Buy a Budget Monitor (What to Look For)

Written By Alexander Ploderer

Pick the right spec (fast checks)

  1. Size & resolution:

    • 24″ @ 1080p for tight spaces/budget.

    • 27″ @ 1440p for sharper text & multitask.

    • 32″ @ 4K if you need extra detail. (See RTINGS for current best picks/tests.) RTINGS.com+1

  2. Panel type:

    • IPS = best color/viewing angles.

    • VA = higher contrast (better blacks).

    • OLED = top contrast & motion, pricier. (VESA standards help compare HDR & motion blur.) vesa.org+1

  3. Refresh rate:

    • 60–75 Hz for office.

    • 120–165 Hz if you game occasionally. (RTINGS explains trade-offs per model.) RTINGS.com

  4. Ergonomics:

    • Height/tilt adjust & VESA mount.

    • Top of screen about 15° below eye level for comfort (CCOHS). CCOHS

Why this helps: Matching size/resolution to your desk and eyes reduces strain; standards-backed ratings (DisplayHDR/Adaptive-Sync) make specs comparable.

Source:
RTINGS monitor guides: https://www.rtings.com/monitor
VESA DisplayHDR: https://vesa.org/about-displayhdr/
VESA Adaptive-Sync: https://vesa.org/featured-articles/vesa-launches-industrys-first-open-standard-and-logo-program-for-pc-monitor-and-laptop-display-variable-refresh-rate-performance-for-gaming-and-media-playback/
CCOHS monitor ergonomics: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/office/monitor_positioning.html

Alexander Ploderer
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