Getting your hands on a monitor that fits your needs is essential for immersive gaming or work experience. To help you judge better what you need for yourself, we rounded up some of the main features in a monitor and what works best for different users. 

Unarguably, the most prominent feature of your monitor is its size. A quality HD monitor will range anywhere from 20 to 49 inches, with most average models falling anywhere between 20 to 27 inches. These have average power usage and are great for basic gaming needs and secondary monitors. 

While a 16 x 9 screen will address most needs, a 21 x 9 or wider 32 x 9 screen is preferred by those who want to achieve a wider display. 

Along with the screen size comes the screen resolution. The higher the number, the sharper the image on the screen. Meanwhile, the lower the number, the fuzzier the image is. 

Another thing to note is the relationship between resolution and screen size. The same resolution on a smaller screen size will be sharper, whereas a larger screen size will become softer. 

There is no hard and fast rule for looks as long as it’s compatible with the device you’re planning to use it for. Nonetheless, do check that the design is tiltable and comes with stands or wall mounting brackets. 

Also, while a curved shape may seem aesthetically pleasing this can prove problematic on tables or walls. So keep that in mind if you’re going for a curved display. 

Understanding screen panels is the basis of understanding your monitor. These will help you understand which one you should go for.

These are by far the cheapest models out there and tend to do a pretty good job for users who aren’t typically looking for anything fancy. It has great response time and a low input lag but does compromise viewing angles and color accuracy.

Although it offers great viewing angles and reproduces true-to-life colors, this option is on the expensive end and offers a low response time. 

Think of this as a compromise between a TN and IPS display. While it’s pretty affordable and offers great contrast and color, it isn’t ideal for gaming and has a mediocre display.

Rarely produced in the form of large monitors, this is the most expensive option out there and the least available. On the flip side, it features unmatchable colors, contrast, and image quality.

A refresh rate is a rate at which the screen is updated every second. Measured in Hertz, the most common options are 60 Hz, whereas the better ones come in at 75 Hz, 120 Hz, and 144 Hz.  

How quickly a pixel can change is its response time and is measured in milliseconds. While anything under 15 ms works pretty well, you should ideally go for 11 ms and under.

Color depth range is of prime importance too. For color accuracy, it's essential to always go for a higher color depth.

Flexible connectivity is another must for your monitor. Check if it has all the necessary ports like HDMI, VGA and USB before you make a purchase.

Championed for its 21.5 inch width and HD quality, this widescreen IPS monitor offers outstanding display thanks to the zero frame design and 4 ms response rate. With its HDMI port giving you a great 75 Hz refresh rate, you’ll achieve a lag-free experience for all your needs, be it gaming or professional use.

The monitor beautifully successfully combines style with a wider viewing angle. And aside from its thin design accommodating a broad range of features, it offers great viewing angles!

Achieve increased desk space and cost-efficiency with this adjustable 23.8 inch monitor. With an attractive micro-edge design, you will enjoy a seamless multi-monitor look. The full HD IPS panel will also give you brilliant visuals, providing a 75 Hz refresh rate for ultimate image accuracy. Adding to its functionality, the monitor lets you effortlessly connect PCs, gaming consoles and peripherals for entertainment thanks to its wide variety of ports—including HDMI and VGA. 

Owing to the built-in speakers, the monitor also features a low blue light mode, height adjustment, a tiltable screen and a 1-year warranty!

If you are looking for a monitor for day-to-day use, this is a great choice! Sceptre’s HD Monitor has a slim 24 inch stylish screen, a modern metallic design and thin bezels to fit in all setups. The 1080p resolution will deliver excellent colors and details, and with a 5 ms response time and 75 Hz refresh rate you’ll achieve smoother image transitions. 

Featuring two HDMI ports and two VGA ports that let you connect your monitor with all your gaming and computing devices, the built-in speakers deliver robust audio. The blue light shift also deters eye strain.

ViewSonic’s HD monitor is the epitome of modern and minimalist style. Ideal for home and office use, the IPS panel offers large viewing angles and excellent screen performance. And to add to its frameless design its unique desktop stand, 1920 x 1080 resolution and dual speakers delivers the most immersive experience for users. 

Its HDMI, DisplayPort and VGA inputs allow you to easily connect all sorts of systems to this HD monitor. Thanks to the presets for optimized performance in a plethora of applications, you can also enjoy flicker-free technology and  3-year warranty.

If you are searching for a monitor for gaming needs that won’t put a dent in your pocket, LG’s Hd Monitor may just be your next go-to. The IPS panel delivers supreme performance with a shortened response time, accurate color reproduction and excellent viewing angles. And with FreeSync, you will get to enjoy a seamless display with your fast-paced games by evading screen stuttering or tearing.

Aside from its sync reducing input lag, playing games with darker scenes won’t be a problem thanks to the black stabilizer feature that works to brighten dark parts of the screen. With advanced on-screen controls, you’ll also have a screen that is super easy to navigate.

24 and 27 inches are the most widely used screen sizes. They prove to be particularly useful for gamers, as well as content and video creators who prefer to view their content at wider angles.

To protect your eyes, you should sit at a distance of around three feet. Anything closer than this can promote eye strain, as well as other unwanted vision issues.

Monitors come in a wide range of price points, and the best thing about modern HD monitors is how their selection is so broad you can choose from a variety of brands. If your job or side hussle requires you to use a large monitor on a daily basis, it can prove beneficial to invest in a more expensive HD monitor. On the other hand, if you intend on using your monitor for casual or infrequent use then you can probably get away with purchasing a monitor that’s a bit smaller.