Choosing The Right Monitor: A Comprehensive Buying Test

If you're looking to buy a new monitor, it's important to consider what you'll be using it for. For example, if you're a gamer, you'll want to prioritise fast refresh rates and low response times, whereas professionals should focus on colour accuracy.

The size of the monitor is also important. A larger monitor will have lower pixel density if it's a lower resolution, so it's worth considering a 27-inch or 32-inch model if you want sharper images.

Another key factor is the monitor's resolution. A higher resolution will give you a better picture, with Quad HD and 4K options offering sharper images than Full HD.

The refresh rate is also worth considering, as a higher refresh rate will result in better, smoother images. If you're a gamer, look for a monitor with a refresh rate of at least 75Hz, while a 60Hz refresh rate should be fine for non-gamers.

Finally, think about the panel type. TN panels are typically the fastest but cheapest, while IPS panels offer better colour accuracy and VA panels have the best contrast.

Monitor resolution

The resolution of a monitor plays a crucial role in determining the quality of the visual experience it can provide. When choosing a monitor, it is important to consider its main purpose. For gaming, a higher resolution can provide a more immersive and realistic experience, while for professional use, a high-resolution monitor is required for detailed work such as graphic design, photography, and video editing.

There are several types of monitor resolutions available, including Standard Definition (SD), High Definition (HD), Full High Definition (FHD), Quad High Definition (QHD), and 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD). Each resolution offers a unique viewing experience and is suited to different applications. For example, FHD is commonly used for gaming and streaming, while 4K UHD is ideal for professional graphic design.

When choosing a monitor resolution, it is important to consider both your specific needs and the capabilities of your system. A higher resolution will provide a better visual experience, but it also requires more powerful hardware and more bandwidth for streaming. Additionally, the size of the monitor should be taken into account, as a high-resolution monitor on a smaller screen may not provide a noticeable difference in image quality.

It is also worth noting that the physical size of a screen does not necessarily indicate its resolution. Two monitors of the same size can have different resolutions, with the one having a higher resolution capable of displaying more detail. Therefore, when purchasing a monitor, it is important to consider both the screen size and resolution to ensure it meets your specific needs.

Monitor size

If you're looking to replace a dual-monitor setup with a single display, check out one of the ultrawide models. These are available in panel sizes ranging from 29 to 57 inches, in both curved and flat varieties, and feature aspect ratios of 21:9 or 32:9 instead of the familiar 16:9.

If you're looking for a basic monitor for viewing emails, surfing the web, and displaying office applications, there's no reason to overspend on a screen with features you'll never use. Budget displays are usually no-frills models that lack niceties such as USB ports, card readers, and built-in webcams.

If you're a gamer, a higher resolution can provide a more immersive and realistic gaming experience. Games with higher screen resolutions look more detailed and realistic and can make it easier to see small objects or details in the game world.

For office work, a higher resolution helps deliver sharper text and lets you see more content at once versus a monitor with a lower resolution.

Panel type

There are several types of panels used in monitors, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is an overview of the most common panel types:

• Twisted Nematic (TN): TN panels are the most common type of LCD panel technology. They offer fast response times, making them popular among gamers. However, they have limited viewing angles and colour accuracy, which can make them less attractive for professional use.
• In-Plane Switching (IPS): IPS panels offer wider viewing angles and better colour accuracy than TN panels. They are often used in professional monitors for photographers, graphic designers, and video editors. IPS panels provide a bright and crisp image with good sharpness and viewing angles. However, they may have lower contrast and black levels, which can be an issue in dark rooms.
• Vertical Alignment (VA): VA panels offer a balance between the strengths of TN and IPS panels. They provide excellent contrast and image depth, making them a popular choice for multimedia and gaming. VA panels have limited viewing angles compared to IPS, so the image quality can degrade when viewed from the side.
• Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED): OLED panels use self-emissive pixels, which means each pixel can emit its own light. This results in superior contrast, black levels, and colour performance. OLED panels also have excellent motion clarity and viewing angles. However, they tend to be more expensive and may suffer from permanent image retention over time.

When choosing a monitor, it is important to consider the panel type as it can significantly impact the image quality, viewing experience, and intended use. For example, gamers may prefer TN panels for their fast response times, while professionals in fields such as photography and graphic design may opt for IPS panels for their colour accuracy and wide viewing angles. VA panels offer a balance between performance and image quality, making them suitable for a wide range of users. OLED panels provide the best image quality but come at a higher price.

Refresh rate

The standard refresh rate for desktop monitors is 60Hz, but in recent years, more specialized, high-performing monitors have been developed that support 120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, 280Hz, and 360Hz refresh rates. These high refresh rate monitors are particularly popular among gamers, who benefit from the smoother motion, reduced input lag, and more responsive gameplay that they offer.

A common misconception is that refresh rate and frames per second (fps) are the same. While they are related, they serve different functions. FPS is a measure of how many frames your graphics card can render and push to the monitor per second. These two concepts are closely intertwined, as fps should ideally match or exceed the refresh rate of your monitor for the best viewing experience.

When the fps and refresh rate aren't synchronized, it can lead to a phenomenon called screen tearing. This occurs when the monitor starts displaying a new frame before the previous one is fully drawn, resulting in a visible split in the image. To combat this, many monitors offer technologies that synchronize the monitor's refresh rate with the fps output of your graphics card, eliminating screen tearing and providing a smoother visual experience.

While high refresh rate monitors are often associated with PC gaming, they offer advantages beyond the gaming realm. Tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and even general multitasking can benefit from the increased smoothness and responsiveness provided by these monitors.

Response time

The exact method of measuring this statistic isn't agreed upon: some manufacturers express it in terms of an LCD's panel going black to white, or black to white to black, or more commonly "gray to gray." That means going through the same full spectrum, but starting and ending on finer, more difficult gray values. In all cases, lower response times are better, because they cut down on image issues like blurring or "ghosting."

If you are a casual internet user, meaning you simply browse, shop, or read, response time is not really an important factor. In fact, even if you regularly use your PC for things like watching movies or videos, response time still may not be that big of a deal for you.

However, if you are a gamer, response time matters quite a lot. Having a lower response rate, such as one to five milliseconds can make all the difference for you. It also allows for more distinct motion and less of what is called “ghosting”.

If you are someone who suffers from eye strain and headaches, lower response times could mean that the monitor excludes complex image processing such as boosted brightness or blue light filters that protect your eyes. A highly responsive monitor might not be for you.

If you are a gamer or videographer, choosing a monitor with a low response time is absolutely recommended!

Frequently asked questions