Monitor Comparator

Choosing a desktop monitor is about finding the right balance between size, resolution, panel type and budget. Whether you are a developer, designer, gamer or remote worker, the monitor is the centrepiece of your setup, the thing you stare at the most.

Resolution determines display sharpness. A 4K (3840×2160) monitor has four times as many pixels as Full HD, making text crisper and images more detailed. For a 27-inch screen, 4K is the recommended standard for productivity work. QHD (2560×1440) remains an excellent quality-to-price compromise.

Refresh rate matters most for gamers. A 60 Hz screen is perfectly fine for office work and development. However, a 144 Hz or 165 Hz gaming monitor provides noticeably smoother visuals in fast-paced games.

Panel type affects colours and contrast. IPS panels are preferred for creative work thanks to their wide viewing angles. VA panels offer better contrast, ideal for multimedia. OLED panels, more recent, combine the best of both worlds.

Size depends on your space and usage. A 24-inch screen suits small desks, 27 inches is the most versatile format, and a 34-inch ultrawide effectively replaces a dual-monitor setup for intensive multitasking.

Connectivity is often overlooked. A USB-C port with Power Delivery lets you connect and charge your laptop with a single cable, a real quality-of-life improvement. Also check for HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4 if you need 4K at 60 Hz or above.

Budget: expect to pay 130 to 250 euros for a portable monitor or entry-level gaming display, 300 to 450 euros for a good 4K or QHD gaming screen, and 500 euros and up for a premium ultrawide or a professional monitor with factory calibration.