On test: desktop monitors

For the foreseeable future, many of us will be working from home. Here’s our pick of displays that will soothe your weary eyes…

Best for… photography and other professionals

‹– Dell U2720Q, £628.80, dell.com This professional grade monitor from Dell is an unassuming workhorse. It’s fitted with a special anti-glare coating and is remarkably clear from a wide range of viewing angles. These features, paired with a soft brightness, made the screen exceptionally easy on the eyes. At 27 inches it’s at the smaller end of what’s necessary for 4K, but the display is remarkably crisp. Wildlife photography especially felt rich in detail, picking up on the diverse hues of green and blue in a photo of a kingfisher. It leaves the factory fully calibrated too, so you can get straight to work. The design allows for height, swivel and pivot adjustments, with a slim frame and a minimal footprint. There’s every port you could hope for at the back, including 90W USB-C that will quickly charge your laptop, and share displays with just one cable.

Best for… engineers, designers and video editors

‹– BenQ PD3220U, £1,059, benq.eu For those of you who think that you can never have enough screen, this BenQ model is a brilliant option. 4K resolution can feel a little unnecessary on smaller screens, but on this 32-inch model, the finer detail and scale makes images sing. It’s easy to set up, and looks immaculate out of the box – some high-end monitors we’ve tested in the past can require fiddly calibration. Photos appear rich and vibrant, with chasms of contrast between dark and light. Photos of coral reefs and landscapes practically leap off the screen. The ergonomics are effortless. The stand, though bulky, lets you adjust the height with a single finger, and allows for simple tilt and swivel adjustments. The elegant frame also disguises the pudgy side profile. There are ports galore, including a vital USB-C socket. One for high-end professionals.

Best for… the space starved

‹– Samsung Space Monitor 4K, from £359, samsung.com This screen (with a 27-inch and 32-inch options) is a game-changer. The monitor sits on an arm with a clamp at its base which can fix it to the side of your desk, letting you reclaim some precious workspace. Wires neatly slot into the stand too and follow it down to the edge of the table. You can’t adjust the monitor’s height, but you can pull the monitor down towards the desk on its double-hinged arm until it’s flush with the surface. It’s so smart, that we wish it was a touchscreen so we could use it as a giant tablet. The clever design means there’s some small concessions elsewhere. The display performance isn’t as pixel-perfect as the others tested, but more than sufficient for the majority of uses. Unfortunately, there’s no USB-C port on offer. But if you suddenly find yourself making an office in the living room, it does a great job at tilting the balance towards home rather than office.