Three numbers that say more together than on their own

When you set out to buy a monitor, you quickly come across three figures that are highlighted on the price tag: the resolution, the refresh rate in hertz and the screen size in inches. Looked at in isolation, none of these numbers tells you much about whether a monitor suits what you want to use it for. A high-resolution screen with a high refresh rate is worth it for fast games or video editing, but it does little if the computer you connect it to cannot deliver the performance it needs.

This article puts the most important figures into context so you can compare two offers sensibly, whichever brand or model you end up considering.

Resolution: only meaningful in relation to screen size

The resolution tells you how many pixels fit on the monitor's surface, with common levels such as Full HD, QHD (sometimes called WQHD or 1440p) and 4K. A higher resolution on a small screen mainly makes text and icons smaller rather than noticeably sharper, because the pixels move closer together without the eye being able to make out the difference at a normal viewing distance. Only from a certain screen size upwards does a higher resolution become clearly visible at a normal distance. So if you want to really benefit from a higher resolution, you need a suitably large screen, not just the resolution on its own.

Refresh rate in Hz: who it really matters for

The refresh rate tells you how many times per second the monitor updates the image. For text work, streaming video or casual browsing, the standard rate is perfectly adequate, and you will hardly notice any difference with a higher rate. In fast games, on the other hand, a high refresh rate makes movement on screen visibly smoother and shortens the perceived response time. What matters is that the connected graphics card can actually deliver that many frames per second; otherwise the monitor's high refresh rate goes unused.

Panel type: colour accuracy versus response time

Beyond resolution and refresh rate, monitors differ in the type of panel they use, which affects colour accuracy, viewing angles and response time. Panels with particularly true-to-life colours and wide viewing angles are well suited to photo editing or video editing, but in a direct comparison they often respond a little more slowly than panels designed mainly for short response times in fast games. Which type is the better choice therefore depends more on what you plan to use the monitor for than on which panel type is generally considered higher quality.

Ports: the surprise you can avoid

Before you order a monitor, it is worth checking the available ports so you are not left needing an extra adapter on delivery day.

• Whether there is a DisplayPort connection, which on many current graphics cards carries the highest refresh rate at high resolution.
• Which HDMI version is fitted, as older versions do not support high resolution and a high refresh rate at the same time.
• Whether there is a USB-C port with video and charging support, which on some laptops means a single cable for both picture and power.
• Whether there are enough ports for the number of devices you plan to use, if several computers are to be connected to the same monitor.

A worked example

Say you are comparing two monitors. Monitor A costs 179 euros and offers Full HD with a standard refresh rate. Monitor B costs 259 euros and offers QHD resolution and a much higher refresh rate, but it needs a DisplayPort connection for the full refresh rate, and the right cable is not included. In this example, such a cable costs an extra 25 euros, bringing monitor B to 284 euros in total. The price difference compared with monitor A is therefore 105 euros, not the 80 euros originally advertised. Only once you know about these extra costs can you decide sensibly whether the higher resolution and refresh rate are worth the extra money to you.

Don't underestimate ergonomics and the stand

Apart from the technical figures, the stand affects how well a monitor can be adjusted to the way you sit. Height adjustment, the ability to tilt and, on some models, rotation into portrait mode have a direct impact on how comfortably you can work at the screen for several hours without tiring. A model without these adjustments can usually be upgraded with a separate mount, but that pushes up the total cost further.

Blue light filters and a refresh rate without stutter

If you sit in front of your monitor for many hours at a time, you are likely to pay more attention to features that reduce eye strain, such as cutting down the blue component of the light or a flicker-free backlight. On most monitors, both features can be switched on in addition to the normal picture settings without affecting the rest of the picture quality. More important for a smooth, stutter-free image is a synchronisation feature between the graphics card and the monitor, which stops the image from changing midway through being drawn and causing visible screen tearing. This feature often requires a particular port and a compatible graphics card, so it is worth checking the technical specifications before you buy, in addition to resolution and refresh rate.

Before you order

Which specifications play a similar role in a laptop screen is covered in the article Buying a laptop: the specifications to look for. How panel types and viewing distance affect televisions is explained in the article TVs: panel type, size and the right viewing distance, and the basic principles carry over to your desk. What to watch out for with guarantees and bundles when buying electronics is covered in the article Buying electronics online. You can find current deals under categories, and how our checking of codes works in general is explained under How it works.

Frequently asked questions

Does a higher resolution make every monitor sharper?

Only in relation to the screen size. On a small screen, a higher resolution mainly makes elements smaller, without any clear gain in sharpness that you would notice at a normal viewing distance.

Do I need a high refresh rate for office work?

Usually not. For text work, video calls and normal browsing, the standard rate is enough. The noticeable benefit of a higher refresh rate mainly shows with fast movement, such as in games.

Why isn't HDMI always enough for the full refresh rate?

Older HDMI versions cannot carry high resolution and a high refresh rate at full level at the same time. A DisplayPort connection supports this combination more reliably on many current graphics cards.

Is an expensive height-adjustable stand worth it?

For occasional use, hardly. For daily work lasting several hours, good adjustability can make a noticeable difference to how tired you get. If the monitor itself does not have it, it can usually be added with a separate mount, although at extra cost.