How to Decide Between a Flat vs. Curved External Computer Monitor

ONE OF THE first tech accessories you should consider when setting up a home office is an external display. Having a monitor will give you a larger canvas for your work, whether you’re taking  curved vs flat monitor  notes while watching a lecture, copying data between spreadsheets, or editing photos and videos. If you’re using a laptop, and keep its lid open, having an external monitor lets you keep two screens on at the same time.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right external monitor to use, but one of the most important is whether you’d like it to have a flat or curved panel. There’s no wrong answer, but we’ve broken down the differences between both types of external monitors below, so you can make the right decision for your needs. We’ve also recommended one monitor from each category, so you know the right one to get.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Curved Monitors?
The biggest reason curved displays are popular is that they fill up more of your peripheral vision, which allows you to focus on your work instead of being distracted by what’s happening around you. If you’re watching or playing a game, this engrossing experience can be hard to beat. The downside to this style of monitor is that its curved display can catch light from more angles. The glare, which can make part of the screen more difficult to look at, negates the biggest advantage curved displays have over flat panel monitors. To be clear, flat-screen monitors can still be susceptible to glare, but it’s easier to set them up in an area where that will be less of an issue.

How to Find the Best Computer Monitor
Both flat and curved monitors are available in an array of sizes, but their shape changes as they get bigger. Flat panel displays generally have an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 16:10, which means their height and width grow at a pretty proportionate rate. The 16:9 aspect ratio is the standard for TVs, so you’ll be familiar with how a flat panel monitor looks regardless of its size. Curved monitors can have up to a 32:9 aspect ratio, which means they’re significantly wider than they are tall. This proportion allows you to spread more information on the screen, but also means it’ll likely take up the entire length of your desk.

Flat panel displays have the ergonomic advantage over curved ones because you may have to turn your neck more frequently to focus on different parts of a large, curved monitor’s display, which can cause strain. The alternative is to sit further away from the monitor, which may not be possible if you’ve got a small desk or room. Flat panels also have the advantage when it comes to flexibility. Both flat and curved monitors can be height and tilt-adjustable, but some flat panels give you the option to turn their display vertically, which makes it easier to work on writing assignments (from articles to legal drafts) or to edit vertical video (say, for Instagram).