolt, and 15% of Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars, with reliability and dimming complaints.

Its catch: low contrast and weak hdr

See all 8 computer monitors ranked →