What is the best size monitor for work?
I’ve been working from home for 15 years and I find 27 inches is the best size. With this, you can realistically get two documents on the screen sidebyside, making multitasking or crossreferencing really easy. At 27 inches, a monitor won’t need too much desk space, and you won’t have to move your head too much when using it – it’s the sweet spot for working.
Choosing a smaller monitor could save you money, but in the long run, you’re sacrificing usable space and there are affordable 27inch options out there.
If entertainment is your main concern you may want to go larger with a monitor, allowing you to move back a bit more and enjoy the immersion. This is where 32inch or larger could be more relevant, although larger monitors benefit from being curved when you’re sitting close to them to reduce the amount of head and eye movement needed to use them.
One of the other factors to consider is the aspect ratio. That’s how the display’s horizontal and vertical compare, with most being 16:9 like your TV. Ultrawide monitors have the advantage of much more width, meaning you can have more apps open across the screen without the height increasing too much. Ultrawide monitors can be much more expensive but allow you to have many documents or windows open at the same time.
How to choose a monitor for work
There are a number of things to consider when choosing a new monitor. Once you’ve picked the size, discussed above, there are a couple of other technical details you’ll be faced with.
Size, weight and mounting
One of the most important things to consider is adjustability in the height of the monitor. This is really important to reduce neck strain when using it. Some monitors can easily be adjusted, allowing rotation for vertical use, as well as swivel through the stand and these can be really useful to getting the best desk setup.
Some monitors will also have VESA standard mounting options on the back that will work with other desk mounts or wall mounts. Most monitors aren’t too heavy, but some will need plenty of space for the monitor itself, as well as the stand.
Resolution and refresh rates
If you’re doing normal office work, then you’re unlikely to need many of the latest display technologies. Resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen, usually given as the horizontal number then the vertical number.
You’ll see resolutions such as 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) or 3840 x 2160 (4K) for example. The higher the resolution the finer detail can be reproduced, but you need to consider what type of content you’re working with. For most office jobs, Full HD is adequate but if you’re looking at larger monitors, then a higher resolution will preserve that detail as it gets bigger.
Gamers will be more interested in fast refresh rates which allow the monitor to display moving content more smoothly. For gamers, 144Hz or higher might be of interest. But at a basic level, 60Hz will likely suit office work just fine.
Display technology
You’ll have heard of OLED from televisions, but there are OLED monitors too. They offer the same advantages, in offering great colours and deep blacks, but if you’re only working on documents, then OLED isn’t really necessary.
Then you have various LED options, including Mini LED, which might offer better graphic prowess through precise dimming control; IPS, which is known for great colours; or VA, which is better for contrast. In most cases you’ll spot the difference because OLED is more expensive and LED technologies less so. I’ve used a full range of OLED and LED monitors and I don’t think that OLED is essential as there are some really good LED monitors out there.
Aspect ratio
We mentioned aspect ratio when talking about size. Most monitors are 16:9, just like your TV. The aspect ratio governs the height relative to the width. Some monitors may offer a wider aspect when they are described as “ultrawide”, from 21:9 through to 32:9. These wider aspects might allow more documents sidebyside, for example, but if you were watching a 16:9 movie on Netflix, it won’t fill the display.
Ports and connectivity
Connectivity is important. Many monitors offer HDMI like your TV, or DisplayPort, which is specifically designed for computers. Many desktop computers will have HDMI and those with a graphics card will likely have DisplayPort too. Some laptops will have HDMI, but many will support DisplayPort through a USBC connection – check your laptop’s specifications if you’re in doubt.
Some monitors will offer a full range of connections for other devices, acting as a USB hub. This can make connections easy, especially when using a laptop as any accessories can be connected to the monitor, without you having to constantly plug and unplug things from your laptop every time you head out the door.
Additional features
Some monitors will offer speakers, microphones or webcams, allowing you to connect one device without having to think about a separate set of desktop speakers or a webcam for video calls. If you’re purely working and need those features that might save connections and mess on your desk, but if you’re using your monitor for a variety of tasks you might find you’ll get better sound or video quality with a separate device.
