Ergonomic height-adjustable monitor
This monitor promotes better posture and reduces strain during long work sessions, making it an thoughtful gift for anyone spending hours at their desk.
Tech & Gadgets
Computer monitors
8 kinds worth knowing, 8 picks, and what to check before you buy.
A new monitor is usually a gift for someone who already spends real hours at a desk: a partner working from home, a young adult heading into school or a first job, or someone who games in the evening. The screens that get used most do one job well, whether that's a sharp desk display for spreadsheets or a portable computer monitor that goes to a café or a hotel room. Before you buy, find out what computer it will plug into, how much desk space there is and what they mostly do on screen. A gaming monitor and a work display look alike in a photo but suit very different people.
Kind 1 of 8
A dependable everyday desk monitor
This is the standard screen that sits on a desk and gets used for work, school, streaming and browsing. It suits almost anyone using a laptop at a desk or a desktop with an old or too-small display. Before buying, check which ports their computer has (HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C) and whether the monitor's stand tilts and adjusts in height. For photo or design work, look for a screen described as colour-accurate, with good coverage of standard colour ranges. Also check whether a cable comes in the box, because nobody wants to open a gift they can't use until a store trip.
Professional color-accurate monitor
Essential for photographers, graphic artists, and video producers, this monitor ensures precise color representation crucial for creative work.
Kind 2 of 8
A second screen that travels
A portable monitor is a thin screen, often around 15 inches, that connects to a laptop and folds into a bag. It suits students, remote workers and anyone who works from more than one spot and misses having a second display. Check that their laptop has a USB-C port that supports video output, because not every USB-C port does. If it doesn't, find out whether the monitor can also connect by HDMI with separate power. A built-in cover that doubles as a stand makes a real difference, since propping up a bare screen gets old fast.
Portable usb-c travel monitor
An excellent gift for remote workers or students, offering a convenient second screen solution for laptops and mobile devices on the go.
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Gaming monitors with smooth, fast motion
Gaming monitors are built for fast motion, with high refresh rates (144Hz and up) and quick response times so action looks smooth. They suit people who play on a PC or a current console and care about how the game feels. Before buying, match the monitor to their hardware: a console may not use very high refresh rates, and an older graphics card may not reach them either. Check for adaptive sync that works with their graphics card or console, and think about size, since 24 to 27 inches is the usual sweet spot for competitive play.
High refresh rate gaming monitor
This monitor enhances competitive gaming with smoother visuals and reduced input lag, ideal for dedicated players seeking an edge.
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What to compare when shopping
When you're comparing a long list of monitors, a few details matter more than the model name. Resolution and screen size go together: 1080p looks fine at 24 inches, but 27 inches and up looks noticeably sharper at 1440p or 4K. Panel type affects the picture, with IPS offering wide viewing angles and VA offering deeper blacks. Check the ports against their computer, and whether the stand adjusts or the monitor can go on a wall or arm mount. A plain, well-matched screen gets more use than a feature-packed one that doesn't suit the setup.
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Big screens for more room
Large monitors, usually 32 inches and up, give more space for side-by-side windows, video editing or relaxed viewing from further back. They suit people with a deep desk who spend long hours juggling several apps. At this size, resolution matters: a 4K panel keeps text crisp, while a lower resolution can look soft up close. Measure the desk depth first, since a big screen needs distance to be comfortable. Also check that their computer can drive 4K smoothly, which older laptops sometimes struggle with.
High resolution 4k ultra HD monitor
This display offers stunning clarity and detail, making it ideal for graphic designers, video editors, or anyone who appreciates crisp visuals for media consumption.
Kind 6 of 8
Curved screens that wrap your view
A curved monitor bends slightly toward the viewer, so the edges sit at a more even distance from the eyes. It suits gamers and movie watchers who enjoy a more immersive picture, and anyone sitting close to a larger screen. The curve is listed as a number such as 1500R or 1800R; smaller numbers mean a tighter curve. Curves make the most sense at 27 inches and wider. Check the desk space too, because curved monitors need more depth than flat ones and don't sit neatly side by side.
Curved immersive desktop monitor
Designed to wrap around the viewer's field of vision, this monitor creates a more engaging and comfortable experience for gaming or movie watching.
Kind 7 of 8
Ultrawide screens for multitasking
Ultrawide curved monitors use a 21:9 or wider shape, giving about the width of two screens with no gap in the middle. They suit people who edit video, work with long timelines or spreadsheets, trade, or play racing and flight games. Check that their computer supports the ultrawide resolution, often 3440 by 1440, and that their favourite games or apps handle the wide format. Measure the desk width carefully, and look at the stand, since these screens are heavy and a wobbly base is a common complaint.
Ultrawide desktop productivity monitor
Perfect for professionals and multitaskers, this expansive screen allows multiple applications to be open side-by-side without needing a second display.
Kind 8 of 8
Screens with fewer cables
People searching for a wireless monitor usually want a tidier desk or an easy way to show a phone or laptop screen. True wireless video is still limited: many screens sold this way use screen mirroring or a smart-TV-style system, and some just need a single USB-C cable for video and power. They suit casual use like streaming or presenting more than gaming, where lag can show. Before buying, check exactly which devices it can mirror from, and whether it still needs a power cord.
How to choose computer monitors as a gift
- Check which video ports their computer has before choosing, since a mismatched connection is the most common reason a new monitor sits unused.
- Measure the desk width and depth, especially for curved, ultrawide or large screens, which take up more room than you'd expect.
- Match the monitor to how they use it: fast refresh for gaming, sharp resolution for text, colour accuracy for photo work.
- Look for a stand that adjusts in height and tilt, or confirm the monitor fits a standard wall or arm mount.
- Ask casually what bugs them about their current setup; the answer usually points straight to the right kind of screen.
Usually safe to skip
- Very high refresh gaming monitors for someone who plays on an older console or laptop that can't use the extra speed.
- Huge 4K screens for small desks, where sitting too close makes the extra size awkward rather than useful.
- Monitors sold as wireless without checking compatibility, since many only mirror from certain phones or operating systems.
Questions people ask about computer monitors
- What size monitor is best as a gift?
- For most desks, 24 to 27 inches works well. A 27-inch screen at 1440p is a good middle choice for work and games. Go bigger only if the desk is deep and they want room for several windows or immersive viewing.
- Will a portable monitor work with any laptop?
- Not always. The simplest setup needs a laptop USB-C port that supports video output, often marked with a display or lightning-bolt icon. Without that, many portable monitors can use HDMI plus a separate power cable instead.
- Is a curved monitor better than a flat one?
- It depends on the size and use. Curves help on wide screens, 27 inches and up, by keeping the edges easier to see. For smaller screens, dual-monitor setups or colour-critical work, a flat monitor is usually the more practical choice.
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