Choosing the right monitor can make a big difference to your comfort, productivity and overall computer experience. Whether you work from home, run a small business, use a desktop PC, or simply want a better screen for everyday use, there are a few key things to check before buying.
This guide explains the main points to consider when choosing a monitor for home, office, business or remote working use.
1. Choose the right screen size
Monitor size is usually measured diagonally in inches. The best size depends on your desk space, how far you sit from the screen, and what you use the computer for.
- 21–24 inch monitors: Good for smaller desks, basic office work, emails and general browsing.
- 24–27 inch monitors: A popular choice for home offices, business users and everyday multitasking.
- 27–32 inch monitors: Better for larger desks, spreadsheets, design work, video editing and multitasking.
- Ultrawide monitors: Useful if you want more screen space without using two separate monitors.
For most home and office users, a 24 inch or 27 inch monitor is usually a good balance between size, comfort and cost.
2. Check the resolution
Resolution affects how sharp the screen looks. A higher resolution gives you more detail and more usable screen space, but it may also cost more.
- Full HD / 1080p: A common choice for basic office work, browsing, emails and general use.
- QHD / 1440p: Sharper than Full HD and useful for multitasking, spreadsheets and design work.
- 4K / UHD: Very sharp and best suited to creative work, detailed visuals, large screens and premium setups.
If you are buying a 24 inch monitor, Full HD is normally fine. For 27 inch monitors and above, QHD or 4K can give a sharper and more comfortable experience.
3. Think about how the monitor will be used
A monitor for office work does not always need the same features as a monitor for gaming, design or creative work. Before buying, think about what the screen will mainly be used for.
- Office work: Look for comfort, clear text, good adjustability and reliable everyday performance.
- Home working: A 24 or 27 inch screen with HDMI or DisplayPort is usually a good choice.
- Design or photo work: Look for good colour accuracy and a higher resolution.
- Gaming: Refresh rate, response time and graphics card compatibility become more important.
- Business use: Reliability, warranty, connectivity and easy setup are usually more important than flashy features.
4. Check the connection ports
Before ordering a monitor, check what connections your computer, laptop or docking station supports. Buying a monitor with the wrong ports can mean you need extra adapters.
Common monitor connections include:
- HDMI: Very common and suitable for most home and office setups.
- DisplayPort: Often used on business PCs, gaming PCs and higher refresh rate monitors.
- USB-C: Useful for some laptops, especially if the monitor supports display, charging and USB hub features.
- VGA or DVI: Older connections, usually found on older PCs and monitors.
If you are not sure which connection you need, check the back or side of your computer or laptop and compare it with the monitor specification.
5. Consider comfort and adjustability
If you use your computer for long periods, comfort is important. A monitor that is too low, too high or too bright can cause neck strain, eye strain and poor posture.
Useful comfort features include:
- Height adjustment
- Tilt adjustment
- Swivel adjustment
- VESA mount support for monitor arms
- Anti-glare screen coating
- Low blue light or flicker-free features
For office or business use, an adjustable stand is often worth paying extra for because it makes the monitor easier to position correctly.
6. Single monitor or dual monitor setup?
A second monitor can be useful if you work with multiple windows, emails, spreadsheets, remote desktop sessions or business software. Many people find dual monitors helpful for productivity.
However, one larger monitor may be better if you have limited desk space or prefer a simpler setup. An ultrawide monitor can also be a good alternative to two separate screens.
7. Do you need built-in speakers or a webcam?
Some monitors include built-in speakers, webcams or USB hubs. These features can be useful, but they are not always essential.
- Built-in speakers: Useful for basic sound, but usually not as good as separate speakers or headphones.
- Built-in webcam: Handy for video calls, but check the quality before relying on it for business use.
- USB hub: Useful for connecting keyboards, mice, webcams and other accessories through the monitor.
8. Check your desk space
Before buying, measure your desk and think about where the monitor will sit. Make sure there is enough room for the screen, keyboard, mouse and any other equipment you use.
Also check the stand size. Some large monitors have wide or deep stands, which can take up more desk space than expected.
9. Recommended monitor choices for most users
As a simple guide:
- Basic home use: 22–24 inch Full HD monitor.
- Home office or small business: 24–27 inch Full HD or QHD monitor.
- Heavy multitasking: 27 inch QHD or ultrawide monitor.
- Creative work: 27 inch QHD or 4K monitor with good colour accuracy.
- Gaming: Look at refresh rate, response time and your graphics card output.
Need help choosing a monitor?
If you are unsure which monitor is right for your home, office or business setup, IT Done Right can help point you in the right direction. We can help you check screen size, connections, desk setup and general suitability before you buy.
You can browse monitor options in the IT Done Right Shop here: Shop monitors .
For local businesses, you may also find our Business IT Supplies page useful for monitors, keyboards, mice, storage, networking products and other everyday IT equipment.
Need advice before ordering? Contact IT Done Right and we will be happy to help.