What to look for in a monitor for long working days

Monitor spec sheets lead with the numbers that are easiest to print. The ones that affect a working day are further down.

Panel type first

IPS gives you accurate colour and a wide viewing angle, which matters if anyone ever looks at your screen from the side. VA gives deeper blacks and stronger contrast. TN is fastest and cheapest but shifts colour noticeably the moment you move your head.

Size and resolution belong together

Full HD is comfortable up to about 24 inches. Past that, the pixels get large enough that text starts to look soft, and you want 1440p. Buying a 27-inch Full HD panel to save money usually ends in disappointment.

Refresh rate

For documents, spreadsheets and browsing, 60 Hz to 75 Hz is fine and the difference is barely perceptible. High refresh rates are worth paying for in games, not in email.

The parts nobody lists

Check that the stand tilts to the height you actually sit at, and that the ports match your machine. A VESA mount is worth having even if you do not use it on day one.