How to Choose a Monitor for Work, Study or Play

A good monitor makes long sessions more comfortable and your work more accurate. These are the specifications worth understanding.

Size and resolution

• 24 inch, 1920 x 1080 (full HD): a solid, affordable choice for general use.
• 27 inch, 2560 x 1440 (QHD): more space for multitasking and sharper text.
• 4K (3840 x 2160): excellent detail for creative work, but it needs a capable graphics card and often display scaling.

Panel types

• IPS: accurate colours and wide viewing angles. A good all-round choice.
• VA: deeper blacks and strong contrast, sometimes with slower response.
• TN: very fast but weaker colours and viewing angles. Now less common.

Refresh rate

Standard monitors refresh 60 times per second. Gaming monitors may run at 120 Hz, 144 Hz or higher, which makes motion look smoother. Some people also notice that mouse movement feels smoother at higher rates.

Comfort features

• Height and tilt adjustment so the top of the screen sits at or just below eye level.
• A matte coating to reduce reflections.
• Flicker-free backlighting and a low blue light mode, which some users find more comfortable.

Connections

Check that the monitor has the ports your computer uses: HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C. A single USB-C cable that carries video and power is very convenient for laptops.

Before you buy

Measure your desk space, confirm your computer can drive the resolution, and read independent reviews that measure brightness and colour accuracy.

This article is for general information only and is not professional advice. Features, prices and menu names may change between software versions. See our disclaimer.