Monitor buying guide: How to choose your next display

First, the good news: Most modern PC monitors are rather decent. Their minimum brightness, contrast, and color accuracy have improved significantly over the past decade. It’s a great time to upgrade even if you stick to budget monitors.

If you want a quick, easy recommendation: Go for a 24-inch monitor with 1080p resolution or a 27-inch monitor with 1440p resolution. An IPS panel is preferable, though VA is also good. Gamers can spend a little more to snag either option with a 144Hz refresh rate, which offers a smoother and more responsive experience. Check our reviews for the latest models.

Not sure that’s right for you, or want to know more about the tech? Here’s the lay of the land.

MONITOR TYPES: TN, IPS, VA, AND OLED PANELS

The technology behind monitors is complex but well understood. There’s just a handful of major monitor types available, each defined by the LCD panel technology used. Nearly all monitors available today fall into these groups.

Monitor manufacturers will list panel type in a monitor’s specifications, but you may have to dig a bit to find it. Take the extra time to find out. Panel