Less frame, more screen: The best zero-bezel monitors

Say goodbye to distracting bezels

The best zero-bezel monitors

by Kyle Purves |
Published on

Screen quality is paramount when discussing the best monitors, but the surrounding frame and bezels are also very important. If you don't want your screen to look too boxed in or are looking for dual monitor setup ideas, you'll want to invest in a zero-bezel monitor.

A bezel is a part of a screen that rests between the display and the outer frame. Sometimes, these store certain internal components; other times, they just serve to protect the monitor from being damaged. Thicker bezels aren't the most aesthetically pleasing for many, and some find them quite distracting. It can feel like a waste to have a 4K display only to have it hampered by a large frame and bezels. If you don't mind a little less durability, thin bezel monitors are the way to go.

You won't find many true zero-bezel monitors, and any brand that claims to be without them is mostly saying that as a marketing gimmick. Just about every screen you come across will have bezels, but you can still find plenty of quality monitors with thin (or next to zero) bezels.

The best zero-bezel monitors at a glance:

Best overall zero-bezel monitor: Dell S2421NX Full HD Monitor - View on Amazon

Best ultraslim zero-bezel monitor: HP M27f Ultraslim Monitor - View on Amazon

Best budget zero-bezel monitor: KOORUI VESA Mountable FHD Monitor - View on Amazon

Best curved zero-bezel monitor: Dell S3422DWG Curved Monitor - View on Amazon

Best refresh rate zero-bezel monitor: KOORUI 165Hz Ultra-Thin Computer Monitor - View on Amazon

Best zero-bezel office monitor: Dell P2422H FHD Monitor - View on Amazon

Best low blue light zero-bezel monitor: PHILIPS 241V8LA FHD Monitor - View on Amazon

Best eco-friendly zero-bezel monitor: ACER Vero Full HD LED Monitor - View on Currys

Best zero-bezel monitor for video editors: BenQ PD3205U 4K Monitor - View on Amazon

Best zero-bezel creative monitor: ASUS ProArt PA328QV Professional Monitor - View on Amazon

Bezels aren't the only important factor that goes into a good monitor, so it's worth knowing a few key specs to look out for. The refresh rate is how many times your screen updates per second, with the response time referring to how quickly a pixel can update its colour. Combined with the resolution, which is the number of pixels on the screen, these specs are the most important for ensuring you get a detailed display.

With so many different brands and options, you might find choosing the right zero-bezel monitor to be quite challenging. Luckily we're here to help. We've gathered a list of our favourite zero-bezel monitors and examined their strengths, weaknesses, and ever-important specs.

The best zero-bezel monitors:

All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.

Best overall zero-bezel monitor

For the best all-rounder, you'll want the Dell S2421NX Full HD Monitor. The overall screen quality is excellent, supported by its 75Hz refresh rate and 4ms response time. Factor in the AMD FreeSync, and you have a display that's almost immune to screen tearing. It's also flicker-free, making it fairly kind on the eyes too.

The ports are the only thing holding this back from greatness, and even then it's not all bad. While we would have liked to see more variety, the fact that there are two HDMI ports means this monitor has no trouble incorporating itself into a multi-screen setup.

Pros

  • Brilliant screen quality
  • Minimal screen tearing
  • Flicker-free

Cons

  • Limited port selection

Best ultraslim zero-bezel monitor

To get the most out of the sleek and aesthetically appealing design that comes with a zero-bezel design, you should consider the HP M27f Ultraslim Monitor. As the name suggests, this is a very thin monitor, and the nearly non-existent bezels are proof of that. The larger-than-average size might make it tricky to fit on a smaller desk, but the cable management section helps to keep things tidy once you do.

It's no slouch when it comes to specs either. A refresh rate and response time of 75Hz and 5ms, respectively, are great, and a brightness of 300 nits provides the screen with enough vibrancy to be suited for darker rooms.

Pros

  • Sleek and modern design
  • Very thin bezels
  • Cable management section

Cons

  • Size may be unideal for smaller desks

Best budget zero-bezel monitor

You don't need to spend a large amount to get a quality zero-bezel design, and the KOORUI VESA Mountable FHD Monitor is proof of that. It's a budget-friendly yet surprisingly versatile monitor with a good range of adjustable tilt. It makes for a great wall-mounted monitor, which also helps to alleviate its main issue: a so-so base stand.

Despite its affordable nature, this monitor has specs competitive with its peers on this list. A refresh rate of 75Hz, 5ms response time, and 16.7 million colour support are a great baseline for any monitor, but especially so at this price.

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Suitable for wall mounting
  • Good tilt adjustment

Cons

  • Base stand is so-so

Best curved zero-bezel monitor

This Dell S3422DWG Monitor shows that thin bezels aren't just for standard screens; curved displays can reap the benefits too. The 34-inch curved display is a treat on the eyes, making for comfortable and immersive viewing. It isn't just for appearances though, as the Dell S3422DWG features some very impressive specs. A response time of 1ms is outstanding, pairing very well with the 144Hz refresh rate and 400 nits of brightness.

Of course, the main weakness of this monitor is also its most obvious. At 34 inches, this is on the upper end of monitor sizes, so you'll definitely need a large and spacious desk to accommodate it.

Pros

  • Incredible response time
  • Excellent curved display
  • Great brightness

Cons

  • As an ultrawide monitor, it requires a lot of desk space

Best refresh rate zero-bezel monitor

In terms of refresh rate, the KOORUI Ultra-Thin Computer Monitor is the clear winner. At 165Hz, every moment with this screen looks excellent. The smooth motions make this a great pick for gaming, or even just for watching action movies and shows. Still, a good refresh rate requires a dependable response time, and thankfully the 1ms featured on the KOORUI is up to the task.

Unfortunately, while the screen looks excellent in motion, it is let down when in less ideal lighting situations. A brightness of 250 nits isn't a dealbreaker, but it does drag down the otherwise excellent visual specs.

Pros

  • Superb refresh rate
  • Well suited for gaming and action movies
  • Response time pairs well with the refresh rate

Cons

  • Not the best brightness

Best zero-bezel office monitor

For those looking for a zero-bezel monitor well suited for office work, the Dell P2422H FHD Monitor has you covered. It sports a great set of USB ports, so you'll have no trouble connecting all your important devices to it. The thin bezels on this display actually make it a great option for those wanting to go for a multi-screen display, and the range of tilt and swivel on this monitor makes that even easier.

The specs aren't the most amazing array you can find. While 5ms response time is solid, and we've previously said that 250 nits brightness isn't a dealbreaker, a refresh rate of 60Hz is a bit disappointing.

Pros

  • Handy set of USB ports
  • Easy to adjust the tilt and swivel
  • Bezels make this great for a dual-monitor setup

Cons

  • Refresh rate is fine but outclassed by other options

Best low blue light zero-bezel monitor

Long sessions of using a monitor can strain your eyes, so the PHILIPS 241V8LA FHD Monitor has a feature to make it more comfortable to use. The LowBlue Mode reduces the blue light emitted, which, on top of being a great comfort addition, also pairs well with the impressive contrast. Aside from the so-so speakers, every part of this monitor leaves you surprised by its budget-friendly price tag.

Colour support of 16.7 million and a 75Hz refresh rate are present, competing comfortably with the other entries on the list. It actually manages to pull into the better range of response times, and while it doesn't quite hit 1ms, 4ms is still a great factor to have.

Pros

  • LowBlue Mode is kind on the eyes for long sessions
  • Great contrast
  • Budget-friendly yet very reliable

Cons

  • Lacklustre speakers

Best eco-friendly zero-bezel monitor

For the eco-conscious shopper, you might think you have to forgo zero-bezel designs, but luckily, the ACER Vero is here. It has an energy efficiency class of E, which is actually quite decent for a monitor of its size, but the main green feature is the frame. Part of the monitor's plastic has been constructed from recycled material, so you can rest knowing the build is also eco-friendly. It's a solid build overall, with only a stubby stand letting it down.

This is another monitor with 16.7 million colour support and 4ms response time, but it comes in with a surprising 100Hz refresh rate. This makes it a great contender for watching videos and shows on, or even a spot of gaming.

Pros

  • Frame is partially made from recycled plastic
  • Energy efficiency of E is respectable
  • Surprisingly good refresh rate

Cons

  • Stand is fairly short

Best zero-bezel monitor for video editors

The BenQ PD3205U is the ideal monitor for any video editors out there. First off, the display is absolutely excellent. It stands out from the crowd with its 4K resolution and 1.07 billion colour support, further enhanced with a peak brightness of 350 nits. HDR10 provides it with a great sense of contrast. That all said, the 60Hz refresh strangely drags along behind the rest of the excellent specs.

The build has a nice set of ports that make it a convenient hub for your cables. Proper video editing is best done with a tidy desk space free from distractions, so this is definitely a nice bit of help.

Pros

  • Great selection of ports
  • Stunning 4K display
  • Impressive colour support

Cons

  • 60Hz refresh rate feels behind the rest of the specs

Best zero-bezel creative monitor

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As you can likely guess from its name, the ASUS ProArt PA328QV is a monitor designed with creatives in mind. It's another monitor with a handy USB hub, and although it could be placed a bit better, it still helps to keep all your devices in one place. The visuals are where it truly shines, with 1073.7 million colour support, HDR10, and the always reliable combination of 75Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time.

The real stand-out spec is the brightness. At 400 nits, this monitor has no trouble illuminating a dark room or pushing through annoying sun rays. If you don't want lighting to hold back your work on creative suite programs, go for the ASUS ProArt PA328QV.

Pros

  • Impressive colour accuracy
  • Great peak brightness
  • Handy USB hub

Cons

  • Wish the ports were a little easier to reach

FAQs

Are thick bezels always a bad thing?

Not necessarily. As we said earlier, bezels add a bit of extra protection for your screen, so if the borders don't bother you too much, having a set of decent bezels is worthwhile.

Beyond that, it's worth noting that some people actually enjoy the visual effect of wider bezels. The increased borders draw your eyes towards the screen, helping you to get drawn into whatever you're watching. Some argue that zero-bezel designs don't provide enough of a visual split from the surroundings, so you may end up distracted more easily.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, but we think the benefits of thin bezels far outweigh the cons.

What does refresh rate do for a monitor?

Refresh rate plays an important role in the performance of your monitor. It represents how many times the screen updates per second, and a higher refresh rate tends to result in a smoother sense of motion.

Ideally, a monitor should have at least 60Hz for its refresh rate, with upwards of 100 being better. If a monitor has a refresh rate of 120 or even 144Hz, then it's powerful enough for gaming use.

Do bezels matter for other screens?

For TVs and laptops, you can treat bezels mostly the same as with a monitor. Some people like a boxier frame, while others prefer the sleek leek of a zero-bezel design. The durability bonus might be worth considering if you plan to travel a lot with a laptop.

As for your smartphone, bezels have a more impactful influence. Since it will be a touchscreen, you'll be directly interacting with the screen. As such, bezels can create zones which don't respond to your touch, so the thinner the bezels, the more convenient your user experience will be.

Kyle Purvesis a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.

They’re well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They’re also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.

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