Quick verdict
The CRT market in 2026 rewards patient buyers who understand what to look for. The Sony Trinitron GDM-FW900 and CPD-G520 represent the pinnacle of what consumer CRT technology achieved. The Iiyama Vision Master Pro 514 is the choice for color work. LG Flatron and ViewSonic units offer affordable entry points. Whatever your budget, a quality CRT monitor is an increasingly rare piece of display history worth preserving
Sony Trinitron GDM-FW900
The GDM-FW900 remains the benchmark against which all other PC CRTs are measured. Its 24-inch widescreen (16:10) display was unique when released and remains unique today - no other CRT model offers this form factor at this quality level. The Trinitron aperture grille tube produces stunning brightness and color reproduction that outclasses most modern budget monitors. Maximum resolution reaches 2560x1600, and refresh rates hit 160Hz at 1024x768. Collectors and enthusiasts treat well-maintained FW900 units as prized pieces of display history. Expect to pay for the privilege.
CRT monitors are back in demand for gaming, retro computing, and professional image work. Here is what to look for and which models the vintage market consistently rates highest.
Before LCD panels took over in the mid-2000s, CRT monitors were the only option – and manufacturers competed fiercely on image quality, refresh rate, and color accuracy. That competitive era produced some genuinely outstanding displays that remain technically interesting in 2026. Whether you want one for retro gaming, vintage computing restoration, or the specific visual character of analog phosphor rendering, the used market offers remarkable hardware for those who know what to look for.
How we evaluated these
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
The shortlist
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Trinitron GDM-FW900 | Premium PC and widescreen use | Check price | |
| Sony CPD-G520 | High-resolution professional work | Check price | |
| Iiyama Vision Master Pro 514 | Color accuracy and professional graphics | Check price | |
| LG Flatron F900B | Affordable large-screen CRT | Check price | |
| ViewSonic P817 | Budget entry-level CRT | Check price |
Each pick, examined
Sony Trinitron GDM-FW900
The GDM-FW900 remains the benchmark against which all other PC CRTs are measured. Its 24-inch widescreen (16:10) display was unique when released and remains unique today - no other CRT model offers this form factor at this quality level. The Trinitron aperture grille tube produces stunning brightness and color reproduction that outclasses most modern budget monitors. Maximum resolution reaches 2560x1600, and refresh rates hit 160Hz at 1024x768. Collectors and enthusiasts treat well-maintained FW900 units as prized pieces of display history. Expect to pay for the privilege.
Sony CPD-G520
The CPD-G520 is a 21-inch professional Trinitron monitor that supported resolutions up to 2048x1536 and delivered refresh rates of 85Hz at 1600x1200. Designed for graphic designers and CAD professionals, the G520 was calibrated for color accuracy out of the box and included detailed on-screen geometry controls. In 2026's used market, these units appear regularly at more accessible prices than the FW900 while still delivering the hallmark Trinitron sharpness. An excellent all-purpose CRT for anyone who wants premium image quality without collector pricing.
Iiyama Vision Master Pro 514
Iiyama's Vision Master Pro 514 was a 22-inch professional monitor aimed at graphic designers and photographers. It used a high-precision flat-face shadow mask tube with excellent color gamut and delta-E performance for its era. The monitor supported 2048x1536 at 75Hz and featured extensive color temperature and gamma adjustment controls that made it suitable for print work. In 2026, creative professionals who use vintage Macs or retro workstations specifically seek out this model for color-critical work. Units in good condition represent genuine value.
LG Flatron F900B
The LG Flatron F900B offers a more accessible entry into quality CRT ownership. This 19-inch flat-screen model features a flat tube face that reduces reflections, supports 1600x1200 at 85Hz, and achieves 120Hz at 1024x768. LG built the F900B with a solid geometry engine and decent color controls for its consumer price tier. In 2026, these units appear frequently at thrift stores and on local listings for - making them the easiest quality CRT to acquire for someone new to the format.
ViewSonic P817
The ViewSonic P817 is a 19-inch entry-level CRT that served office and home use throughout the early 2000s. It supports up to 1600x1200 and offers adequate geometry controls for basic adjustment. Color quality is acceptable for general computing and retro gaming but falls short of the professional-grade units above. The main appeal in 2026 is availability and price - these monitors show up cheaply and frequently, making them a low-risk way to try CRT ownership without committing significant money. If you enjoy it, upgrade to a better unit later.
Buying considerations
dot pitch or aperture grille pitch
(smaller = sharper, look for 0.24mm or less), **maximum refresh rate at your target resolution**, **tube type** (aperture grille for brightness and color; shadow mask for slightly softer look), **geometry controls** (pincushion, rotation, parallelogram adjustments), and **input connectors** (VGA/HD-15 for PC; BNC for professional/broadcast use). Condition matters enormously - test the display before buying whenever possible.
Final word
The CRT market in 2026 rewards patient buyers who understand what to look for. The Sony Trinitron GDM-FW900 and CPD-G520 represent the pinnacle of what consumer CRT technology achieved. The Iiyama Vision Master Pro 514 is the choice for color work. LG Flatron and ViewSonic units offer affordable entry points. Whatever your budget, a quality CRT monitor is an increasingly rare piece of display history worth preserving
Questions answered
For specific use cases - retro gaming, vintage computing, and certain professional color work - yes. CRTs offer zero input lag, native support for retro resolutions, and a visual character that modern LCD and OLED panels do not fully replicate.
Shadow mask CRTs use a perforated metal screen to direct the electron beam. Aperture grille tubes (Sony Trinitron and Mitsubishi Diamondtron) use vertical wires instead, producing brighter, sharper images with better color saturation - preferred for gaming and graphic work.
Check for screen brightness (dim means heavy use), color convergence (RGB layers should align), geometry (edges should be straight), and phosphor burn-in (ghostly images of past content). Always test with a known-good signal before purchasing.
Tom Reeves has reviewed consumer electronics for over a decade, with a focus on televisions, monitors, laptops, and smart home devices. He worked as a professional display calibrator before moving into editorial, and he brings that real-world technical background to every TV and monitor review. At TheTestedHub, Tom covers display calibration, computer monitors, laptops and 2-in-1s, smart home platforms, home theater setups, and HDR performance.
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