🖥️ How to choose the right monitor (without wasting money)
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Buying a monitor seems simple... until you turn it on and something isn't right.
Many people spend a lot of money on their computer and then buy any screen "because it's big."
The result: it looks worse than their work laptop.
The reality is this:
A monitor is not chosen by inches.
It is chosen by its features.
In this guide, we explain what each specification means and when you should consider it.
📐 Resolution (the first thing you should look at)
Resolution determines image sharpness.
More pixels = more detail.
| Resolution | Recommended Use |
|---|---|
| 1080p | Office work and low budgets |
| 1440p | Best quality/price option |
| 4K | Design, editing, and multimedia content |
💡 Important:
A large monitor with low resolution looks worse.
Real example:
A 27" monitor at 1080p will look pixelated.
⚡ Refresh Rate (Hz)
Indicates how many times per second the image is updated.
| Hz | Feeling |
|---|---|
| 60Hz | Normal |
| 100-144Hz | Very smooth |
| 165-240Hz | Serious gaming |
| 360Hz | Extreme competitive |
Once you try 144Hz, going back to 60Hz is a huge difference.
👉 Only really important if you game.
⏱️ Response Time (ms)
This is the speed at which each pixel changes.
-
5ms → ghosting appears
-
1ms → sharp image
-
0.5ms → ideal for gaming
Only matters in fast-paced games:
shooters, racing, or competitive games.
🎨 Panel Type (completely changes the experience)
IPS
-
True colors
-
Good viewing angles
-
Best general option
👉 Recommended for almost everyone
VA
-
Deep blacks
-
Better for movies
👉 Ideal for multimedia
TN
-
Very fast
-
Worse colors
👉 Only for competitive gaming
🌈 HDR (the big deception)
Many monitors advertise HDR, but not all of them truly are.
| Certification | Reality |
|---|---|
| HDR400 | Marketing |
| HDR600 | Decent |
| HDR1000 | True HDR |
If the monitor is cheap, the HDR probably won't change anything.
🔌 The cable also matters
The cable can limit your monitor even if it's good.
| Connection | Result |
|---|---|
| VGA | Blurry + 60Hz max |
| Old HDMI | Blocks high Hz |
| DisplayPort | Maximum performance |
| USB-C (DP Alt Mode) | Video + data + charging |
💡 Many people use 144/165Hz monitors... at 60Hz without realizing it.
📏 Correct size based on distance
Bigger isn't always better.
| Size | Ideal Use |
|---|---|
| 24" | Normal desk |
| 27" | Perfect size |
| 32" | Greater distance |
| Ultrawide | Productivity / simulators |
🎯 Which monitor you need based on your use
Gaming
-
144Hz or more
-
1ms
-
IPS Panel
Movies
-
VA Panel
-
Good contrast
Design
-
IPS
-
1440p or 4K
Office
-
24-27"
-
1080p or 1440p
🚗 The most expensive mistake
Spending €2000 on a PC and buying a cheap monitor...
is like putting wheelbarrow wheels on a Ferrari.
The monitor is the only thing you see constantly.
It's where you truly perceive the quality of the equipment.
Conclusion
There's no perfect monitor.
There's the perfect one for you.
If you choose based on your use (and not by size or marketing)
the difference is huge and it will also last you for years.