How to Choose the Right Monitor: A Complete Buying Guide

Choosing a computer monitor is easier than it used to be - but it’s also more confusing. Screen sizes keep growing, resolutions are sharper than ever, and features once reserved for high-end setups are now widely available. Whether you’re working from home, gaming, or simply upgrading an old screen, this guide will help you choose a monitor you’ll still be happy with in a few years.

1. Start With How You’ll Use It

Before comparing specs, think about your main use case:

• Office & home working: prioritise comfort, sharp text, and adjustability
• Creative work: colour accuracy and higher resolution matter most
• Gaming: refresh rate and response time become more important
• Everyday use: a balanced setup will do the job without overspending

Knowing how you’ll use your monitor helps avoid paying for features you don’t need.

2. Screen Size & Resolution

Size and resolution should always be considered together.

• 24–27 inches is ideal for most desks
• Full HD (1080p) works well up to 24 inches
• QHD (1440p) is a great sweet spot for 27-inch monitors
• 4K delivers sharper text and images, especially for larger screens or creative work

Higher resolution means higher pixel density, which reduces eye strain and makes text easier to read during long workdays.

3. Panel Types Explained

The panel type affects image quality, contrast, and viewing angles.

• IPS: best all-rounder with accurate colours and wide viewing angles
• VA: stronger contrast, good for movies and mixed use
• TN: fast response times, mainly for competitive gaming

For most users, IPS monitors offer the best balance of quality and price.

4. Refresh Rate & Response Time

• 60–75Hz is perfectly fine for office work and general use
• 120–144Hz feels noticeably smoother for gaming and even everyday scrolling
• Response time (1–5ms) matters most for gaming, less so for work

Higher refresh rates are only useful if your computer can actually deliver enough frames.

5. Ergonomics: Comfort You Shouldn’t Ignore

A monitor isn’t just something you look at — it’s something you physically interact with for hours every day. Poor ergonomics can lead to neck pain, eye strain, headaches, and long-term posture issues.

Height Adjustment Is Essential

The most important ergonomic feature is height adjustment. Your eyes should rest naturally on the upper third of the screen when sitting upright. Fixed stands often force you into awkward positions, especially during long work sessions.

If a monitor doesn’t have height adjustment, make sure it supports a VESA mount so you can use a monitor arm.

Tilt, Swivel & Rotation

Small adjustments make a big difference:

• Tilt reduces glare and neck strain
• Swivel is helpful for shared desks or dual-monitor setups
• Rotation (pivot) allows portrait mode, popular for coding and reading

Screen Size, Distance & Eye Comfort

• Sit roughly an arm’s length from your screen
• Larger screens benefit from curved designs, especially ultrawide monitors
• Higher resolutions reduce eye fatigue by keeping text sharp

Look for flicker-free displays and low blue light modes to further reduce eye strain.

Why Refurbished Is Great for Ergonomics

Many business-grade monitors come with excellent stands and build quality but are expensive when new. Buying refurbished lets you access premium ergonomics at a much lower price - without compromising on comfort or reliability.

6. Connectivity & Ports

Check that the monitor supports the connections you need:

• HDMI & DisplayPort are standard
• USB-C allows video, data, and charging through one cable
• Built-in USB hubs are useful for keyboards, mice, and accessories

Some monitors also support charging laptops via USB-C, reducing cable clutter.

7. Ultrawide & Curved Monitors

Ultrawide monitors (21:9) are a popular alternative to dual screens, offering more horizontal space for multitasking.

• 34-inch ultrawides are the most practical choice
• Super ultrawide (32:9) monitors are best for specific setups

Curved screens help keep the edges within your natural field of view, improving comfort on wider displays.

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Why Choose a Refurbished Monitor?

Buying a refurbished monitor from refurbed.ie means:

• Up to 40% savings compared to new
• Access to top monitor brands like Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, Apple, Samsung, and HP - but at a significantly lower price.
• Professionally checked and cleaned devices
• Minimum 12-month warranty
• A more sustainable choice, reducing electronic waste 🌱

You get high-quality tech without the high environmental or financial cost.

Final Thoughts

The best monitor is the one that fits your space, your work style, and your body. Focus on ergonomics, choose the right size and resolution, and avoid overpaying for features you won’t use.