How to use this tool
Monitor listings are full of numbers. This guide turns them into plain English, and helps you match a panel to how you'll actually use it.
Resolution (how much detail)
- 1080p (1920×1080): sharp on a 21–24" screen; the everyday standard.
- 1440p (2560×1440): the sweet spot on 24–27" — clearly sharper than 1080p without the cost.
- 4K (3840×2160): very sharp, best on 27" and up; needs a decent graphics card to drive in games.
Rule of thumb: the bigger the screen, the higher the resolution you need for it to look crisp.
Refresh rate (how smooth)
- 60 Hz: fine for everyday and office work.
- 120/144 Hz: noticeably smoother for gaming and fast movement — worth it for gamers.
- Higher isn't automatically better; your graphics card has to actually deliver the frames.
Cables to expect
- HDMI: universal, carries 1080p/1440p easily; check the version for 4K.
- DisplayPort (DP): the go-to for high refresh and high resolution, especially on PC.
Don't pay for a refresh rate your games can't reach, or a 4K panel on a small screen where the extra pixels barely register.