Best Monitor for Writers – Writing and Reading Displays

Ever since we moved to the digital world, writers have had to stare at a monitor for prolonged periods of time to do their job well. The close proximity to the screen, bright pixels and harsh colors can not only be tiring but damaging to your eyes.

Imagine, something as simple as looking at a screen, day after day, week after week, can have such a significant impact on your eye sight. The worst part, you won’t even notice the damage the poor monitor is causing until it’s too late.

That’s why we wanted to look specifically at the monitors for writing (and reading).

The good news is that there are brands out there that have designed monitors for professionals who spend long, long periods staring at a screen.

In this article we will try to find for you the best monitor for writing. Taking into account eye strain, general office use and how good the monitor would be for personal use as well.

Since there are no monitors designed specifically for writers, there most certainly are features within certain displays that are suited to writers’ needs.

Please read our FAQ section to understand more about the specs and features for writing monitors.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

List of Best Monitor for Writers in 2020

We have chosen the following monitors

1. BenQ GW2480 – 24 Inch – Top Pick
2. Dell S2418H – 24 Inch
3. Asus MZ27AQ Designo – 24 inch
4. LG 32MP58HQ-P – 32 Inch
5. LG 24MP88HV-S – 24 Inch

Short Reviews of the Selected 

Let us have a lot at some of the great monitors that writers and readers can both use.

#1. Top Pick BenQ GW2480 – 24 Inch – Best Monitor for Writers – Best Value

If you were to compare the performance/dollar value for the monitors, this would be somewhere at the top. BenQ GW2480 has been selected as the best monitor for reading and writing for a few reasons.

For starters, this monitor has the right size and the right resolution to be comfortable for typing and reading.

Secondly it has three particular features that will make your writing more comfortable: Low Blue Light filter, Flicker Free display and the proprietary Brightness Intelligence Technology.

As mentioned in the FAQ section, low blue light filter and flicker free screen are both essential for prolonged hours of work.

The Brightness Intelligence Technology, however, is a unique technology that adjusts the brightness and the warmth of the display depending upon the ambient light.

Also, for enhanced clarity, this monitor offers an IPS panel and other goodies like built in speakers.

This monitor is also available in a larger 27 inch screen size.

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Why is the BenQ our number one pick?

As we mentioned at the start of the article our number one factor for writers was comfort, not only a monitor to reduce eye strain but also one you would be comfortable using for years, that’s what the BenQ provides, a superior monitor, with technology helpful to writers that was built to last.

One of the worst feelings when buying any technology is the feeling when you use it for the first time and it’s not what you expected, or worse it breaks two weeks into use. That’s not the case with BenQ, it’s not some knockoff monitor that won’t last, it has a reputation for quality design.

It is also a great value monitor, the price is a great bang for your buck when it comes to what you get from the technology.

#2. Dell S2418H – 24 Inch – All Rounder

This monitor from Dell is the star of the current monitor tech era. This is an all rounder monitor that can be used for writing, reading and so much more.

The reason this monitor is listed as third is because despite having awesome specs, it doesn’t have anything exceptional that can make a writer’s or a reader’s life easier.

This monitor offers Low Blue Light Filter and Flicker Free screen, but it doesn’t offer any mode dedicated strictly for writers.

Therefore, this may not be the most advanced monitor for eye care, but it does have all the important passive features. Probably not the best monitor for reading documents for long periods of time without rest.

However, if you can live with that and if you are okay with adjusting the colors and brightness of the screen by yourself, then you will love this monitor.

This also has one of the loudest set of speakers that you can get on a monitor. The entire base of stand is actually speakers.

Besides this, this monitor not only offers 99% sRGB color coverage but also AMD Freesync making this a truly versatile display. For those who are not aware, AMD Freesync is a feature liked by gamers. So even though writers don’t really care about this much, you get it literally for free given the price of this display.

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#3. Asus MZ27AQ Designo – 27 Inch – WQHD Monitor with Subwoofer

This is perhaps the most expensive monitor in this list.

However, this could well be one of the best monitors for reading and writing if you have the budget.

Why? As mentioned in the FAQ section, if you go beyond the screen size of 24 inch, then you must look for a monitor with WQHD resolution.

This resolution provides two times the pixels as compared to HD screen.

This is not just great for crystal clear clarity, but also for productivity. Thus being a 27 inch monitor with WQHD resolution, Asus MZ27AQ Designo meets that criteria.

Besides that, it offers TUV Rheinland certified Flicker Free technology as well as reduced blue light setting.

Furthermore, it’s integrated technology allows you to choose from a present of color, contrast and brightness. Thus you will surely find one that suits your needs as a writer.

Another great feature of this monitor is the sound system. This is one of few monitors in the market that comes equipped with a subwoofer. In addition to that, the display looks simply stunning.

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#4. LG 32MP58HQ-P – 32 Inch – Largest Monitor – Best Monitor for Reading

If you have been searching around for the best monitor for reading text, then you must have heard from someone, or read perhaps read somewhere, to get the biggest display possible. Well, that is exactly what LG 32MP58HQ is for.

You must be wondering that a screen size this big must cost a fortune. Well quite contrary to that, it is a fairly cheap monitor.

In fact, it is cheaper than most 27 inch monitors.

Like the LG 24MP88HV-S listed above, this model also has exquisite features for writers.

It has a Reader Mode, all the great eye care technologies as well as Screen Split feature like the LG 24MP88HV-S.

The only drawback is that it only offers an Full HD resolution. For some an FHD resolution on a 32 inch monitor would be lackluster.

However, if you are not planning on gaming, designing graphics, or doing CAD, then chances are that you won’t really care much.

FHD in itself is a decent enough resolution since it allows you to easily fit two A4 documents side by side.

The added bonus of a 32 inch monitor would be that when you write, your experience will be a lot more comfortable. Since you wouldn’t need to sit up close to the monitor to write, you would be able to save your eyes from fatigue.

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#5. LG 24MP88HV-S – Aesthetics and Functionality

Monitor have a come a long way in terms of their design and form factor. This monitor is the testament to that fact.

This is a gorgeous “infinity display” monitor that can be the center of attraction anywhere you place it. From its bezel-less screen to the its arc shaped stand, this monitor reeks of beauty.

Besides the aesthetics, this monitor also has some sweet features for writers.

Firstly, it checks all the eye care features including low blue light as well as flicker free screen.

Secondly, it adds a dedicated Reader Mode which adjusts the colors of the screen to make it comfortable for reading or writing.

You will note that this monitor is more expensive than the top pick. That is because this monitor has some advanced features.

It features 99% sRGB color gamut coverage. Meaning it has the amount of colors that even the professionals designers would love.

Furthermore, it also has a screen split function. This, as the name suggests, allows you to choose the layout and then split your multiple windows into that layout for better multitasking.

The Dual HDMI is also a much coveted and rare feature in monitors.

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FAQ

Here are some of the questions that may be running through your mind when trying to find the best monitor for writing.

How Much Do They Cost?

The best part about monitors suitable for writing and reading is that they do not cost much.

The specs that make writing and reading comfortable are not too demanding. Therefore, you can find a budget monitor with relevant features.

The reason for this is that you don't really need specs like fast response time, high refresh rate, adaptive synchronization etc technologies for performing the low demanding task of writing and reading.

Generally, there are two big factors that will determine the cost of your monitor: the size and the resolution. More on this below.

What Do The Writers Needs in their Displays?

The definition of the best monitors for reading and writing differs from person to person; however, there are a few common features that all such monitors should possess.

• Easy on the Eyes: For starters, they must be easy on the eyes. There more certainly are specific features as well as certain modes in some monitors that can help reduce the eye fatigue.
• Comfortable Size: The size of the monitor should be large enough so that you can view the text comfortably from a distance. At the same time, the resolution should be enough so that you can fit at least two full sized A4 documents side by side. Also, size and resolution are related to how productive you can get.
• Colors: Although colors for writers are not as important as for professional photographers/designers, the screen must at least have a panel that can deliver precise and vibrant colors so that everything is crisp and clear.

The following are the features that the best monitor for reading may possess.

• Ergonomics: Many writers would want to be able to adjust the orientation and height of their monitor. Some do allow that but not all.
• Portability: Very few monitors in the market are actually designed to be portable. These are called travel monitors. This may not be everyone's cup of tea though.

What Are The Relevant Features and What do they Mean?

Here is the list of features, trying to reduce the technical jargon, that you must look for as a writer or a reader.

Blue Light Filter:

This is a must feature for reducing the eye fatigue. It is a well know fact that blue light carries the most energy and thus tires your eyes. Blue light filters are essential to the best monitors for reading, staring at the screen for long periods of time can be challenging without the feature.

Flicker Free Screen

Normally, in order for a monitor to control its brightness, the backlight flickers on and off to deliver the required brightness.

This happens so fast that eyes do not actively realize it.

However, over time, this flicker can cause eye strain. Therefore, monitors having this technology is a must. This makes this feature another must for the best monitors for reading.

 

IPS Panel

While there are other panels like TN and VA available in the market, the panel type you must be looking for is IPS.

IPS panels have by far the best picture clarity as compared to others in the same price category. They are also much more vibrant and rich in colors. Even if you just plan on writing on a word document IPS is great for monitors for reading documents or writing, the difference is noticeable over long periods of staring (which most writers deal with).

Matte Surface

Matte surfaces are anti glare surfaces. Glare in a brightly lit environment can be very annoying for writers.

Although it boils down to preference, we suggest you avoid glossy screens and get matte displays, especially if you need a monitor for reading documents a lot for work. The good news is that most monitor in the market have matte surfaces.

Ergonomic Stand

An ergonomic stand allows the monitor to tilt, swivel as well as rotate 90 degrees into portrait mode.

Portrait or vertical mode is especially great for reading and writing. Ergonomic stand also allows you to adjust the height of the display.

Reader Mode

Some monitors have specific features that adjusts the colors and warmth of the screen light to make it optimal for reading as well as writing.

This is not just great for writers but also for coders and developers. You must be actively on the look out for such features.

Unfortunately, not all screens have them.

Size

The smallest size, in our opinion, that you must go for is 24 inch. This is excellent if you sit up close to your work desk.

Also, the larger you go, the larger the text will appear and more comfortable it will be at a distance (given that the resolution is the nominal Full HD).

Resolution

The minimum resolution that you must settle for is Full HD. Full HD is more than enough for most writers as it allows you to fit two A4 sized documents side by side on a 24 inch monitor.

WQHD resolution is another preferred choice for writers especially on larger sized monitors.

We do not recommend WQHD resolution for 24 inch monitors unless you are a gamer or a designer on the side.

You can also look for other features like speakers for notifications and non-essential sounds as well as thin bezels or curved display for aesthetics. However, these are not absolutely necessary.

Refresh Rate

Most conventional monitors have a refresh rate of 60 Hz. Refresh rate is the measure of how many times the screen updates the content on the screen in a second.

A 60 Hz monitor refreshes the content 60 times in a second. As it turns out, the faster the refresh the less strain the monitor puts on your eyes.

A higher refresh rate makes the motion smoother and therefore gives your eyes an easy viewing experience.

Unfortunately, monitors with high refresh rate are generally very expensive. A high refresh rate i.e 120, 144, 165, 240 Hz is featured mostly in gaming monitors that are built specifically for enthusiasts.

However, it is becoming increasingly common to find displays with a fair 75 Hz refresh rate at a budget price point.

75 Hz refresh isn't a massive improvement over the standard 60Hz refresh rate, but it can still help your eyes.

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Conclusion

Here we looked at some of the monitors that are suitable for the purpose of writing/ word processing as well as for reading.

We looked at some of the features that make a monitor suitable for prolonged hours of comfortable writing experience.

In short, we looked at features like Low Blue Light filter, Flicker Free Technology as well as ambient light sensors that can actively help in reducing strain on your eyes.

We also looked at other features like matte surface as well as a higher refresh rate that can contribute to a more comfortable viewing experience.

The central point of this article is that writing and reading monitors do not have to be expensive.

The eye care features are also available in high end monitors, however, there is no point in investing in top of the line displays if you are not going to utilize all of its features.

Although all brands have passive eye care technologies installed, BenQ and LG stand out with a certain active features.

BenQ with their Brightness Intelligence Technology that adjusts the colors and brightness of the screen depending on the ambient light condition is a winner.

Similarly, the dedicated reader mode on LG that filters out all the blue light is also worth noting.

You should note that you can find eye care technology in monitors of all sizes, however, we recommend a minimum of 24 inch with FHD resolution for an enjoyable writing and reading experience.