Choosing a Display for Architecture
For the most part, monitor size and resolution combine to make a selection of working space sizes and clarity and sharpness.
A Standard Choice
Two displays is the ideal workspace for efficiency. I like 4K (aka UHD) screens at 125% or 150% scaling for the clear lines and details they show. With recent price drops, you can now have 4K for about the price that used to max at WQHD (2560x1440 pixels).
Dell U2070Q
Good 4K display at a great price. Customer service and warranty are good. Accurate enough for most uses. NOTE that if you use Autodesk software older than 2019 or older versions of other software, they won’t work well with display scaling, and you would be better served by the WQHD model - the P2720DC for $383 each.
$550 x 2 = $1,100 From B&H Photo
This is also available as the U3219Q 32” version for $850 per display, $1,700 total from B&H Photo.
Good Alternative Displays for the Sweet Spot
BenQ PD2700U
Very similar panel to the Dell U2070Q. Pick this up if the Dell isn’t available or if you prefer its look.
$540 From B&H
HP Z27
Very similar panel to the Dell U2070Q. Maybe a sleeker look. Pick this up if another choice isn’t available.
$530 From B&H Photo
Eizo FlexScan EV2785
The 5-year warranty, fully guaranteed, best-built display offering similar specifications to the recommended monitors but at about double the price.
Benq SW2700PT
If you’re looking for a more color-accurate display than the other options, then this is the winner.
A Step Down from the Sweet Spot
But still a great choice if the cost of the above are simply too much to justify. These displays offer the same working space with slightly less clarity. Some even prefer the non-scaled WQHD resolution to the shaper-but-scaled 4K selected above.
BenQ PD2700Q
This is a good professional-class display at a great price.
Dell P2720D
Choose this over the BenQ if you prefer Dell’s support. This would be a good choice if you buy a Dell computer, for example, to simplify your support calls. Dell has generally great service.
When Eyesight Passes Peak
These monitors are great choices for those with middling eyesight. Two of these will provide a large and large scaled display, showing large buttons and blowing up text without accessibility features. You could achieve the same style of display with the others suggested monitors but these are by far the least expensive way to get easily visible drawings and text.
LG 32QK500
A good and inexpensive option.
BenQ PD3200Q
A more design-focused option that will suffer from some color shifting.
More Working Space than the Sweet Spot
Big enough that one might suffice if you need a compact but comfortable working space.
BenQ PD3200U
32” 4K display. Get one for a compact but expansive set up or two for acres of drawing space.
Dell U3219Q
A touch brighter, with a bit fuller color gamut than the other choices. Top notch, more expensive.
HP Z32
Similar to the BenQ. Choose this for aesthetics or HP’s support.
When Desk Space is Constrained
Consider a pair of 24” 4K monitors from Dell (there’s really only the one option). Or, consider moving up to a 31.5” 4K screen, which can be used with lower scaling for extra drawing space on a single display. The HP Z32 and BenQ PD3200U fit the bill nicely.
Dell P2415Q
When space is at a premium, consider 2x 24” 4K displays.
$410 x 2 = $820 From B&H Photo
LG 34BK95U-W
A 5k ultrawide can be a great single monitor solution. Use this at 125% scaling for crisp linework and an expansive workspace. This is the highest resolution ultrawide, offering about 2/3 of the space as 2x 27” 4k displays.
$1,150 from B&H Photo
BenQ PD3420Q
BenQ offers an ultrawide with a little less resolution (use this at 100% scaling, so no extra crisp linework). A great value option.
Value Alternative Displays
I would still always suggest getting two displays, so if the price of the above is simply too much I would choose two of these over one of the above any day.
Dell U2415
The baseline 24” 1080p monitor. The picture quality will be more uniform and better than other value options, but the resolution is also the lowest.
BenQ GL-2480
There are a few other monitors in this class, offering mediocre 1080p picture at 24” sizes for around $100. Asus, HP, Viewsonic, and Acer all make displays in this range. Some will offer a bit better features or specs of build than others, but you’d be better served by moving up to some of the options on this list.
Asus ProArt PA278QV
Give up some resolution in exchange for a good display at a lower price.
Philips 276E8VJS
Lowest priced 27” 4K monitor. Image quality will suffer more than with the other value options, but you still get 4K clarity.
Acer CB271HU
The cheapest acceptable option, still offering enough resolution and brightness to work in most offices and workflows.
Expensive Display Upgrades
The best displays available. These feature more color gamut so you’ll see results closer to print and higher accuracy so you can be sure your color choices will work better on more devices. For architecture, these are definitely luxury purchases.
ConceptD CP7271K
More brightness, higher refresh rate for crisp motion, full Adobe RGB coverage, there’s really nothing else as good out there.
BenQ PD2720U
BenQ’s professional lineup offers full Adobe RGB color space and factory calibration. This makes a great upgrade if you’re focused on print and photography work at your firm, or if you just want to enjoy better colors.