Buying a monitor comes down to three decisions: how many pixels you need, how big the screen should be for your desk and viewing distance, and which panel type suits the work you do. Get those three right and the rest, such as stand adjustability and connectivity, falls into place. Here is how to think through each one before you buy.
Resolution: matching pixels to screen size
Resolution describes how many pixels make up the image. Full HD (1920 by 1080) is still common on smaller screens and budget models. QHD (2560 by 1440) has become the sweet spot for many 27 inch monitors, offering noticeably sharper text and more usable desktop space without the scaling headaches that can come with 4K. 4K UHD (3840 by 2160) suits design, photo and video work, or anyone who wants to run a large screen at native scaling for maximum working area.
The key point is that resolution and screen size need to be considered together. The same resolution looks sharp on a small screen and noticeably softer on a large one, because the pixels are stretched further apart. A 24 inch Full HD panel looks crisp, while a 32 inch Full HD panel will look comparatively soft next to a QHD or 4K screen of the same size.
Screen size and desk distance
24 inch monitors remain a solid choice for single-monitor desks or secondary displays. 27 inch has become the most popular size for general office use, striking a balance between screen real estate and desk space. Ultrawide monitors are worth considering as an alternative to a dual-monitor setup, since they offer a single continuous workspace without a bezel down the middle, which suits people who work across multiple documents or applications side by side. 32 inch and larger screens tend to suit shared workstations, media review or anyone sitting further back from the desk.
Brisbane Technology stocks monitors from LG, Samsung, Dell and AOC, and our monitor range is organised by size if you already know what fits your desk.
Panel types: IPS, VA and TN
IPS panels are the default choice for most office and creative work. They offer accurate colour and wide viewing angles, which matters when a screen is viewed from an angle or shared during a meeting. VA panels typically offer higher contrast and deeper blacks, which can suit media-heavy use, though viewing angles are usually narrower than IPS. TN panels prioritise fast response times and were historically the choice for competitive gaming, but they have largely been overtaken by faster IPS panels and are now less common outside budget displays.
Refresh rate is worth a brief mention. A standard 60Hz panel is entirely adequate for spreadsheets, email and general office software. Higher refresh rates matter for gaming and some video work, but are not something most office buyers need to pay extra for.
Adjustability and connectivity
A monitor that cannot be raised, tilted or rotated to the right height will eventually cause neck and shoulder strain, regardless of how good the panel is. Look for a stand with height and tilt adjustment as a minimum, or plan to pair the monitor with a separate mount. Our monitor stands and mounts range covers both desk-clamp arms and fixed stands for VESA-compatible screens.
On connectivity, most current monitors offer a mix of HDMI and DisplayPort, and increasingly USB-C. A USB-C input with power delivery lets a compatible laptop connect with a single cable that carries video, data and charging at once, which is worth checking for if you want to simplify your desk setup.
Matching the monitor to the task
For general office use, a 24 to 27 inch IPS panel at Full HD or QHD covers most needs comfortably. For anyone doing detailed spreadsheet or code work, a larger or ultrawide screen at QHD gives more room to spread windows out. For design, photo or video work, prioritise a 4K IPS panel with accurate colour. For a shared meeting room or reception display, screen size and viewing angle matter more than resolution.
There is no single best monitor, only the right combination of size, resolution and panel type for how the screen will actually be used. Working through those three factors first will save you from paying for specifications you will not use, or under-buying for the work you actually do.