Best overall: BenQ Mobiuz EX3210UBest small: MSI Oculux NXG253R Best vertical: ASUS ROG Swift PG279QMBest premium: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 Best curved: LG UltraGear 34GL750-BBest budget: ViewSonic VX3276-4K-MHD
How we selected the best monitors for CAD
As a freelance journalist for over 10 years, I’ve reviewed home and tech products for many publications including Popular Science, CNN Underscored, NBC News Select, Popular Mechanics, Architectural Digest, Tom’s Guide, The Daily Beast, USA Today’s Reviewed, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and Bob Vila. Our CAD monitor selections are based on personal testing, extensive research, recommendations from experts and fellow critics, and user impressions.
What to consider when picking one of the best monitors for CAD
It turns out that the best CAD monitors are often gaming monitors. According to Martin Murphy—endowed department head of virtual reality development at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla.—many developers who use CAD to make virtual models also use game engines. “For many clients, it is becoming more common to pre-visualize the end product or space in a game engine in order to solicit early feedback or to secure a contract,” Murphy says. “You can import CAD and BIM (building information modeling) data to create stunningly realistic 3D renders of an environment that you can interact with in real-time.” While you can take Murphy’s advice and simply pick the best gaming monitor you can afford, we found there were some more specific criteria if you want to specifically optimize for CAD use.
Size
For 3D modeling work, you should prioritize getting the largest monitor possible. “Using the largest possible monitor when designing is important when detailing complex structures,” says Peter Jalbert, scale modeling expert in Floating Offshore Wind at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center. “The more real estate you have to work with, the better for seeing as much of the subject as possible when designing the interface of multiple components of the overall structure.” Robert Hurlston, EngD—principal and chief engineer at Fidelis Engineering Associates in New Boston, Mich., which provides custom CAE solutions—concurs, noting that ultrawide monitors may be particularly useful. “I think the size—or rather width—of the display is really important and often the very wide monitors can be useful when reading or generating engineering drawings.” Hurlston and Jalbert also agreed that a dual- or even triple-monitor setup (with an appropriate desk and stand) can also help, since it would allow CAD users to look at both their model and their reference materials. “Whenever possible,” Jalbert says, “supporting dual monitors is useful to have reference material on one screen and the CAD program on another to drastically increase productivity. … I have two external, 4K monitors for my day-to-day design work to provide that real estate and support efficiency.”
Resolution and frame rate
We always recommend keeping resolution and frame rate in mind when picking in a monitor. Resolution indicates how many pixels your monitor uses to generate an image. Frame rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), tells you how many times your monitor can update what’s happening on screen, allowing for smoother animation. Like other forms of creative production, having a higher resolution pays off when using CAD software. “There’s a need for really good resolution for accurate manipulation of parts and assemblies,” Hurlston says, “and precise color rendition, particularly when utilizing high-end CAD tools that allow photorealistic rendering.” We generally recommend scaling up resolution when you buy larger monitors. Since you want to go as large as possible, it also makes sense to get a 4K display if possible. We’ll take it a step further than usual, and add that it may make sense to go for a 27-inch 4K display so you see the sharpest, most detailed version of your model. Likewise, frame rate is also essential. “When you’re moving and spinning things around, you don’t want any lag between input and visualization,” Hurlston says. We normally recommend most users go for 144Hz or higher when purchasing a gaming monitor, including when you’re using one for CAD.
Panel type
The type of screen panel used in your monitor can also impact its color accuracy. There are three core types of LCD display: In-plane switching (IPS), vertical alignment (VA), and twisted nematic (TN). Each panel type has its own benefits and drawbacks, but Murphy suggests that IPS panels, which are often preferred for color precision, are the best fit for designers.
Budget
The monitor that our experts described for using CAD—a 32-inch, 4K gaming monitor with great color accuracy—is truly top-of-the-line, which means you should expect it to cost a lot. If you’re buying this monitor for personal use, we can’t recommend breaking the bank purely to optimize for some niche software. If you have a tight budget, get the best CAD monitor that you can afford. It may not be 4K and may not be ultrawide, but you can always upgrade later.
The best monitors for CAD: Reviews & Recommendations
Based on our testing and advice from our experts, we’ve selected the best monitors for CAD for many different use-cases. While most of our options follow our experts’ guidelines, we also made sure to include a couple of recommendations for users on a budget, or who may not have room for a giant display.
Best overall: BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: Super sharp and fast, with an ergonomic design, and brightness intelligence, and other luxury features, the BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U has everything a CAD designer needs. Specs
Screen size: 32-inchResolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K)Refresh rate: 144HzResponse time: 1ms
Pros
4K resolutionAutomatic image optimizationBuilt-in speakers and noise-canceling microphoneGenerous swivel and tilt options
Cons
Expensive
The BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U is the perfect picture of what you should look for in a CAD monitor. The 32-inch IPS panel runs software in sharp, bright 4K UHD at a smooth 144Hz with a snappy 1ms response time for minimal input lag. In addition, the monitor uses brightness intelligence technology to automatically detect both screen content and environment lighting and then adjust the screen’s brightness and color temperature. This eye care feature helps to reduce eye strain and headaches. Plus, the monitor has an ergonomic design that can tilt from -5 to 15 degrees and swivel from -15 to 15 degrees. It also offers plenty of non-essential quality-of-life features, including internal speakers and a noise-canceling microphone, giving you an easy built-in audio solution. It also features FreeSync Premium Pro variable refresh rate support.
Best small: MSI Oculux NXG253R
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: As smaller monitors go, this one punches above its weight with a 360Hz refresh rate. Specs
Screen size: 25-inchResolution: 1920 x 1080 pixelsRefresh rate: 360HzResponse time: 1ms
Pros
360Hz refresh rateVertical modeTilt and swivelsVibrant colors
Con
Excessive branding on back
As a rule, we recommend large monitors for CAD use. However, if you have limited space and you’re working on a limited budget, the 25-inch MSI Oculux NXG253R delivers rich, vibrant colors and has many of the other features you’d want and need. This 25-inch rapid IPS panel offers a ridiculously quick 360Hz refresh rate—the fastest you can get right now—along with 1ms response time and Nvidia G-Sync support. It’s made for esports but would work well as a monitor for designers if a larger screen isn’t an option.
Best vertical: ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM
Why it made the cut: The lightning-fast refresh rate and other features make this stylish monitor ideal for CAD use. Specs
Screen size: 27-inchResolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels (QHD)Refresh rate: 240 HzResponse time: 1ms
Pros
240Hz refresh rateUltra-low blue light technologyCan be viewed in vertical modeSwivels Height adjustable
Cons
Not 4KCosts a pretty penny
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM is sharp and sharp-looking. The stylish 27-inch, 1440p display isn’t the largest or most pixel-dense option, but it offers incredible color accuracy—97 percent DCI-P3 wide color gamut and 150 percent sRGB color space coverage—offering bright, vibrant colors and precision in your designs. With an esports-grade 240Hz refresh rate, games and models will animate smoothly. The monitor is also designed to be easy on the eyes. It uses flicker-free technology and has four different filter settings to control blue light reduction levels. It’s also one of the very few monitors with a fully adjustable stand—allowing you to tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust its height to get the perfect viewing position. It also rotates vertically, making it great for reviewing code or simply allowing you to save even more space in a pinch.
Best premium: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: Bigger is definitely better with Samsung’s curved ultrawide Odyssey Neo G9, which can take the place of two monitors. Specs
Screen size: 49-inchResolution: 5120 x 1440 (32:9)Refresh rate: 240HzResponse time: 1ms
Pros
Extremely large, 32:9 ultrawide screenQLED panelMini-LED backlighting allows for local dimming Curved
Cons
Expensive
If you prefer the idea of using one super ultrawide monitor over two separate monitors, Samsung’s largest ultrawide gaming monitor, the Odyssey Neo G9 pulls out all the stops. The curved, 49-inch panel provides almost double the screen real estate of a 27-inch display. With a QLED panel and 2,048 local dimming zones, it offers one of the brightest displays you’ll find—2,000 NITs of bold projection. It’s also highly accurate, showing 125 percent sRGB and 95 percent DCI color coverage. It’s fast, too, topping out at 240Hz and a 1ms response time. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 is bigger than big, and has a price tag to match: It’s a spectacular display, though, if you’re willing to pay for the privilege.
Best curved: LG UltraGear 34GL750-B
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: A 34-inch curved monitor with a high resolution, fast refresh rate, and quick response time that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Specs
Screen size: 34-inchResolution: 2560 x 1080 (21:9)Refresh rate: 144HzResponse time: 1ms
Pros
Ergonomic stand with height adjustment, tilt, and swivelCan be used in vertical modeGreat price
Cons
No speakers
The LG 34GL750-B is another great curved ultrawide monitor that, at 34 inches, might feel a little more reasonable for folks who balk at the idea of clearing off their desks for a 49-inch display. The 21:9 curved IPS display still gives you plenty of real estate and the curvature provides an immersive experience that helps you focus on what you’re doing and avoid distractions. With a 144Hz refresh rate, G-Sync compatibility, and a 1ms response time, your models should animate smoothly.
Best budget: ViewSonic VX3276-4K-MHD
Why it made the cut: It may not be the most impressive, but the ViewSonic VX3276-4K-MHD is one of the most affordable 4K displays out there. Specs
Screen size: 32-inchResolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K)Refresh rate: 60HzResponse time: 3ms
Pros
InexpensiveUltra-thinAdjustable standBuilt-in speakers
Cons
60Hz refresh rateStand isn’t adjustable
The ViewSonic VX3276-4K-MHD offers the biggest bargain you’re likely to find on a 32-inch, 4K monitor. It tops off at a 60Hz refresh rate, the bare minimum these days, and has a less-than-stellar response time. Despite all that, it’s a good buy. The monitor uses flicker-free and blue light technology to help reduce eye strain and is VESA compatible. It can tilt forward 4 degrees and tilt backward 15 degrees.
Final thoughts on the best monitors for CAD
If you use CAD software, your monitor can make or break your designs. The right CAD monitor provides plenty of screen real estate, sharp resolution, high maximum refresh rate, and a low response time. All of these components are important to create professional designs with true-to-life colors, and smooth images that resist stuttering and tearing. Since CAD experts recommend using gaming monitors, there’s a wide range of options to choose from, though, with options to meet any budget.
