Best of · Monitors
Best monitors for working from home in 2026: one-cable desks and sharp text
The best home office monitor charges your work laptop, has a USB hub, and keeps text sharp all day. Five picks from $165 to $700.
Our pick: Dell UltraSharp U2725QE if your laptop has Thunderbolt or USB-C; Dell S2725QS on a budget
Dell
UltraSharp U2725QE
8.7$629 to $699.99
A monitor and a dock in one: Thunderbolt 4 with 140W, Ethernet, a seven-port USB hub, and KVM.
Pros
- • One cable to the laptop
- • 4K 120Hz IPS Black
- • KVM for work and personal PCs
Cons
- • $700
BenQ
RD280U
8.5$549.99 to $599.99
A tall 3:2 screen for documents and spreadsheets, with 90W USB-C and KVM.
Pros
- • 3840 x 2560 3:2
- • 90W USB-C, KVM
Cons
- • Not for gaming or movies
Dell
Pro 27 Plus Video Conferencing Monitor
8.4$519.99 list ($489.99 sale)
For a call-heavy job: a 4K pop-up webcam with privacy shutter and noise-cancelling mic.
Pros
- • 4K webcam with shutter
- • 90W USB-C
Cons
- • 60Hz
Dell
S2725QS
8.0$280
Sharp 27-inch 4K at 120Hz for $280, if you do not need USB-C.
Pros
- • 4K 120Hz IPS
Cons
- • No USB-C or hub
Dell
P2425H
7.2$165
A basic 24-inch 1080p 100Hz second screen with USB-C video.
Pros
- • $165
- • USB-C video (15W)
Cons
- • 1080p
- • Will not charge a laptop
A home office monitor should make your laptop disappear: one cable for video, charging, network, and peripherals. These picks focus on that, plus text clarity and video calls. They are based on manufacturer specs and reviews from Windows Central, PCWorld, and BGR; we have not tested them.
Work-from-home monitors compared
| Monitor | Screen | Laptop connection | Extras | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell UltraSharp U2725QE | 27-inch 4K 120Hz IPS Black | Thunderbolt 4, 140W | Ethernet, KVM, 7 USB | $629 to $699.99 |
| BenQ RD280U | 28.2-inch 3840 x 2560 (3:2) | USB-C, 90W | KVM, MoonHalo light | $549.99 to $599.99 |
| Dell Pro 27 Plus VC | 27-inch 4K IPS | USB-C, 90W | 4K webcam, mic, speakers | $519.99 |
| Dell S2725QS | 27-inch 4K 120Hz IPS | HDMI/DP | — | $280 |
| Dell P2425H | 24-inch 1080p 100Hz IPS | USB-C video, 15W | — | $165 |
Best overall: Dell UltraSharp U2725QE
The U2725QE replaces a dock: its Thunderbolt 4 port charges at 140W and connects Ethernet, five USB-A and two USB-C ports. A KVM lets one keyboard and mouse switch between a work laptop and a personal PC. The 4K IPS Black panel runs at 120Hz.
Best for documents: BenQ RD280U
The RD280U's 3:2 screen shows more of each page and spreadsheet than a 16:9 monitor of the same width. It has 90W USB-C and a KVM.
Best for calls: Dell Pro 27 Plus Video Conferencing Monitor
If you are on camera most of the day, Dell's monitor has a 4K pop-up webcam with a privacy shutter, a noise-cancelling mic, and 90W USB-C.
Budget picks: Dell S2725QS and P2425H
For $280 the S2725QS gives you 27-inch 4K at 120Hz over HDMI or DisplayPort. The $165 P2425H is a 24-inch 1080p second screen with USB-C video.
Questions we get
What size monitor is best for working from home?
27-inch 4K suits most desks and keeps text sharp. Go 32-inch 4K if you keep two documents side by side all day and have a deep desk.
Will a USB-C monitor work with my work laptop?
If the laptop's USB-C or Thunderbolt port supports video (most business laptops do), yes. Corporate laptops sometimes restrict USB devices, so test the hub's Ethernet and USB ports before relying on them.