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. From the best budget monitors to the top-of-the-range displays, let’s dive in.

TLDR

Best 21-Inch Touchscreen Monitor Reviews

Our pick for the best touchscreen monitor is the Planar Helium PCT2235. It features a simultaneous 10-point touch capacity suitable for a virtual keyboard or multi-touch use. The sizable LCD screen delivers a clear image with vivid colors, and the narrow bezels make this monitor ideal for a multi-screen setup.

We also appreciated the slim design and light weight of this monitor, which made it fairly portable. If you’re looking for a decent-sized monitor that’s less flimsy than the usual portable screens, this Planar Helium display is the perfect solution.

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

• Acer UT222Q

Best 21-Inch Gaming Monitor

The KOORUI S01 Monitor is our top pick for the best 21-inch gaming monitor. The VA display and 100Hz refresh rate delivers clear, high-contrast images and smoother gameplay. It boasts AdaptiveSync technology to eliminate stuttering and tearing in the image, and its slim frame means it’s ideal for a dual monitor setup.

At this price, the KOORUI S01 fairs better than most monitors in the 21-inch size range.

The following IPS panel monitors with 75Hz refresh rates are our top alternative choices for this category:

• Acer SB220Q bi
• Samsung T350

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:

• Packard Bell airFrame 21
• LG 22MK430H-B

Best 21-Inch Computer Monitor with Speakers

The Acer UT222Q is our selection for the best 21-inch monitor with speakers. The two built-in 2W speakers deliver crisp stereo sound for the ultimate movie or music experience. As a portable monitor, we found that having built-in speakers was a great advantage and gave us one less thing to carry around.

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

• KOORUI S01

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 computer 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
• Samsung T350

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 of the best PC monitors and go into more detail below.

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: 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 and 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 rate 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 VP229Q

• Operating System: Mac, Windows 10 & 11
• Response: 5 ms
• Weight: 6.6 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI, VGA, Displayport

The Asus VP229Q 21.5” display 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.

This monitor also supports vertical orientation, which makes it even more versatile. To get the best image quality, we had to adjust the gamma settings, and you will have to do so, too.

The screen comes with a fairly large base stand, which took up quite a bit of room on our desks. Aside from this, the Asus VP229Q 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 Portable 21” Monitor

• 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 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 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 screens 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 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.

Packard Bell M21500

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

The Packard Bell M21500  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 75 Hertz and 5 ms response meant it was good enough to be a basic gaming monitor.

This display is VESA compatible and the seamless design means it works 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 top contender for the best monitor for office work.

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.

This screen is a great option if you’re looking for the best monitors for home offices.

HYUNDAI HT21FOMBK01

• Operating Systems: Windows, Mac
• Response: 6.5 ms
• Weight: 2.3 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI, VGA

If you’re looking for an affordable display that’s worth every cent, the HYUNDAI HT21FOMBK01 is a very well-priced screen that offers full HD resolution. The full HD display produced bright colors and high-contrast images, which we found fantastic for everyday use.

While the stand was a great size for an average desk, we found that the tilt was minimal and decided to use the VESA mount instead. While the thin bezels on the sides and top of the screen were great, the bottom bezel was fairly large, and branding made a multi-screen setup feel cluttered.

The 75 Hertz refresh rate was excellent for streaming movies and series, however, it isn’t the best option for gaming as the lack of FreeSync technology and the low refresh rate are noticeable.

While it’s important to address what this monitor lacks, overall, this HYUNDAI display was fantastic for everyday work and watching video content.

KOORUI S01

• Operating Systems: Windows, Xbox, PlayStation 5
• Response: 5 ms
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 100 Hz
• Connectivity Type: HDMI, VGA

The KOORUI S01 is a fantastic budget option for gaming due to its VA panel with a 100 Hertz refresh rate, Adaptive-Sync and 5 ms response rate. The stand was reasonably sized and fit well on a desktop. However, from the two screens we received, only one had the base that was advertised. We used its VESA mount, so the different stands weren’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 great, 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.

Dell Professional P2217H

• Operating Systems: Windows & Mac
• Response: 6 ms
• Weight:10.8 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
• Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Connectivity Type: DisplayPort, VGA, USB

We found the Dell Professional P2217H to be one of the best office monitors with some great features. While it would need much higher specs to be a video editing or gaming monitor, it provided just the right features for its price and brand. If you’re shopping for a professional monitor to boost your productivity, this might be it.

The narrow bezel was ideal for our multi-screen setup. The stand can be tilted and swiveled, and the ergonomic adjustments meant we could have the monitor in a vertical format, too. In fact, we tested a desk setup with up to four vertical displays, and everything worked well.

The monitor includes flicker-free technology and reduces blue light emissions. After testing it for a few hours, we found that it kept to its promise. While this monitor is perfect for reading text and compiling spreadsheets, its less-than-impressive refresh rate of 65 Hz makes it a poor display for play.

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.

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.

SAMSUNG 22″ T350 Series FHD

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

If you prefer to settle for well-known brands when you shop, the Samsung T350 series monitor might be ideal for you. While it doesn’t offer anything more spectacular than the other displays we’ve reviewed, the Samsung name makes it hard to beat.

Overall, we really loved the super thin bezels and the good picture quality. It was easy to set up a multi-screen desk and these monitors handled everything we threw at them pretty well. We found that this display is perfect for everyday office use, but wasn’t great with anything that required superior picture quality.

We were disappointed that it did not include built-in speakers and also didn’t have a headphone jack. But the IPS panel and Full HD display made up for it as it handled low-spec games and casual streaming well.

Lenovo D22e-20

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

The Lenovo D22e-20 is a great budget monitor that offers great day-to-day use. For its price and build, we were surprised to find a 4ms response and a 75 Hz refresh rate. Plus, this screen boasted an outstanding image contrast ratio of 3 000 000: 1.

While you won’t find the best specs for high-quality media display, the screen did well for its level when we tested it against competitors. Although it didn’t come with built-in speakers, it did have a headphone jack, which was a decent compromise.

For office setups, this is an ideal monitor as it offers good features to protect your eyes from strain. We also loved that it had an energy rating of 8.0, which means it’ll support the environment while it supports you. Because of this, it’s in the running for the best 21.5 inch monitor.

Best 21-inch PC Monitor Mount Accessories

Whether you’re looking for the best monitor for work or gaming, there are some fantastic accessories you can use to optimize the screen fully. 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 is less likely to have blurring or ‘ghosting’ issues. A low response 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 have 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.

Written by Matthew

Matt is about 80% nerd, 10% writer, 10% animal lover. His love for PC’s started at the tender age of 4 and his love for animation and motion graphics fairly soon after. You can normally find him behind a computer screen or playing with his dog Rusty.

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Matthew

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Matt is about 80% nerd, 10% writer, 10% animal lover. His love for PC’s started at the tender age of 4 and his love for animation and motion graphics fairly soon after. You can normally find him behind a computer screen or playing with his dog Rusty.

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