Monitor buying guide: What to look for when buying a monitor

Screen Size and Resolution: The higher the resolution, the clearer the picture.

A larger screen size, such as 27 inches or above, combined with a higher resolution like 4K, can provide a more enjoyable viewing experience whether you’re using your monitor for gaming, watching videos or for working.

Panel Type (IPS, TN, VA): IPS panels offer vibrant colours and wide viewing angles. On the other hand, TN panels excel in fast-paced gaming due to their quick response times. VA panels strike a balance between the two.

Refresh rate: Higher is better.

Refresh rate above 70Hz is recommended for working and productivity. For long-term use, look for monitors with a refresh rate of at least 120Hz.

A higher refresh rate, like 144Hz or 240Hz, will give you smoother motion and less blur when gaming or watching videos.

Keep in mind that the refresh rate only matters if your laptop or PC can handle it. Check that your computer has the right CPU and GPU.

Response time: Shorter is better. However, this is lower priority if you’re not using a monitor for gaming. A good response time for a monitor is typically considered to be around 1ms to 5ms.

Connectivity: For easy integration with all your devices, keep an eye out for HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB ports.

Ergonomics: Consider features such as an adjustable stand that offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, as well as curved monitors.

HDR Support: Consider High Dynamic Range (HDR) support that enhances the contrast, brightness, and colour accuracy of images displayed on a monitor.

For more detailed information on buying a monitor, read on!

When it comes to choosing a new monitor, there are several key features to consider that can greatly impact your viewing experience. From resolution and refresh rate to panel type and connectivity options, the choices can be overwhelming. In this guide, we will explore the important features you should look out for when selecting your next monitor to ensure that it meets your specific needs and preferences.

• Screen Size and Resolution
• Panel Type (IPS, TN, VA)
• Refresh rate
• Response time
• Connectivity
• Ergonomics
• HDR Support
• Overall Aesthetics

When picking your next monitor, two essential factors to consider are the screen size and resolution. The screen size determines how immersive your viewing experience will be, while the resolution affects the clarity and sharpness of the images displayed. Opting for a larger screen size, such as 27 inches or above, combined with a higher resolution like 4K, can provide a more enjoyable viewing experience for tasks ranging from work to entertainment.

 The panel type of a monitor plays a crucial role in determining the colour accuracy, viewing angles, and response times. There are several options for panel type; IPS panels offer vibrant colours and wide viewing angles, making them ideal for graphic design and content creation. On the other hand, TN panels excel in fast-paced gaming due to their quick response times. VA panels strike a balance between the two, offering good colour reproduction and response times.

IPS panels are known for their excellent colour accuracy and wide viewing angles, making them perfect for tasks that require precise colour reproduction and detail. Video editors and graphic designers often prefer IPS monitors for their vibrant and true-to-life colours. Additionally, the wide viewing angles of IPS panels make them a great choice for collaborative work environments where multiple people need to view the screen at the same time.

TN panels are popular among gamers due to their fast response times, making them ideal for fast-paced gaming where quick reactions are crucial. While TN panels may not offer the same colour accuracy or viewing angles as IPS panels, they excel in delivering smooth and responsive gameplay experiences.

VA panels strike a balance between IPS and TN panels, offering good colour reproduction along with decent response times. They are a versatile choice for users who require both accurate colours and smooth performance. VA panels are suitable for a wide range of tasks, from office work to casual gaming.

Our Pick: Best LG Monitor for Video Editing – Curved UltraWide™ 5K2K Nano IPS Display

• 39.7 inch curved screen, with 5K2K resolution and IPS display
• Power delivery up to 96W
• Total bandwidth up to 40Gb/s

The refresh rate of a monitor tells you how many times the screen updates with new images every second. A higher refresh rate, like 144Hz or 240Hz, will give you smoother motion and less blur, which is great for gaming and watching videos.

Keep in mind that the refresh rate only matters if your laptop or PC can handle it. If your computer has the right CPU and GPU, your monitor will work well.

For high refresh rate monitors, you'll need a powerful CPU with multiple cores and fast clock speeds, like an Intel Core i7. And for the GPU, you'll want a dedicated graphics card with enough VRAM and processing power. Graphics cards like the Intel Iris Xe Graphics or NVIDIA G-SYNC will give you great performance for gaming and videos at high frame rates.

Having the right CPU and GPU combination is key to getting the most out of a high refresh rate monitor and enjoying a smooth and immersive experience.

Response time refers to how quickly each pixel on the screen can change colours. A lower response time, measured in milliseconds, results in less motion blur and ghosting during fast-paced activities like gaming or watching action-packed movies.

A good response time for a monitor is typically considered to be around 1ms to 5ms.

Our Pick: Best LG Gaming Monitor: 49” UltraGear™ 32:9 Dual QHD Curved Gaming Monitor

• QHD Curved Monitor with 240Hz Refresh Rate
• 1ms Response Time
• VESA DisplayHDR™ 1000 – True-to-life colours & Contrast

Making sure your monitor has plenty of different ways to connect is important for easy integration with all your devices, especially for working from home. Keep an eye out for HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB ports so you can easily hook up your computer, gaming console, and any other accessories.

A monitor with good ergonomics can enhance your comfort and productivity during extended use. Features such as an adjustable stand that offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments allow you to find the perfect viewing position that suits your needs.

A dual monitor setup is a great choice for users looking to increase productivity or multitask. Dual monitors allow users to have more screen real estate to work with. By not having to constantly switch between windows or tabs, you can easily focus on the tasks at hand, and increase overall productivity and efficiency. When creating a dual monitor setup, choose monitors that are the same size to ensure a seamless look and feel. Monitors with easily adjustable stands are also a great choice, as they allow users to tailor the height and tilt of their screens to suit their viewing needs.

Our Pick: Best Monitor for Dual Monitor Setups:  LG UltraWide™ Dual QHD Monitor

• USB Type-C™ Port, Dual Controller (KVM Switch)
• DCI-P3 98%(Typ.), VESA Display HDR™ 400 ensuring vivid colours and high dynamic range
• 49-inch screen providing equivalent to two 27-inch QHD monitors side by side

High Dynamic Range (HDR) support is a feature that enhances the contrast, brightness, and colour accuracy of images displayed on a monitor. When looking for a monitor with HDR support, there are a few key factors to consider:

HDR monitors should be capable of achieving high levels of brightness, typically measured in nits. Look for a monitor with at least 400 nits for a good HDR experience.

HDR monitors should have a sharp contrast ratio to display deep blacks and bright whites simultaneously. A high native contrast ratio or local dimming technology can help achieve this.

HDR monitors should support a wide colour gamut, such as DCI-P3 or Rec. 2020, to accurately reproduce a wide range of colours. This results in more vibrant and lifelike visuals.

Look for monitors that support HDR standards like HDR10, Dolby Vision, or HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) for compatibility with HDR content from various sources.

When viewing HDR content on a monitor with HDR support, you can expect images with greater detail in both bright and dark areas, more vibrant colours, and an overall more immersive viewing experience. The increased dynamic range provided by HDR technology results in visuals that are closer to what the human eye naturally perceives, making for a more realistic and engaging display.

Built-in speakers can save you desk space and provide a convenient audio solution for your monitor setup. While not as powerful as dedicated speakers, they can be handy for everyday use and casual entertainment.

Blue light filter technology reduces the amount of blue light emitted by the monitor, which can help reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality, especially during extended screen time.

Lastly, the overall aesthetics of a monitor can complement your workspace and add a touch of style to your setup. Whether you prefer a sleek, minimalist design or a more futuristic look, choosing a monitor that appeals to your aesthetic preferences can enhance your overall computing experience.

For a more in-depth discussion on features to consider when buying a gaming monitor, read our guide on How to choose a gaming monitor.

Here’s a summary of the key features to consider when buying a monitor for gaming: 

We recommend choosing a larger screen size, such as 27 inches or above, and a higher resolution like 4K.

TN panels excel in fast-paced gaming due to their fast response times. 

A good response time for a monitor is typically considered to be around 1ms to 5ms.

We recommend choosing a larger screen size, such as 27 inches or above, and a higher resolution like 4K.

For gamers, features like FreeSync and G-Sync help reduce screen tearing and stuttering, resulting in smoother gameplay. Choosing a monitor with these technologies can enhance your gaming experience.

Keep an eye out for HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB ports so you can easily hook up your computer, gaming console, and any other accessories.

For more information on improving your gaming set up, read our guides on How to Create the Ultimate Gaming Setup at Home and How to optimise your LG monitor for gaming.

Here’s a summary of the key features to consider when buying a PC monitor: 

IPS monitors provide vibrant and true-to-life colours, making this an excellent choice for video editors or graphic designers.

For collaborative work environments, IPS panels are a great option due to their wide viewing angles allowing multiple people to view the screen at the same time.

VA panels are suitable for a wide range of tasks, from office work to casual gaming.

Blue light technology is particularly important when using a monitor for extended periods, for example when working from home. Blue light filter technology reduces the amount of blue light emitted by the monitor, helping to reduce eye strain. Discover more about the best LG monitors for eye strain in our guide.

Find out more about optimising your working from home setup up with our guide on How to optimise your LG monitor for working from home.