The best Asus monitors feature undeniably excellent performance, robust design, and extensive features. The company owns a huge chunk of the manufacturing aspect as well as the sales around the globe as a testament to the success of their products. We are at the advent of their latest products such as the much awaited ROG Swift PG27UQ, PG27VQ, and the monumental, 38-inch MX38VQ for professionals which have bleeding edge features such as HDR and rapid refresh rates.
But you might have a cause for an upgrade before these next generation of offerings from one of the best companies in the display business. Of course, some of their greatest creations have started phasing out over the past couple of months to give way to newer models. If you are in this situation, these following entries we present are your current best choice.
Asus Brief History – The Road to #1
Asus derived its name from the term Pegasus which is a creature from Greek mythology that symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. The Taiwan-based company started its humble beginnings in 1989 when four computer engineers who worked for Acer proposed their take on the 486 motherboards to Intel for their new processor. Their innovation was a hit amongst techies and companies because it worked flawlessly without modification unlike Intel’s prototype, and this step leads to the birth of the business which moved on to dominate the computer motherboard market.
Asus’ success was built on the idea that every digital gadget has a motherboard inside to control its functions. By the time the 2000s hit, the company has successfully branched out into other products such as notebooks, desktops, mobile devices such as phones and tablets, and other computer peripherals. The company eventually split into three divisions with one dedicated to producing OEM parts for its competitors.In 2005, the brand decided to enter the LCD market with the TLW32001, its first LCD TV.
Shortly after, Asus decided to extend their foray in the LCD business and compete in the wide-open market of computer monitors starting with four 17” models which had different packages. The following year marked the production of the PG221, the company’s first 22-inch widescreen monitor which followed the pace set by its competitors for a new standard in computer displays.
2006 also marked the birth of the Republic of Gamers branding which focuses on the brand’s gaming line of products ranging from computer internals to peripherals. Somewhere in between, computer displays became bigger, faster and more vibrant, with the year 2010 seeing some of the early 120Hz refresh rate models which are the ancestors of today’s best gaming displays.
The Asus VG236H spearheaded this movement in the monitor market, with its 3D compatibility and 1920 x 1080 @ 120Hz capabilities. This model along with its batch mates started the fast gaming monitor race which is still ongoing in the global market today. The company has been active and crucial to the growth thanks to their excellent products which often sell like hotcakes. As of late, the Asus brand and logo are always associated with enthusiast-grade hardware which comes at a premium but rarely disappoints.
Asus experienced its first domination when they released the Asus VG278H, a 27-inch 144Hz monitor designed to push past the previous limits of the VG236H. This newest addition to the grown line of acclaimed Asus products was shortly followed by the Asus VG248HE which sealed the deal for the brand as the leading gaming monitor provider in the world.
Fast-forward to today, Asus or Asustek owns a large chunk of the computer business which includes computer parts, built PCs, and laptops. Products from their ROG line like the Asus PG278QR, our overall best monitor, have been selling like hotcakes and then contributing to the growth of the company.
The company owns 35% of the global monitor sales as 2016 closed a few months back, and experts predict that they will continue to dominate the market. They are also accountable for 40% of laptop sales worldwide, plus the company has sold it’s 500 millionth motherboard back in 2015, and they are well on the way to selling even more since their latest platform products are best sellers today.
As this year started, Asus decided to extend its lead in the monitor market once again with the announcement of its latest innovation, the 4K @ 144Hz with HDR capable Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ. Their latest onslaught of ground-breaking premium products has captured the excitement and desires of many, including us here at Monitornerds.
The Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
Experts suggest that the brand’s biggest competitors are trying to play catch-up with Asus, but their latest revelations suggest otherwise. Just like their breakthrough with the 486 prototype motherboard, the company is continuously and rigorously exploring the boundaries of technology to produce life-changing devices and to continue living up to its slogan – “In Search of Incredible.”
The Best Asus Monitors
1. Asus VC239H – Best Budget IPS Asus Monitor
The Asus VC239H is one of the most popular Asus monitors around the world thanks to its affordability and decent specifications. This product features a 23-inch IPS panel capable of excellent colors and viewing angles. The sRGB mode is your best bet for a bit of color accuracy, so your media and games become vibrant as much as possible, while Standard mode increases contrast to 1100:1.
The Asus VC239H is not a full-fledged gaming monitor, so you can’t expect blazing performances like from some of its cousins below. But feedback from budget builders suggests that this is the top choice if your funds are limited or delegated to other peripherals. If the excellent color reproduction and acceptable snappiness aren’t enough, you can also utilize the included GamePlus features similar to what you can get from the ROG Swift screens.
2. Asus PB278Q – Affordable Versatile Monitor
The Asus PB278Q is an old Asus monitor model, but its staying power in the market proves it is one of the best options which perform admirably, and yet, are easy on the pocket. At the time of this writing, you can get this 27-incher with 100% sRGB coverage for more or less $350.00 on our favorite retailers. You can also enjoy crisp images with its 2560 x 1440 resolution while games are responsive enough thanks to the average input lag.
The PB278Q is branded as a designer monitor, so it includes practical features such as QuickFit Virtual Scale and several SPLENDID modes to fit your needs. The 27-inch QHD IPS panel provides crystal clear and detailed images for your basic editing needs a visual enjoyment. Built with an extensive I/O layout together with a robust and ergonomically flexible build, you can’t go wrong with this venerable model which also comes in other flavors such as a 32-inch variant (PB328Q) and 4K UHD (PB279).
3. Asus PG258Q – Best Competitive Gaming E-Sports Monitor
The Asus ROG Swift PG258Q is the best in the business if the subject pertains to competitive gaming thanks to its 240Hz refresh rate and ultra-low input lag which sits below 4ms. These speeds provide the best responsiveness and image smoothening which improves user experience in fast-paced scenarios on games such as shooters and racing simulators.
The Asus ROG Swift PG258Q is armed to the teeth with gamer-centric features such as G-Sync which works with your Nvidia GPU to prevent stutters ensuring images are as smooth despite varying frames against the 240Hz refresh rate. This sophisticated gaming monitor comes with the 2nd generation of the ROG treatment with its distinct helix stand, graphite finish with orange accents, and a durable, yet flexible mechanism which makes your gaming rig as future proof as ever.
4. Asus ROG Swift PG278QR – Overall Best Gaming Monitor 2017
The Asus ROG Swift PG278QR is our reigning overall best gaming monitor thanks to its 1440p resolution, blazing fast responsiveness, 165Hz refresh rate and G-Sync technology. Thanks to Nvidia’s technology, playing games on max settings against the higher resolution makes everything buttery smooth so you can enjoy visuals on the next level without sacrificing competitive edge.
Even though this model still has a TN panel, the Asus ROG Swift PG278QR utilizes on of the best modules from AU Optronics which can display colors which users describe as nearly identical to the capabilities of IPS. This model is well-equipped with extra features such as GamePlus modes and a wide array of options built into a timeless designed exterior with class-leading durability and flexibility you can expect from the best brand in gaming monitors.
5. Asus Designo MX34VQ – Premium Ultrawide Monitor for Gamers and Professionals
The Asus Designo MX34VQ is a versatile ultrawide Asus monitor which has professionals on the go covered without leaving gamers behind. This curved display utilizes a 34-inch VA panel with a 100Hz refresh rate which allows for extended frame speeds which can help solve blurring in games and movies. To help with the massive GPU requirements, Asus included AMD FreeSync support which will help with tearing and stuttering if paired with a suitable Radeon card.
The higher contrast ratio helps in providing excellent images and 100% sRGB coverage for correctly saturated and extra vibrant colors. The Asus Designo MX34VQ is designed to impress with its beautifully crafted exterior which features metallic accents. But what sets this model apart is the built-in Qi wireless charger found on the base for cable-free battery top-ups for your compatible phone. The 1800r adds hints of immersion and sophistication which bridges the gap between gamers and professionals, making it one of the best ultrawides in the market today.
6. Asus PG348Q – Best G-Sync Ultrawide Monitor
If the Designo concept does not appeal to you and you want G-Sync instead of FreeSync, the Asus ROG Swift PG348Q is the proper gaming monitor to complete your high-end rig. This model features a 34-inch curved IPS model equipped with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, 100Hz refresh rate which coincides with Nvidia’s VRR tech to provide awe-inspiring visuals and immersion into your chosen genre of games.
The Asus ROG Swift PG348Q is also one of the most responsive ultrawides in the market, so your hardcore sessions’ connective feel is never left out of place. The aggressive, 3800r curvature accentuates these facts and hugs the user, so the edges of the wider screen are closer, eliminating the need to turn your head to view the peripheral zone. The PG348Q is designed to crown your dream machine with its beautiful 2nd generation ROG exterior which features the helix stand, LED projector and graphite finish which goes with the excellent ergonomics and build quality.
7. Asus ProArt PA329Q – Best Designer Monitor
The Asus ProArt PA329Q is high-class Asus monitor fit for the meticulous graphics professional. Thanks to its Quantum Dot backlit IPS panel with a 10-bit interface and 14-bit LUT, users can utilize a screen with 100% coverage of the sRGB, Adobe RGB, and NTSC gamuts, so your color-critical work’s quality and accuracy are guaranteed. The 4K resolution helps to render images with stunning detail and crispness plus; it provides an extended canvas for your digital art.
Asus created the ProArt PA329Q to fit a broad range of tastes and needs, so it isn’t surprising that the device comes with a flexible calibration suite in the OSD and an ergonomic design decorated with graphite black and gold accents. However, if you are an out of the box type of person, this model also comes calibrated from the factory, complete with a guide that lists the various settings which can help you reach the promised visual performance.
Thoughts
In our opinion, Asus achieved its #1 status because it perfected a formula for excellent computer products such as some of the best Asus monitors included above. The company’s unique offerings have fantastic designs and featuresets, but the most important aspect of them all is they all work flawlessly for their intended purposes. During our reviewing experiences with these products, we discovered that they are not perfect, but they are class-leading devices which are worth your hard-earned money.
The great thing about this company is that their excellence and expertise spreads all throughout their portfolio. Even their budget motherboards, sound cards, and mobile devices have some of the best technologies the modern world can offer, thanks to the brand’s solid foundation built on experience and innovation. But we can’t say that Asus is exclusively dominating every peripheral scene since its main competitors are hot on its tail and hungry for a larger piece of the pie. But if you think about it, that’s a good thing because, in healthy competition, the consumers will always win.
neptuniafan says
That is a great history lesson on Asus, to be honest, I overlook Asus a lot. Probably because where I live Asus is not that popular. Maybe next time you can make a top 10 best monitor brand.
Paolo Reva says
Hey, Neptuniafan! Asus is an excellent brand both in the budget and premium segment of monitors. Their components are also excellent overall, with extended durability and nifty extra features. It’s difficult to determine who will be in a top 5 or top 10 list this year since all the companies are pumping out excellent products, maybe when the dust settles in January next year, we can see who is leading and trailing.