In a world full of iPads and iPhones, it might be strange that the touchscreen monitor isn’t more common for computers. I can’t be the only one who has been momentarily puzzled by the failure of my laptop screen to respond to a quick swipe.
There are plenty of laptops with a touchscreen. But for a desktop computer, the choice is much more limited. And in many ways, it makes sense. A mouse is a pretty efficient way of navigating your screen. And if you’re sitting properly, your screen won’t be a comfortable distance for touch control.
The touchscreen monitor is, therefore, something of a niche product. But we’ve put together a short list of recommendations for you.
What Is the Best Touchscreen Monitor?
The best touchscreen monitor for you will depend on your needs. The questions you’ll need to consider are what you will use it for. Among other things, think about how important other features like resolution and brightness are and how portable you want it to be.
Before we look at the touchscreen monitors we’ve chosen, here is a summary of our recommendations.
- Versatile connection and mounting
- Bright IPS display
- Full HD resolution
- 10-point capacitive touch
- Large 27-inch screen size
- Built-in webcam and microphone
- VESA mounting bracket
- Multiple connection possibilities
- Water- and dust-resistant
- Versatile stand for multiple viewing angles
- Wide selection of connection ports
- Built-in USB hub
- Very lightweight
- Versatile integral stand and magnetic cover
- USB-C connectivity
- Comes with passive touch pen
- Sharp IPS display
- VESA bracket for additional mounting options
- 75 Hz refresh rate for enhanced gaming and video
- Stylish frameless look
- USB-C for advanced connectivity
- Very lightweight
- Built-in stand
- Control wheel for programable functions
Choosing the Best Touchscreen Monitor
Let’s look at each of those touchscreen monitors in a little more detail. We’ll start with the ViewSonic TD2230.
1. ViewSonic TD2230 22 Inch 1080p 10-Point Multi-Touchscreen IPS Monitor
| Brand |
Brand
ViewSonic
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
22 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
Full HD
|
| Screen Resolution |
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
|
| Weight |
Weight
7.94 lbs (3.6 kgs)
|
| Connections |
Connections
USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Self-standing or VESA mount, 60 Hz refresh rate, IPS display
|
| Best For |
Best For
Frequent travelers wanting an easy-to-set-up monitor
|
The ViewSonic TD2230 22 Inch 1080p 10-Point Multi-Touchscreen IPS Monitor is a neat solution to the lack of screen space often experienced by travelers. But it’s more than just a traveling extra screen. True, the fold-out stand at the back means you can quickly set it up in the airport lounge or hotel room. But it also comes with standard VESA mounting. So you can use it on a stand in a more permanent setting.
The screen itself is a high-quality IPS panel, giving sharp image quality. You are also provided with good connectivity options, including the old-school VGA to USB, DisplayPort, and HDMI. All the ports are down one side of the screen, so connecting them is easy.
As for touchscreen capabilities, the ViewSonic is well-specced. It has 10-point capacitive touch. This means that you can type on a virtual keyboard on it. And it responds to multitouch gestures on MacOS. There are definitely tasks where I could use this monitor sitting between my main screen and the keyboard. And it’s easy to pack for travel.
We think the ViewSonic TD2230 22 Inch 1080p 10-Point Multi-Touchscreen IPS Monitor is a great balance between features, flexibility, and price. And that’s why it’s our top pick!
2. Planar Helium PCT2785 27-inch Widescreen Multi-Touch Monitor
| Brand |
Brand
Planar
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
27 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
Full HD
|
| Screen Resolution |
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
|
| Weight |
Weight
19.5 lbs (8.8 kgs)
|
| Connections |
Connections
HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Blue light reduction settings, USB hub, multipoint touch, camera and microphone
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a desktop touchscreen monitor
|
The Planar Helium PCT2785 is a different beast. It doesn’t really live up to the “Helium” name, as it weighs a hefty 19.5 lbs (8.8 kg). So it’s not really a screen that you’ll carry about in your luggage. But that’s not the point. It’s a nice big 27-inch monitor with touchscreen capabilities.
The integrated stand means you can tilt it back for easy reach of your keyboard. But it has VESA mounting points as well. And with its built-in microphone and webcam, it would be a great choice to add to a Mac Mini or HP Pro Mini 400 setup.
While the screen is big, it is right on the limit of how far the Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080p will stretch. Thankfully, it is a backlit IPS panel, so the quality is good. Side by side with a 22-inch screen, you might notice the difference.
A 27-inch touchscreen monitor is quite unusual. So if size is important, the Planar Helium PCT2785 is a good choice. With its built-in hub and connectivity options, it is a comprehensive solution for your main monitor.
3. PHILIPS 242B9T 24-inch Touchscreen Monitor
| Brand |
Brand
Philips
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
24 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
Full HD
|
| Screen Resolution |
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
|
| Weight |
Weight
23.3 lbs (10.6 kgs)
|
| Connections |
Connections
USB, DVI-D, DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Flexible stand with 180-degree rotation, USB hub, water- and dust-resistant
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a touchscreen monitor for point-of-sale uses
|
The PHILIPS 242B9T 24-inch Touchscreen Monitor presents itself as an ideal solution for a touchscreen monitor for point-of-sale terminals. It folds almost flat on its integrated Z stand. And you can rotate the screen to a portrait orientation if you wish.
It’s designed to be used with the supplied stand. But that stand is connected to a VESA plate, so it’s perfectly possible to use a different means of support.
The 10-point multipoint interface allows for on-screen typing. And the Full HD resolution works well with the 24-inch screen. The IPS panel is sharp and bright. And there is no sense at all of this being an afterthought or second-string monitor.
The PHILIPS 242B9T 24-inch Touchscreen Monitor is water- and dust-resistant. So it would be ideal as a touchscreen terminal in a retail environment like a coffee shop. But it’s also suited to a more conventional desktop use as a computer monitor with added touchscreen capabilities.
4. ViewSonic TD1655 15.6 Inch 1080p Portable Monitor with IPS Touchscreen
| Brand |
Brand
ViewSonic
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
15.6 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
Full HD
|
| Screen Resolution |
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
|
| Weight |
Weight
2.2 lbs (1 kg)
|
| Connections |
Connections
USB-C, HDMI
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
USB-C charging, magnetic cover, built-in stand
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a lightweight but capable touchscreen monitor
|
The ViewSonic TD1655 15.6-inch 1080p Portable Monitor is a very handy piece of kit. It has a built-in stand, a magnetic cover (much like an iPad), and works with USB-C. And it takes full advantage of that connection. You can charge the display and connect it to your laptop, phone, or tablet at the same time. Or use it as a hub to charge your phone from its second USB-C port.
And because the passive pen comes with the display, it makes a great travel companion. The integrated stand offers several viewing angles. And it even lets you choose portrait orientation. Setting it up in your hotel or the airport lounge is a breeze.
The screen itself is Full HD, which is perfect for a display this size. It’s an IPS panel that delivers clear and sharp images. The 250 nits brightness means that it might not be bright enough for some uses. But its 60 Hz refresh rate means that videos will be fine, and even gaming should work well.
The ViewSonic TD1655 15.6-inch 1080p Portable Monitor offers a great combination of size, functionality, and price. It is ideally suited for travel or as a second display with your desktop. It is especially good for giving your mobile phone some extra display real estate.
5. ASUS VT229H 21.5-inch Monitor
| Brand |
Brand
Asus
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
21.5 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
Full HD
|
| Screen Resolution |
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
|
| Weight |
Weight
7 lbs (3.2 kgs)
|
| Connections |
Connections
USB, HDMI, VGA
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Built-in speakers, 10-point touch sensitivity
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a stylish desktop touchscreen monitor
|
The ASUS VT229H 21.5-inch Monitor is a bright IPS display with a 75 Hz refresh rate. Its 10-point multipoint touch sensitivity allows on-screen typing and multitouch gestures. It comes with an integrated stand, which very much makes it a desktop device. And the VESA mount options give you more flexibility. It’s not designed to be taken in your carry-on luggage, though.
The virtually frameless design on three sides gives it a sleek, modern look. And the lower edge holds hotkeys. These allow quick toggling between your favorite settings. You can easily change things like switching aspect ratio for different devices, for instance.
The IPS display is bright and sharp, and the HD resolution is well-suited to the 21.5-inch screen size. What the ASUS VT229H 21.5-inch Monitor gives you is a quality workhorse with some nice extras, including touch control.
6. ASUS ProArt Display PA148CTV 14-inch 1080P Portable Touchscreen Monitor
| Brand |
Brand
Asus
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
14 inches
|
| Maximum Resolution |
Maximum Resolution
Full HD
|
| Screen Resolution |
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
|
| Weight |
Weight
1.63 lbs (0.7 kg)
|
| Connections |
Connections
USB-C, HDMI
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Built-in stand, dual USB-C ports
|
| Best For |
Best For
Creatives who need a portable, high-quality touchscreen monitor
|
The ASUS ProArt Display PA148CTV is well worth a look if you want a quality, portable touchscreen monitor. It’s compact and has a crisp Full HD IPS display. The integral stand allows you to use it in landscape or portrait orientation. And the dual USB ports provide simple connectivity. And if you’re using an older laptop or computer, you have two options. There’s HDMI or an included USB-C to USB adapter. And there’s a sleeve to carry it in that keeps your screen safe.
There is more to this product than portability, though. It is squarely aimed at creative professionals on the move. There is a physical control wheel that can be assigned to actions in software like Adobe Lightroom. And the Full HD resolution looks great on the 14-inch screen. Photographers will appreciate the 100% sRGB color gamut coverage as well.
Only the price of the ASUS ProArt Display PA148CTV gives pause. But there’s no doubt that for a frequent-flyer creative professional, this could well be worth the investment. It makes out-of-office editing much easier.
Buyer’s Guide—The Best Touchscreen Monitor
Choosing a monitor for your computer can be confusing enough at the best of times. And adding in touchscreen capabilities might add to the confusion. But they’re not extremely popular, so it’s easier to choose from a smaller list. Here are some things to think about.
How Important Is Screen Resolution?
A screen with 1920 x 1080 pixels is Full HD. (Full HD and 1080p mean the same thing and are used interchangeably.) All of the monitors in this test are Full HD/1080p. How good the pixels look can depend on how big the screen is. A 14-inch screen has the same number of pixels as a 27-inch HD screen. This means the smaller screen will look sharper because the pixels are closer together.
In the world of 4K, 5K, and even 6K monitors, this 1080p resolution might seem like it’s lagging behind. But few people will want a touchscreen monitor as their main display. And if you need a 4K resolution monitor, you’ll probably look elsewhere.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Touchscreen Monitor?
There are two things that might put you off a touchscreen monitor. First of all, it’s unlikely that your arms are long enough to use a touchscreen that is the correct distance from your eyes. A rule of thumb is that your monitor should be at arm’s length. You see the problem…
The second problem is that fingers are greasy. And that grease transfers easily to your screen. We seem to tolerate it on our phones and tablets. But having to clean your computer monitor and leave it streak-free seems like a chore. But you’ll have to do it if you have a touchscreen.
What Are the Advantages of a Touchscreen Monitor?
Some of the monitors in this review take full advantage of the touchscreen possibilities. Especially those that are designed to work with smartphones. They act as a large version of the phone’s screen. This allows the scrolling and pinching actions we are so used to.
So for someone on the move, you can work on your portable touchscreen monitor even when you’re crammed on the plane. And all you need is to connect it to your phone. That is a real bonus.
Lots of my daily tasks would be easier if I had a touchscreen monitor positioned between my keyboard and iMac. If you have an up-to-date iPad, you can achieve the same thing with Sidecar. But some of these monitors offer a cheaper solution to that.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Touchscreen Monitor
It’s unlikely that a touchscreen monitor will replace your existing monitor. Or that it will become your only monitor. But there are some situations where they are invaluable. Typically as an external display while traveling or as an input device for retail POS systems. In both these cases, they can be extremely useful.
