Group test: what's the best budget LCD display?

5. ViewSonic VX2460H-LED

• Reviewed on: 15 October 12
• RRP: £150 inc. VAT
• Rating:

The ViewSonic VX2460H-LED is an exceedingly slim and stylish monitor which performs well and comes with a useful trio of inputs. Image quality is bettered by IPS displays, but this model is a definite improvement over the budget displays often bundled with PCs and will look good in a home or executive environment.

4. Hanns.G HL249DPB

• Reviewed on: 5 April 12
• RRP: £119 inc. VAT
• Rating:

With the Hanns-G HL249DPB, Hanns-G seems to have got everything right. With the emphasis on quality and low power consumption, this display is an excellent entry-level model which will outperform much of the budget competition and at a lower price. Photographers and graphic artists will still need to spend more on a more advanced display, but for general office or home use you can't go far wrong with this monitor.

3. AOC i2353Fh

• Reviewed on: 9 December 11
• RRP: £150 inc. VAT
• Rating:

It's not perfect, but at this price the AOC i2353Fh exceeds expectations at every turn. It outperforms any TN-based display and its expensive looks belie its budget price. The wide viewing angles of its IPS panel technology make it a great choice for anyone editing photos or video on a budget.

2. BenQ GW2750HM

• Reviewed on: 14 December 12
• RRP: £195 inc. VAT
• Rating:

The BenQ GW2750HM isn't perfect: Build quality is average and the styling is unremarkable, it also delivers less accurate colour than we would have hoped, given its VA panel technology. However, it offers excellent viewing angles and very high contrast and responds well to calibration if you're looking for a budget 27in display for photographic work. Despite its flaws it's a big step up from any TN panel for any non-gamer who doesn't need the absolute fastest response times available.

1. ViewSonic VX2336s-LED

• Reviewed on: 15 May 12
• RRP: £129 inc. VAT
• Rating:

The VX2336s-LED offers outstanding value for money and will be snapped up by anyone who wants decent image quality on a budget. It's not a multimedia monitor and therefore comes without speakers or an HDMI port, but if you want to edit photos or video it's a very fine choice.