Choosing a monitor can be difficult. With so many different types and different specs, it can be confusing and can be a bigger headache than using one with a lower refresh rate. When it comes to buying a monitor, we have a treasure trove of information we've learned over the years and share it with you here to help you find the best monitor to buy.

When purchasing a monitor, it can be tempting to buy a familiar brand or what you feel is the "best" image. However, there are far more features that monitors offer and the parameters they offer within them, so much so that it is almost akin to buying the right TV for your home. Even the most expensive monitor may not be right for you, and a less expensive screen may not have what you are looking for. You should keep these things in mind when looking for a monitor, especially if you are planning a specific use case for your new screen.

Choose a monitor with a short response time to reduce blurring. Response time is the amount of time it takes for the monitor to change from one color to another. It is typically measured in milliseconds (ms). Typically, it averages 10-15 ms, which can be reduced by several seconds on LCD screens. In general, if you want to reduce motion blur, purchase a monitor with a shorter response time. This can occur even when just watching your favorite Netflix series or YouTube video, but is a major concern for those who want to play hardcore games. Movement will be smoother, sharper, and most importantly, there will be less ghosting where objects appear twice on one screen.

The higher the refresh rate, the happier the eye. The refresh rate of a monitor is important when viewing a screen for an extended period of time. Refresh rate is the number of times the monitor continuously refreshes per second, so look for one with a high value. Measured in Hertz (Hz), a refresh rate figure of at least 60-75 Hz is within the appropriate range to protect you from watery eyes, eye strain, and general irritation when working, gaming, or enjoying your favorite shows. If you are using your new monitor for gaming, select a higher refresh rate of approximately 120 Hz. Combine a high refresh rate with low response times and you have a winning combination.

Seek a higher resolution for a crisper, sharper image. If the monitor's response time and refresh rate are equally important, you may want to buy a monitor with a higher resolution if you want it to display the best. Resolution is expressed in pixels in a width x height format. At a minimum, you need a resolution of 1920 x 1080 for HD viewing, but you can go for a higher resolution or spend more money. Of course, for the casual viewer, this is less important, but choose wisely, as visual fidelity can affect the user's enjoyment and even functionality when it comes to monitors.

Know the difference between LCD and LED monitors. Most monitors fall into two categories: LCD and LED. All monitors are LCD monitors, but not all LCD monitors are LED monitors; LED monitors are thinner and tend to be slightly brighter with better contrast and higher brightness colors because of the light-emitting diodes from which they get their name. LCD monitors, on the other hand, are more affordable but a bit more expensive because they use older technology. LCD monitors use cold cathode fluorescent lamps to illuminate the screen instead of light-emitting diodes. LCD monitors are less stressful on the eyes, but are characterized by dull colors.

Choose the best panel type for your needs. All LCD monitors use a variety of panel types, from twisted nematic (TTN) to IPS, VA, OLED, and AMOLED. TTN panels are an older choice that gamers tend to prefer, with higher refresh rates, lower latency, and are a bit more affordable; IPS and VA monitor panels are slight upgrades, and both can be easily found on the market. Both feature wide viewing angles, low input latency, good color reproduction, and high contrast. VA panels are particularly well suited for graphic editing due to their high color reproduction; OLED panels are a big step up, as they are not based on LCD technology and do not require backlighting for operation. They are more expensive, but offer superior brightness settings, better viewing angles, and less power consumption. Finally, AMOLED displays cost more, but have faster refresh rates, brighter colors, and an overall clearer, better-looking screen. Ultimately, choosing the right one for you will depend not only on what you're willing to spend, but also on what you're willing to spend.

Consider a curved monitor instead of a flat screen. Like many screens these days, monitors have some gimmicks. Cell phones are foldable, but some modern monitors are curved. Why would you want that? Because the curvature gives the illusion that what your eye is fixed on is multidimensional and reduces image distortion. If you play a lot of games and want to feel like you are right in the middle of your favorite game, a curved screen may be the perfect solution.

Know your ports. When weighing the pros and cons of other connections to the monitor you plan to buy, there is one more thing to consider: the types of video connections available on your chosen product: USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, via VGA, and so on to other devices. There are different ways to connect to other devices: via USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, etc. Not all models are created equal in terms of connectivity, so before buying something, be aware of what works with other technologies at home and what you need to connect to your monitor.