Full HD is enough up to 24 inches. From 27 inches, QHD (2560 x 1440) gives a sharper picture, as on the Lenovo T27hv-20. 4K, here on the Samsung M8, is mainly for photo and video editing.
IPS, VA or TN?
IPS has the most accurate colours and looks good from the side, the most common choice for the office. VA offers better contrast, often on curved screens. TN, rarer today, is fast but its colours shift with the viewing angle.
Flat or curved?
A curved screen makes sense at 32 and 34 inches, for gaming or several windows side by side. The smaller the number (1000R versus 1800R), the stronger the curve.
60, 100 or 165 Hz?
For office work, 60 to 100 Hz is enough. For fast games, a 165 Hz screen like the Xiaomi G27i makes motion smoother.
HDMI or DisplayPort?
Almost all have an HDMI input, many also DisplayPort, like the Xiaomi A27i. For 144 Hz and above, prefer DisplayPort. If your PC has a different output, an adapter will do.
What is a Smart Monitor?
A monitor that runs YouTube or Netflix without a computer, like the Samsung Smart Monitor S5, M5 and M8.
How to choose a PC monitor?
A monitor is chosen according to use: office work, studies, gaming or creative work. Four criteria matter more than the others.
Size
21.5 to 24 inches: for a narrow desk or office work, like the HP P22v G5, the Lenovo ThinkVision S24i-30 or the MSI PRO MP243P. See the 24-inch monitors.
27 inches: the most versatile size, with the HP V27i G5, the MSI Pro Modern MD271P or the Xiaomi A27i. See the 27-inch monitors.
32 and 34 inches: for multitasking and gaming, like the Samsung Odyssey G5 or the Lenovo ThinkVision T34w-30.
Resolution
Full HD (1920 x 1080): sharp up to 24 inches, acceptable at 27 inches.
QHD or WQHD (2560 x 1440): finer at 27 and 32 inches, like the Lenovo T27hv-20 or the Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQR.
4K Ultra HD: for photo and video, with the Samsung Smart M8 M80C.
Refresh rate and curved screens
For gaming, the refresh rate makes the picture smoother: 165 Hz on the Xiaomi G27i, 100 Hz on the Xiaomi A27i, compared with 60 Hz for a standard office monitor. A curved screen wraps around your field of view better at large sizes: 1000R curvature on the Odyssey G5, 1800R on the Asus TUF.
Extra features
Built-in webcam: Lenovo ThinkVision T24mv-30 and Samsung M8, handy for video calls.
Smart Monitor: the Samsung M5, M8 and S5 run video apps without a PC, like a TV.
Connectivity: check the monitor's HDMI and DisplayPort inputs against your PC's output. A USB hub helps if your laptop only has USB-C.
