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Best 21-Inch Monitors | Top Computers for Gaming & Office Work

Matthew

Looking for the best 21-inch monitor to help improve your work and downtime? In this honest review, we compared the speed, resolution, and price of the top-performing 21” computer screens on the market to crown the best. And don’t worry, Apple users; all the monitors can be adapted to work with Mac products.

This post is aimed at professionals who count on a computer monitor or two to produce great work. So if you’re looking for a quick and comprehensive comparison between various computer monitor reviews, you’re in the right place.

TLDR

Best 21-Inch Touchscreen Monitor Reviews

Our pick for the best touchscreen monitor is the ASUS VT229H. It features a 10-point touch capacity suitable for a virtual keyboard or multi-touch use. IPS technology delivers a clear image with vivid colors, and the narrow bezels make this monitor ideal for a multi-screen setup.

The following computer monitors all feature a touch screen and are our top alternatives for this category:

• Planar Helium PCT2235
• Acer UT222Q

Best 21-Inch Gaming Monitor

The Acer Nitro VG220Q is our top pick for the best 21-inch gaming monitor. The IPS display delivers a sharp image with vivid colors. It boasts AMD FreeSync technology to eliminate stuttering and tearing in the image, and its zero-frame style means it’s ideal for a dual monitor setup.

The following gaming monitors feature frame refresh rates of 75 Hertz and are our top alternative choices for this category:

• Asus VA229HR
• Acer SB220Q

Best 21-Inch HDMI Monitor – Top Pixel Density Screens

The HP P224 is our pick for the best HDMI monitor. The twisted nematic panel (TN) delivers crisp images, fantastic color accuracy, and excellent contrast. It has a 1920×1080 screen resolution and boasts 102 PPI, making it one of the best monitors for movies.

The following high-resolution monitors feature 102 PPI and are our top choice for this category:

• HP 22f
• LG 22MK430H-B

Best 21-Inch Computer Monitor with Speakers

The Asus VP228HE is our selection for the best 21-inch monitor with speakers. The two built-in 1.5W speakers deliver crisp stereo sound for the ultimate movie or music experience.

The following monitors feature stereo speakers and are our top choice for this category:

• Sceptre E22 Series
• Acer B227Q Bmiprzx

Best Graphics Monitor – True Colors

What LED monitor provides the most accurate color for video editing workstations? We found the Dell Professional P2219H to be the best graphics monitor for accurate colors. Dell produces monitors and printers and calibrates colors for exact reproduction on screen and in print.

Here are our other best 21-inch monitors for office work and true color depictions:

• LG 22MK430H-B
• Acer V227Q Bip

The Best 21″ Monitors Comparison Table

Considering the frame refresh rate, resolution, and price, here is a comparison table to help you decide which 21-inch monitor suits you. We review each product and go into more detail below.

Name	Image	Best for	$-$$$	Buy
Dell Professional P2219H		True Colors	$$	Click to Buy
ASUS VT229H		Touch Functionality	$$$	Click to Buy
Planar Helium PCT2235		Touch Functionality	$$$	Click to Buy
Acer UT222Q		Touch Functionality	$$$	Click to Buy
Acer Nitro VG220Q		Gaming	$	Click to Buy
Asus VA229HR		Gaming	$	Click to Buy
Acer SB220Q bi		Gaming	$	Click to Buy
HP P224 21.5 Inch Monitor 2-Pack		Pixel Density	$$$	Click to Buy
HP 22f FHD		Pixel Density	$	Click to Buy
LG 22MK430H-B		Pixel Density	$	Click to Buy
Sceptre E22 Series		Built-in Speaker	$	Click to Buy
Asus VP228HE		Built-in Speaker	$$	Click to Buy
Acer B227Q bmiprzx		Built-in Speaker	$	Click to Buy
Acer V227Q bip		True Colors	$	Click to Buy

Best Computer Monitors: 21-inch Review

A 21-inch monitor is ideal for small workspaces and is considerably more affordable than larger monitors. Are you creating graphics with your computer? Consider reading our best monitors for graphic design.

Dell Professional P2219H

• Operating Systems: Windows, Mac, Xbox, PS4
• Response Time: 5 ms
• Weight: 06 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Connectivity Type: DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, USB

The Dell Professional P2219H is a high-performing monitor for an affordable price, which made it our top pick for a 21-inch monitor. The IPS panel delivered clear images with great colors, thanks to its 72% color display and 102 PPI.

The monitor can be swiveled, tilted, and the height can be adjusted, so you don’t need to use the VESA mount. But with it being VESA compatible, we loved that we could add the monitor to our perfect work setup. In fact, if your computer supports it, you could include it as the third party in a triple-monitor setup, saving desk space.

Although its 60 Hertz refresh rate and 5 ms response time aren’t the quickest, the monitor still ran smoothly. As it has four different connectivity methods, we were able to connect to Windows and Mac software. Although it wasn’t the best gaming monitor, it’s still the top screen for every other function we needed.

Asus VT229H

• Operating System: Mac, Windows 10
• Response Time: 5 ms
• Weight:45 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI, VGA

The Asus VT229H touchscreen is a reliable monitor with full HD resolution. We experienced smooth images thanks to the 75-hertz refresh rate, and its IPS panel delivered fantastic colors. Plus, the 1920 x 1080 display resolution made it easy for us to watch movies and work with video.

It supports 10-point touch, which means typing on a virtual keyboard or using multi-touch was a comfortable experience. To get even better default image quality, we had to adjust the gamma settings, and you will have to do so too.

The monitor can only swivel to 20°, so it wasn’t ideal for drawing as our arms got tired very quickly. Aside from this, the Asus VT229H is a fantastic computer screen that will make working a breeze.

Planar Helium PCT2235

• Operating System: Windows, certain Android products, Linux
• Response Time: 14 ms
• Weight: 7.9 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Connectivity Type: VGA, HDMI, DisplayPort

The Planar Helium PCT2235 is a versatile 21-inch monitor offering multi-touch functionality. Its edge-lit LED display produced excellent images, and we loved the eye comfort created by its blue light technology.

Although we couldn’t lay the monitor flat due to the Planar Helium stand, it is VESA mountable. We were able to mount the monitor and alter the orientation this way to make it more touchscreen friendly. We were able to rotate the monitor to either a vertical or horizontal orientation depending on how we needed to use it.

There are some glare issues, but its 178° viewing angles meant we could easily play with its position to restore crystal-clear vision. It has a slow response time of 14 ms, so we found it unsuitable as a gaming monitor.

While we found the 60 Hertz refresh rate a bit slow for gaming, it worked fantastically for watching movies. The two 2W built-in speakers meant we didn’t need to plug in an external sound system, which is really helpful.

Acer UT222Q

• Operating Systems: Windows, Mac
• Response Time: 4 ms
• Weight: 6.61 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
• Connectivity Type: DisplayPort, VGA, HDMI, USB

The Acer UT222Q was one of the newer models we reviewed, and we could tell by its performance. It competes well with other touchscreen models thanks to its seamless AMD FreeSync technology. This means the graphics card and the monitor’s frames are in sync, reducing the likelihood of screen tearing.

As the 10-point touch is uber responsive, we could simultaneously scroll through web pages and work. Further, it was great for fun, too, as we could seamlessly work together thanks to its 75 Hertz refresh rate. The on/off sensor in the bottom right does appear to be a slight design flaw, as we would often accidentally turn off the monitor.

With a 21.5-inch monitor screen that can be seen from 178° angles, the Acer UT222Q is one of our top touchscreen monitor choices.

Acer Nitro VG220Q

• Operating Systems: Windows, Mac
• Response Time: 1 ms
• Weight: 7.17 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI 1.4, VGA

We found that the Acer Nitro VG220Q is easily one of the best monitors on the market. It has 2 HDMI ports and 1 VGA. We loved how the IPS panel matched the frame rate of the connected graphics card to deliver the best quality image. It was a bonus that we could use a 100mm x 100mm VESA mount to create our ideal gaming setup.

The standard response rate is 4 ms. However, for a faster gaming experience, we used the Visual Response Boost (VRB) to get an even more impressive response rate of 1 ms. The only downside of activating VRB is that it reduced our maximum brightness to 250cd/m2. But that shouldn’t be too much of a problem when you can click heads faster than you can blink.

This is one of the best gaming monitors thanks to its ultrawide monitor size. It was a very affordable option, and due to the 75 Hertz refresh rate, its visual quality made it one of the best options.

Asus VA229HR

• Operating Systems: Windows, Mac Mini
• Response Time: 5 ms
• Weight:61 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
• Connectivity Type: DisplayPort, HDMI, D-sub

During testing, we found that the Asus VA229HR delivered a crisp image with dark blacks and bright whites. The fast 75 Hertz refresh rate and 5 ms response time made it an incredible monitor to work with. The stand can tilt from 5° forward to 20° backward, but we couldn’t adjust the monitor’s height. Luckily, it’s VESA mountable, so we bypassed the height issue with a 100mm x 100mm mount.

Despite the mobility issues, an intelligent contrast ratio of 80 000 000:1 meant we could see high-quality visuals. The Bluelight eye-care technology also really helped out with our eye fatigue.

Another joy of the Asus VA229HR was that we could connect to our computer via a DisplayPort or HDMI port. Keep in mind that the HDMI port results in a faster refresh rate of 75 Hertz compared to the DisplayPort’s 60 Hertz.

Acer SB220Q bi

• Operating Systems: Windows, Mac
• Response Time: 4 ms
• Weight: 5.6 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI, VGA

We loved the Acer SB220Q for its stylish design with high resolution. It boasts an incredible 100 000 000:1 contrast ratio. This was an impressive PC gaming monitor with a rapid response time of 4 ms and a 75 Hertz refresh rate.

The Active Sync helped to prevent tearing in the image and matched the screen’s refresh rate with the graphics card. Although it has a tilt-only design, the ultrathin frame saved us plenty of desk space. The Acer SB220Q also had VGA and HDMI ports, so we could swiftly connect to any computer format necessary.

Although it’s not the best 21” gaming monitor, it’s affordable, and we highly recommend it if you’re on a budget.

Top Tip: If you have another gaming setup in mind, read our review on the best gaming laptops under 2000.

HP P224 21.5 Inch Monitor 2-Pack

• Operating Systems: Windows, Mac
• Response Time: 5 ms
• Weight: 9.46 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA

We found the HP P224 monitors delivered excellent image quality with vivid colors. Its VA panel is 1920×1080 and is accompanied by an impressive 102 PPI. As a result, the screen worked well for our photo and video editing.

This product comes in a pack of two 21” monitors and has a zero frame bezel, which was ideal for our dual monitor setup. It’s ideal for the professional who uses various programs as it reduces the amount of time it takes to switch between programs. Unfortunately, we noticed the TN panel caused the monitor to have a narrower viewing angle of 160°.

It’s not a great gaming monitor, as the 5 ms response time and 60 Hertz refresh rate resulted in laggy gameplay. Although its height couldn’t be adjusted, we used a VESA mount which worked fantastically for our work setup.

HP 22F FHD Monitor

• Operating Systems: Windows, Mac
• Response Time: 5 ms
• Weight: 5.14 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI, VGA

The HP 22f is a stylish monitor that provides high-quality images from a full HD display. It exhibited vivid colors, and the 1920 x 1080 screen resolution worked well for photo and video editing. The reliable refresh rate of 60 Hertz and 5 ms response time meant it was good enough to be a basic gaming monitor.

One drawback is that it’s not wall mountable, but the seamless design means it worked well in a multi-monitor setup if you get two monitors. Overall the FHD monitor display was flawless, with multiple input methods like HDMI and VGA ports. Thanks to its modest price tag, we found it a fantastic low-cost option for a good work monitor.

LG 22MK430H-B

• Operating Systems: Windows
• Response Time: 5 ms
• Weight: 6.20 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI, D-sub

The LG 22MK430H-B is a high-performing monitor with great functionality. From our experience, it offers a 178° viewing angle, and the 75 Hertz refresh rate meant we enjoyed seamless viewing. It was also beneficial that the stand is adjustable in height, tilt, and side-to-side.

The monitor was an affordable office setup option and came with a D-Sub and HDMI cable. For gameplay, we needed AMD GPUs for the FreeSync feature, but this helped prevent screen tearing. The split-screen function was also handy, as we could have a dual monitor setup from one monitor.

Sceptre E22 Series

• Operating Systems: Windows, Mac
• Response Time: 5 ms
• Weight: 5 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI, VGA

The Spectre E22 Series is a well-rounded package and has full HD resolution. The TN panel produced bright colors and high-contrast images, which we found fantastic for video editing. We used a VESA mount, but we found it poorly designed, as the mount blocks the port plugins and means you bend your cables.

The monitor’s Adaptive Sync speakers provided high-quality sound, and the 75 Hertz refresh rate was excellent for movies. However, this isn’t an ideal monitor for a dual setup, as the bezel is pretty thick.

Overall, the Spectre E22 Series was outstanding for everyday work and watching video content.

Asus VP228HE

• Operating Systems: Windows, Xbox One S, PlayStation 4
• Response Time: 1 ms
• Weight:72 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI, VGA

The Asus VP228HE is a fantastic option for gaming due to its IPS panel with a 60 Hertz refresh rate and 1 ms response time. The stand tilted up to 32°; however, it offered no height adjustment. We used its VESA mount, so the height adjustment design flaw wasn’t really an issue.

We could use the monitor on both Windows and Mac, but its operating system functions better with Windows. One downfall is that we were limited to a horizontal orientation, but its audio quality was spectacular, with two 1.5W stereo speakers. It’s also a cheap 21-inch monitor that’s good for gaming, so we highly recommend this product.

Acer B227Q Bmiprzx 21.5-Inch Monitor

• Operating Systems: Windows
• Response Time: 4 ms
• Weight:24 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 85 Hz
• Connectivity Type: DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, USB

We found the Acer B227Q Bmiprzx to be a stylish monitor with some great features. The IPS panel had 72% NTSC color with 102PPI, which made it suitable for our photo and video work.

The narrow bezel was ideal for our multi-screen setup, and we appreciated that it’s VESA mount compatible. The stand can be tilted and swiveled, and the ergonomic adjustments meant we could have the monitor in a vertical format.

The monitor has two 2W speakers built-in, which provided us with excellent stereo sound. It had an impressive refresh rate of 85 Hertz, so it was actually one of the fastest and best 21.5-inch monitors we reviewed.

Acer V227Q Bip

• Operating Systems: Windows, Mac
• Response Time: 4 ms
• Weight: 69 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Connectivity Type: DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA

We were impressed by the Acer V227Q Bip monitor’s terrific image quality and vast color range, with 16.7 million colors. The IPS panel performed best when we used the HDMI port, reaching a refresh rate of 60 Hertz and a 4 ms response time.

The narrow bezel meant it was suitable for a multi-screen setup, and the ultrathin frame helped us save lots of desk space. Although there are no built-in speakers, we could connect our headphones and speakers with the 3.5 mm audio output port.

A major design flaw for us was that it’s not VESA mount compatible or height adjustable. But we could live with this due to the 1920 x 1080 resolution, which resulted in a crisp image definition.

Best 21-inch PC Monitor Mount Accessories

Whether you intend to use your monitor for work or gaming, there are some fantastic accessories you can use to fully optimize the screen. We found the top wall mounts and HDMI cables to make your monitor work best for you.

Mounting your screen can also increase the distance from your screen and help prevent computer vision syndrome.

Vivo Full Motion Wall mount

The Vivo Full-Motion wall mount offers a sturdy yet versatile solution for a desktop monitor. It offers 13.7″ of movement from the mounted wall while allowing the screen to be tilted 15° forward and 15° backward. Once mounted, the monitor can be rotated into a vertical position.

It is easy to install and supports a 100mm x 100mm VESA mount. It’s recommended to screw the mount into a sturdy surface made of brick, cement, or wood.

MountUp Single Monitor Desk Mount

The MountUp Single Monitor Desk Mount offers a 90° tilt forward and backward. It supports vertical orientations and can be set at any height along the 15.5″ pole. You can also mount it to a desk up to 3.15″ thick using a C-clamp.

It is compatible with the 75mm x 75mm and the 100mm x 100mm VESA standard mounts. It has clips along the steel tube, offering a neat cable management solution.

Avacon Displayport to HDMI Gold-Plated Cable

The Avacon Displayport to HDMI cable allows you to transmit high-definition audio and video from your computer to your monitor. The gold-plated chord, bare copper conductors, and latches provide safe and reliable connectivity.

This cable is not required if you have an HDMI port on your computer and monitor. When purchasing a more modern 21-inch monitor than your computer, you might need a DisplayPort to HDMI cable to connect the two devices.

DisplayPort has been used on computers since 2006 and is replacing the VGA and DVI ports.

Best 21-Inch Computer Monitors Buyers Guide

Before you take the leap and buy your monitor, there are several factors that you should take into consideration. Here are the essential factors to consider when buying a 21-inch monitor.

The Difference Between a TN, VA, and IPS Panel

There are three main LCD panels used in modern monitors:

• TN – Twisted Nematic panels deliver the fastest response rates but have a reduced viewing angle of 160°.
• VA – Vertical Alignment panels offer the best contrast and produce vivid color. However, these panels typically have the longest response times.
• IPS – In-Plane Switching panels are modern and produce impressive color while offering up to 180° wide viewing angles.

Screen Refresh Rate

Measured in Hertz (Hz), a monitor’s screen refresh rate is the number of times it refreshes the display in a single second. Screens producing above 30 Hertz will appear natural to the human eye during action scenes in movies or games. Modern monitors match the graphics card refresh rate to ensure a flicker-less image is displayed.

Response Time

A monitor’s response time is how long it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another. This is typically done by recording the time it takes for a black pixel to turn white and black again. A monitor with a lower response time is less likely to have blurring or ‘ghosting’ issues. A low response time is crucial for fast-paced or shooter games.

Resolution & Pixel Density

Looking for a retina display monitor for your pc? Retina display is typically a screen with 144 PPI and is mostly in larger, 4k monitors.

All of the recommended monitors are 1920 x 1080 screen resolution and have a pixel density of 102 PPI or below.

If you want to learn more about pixel density, watch this short video:

Final Thoughts on the Top 21-Inch Monitors

Whether you are looking to upgrade to a 21” computer monitor or hope to create a multi-screen work setup, it’s essential you consider the requirements. Choosing the best 21-inch monitor will depend on the functionality and performance best suited to your needs.

Make sure you use our buyer’s guide to get a sense of what functionality and performance to look out for. Our aim is to give you the information you need to compare the best 21-inch monitors and help you to make an informed decision.

If you enjoyed this review, read our recommendations for the best pen display tablets.

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