Microsoft designed the Microsoft Surface lineup to help users be more productive and do their jobs easier and faster. It adopts a new 3:2 screen aspect ratio with touch and inking support to offer a robust integrated productivity machine for students, art and graphics designers, and professional users. Available as a 2-in-1 tablet, clamshell laptop, detachable clipboard, and all-in-one studio, users can choose the best for them.
Microsoft is right about a taller 3:2 display choice, as it provides more screen real estate compared to the size with a standard 16:9 aspect ratio. However, if you think it’s insufficient, you might need a monitor or two monitors to improve your multitasking. Here are reviews for the best monitors for your Surface PC. It will help you to make the right buying decision.
What to Look For When Choosing Monitors for Microsoft Surface?
There are so many types of monitors available on the market. However, there are a few factors that you need to consider when buying monitors for Microsoft Surface.
How Many Monitors Can I Connect to My Surface PC?
Natively, all recent Microsoft Surface that came with a Surface Connect port allow you to extend your Surface’s desktop to two additional monitors (3 concurrent displays).
| Device Name | Native Resolution & Scaling | Supported Monitors |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Go 1 | 1800 x 1200 (150%) | 1 x 4K 60Hz 2 x 4K 30Hz |
| Surface Go 2 | 1920 x 1280 (150%) | 1 x 4K 60Hz 2 x 4K 30Hz |
| Surface Pro 3 | 2160 x 1440 (150%) | 1 x 4K 60Hz 2 x 1440p 60Hz 2 x 4K 30Hz |
| Surface Pro 4-6 | 2736 x 1824 (200%) | 1 x 4K 60Hz 2 x 1440p 60Hz 2 x 4K 30Hz |
| Surface Pro 7/7+ | 2736 x 1824 (200%) | 1 x 5K 60Hz 2 x 4K 60Hz |
| Surface Pro X | 2880 x 1920 (200%) | 1 x 4K 60Hz 2 x 4K 60Hz |
| Surface Laptop 1-2 | 2256 x 1504 (150%) | 1 x 4K 60Hz 2 x 1440p 60Hz 2 x 4K 30Hz |
| Surface Laptop 3 | 2256 x 1504 (150%) | 1 x 5K 60Hz 2 x 4K 60Hz |
| Surface Laptop Go | 1536 x 1024 (100%) | 1 x 4K 60Hz 2 x 1440p 60Hz 2 x 4K 30Hz |
| Surface Book 1-2 | 3000 x 2000 (200%) 3240 x 2160 (200%) (15-inch) | 1 x 4K 60Hz 2 x 1440p 60Hz 2 x 4K 30Hz |
| Surface Book 3 | 3000 x 2000 (200%) 3240 x 2160 (200%) (15-inch) | 1 x 4K 120Hz 2 x 4K 60Hz |
For more information, check Microsoft’s Surface second screen guideline.
Note You will need a compatible docking station to connect to multiple external monitors. Here are some notices if you plan to use Surface Dock with your Surface.
- Surface Dock (1st Gen) – It will connect to two external monitors via built-in two Mini DisplayPort. It will be capped at 2 x 4K@30Hz.
- Surface Dock 2 lets you connect to two external monitors via two built-in USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 2 ports. It supports 1 x 4K@120Hz and 2 x 4K@60Hz.
Should I Get a 4K Monitor for My Surface PC?
As I mentioned above, all Surface PCs support 4K display output. However, even if your Surface does support 4K? should you get a 4K monitor?
The answer depends; if you are a graphic designer or video editor, having a 4K monitor will benefit you. However, if you only need it for office tasks or web browsing, the 1080p or 1440p will be perfectly fine.
| Maximize Your Surface Productivity with Our Favorite External Monitors | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. Surface Budget Monitors | ||
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1. - Acer 21.5” Ultra Thin IPS Zero Frame Monitor (SB220Q) By acer $89.49 | |
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2. - LG Full HD IPS UltraWide Monitor (25UM58-P) By LG $228.67 | |
| 2. Surface Productive Monitors | ||
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3. - 2 x Dell UltraSharp 24” 16:10 FHD+ (U2415) By Dell $1,299.00 | |
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4. - ASUS ProArt Display 24.1” Monitor (PA248QV) By ASUS $189.00 $239.00 21% OFF | |
| 3. Surface 1440p Monitors | ||
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5. - Dell UltraSharp 25 Monitor: U2518D By Dell $436.00 $489.99 11% OFF | |
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6. - Dell UltraSharp 27-inch USB-C Monitor (2719DC) By Dell $588.00 | |
| 4. Surface 4K Monitors | ||
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7. - BenQ PD2720U 27 inch 4K UHD IPS Monitor By BenQ $1,650.00 | |
| 5. Surface Portable Monitors | ||
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8. - Lenovo ThinkVision M14 14” By Lenovo $240.99 $269.00 10% OFF | |
| 6. Surface Gaming Monitors | ||
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9. - BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P 24 Inch 144Hz Gaming Monitor By BenQ $169.95 $289.00 41% OFF | |
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10. - MSI 1500R 27” WQHD HDR 165Hz Curvature By MSI Not Available | |
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11. - Razer Raptor 27” Gaming Monitor By Razer $998.00 | |
1 Surface Budget Monitors
- Acer 21.5” Ultra Thin IPS Zero Frame Monitor (SB220Q)
Best Budget Monitor with IPS, 1080p, 75Hz, AMD FreeSync, and Frameless Design
The Acer SB220Q bi is a 21.5” monitor. Its 21.5” borderless full HD IPS display allows you to view clear images for a vibrant entertainment experience. Also, the monitor has a super-narrow bezel that allows for maximum viewing space. Featuring a quick response of 4ms, images can refresh quickly, which makes the monitor an ideal choice for gaming sessions.
Also, the display adopts the AMD Radeon FreeSync technology for a smooth gaming experience. The Acer SB220Q can display crystal clear images, thanks to the 1920 x 1080 resolution. It is slim at 0.24” and beautifully shaped, enabling it to add a modern touch to any home.
- LG Full HD IPS UltraWide Monitor (25UM58-P)
Best Budget 25” Ultrawide Monitor with IPS, 1080p, and over 99% sRGB
The best monitor for gaming or photo editing is LG Full HD IPS UltraWide Monitor. It has a screen split 2.0 feature. This feature allows you to customize the monitor’s layout for multitasking convenience. Also, it has 14 options that include four different picture-in-picture (PIP) choices to let you resize and display multiple windows at a time.
Best suited for gaming, the monitor has an RTS pre-set mode, three game modes, and two first-person-shooter modes. Also, there is a dynamic action sync feature for a smooth fluid gaming action and a black stabilizer setting that enables the monitor to reveal superior details in dark scenes. The LG UltraWide Monitor has a 1080P pixel full HD resolution for more clarity.
Source: LG
- Display Basic Info
- Screen Size: 25”
- Resolution: 2560 x 1080
- Panel Type: IPS
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Color Gamut: Over 99% sRGB
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2
- Response Time: 5ms
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Available Ports
- 2 x HDMI-in
- 1 x Headphone jack
- 1 x Power Adapter
- 1 x Kensington lock slot
- Display Features On-Screen Control Screen Split 2.0 Game Mode Advanced Gaming Features Smart Energy Saving Black Stabilizer Picture Mode
2 Surface Productive Monitors
- 2 x Dell UltraSharp 24” 16:10 FHD+ (U2415)
It is a pack of two 24” LED LCD monitors. Each monitor features an ultra-thin bezel for a better viewing experience. The monitors do not take up a lot of space, making them suitable for dual and multi-monitor setups. Designed to display clear images, these monitors have a 1920 x 1200 maximum resolution.
Furthermore, the monitors integrate an anti-glare feature to protect the eyes from hurting during use. The monitors are easy to operate, thanks to the language selection feature. Also, they can assure you of comfort during use because of the 180-degree rotation style, tiltable, and pivoting base. The monitor can connect to a range of devices using two HDMI ports, USB ports, DisplayPort out, audio line out, and a mini DisplayPort.
- ASUS ProArt Display 24.1” Monitor (PA248QV)
The ProArt is a 24.1” monitor. It can bring out the real beauty of your pictures, thanks to the 709 color gamut that allows for a rich and vivid reproduction for lifelike and clear photos. Moreover, the monitor is Calman-verified and factory calibrated for color accuracy, thus an ideal choice for professionals who require color-accurate displays.
Featuring an ASUS QuickFit Virtual Scale, this is one of the best monitors for Microsoft Surface to help you save time and work smarter. The scale allows you to align and preview the documents to let you view their actual sizes before printing. Also, the ProArt can hook up with a wide variety of devices, thanks to the audio in port, DisplayPort, D-sub, HDMI, four USB 3.0ports, and earphone jack.
3 Surface 1440p Monitors
- Dell UltraSharp 25 Monitor: U2518D
Need more screen real estate for better multitasking? Check this 25-inches monitor from Dell which features an InfinityEdge display, HDR10 support, 99% sRGB, and QHD display (2560x1440). It comes with a flexible monitor stand that lets you tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height of your monitor to a desire position.
On top of that, with an incredibly thin bezel on all sides, it's a great monitor for pairing up to 2 monitors or 4 monitors with Displayport MST support for chaining displays. It has a variety of I/O ports including 1 x HDMI, 1 x DP-in, 1 x DP-out, 1 x USB-C, and more.
- Dell UltraSharp 27-inch USB-C Monitor (2719DC)
Maximize your productivity at work using Dell 2719DC Monitor. It is BFR/PVC-free while it meets the NFPA 99 leakage current requirements to assure you of user safety. Also, the monitor features a virtually borderless design with an InfinityEdge. Thus, it can allow you to enjoy a seamless view of your content across dual monitors.
Dell (2719DC) Monitor has an easy-arrange feature on its display manager software. This feature allows you to organize multiple applications across a multi-monitor setup for multitasking convenience. The monitor features a thin panel profile and compact base to let you free valuable desk space. To guarantee user comfort while using the screen, the monitor can tilt, pivot, swivel, and adjust the height to your liking.
4 Surface 4K Monitors
- BenQ PD2720U 27 inch 4K UHD IPS Monitor
Pro-Designer Monitor with 4K, HDR, AQCOLOR, 96% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB.
The best choice for editing videos or photo editing is BenQ PD2720U. It is a 27” monitor with a 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution. The IPS monitor delivers stunning images and a wide viewing angle. It provides for a lighting fast connectivity for fast transfer of audio, data, and video. The monitor can connect to a variety of devices via an HDMI port, USB port, USB-C, and DisplayPort.
It has a Keyboard Video Mouse (KVM) switch so that it can display photos, files, and videos, from two computers on one screen. Featuring a DualView design, you can use this monitor to view files side by side. Also, there is a Hotkey Puck G2 that allows you to switch modes with preset and customizable options. The BenQ PD2720U can let you work longer without eye fatigue, thanks to the low blue light technology that filters the blue light.
5 Surface Portable Monitors
- Lenovo ThinkVision M14 14”
Best USB-C Portable Monitor
If you need a portable monitor for your Surface PC, this is one of the best models. The 14” monitor is lightweight at 570grams for portability. It comes with a protective sleeve for safety while traveling. The monitor has an adjustable foot and a -5° to 90° tilt angle. Because of this, you can customize it to your liking and for user comfort.
Designed with an FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS display, this monitor can deliver great visuals. Also, it highlights ports on both sides for user convenience, whether you are right or left-handed. The "power pass-through" design is another plus so that you can charge the monitor and laptop using a single adapter. Plus, the display connects to a laptop via USB-C to provide a perfect means of sharing content with colleagues.
6 Surface Gaming Monitors
- BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P 24 Inch 144Hz Gaming Monitor
Best Budget Gaming Monitor
The BenQ Zowie is one of the best affordable gaming monitors for your Surface devices. It has multiple connection options including Dual-link DVI-D, HDMI, microphone jack, DisplayPort, and a headphone jack. Also, the monitor adopts a Black eQualizer technology and an exclusive color vibrance technology to enhance visual clarity.
Best suited to give players an advantage on the battlefield, the gaming monitor highlights a 1ms response time to eliminate ghosting and lag. Also, it adopts a lightning-fast 144HZ refresh rate for smooth gaming performance. The flicker-free technology is another plus that reduces eye strain. And, for a personalized viewing experience, you can adjust the height of the stand, tilt, or swivel it.
- MSI 1500R 27” WQHD HDR 165Hz Curvature
Best 27-inch Curved Gaming Monitor
The BenQ Zowie is one of the best-curved gaming monitors for Surface devices. It has multiple connection options including Dual-link DVI-D, HDMI, microphone jack, DisplayPort, and a headphone jack. Also, the monitor adopts a Black eQualizer technology and an exclusive color vibrance technology to enhance visual clarity.
Best suited to give players an advantage on the battlefield, the gaming monitor highlights a 1ms response time to eliminate ghosting and lag. Also, it adopts a lightning-fast 144HZ refresh rate for smooth gaming performance. The flicker-free technology is another plus that reduces eye strain. And, for a personalized viewing experience, you can adjust the height of the stand, tilt, or swivel it.
- Razer Raptor 27” Gaming Monitor
WQHD IPS
Responding to the need for a modern gaming monitor for Surface is Razer Raptor 27" Gaming Monitor. It is best suited for gaming, thanks to the fast 144Hz refresh rate that allows for a buttery smooth viewing experience. Also, the monitor has a 2560 x 1440P resolution for incredible details and high picture clarity.
Featuring a solid aluminum base, the gaming monitor is one of the best options for a stable and durable monitor. Furthermore, the screen integrates a built-in cable management system for easy organization of the cables. The base is tiltable and height-adjustable to facilitate user comfort.
