Under $200
- MHD 32″ 1080p IPS
- Frameless Widescreen
- Screen Split Capability
- Blue Light Filter
- Anti-Glare coating
- 60Hz refresh rate
Under $500
- 31.5″ 4K QHD
- QLED Desktop Monitor
- AMD FreeSync
- Blue Light Filter
- Refresh Rate 144Hz
- 3-year warranty
Under $800
- 34″ WQHD Resolution
- Curved UltraWide IPS
- sRGB 99% Color Gamut
- Blue Light Filter
- HDR10 Compatibility
- Anti-glare coating
Looking for the best monitor for reading documents? You’ve come to the right place.
Usually, a monitor for reading the documents is required for those who spend a lot of time in front of the monitor for reading and other activities. But, what’s the right monitor? Take a look at the picks given below with a summarized review to help you make the decision.
Reading is a good habit and when you have a decent desktop monitor for reading you don’t need to wear glasses to protect the eyes because a crystal-clear monitor with better resolution reduces eye fatigue and strain with lesser blur around the edges.
A Good quality monitor is a great advantage for avid readers as you easily and comfortably do your document reading work for a long period of time thanks to the accurate colors, FHD resolution, solid aspect ratio of such display that ensures clearly see large documents, spreadsheets, assignments or other kinds of study material, etc.
Your job requires you to read documents and blueprints all day, no one can easily spend a lot of time staring at the screen until and unless he has the right screen.
Related: Best Curved Monitor For Macbook Pro
Best monitor for reading documents
The comparison table below shows the best monitor for reading documents.
| Rank | Image | Main Features | Our Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  | BenQ GW2480
| ||
| #2 |  | Dell S Series S3219D
| ||
| #3 |  | ASUS Designo MZ279HL
| ||
| #4 |  | Philips 276E8VJSB
| ||
| #5 |  | Acer KB272HL
| ||
| #6 |  | Electric Magic E Ink Monitor
| ||
| #7 |  | ASUS Designo Monitor
|
Benefits of Getting the Right Reading Monitor
Let’s take a look at few factors involved in purchasing the right monitor for reading documents.
Reduce eye strain
The right monitor for you is the one having anti-eye strain features capable to control the emission of blue light rays through filters to protect your eyes from short-wave blue light resulting in minimal eye fatigue and maximum reading without blurred vision.
Increase comfort
Reading on a monitor is a prolonged activity and requires a fully ergonomic monitor with an adjustable stand to position according to your requirement for maximum comfort. This is the most important feature because you can easily maintain your posture without wasting time craning your neck to see the screen properly.
Makes reading easier and faster
The next important aspect is the quality of the monitor, size, and improved color accuracy to view the blueprints or text clearly without squinting at the screen trying to make out the small text.
More workspace/reading space
Well, a monitor for reading documents should be larger, wider, and should have a greater aspect ratio giving you more screen space for reading multiple documents at once.
Boost productivity
Once you have all the cards in place, a well-optimized monitor for reading will increase your productivity to maximum level and you can keep working hard for longer periods of time without being distracted due to neck strain or eye fatigue.
Related: Best 4k Monitor For Video Editing
Buying Considerations
Let’s take a look at few factors involved in buying the right monitor for reading documents
Monitor Panel Type
There are different types of panel technologies like TN(Twisted Nematic) panels, IPS(in-plane switching)panels, VA(vertical alignment)panels, OLED(organic light-emitting diode)panels, and E Ink panels. Every single type of panel has a different set of features to display information on the screen.
Click here, If you are interested in reading our latest buyer guide on Best Second Monitor for iMac.
Except OLED, all other penal varieties are types of LCD panels. LCD monitors are commonly used and available as well as OLED. No need to dive deep into the technical differences between the different panel types because every monitor reviewed below contains this information to help you decide what type of panel will be suitable for you. Similarly, the best panel types for reading documents are IPS or E-Ink panels.
E Ink is a recently introduced and uncommon panel technology that reflects the ambient light in the room and feels like a real paper. But, the recent release makes it widely unavailable, so that leaves IPS behind. You can get more information about panel types in this article.
Screen Size
Bigger screen size is always better but either you get the biggest or smallest monitor, you need to determine the desk space and budget. But, having a bigger screen is ideal for reading off without straining your eyes.
With screen size attached is the aspect ratio of your screen. A standard widescreen monitor comes with a standard ratio of 16:9, ultrawide monitors have an aspect ratio of 21:9 and super ultrawide (32:9).
A screen with a wider aspect ratio allows you to open multiple tables and programs side-by-side at once which is the most important aspect for writers for doing research on half of the screen and reading notes as well, while using other to write.
Resolution
The resolution of a monitor is the mixture of horizontal and vertical pixels displayed on the panel and the higher the resolution the more crispy and sharper image will be. The best resolution for reading is FHD and the higher resolution you get the more clarity will come your way.
With the resolution attached is the screen size because the Pixel Per Inch ratio determines whether a display will show crispy and clearer images or blurry pictures because of the pixel density that is usually caused by short pixels in a bigger screen.
If you are going after a bigger size monitor that’s 27” or higher, get at least a 4k resolution or 2k resolution unit.
Response Time
The response time is the time of color shift in a monitor which is measured in milliseconds. The lower number of response times means sharper images and a higher number means motion blur. Try getting a monitor with a response time of 1 to 10 ms.
Response time isn’t that big a deal for reading monitors but try getting as low response time as possible because a monitor for reading documents can be used for gaming as well because for gaming every millisecond matters.
Brightness
The brightness of the monitor is important because you may not like too dark text on the screen. Each monitor should provide a brightness rating measured in candle per square meter (cd/m2). Try getting a monitor with a higher brightness value. The maximum brightness a monitor has the more ideal it will be reading outdoors as well as in well-lit rooms. If having too much brightness is an issue, you can dim the brightness later by simply adjusting the levels of brightness.
Anti Eye Strain Features
What makes a good monitor for reading text is the minimal eye strain for a large time span, therefore, you should consider few anti-eye strain features to minimize eye fatigue.
Blue Light filters
Blue light filters are harmful for the eyes and suppress the sleep-including protein called melatonin. If you mostly read at night, you should take proper care of it.
Flicker-free screens
A flicker-free screen makes viewing comfortable, this technology eliminates brightness flickering that ensures your eyes get minimal strain.
Anti-glare
A screen having an anti-glare coating prevents light reflection and reduces glare from light sources to make viewing comfortable for the eyes.
Ergonomic stands
Monitor should be equipped with an ergonomic stand with a range of adjustment options like pivot, tilt, swivel, and rotate.
Reader mode
A monitor with reader mode allows you to automatically adjust the monitor settings according to your display for reading by simply touching a button.
More features
Other than the features mentioned above, there are few other features that can be useful as well like built-in speakers, USB hubs, integrated support features, and much more.
Price and warranty
The most important factor is the money and you should always choose the best possible value for money monitor. Although you can pay at least $1000 for a passable monitor, and the solid mid-range option is $300+.
BenQ GW2480
- 24-inch Full HD 1080p IPS panel
- Wide viewing angles
- Edge to edge slim bezel design
- Patented Eye-care
Screen Size | 24 inches (27 “ also available) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
Viewing Angle | 178° |
Resolution | 1080p (1920×1080) |
Brightness | 250 cd/m² |
Color Support | 72% NTSC |
The BenQ GW2480 is our top monitor for reading because this stylish monitor is equipped with all the bells and whistles that a frequent reader would want like the IPS panel that supports expansive viewing angles, extreme color accuracy, and integrated eye-care technology making it a suitable pick for reading documents.
Moving on, the monitor is equipped with BenQ’s ‘Intelligence Adaptive’ technology that controls the brightness of the monitor automatically and optimizes the display for comfortable viewing. Similarly, the low blue light filter and zero-flicker screen ensures there is little to no stress on your eyes and you can prevent a headache as well.
The sleek design with ultra-slim bezels provides enough screen real-estate and the extended screen space can be used for multiple-panel configurations. The best part is the space-saving design of the monitor making it a great fit for a small home office setup.
There is a built-in speaker in the monitor that gives similar performance to most laptop or PC monitors but not like dedicated external speakers or a good pair of headphones.
The best part is the price that which is under $150 and with these specifications, this monitor is a steal. Overall, this is an awesome monitor for reading documents that offers great value for the money.
Pros
- Exceptional display resolution
- Ultra-slim bezels
- Good viewing angles
Cons
- Not 4k
Dell S Series S3219D – Best Monitor For Reading PDFs
- QHD resolution
- Wide viewing angles due to IPS
- VESA mounted designs
Screen Size | 32 Inches |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
Viewing Angle | 178° |
Resolution | 2560 X 1440 |
Brightness | 300 cd/m² |
Color Support | 99% sRGB |
The Dell S Series S3219D is the best monitor for reading PDFs that features a 32-inch IPS panel and has the most visible viewing space, thanks to the bigger 32” display panel. Having such a larger display can be suitable for viewing PDFs with small text and there will still be extra space for you to open multiple windows.
The monitor is neither 1080p nor 4k, it’s QHD (QuadHD) 2560×1440 pixels monitor that is more than enough for making text sharper and crispier for reading books, novels, or even web pages hassle-free.
If the HDMi you are using doesn’t support 2K resolution, then you will be limited to 1080p only.
The great inclusion is the ComfortView technology by the brand manufacturer, which is responsible for filtering the harmful blue light and optimizes the screen settings for eye comfort. Furthermore, there is a flicker-free technology onboard and a low-haze screen that prevents headache and eye fatigue.
It’s a wall-mounted monitor that is great when you have limited office space.
Moving on, the in-built speakers are great and a shortcoming of this monitor is the inclusion of a wide-angle VA panel, not IPS. So, it’s a great monitor that comes in a greater size and offers premium features for the money you spend.
Pros
- Huge screen
- Great speakers
- Good brightness
Cons
- VA panel
- Refresh rate issue
ASUS Designo MZ279HL – Best 27-inch Monitor For Reading Documents
- 27-inch FHD IPS monitor
- Stereo 3W speakers
- Ultra-slim frameless design with minimal borders (not borderless)
- ASUS Eye care technology
Screen Size | 27 Inches |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
Viewing Angle | 178° |
Resolution | 1080p (1920 x 1080) |
Brightness | 250 cd/㎡ |
Color Support | 16.7 million colors |
This is the best 27-inch monitor for reading documents that comes with a great design and features.
Starting with the ergonomics, the monitor comes with several adjustment options like height, tilt, swivel. As you know that a perfect monitor for reading documents is the one having extreme adjustability, this monitor allows you to change position according to your posture comfort.
Moving to the display of the monitor, the ultra-slim bezels and wide viewing angles paired with 1080p resolution gives a particularly special display screen for reading. And, the ASUS integrated eye care technology with flicker-free backlighting and filters is good for eye protection.
If you want to use the monitor for casual gaming, entertainment like watching movies, or for creative purposes, then this is a great deal because it comes with a 75Hz refresh rate that can give you a silky-smooth visual for all the above needs but not for high-end games where you can get motion blur or ghosting effects due to fast-paced scenes or fast-moving objects. But, gaming is a whole different topic, and don’t expect a monitor for reading documents to perform smoothly for intense gaming.
The monitor is equipped with dual HDMI and VGA ports that make connectivity easier and you can hook it up to multiple devices as well.
The overall design of the monitor is amazing, the frameless design gives you a specialized experience and the space-saving design makes it good for the home office and it measures just 7mm at the thinnest point. All in all, this is the favorite monitor for reading documents that gives crisp and vivid image clarity without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Ultra-thin design
- Good refresh rate
- Ergonomic stand
Cons
- Not 4k
Philips 276E8VJSB – Best Monitor For Reading Blueprints
- Philips E-line 27inch LED monitor
- Elegant, slim design with narrow borders
- Multiview enables active dual connection
Screen Size | 27 inches (22, 24, 32, 34 inches also available) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Contrast Ratio | 1,000:1 (static) 20,000,000:1 (SmartContrast) |
Viewing Angle | 178° |
Resolution | 4K (3840×2160) |
Brightness | 350 cd/m2 |
Color Support | 1.07 billion colors (8-bit + FRC) |
The next best monitor for reading blueprints on our list is by Philips that is a great choice for engineers, architects, traders, and CAD technicians.
The monitor delivers crystal clear images, thanks to the highest possible resolution at 3840 x 2160. Having this much resolution on a larger screen is enough to get stunning visuals that make it the best 4k monitor for reading documents.
The monitor comes in other size variants as well from 27-inch to 34-inch ultrawide. If you are after visible screen space, go with the ultrawide variant. On top of that, the monitor features super-thin bezels which can be noticed only with real-close interaction and you can choose your own display panel. There are flat IPS, curved IPS, flat VA, and curved VA panel types available.
The curved screens not only save desk space but offers maximum visible screen space, but flat IPS isn’t a bad deal as well though.
Moving on, what makes it an attractive pick for reading documents is the color clarity because the display supports over a billion colors and delivers rich, vivid, and life-like color reproduction making the monitor suitable for designers.
Ultrawide viewing angles allow you to share the screen with your colleague as well. Edge to edge screen is great for an immersive experience. Comes with Pre-built or pre-defined presets like TEXT, WEB, MOVIE, GAME, and MONO and also allows you to do Multitasking with such a bigger screen available.
The lack of VESA mount compatibility is the only shortcoming which isn’t that big a deal if you are not worried about short or limited desk space.
This monitor utilizes Multiview technology for document reading activities. Plus, it has a 12-bit display for re-creating smooth, natural colors without gradations and color banding.
Ports include HDMi, DisplayPort, VGA, and USB 3.1, Type-C, Type-A.
Overall, it’s the Best monitor for text clarity as well as the Best monitor for reading text under $150
Pros
- 4k resolution
- Excellent brightness
- Great color accuracy
- Good warranty cover
Cons
- Pricey
- No VESA compatibility
Acer KB272HL – Best Computer Monitor For Reading Documents
- 27-inch FHD Widescreen
- 75Hertz Refresh Rate
- 4ms Response Time
- Acer VisionCare Technologies
Screen Size | 27 inches |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Contrast Ratio | 100,000,000:1 3,000:1 (static) |
Viewing Angle | 178° |
Resolution | 1080p (1920 x 1080) |
Brightness | 300 cd/m² |
Color Support | 16.7 million colors |
This is the best computer monitor for reading text. What makes it ideal for reading text is superior display, 1080p resolution, accurate colors, maximum brightness, and nice viewing angles.
Furthermore, it is equipped with Acer’s integrated VisionCare technology and one of the best examples of the monitor for eye-care. There are four different eye-care technologies offered by this brand, Low Dimming, ComfyView, BlurLightShield, and Flicker-less display.
The Low Dimming automatically adjusts screen brightness, especially when sitting in darker environments or reading at night to prevent eye fatigue. The ComfyView handles reflections of ambient light to prevent glares, and the BlueLightShield prevents long-term eye damage by taking into account the color hue and brightness.
The Acer eColor management is quite helpful for display settings by allowing you to control brightness, contrast, and color settings according to your surrounding environment and improving your overall experience.
The best part is the refresh rate and AMD Radeon FreeSync technology to synchronize the frames of graphic cards with monitors to prevent tearing or stuttering.
Pros
- VisionCare technology
- Solid contrast ratio
- Good color accuracy
Cons
- VA display
Electric Magic E Ink Monitor – Smallest Monitor For Reading Documents
- Retinal screen with 2200×1650 resolution
- Great EPD design to protect your eyes
- HDMI and Windows support
Screen Size | 13.3 inches |
Aspect Ratio | N/A |
Contrast Ratio | N/A |
Viewing Angle | N/A |
Resolution | 2200×1650 |
Brightness | N/A |
Color Support | N/A |
The Magic E Ink monitor is a top-of-the-range screen that is a great fit for text-only document readers.
The E Ink display panel creates a paper-like ink screen which is similar to e-readers like Amazon Kindle.
This is the smallest monitor for reading documents at 13.3 inches and not suitable to work with blueprints, and the screen doesn’t display colors so this monitor is not also feasible for CAD and design work. But it’s a great option to read or write text.
If you suffer from screen-headaches like migraines, then this monitor can eliminate the problem for you. This is a problem with most people when you look at the screen, the headache starts. So, this monitor is a great fit for those who want to sit for hours in front of the monitor for reading purposes without feeling any pain or sore eyes.
Now, the drawback to this monitor is the black and white environment which makes it suitable for reading, writing, and browsing. Plus, watching videos and viewing images is also fine, just a little detail/clarity may be lost in darker images.
This is a smaller yet low-power-consuming monitor which can be hooked with your laptop and turn your main screen without worrying about the battery.
The higher refresh rate results in ghosting which is distracting. Other than that, this is a fantastic monitor for reading documents.
Pros
- E-ink technology
- Great for reducing headaches
- Low power consumption
Cons
- Unusual aspect ratio
- Little display
ASUS Designo Monitor – Best Monitor For reading and writing
Compared with dual or triple monitor setup, this is a versatile single screen alternative that is good for reading and playing games. If you remain in front of the monitor for extended working sessions, then this monitor is the most suitable option as it is equipped with ASUS eye care technology to protect your eyes from harmful blue lights and the maximum brightness of the monitor makes it great for night viewing without hurting your eyes.
The bigger 38-inch screen size allows you to enjoy screen split to open documents and web browsers side by side making this monitor great for any type of documents and text because there is a decent amount of screen space available on this widescreen. In fact, the 21% more on-screen space allows you to read large PDF documents or large excel sheets comfortably.
The frameless design isn’t completely bezel-less, and it has a transparent sundial base pair and 15W built-in QI wireless charger.
It’s a great monitor for detailed document reading activities and a great pick under $200 dollars.
The coolest part of this monitor is that it comes with an anti-glare coating to eliminate the glare coming off a window or a light source which is healthier for your eyes.
Furthermore, it comes with good quality speakers giving rich and clear sound with no bass..
Other than that, the monitor comes with a dual full HD monitor setup and HDR10 that is good for file interpretation, gaming, streaming with High Dynamic Range or HDR.
It gives a flat to panoramic viewing experience and can be used for content development, video editing, and other color-critical applications and you will love the incredibly detailed video playback without any calibration. There are eight million two hundred and ninety-four thousand dots and it is a 10-bit display capable to show point zero seven billion colors.
Furthermore, there is OSD, on-screen display joystick, and a navigation system. The monitor is free from skewed angles and comes with a y-shaped stand.
The lower response time makes it great for games and gives no trailing.
Overall, the monitor comes in an elegant design with no plastic or flimsy feeling and high color reproduction makes it good for content creation as well as content consumption. If you need it for professional work, then it’s the best monitor for analyzing reports and documents as well as web surfing and multimedia.
Types of Monitors
Let’s take a look at different types of panels
TN – Twisted Nematic
These type of panels are commonly used in modern monitors and are affordable and has fast response time, higher refresh rate, and minimal input lag, but there are poor viewing angles and image quality isn’t really impressive that’s why they are less suitable for reading.
IPS – In-Plane Switching
IPS panels offer the best image quality and they are known for wider viewing angles, color accuracy, and improved contrast and brightness and compared to other types of panels, these are widely used for intense gaming and reading. But, these displays are more expensive and have higher input lag.
VA – Vertical Alignment
VA panels have better color contrast and viewing angles than TN panels and higher refresh rate and brightness than IPS panels and the problems with these displays are color distortion and contrast loss when viewed from off-angle, like blurring. VA panels are not super common as well.
E-Ink
These panel types are specifically designed for reading and this is probably the best panel type for reducing eye fatigue, thanks to the superb contrast ratios and viewing angles.
These displays use ‘electronic paper display technology’ to make the screen look like real paper and these displays consume less power. These types of displays are not suitable for color images, blueprints, or diagrams. And, these are pricier than all the above types.
Monitor Positioning For Reading Comfort
The monitor should be highly ergonomic for reading purposes. Having a handful of ergonomics allows positioning your screen to maintain neutral posture for effortless reading for hours without any change in posture like squinting, leaning, or shuffling around your seat.
Follow these tips properly position your monitor for better ergonomics
- Maintain the height of the chair and table to your eyes with the top third of the screen. The ideal viewing position is slightly downward to view the middle of the screen.
- The minimum distance to sit from the monitor is 20 inches and the display should be at the length of an arm from your eyes.
- Reduce glare by adjusting screen angle and a slight tilt is possible as well.
- If you wear bifocals then height adjustment is important.
Cleaning, Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Let’s see how to take care of your monitor to keep it in tip-top condition.
- Never cover the air vents available on the sides or on the top of the display because they are responsible for keeping the monitor cool to avoid overheating.
- Use a surge protector to protect the unit from damages caused by electrical spikes
- Turn the monitor off when not in use because it prevents power spikes
- Place the monitor on a stable surface in a well-ventilated area to protect it from excessive heat, light, and moisture
- Clean the screen regularly with a lint-free cloth or antistatic screen cleaner to clean the surface of the display as soon as you notice a pile of dust or smudges because the dry cloth cannot remove smudges, so a dish soap and warm water mixture can be helpful.
- Clean the plastics regularly or scrub them when unplugged and be careful of electricals as well.
- Brush the ventilation holes by using a brush, paintbrush to make sure the ventilator is free of dust.
- Check cable care secure if the display shows blank screen, Surely, a cable will be unplugged which you can connect to your PC.
Which Type of Monitor is Best For Eyes
The best monitor for the eyes is an IPS display with flicker-free technology and eye-care filters.
Is 4k Monitor Good For The Eyes?
A higher resolution monitor like 4K is perfect for eyes because sharper images mean less strain on your eyes and you can enjoy finer details.
Are Bigger Screen Better?
Yes, bigger screens are ideal for reading and can fit more text/images on the screen.
How far should my eyes be from the monitor?
If you’re sitting 20-inches away from the monitor, that’s the ideal spot to sit.
What type of work requires reading in front of monitors?
There are several types of work required for reading like Editors, writers, proofreaders, engineers, designers, architects, and other job roles. These professions involve a lot of reading from monitors.
Conclusion
There are plenty of best monitors for reading documents and blueprints and we listed all of the above to help you make an informed decision.
What is the best monitor size for work?
There are 20 to 49 inches of common sizes of monitors available on the market and the most popular among the gamers and readers are the 24 and 27-inch displays because you can get a good amount of screen space for improved productivity. Such a monitor can be used as a secondary monitor for your laptop. Ton of brands and manufacturers produce this size monitors and they fit into budget as well, the higher number of horizontal and vertical pixels on a screen results in sharper and higher resolution image.
Majority of 24-inch monitors comes with FHD resolution that produces sharp pixels but having same resolution in 27-inch panel would cause pixel density because of the bigger screen and lower resolution so for large area, large resolution is required and a 27-inch panel should be equipped with WQHD resolution to produce sharper pixels and avoid softer and fuzzier pictures.
Is a curved monitor good for office work?
Let’s dig into the details of curved monitor experiences to better understand the answer because it depends on the size of the monitor, the shape of the curve, and how far you sit from it.
You must be thinking, why curved displays are better than flat ones? The two common reasons are uniform picture quality and a more immersive experience.
Let’s see why a curved screen gives the uniform picture quality? Mostly, curved displays are equipped with IPS or OLED panels, and the more perpendicular you are sitting with the screen the more uniform it gets. But on the other hand, the edges might get blur with that flat screen as the screen gets larger.
But, with the curved screen, all areas are at an equal distance and equal angle resulting in a uniform picture and ultimately the immersive experience making the overall screen feel bigger than the actual size. Basically, a curved screen covers a wide field of view than the flat unit and stimulates the largeness that you should have gotten with a bigger flat display.
This Article is Updated.
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