THE BEST Monitors

See-through computer screens are a staple of sci-fi design. While they look really cool, they’re not the most practical way to view content. Still, makers Evan and Katelyn wanted to give it a try, set to building their own by modding a standard LCD screen, removing its LED backlight and polarizing filter, then building a new frame for it.

After building a high-end gaming PC into a desk, Matt of DIY Perks realized the illusion is completely ruined when placing a monitor on top of it. So he made a hidden ultrawide display that stows inside of a matching wood veneer and aluminum bookshelf. Now he just needs an invisible keyboard and mouse.

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, television cabinets made out of wood were the norm, but modern flat-screen displays are pretty much all encased in plastic. The Q wanted a PC monitor to match his wooden mouse and wooden keyboard, so he built a new case for his display, complete with PHILIPS logo and burnt wood control lettering.

Samsung’s droolworthy QLED gaming monitor packs a 49″ wraparound screen that’s been specially curved to completely fill your field of vision. It has a 5120×1440 resolution, up to 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, HDR 1000 for vivid contrast, and support for FreeSync 2 and G-Sync for smooth panning.

Struggling to get work done with your laptop’s small screen? Expand your screen real estate with Mobile Pixels‘ add-on second screen. It attaches to the back of your laptop and adds a 12.5″ 1080p display via your USB-A or USB-C port. Use code SAVEDUEXPRO and get it for $179.35 in The Awesomer Shop.

Most of the time you see a laptop being used with a second screen, it’s placed off to the side. But DIY Perks decided to build himself a computer that has a pair of stacked screens instead. The folding top screen is also at a better working height for your neck and shoulders, so it has ergonomic benefits too.

Samsung’s slimline monitor aims to save space and your neck thanks to its unique design. It clamps on to the edge of a desk and can then be pushed flat against a wall, or extended as far as the surface of the desk. It’s available in 27″ 1440p or 31″ 4K models.

Add a super sharp second screen to your laptop or smartphone with this portable 13.3″ 4K display. It can connect to devices with an HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, or USB-C connector (where supported). Its IPS panel has a wide 178º viewing angle, and it can be powered via USB. It includes a stand, but you can also use a pen to prop it up.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG17 is the ultimate monitor for gamers on the go. Its 17.3″ 1080p IPS display has a refresh rate of up to 240Hz for smooth and tear-free graphics. It lasts up to 3h per charge and has a pair of 1W speakers, two USB-C ports and a micro-HDMI port. Drops Q4 2019.

Asus‘ 21.6″ portable, external display features a razor sharp 4K UHD resolution, and an impressive OLED panel that supports HDR formats like Dolby Vision, HLG, and HDR-10. The whole thing folds up for easy transport, and has a detachable desktop stand.

Love Hulten’s Yesterday Vision is an HDMI monitor with an enclosure that looks like it was made in the 1960s or 1970s. It has a built-in Raspberry Pi that’s loaded with a retro video game emulator. By default, it comes with a 19″ 1280×1024 display, but you can commission larger builds.

The Luci Immers is a 1080p video headset that is small and weighs just 6.35oz. It works with both 2D and 3D content and simulates viewing a massive 85 ft diagonal screen viewed from about 65 ft away. It has USB-C and HDMI inputs. It’s available in three strap variants.

GAEMS’ flagship portable gaming case is good enough to be used as a primary setup. It has a built-in 24″ 1440p 60Hz monitor, HDMI 1.4 and USB 3.0 inputs and outputs, and two 3.5mm jacks. It can house an Xbox One, PS4 or a micro ATX PC.

The Topo is a 7″ 720p IPS LCD monitor that comes with your choice of a PS4 or Xbox One gamepad mount. It’s a great lightweight choice for console gaming on the go. It has a full size HDMI port, a 3.5mm jack and a microUSB power port.

G-Story’s portable 15.6″ 16:9 4K monitor is designed especially for gamers. It has a 60Hz refresh rate but it also supports AMD FreeSync to combat screen tearing. It has a 12ms response time and supports HDR. It has an HDMI port, a USB port and a USB-C port.

The Gemini is a portable 15.6″ monitor that has a built-in 5000mAh battery, enough to power it for up to 5h per charge, and can also charge mobile devices. It comes in a 1080p variant with a touchscreen, as well as a 4K variant with a Mini DisplayPort and an HDMI port.

The crazy expensive HP Omen X Emperium 65 is the first commercially available NVIDIA Big Format Gaming Display. The 65″ monitor has HDR, a 144Hz refresh rate, 4ms response time, and NVIDIA G-Sync. It also has an NVIDIA Shield built-in and comes with a soundbar.

Razer’s svelte new 27″ gaming monitor has a wide stand, but it’s not just for show – though it does have an RGB LED strip. The stand has CNC-milled slots at the back for cable management, and the display itself tilts up to 90º for easy access to the ports underneath.

LG’s upcoming 49WL95 49″ ultra-wide monitor has a 32:9 aspect ratio and 5120×1440 resolution. It has 99% sRGB accuracy and support for HDR10. It has a Picture-by-Picture mode and lets you control multiple devices with the same keyboard and mouse.

The Vinpok Split is a lightweight and portable 15.6″ touchscreen 1080p monitor with USB-C and mini HDMI outputs. That means you can use it with laptops, desktop computers, gaming consoles and even Android phones. You can connect up to two units at once.

Dell’s UltraSharp 49 is the world’s first 49″ dual QHD curved monitor (5120×1440). It comes with a built-in video input management so you can easily arrange windows, and allows you to use one keyboard and mouse for two PCs. Drops 10/26/18 for $1700.

If you often work with lots of windows on your computer, check out Samsung’s ultra widescreen monitor. It boasts a 21:9 3440×1440 display and supports AMD FreeSync. It has a DisplayPort and two HDMI ports, and can show two inputs side-by-side or picture-in-picture.

Mobile Pixels’ Duo is a 12.5″ 1080p USB-C monitor that clips on the back of laptops via magnetic adhesives for use as a secondary screen. The USB-C cable handles both data and power. You can adjust the Duo’s hinge as well as fold it behind your laptop’s screen.

The Philips Momentum 436M6VBPAB was designed for gaming. It has a 43″ screen with 4K resolution and HDR1000, ensuring bright whites and deep blacks. It’s also extremely responsive with a 4ms response time and has built-in ambient lighting.

A versatile, portable monitor for USB-C capable devices. It’s a 15.6″ 1080p monitor that can act as a second screen for laptops, and as a display for smartphones and the Nintendo Switch. It has USB-A inputs for peripherals and has stereo speakers.

Nvidia’s Big Format Gaming Display is meant to be a 4K TV for gamers. It has a 65″ 4K HDR screen with 120Hz refresh rate and compatibility with G-Sync technology. It also has Nvidia’s Shield streaming built-in. Look for BFGDs from Asus, Acer and HP in 2018.