Your monitor is the part of your computer you look at all day, yet it is often the last thing people think about. The right screen makes games smoother, spreadsheets easier and long days kinder on your eyes. Here is our plain-English guide to the numbers on the box, and how to pick a monitor from our range.
Monitors at a glance
Refresh rate: why 144Hz and above feels so smooth
Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen updates. A standard office monitor runs at 60Hz. Gaming monitors run at 144Hz, 180Hz, 240Hz or higher, which makes motion look far smoother and reduces the delay between your mouse movement and what you see. Even outside of gaming, scrolling and moving windows feel noticeably nicer.
Time between frames (lower is smoother)
Calculated as 1000 ms ÷ refresh rate. Your PC or console also needs to produce enough frames per second to benefit.
To get above 144Hz on a PC, connect with DisplayPort where you can, and check that the refresh rate is set correctly in Windows display settings. It is the most common reason a new gaming monitor feels no faster than the old one.
Size and resolution: getting the sharpness right
Resolution only tells half the story. What matters is pixel density, meaning how many pixels are packed into each inch. Higher density means sharper text and images.
Size vs sharpness
| Screen | Resolution | Pixel density | Our take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24" | 1920 × 1080 (Full HD) | ≈ 92 PPI | Sharp and great value. Ideal for competitive gaming at close range. |
| 27" | 1920 × 1080 (Full HD) | ≈ 82 PPI | Big, immersive and affordable. Best for gaming and general use. |
| 27" | 2560 × 1440 (QHD) | ≈ 109 PPI | The sweet spot for sharp text and detailed games. |
| 31.5" | 2560 × 1440 (QHD) | ≈ 93 PPI | A big, curved, cinematic screen with plenty of workspace. |
Panel types in one minute
- IPS: the best colours and viewing angles, and fast enough for gaming. Our recommendation for most people.
- VA: deep contrast and darker blacks, popular for curved screens and films.
- Fast IPS: IPS colour with very quick response times for competitive gaming.
Our picks
- Best budget 27": Acer KA272P6, an IPS 144Hz panel at under £90.
- Best 24" for esports: Acer Nitro KG240YW3 with 240Hz IPS.
- Best all-rounder: Samsung Odyssey G3, 180Hz with a height-adjustable stand.
- Fastest: ASUS TUF VG279QM, Fast IPS at up to 280Hz.
- Most immersive: ASUS ROG Strix XG32VC, a 31.5" curved QHD screen at 170Hz.
Pairing with a console? The PlayStation 5 outputs up to 120Hz, so any of our 144Hz+ monitors will show it at its best; see our refurbished PS5 consoles. Building a full setup? Match your screen to one of our Storm gaming PCs or a desktop PC.
Find your next monitor
Shop monitorsNot sure which is right for you? Pop into Storm Computer Shop at 41A Green Street, Ayr KA8 8BQ, call 01292 876415 or email team@stormtechstore.co.uk. We deliver UK-wide, with free shipping on orders over £150.