Check out our top picks for USB-C equipped PC monitors

USB-C is becoming more and more popular in newer PCs; it's backed up by super-fast data transfer in the form of USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt 3. Through the one single cable and connector, you can power an external display, hook up to USB peripherals, and even charge your laptop. If you're looking to use a USB-C display with your laptop or desktop PC, then get yourself something like the LG 27UD68.

Best Overall - LG 27UD68

About the very best USB-C monitor you can buy right now, LG has put together a stunning package with a 27-inch 4K panel. Via one cable, you can power a laptop, send video, and use the monitor as a USB hub, with the ability to interface with peripherals plugged into the two built-in USB 3.0 ports.

You also have 14 options for layout, so you can view multiple windows simultaneously, so while you've got a laptop plugged in via USB-C, you can also attach an HDMI device like a desktop PC or even an Xbox One.

The best part is its ability to power a laptop while acting as a display. If you regularly plug a laptop into a monitor, this is the one to do it with.

Pros

• Great looking display
• USB-C power to charge laptop
• 4K display
• Multi-window tool

Cons

• Quite expensive

Best Overall

LG 27UD68

$379 at Walmart $449 at Amazon

All the monitors you ever need.

This is awesome for laptops, thanks to its ability to charge it over USB-C while also giving you a big, gorgeous screen.

Best for Gaming - HP Envy 27

HP makes some of the finest looking PC hardware around right now, and the Envy 27 is no exception. Its elegant style will make any setup stand out.

With 178-degree viewing angles and minimal bezels, the Envy 27 is perfect for multi-monitor setups. The panel is 4K resolution and also has support for AMD FreeSync when connected to compatible PCs, which means you can game on it and have silky, tear-free images.

It also has the all-important USB-C connection for video connection from a laptop and is capable of delivering enough power to keep it charged while connected.

Pros

• Great looking display
• USB-C power to charge laptop
• 4K resolution
• AMD Freesync for gaming

Cons

• Expensive

Best for Gaming

HP Envy 27

Game away with one or more of these

A sizeable 4K display with AMD Freesync for silky smooth, tear-free gaming.

$474 at Amazon $430 at Walmart $490 at HP

Best Portable - ASUS ZenScreen GO

The ASUS ZenScreen GO is a portable 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display that you can hook up to your laptop over a single USB-C cable. It also has a built-in battery for four hours of use where it won't drain your laptop's power. That on its own makes this worth packing along with your notebook.

You get a full HD 15.6-inch display to use alongside your laptop or Android smartphone, and thanks to the USB-A adapter included, older laptops can also come to play, but it's that USB-C port that makes the magic happen. One single cable is all you need, and the chances are it's the same one you also charge your laptop or phone with.

And the last neat trick to know about is the hole on the bottom right. You can pop even just a pen in there as a handy stand if you don't have the case.

Pros:

• Light and portable.
• Can use Type-C or Type-A ports.
• Doesn't drain laptop battery.
• Works with Android smartphones, too.

Cons:

• Origami cover is just OK.
• No touch support.
• Build quality is questionable in places.

Best Portable

ASUS ZenScreen GO

A second screen you can pack in a laptop bag

$289 at Amazon $296 at Newegg

USB-C enabled, an internal battery, and a great looking display makes up this nifty portable monitor.

Best Ultrawide - LG 34UM69G-B

Ultrawide monitors are more popular than ever, and this affordable 34-inch one from LG has USB-C with power delivery for a laptop alongside a huge 21:9 panel.

The resolution is limited to full HD, but as it's wide, not tall, it still looks great and helps keep the cost down. Getting a good Ultrawide with both USB-C and an attractive price is nothing to be sniffed at.

With a 75Hz refresh rate, FreeSync and 1ms response time, it's also good if you like to game. There are limitations like only supporting HDMI 1.4 and not 2.0, and there aren't a heap of display inputs, but for the price, there's little to be genuinely disappointed with.

Pros:

• Huge Ultrawide display
• AMD Freesync
• Height adjustable
• 1ms response time

Cons:

• Only HDMI 1.4
• Limited display inputs

Best Ultrawide

LG 34UM69G-B

Work wider and smarter

An affordable, high-quality monitor with a vast Ultrawide display, USB-C, and gamer-friendly features makes this a real catch.

$380 at Best Buy $396 at Newegg

Best HDR - BenQ EW3270U

For those chasing the ultimate image quality for multimedia or professional work, this 4K HDR 32-inch display from BenQ is just the ticket. It's big, beautiful, and color accurate, which makes it an excellent choice for photo and video editing in particular.

It also has USB-C, HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 among its box of tricks, as well as a striking design. This is a monitor that will look fantastic in any home or office scenario.

BenQ also built in a low blue light mode to help keep your eyes feeling fresh during those longer sessions.

Pros:

• Large 4K display
• HDR
• HDMI 2.0
• 95% DCI-P3 color gamut

Cons:

• High response time
• Awkward controls

Best HDR

BenQ EW3270U

Big, bright and beautiful

This big HDR monitor not only packs USB-C but the latest HDMI 2.0 and a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut support for accuracy.

$450 at Amazon $450 at Newegg

Why you should consider USB-C at all

The big question is, why should you bother with a USB-C monitor at all? The answer may not be obvious right now, but as time passes, we get closer and closer to the standard being ubiquitous. USB-C is more than just a connector; it's a connector on top of several different purposes.

The obvious one is Thunderbolt 3, which not only handles superfast data but also video output at high resolution and refresh rate. And it utilizes the USB-C connector, and if you're buying a new, higher-end Intel-based laptop, nowadays you're almost guaranteed to have Thunderbolt 3.

But USB-C without Thunderbolt 3 is still capable of handling video output, data transfer, and even charging. There are already monitors mentioned here that can charge a USB-C laptop while it's in use down the same cable as sends the video output. It's neat, effective, and it is the future.

Bottom line

It's hard not to be impressed by the 4K LG 27UD68 which looks excellent and is a perfect companion if your laptop is your main PC. One of the big draws is that it can keep it charged up while pushing a video output to the monitor, all down one cable: no-fuss, no clutter, and a much less cable-infested workspace.

The display is high quality, the monitor design is pretty sleek, and while it's a little pricey, it's worth every penny. It's especially useful if you want to use more than one device with it since the innovative multi-window feature can put both your laptop and another device like a console on screen at the same time.

USB-C has been around for a few years now, but gradually it is being accepted as the new standard. As more and more laptops and desktop PCs embrace it, having a monitor with the feature will become extremely convenient.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Richard Devine Richard Devine is an Editor at Windows Central. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you'll find him covering all manner of PC hardware and gaming.

Rich Edmonds is a staff reviewer at Windows Central, which means he tests out more software and hardware than he cares to remember. Joining Mobile Nations in 2010, you can usually find him inside a PC case tinkering around when not at a screen fighting with Grammarly to use British words. Hit him up on Twitter: @RichEdmonds.