| Image | Brand | Model | Quick Take | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top
Top | BenQ | PD2700Q | Best Value | Check Price |
Top | LG | 29WN600-W | Budget Option | Check Price |
Top | Samsung | LU28E570DS | Best Display Quality | Check Price |
Top | BenQ | PD3200U | Made for CAD | Check Price |
Top | Samsung | LS43AM702UNXZA | Big & Beautiful | Check Price |
You may have heard of monitors for gaming or monitors for photography, but did you know there are monitors specifically built for engineers?
These are professional monitors that cost more than an average display but are loaded with features.
In this article, we will try to find for you the best monitor for engineering.
As with all types of displays, you should know that you get what pay for.
Therefore, not all monitors are the same. Some are large while others have extensive list of features.
Some will require deep pockets, while others linger around reasonable budget range. We will try to uncover them all.
The biggest question here is: what makes a monitor relevant for engineering?
Although we talk about this in depth in the FAQ section below, in short, monitors that are capable for running CAD software are considered valid for engineering and architects.
However, engineering is not just about CAD. There is all sorts of other works like report writing and engineering management. Therefore, the type of monitor suitable for you depends a lot upon your nature of work.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
List of Best Monitors For Engineering and CAD
You will notice that most of the monitors are not within the budget price range. That is quite natural given that fact CAD/ engineering work requires specialized or high end features.
- Best Overall Value – BenQ PD2700Q – 27 Inch
- Best Budget Option – LG 29WK600-W – 29 Inch
- Best Display Quality – Samsung LU28E570DS/ZA – 28 Inch
- Best Professional Grade Monitor for CAD – BenQ PD3200U – 32 Inch
- Best BIG Monitor – Samsung LS43AM702UNXZA – 43 Inch
- Best Ultrawide Monitor Samsung SJ55W – 34 Inch
Short Reviews
1. Top Pick – BenQ PD2700Q – 27 Inch – Best Monitor for Solidworks
First up we have an all rounder BenQ CAD monitor that should be within most engineers’ budget range.
This is a 27 inch monitor monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. For most this is more than enough despite there being many 4K monitors.
It gives you twice as much screen real estate as an FHD monitor.
Other than that, this monitor offers a high quality IPS panel that covers 100% of sRGB color gamut, REC 709 color space, and a precise color reproduction.
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Where this monitor truly shines for engineering, like the other BenQ models, is in the exclusive features it has.
- The Dark Room features adjusts the color for working in darker environments.
- CAD/CAM Mode contrasts the 3D color lines to make objects visible in wireframes
- DualView allows you to have two different views of the same image side by side. So you can have CAD view on one side and the simulation on the other.
You must also note that this monitor is certified by Solidworks.
Essentials: IPS, 2560 x 1440, 27″, 100% sRGB color space
Engineering: DarkRoom, DualView, CAD/CAM mode, SolidWorks certified
Connections: HDMI, DisplayPort v1.2, MiniDisplayPort, USB Hub
Speakers: 2 x 1 Watts
Ergonomic Stand
VESA: Yes
2. Runner Up – LG 29WK600-W – 29 Inch – Recommended Budget Display
We love the idea of ultrawide screen monitors for engineering related work. However, we are also aware that these monitors are quite expensive.
Although the most desired size of ultrawide screen monitors is 34 inch, you can also look at the the 2 inch models.
The 29 inch models such as this display, gives you the feeling of two 24 inch sized monitors placed side by size.
Although the screen real estate is less than the actual two average 24 inch monitors placed side by side, the immersion of the ultrawide monitor does help.
Check Price on AmazonPerhaps the best part about this monitor is that it costs almost as much as most professional grade 24 inch monitors. So why not go for this instead?
As far as the amount of pixels are concerned, this monitor offers 30% more pixels than an average FHD monitors as this display has a resolution of 2560×1080 instead of 1920×1080.
This is as 29 inch Ultra widescreen monitor. To give you an idea about the dimensions about this display, it has almost the same height as a 24 inch monitor but offers 30% more screen real estate.
Therefore, as far as the price is concerned, this is the best monitor for architects.
Besides that, not only is this monitor gorgeous to look at, it also has great image and color enhancing features like 99% sRGB coverage as well as HDR 10.
Essentials: IPS, 2560 x 1080, 29″. 99% sRGB coverage, AMD FreeSync. HDR10
Connections: 2xHDMI, DisplayPort
Speakers: 2×5 W
VESA: Yes
Response Time: 5 ms
3. Best Display Quality – Samsung LU28E570DS/ZA – 28 Inch – 4K CAD Monitor
This is yet another all rounder monitor. Although it does not have the exclusive BenQ CAD features that we talked previously above, it offers so much else.
For starters, this is a 4K CAD monitor. That essentially means that you get 4 times as much real estate as an FHD monitor.
That is a lot of pixels on the screen. As far as the productivity is concerned, nothing beats a 4K Monitor.
This could well be the best monitor for engineering because it is the most reasonably priced monitor in this list.
Check Price on AmazonAs far as the colors are concerned, this monitor offers a billion colors. Note that conventional monitors have 16.7 million colors.
Furthermore, since this monitor boasts a TN panel instead of the IPS panel, it has a response time of 1 ms. Therefore if you are a casual gamer, then this should speak to your heart.
Besides that, this monitor also has PIP and PBP feature which allows this monitor to interface with multiple sources. You can have one PC connected to one input port and another PC to the other. The monitor can display them both.
The only relative drawback of this display is that it lacks an ergonomic stand. Therefore, you cannot tilt, pivot, swivel the monitor. You cannot adjust its height either.
Essentials: TN, 3840 x 2160 , 28″, 1 B colors
Engineering: PIP/PBP, Great Colors, 4K
Connections: 2 x HDMI, DP
VESA: Yes
We will now look at large sized monitors. For many, the best monitor for engineering or CAD is the one that is large and has a comfortable viewing experience.
4. Best Monitor for CAD – BenQ CAD Monitor PD3200U – 32 Inch – Professional Grade
When you have a large resolution such as 4K, it only makes sense that you also have a large sized monitor so you can scrutinize the details on your work comfortably.
That is the story with this monitor. It has large 32 inch screen size with 4K resolution, an IPS panel covering 100% sRGB and Rec. 709 color space and the widest viewing angles possible.
Moreover, this monitor has all the other BenQ’s CAM related features such as Darkroom Mode, CAD/CAM mode and Dual View mode as we saw earlier in BenQ PD2700Q above.
However, it adds a few extra goodies. Firstly it has the KVM switch functionality which allows you to control the content of two different PCs on one screen using one set of Keyboard and Mouse.
Furthermore, this monitor adds another CAM centric feature called the Animation Mode. This should be great for those working on motion simulations.
A Hotkey Puck (a separate device) is also added so that you an easily switch between various modes.
Check Price on AmazonEssentials: IPS, 3840 x 2160, 32″, 100% sRGB coverage
Engineering: DarkRoom, CAD/CAM Mode, Dual View, Animation Mode
Ergonomic Stand
Connections: 2xHDMI v 2.0, Display Port, Mini Display Port, USB Hub, Card Reader
VESA: Yes
Speakers: 2 x 5 Watts
5. Best BIG Monitor – Samsung 43″ M7 Series – 43 Inch – Multi-Client Support
If you are hell bent on getting the largest possible best monitor for engineering there is then you may have hit the jack pot with this.
There most certainly are monitors as large as 43 inch from other brands available, but none offer the value of this.
Check Price on AmazonThis monitor has a 4K resolution with a VA panel and a capacity to produce more than a billion colors.
So like all of the monitors here, this monitor checks out perfectly in the color department.
The best part about this monitor is the it has PIP/PBP function that allows you to interface with four different devices not just two. Thus you can have 4 different screens next to each other with FHD resolution each if you wish.
Although this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, those who have used it have thoroughly enjoyed this size.
Essentials: VA, 3840 x 2160, 43″, HDR10
Engineering: PIP/PBP 4 sources
Response Time: 8 (GTG) ms
Frame Rate: 60hz
Connections: 2 x HDMI 2.0, USB Hub
Speakers: Yes
6. Best Ultrawide Monitor – Samsung SJ55W (LS34J550WQNXZA)– 34 Inch
Many find ultrawide monitors to be the holy grail for workstation PCs. The ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratio of these monitors allows them to be highly productive displays and great for multitasking.
Check Price on AmazonThis particular 34 inch display has just recently entered the market. It does not cost as much as some of the higher end monitors listed here and thus may tickle the fancy of many engineers.
Those who work with engineering project management software will find the wider screen much more functional as compared to conventional displays.
As far as the features of this monitor are concerned, this monitor offers a WQHD resolution of 3440×1440 and PBP and PIP function to facilitate multiple inputs.
Other than that, this monitor also features some gaming centric features. Furthermore, it harbors a VA panel that allows it to have contrast ratio that is three times as much as TN or IPS panels.
Essentials: VA, 3440 x 1440, 34″, AMD FreeSync
Engineering: PIP/PBP
Connections: DP, 2 x HDMI
FAQ
You must be asking what features should the best monitor for engineering comprise of.
Well, the monitors for engineering or for CAD are very similar to professional photography or graphics editing monitors. So there certainly are a specific set of features that interest engineers in their monitors.
For starters, you must know that these monitors tend to get quite expensive. They are not your average budget, office or traveling monitors. They are top of the line.
This also means that features that are deemed necessary for other scenarios like gaming may not be necessary for engineering monitors.
Let us have a look at some of the questions and features that need explanation.
Of course, all your money spent on your monitor will go to waste if you do not get the right type of computer. You need to make sure that you have the right kind of processor, motherboard as well as enough RAM and graphics card to support your engineering needs.
What Features to Look for in an Engineering Monitor?
There are plenty of things to remember when getting a monitor. Although all features are important in their own right, there are a few important ones that you should take note of for an engineering display.
Panel Type
Since engineering design deals with color precision and sharp and crisp visuals, the IPS panels are most suited.
IPS panels have the best color details as well as the widest viewing angles. It is for this reason that you will find them featured in almost all professional monitors.
With that said, IPS panels do have certain drawbacks. For starters, they are generally more expensive in the same price category.
Secondly, they suffer from the slowest response times. Response times is a gaming centric feature, therefore, as a engineer you wouldn’t have to worry too much about it.
You can also look into other panels such VA or TN as long as they are of a higher grade with a lot of colors to offer.
Colors
Monitors vastly defer in terms of the colors that they can produce. The amount of colors a monitor has and the precision of its color reproduction separates a high end monitor from a conventional monitor.
A typical professional monitor at least covers 100% of the sRGB color space. sRGB is a color space that defines the colors that you see on a digital device.
Therefore, if your engineering work will be viewed only on a monitor, then your monitor should cover this color space.
However, if your work will need to be printed. Then make sure that your monitor also covers the Adobe RGB color space.
Unfortunately, monitors that cover Adobe RGB are more expensive.
There are plenty more color spaces like REC. 709, EBU etc, however, for an engineer, sRGB and Adobe RGB are the most relevant.
Another point to keep in mind is the monitor color depth. Color depth is defined by the bit amount of the panel. An 8 bit panel can produce 16.7 million colors. A 10 bit panel can produce 1.07 billion colors.
The most that you can find is the panel with 14 bit 3D LUT which has the potential to produce 4 trillion colors.
Resolution
A higher resolution means that you get a lot more real estate to work on.
This not only makes your images sharper, but also enables you fit a lot more windows on the same screen.
A higher resolution means a larger workspace on the software that you are working on.
It should be noted that a high resolution must be accompanied with an appropriately large size. You wouldn’t want to go for a QHD resolution monitor on a mere 24 inch screen size. The benefit of that will be minimal.
Size
The minimum that we recommend that you should settle for is 27 inch with QHD resolution.
However, if you are low on budget, then you can settle for a 24 inch monitor with FHD resolution. Just make sure that it has a high color depth as well as great color fidelity.
On the other hand, if you have a decent enough budget, we recommend you either look into 32 inch monitor with 4k resolution or 34 inch ultrawide monitor with WQHD resolution.
What is the Best Aspect Ratio for CAD Monitor?
This is a fairly common question asked when purchasing a CAD monitor. The most reasonable answer to this is that it depends upon your preference.
Conventional monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9 (widescreen). This basically means 16 units in length and 9 units in height.
The other most famous aspect ratio that is quickly gaining momentum is 21:9 (Ultrawide).
The benefit of an ultrawide aspect ratio is that it gives you the feeling of multiple monitors placed side by side without any bezels in between.
If you are used to dual monitor setups, then you will enjoy ultrawide monitors for engineering and CAD work.
However, ultrawide monitors tend to be more expensive than their 16:9 same specs counterparts. Also, ultrawide monitors can only show a single application on full screen mode at a time.
Whereas, if you have a dual monitor setup of 16:9 monitors you can have multiple applications in full screen mode on each monitor.
Another issue with Ultrawide monitors is that you have to shift your gaze from one corner to another. This can reduce the focus on singular work that requires attention. For this reason many professional photography monitors are 16:9. The same can apply for CAD as well.
This video motivates you in favor of Ultrawide display and to get professional monitors in general for CAD and engineering work.
What is the Best Resolution for AutoCAD?
When it comes to resolution for Autocad or for any CAD/editing software, the higher the resolution the better it is.
Higher resolution allows you to manipulate your work more precisely. Furthermore, higher resolution means more screen real estate, so you can fit more AutoCad views on it comfortably.
Therefore, the most obvious answer is that the best resolution for Autocad is 4K. However, it is not as simple as that. 4k monitors are expensive and not everyone can afford them.
Therefore, a compromise between the best resolution i.e 4K and the least possible comfortable resolution i.e FHD would be the best way to go. That resolution is 2K/QHD or 2560×1440.
Again it all depends on your budget.