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The best Black Friday monitor deals in 2026 are not the ones with the largest advertised percentage off — they are the ones that put the right pixel density, refresh rate and panel type in front of you for money you were going to spend anyway. On that basis the best overall pick is the Sceptre New 32-inch 2K QHD Prime Gaming Monitor (2560 x 1440, up to 210Hz, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, HDMI, 115% sRGB). At that size and resolution it works out to roughly 92 pixels per inch — the same text sharpness as a 24-inch 1080p screen — so you gain desktop area without softening fonts, and the 210Hz ceiling plus a USB-C input means a single purchase covers work, streaming and gaming. It suits anyone replacing one 24- or 27-inch 1080p monitor on a desk at least 50cm deep. Spend less and the Philips 24-inch 241V8LB is the best budget buy; spend more for maximum screen area and the Sceptre Curved 34-inch 3440 x 1440 ultrawide is the best premium pick.

Top 3 Picks

Best overall — Sceptre New 32-inch 2K QHD Prime Gaming Monitor. The sweet spot for a single-monitor desk: QHD resolution at a size that keeps pixel density at 24-inch 1080p levels, a 210Hz refresh ceiling for gaming, USB Type-C plus DisplayPort and HDMI for hooking up a laptop and a desktop at once, and 115% sRGB coverage for photo and video work. It suits the buyer who wants one screen to do everything and has the desk depth to take a 32-inch panel.

Best budget — Philips 24-inch 241V8LB. A 24-inch FHD VA panel at 100Hz with VESA mounting and flicker-free backlight control. It is not a gaming monitor and does not pretend to be, but 100Hz is a genuine step up from the 60Hz office panels this class used to be stuck at, and VA contrast makes dark interfaces and video look better than cheap IPS alternatives at the same tier.

Best premium — Sceptre Curved 34-inch 3440 x 1440 Prime Gaming Monitor. A 1500R curved ultrawide with up to 240Hz, 1ms response and 100% sRGB. This is the pick when three windows side by side, or a wider field of view in games, matters more than having the sharpest possible text. It needs roughly 80cm of desk width and a graphics card that can actually push the resolution.

Quick Comparison

How We Chose

Selection here is based on published listing specifications and category norms, not on hands-on use. Every panel on this page had to clear four filters. First, specification honesty: we only credit features the listing actually states — resolution, refresh rate, panel technology, ports and mounting — and where a listing does not name a panel type or a resolution, we say so and describe the spec class instead of guessing a number. Second, category fit: a 22-inch 144Hz gaming panel and a 27-inch IPS work display are judged against different standards, so each is ranked against the job it is built for rather than against a single “best monitor” yardstick. Third, use case: we weighted pixel density for text work, refresh headroom and adaptive sync for gaming, contrast for media, and port count for anyone running a laptop and a desktop off one screen. Fourth, upgrade path: we favoured panels that can move to a VESA arm, that carry at least one modern digital input, and that will not be the weak link if you upgrade the rest of the desk in two years. Price tiers (budget, mid-range, premium) reflect where each panel sits in the market rather than a fixed figure, because Black Friday pricing moves daily.

1. Sceptre 22-Inch Gaming Monitor – Best for a compact 144Hz starter setup

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#1 Pick

Sceptre New 22-Inch Gaming Monitor, FHD 1080p, Up to 144Hz, HDMI, DisplayPort, Built-in Speakers, Machine Black (E225W-FW144 Series, 2026)

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This is the panel to buy when your desk is small, your budget is tight, and you still want the one feature that changes how a screen feels day to day: a high refresh rate. The listing gives a 22-inch FHD 1920 x 1080 panel with a refresh ceiling of up to 144Hz, HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, and built-in speakers. It suits a first gaming setup, a dorm desk, a bedroom console-and-PC hybrid, or anyone who wants a secondary screen that can double as a gaming display without taking up half the desk.

Key specs at a glance

• Size: 22-inch class, roughly 49cm wide on a 16:9 panel
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (FHD), about 100 pixels per inch at this size — crisp text
• Refresh rate: up to 144Hz, a meaningful jump from the 60Hz office standard
• Inputs: HDMI and DisplayPort, so you can run a console on one and a PC on the other
• Audio: built-in speakers, which removes the need for a separate soundbar on a crowded desk
• Panel type: not named in the listing; at this size and price it is typically a TN or VA-class panel, so expect viewing angles to be the compromise rather than colour

The strongest argument for this monitor is pixel density. A 22-inch 1080p panel lands near 100 PPI, which is the same sharpness class as a good 24-inch screen and noticeably crisper than the 27-inch 1080p panels further down this list. Combined with a 144Hz ceiling, that makes it unusually versatile for the money: documents and web pages look clean, and fast motion in games does not smear the way it does on a 60Hz panel. The two digital inputs are a practical bonus at this price — a lot of budget panels in this class still ship with a single HDMI and a legacy analog port, which forces you to unplug and swap cables whenever you change device.

Where it gives ground is in size and ergonomics. Twenty-two inches is a genuinely small canvas: a full-screen spreadsheet, a video editor timeline and a three-column document view all feel cramped, and if you work on this screen eight hours a day you will probably want a second panel beside it. The listing does not advertise adaptive sync, so if you pair a modern graphics card with it you may see some tearing in games unless you enable a frame limiter. And as with most budget stands in this class, expect tilt-only adjustment unless the listing says otherwise — plan on a VESA arm or a stack of books if you need height adjustment.

Pros

• About 100 PPI — text sharpness that beats 27-inch 1080p panels
• Up to 144Hz, the single biggest perceived upgrade over 60Hz
• Both HDMI and DisplayPort, so two devices stay connected
• Built-in speakers keep the desk free of extra hardware
• Small footprint leaves room for a keyboard, mouse and notebook

Cons

• 22 inches is tight for serious multitasking
• Panel type is not specified, so colour and viewing angles are a gamble
• No adaptive sync mentioned in the listing
• Stand ergonomics are likely limited; check before buying if height matters

How it compares

The nearest alternative on this list is the MSI PRO MP225 E12VL, and the two split cleanly. The MSI gives you a named 120Hz panel with Adaptive-Sync and a VESA mount, which is the better combination for smooth, tear-free gaming on a card that supports variable refresh. The Sceptre gives you a higher 144Hz ceiling, a DisplayPort input and built-in speakers. If you already own a VESA arm and care about frame pacing, take the MSI; if you want the fastest refresh and the simplest single-cable-plus-speakers setup, take the Sceptre. Against the Philips 221V8LB, the Sceptre is the gaming choice and the Philips is the comfort-and-contrast choice — 144Hz versus 100Hz VA with flicker-free backlight control.

2. LG 27U411A-B – Best for a 27-inch work and text display

#2 Pick

LG 27U411A-B 27-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Computer Monitor, 120Hz, HDR10, Reader Mode, Flicker Safe, HDMI, Slim Stand Base, Black

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The LG 27U411A-B is the panel for someone whose screen is a workspace first and an entertainment device second. The listing describes a 27-inch Full HD 1920 x 1080 IPS display running at 120Hz, with HDR10 support, Reader Mode, Flicker Safe backlight control and HDMI input. IPS is the key word: it is the panel technology that holds colour and contrast steady as you move your head, which matters on a large screen you sit close to. It suits writers, analysts, developers and anyone running long documents, code or spreadsheets all day.

Key specs at a glance

• Size and resolution: 27-inch, 1920 x 1080 — about 82 pixels per inch
• Panel technology: IPS, named in the listing, with the wide viewing angles that come with it
• Refresh rate: 120Hz, above the 60Hz baseline and smoother for scrolling and cursor movement
• HDR: HDR10 support for compatible content
• Comfort features: Reader Mode and Flicker Safe backlight control, both aimed at long sessions
• Input: HDMI

What makes this a premium-tier pick in this particular group is not the resolution — it is the panel technology plus the comfort engineering. IPS at 27 inches means you can sit slightly off-centre, lean back, or share the screen with someone beside you without the image washing out. The 120Hz refresh rate is a genuine quality-of-life improvement for desktop work even if you never launch a game: mouse movement, window dragging and page scrolling all look smoother, and the difference is obvious the moment you go back to a 60Hz panel. Reader Mode and Flicker Safe are software and backlight-level features aimed at reducing the flicker and blue-heavy presentation that make long sessions tiring. They are comfort features, not medical treatments — if you get persistent headaches or eye pain at a screen, that is a conversation for an optometrist or doctor, not a monitor spec sheet.

The trade-off is pixel density. At 27 inches, 1920 x 1080 works out to roughly 82 PPI, which is the lowest in this roundup. Text is still perfectly readable, but side by side with a 24-inch 1080p panel you will see the difference in font edges and fine UI lines. If your work is mostly prose and large interface elements, that is a fair trade for the bigger canvas and the IPS panel. If you spend your day in dense spreadsheets, CAD drawings or small-point code, a 24-inch 1080p screen or a 32-inch QHD screen will look sharper to you. Scaling the display up in your operating system is an option, but it costs you desktop area, which is the main reason to buy a 27-inch panel in the first place.

Pros

• Named IPS panel — stable colour and contrast off-axis
• 120Hz refresh rate, smoother than the 60Hz office standard
• Reader Mode and Flicker Safe for long working sessions
• 27 inches gives a comfortable single-document or two-pane layout
• HDR10 support for streaming content

Cons

• About 82 PPI — the softest text rendering in this group
• Only one input listed, so a second device means cable swapping
• 1080p at 27 inches limits how much you can fit on screen at native scaling
• No VESA or speaker information in the listing name — verify before you buy

How it compares

Its closest rival here is the Sceptre E275W-19203R, which is also a 27-inch 1080p panel with 99% sRGB coverage and two HDMI inputs plus VGA. The LG wins on panel technology and refresh: a named IPS panel at 120Hz versus a standard-refresh panel with no stated panel type. The Sceptre wins on connectivity and price tier — two HDMI ports and a legacy VGA input make it easier to attach an older office PC, and it sits a tier below the LG. Choose the LG if you want the smoothest, most colour-stable 27-inch 1080p screen; choose the Sceptre if you need multiple inputs and a lower outlay. If text sharpness is your priority, neither is the right answer — the Philips 241V8LB or the Sceptre 32-inch QHD both deliver a higher pixel density for similar or less money.

3. Sceptre 24-Inch Prime Gaming Monitor – Best for high-refresh play on a small desk

#3 Pick

New! Sceptre 24-inch Prime Gaming Monitor DisplayPort x2 165Hz HDMI x2 165Hz Build-in Speakers, Machine Black 2027 (E248B-FW165T Series)

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This is the panel for a competitive player who wants speed without a big footprint. The listing advertises a 24-inch Prime gaming monitor with 165Hz refresh over two DisplayPort inputs and two HDMI inputs, plus built-in speakers. Twenty-four inches is the traditional sweet spot for fast-paced play: the whole screen sits inside your field of view, so you are not turning your head to track a corner of the map, and 165Hz is fast enough that the step up from 144Hz is a refinement rather than a transformation. It suits a desk that cannot take a 27-inch or 32-inch panel, and a player who runs a PC and a console off the same screen.

Key specs at a glance

• Size: 24-inch class, roughly 53cm wide on a 16:9 panel
• Refresh rate: 165Hz, stated for both the DisplayPort and HDMI inputs
• Inputs: 2x DisplayPort and 2x HDMI — four digital inputs is unusually generous at this tier
• Audio: built-in speakers
• Resolution: not restated in the listing name; 24-inch 165Hz panels in this family are normally 1920 x 1080, which is about 92 PPI. Confirm the resolution on the listing before you buy
• Panel type: not named; expect a fast TN or VA-class panel at this price and refresh rate

The headline here is connectivity. Four digital inputs on a 24-inch gaming monitor is the feature that separates it from the cheaper 22-inch option above: you can leave a desktop on DisplayPort, a laptop on a second DisplayPort, a console on HDMI and a streaming stick on the fourth HDMI, and switch between them from the on-screen menu without crawling behind the desk. For a shared desk, a bedroom setup or a student room where one screen has to serve everything, that is worth more than a few extra hertz. The 165Hz refresh on the HDMI inputs also means you are not forced onto DisplayPort to get the full refresh rate, which is not always true at this price.

At roughly 92 PPI, text is noticeably sharper than on a 27-inch 1080p screen, so this panel works perfectly well as a work monitor during the day and a gaming monitor at night. The compromises are the usual ones for the class. The listing does not name the panel technology, so colour accuracy and viewing angles are unknown — if you do photo or video work, a named IPS panel is the safer buy. There is no mention of adaptive sync, so pair it with a frame limiter or in-game V-Sync if tearing bothers you. And 24 inches at 1080p is a modest canvas for multitasking; two windows side by side is comfortable, three is a squeeze.

Pros

• 165Hz refresh rate on both DisplayPort and HDMI
• Four digital inputs — rare at this size and price
• About 92 PPI, sharp enough for text-heavy work
• 24 inches keeps the whole screen in view during fast play
• Built-in speakers reduce cable clutter

Cons

• Resolution and panel type are not stated in the listing name
• No adaptive sync mentioned
• 1080p limits how much desktop area you get
• Four inputs is more than most people need, so you pay for ports you may not use

How it compares

The obvious alternative is the Sceptre 24-Inch Prime Thin Monitor, which shares the size and the brand but targets a different buyer entirely. The Thin model is a 1080p office panel with 99% sRGB coverage, two HDMI inputs, VGA and built-in speakers — it is built for documents, not frame rates. The 165Hz Prime gaming model trades colour-coverage claims and legacy VGA support for a much faster refresh and more modern inputs. If your priority is accurate colour for print or design work at 24 inches, take the Thin. If your priority is smooth motion and multi-device switching, take the 165Hz panel. Against the Sceptre 22-Inch Gaming Monitor, this is simply the bigger, better-connected version: you gain two inches, 21Hz and two extra inputs, and you give up the sharper pixel density of a smaller screen.

4. MSI PRO MP225 E12VL – Best for a cheap, mountable second screen

#4 Pick

msi PRO MP225 E12VL, 22-inch1920 x 1080 (FHD) Computer Monitor, 120Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDMI, Video Port, VESA Mountable, Tilt, 1ms, Black

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The MSI PRO MP225 E12VL is the practical answer to a specific question: what is the cheapest way to add a second screen that is actually pleasant to use? The listing gives a 22-inch 1920 x 1080 panel running at 120Hz with Adaptive-Sync, an HDMI input, a video port for legacy connections, and VESA mounting support. The PRO badge places it in MSI’s business-oriented line rather than its gaming line, which usually means a plainer chassis, a sensible stand and a focus on reliability over flash. It suits anyone building a dual-monitor desk, adding a screen for chat and email beside a main display, or mounting a panel on an arm above a laptop.

Key specs at a glance

• Size and resolution: 22-inch, 1920 x 1080 — about 100 pixels per inch
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Adaptive-Sync: supported, which reduces screen tearing when the frame rate fluctuates
• Inputs: HDMI plus a video port for older analog or legacy sources
• Mounting: VESA support listed, so it can go on an arm or wall bracket
• Panel type: not named in the listing; PRO-series panels in this size are typically VA or IPS-class

Two things make this a better second monitor than the average budget 22-inch. The first is Adaptive-Sync. Variable refresh is often dismissed as a gaming feature, but it also smooths video playback and reduces the judder you notice when a laptop with integrated graphics struggles to hold a steady frame rate on an external display. The second is the VESA mounting point. A 22-inch panel on a £25-class arm clears the desk surface entirely, which is worth more in practice than two extra inches of screen — you can push the second display up and to the side, keep the keyboard area clean and angle it toward you. Monitors that lack a mounting point force you to live with whatever stand the factory fitted.

The video port is the other differentiator. A lot of modern budget monitors have dropped legacy inputs, which is fine until you need to attach a decade-old office PC, a point-of-sale terminal or a Raspberry Pi with an analog adapter. Having one available costs nothing and occasionally saves an afternoon. At about 100 PPI, text is crisp, and 22 inches is small enough that the whole screen stays comfortable in peripheral vision as a secondary display.

The limitations are the same as any 22-inch panel: it is a small canvas, so do not buy it as your only screen if you multitask heavily. The listing does not name the panel technology, so colour work is a risk. And the refresh ceiling of 120Hz, while good for a budget business panel, is below the 144Hz and 165Hz panels elsewhere on this page — if competitive gaming is the point, spend the difference.

Pros

• Adaptive-Sync at a budget tier
• VESA mounting listed — easy to put on an arm
• About 100 PPI, so text is sharp
• HDMI plus a legacy video port for old hardware
• 120Hz, well above the 60Hz budget baseline

Cons

• Panel type not specified
• 22 inches is small for a primary display
• 120Hz trails the 144Hz and 165Hz options here
• Business styling rather than gaming aesthetics, if that matters to you

How it compares

Against the Sceptre 22-Inch Gaming Monitor, the MSI trades refresh ceiling for smoothness technology and mounting flexibility: 120Hz with Adaptive-Sync and VESA, versus 144Hz with DisplayPort and speakers. For a second screen on an arm, the MSI is the more sensible buy. For a primary gaming display where every frame counts, the Sceptre’s higher ceiling and DisplayPort input edge ahead. Against the Philips 221V8LB, the split is contrast versus smoothness: the Philips offers a named VA panel and flicker-free backlight control, which generally means deeper blacks and a more comfortable long-session image, while the MSI offers a higher refresh rate and Adaptive-Sync. If you watch a lot of film and video on your second screen, the VA contrast is the more visible difference; if you game on it, take the MSI.

5. Sceptre 32-Inch 2K QHD Prime Gaming Monitor – Best overall for a single-monitor desk

#5 Pick

Sceptre New 32-inch 2K QHD 2560 x 1440 Prime Gaming Monitor up to 210Hz USB Type-C DisplayPort HDMI sRGB 115% 1ms Build-in Speakers, Machine Black 2026 ((E325B-QW200D Series)

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If you are replacing one monitor and want the replacement to last five years, this is the panel to shortlist. The listing describes a 32-inch 2560 x 1440 QHD display with a refresh rate of up to 210Hz, USB Type-C, DisplayPort and HDMI inputs, and 115% sRGB colour coverage. The combination is unusually complete: QHD gives you 78% more pixels than 1080p, USB-C lets a laptop carry video and often data over one cable, and 210Hz means you are not shopping for a monitor again the moment you upgrade your graphics card. It suits a desk at least 50cm deep and a buyer who wants one screen for work, media and gaming rather than two or three specialised panels.

Key specs at a glance

• Size and resolution: 32-inch, 2560 x 1440 — about 92 pixels per inch
• Refresh rate: up to 210Hz
• Inputs: USB Type-C, DisplayPort and HDMI
• Colour: 115% sRGB coverage, which exceeds the sRGB gamut rather than merely matching it
• Panel type: not named in the listing; QHD panels in this size and refresh class are typically VA or fast IPS
• Desk footprint: roughly 71cm of width for the panel, plus stand depth

The pixel density number is the reason this is the best overall pick rather than just the biggest. A 32-inch 1440p panel works out to about 92 PPI, which is the same sharpness class as a 24-inch 1080p screen — so you are not trading text clarity for screen area, which is exactly the mistake buyers make when they choose a 27-inch 1080p panel. You get the same crisp fonts and fine UI lines you would on a 24-inch screen, spread across nearly twice the desktop area. That is the single most useful upgrade in this roundup for anyone who works with multiple windows.

The 115% sRGB figure deserves a note. Coverage above 100% means the panel can produce colours outside the standard sRGB gamut, which generally translates to richer reds and greens in games and video. It is not the same as factory calibration, and if your work depends on colour accuracy for print you should still expect to calibrate the panel and work in a colour-managed application. But for photo editing, casual video work and everyday media, a wide-gamut panel is a real improvement over a plain 99% sRGB display.

The USB-C input is the second reason to choose this panel. On a laptop-centric desk, one cable can carry the video signal and, depending on the laptop and the cable, power and USB data as well. That turns a two-cable dock setup into a one-cable setup, and it means the monitor becomes the hub rather than an accessory hanging off it. Combined with a DisplayPort input for a desktop tower and an HDMI input for a console, this panel can serve three devices without a switch box.

The honest drawbacks: a 32-inch panel needs desk depth. If you sit closer than about 60cm from a screen this size you will find yourself scanning rather than reading, and the outer edges fall outside comfortable focus. The listing does not name the panel technology, so black levels and response characteristics are unknown. And “up to 210Hz” is a ceiling — reaching it depends on your graphics card, the cable, and the resolution you run, so do not expect 210Hz at full QHD on every machine.

Pros

• About 92 PPI — 24-inch-sharp text with far more desktop area
• Up to 210Hz, enough headroom to outlast a GPU upgrade
• USB Type-C, DisplayPort and HDMI inputs
• 115% sRGB coverage for games, photo and video
• One screen replaces a two-monitor arrangement for most people

Cons

• Panel technology not specified in the listing
• Needs roughly 71cm of width and 50cm-plus of depth
• Heavier than a 24-inch panel, so cheap arms may sag
• Full 210Hz at QHD requires a capable GPU and the right cable

How it compares

Its nearest rival is the Sceptre Curved 34-Inch 3440 x 1440, and the choice comes down to shape rather than size. The 34-inch ultrawide gives you about 34% more horizontal pixels, a 1500R curve and a 240Hz ceiling, plus a stated 1ms response and 100% sRGB. The 32-inch gives you a conventional 16:9 shape, a sharper 92 PPI versus the ultrawide’s roughly 110 PPI at a wider aspect ratio, and a smaller desk footprint. If your work is three documents side by side, the ultrawide is better. If your work is a single centred window with a couple of reference panes, or you play games that do not support ultrawide resolutions well, the 32-inch is the safer, cheaper and less demanding choice. Against the LG 27U411A-B, this panel is simply in a different league on resolution and refresh, at a higher price tier.

6. Sceptre 24-Inch Prime Thin Monitor – Best for office, writing and spreadsheets

#6 Pick

Sceptre 24-inch Prime Monitor Thin 1080p LED Monitor 99% sRGB 2X HDMI VGA Build-in Speakers, Machine Black (E248W-19203R 2025 Series)

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Not every screen needs a refresh rate in three figures. The Sceptre 24-Inch Prime Thin is a 1080p LED monitor with 99% sRGB coverage, two HDMI inputs, a VGA input and built-in speakers. The “Thin” in the name refers to the chassis profile, which keeps the panel visually light on a desk and makes it easier to fit into a tight setup. It suits a home office, a writing desk, a reception or shop counter, or anyone who wants a plain, reliable screen for documents, email and browser work at a sensible price.

Key specs at a glance

• Size and resolution: 24-inch, 1080p — about 92 pixels per inch
• Colour: 99% sRGB coverage, effectively full coverage of the standard web and office gamut
• Inputs: 2x HDMI and VGA
• Audio: built-in speakers
• Refresh rate: not headlined in the listing, which places it in the standard 60–75Hz office class
• Panel type: not named; at this tier it is typically a VA or IPS-class panel

The 99% sRGB figure is the most meaningful spec here. It means the panel can reproduce essentially the whole standard colour space that web pages, documents and most video are authored in, so colours look as intended rather than oversaturated or washed out. For a home office, that is the spec that matters — more than refresh rate, more than a wide-gamut claim, and more than HDR support that a panel at this tier cannot really deliver. Combined with 92 PPI, this is a screen that renders small text cleanly and shows documents the way they were designed.

The VGA input is a legacy connection, but it is not dead weight. Office PCs, older laptops, karaoke machines, industrial controllers and point-of-sale systems still output analog video, and having one port for them means you do not need an adapter when an old machine needs a screen. The two HDMI inputs cover modern devices, and the built-in speakers mean the panel works standalone for a video call or a training video without extra hardware.

The trade-off is