Best Monitor for Music Production in 2022

Second monitor for the laptop? The first screen for a desktop computer Curved monster displays for the studio? There is hardly anything as important as the screen in music production. Because we keep watching it for many hours every day! And this is where resolution, energy consumption, and sustainability must be right. From the small HD entry-level to 4K mid-range monitors to the gigantic 49-inch ultra-wide display, there’s a model in this Best Monitor for Music Production in 2022 buying guide for every budget!

Best Monitor for Music Production in 2022

Resolution and aspect ratio

When buying a new best computer monitor, you are overwhelmed with a wealth of abbreviations and terms. And especially for newcomers, you can quickly lose track here. In theory, apart from the size of the monitor, the maximum resolution is the most important quality factor. And the higher it is, the sharper the details will be displayed. Caution to all those who use many older plug-ins: check with the manufacturer whether they are scalable!

• Full HD (FHD): 1920×1080. Almost the minimum resolution of most screens by now.
• Quad HD (QHD or WQHD): 2560 × 1440. Four times the resolution of Full HD.
• Ultra HD (UHD or 4k UHD): 3840 x 2160. The highest resolution with the finest details.

The aspect ratio for displays in the budget range is usually still 16:9. However, the trend continues in the direction of broader. And the most expensive screen on our best monitor for music production in 2022 list has a 32:9 aspect ratio! A wider monitor means more space for plug-ins and additional windows on the one hand. But on the other hand, it also requires more space. The number and variety of connections can also play a role. Simple displays usually come with HDMI 1.4, the older HDMI version, in the middle class there is usually also a DisplayPort-Rifle. There’s usually an extra USB-C port with newer models—not entirely unimportant with newer laptops.

Refresh rate, screen type, and additional features

There are a few factors related to the refresh rate and the response time. Both play a major role for gamers to ensure images are as smooth as possible. In the DAW, a higher refresh rate can make a difference when playing the project in the arrangement. But compared to the resolution, this factor is secondary. Simple screens usually deliver 60 Hz. And some professional models go up to 144 Hz and more! Some monitors even offer response times of 1 millisecond. Here, too, slower values ​​of four or five milliseconds are completely sufficient for working in the DAW.

When it comes to screen types, a distinction is made between IPS (In-Plane-Switching), VA panels (Vertical Alignment), and TN (Twisted Nematic). These differ in the way and how quickly the individual images are generated. IPS is the technology with the highest image quality and lowest power consumption of the three, while TN is best for fast-paced images like gaming, while VA panel is somewhere in between the two in terms of image quality, speed, and power consumption.

As far as the additional features are concerned, some screens are true all-rounders, while others are more limited to the essentials. It is common with the higher-priced models that the screen can be moved and flexibly adjusted in its holder. With simpler models, it is usually not possible to change more than the horizontal angle. In addition, many screens have built-in small boxes. However, this feature is of little interest for audio production, as these speakers are much too small to deliver a sound image for professional demands. Some screens also have features such as a built-in USB hub.

Best Monitor for Music Production in 2022

Acer R240HY

It has a 16:9 aspect ratio, Full HD resolution, IPS display – the Acer R240HY has everything that a good entry-level model needs. In addition, it is particularly well suited for a solution with two screens. Because the side edges of the monitor are very thin, thanks to the zero-frame layout. In addition to HDMI and DVI, the R240HY can also be connected with the now rather outdated VGA standard. That makes it interesting for older computers and laptops.

The Acer R240HY 24 inch monitor screen (Full HD, 60 Hz, HDMI 1.4, DVI, and VGA) costs $149.99 / £130.19 on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

BenQ GW2780

The BenQ GW2780 is the first 27-inch screen on our best monitor for music production in 2022 list. And with this size, a single screen might even be enough. In addition, the GW2780 can be connected not only via HDMI, but also with the space-saving DisplayPort. It also has two small 2-watt speakers installed. In addition, the base of the screen offers cable management for stowing the screen and power cable. Furthermore, the low blue light technology developed by BenQ protects the eyes during long periods of screen work.

The BenQ GW2780 27 inch monitor (Full HD, IPS, HDMI) costs $189.99 / £169.99 on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Dell S2421H

Although smaller than the previous model, the Dell S2421H offers a higher screen frequency of 75 Hz. And that delivers smoother images. As a special feature, the screen has two HDMI inputs. You can connect your desktop computer and, for example, a visitor’s laptop at the same time. And then easily switch between the two! In addition to two 3-watt speakers, there is a mini-jack headphone output on the monitor.

The Dell S2421H 24 inch monitor (Full HD, 75 Hz, 16:9, internal speakers) costs $175.74 / £169 on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

HP M27f

In comparison to the previous models, the HP M27f screen also includes everything mentioned so far. Two HDMI inputs, plus a VGA connection, 75 Hz refresh rate, Full HD – everything is included here. In addition, the monitor covers up to 99% of the sRGB color spectrum and thus displays the colors particularly brilliantly. And at 3.2 kilograms, the screen is a real lightweight compared to most other 27-inch screens.

The HP M27f 27 inch monitor (Full HD, 75 Hz, 2xHDMI, IPS) costs $209.99 / £329.99 on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Huawei MateView GT

For several years, the number of curved screens has been growing. The advantage over its flat competitors: the visual impression is more spatial due to the curvature. And with large curved screens, you don’t have to turn your head as much because the viewing distance to the edges is shorter. The Huawei MateView GT has a curvature of 1500R. The R stands for radius and this value denotes the measurement from edge to edge.

The Huawei MateView GT 27 inch monitor (165 Hz, 21:9, QHD, USB-C, HDMI) costs £299.21 on Amazon.co.uk.

LG 27GP850-B

LG monitors are among the best on the market. It was not for nothing that Apple offered the 27-inch LG UltraFine 5K screen in an Apple Store until the presentation of its own Studio Display. The LG 27GP850-B also offers premium features. The QHD resolution (2560×1440), the refresh rate of 144 Hz, the response time of 1 millisecond – this screen oozes quality. This version is flat, but there is also a curved version for almost the same price.

The LG 27GP850-B 27 inch monitor (QHD, IPS with 1ms, 144 Hz, DisplayPort, 2x HDMI) costs $396.99 / £398.55 on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Philips 346E2CUAE

With a screen diagonal of almost 90 centimeters, the Philips 346E2CUAE is a lot larger than the standard 27-inch models. And that means a higher resolution of 3440 x 1440 (WQHD) in 21:9 format is also possible. If you are planning a solution with several screens, you can place the 346E2CUAE with its thin edges perfectly next to each other. In addition, a DisplayPort and two HDMI connections provide multiple connection options.

The Philips 346E2CUAE 34 inch monitor (WQHD, 75 Hz, USB-C, 2x HDMI) costs $389.99 / £414.99 on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Samsung Odyssey G9

124.2 centimeters screen diagonal – all plug-ins fit next to each other on the Samsung Odyssey G9. In the 32:9 format and the resolution of 5120 x 1440 (WQHD) (provided there is enough space on the studio table), hardly anything is left to be desired. Samsung describes the available screen size as compared to two 27-inch screens placed side by side. With the Flicker-Free and Eye Saver functions, image reproduction can be adjusted in such a way that even prolonged work is easy on the eyes.

The Samsung Odyssey G9 49 inch monitor (WQHD, 240 Hz, DisplayPort, HDMI) costs $1,599.99 / £1,149 on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

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