Best Monitor for Programming & Coding (2020 Update)

Details: Last Updated: 08 October 2020

Professional programmers understand the benefits of having the best monitor for programming. A sub-par monitor setup could cause headaches, eye irritation, or the occasional bout of frustration. Handling complex projects are easier when you use a monitor well-suited to the task at hand. It's not easy finding monitors specifically designed for programming. Professional programmers found that most gaming monitors work well for programming because of their specifications. Our list discusses some of the best models you want to check out this year.

List of Top Programming Monitors

Top Pick

ASUS PB287Q

28 inch

Best 4k Monitor Check Amazon

1st Runner

LG 32MA68HY-P

32 inch

Best Large Screen Monitor Check Amazon

2nd Runner

Samsung C32F

32 inch

Best Curved Screen Check Amazon

Here is the complete List

Monitor	Screen Size	Reason Chosen	Details
ASUS PB287Q	28 inch	Best 4k Monitor	Check Price
LG 32MA68HY-P	32 inch	Best Large Screen Monitor	Check Price
Samsung C32F391FWN	32 inch	Best Curved screen	Check Price
Sceptre E205W	20 inch	Best Low budget	Check Price
Samsung CHG90	49 inch	Best Ultra Wide	Check Price

#1: ASUS PB287Q – Best 4K Monitor

The ASUS PB287Q is a professional monitor with a simple design perfect for any workplace. We find it to be a great choice for those looking for the best monitor for programming or gaming. Why do we say this? Well, the PB287Q model combines superior performance and a professional look. Some of its notable features include superb image quality and a high-quality ergonomic stand.

The 28-inch screen makes it a great choice for programmers and gamers. But this is not all; the Asus monitor boasts an incredible 3840 x 2160 display that gives clear images and crisp text. With a response time of 1ms and a refresh rate of 60Hz, the PB287Q 4k display monitor truly outranks other gaming monitors on the market. This monitor truly delivers an enjoyable visual experience.

If graphics quality is top on your list, then the Asus PB287Q is a monitor you want to take home. When it comes to physical dimensions, we find this monitor to be on the thicker side as compared to other models on the market. This should not be a deal-breaker, though, but it is still something to have in mind before making your purchase.

The Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture modes of the monitor help boost your productivity by letting you display content from multiple sources on the screen simultaneously, theoretically saving you from having to shift your gaze between multiple monitors

Another great feature that programmers will find convenient is the ergonomic stand. While being a bit large for our taste, it gives you the flexibility to put the screen in the perfect position for viewing. You can tilt it, adjust the height, and switch from landscape to portrait depending on the current task at hand.

Pros

Change orientation from landscape to portrait mode with ease.
Crystal clear monitor with good color reproduction.
Value for money
Works great for games.

Cons

Monitor pixel breaking issues.

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#2: LG 32MA68HY-P – Best Large Screen Monitor

It's hard to find a decent quality 32-inch monitor that sells at a reasonable price. Therefore, when we saw the LG 32MA68HY-P selling at this price point, we definitely had to check it out. The 32-inch IPS monitor is specially designed for the professional programmer. The monitor is bright, clear, and gives really sharp text.

One feature we were especially happy with is the screen split that lets you display four different windows at the same time. The LG 32MA68HY-P has good port options plus a built-in USB hub allowing you the freedom to connect any device. We were blown away by the picture quality and vibrant colors. While it does not pack the same features as other premium panels, we find it to be the best choice for performing everyday tasks.

From an incredible design to excellent specs, the LG 32MA68HY-P is great for both office work and gaming. A 32-inch monitor with a resolution of FHD 1080p, in our opinion, is great. Unfortunately, it does not have a DVI port or speakers. It offers a good monitor refresh rate of 60/50 Hz. Because you are shopping for the best monitor for programming, this monitor packs important features that you need like a high resolution, 1ms response rate, and a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Pros

It has good port options
Value for price
Sharp and vibrant display
Slim design. Convenient to play games.

Cons

The resolution is not good.

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#3: Samsung C32F391FWN 32-Inch Screen – Best Curved Screen

The Samsung C32F packs numerous features rarely seen together especially at this price range. When it comes to performance, this model truly delivers. We'll let you in on this in a few but first, let's talk about the overall build.

The 32-inch monitor boasts an ultra-slim curved design with a glossy white silver frame. The sharp edges and circular stand complete the beautiful look. You'll need a fairly large space to put this screen, but if you're going for an aesthetic appearance, you can mount it on the wall. There is a small joystick on the lower back of the monitor. The brand truly had a great idea because this joystick allows quick access and navigation of the control menu.

The 32-inch monitor has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 with a refresh rate of 60Hz and a response rate of 4ms. In this day and age where you can find tablets operating at 4k resolution, this screen seems a little too large to be taken seriously at 1080p. If you are a keen programmer, you will notice the difference in pixel pitch with a 27-inch screen.

Both the picture quality and overall performance are exceptional. For programmers, the capability to open multiple documents on a single screen and an increased landscape for working make the Samsung C32F outrank other models on the market.

Pros

Sleek and stylish design
A sturdy circular base that keeps the monitor in place
Bright and brilliant colors
Larger display area
Perfect screen for multi-tasking

Cons

Not a higher resolution as anticipated
No built-in speaker

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#4: Sceptre E205W: Best Low-Budget Monitor

We've included the Sceptre E205W on this list for the budget-conscious programmer. Don't let the low price tag put you off though; there's a lot that this monitor packs. While it may not rank top on the list as the best monitor for programming, we believe that it offers value that is undoubtedly hard to pass.

The E205W model is a great 20-inch monitor perfect for programming work. At only 5.36 lbs and overall size of approximately 18 x 7 x 13 inches, this monitor is just the right size to put in a small desk. If you don't have the advantage of space, this is the best monitor to buy. It has a 16:9, 1600x900 pixel display; so, HD+ rather than FHD.

While the stand lacks height adjustment, it tilts back and forth, 15 and 5 degrees respectively. You can adjust it to the right viewing angle for the best and easy work performance. If you don't want to place it on your desk, you can use the VESA mounting holes to hook your screen to a wall or stand.

Unfortunately, you'll have to put up with an unattractive-looking neck sticking out the bottom. Yes, you can unscrew it from the monitor frame, but the process may not be easy for some people. Both the HDMI and VGA inputs are a big plus. There are however no USB ports, DisplayPort and the built-in speakers are not impressive. These are flaws you'd expect on a low-budget monitor.

When we tested the screen, it produced rich, well-saturated colors. The E205W E-series has impressive picture quality although it does not give the same detail as high-end panels. The text may be a little blurry with the maximum 1600 x 900 resolution setting. The Sceptre E205W is a well-designed model that passes as a good choice if you are not expecting tons of great features.

Pros

Inexpensive
Great color output
Energy efficient
The controls are easy to see and access
Built-in speakers
Tilt-adjustable

Cons

Resolution is only HD+

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#5: Samsung CHG90 Series – Best Ultra Wide

If you have enough space on your office desk and a few extra dollars to buy a high-end model, this is a monitor to consider. Despite its hefty price, the monitor's 120Hz speed, picture quality and a combination of size and style encourage you to dig deeper into your pocket.

At 49 inches and an aspect ratio of 32:9, the CHG90 is the widest monitor we tested with a deep 1800R curvature. You'll want to set aside enough desk space in your office to set it up. Having the CHG90 monitor in your office is equivalent to having two 27-inch monitors. If you don't want the hassle of purchasing a second monitor, you can handle all your tasks on this widescreen model.

We recommend it as the best monitor for programming because you can open multiple documents at the same time on a single screen. The screen split software lets you divide it the way you want. This is a 1080p vertical monitor, so if you've grown used to a 4k monitor, you'll notice some difference.

The CHG90 also comes with a couple of useful ports including two USB ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports. While we wish this monitor had a higher pixel density, its overall build and performance leave a lasting impression that overshadows the minor flaws.

Pros

Amazing widescreen experience
144Hz refresh rate
Great color reproduction and high-quality picture
You can split it into six distinct areas

Cons

Pricey
Requires a large space

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💻 What Features to Look for in the Best Monitor for Programming?

It's not easy finding the right model especially when programmers have different answers as to what makes the best monitor for programming. Some programmers find that color is more important while others prefer adjustability over other factors. To make things easier for you, we've included some of the most important features that the best monitor should have.

Screen Resolution
Screen Size
Response Time and Refresh Rate
Screen Orientation
Display Panel

Let's study them in detail:

Screen Resolution

Resolution is an important factor when choosing a monitor for programming; the higher the resolution, the more real estate. High-resolution monitors provide better readability making it easier to read and write codes. The 3 most common resolutions are 1080p, 1440p and 4k.

4k monitors are dominating the market, but we understand that their price may send most people away. Having a monitor with 4 times the pixels of a 1080p monitor means you can fit nearly four times the content on the screen.

Despite their high price tags, they are the great monitors for programming because they reduce eye strain. If you can't afford them, make sure you settle for nothing less than a 1080p monitor.

Screen Size

Screen size is more of a personal preference so it may not affect your programming. Some people prefer a smaller screen size because of their desk space, and others prefer larger screens that equally let them watch movies or play games. You can choose the size you prefer however you need to make sure you don't sacrifice the resolution quality. If you are going for large screen size, say a 27-inch screen, you want to consider a higher resolution.

Response Time and Refresh Rate

Even though these are important factors to consider in the best monitor for programming, you don't have to worry about them much. As a recommendation though, you need to consider a monitor with a response time of at least 5ms; the faster the response time, the better the experience. A decent monitor should also have a refresh rate of at least 60Hz. Anything less than this affects day-to-day use.

Screen Orientation

You'll notice that most monitors on the market have a landscape orientation. Portrait monitors are quite rare but are a great investment to programmers. Should you go for a landscape or portrait mode? Well, this is a matter of preference. However, a monitor in the landscape orientation lets you see more code at once. We'd recommend you have at least one monitor oriented in the portrait mode.

Display Panel

All monitors that are on sale in the market nowadays have LCD panels. Simply put, all screens marketed as TFT, IPS and LED are all basically LCDs, with slight changes.

There are 3 popular LCD panel types; IPS (In-plane Switching), TN (Twisted Nematic) and VA (Virtual Alignment). TN panels have the best refresh rate and response time. They are quite popular in high-end gaming monitors. Unfortunately, these panels do not have the best color accuracy or viewing angles. This means that they are not the best choice for web developers.

VA panels while being less popular have better images than TN panels. IPS panels beat other models if you want the best monitor for programming. They have vibrant colors, good contrast, and the best viewing angles. Despite their high price tags, IPS panels pack features that are more suited to programming.

🔐 Why use a Monitor Stand?

Most models come with stands that let you tilt the screen without adjusting the height. This may set you in an uncomfortable working position. For comfort, you want to consider a monitor with an ergonomic stand that lets you fully adjust the screen position.

You can equally invest in a separate stand that allows you the flexibility to adjust the monitor to your preferred comfortable position. A custom arm stand is equally important when you are thinking about a dual or triple monitor setup. Before looking for any type of stand, you need to make sure that the monitor you buy is VESA compatible.

Fortunately, most of the models we've included on our list are VESA compatible. Whether you are looking for a clamp stand or a freestanding model, investing in a stand lets you adjust the orientation of your monitor for maximum performance.

❓ How many Monitors to Choose? Dual Monitor or Wide Screen Arrangement?

A few people are curious whether dual monitor arrangement improves productivity than a widescreen arrangement. Most developers prefer having a second monitor because it comes in handy when reading documentation and testing codes.

A widescreen arrangement gives you seamless working experience without bezels between windows. These models have a display size ranging from 29 to at least 34 inches with resolutions of around 1080p or 1440p. Having an ultra widescreen is a good choice for graphics designers or video game programmers.

Final Thoughts

After comparing all these monitors, we suggest a dual monitor setup for programmers. You could choose two Sceptre E205W for your setup. For Designers and gamers we recommend the Samsung CHG90. Though there no one size fits all approach.

Monitor	Screen Size	Reason Chosen	Details
ASUS PB287Q	28 inch	Best 4k Monitor	Check Price
LG 32MA68HY-P	32 inch	Best Large Screen Monitor	Check Price
Samsung C32F391FWN	32 inch	Best Curved screen	Check Price
Sceptre E205W-	20 inch	Best Low budget	Check Price
Samsung CHG90	49 inch	Best Ultra Wide	Check Price