How to choose the right monitor

A monitor stays with you for years and you look at it for hours every day, so it is worth taking a little time. These are the key points.

1. Size and resolution

• 24 inch Full HD (1920x1080): the economical choice for office and study.
• 27 inch QHD (2560x1440): a good balance of space and sharpness.
• 4K: for design, video editing and films, and you need a computer that can drive it.

A large screen at a low resolution looks soft, so match size to resolution.

2. Panel type

• IPS: accurate colours and wide viewing angles, the best fit for most people.
• VA: deeper contrast and blacks, good for films.
• TN: fast and cheap but weaker colours and angles.

3. Refresh rate

60Hz is enough for the office. For gaming look for 144Hz or more for smoother motion, and make sure your graphics card and cable support it.

4. Response time

A lower number is better for fast games (1–5ms), and matters little for office work.

5. Ports

HDMI is found everywhere, and DisplayPort is better for high refresh rates. If your laptop supports it, a monitor with a USB-C port that charges it and carries the picture over one cable saves clutter.

6. Eye comfort and stand

Choose flicker-free technology and a low blue light mode, and a stand that adjusts height and tilt. If you want an arm mount, check for VESA support.

7. Check it on delivery

Switch it on when you receive it and look for dead pixels, and confirm the warranty.

Browse available monitors. If you are also buying a computer, read our computer buying guide.