How do I choose an office monitor?
Choose screen size and resolution together, then check your computer’s video output, desk space and stand adjustment. A 24-inch Full HD screen is a useful starting point; a 27-inch QHD screen offers more pixels for larger workspaces.
A better office monitor should make everyday work easier: readable documents, room for the windows you actually use and a position that suits your desk. Start with those needs before comparing refresh rates or a long list of marketing features.
Choose size and resolution together
Screen size describes the diagonal measurement. Resolution tells you how many pixels it can display. A larger panel with the same resolution spreads those pixels across a bigger area; it does not automatically give you more working space.
| Starting point | Why consider it? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 24-inch Full HD, 1920 × 1080 | Everyday documents, email and a compact desk. | Text size at your normal viewing distance and the stand’s adjustment. |
| 27-inch QHD, 2560 × 1440 | More pixels for spreadsheets, timelines and side-by-side windows. | The computer or dock must support QHD at the refresh rate you want. |
| Ultrawide | A wider canvas when your applications benefit from it. | Desk width, screen-sharing behaviour and the exact resolution. |
These are starting points, not rules. Display scaling changes the size of text and controls. If small text is uncomfortable, a higher pixel count alone will not solve it: adjust scaling and try the screen at a realistic distance.
Check the whole display connection
Write down the output on the computer or dock and the input on the screen. HDMI and DisplayPort can be straightforward connections when both ends support the required mode. A USB-C socket needs an extra check: the computer must support video through that port.
Do not assume the highest refresh rate works over every input. Check the manufacturer’s supported timings for the connection you intend to use. Our display cable guide explains the common connector choices.
Look beyond the panel
A height-adjustable stand can be more useful at an office desk than another gaming feature. Check tilt, height and swivel separately. If you plan to use an arm, match the VESA hole pattern, screen weight without its stand and the arm’s supported size. Check that your desk can take the clamp or mounting arrangement too.
A freestanding riser is another option, but its platform must fit the monitor base and carry the weight. Measure the desk rather than choosing only by the screen’s advertised diagonal.
A concrete example from our range
The ViewSonic VA2432-MHD-3 is a 24-inch Full HD IPS model with HDMI, DisplayPort and VGA inputs. ViewSonic lists an HDMI cable in the package. Check the current product page for availability and the exact supplied version. See ViewSonic’s specification and package contents.
We use this model as one starting point in our desk packs, so you can see a screen and keyboard/mouse combination with current item prices.
Before you order
- Measure desk space and decide where the screen will sit.
- Check computer outputs, dock capability and the cable in the box.
- Compare resolution as well as screen size.
- Check stand adjustment or the requirements for a separate arm.
- For several desks, confirm every computer model before standardising the pack.
Browse office and other monitors, or request a quote for a desk rollout.
Common questions
Is a 27-inch monitor always better than a 24-inch monitor?
No. Compare resolution, viewing distance, desk space and text scaling. A larger screen with the same resolution has the same number of pixels.
Does a USB-C socket guarantee monitor support?
No. Check whether the computer’s USB-C port supports video output and whether the dock or cable supports your required display mode.
Can I use any monitor arm?
Check the VESA pattern, monitor weight without its stand, supported screen size and desk mounting requirements.