Full HD comes out on top

From 22'' to 28'' monitors, the vast majority of displays are now Full HD, either in 16:9 aspect ratio (1920 x 1080 pixels) or 16:10 (1920 x 1200 pixels). The latter are better for office work, as web pages and documents generally tend to be longer than they are wide. That said, 16:9 monitors tend to be a little cheaper.

• Hardware: video inputs like VGA, DVI and HDMI are important, as is the stand, which should be height-adjustable if possible
• Viewing angles should be wide.  The generic name 'LCD screen' covers three different panel technologies, with TN being the cheapest and most common but with the least open viewing angles.  However, we prefer (more expensive) MVA/PVA or IPS monitors.
• The panel should be responsive to the input signal.  If it isn't, then fast-moving objects will look blurry.
• Colours can be anywhere from completely wrong to absolutely perfect.  It's something we check every time.
• Energy consumption on the monitors we've tested varies from 22 to 80 W in comparable situations--but look at our green pick.

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This Asus monitor stands out on three counts.  Firstly, it's Full HD.  Secondly, it's got plenty of video inputs (VGA, DVI and HDMI).  Thirdly, we've tested it!  It did have scores that were slightly lower than average when we tested it, but that's acceptable for office use.

The biggest, most responsive screen for the money: HannsG HH251HP
A 2 ms 25'' monitor--with HDMI--for the price of a 22''

STORES £     OYYY  167.07  Ebuyer  172.53  Misco UK  176.24              Compare prices

Until recently, HannsG stayed behind the scenes and manufactured components for other people's monitors.  Now it's stepped into the spotlight with this top-quality 25'' screen that's responsive and comes with not just one but two HDMI inputs for the price of a 22''.  For this price, there isn't any better!

Our Favourite: Samsung SyncMaster F2380M
A great all-rounder: photo editing, films, office use, games

STORES £     OYYY  195.18  Ebuyer  203.24  Misco UK  234.99              Compare prices

The F2380M replaces the earlier F2380 and gains the fifth star that its predecessor missed out on.  It has very wide viewing angles, pivots and is on a height-adjustable stand.  It has record-breaking contrast, and its response time, although not as good as 2 ms TN monitor, is good enough for most things.  It's a good affordable all-rounder, and a great choice for the home or office.

Monitor and TV at the same time: Samsung P2370HD
Movies, HD TV shows, office use, photo editing ...

STORES £     Pixmania.co.uk  224.90  Laskys  238.50                  Compare prices

Samsung's new hybrid monitor/TVs are now even more attractive, with thin transparent stands.  There's a remote control, a HD tuner and, most impressively, image creation circuitry that can upscale SD signals like DVDs and games consoles.  It's something that's missing on a lot of its rivals.

Green: Samsung XL2370
22 W in normal mode--or 30% to 50% of energy saving

STORES £     Pixmania.co.uk  249.90  Conrad UK  266.95  OYYY  279.94              Compare prices

Much loved by TV manufacturers, LED backlighting is now beginning to make an appearance in monitors.  There are already several screens that use this system, but for the time being, this one is leading the way: the XL2370 reduces energy consumption without compromising on display quality.  It's fast, has great colours and excellent contrast.

Gamers: Acer GD245HQ
24'', with 120 Hz and 3D--designed for gamers but good for anybody

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The GD245HQ is faster and has more accurate colours than other 120 Hz monitors we've seen, giving it the crown of the best 3D monitor currently available. And it's the only one with a 24'' display.  But what's 3D like when you use those Nvidia glasses?  Incredible!  And 120 Hz mode?  Likewise …

Professional quality, whatever the price: LaCie 324
Retouch your photos, edit video or do graphic design ...

STORES £     Pixmania.co.uk  728.00                      Compare prices

A lot of people go straight to Dell when they need high-end 24'' monitor.  But the LaCie 324 also has a PVA panel--with more impressive electronics and custom options. What won use over was the presence of a Faroudja image correction chip.  It's something we would have expected in a TV just a few years ago (although more recent models are now even better at correction for blurriness) and the results on screen are even better than on the Samsung P2370HD