Day by day, the world as you know is shifting to remote work. A lot of the work being done today can be done from the comfort of your homes. So, having the right stuff can be a massive help to bettering your productivity and still maintaining comfort.
It goes without saying that one of the most important parts of a work-from-home job is the monitor. So, in this write-up, let’s take a look at what makes the best monitor for working from home and other important things to keep in mind.
What Are Your Monitor Needs?
Before anyone takes a dip into what is what when it comes to monitors, it’s important to grasp what exactly you need from the best monitor for working from home. Maybe you’re a graphic designer who needs a very accurate color display.
Or maybe you’re a writer who’s looking for a screen that won’t burn your energy quickly and stay for extended periods. Knowing what you need is going to be the foundation for choosing the best monitor.
For Graphic Designers and Video Editors
When you’re someone who works with content that needs visual accuracy, then you’re going to want a monitor that offers really good color accuracy and a high resolution.
A 4K resolution would be the best for these kinds of work because it currently provides the crispest and most detailed visuals.
Image Source: Yandex
On top of that, you should also look to find monitors with wide color gamut support, like sRGB and DCI-P3. Why? So that your work looks vibrant and true to life.
These functions are absolutely necessary to ensure that your designs or edits are accurate in terms of color.
Graphic designers know that color accuracy and a good resolution are really important. Many have talked about how upgrading to a monitor with 4K resolution and a DCI-P3 color gamut made all the difference. Since the colors are rich and accurate, the designers would then be empowered to make designs that are really true to life.
For General Office Work
Now, compared to graphic designers, office tasks like writing, emailing, or surfing the web, a 1080P full HD monitor is usually more than enough.
Apart from their affordable nature, these monitors provide clear enough visuals for work that doesn’t demand extra-crisp images.
But if you’re going to have multi-tasking sessions and have a lot of windows open at one time, then buying a bigger screen is the better option.
A bigger display will help you keep multiple applications visible on your screen at the same time without cluttering the whole setup.
Now, let’s take a brief rundown of other features that you should consider.
Resolution and Size: Daily work like coding, video meetings, and working on documents won’t require a monitor that’s top of the line. A 1080p full-HD monitor usually does the trick.
But the same can’t be said for graphic design or video editing. These types of work would be best done on a 4K monitor that shows details in the most accurate manner.
The size of the monitor is also a big factor when it comes to how work can be done. A bigger display means that it can accommodate more details, thus making multitasking easier.
Connectivity: There are a lot of connectivity options in modern monitors. You have HDMI, DP, and even USB-C. But using monitors with USB-C hubs are going to be better for you in the long run as they will massively simplify your whole setup.
This will allow you to connect multiple devices and even charge your laptop if you’re using one with a single cable. HDMI and DP could also have these features, depending on the version.
Ergonomics: Stands which are adjustable are very important for keeping a good posture for work that requires you to sit in front of the screen for long hours. So, you need to get a monitor with a stand that can tilt, swivel, and adjust in height to adapt to your needs.
Color Accuracy: As talked about before, if you’re working with graphics or videos, then you should get a monitor that gives you really good color accuracy and coverage of color ranges like DCI-P3 or sRGB.
How to Choose the Best Monitor for Working from Home?
Now that you have an idea of your needs, let’s take a look at some good tips that can help you pick the best monitor for working from home:
Assess Your Budget: Some monitors are on the cheap end, and some monitors are very expensive.
Decide on a budget and search for options that fulfill your criteria within the budget you have set.
You should also remember that you don’t need to get the most expensive option to get a good monitor.
Read Reviews: Taking a look at reviews for different products is a great way to help you decide on which monitor would be good for you.
Keep an eye on reviews that give detailed information about its functions, like brightness, color accuracy, and connectivity.
Consider Your Workspace: Before buying any monitor, you should keep in mind the workspace you’re going to put it in.
Think ahead if the monitor is going to fit comfortably and if connectivity won’t be compromised for other devices.
If your room is bright, then you should probably get a monitor with good brightness and anti-glare functions.
Test Before You Buy: This applies to almost anything you could buy. If it’s possible, go to a store to see the monitor in action. Doing this will give you an idea of how the monitor performs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When selecting the best monitor for working from home, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:
Ignoring Ergonomics: A monitor that’s rigid and is unable to adjust to your needs won’t be a good fit for your workflow. Get one that is versatile.
Overlooking Connectivity: Consider a monitor that has enough ports to connect all your devices without needing to get adapters for extra ports.
Prioritizing Resolution Over Other Features: A lot of people make the mistake of only taking resolution into account when purchasing a monitor. It’s not the only important thing. You should also keep in mind color accuracy, ergonomics, and connectivity as well.
Setting Up Your Home Workspace
If you’ve decided on a monitor after all the advice you’ve taken from this article, then it’s now time to set up your workspace. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Positioning: Keep the monitor directly where you’re going to be looking. Keep it far away enough that the text is visible and it’s comfortable. Also, remember to keep it at a height that lets you look a bit downward so as to keep eye strain at a minimum.
Lighting: Play around with the lighting in your room to keep the glare on the screen from popping. Natural light is great, but direct sunlight is a problem.
Ergonomics: Invest in an ergonomic chair and keyboard tray to maintain a comfortable posture throughout the day.
Conclusion
Picking the best monitor for working from home is going to involve you getting your preferences and needs in order.
Resolution, connectivity, ergonomics, and color accuracy are things you must consider when getting a monitor. If you do keep these features in mind, then getting the right monitor will elevate your productivity and keep you comfortable.
As you explore different options, remember to prioritize features that align with your work style.
