Best Monitors for Remote Work 2025: Stop Squinting at Your Laptop Screen

I Worked Six Months on a Laptop Screen Before Admitting Defeat

When I started my remote product manager role in September, I told myself I didn't need a monitor. I had a perfectly good 13-inch MacBook Air. I'd worked on laptops for years. Buying a monitor seemed like unnecessary expense.

By February, I was getting headaches three times a week. My neck constantly ached. I'd catch myself hunched over, face 8 inches from the screen, squinting at tiny spreadsheet cells. One morning I woke up and couldn't turn my head left without sharp pain shooting down my shoulder.

That day, I ordered a 27-inch monitor. Three days after it arrived, the neck pain was gone. A week later, the headaches stopped. I'd been destroying my neck for six months to save $300 on a monitor. Don't make my mistake.

Quick Comparison: Top Monitors for Remote Work

Monitor	Best For	Price
Dell UltraSharp U2723DE	Best Overall 27"	$519-$599
LG 27UP850-W	Best Budget 4K	$399-$449
BenQ SW270C	Best for Designers	$599-$699
Samsung M8	Best Smart Monitor	$549-$699

1. Dell UltraSharp U2723DE - Best Overall for Remote Work

Price: $519-$599 | Size: 27" | Resolution: 2560x1440 (QHD)

This is the monitor I bought after my neck-pain wake-up call, and it's the one I recommend to anyone who asks. It's not the cheapest, not the fanciest, but it's really, really good at everything that matters for remote work.

Why it's perfect for remote work:

• Built-in USB-C hub with 90W power delivery (one cable connects everything and charges your laptop)
• Excellent color accuracy out of the box (no calibration needed)
• Fully adjustable stand (height, tilt, swivel, pivot to portrait)
• Anti-glare coating actually works (no reflections from windows behind me)
• Webcam mount on top bezel (way better than laptop angle)
• Daisy-chain support if you want to add a second monitor later

Real-world use: I connect my MacBook with a single USB-C cable. The monitor charges my laptop, acts as a USB hub for my keyboard and mouse, and displays everything in crisp QHD. When I close the laptop and slide it aside, I have a clean workspace with one screen at perfect eye level.

What could be better: It's not 4K, though honestly, at 27 inches the QHD resolution is sharp enough that I can't see individual pixels. And at $520, it's not cheap—though Dell runs sales frequently where it drops to $450-$480.

Who it's for: Remote workers who want one great monitor that does everything well. Mac users who want simple one-cable connectivity. Anyone who values ergonomics (the stand adjustment range is exceptional).

2. LG 27UP850-W - Best Budget 4K Monitor

Price: $399-$449 | Size: 27" | Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)

If you want 4K resolution without spending $600+, the LG 27UP850 is your best bet. It's the monitor my brother uses for his software engineering work, and he swears by it.

Key features:

• True 4K resolution (3840x2160)
• USB-C with 60W power delivery (enough for most laptops)
• HDR10 support
• 99% sRGB color gamut
• Height-adjustable stand
• AMD FreeSync (if you occasionally game)

Real-world feedback: My brother codes on this 8+ hours daily. He loves the extra screen real estate—he runs VS Code with three panels open plus a browser for documentation. The 4K resolution means text is incredibly sharp, even at smaller font sizes.

Tradeoffs: The 60W power delivery isn't enough for 15" or 16" MacBook Pros under heavy load (they'll slowly drain). You'll need to plug in the laptop's power adapter separately, or step up to a monitor with 90W+ delivery. Also, the built-in speakers are terrible—plan to use headphones or external speakers.

Who it's for: Budget-conscious remote workers who want maximum screen resolution. People who work with lots of windows open simultaneously. Anyone with a laptop that draws less than 60W.

3. BenQ SW270C - Best for Designers and Photo Editors

Price: $599-$699 | Size: 27" | Resolution: 2560x1440 (QHD)

If you do any design work, photo editing, or video editing, color accuracy matters. The BenQ SW270C is factory-calibrated and comes with an actual calibration report showing the exact color accuracy of your specific unit.

Why designers love it:

• 99% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB/Rec.709 coverage
• Hardware calibration support
• Factory-calibrated with ΔE ≤ 2
• 16-bit 3D LUT for accurate color
• Uniformity compensation technology
• Shading hood included (blocks ambient light for critical color work)

Real-world use: A designer friend uses this for client work. She prints photos professionally and the colors on screen match the prints consistently—something that's hit-or-miss with regular monitors. The included shading hood looks a bit ridiculous (like blinders on a horse) but makes a real difference when color-matching.

What you're paying for: Color accuracy. If you don't work with color-critical projects, this is overkill. Get the Dell or LG and save $200.

Who it's for: Professional designers, photographers, and video editors. Anyone whose work gets printed or must match specific color standards. People who need their monitor to be a trusted reference.

4. Samsung M8 - Best Smart Monitor

Price: $549-$699 | Size: 32" | Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)

The Samsung M8 is weird in the best way. It's a monitor, but it's also sort of a TV. It runs Samsung's Tizen OS, has built-in apps (Netflix, YouTube, etc.), and includes a removable webcam. You can use it without any computer connected.

Unique features:

• Built-in smart TV apps (Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, etc.)
• Included SlimFit camera (magnetically attaches)
• Works as a standalone device (no computer needed)
• AirPlay 2 and wireless DeX support
• USB-C with 65W power delivery
• Comes in fun colors (warm white, sunset pink, spring green, daylight blue)

Why this matters: You can close your laptop completely and still watch YouTube during lunch, join Zoom calls (using the built-in camera and apps), or stream content—all without turning on your computer. It's a monitor that doesn't require a computer to be useful.

Real-world quirks: The smart TV features are legitimately useful, but the interface can be a bit laggy compared to using an actual computer. The included webcam is fine for video calls but not amazing—about MacBook quality. And 65W power delivery isn't enough for larger laptops.

Who it's for: Remote workers who want monitor flexibility. People with small apartments where the monitor pulls double-duty as a TV. Mac users who love AirPlay. Anyone who thinks monitors should do more than just display things.

Monitor Size: How Big Should You Go?

24" monitors: Fine for small desks or if you sit close to your screen. Honestly feels a bit cramped for full-time remote work. I'd skip this size unless space is severely limited.

27" monitors: The sweet spot for most remote workers. Big enough to comfortably have two windows side-by-side. Not so big that you're turning your head constantly. This is what I recommend by default.

32" monitors: Great if you sit farther back (3+ feet from screen) or want to replace a dual-monitor setup with one big screen. Can feel overwhelming on a small desk. Make sure you have the space.

34"+ ultrawide: I tested a 34" ultrawide for three weeks. It's amazing for multitasking (I could have three full windows open), but it caused neck strain because I was constantly looking left and right. Only recommended if you have a deep desk and sit far back.

Resolution: Do You Need 4K?

Depends on size and use case:

27" or smaller: QHD (2560x1440) is plenty. I honestly can't see the difference between QHD and 4K at 27 inches. Save your money.

32" or larger: Get 4K. At 32", QHD resolution starts to look a bit pixelated up close. You'll notice individual pixels in text.

Photo/video work: Get 4K regardless of size. You need the extra pixels for detailed editing work.

Budget is tight: Get a bigger QHD monitor instead of a smaller 4K. Screen size matters more than pixel density for productivity work.

Common Monitor-Buying Mistakes

Mistake #1: Buying a cheap monitor to save money. I tried this first. Bought a $180 no-name 27" monitor from Amazon. The colors were washed out, text looked fuzzy, and the stand didn't adjust. Returned it after three days and bought the Dell. Should've just bought the good one first.

Mistake #2: Ignoring the stand. A non-adjustable stand means you're stuck with whatever height it comes at. This led directly to my neck pain. Always get a height-adjustable stand, or budget for a monitor arm.

Mistake #3: Not checking USB-C power delivery specs. "USB-C" doesn't automatically mean it'll charge your laptop. Check the wattage. 60W works for 13" laptops. 90W+ needed for 15-16" laptops or if you want to run demanding apps while charging.

Mistake #4: Buying 4K for a laptop that can't drive it. Older laptops struggle with 4K displays. Everything runs slower, battery drains faster. If your laptop is 3+ years old, stick with QHD.

Do You Really Need a Monitor?

If you work from home more than 2-3 days per week, yes, absolutely. The ergonomic and productivity benefits are worth it.

A laptop screen forces you to look down, creating neck strain. A proper monitor at eye level fixes this. Plus, the extra screen space means less window-switching, which sounds minor but adds up to significant time savings across a week.

I lost six months to neck pain and headaches because I was too stubborn to admit I needed a monitor. Don't be me. Your future neck will thank you.

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