A monitor for code is judged on how comfortable it is to read small text for hours. That makes sharpness and height adjustment far more important than refresh rate.
The full explanation is here: Monitors for coding: what actually matters.
The comparison checklist#
- Height adjustment or VESA mounting. The most important item, and the one most often overlooked. A great panel on a fixed low stand is worse than a modest one at eye level.
- Size and resolution together. 1080p is fine at 24 inches and looks soft at 27. At 27 inches, aim for 1440p or 4K.
- Panel type. IPS for accurate colour and wide viewing angles is the usual choice for text work.
- Coating. Matte handles a bright room far better than glossy.
- Ports. Check they match your machine. USB-C with power delivery means one cable to a laptop.
- Flicker-free and low-blue-light modes if you work long sessions.
What to ignore#
- Very high refresh rates and 1ms response times — no benefit for reading code
- Curve, on screens under about 30 inches
- HDR marketing on budget panels
One screen or two?#
Start with one good screen positioned properly. Add a second when you find yourself constantly switching windows. A rotated vertical secondary screen is excellent for long files and logs.
Full guideRead the full monitor guide