Professional programmers clearly understand the advantage of having the best monitor for programming. An inappropriate monitor causes headaches, and neck problems, especially fatigue and damage to the eyes in the long term. After all, coding requires staring at a screen for eight or more hours a day for most programmers. That’s why you need to choose a monitor that causes fewer problems to your body and provides a more comfortable experience. In addition, choosing the best monitor for programming will increase your productivity in doing complex and heavy projects.
Characteristics of a programming monitor
There are many factors involved in choosing the right monitor for programming, and this makes the choice a bit complicated and stressful. Therefore, in this article, we have tried to examine monitors from different aspects and guide you in choosing a suitable monitor for programming. In this article, size, resolution, panel type, refresh rate, response time, curved or flat, and the ability to be vertical have been investigated.
Unlike other hardware, technology growth in the display sector is slow. Therefore, monitors can work for many years without getting too old and outdated. (There will still be 1080p displays manufactured and sold in 2022, but when exactly was this resolution released? The early 2000s, about 20 years ago!). It’s true that there are improvements in this area, but usually not enough for years to make it worth buying a new monitor. As you will use your monitor for many years, it is better to check and be more careful in your choice.
The monitor size
When code gets long, even if you’ve done a good job of adding comments to your code, after hours of staring at lines of code, they all look the same, and if the screen is small, scrolling through the code constantly, seeing a small snippet of code and switching between windows can be frustrating. Therefore, having a large screen and more space is useful to minimize scrolling up and down, as well as to understand the structure of the code better. Having the ability to make the monitor vertical also helps.
The advantage of larger monitors is that you have more content in total, and you can open more windows. This greatly improves multitasking performance, allowing you to see more and longer lines at a glance and less need to scroll and switch between windows.
In the table below, you can see the appropriate and optimal resolution for each size. A resolution higher than the values specified in this table may display content a little sharper, but it probably won’t be noticeable, and in most cases, it won’t be worth the extra cost.
| Monitor size | Optimal resolution |
| 24 inches | 1080p / 1440p |
| 27 inches | 1440p / 4K |
| 32 inches | 1440p / 4K |
| +42 inches | 4K |
The best monitor size for programming
The ideal monitor size for programming often depends on personal preference and the specific needs of the programmer. However, many developers find that larger monitors, typically ranging from 24 to 32 inches diagonally, provide ample screen real estate for multitasking and viewing multiple lines of code simultaneously. A larger monitor allows programmers to comfortably arrange windows side by side, reducing the need for constant tab-switching and enhancing workflow efficiency. Additionally, the increased screen space can accommodate various development tools, documentation, and reference materials, facilitating a more immersive and productive coding experience.
While larger monitors offer advantages in terms of visibility and multitasking, some programmers may find them unwieldy or excessive for their needs. For those who prefer a more compact setup or work in limited space environments, smaller monitors in the range of 21 to 24 inches can still provide sufficient screen space for coding tasks. These monitors are often more affordable and consume less desk space, making them suitable for developers with constrained budgets or compact workstations. Ultimately, the best monitor size for programming is subjective and varies based on individual preferences, workflow requirements, and the available workspace.
The monitor resolution
A large screen size makes it easier to view elements and texts at larger sizes, but it is the resolution that determines how detailed and clear the elements and texts are. For example, codes are displayed on a 27-inch 1440p monitor much more clearly and with more detail than on a 1080p monitor of the same size.
If you want to reduce the size of your writing or if you want to get very close to the monitor, you should use high-resolution monitors. Otherwise, you can also use low resolutions, such as 1080p, by slightly enlarging the fonts and keeping a sufficient distance from the monitor.
As the size of the monitor increases or the resolution decreases, your distance from the monitor should increase. You can accurately calculate the minimum and maximum distance from the monitor by entering the specifications of your monitor in this tool.
The monitor panel type
The displays inside the monitors can use different technologies. Common types of LCD panels are “TN,” “VA,” and “IPS.” Non-LCD panels also include the “OLED” type.
Note: “LED” and “QLED” are the “backlight” technology of displays, not “display panel,” and are used in the same monitor alongside “TN” or “VA” or “IPS” technology.
| Panel type | TN | Va | IPS | OLED |
| Response time | Excellent | Good | very good | Excellent |
| Refresh rate | Excellent | Excellent | very good | Excellent |
| angle of view | medium | very good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Quality of colors | medium | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| contrast | Good | very good | Good | Excellent |
| Price |  | | | |
IPS monitors are mostly used for design, and VA and TN monitors start the work of programmers, but if the vibrancy and quality of colors, as well as a good viewing angle of the monitor, are important to you, you can use monitors with IPS panels.
The monitor refresh rate
Understanding the monitor refresh rate is crucial for optimizing visual experiences, whether for gaming or programming. The refresh rate indicates how frequently a monitor updates the displayed image, typically measured in Hertz (Hz). Higher refresh rates, such as 120Hz to 165Hz, are prized for their ability to reduce motion blur and make animations appear smoother. While this enhancement is particularly valued in gaming scenarios where rapid movements are prevalent, it also contributes positively to the programming experience. A smoother refresh rate can make navigating through code feel more fluid and visually appealing, even if the practical impact on coding precision is minimal.
While a high refresh rate significantly benefits gamers, its importance in programming lies more in enhancing user comfort and overall visual aesthetics. For programmers, a 60Hz refresh rate may suffice for basic tasks, but opting for a higher refresh rate can lead to a more enjoyable and immersive coding environment. The smoother rendering of elements and reduced motion blur can contribute to reduced eye strain during long coding sessions, promoting better focus and productivity. Additionally, the improved responsiveness of the screen can facilitate smoother scrolling through code, aiding in code comprehension and navigation.
Ultimately, while the monitor refresh rate may not be as critical for programming as it is for gaming, it still plays a role in optimizing the coding experience. Choosing a monitor with a higher refresh rate, especially within the range of 120Hz to 165Hz, can provide tangible benefits in terms of visual comfort and user experience for programmers. By prioritizing a higher refresh rate alongside other factors such as screen size and resolution, developers can create a more conducive workspace that enhances both productivity and enjoyment in coding endeavors.
The monitor response time
Understanding the monitor response time is pivotal for ensuring a seamless visual experience, particularly in scenarios involving rapid screen movements. Response time refers to the duration it takes for a monitor to transition from one color to another, typically measured in milliseconds (ms). A shorter response time results in reduced ghosting, where fast-moving screen elements blur together, impacting clarity. Monitors with a response time of 1 millisecond offer optimal performance, ensuring minimal ghosting and providing users with a smooth and crisp viewing experience, particularly beneficial for gaming or high-motion content consumption.
While response time is crucial for tasks involving fast-paced visuals, such as gaming or watching videos, its significance in programming work is relatively limited. For programmers, a monitor with a response time of around 5 milliseconds is typically sufficient for coding tasks. While faster response times may offer marginally improved visual clarity, the practical impact on coding precision is minimal. Therefore, when selecting a monitor for programming purposes, other factors such as screen size, resolution, and ergonomic features may take precedence over response time considerations.
Although response time may not be a critical factor in programming, it still contributes to overall user comfort and visual quality. Monitors with faster response times can offer smoother transitions between screen elements, reducing eye strain and enhancing the readability of text and code. While programmers may not prioritize response time as highly as gamers or multimedia enthusiasts, selecting a monitor with an appropriate response time ensures a comfortable and enjoyable coding experience without unnecessary compromise on visual quality.
Curved or flat monitor?
Whether the monitor you choose for programming is curved or flat depends more on your taste and does not have much effect on technical performance. Curved monitors can help you see the edges of the screen a bit better, but overall they won’t have a huge impact on your performance.
The advantage of curved monitors is that they make the distance between your eyes and the monitor almost constant across the entire width of the monitor; That is, compared to flat monitors, “the distance between the eyes and the right and left sides of the monitor” and “the distance between the eyes and the center of the monitor” are less different. In addition, your viewing angle will be better than the monitor’s edges. These two factors make you have a better user experience than flat monitors.
- Curved screens are recommended for sizes 27 inches and above and are almost no different from flat screens below this value.
- If you are going to sit away from the monitor, a flat monitor is better than a curved monitor.
- If you use wide or ultra-wide monitors, curved monitors provide you with a better experience.
- With ultra-wide curved monitors, the option of “two flat monitors side by side” may be a more attractive choice for you.
The ability to rotate and become vertical
Some monitors allow you to rotate their screens 90 degrees and use them vertically. The verticality of the monitor allows you to see more lines of code, and thus you can better communicate with different components of your code. It might take some time getting used to, but having a lot more vertical space can help with long code or even browsing some pages.
- It seems that a vertical monitor next to a horizontal monitor can provide a good experience.
- If the monitor does not support tilt, you can use stands that attach to a table or wall to tilt the monitor vertically.
Conclusion
A suitable monitor for programming does not need high color accuracy and color support range. If you deal with photos and videos in addition to programming, or if accurate color selection is important to you for the front-end design, you may need to consider these features as well. It is better to choose monitors that are more compatible with the eyes and cause less damage and pressure to the eyes. Screens with flicker-free technology and blue light filter reduce fatigue and pressure on the eyes as well as headaches. Refresh rate and response time are also more important for gamers, and you don’t need to worry about these two factors.
On the other hand, a good size and resolution can make a significant impact on your programming experience and increase your productivity. Curved and flat monitors do not have much effect for sizes below 27 inches and are more of a matter of taste, but for sizes larger than 27 inches, curved monitors are better options. The verticality of one of the monitors can improve your experience; you can test this method, and if you agree with this method, include this factor in your choice.
