Selecting the right monitor is critical to getting the best viewing experience from your games. Gamers spend so much time using their monitors. It’s not surprising then that there are so many different sizes, resolutions, and refresh rates to choose from. But if you just look at size alone the choice can be tough. Three of the most common sizes include 24-inch, 27-inch and 34-inch. So which size is best for gaming?
If you’re looking for a monitor, be sure to check out PCWorld’s recommended list of monitors based off our comprehensive reviews.
Proximity can be a deciding factor
The proximity of a player’s body to the display can be a big factor in determining the right monitor size. Sitting too close to a large screen can cause eye strain and make it very difficult to see objects clearly. While sitting too far away from a display can make it hard to see the fine details.
Players tend to go for a size monitor that makes them feel comfortable. For example, if the gamer sits very close, just two feet away, then a 24- to 27-inch monitor size is usually recommended. On the other hand, if they sit a little further, say 3 feet away from the display, they can get away with a 34-inch or larger size.
Proximity makes 34-inch and larger monitors a little more restrictive, though, because most gamers generally like to sit close to their displays.
Resolution favors the large monitor sizes
The second factor that influences what size players adopt is resolution. Most 24-inch monitors (like the Acer Vero B247Y G) are capped at 1080p because it’s difficult to fit more pixels into the smaller screen size. Larger monitors of 27 inches or more tend to have resolutions ranging from 1440p to 4K because that strikes a balance of sharpness and performance. An example is the 4K 27-inch MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED.
So, the size of monitor a gamer will select can often just be put down to the resolution they want to play at. Players who want a higher resolution experience will often buy a 27-inch or larger monitor, while players who want to reduce the graphic load on their PC or want to save money on the purchase price will opt for a smaller 24- or 25-inch 1080p monitor.
Pexels: Yan Krukau
Gamers gravitate to monitor size based on their gaming preference
While most believe that larger monitors make for better viewing, when it comes to competitive gaming and PvP games, the opposite is true.
Most tournaments are played on 24-inch monitors. That’s because the players can see more in their field of view and make quicker eye movements across the screen. They don’t have to search the screen for details that they may miss in larger displays. Because of that fact, you get a lot of gamers who play competitive multiplayer games — think Fortnite, League of Legends, and Valorant — opting for 24-inch monitors.
That doesn’t mean that all games are better on smaller monitors. It’s certainly true that gamers who want more immersion, such as players of racing games and sims will often choose a 27-inch or larger monitor size to get that feeling of being completely engrossed in their game.
Monitors above 27-inches and ultrawide monitors (like the 34-inch Alienware AW 3423DWF) also lend themselves well to games that emphasize story and visuals (like single-player games and RPGs) where the players want to soak up as much of the in-game environment as possible. Players may miss a few of the finer details but they can enjoy being immersed in the scenery as they go.
That said, most consoles don’t support the ultrawide format, so you’ll want to avoid an ultrawide monitor if you plan on playing console games.
What about 27-inch monitors? They sit in a sweet spot between the two extremes, in that they’re small enough for gamers to get as much of the action in their field of view as possible, while also being generous with the screen real estate. For that reason, a lot of casual gamers will choose a 27-inch monitor as a middle-ground option.
In summary, there’s no “one size fits all” rule when it comes to monitor size and gaming. Players will gravitate to monitor sizes based on how close they like to sit, the resolution they want to play at, and for the best experience in the kind of games they like to play. It really comes down to personal preference.
