The monitor requirements for programmers do not involve fancy graphics and crisp resolution. But, they still need a screen that is comfortable to look at. However, not every monitor out there offers this, so you can’t consider all of them to be the best monitor setup for programming.
Today, hundreds of thousands of monitors in the market claim to be the best. However, not all these monitors work out for everyone. So, if you are looking for a monitor, you are at the right place because after doing tons of research and testing, we have curated a list of monitor setups for programming that simply won’t disappoint you!
The Best Super-Slim Flat Monitor
Samsung 24″ FHD Flat Monitor
When looking for monitors for programming, one can’t simply overlook the Samsung 24″ FHD flat screen. This Samsung monitor offers a decent screen size of 24 inches and a 16:9 aspect ratio alongside a 1080×1920 resolution. All the three specs mentioned earlier combine to present an experience like non other and gives the PC a clear victory over the competitors.
The 178-degree wide viewing angle on the monitor ensures a fantastic view from various angles. A wide range of viewing angles make it comfortable and stress-free for the eyes to stare at the same screen for several hours. Moreover, the Eco-saving mode on this monitor significantly lowers the energy consumption by automatically increasing and decreasing the brightness.
The device comes with an eye-saver mode and a flicker-free mode, making the viewing experience 10x smoother. Moreover, the AMD Radeon FreeSync mode provides the optimum gaming experience making it the best monitor for programming and gaming.
And lastly, the Samsung 24-inch monitor has a fast response rate of 4 ms and a refresh rate of 75 Hz, which promises a smooth surfing experience, even when browsing several windows simultaneously.
The Best Budget AMD FreeSync Monitor
LG 32BN88U-B 31.5” Ergo IPS UHD 4K Ultrafine™ Monitor
The LG 31.5-inch Ergo with an UltraFine display and a glossy screen finish is one of LG’s latest technologies. The widescreen provides a better viewing experience as compared to the older 24 and 27-inch screens. And the C-clamp allows the screen to be compatible with a majority of desks.
The ergo stand lets you view the screen horizontally and vertically. This feature is a major plus for programmers as sometimes viewing the screen in portrait mode instead of the typical landscape mode is a huge lifesaver. The Ergo arm with this monitor has a sturdy build that assures you that the chances of your beautiful screen falling are almost nonexistant
The 31.5-inch screen beats the competitors in terms of build and a high resolution of 3840x2160p. LG 31.5-inch ultra-high-definition screen has a 95% DCI-P3 gamut that UHD displays can produce. And the wide screen ensures you are putting minimum stress on the eyes to read the text/codes.
Moreover, the addition of AMD Radeon FreeSync further improves the graphics by synchronizing the refresh rate with the frame rate. The monitor comes with 3 different connectivity cables in the box which makes it easier to connect the screen with other devices.
The Best Curved Frameless Gaming Monitor
AOC C32G2 32″ Curved Frameless Gaming Monitor Review
It is no secret that gamers usually opt for curved screens because the screen’s curve relieves stress on the eyes and ensures an improved color consistency. But, programmers also find this feature extremely useful as the curved screen is easier to look at than the flat screen. And that is where the AOC C32G2 Curved Frameless monitor outranks the rest of the monitors on this list.
The C32G2 offers a beautiful 1500R curved display with a resolution of 1920x1080p. It is also equipped with an AMD Radeon FreeSync resulting in a smooth color and pixel distribution throughout the screen. Moreover, the VA panel further boosts the curved screen viewing and ensures the colors do not bleed and the screen presents a crisp image with ultimate color quality.
Another notable feature of this monitor is its incredibly high response rate recorded at 1 ms and a refresh rate of 165Hz. The increased refresh and response rate ensure you experience an overall high-speed experience.
With AOC C32G32, you get a monitor that is fast and has excellent resolution so that besides programming you can also enjoy an amazing gaming and video watching experience.
The Best Budget QHD IPS LED Monitor
Sceptre 32 inch QHD IPS LED Monitor Review
If we talk about the build, then the scepter 32 has an edge-less bezel design and an adjustable stand. The desktop also has an eye-catching look to it because of the high quality built-in LED lights in the back cover. The wide 32-inch screen size makes it the best monitor size for programming as it doesn’t put a lot of strain on the eyes.
The 32-inch monitor brings a 1440p Quad HD resolution and a magnificent IPS panel. The IPS (In Plane Switching) display of the monitor ensures top-notch color distribution throughout the screen. You also get a super high definition range of HDR400 which does an excellent job of helping you distinguish dark colors in a better way.
Moreover, the scepter 32 has a high brightness of about 400 nits which is exceptionally high for a budget-friendly monitor. The refresh rate is almost 144Hz, and it also features a high response rate of about 1 ms MPRT. The rapid refresh rat combined with a high response rate take the screen visuals on another level. And the monitor also supports adaptive sync.
The Best 1440p Eye-Care Monitor
BenQ PD3200Q DesignVue 32 inch 1440p QHD VA Monitor Review
The Benq 3200Q monitor is ideal for programmers and content creators as it has a 32-inch screen which ensures you can see every little detail. Color quality on this desktop is beyond amazing which makes it a fantastic choice for people who care about the brilliance and the depth of the colors. The PD3200Q also doesn’t lack when it comes to the exterior as it has a thin bezel and a robust metal stand making it one of the most stylish PC’s..
With BenQ PD 3200Q, you get a 2K UHD display and a 16:9 aspect ratio. There are also a variety of display modes available, including the professional, darkroom, animation, and CAD/CAM modes. And the best part is that with BenQ’s dual view function, you can work on two different modes on one screen, simultaneously.
The BenQ PD3200Q monitor is designed with specialized eye-care technology, making it easy to work on the monitor for more extended periods. When talking about the speed, the monitor’s refresh rate is only 75Hz, but that won’t be a problem as long as you just want to use the monitor for programming and video streaming.
The Best Budget IPS Panel Monitor
HP M27ha FHD Monitor Review
If you want a monitor that will provide optimum performance at a more pocket-friendly price, look no further than the HP M27ha FHD monitor. This monitor from HP comes with a 27-inch screen and a 1920x1080p IPS display.
You also get an aspect ratio of 16:9 which is considered ideal by most users. This monitor’s top-quality IPS panel provides a variety of excellent viewing angles making it easier to view the screen from any angle.
The monitor also includes a low blue light mode which makes the whites on the screen less harsh and more comfortable for the eyes. With this model from HP, you get a refresh rate of about 60Hz only which is low as compared to other models, but this processing speed is pretty good for a low-budget monitor.
The HP M21ha also includes fully integrated audio which demolishes the need for external speakers. And for built-in speakers, the sound quality is also pretty decent. So it is safe to say that the features combined with the low price simply make it the best budget monitor for programming.
How to buy Best Monitor Setup for Programming?
For programmers, an effective monitor setup can make the difference between a workday spent coding and programming, and one filled with distractions, eye strain, and frustration. Fortunately, whether you’re looking to set up your first computer monitor or you want to upgrade your existing setup, this guide will give you all the information you need to get started. Let’s dive in!
Ideal resolutions
The ideal resolution depends on how you plan on using your monitor. Do you want a separate monitor just for programming? If so, it’s probably best to go with a higher resolution monitor, like a 24 monitor with 1920 x 1080 (1080p) resolution. The larger and higher resolution screens have more pixels per inch. This means they can display smaller text while still being able to fit a lot of information on one screen. On top of that, many high-resolution monitors are curved or ultra-wide, which makes them great for multitasking. However, if you only need one monitor for both work and play then there is no need to spend extra money on a high-resolution screen when something cheaper will do just fine. For example, Dell’s S2419HGF has an HD resolution of 1920 x 1080—perfect for everyday tasks but also good enough if you don’t plan on doing any serious gaming or video editing.
Numbers of monitors and placement
Before you start shopping, you should have a good idea of how many monitors you’ll need and where you want them placed. Most professional setups are three- or four-monitor configurations, but having just one more monitor can make a big difference. A single large monitor is easier on your eyes than two smaller monitors sitting side by side, and it gives your desktop more breathing room. Monitors placed in a row also give your eye’s visual cortex less exercise as it darts back and forth between screens.
Ergonomics
Believe it or not, your monitor setup can have a huge impact on how you’re feeling and what you’re capable of. Ergonomics is about building a workspace that makes sense for you and those who will be sharing it with you (whether at home or in an office setting). A good ergonomic set up is all about making sure that everything is easy to access.
Types of monitors
There are a few different types of monitors. The type you choose will depend on how you plan to use it and how much money you’re willing to spend. Here are your options
* Standard: A standard monitor has an LCD screen with a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio, meaning that it measures 16 inches from left to right, but only 9 inches from top to bottom. These displays have smaller viewing angles than other types of monitors, so they’re not ideal if you want to share what you see with someone else or if multiple people need access at once. However, they do tend to be affordable, lightweight and compact—making them ideal for working at home or in small offices where space is limited.
* Widescreen: If you work with graphics or photos, or just like having more room for working on spreadsheets or word processing documents, consider investing in a widescreen monitor.
Monitors under $300 USD
The Dell U2414H is a 24-inch screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, giving you plenty of space for working on multiple windows. What’s more, its contrast ratio is 1000:1, so you can enjoy deep black levels in video and gaming. Finally, it has an ultra-fast 1 ms response time and 60 Hz refresh rate—ideal if you spend long hours at your desk. All told, it’s an excellent choice for programming.
In addition to these monitors under $300 USD , there are also some great options available over $300 USD . If you have a larger budget, we recommend checking out our guide to buying monitors over $500 USD . For now though, let’s take a look at some of our favorite picks under $300 USD :
The Dell S2340M is another 23-inch monitor that boasts a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080). It also comes with built-in speakers and two USB ports. As such, it’s ideal if you need more than just a monitor for programming but want something that doesn’t take up too much room on your desk.
Benefits of having multiple monitors while programming
When it comes to programming and working on computers, there’s a lot of benefits that you get from having multiple monitors. Today we are going to be covering how having more than one monitor can give you a better experience while programming.
- The first benefit is being able to have two different programs open at once. This allows you to multitask much easier by being able to quickly switch between two different tasks at any given time without having to go back and forth between them constantly.
- The second benefit is that you can have your IDE (Integrated Development Environment) up on one screen with your code editor open on another screen next to it so that when writing code, you don’t have to constantly switch back and forth between windows in order edit something in your code or read what line of code you are currently editing in your IDE.
- The third benefit is that if you are using multiple monitors, then you will also have a larger workspace which makes it much easier to do things like write code as well as other things such as watching videos online or even just browsing through Facebook.
- The fourth benefit is that if you want to watch some YouTube videos while programming then using multiple monitors will allow you to easily watch videos on one screen while still doing work on another.
There are many other benefits but these four main ones should cover most people’s needs when trying to decide whether they should use multiple monitors or not. If anyone has anymore questions about how having an extra monitor can help them out please feel free to ask me anything below!
Disadvantages of having multiple monitors while programming
Multiple monitors are a great way to increase productivity, but they come with their share of disadvantages. You may think that two or three monitors is a huge benefit and it certainly is in many situations but there are also some issues that may not be as apparent. Here are some important factors you should consider before making your final purchase decision. Keep in mind that these issues only apply if you’re using multiple monitors while programming. They won’t affect how you use your monitors at home or when doing other tasks.
Non-adjustable arms: Many people have desks that don’t allow them to adjust monitor arms and often find themselves constantly adjusting their monitor height to avoid neck strain and eye fatigue from having an unnatural posture all day long. The longer your monitor arm is, the more flexibility you will have with placement and finding a comfortable position for both eyes and hands. If you can’t adjust your monitor arms, try adding some risers under each of your monitors or raising your chair up on something like milk crates or wooden blocks.
Conclusion:
Choosing the best monitor setup for programming might be extremely hard if you are not familiar with the essential features of a programming monitor. Sometimes, people might invest their money in the wrong monitor and regret the decision later. To save you from any such situation, we have enlisted some top-quality monitor setups that ensure optimum performance for programmers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you need 2 monitors for programming?
Most programmers opt for 2 or, sometimes, even more monitors because it grants them more control over their work. However, you can make do with one monitor too. So it is up to your preference.
What size of monitor is best for developers?
Developers should go for bigger screens as it allows them to open multiple windows side by side. Generally, it is recommended to go for at least a 27-inch monitor if you are a developer.
Are curved monitors good for programming?
Curved monitors are great, if not ideal for programmers. It is because curved monitors effortlessly beat flat screens in terms of even color distribution, aspect ratio, variety of viewing angles, and adjustability.
