Best Monitors For Computer Eye Strain
- 2024 Guide

One of the most crucial factors in reducing eye strain

If you’re experiencing eye strain despite your best efforts to prevent it, then your monitor may be to blame. Since we spend so much of our time looking at screens, it only makes sense to invest in the best monitor for your individual needs. In this guide, you’ll learn about the features and settings that you’ll want to look for when buying your next monitor.

find the best monitors for reducing eye strain

Screen manufacturers need to satisfy the demands of the public to manage their reputations as industry leaders. As such, these companies have developed numerous technologies designed to protect your eyes, even after working at a screen for hours.

There are several very important technologies to consider:

  • Blue Light Reduction - Numerous studies have shown that blue light is the number one cause of computer eye strain, and this means you’ll want to choose a monitor that offers low blue light output. However, low blue light isn’t always ideal – during some parts of the day, more blue light may actually reduce eye strain. Look for a monitor that either allows you to manually adjust blue light output, or one that adjusts blue light output automatically based on the type and amount of light it detects.
  • Flicker-Free Monitors - LED monitors, which are by far the most common, will flicker as they try to maintain the brightness you choose. In most cases, you’ll never even notice the flicker, and if you do, it’s likely in low-light conditions. This constant, almost unnoticeable flickering causes your pupils to expand and contract rapidly, which creates eye strain. Some monitor manufacturers have developed dynamic backlighting, which can greatly reduce or even eliminate flicker.
  • Anti-Glare Panels with Wide Viewing Angles - Look for indications that a new monitor has a matte screen if you really want to protect your eyes. A glossy screen may look nice and shiny and new, but that gloss will reflect every bit of light that hits it, causing some serious discomfort for your eyes. What’s more, you should make sure your monitor has wide viewing angles, too. Even though you should place your monitor directly in front of you, there may be times when you’ll need to view it from the side, such as when you’re giving a presentation. A wider viewing angle means you’ll be able to view with less strain.
  • Ergonomic Features - Monitor height and angle are also important eye care technologies. Look for screens with adjustable stands that make it easy for you to set the proper height. You should also find a monitor that turns on its base, which allows you to achieve the best possible viewing angle even when the placement isn’t ideal.

When purchasing a monitor, you may not stop to think much about the refresh rate, but it’s very important when it comes to the health of your eyes. The refresh rate simply describes the number of times per second the image on your screen refreshes itself. The most common refresh rate today for computer monitors is 60Hz, which means the image refreshes 60 times per second. Other monitors offer higher refresh rates – normally 120Hz or 144Hz, which means the image can refresh more than twice as often as a standard monitor.

While there are some people who claim that a higher refresh rate truly does wonders when it comes to eye strain, there’s no real evidence to support this. There is evidence, however, that the human eye cannot detect anything more than 60 refreshes per second, which falls in line with the most common refresh rate available.

Simply put, as long as your monitor’s refresh rate is at least 60Hz, you’re making a wise choice.

monitor resolution can help with eye strain

Per numerous studies and surveys on those who use a wide variety of monitor resolutions, some resolutions are simply better for your eyes than others. At the very least, you should be using a monitor capable of displaying 1080p, but if your screen is larger than 24 inches, you’ll want to upgrade from traditional high definition.

The following guide will help you choose the best resolution based on size.

  • Up to 24” - For smaller monitors, choose 1080p. Anything less can cause images to appear pixelated, which may hurt your eyes, and anything more can create a blurry image.
  • 25” to 27” - When it comes to monitors up to 27” in size, 1080p may start to look quite blocky. This can make it difficult for your eyes to focus comfortably. In this case, move up to a 1440p screen, or perhaps even a 4k UHD (ultra-high definition) option.
  • 28” or more - Larger monitors tend to create more eye strain, so it’s important that you go with a very high resolution to get the sharpest, clearest, and most focused picture possible. In this case, stick with 4k UHD resolutions.

Not all monitors have the same types of display panels. In fact, there are three different panel types – TN, IPS, and VA – and the one you choose will depend on your screen’s primary use. Here’s what you should know about these panel types.

  • TN, or Twisted Nematic - The TN panel is the most common these days, and for good reason. It’s relatively cheap to manufacture, the pixels can change state quickly, and they have double the refresh rate of other monitors (120Hz rather than 60Hz), which allows them to display twice the information in a mere second. TN monitors are considered best for gaming thanks to the high refresh rate, but the viewing angles are quite limited.
  • VA, or Vertical Alignment - Vertical alignment panels are better than TN panels at blocking backlight when it’s unwanted. This can create more brilliant colors and deeper blacks. VA panels have much larger viewing angles, too. While VA isn’t much more expensive to create than TN, the drawback comes in the pixels themselves. They can’t change state very quickly, which means you’ll notice blurring when any motion occurs on-screen.
  • IPS, or In-Plane Switching - Finally, IPS panels differ in that they provide the most lifelike color out of the three options. They offer quick pixel responsiveness and brilliant colors, but these come at the expense of significant motion blur. IPS panels are best for photographers and photo editors working with still images, and they’re also best for anyone who works long hours in front of a screen.

In short, if you’re a gamer and you want the best possible experience, choose a TN panel. If you work from a computer, an IPS panel is always the best choice.

Buying a computer monitor is about far more than the size and price. You’ll want to pay attention to the built-in eye strain reduction features, the refresh rate, the resolution, and even the type of panel the monitor uses to display the picture. When you use this knowledge to your advantage, you can find the best possible monitor for your unique needs.

Any information on the eyebreaks.com website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice. Please contact your nearest optician/eye doctor if you have any concerns about your eyes.

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