Monitor shopping goes wrong in a predictable way. You open three tabs, then twelve, then you’re reading an argument about response times between strangers at midnight. You don’t need any of that. Four decisions cover almost everything, and you can make them in order.
Decision 1: Size and resolution, together
These two only make sense as a pair. A resolution that looks sharp at one size looks soft when it’s stretched across a bigger panel. These are the pairings that work.
| Screen size | Resolution that suits it | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 24 inch | 1080p (Full HD) | Small desks, tight budgets, competitive gaming |
| 27 inch | 1440p (QHD) | Most people. The best balance of sharpness and price |
| 27 inch | 4K | Text-heavy work, photo editing, Mac users |
| 32 inch | 4K | Big desks, multitasking, films |
| 34 inch ultrawide | 3440 x 1440 | Replacing two monitors with one |
The pairing to avoid is 27 inches at 1080p. The pixels are large enough to see, and text looks fuzzy. It’s common at low prices because it sounds like a bargain.
If you’re unsure, a 27-inch 1440p monitor is the safe choice for work, games and everything between.
Decision 2: Refresh rate
Refresh rate is how many times per second the picture updates, measured in hertz (Hz).
- 60Hz is fine for office work, browsing and video.
- 100 to 120Hz makes scrolling and moving windows feel noticeably smoother. It’s now cheap enough to be worth having even if you never play a game.
- 144 to 180Hz is the sweet spot for gaming.
- 240Hz and up is for competitive players in fast shooters. Most people won’t see the benefit.
A high refresh rate only helps games if your computer can produce that many frames. A basic laptop won’t run a demanding game at 144 frames per second, however fast the monitor is. Check that your graphics hardware matches your ambitions. Our GPUs page explains the tiers.
Look for FreeSync or G-Sync compatible on the box too. Both smooth out stutter in games, and most gaming monitors include one.
Decision 3: Panel type
- IPS: the best all-rounder. Good color, wide viewing angles. Blacks look slightly gray in a dark room.
- VA: deeper blacks and better contrast than IPS, good for films. Fast motion can smear a little on cheaper ones.
- OLED: the best picture, with perfect blacks and instant response. Expensive, and static images such as taskbars carry some risk of burn-in over years.
For a work monitor, choose IPS. For a mixed-use or film-watching monitor in a dim room, VA is good value. OLED is a treat for gaming and video if the budget allows. We compare the technologies more fully in OLED, IPS or Mini-LED?
Decision 4: Connections and the stand
This is where people get caught, because it’s the boring part.
Ports. Make sure the monitor has a port your computer can actually use at full quality.
- DisplayPort is the standard for desktop PCs with a graphics card.
- HDMI works with nearly everything. For 4K at 120Hz, which current game consoles use, both the monitor and the cable need HDMI 2.1.
- USB-C with power delivery is the one to look for if you use a laptop. A single cable carries the picture, charges the laptop and connects anything plugged into the monitor’s USB ports. Check the wattage, since a 65W port won’t fully power a laptop that wants 100W. Check your laptop too, because not every USB-C port can send video. Our field guide to ports explains how to tell.
The stand. Cheap monitors often have a stand that only tilts. You want height adjustment at least, so the top of the screen sits at or just below eye level. If the stand is poor, check that the monitor has VESA mounting holes on the back, so you can add an inexpensive monitor arm later.
Things you can mostly ignore
- “HDR400” and similar badges. Entry-level HDR ratings on ordinary monitors make very little visible difference. Real HDR needs OLED or a Mini-LED backlight.
- “1ms response time”. Almost every gaming monitor claims it, measured in ways that don’t match real use.
- Built-in speakers. They’re nearly always thin and quiet. Plan on headphones or separate speakers.
- Curves on small screens. A curve helps on an ultrawide. On a 24 or 27-inch monitor it’s a matter of taste.
Three quick recipes
- Home office: 27 inch, 1440p, IPS, with a height-adjustable stand and USB-C if you have a laptop. If you write or read all day, 4K at 27 inches gives crisper text.
- Gaming: 27 inch, 1440p, 144Hz or higher, IPS or OLED, with FreeSync or G-Sync.
- Tight budget: 24 inch, 1080p, IPS, 100Hz. Simple, sharp enough, and inexpensive.
That’s really it. Decide the size and resolution, pick a refresh rate, choose the panel and check the ports. Then close the other eleven tabs. When you’re ready to compare actual models, our Best Monitors page is the next stop, and A Comfortable Home Office for Less covers the rest of the desk.
More reading: all Dealmania articles