Best Monitor Buys: A Comprehensive Survey Guide

When it comes to buying a monitor, there are many factors to consider. From resolution and response time tosection and brightness, it can be a confusing process. This survey aims to understand what people look for when purchasing a new monitor, their budget, and how they use it.

Do you game, work, or edit photos and videos? Are you a casual or serious user? Do you need a single or multiple monitors? These are some of the questions that will be explored in this survey to help guide people in their monitor-buying journey and ensure they get the best product for their needs.

Resolution

When it comes to monitor size, bigger isn't always better. Pixel density also has a big impact on monitor quality, and a larger monitor will have lower pixel density if it has a lower resolution. For viewing from a typical desktop distance, 32 inches is plenty 'big'. You can easily find a 32-inch gaming or general-use monitor with 4K resolution for under $1,000.

If you want a monitor for gaming, a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (also known as QHD or 1440p) is considered the sweet spot. With monitors up to 32 inches, you get good pixel density and a detailed image that isn't too demanding on mid-priced graphics cards. For competitive gaming, a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (1080p) delivers the highest frame rates, but avoid going above 27 inches, as the image quality may dip.

For professional users, a resolution of 3840 x 21600 (4K) is ideal for larger monitors. It offers a noticeable upgrade for 27-inch and 32-inch monitors, providing sharper text and more screen space. However, gamers will need a powerful graphics card to run games at this resolution.

If you're looking for a budget monitor, 1080p is the way to go. For 21-inch to 24-inch displays, 1080p is ideal, offering great picture quality at a low price.

Ultrawide monitors have a 21:9 aspect ratio and provide a broader view, making them popular among gamers and content creators. Ultrawide monitors typically have a resolution of 3440 x 1440.

When deciding on a monitor, it's important to consider not just the resolution but also the size, your intended use, and your budget.

Response time

There are different ways to measure response time, and it is important to note that the exact method is not standardised across the industry. Some manufacturers measure the time it takes for an LCD panel to go from black to white, while others measure from black to white and back to black. A more common approach is to measure "grey to grey" (GtG), which means going through the full spectrum of colours but starting and ending on finer, more difficult grey values.

For everyday computer users, response time may not be a significant factor, as the delay between colours is so fast that it is hardly noticeable. However, for gamers, every millisecond counts, and a low response time between 1 and 5 milliseconds can make a difference in competitive gaming. TN (Twisted Nematic) panels are typically the fastest and are often used in gaming monitors, while IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels offer more accurate colours but have higher response times. VA (Vertical Alignment) panels aim to strike a balance between response time and colour accuracy.

It is worth mentioning that response time is different from refresh rate, which refers to the number of times a screen displays a new image every second and is measured in Hertz. In contrast to response time, a higher refresh rate is generally preferred, as it provides a smoother picture.

Contrast

The contrast ratio of a monitor is a measure of the difference between the brightest white and the deepest black that it can display. A higher contrast ratio can produce images that are more vivid and punchy. However, it's important to note that advertised contrast ratios are not always reliable, as there is no uniform way for manufacturers to measure this metric.

When it comes to contrast, different panel types offer varying performance. In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels, which are the most common type of computer monitor panel, offer good sharpness, viewing angles, and colour performance. However, they often have disappointing contrast and black levels, which can make them appear hazy when viewing dark images in a dark room.

Vertical Alignment (VA) panels provide an improvement in this regard, as they have better contrast ratios and darker black levels, resulting in improved overall image quality. This makes VA panels a good choice for watching movies or playing games with dark scenes.

Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) panels are known for their exceptional contrast and black levels. This is because OLED pixels can be turned off individually, resulting in a theoretically infinite contrast ratio. This makes OLED monitors excellent for displaying dark images and HDR content.

Twisted Nematic (TN) panels, on the other hand, have limitations in contrast and colour performance, making them less attractive for most users.

When choosing a monitor, it's important to consider the type of content you'll be viewing and the lighting conditions in your environment. If you work with photos, graphics, or HDR content, a monitor with a high contrast ratio may be important to you. Additionally, if you often find yourself working in a brightly lit room, look for a monitor with a high brightness level, as this can help combat glare.

Brightness

A bright screen is particularly important if you are working in a brightly lit room. A bright monitor can help to combat glare and make highlights pop in HDR, which is ideal for watching movies or playing games.

There are a few different types of monitors available, each with their own pros and cons when it comes to brightness.

In-Plane Switching (IPS) monitors are the most common type. They are typically bright and crisp, with good sharpness, great viewing angles, and acceptable to spectacular colour performance. However, they have disappointing contrast and black levels, which can make them appear hazy when viewing dark images in a dark room.

Vertical Alignment (VA) monitors are another option. They are just as bright and colourful as IPS monitors but have a better contrast ratio and darker black levels, which improves overall image quality. However, their viewing angles are more limited, so the image quality can degrade if not viewed straight-on.

Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) monitors are not based on LCD technology but instead use organic pixel elements that emit their own light. OLED monitors are the king of contrast and black levels because an OLED pixel that is turned off emits no light at all. They also have the best motion clarity and viewing angles. However, they are not as bright as other types of monitors and can suffer from permanent image retention over time. They are also very expensive.

Twisted Nematic (TN) panels are inexpensive to make and have very quick pixel response times, but they have limitations in contrast and colour performance that make them unattractive unless you are an extremely hardcore gamer.

When it comes to brightness, it is also worth considering the minimum brightness of a monitor, especially if you plan on using it in a dark environment. Most monitors should be well below 65 cd/m² at their lowest setting, but some people prefer to set their monitors as low as 10-20 cd/m².

In addition, it is worth noting that as you adjust the brightness of your screen, the blue light levels change inversely. So, while brightness itself is not a concern for eye health, having your brightness set to a comfortable level can also reduce the amount of blue light, which will protect your eyes from phototoxicity.

Connectors

When it comes to connectors, there are a few options to choose from, each with its own advantages and optimal use case. Here's a detailed breakdown:

HDMI

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port is the most common connector type found on monitors today. It supports both audio and video signals, offering great sound and video quality. HDMI connectors are ideal for those seeking simultaneous audio and video transmission without the need for additional audio connectors. If your monitor, PC, or laptop has an HDMI port, it is a good choice for everyday use. However, it is important to note that HDMI has limitations in terms of refresh rate and resolution when compared to other connector types.

DisplayPort

DisplayPort connectors are considered the best choice for users who value the highest possible quality audio and video signals. They offer a higher bandwidth than HDMI, making them suitable for high-resolution visuals and smooth gameplay. DisplayPort also enables daisy chaining, which allows you to connect a monitor directly to another monitor. If you are a gamer or plan to use your monitor for next-generation console gaming, DisplayPort is the recommended option.

USB-C

USB-C is a universal connector that combines multiple functions in one. It can send image signals, transfer data, and charge your external devices via a single cable, making it a great choice for those seeking efficiency and a tidy workspace. USB-C is also versatile, as it can be used with both Windows and macOS devices. However, it is important to note that USB-C has lower bandwidth and resolution capabilities compared to DisplayPort.

Other Connectors

In addition to the above-mentioned connectors, there are other options available, such as VGA and DVI. These are older analogue and digital connectors, respectively, that are less common today but may still be found on legacy equipment. VGA connectors are gradually becoming less common, while DVI connectors are known for their high refresh rates, making them suitable for gamers.

Frequently asked questions