Your monitor is the most important peripheral device you have for your computer (the mouse and keyboard are up there pretty high too though). Without a monitor, your desktop computer is just a whirring box that might beep from time to time, so it makes sense that you’d want to invest in a good one. Here’s a look at some of the highest ranking monitors on alaTest.com.

Dell UltraSharp U3011
For the past few years, Dell has had some of the absolute best LCD panels available, and the UltraSharp U3011 is no exception. Its sturdy and ergonomic stand along with four USB ports, 7 in 1 media reader, and HDMI, component, dual-DVI, and Display Port connectors, make it very utilitarian. This combined with the industry’s highest color gamut makes the U3011 a favorite in the professional world.

NEC MultiSync PA271W
The NEC MultiSync PA271W is another favorite of the professional world. As a large, high resolution display, its performance is really quite impressive, with a decent color gamut, extremely quick response time, and notable brightness. If it weren’t for the lack of HDMI and Component inputs, it’s possible that the PA271W would be our top ranked monitor.

Asus MS Series
Asus’ MS Series is our top ranked mainstream monitor (as opposed to the $1000+ high-end monitors above). This ultraslim 1080p display not only brings a bit of style to your desk but also performs quite well. The LED backlight gives a vivid and even brightness, and the 2ms response time keeps moving images crisp. It also includes HDMI input for flexible connectivity.

HP 2310e
The 2310e is another affordable display with a lot to offer. It has an LED backlight for a uniform brightness, but also has a great contrast ratio for displaying almost true blacks. This, along with its 1080p resolution, makes it a great choice for HD content. It also features HDMI, DVI, and Display Port inputs, making it compatible with a wide range of devices.

Asus VG236H
The Asus VG236H is a favorite amongst gamers. This is partly due to its high screen brightness and desirable 1080p resolution, but its true appeal to gamers is the 120Hz refresh rate. This allows games to appear much smoother and also creates an ideal environment for stereoscopic 3D gameplay.

These are just the most popular monitors on alaTest, based on their current alaScore, but our Monitor Section contains many more very highly rated displays for you to choose from. If the top five don’t quite appeal to you, we’ve got plenty more to choose from.