The 5 Best Monitors For Programming - Spring 2024 Reviews

The best programming monitor we've tested is the Dell U3223QE. It's an impressive monitor for programmers as it has a large 32-inch screen and 4k resolution, resulting in high pixel density for sharp text clarity. It means that you can easily read your coding text and view more lines simultaneously, as the screen is big enough to open multiple windows together. If you find the screen too big, like if you don't have enough space on your desk, consider the smaller 27-inch Dell U2723QE, which costs less.

The U3223QE has extra features to improve your workflow, like a massive USB hub with three USB-C and five USB-A ports. It supports DisplayPort Alt Mode with 90W of power delivery, which is great if you want to connect a laptop and charge it using a single cable. It even has a KVM switch that makes it easy to switch between two different computers and use the same keyboard and mouse. Besides these features, it uses an IPS Black panel that has a decent contrast ratio, especially for an IPS display, so it's good enough to use in dark rooms.

If you want an ultrawide screen to open multiple windows next to each other, check out the Dell U4025QW. The main advantage of getting such a big screen is that you can easily multitask and view a lot of coding at once, and while it has the same screen height as the Dell U3223QE, it offers more horizontal screen space with a 21:9 aspect ratio. With a 5120x2160 resolution, it has the same pixel density as the U3223QE, resulting in fantastic text clarity. It also uses an IPS Black panel like the U3223QE, so it's good enough to use in dark rooms.

This monitor is great for multitasking while you're coding as it supports Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture modes, and it has a KVM switch that makes it easy to switch between two computers connected to the monitor. It also has five separate USB-C ports so you can connect various devices. Two of those ports support Thunderbolt 4, with one of them meant for daisy chaining a second monitor directly to this one, and the other supports at least 90W of power, so it can charge your laptop while you're working.

If you don't want an ultrawide monitor like the Dell U4025QW and find the Dell U3223QE too expensive, the Dell S2722QC is a good mid-range alternative that often goes on sale. It's a step down from both Dell monitors in terms of features because it has a smaller USB hub with a single USB-C port and two USB-A ports. It doesn't have a KVM switch, so it isn't ideal if you want to connect multiple computers to the monitor, but that's what you have to expect for something cheaper. On the plus side, the USB-C port still offers 65W of power delivery, and this monitor supports Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture. It also has the same 4k resolution, resulting in very sharp text.

Its reflection handling is also very good, even better than the U3223QE, meaning you won't have issues using it in bright environments. Fortunately, it has wide viewing angles to keep the image consistent from the sides, and with its excellent ergonomics, it's easy to adjust the screen and share it with someone sitting next to you.

If you're looking for the best monitor for coding on a budget, check out the Dell S2721QS. It's another step-down model from the Dell S2722QC that's very similar in display specs as it also has a 27-inch screen and 4k resolution, resulting in extremely sharp text. That said, the main trade-off for getting something cheaper is that it has fewer features, as it doesn't have any USB ports, so you can't connect any extra devices to it. If you want something with USB ports, you can also consider the ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV, which has a lower 1440p resolution, so you must decide between the higher resolution or extra features.

As for the S2721QS, you can easily use it in a bright room without issues like the S2722QC, thanks to its high peak brightness and good reflection handling. However, it has a lower contrast than the higher-end Dell U3223QE, so it isn't ideal to use in a dark room.

If you want a cheap entry-level monitor that won't take up a lot of space, then the ASUS VG246H is a good option. With a smaller 24-inch screen and lower 1080p resolution than the Dell S2721QS, it doesn't offer as much screen real estate, but it's still good if you have limited desk space or if you want to get two of them to place side by side. Its text clarity isn't as sharp as on the Dell either, but it's still decent enough for coding.

It's barebones in features, which is what you have to expect for a cheaper monitor. Despite its low cost, it has remarkable ergonomics, making it easy to adjust the screen to your liking, and with wide viewing angles, images look the same when viewing from the sides. It also has a flicker-free backlight that helps reduce eye strain during long programming sessions if you're sensitive to flicker. It even has very good reflection handling, so you can use it in a room with a few lights around without issues.