Ask Engadget: Best LCD monitor under $400?

Tired of looking at that tired old CRT monitor? Anxious to get a screen with a bit more screen real estate? So is Paul -- have a look:

"I was wondering if you all could help me out in deciding on a monitor. I'd like it to be at least 19-inches, bigger is better, but the main thing is to have a nice resolution. I currently have a 1,280 x 1,080 17-inch LCD monitor, and really like it, but would like to go past the 1,080 to possibly 1,200. Thing is I'd like to spend around $300, going up to maybe $400. What's the best choice out in this price range?"

We'd wager Paul's quandary is one shared by many, and if you just recently solved this yourself, be sure to toss in your recommendation below. Once you've completed said task, feel free to shoot us a question you'd like help with at ask at engadget dawt com.

[Victor mui @ Jul 17th 2008 9:36PM]

Definitely the 226bw from Samsung. That is, if they still sell it in stores.

[mcatrage @ Jul 17th 2008 10:08PM]

Thats a TN.

We don't know what the guy wants the monitor for but if he wants accurate colors and good viewing angels he definitely doesn't want a TN panel.

[Montey @ Jul 17th 2008 10:11PM]

Actually I would recommend the 216bw. It is 21.6 inches which is pretty much 22 inches and it doesn't suffer from some of the issues that the 226bw suffers from. The 226bw had problems with backlight bleed I believe.

Some 24" can be found for $300. My brother recently found a 245bw for that price. So don't hesitate to check all the stores in your local radius.

Anyhow, the 931bw/906bw are good monitors as well. Both are 19". The the 931 is the european version and came out earlier.

Always check Hardforum.com, they seem to have in-depth inspections of pretty much every recent LCD monitor.

And the last piece of advice: You can pretty much never go wrong with a Samsung.

[IK47 @ Jul 17th 2008 10:14PM]

tn panels are BS unless you get them for a very low price

I wouldn't pay more than 250 for a 24" TN

I recently bought a dell 2408wfp for $499 though

it's fantastic except for 3 things:

slight input lag (no big deal)

panel is brighter on the left side (no big deal)

limited scaling options (huge deal)

[Ethan @ Jul 17th 2008 10:19PM]

I'd actually like to counter this one. I recently purchased a 226bw and was unhappy to discover the whole "bait and switch" controversy afterward. Samsung originally made the entire monitor, including the LCD panel, and all was well. After a successful run of monitors and good reviews, they proceeded to split production among themselves and at least two other LCD panel manufacturers, both of whom make displays whose performance is sub-par compared to the native Samsung displays.

What results is a "luck of the draw" when purchasing one: you don't know if you'll get a genuine Samsung, or one of the lame knock-offs. I was one of the unlucky folks, and my panel has poor color accuracy (even after repeated attempts to calibrate it manually and with a Spider2 puck). It also has a posterization effect whenever gradients move across the screen, possibly due to the monitor attempting to improve its response times, I suppose. I has been difficult for me to use the monitor for editing photos with any accuracy, both in color and in brightness.

Is this monitor worth the money I spent? It's not very expensive, so it's probably a bad deal. But be wary of the rave reviews you'll read online. Many are either a) old (posted during the initial run of genuine Samsung panels), b) have been posted by people who are now lucky enough to get a genuine panel, or c) have been posted by people who read the good reviews and are convinced that the display is great, but they can't tell the difference.

Unfortunately, Newegg is smart enough to know not to accept returns on LCD displays, so I was stuck with this crappy version. If you can purchase a 226bw from a dealer who accepts returns, go for it. Some intertube searching should help you reveal who actually made your panel. Hopefully this will allow others to make an informed decision. Good luck!

[Ethan @ Jul 17th 2008 10:20PM]

Correction to my comment above: "it's not very expensive, so it's probably _not_ a bad deal"

[acme @ Jul 17th 2008 10:24PM]

I got a 225bw and i love it

[antiver @ Jul 17th 2008 10:25PM]

I second the 226BW. I have a 225BW ($300), and three 930B's on my desk ($150 each). Never seen a setup I'd prefer more.

[brian @ Jul 17th 2008 11:07PM]

i would have to say the hp 22 inch monitor (w2207h) which is usually about 329.99. i work in computer sales and i know by experience beacause i mess around with them every day that this monitor is beautiful like all hp high gloss monitors. it also has dvi and hdmi inputs along with a 90 degree swivel. the samsungs are nice but i dont think they are as good as hp even though they have a faster response time and their contrast ratio is higher. when looking at monitors do not listen to the contrast ratio because instead of having really bright colors, the monitor could just have a really dark black. wich the high gloss samsungs tend to have.

[Pra @ Jul 18th 2008 12:08AM]

To solve all the problems of that back panel thing, just find a SyncMaster 226cw. It's a bit better and has no chance of that crap sauce.

[TVGenius @ Jul 18th 2008 12:48AM]

Our Sam's Club has a 24" Samsung for under $400... I've got one at work and hope to replace my other monitor soon, since now I see how much the old one sucks now. It's not fancy, just VGA and DVI, but it's good.

[Chad @ Jul 18th 2008 1:47AM]

The best monitor I've ever owned...
HP 22" w2207 $250 @ TigerDirect.com
1650 x 1080 resolution
VGA and DVI with HDCP (great for PS3/X360/Blu-ray)
Built in speakers and 2 port USB hub
I have 5 LCD monitors, this monitor has the best quality picture (contrast/saturation), largest screen size and the cheapest out of all of mine. There is also a model that has HDMI instead of DVI but it's an extra $100.

[Oinquer @ Jul 18th 2008 10:19AM]

got an 223BW ...
good performance for the money...
but since i work with EIZO's..i have to admit these LCD's are crap compared with it....
anyway..i see movies in it, play games...the LCD is pretty much a solid piece, it was 208€ and has HDMI already.

[OX4 @ Jul 18th 2008 7:25AM]

I have a 226bw and I DO NOT recommend. I too have horrible posterization in gradients, esp the blacks, that I can't get rid of -- even with a color calibrator. It makes photoshop work nigh impossible. I can't wait to get a new monitor, one that that doesn't say Samsung on it.

Sad because everything else I own by Samsung is great.

[Brian @ Jul 17th 2008 9:37PM]

I picked up a used Dell 2405 monitor for $400 this January. If you dont plan on watching BlueRay movies on your computer I recommend it.

[Snatcher (MDF - Halo Ring) @ Jul 19th 2008 3:09AM]

I just recently got the HPw2207h a 22" HD monitor that comes with the HDMI cable and VGA cables, comes on a great stand and is rotateable. Its a great monitor. And its glossy shiny!!

[tb @ Jul 17th 2008 9:39PM]

epic fail lol

[tb @ Jul 18th 2008 4:54PM]

hey, it was a reply to the second post (the post was first post, hence the fail) but it's gone?
engadget comments system really is in need of a revision

[tb @ Jul 17th 2008 9:41PM]

please comment with suggestion as I could as well be the original post, looking for the same kind of specs (tho i wouldn't mind 1920x1200, not for HD, just for real estate)

[icepop4who @ Jul 17th 2008 9:42PM]

While I can't recommend a specific monitor, here's somethings to look out for.

1. Make sure it's HDCP capable with DVI (or even HDMI) inputs.
2. Your target resolution should be 1920x1200 and at least 21"
3. Make sure the maximum contrast ratio should be at least 1000:1 and actual ratio 500:1
4. Response rate at most 10ms
5. Speakers on monitors are mostly crap, so don't use them or look for them.
6. Should be able to display full 16.7 million colors.

Good luck finding your monitor. There is one made just for you.

[Eh @ Jul 17th 2008 10:38PM]

For under $400 he should be only looking at 20" ones. Not 22" since all of those are TN and are just gimmicks. He can get at least a PVA for under $400 and might be able to get an S-IPS. Size doesnt matter as much as the panel type.

[Daniel @ Jul 17th 2008 10:53PM]

its nice to have a few USB ports in the monitor too. the dell 22 inchers have a built in USB hub, and im guessing most of the other dell monitors do too.

[Cycomachead @ Jul 17th 2008 11:37PM]

I would bypass the response time. It really only matters for some games. The faster the response (esp under 8 ms) time the less accurate the colors are.

Also don't be fooled by 16.2 million colors it really means 265,000 colors + software otherwise known as TN panels.

[lukas88 @ Jul 18th 2008 2:37AM]

I disagree that you need 1920x1200. I use a 22" at 1680x1050 which is absolutely perfect. Sure, some resolution junkies will enjoy the extra pixels, but for the typical user, it is an unnecessary extravagance. What is more, sometimes it is even disliked. I know many people who do not even use native resolution (one of my pet peeves) because they dislike the tiny text and buttons, as well as compromised control of the mouse (either it takes longer to get across the screen or you increase the speed and sacrifice precision).

[rav0 @ Jul 18th 2008 8:06AM]

2.
You'd be hard pressed to find a 1920x1200 monitor smaller than 24 inches, or cheaper than $400

4. and
6.
Through they are becoming rarer, 16 ms response panels are great, with NO image retention. In the same class are monitors which use 6-bit panels and temporal dithering to achive 17 million colours, a QUALITY monitor that does this looks perfect (take note, a 17 inch Dell is not quality, they use crap dithering on top of crap signal processing).

[jason @ Jul 20th 2008 3:40PM]

I got a acer 25.5" x263w for about 400$ and its great! 1920x1200 rocks! don't compromise, or you will just end up buying a new monitor sooner....

[Bryan @ Jul 17th 2008 9:43PM]

I have to agree the Samsung 226BW its a superb 22in monitor.. Great picture, 3000:1 contrast ratio.. the newer samsungs look worse than this model.. glad i got it when i did.

[Nexx @ Jul 17th 2008 9:54PM]

I had that monitor.

The backlight bleed was terrible, the black certainly wasn't black, and the color left alot to be desired to say the least.

I cannot recommend this monitor at all. I ended up selling it a while back and am stuck with my 19" NEC at the moment

[fischju @ Jul 18th 2008 9:04AM]

That really is an old LCD. TheLG W2252TQ has 10000:1 contrast, 2ms GTG, hardware 4:3 scaling, ect, ect.

[Apreche @ Jul 17th 2008 9:43PM]

UltraSharp 2007FP

[Rory @ Jul 17th 2008 11:08PM]

The 2007FP from Dell is a 20" standard aspect 1600x1200 and is $399. I love mine.

[Jereremy @ Jul 18th 2008 6:37AM]

Love mine too!
Except it would be nice to be able to watch DVDs properly...
But I guess that's what tv's are for ;-]

[maniac.of.fire @ Jul 17th 2008 9:43PM]

the official replacement to the 226bw is the 2253bw, also by samsung (obviously), or you could go for the Rose T220 (also by samsung...)

all of em are 1680x1050
i dont think you'll find a good 24 incher for under 500...iirc

[Tofucube0 @ Jul 17th 2008 9:44PM]

if you want to spend just under 400 i hear lots of people recomend the BenQ G2400WD. Its a 24 inch monitor thats really good for gaming and general use.

[David @ Jul 17th 2008 9:50PM]

"SOYO" is what you mean.

[cesium @ Jul 17th 2008 9:56PM]

No, it is by BenQ, not soyo...

[ChaosEntity @ Jul 17th 2008 10:09PM]

Are Soyo's monitors any good? I heard they were terrible.

[phanbouy @ Jul 18th 2008 1:31AM]

i have a 24" soyo. it's awesome. was on sale $299 at office max, and it's a MVA-P (or whatever; not a TN anyway)

[jimmy @ Jul 18th 2008 2:33PM]

i've got the benq G2400WD, as well as the benq FP202WD (20"). IMO the G2400 has a sharper image (text looks cleaner), however the color accuracy isn't as good as the FP202, it seems like the backlight isn't as consistent across the screen. Good monitor for the price though, no regrets

[DJRome @ Jul 17th 2008 9:44PM]

Sayo makes a 24" that is $400 retail and as low as $250 on sale. 1920x1200, but only dvi input. Still, for $250, it can't be beat and it is one of the better 24" mid to low range monitors out there in terms of quality, especially in this price range.

[Castaa @ Jul 18th 2008 3:58AM]

My money is with the Soyo Topaz S - 24" LCD. (1920x1200, DVI or VGA)

Office Max sells them in store for $280-300.

This is by far the best 24" display quality to price ratio that I know of.

[gabe @ Jul 17th 2008 9:46PM]

SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22"

i like :)

[Sanny @ Jul 18th 2008 4:13AM]

I second this! I got it for $250CAD and I'm loving it!

[MichaelB @ Jul 17th 2008 9:47PM]

I recently bought a Samsung Syncmaster 2053bw and LOVE it:

1650x1080 res

hdcp cpmpliant

8000:1 contrast

2ms response

DVI connection

Paid around $250

[Almighty- @ Jul 17th 2008 9:48PM]

How about the LG L227WT ??

[shlomo @ Jul 17th 2008 11:54PM]

The LG L227WTG is much better with 10000:1 contrast ratio. Also has a glossy screen. Can't beat that.

Size 22
Resolution 1680 x 1050
Pixel Pitch 0.282 x 0.282
Brightness 300cd/㎡
Contrast Ratio DFC 10000:1
Viewing Angle H : 176˚/V: 170˚(CR≥5)
Response Time 2ms (GTG)
Display Colors 16.7M Colors

http://www.lge.com/products/model/detail/l227wtg.jhtml

[diode3diode @ Jul 18th 2008 1:27AM]

Yes, LG ftw

[fischju @ Jul 18th 2008 9:09AM]

I have the LG W2252TQ, and it is amazing.

[clowntree @ Jul 21st 2008 12:26PM]

My wife got me that monitor for my birthday and damn is it sweet! she kept complaining about my ugly as hell 19" hp CRT monitor circa 1995 with built in microphone. =)

[feffrey @ Jul 17th 2008 9:50PM]

Acer 19" at 1680x1050
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009127
Small screen that won't take up your entire desk and a 1680x1050 res.
Make sure though when purchasing that u are getting the 1680x1050 model, as acer sells another lcd with that exact same model number and specs except that the res is 1440x900