Key Points
- Size, image quality, and comfort are the primary considerations when choosing between a 24-inch vs. 27-inch monitor.
- A 24-inch monitor is better for applications that require high frame rates or focused attention on specific areas, while a 27-inch monitor is better for viewing large moving scenes, data flows, and multiple tabs open at once.
- For work or office use, a 27-inch monitor is recommended for displaying data and multiple tabs, while a 24-inch monitor may fit better on a desk with limited space.
- Professional gamers prefer 24-inch monitors for better accuracy and refresh rates.
- For watching and editing video, a higher-resolution 27-inch monitor is recommended.
- For home use, a 24-inch monitor is suitable for most applications, but a 27-inch monitor allows for somewhat easier viewing.
Monitor sizes can be like every other computer-related topic — hotly debated and highly opinionated. Nevertheless, there are some legitimate considerations when deciding between a 24-inch vs. 27-inch monitor for your computer. Size isn’t everything. Image quality and comfort are paramount for office use, gaming, or personal applications at home.
Of course, monitor sizes like 24-inch vs. 27-inch show the diagonal measurement of the panel from corner to corner, not the long-side length. It’s the same thing with TV sizes. Just how much visual real estate do you need for your computer setup? Some may not think a three-inch difference in screen sizes matters, but practical factors dictate otherwise.
We will compare 24-inch vs. 27-inch monitors side by side and share what you should consider before choosing the best one for your needs.
24-Inch vs. 27-Inch Monitor: Side-by-Side Comparison
| 24-Inch | 27-Inch | |
|---|---|---|
| Actual Screen Size | 21.5 inches by 12.75 inches | 24.5 inches by 14.5 inches |
| Recommended Resolution for Comfortable Viewing | No less than 1080p | No less than 1440p (2K or 4K is best) |
| Recommended Reading Distance | 20-24 inches | 24-28 inches |
| Best for Gaming | Yes | No |
| Best for Office | No | Yes |
| Best for Editing and Viewing Video | No | Yes |
| Best for Home | Yes | Yes |
24-Inch vs. 27-Inch Monitor: What’s the Difference?
Size, image quality, and comfort are your primary considerations when comparing a 24-inch vs. 27-inch monitor. Let’s look at each factor in a bit more detail.
Size
Size is not the primary consideration when deciding if you need a 24-inch vs. 27-inch monitor, but it is one consideration. After all, how much space is available where you intend to set up your computer? Apart from specific considerations about use that we will discuss a bit later, larger is almost always better. Just remember that the 24-inch or 27-inch size is the actual measurement of the entire monitor panel, so use those figures in your space calculations.
Image Quality
The image quality you require will significantly impact your choice of a 24-inch vs. 27-inch monitor. Both can display images, text, and video with admirable clarity. Applications that require high frame rates or focused attention on specific areas may be better served with a 24-inch monitor. The smaller size allows more rapid image processing.
The higher resolution with a 27-inch monitor makes it better for viewing large moving scenes, data flows, multiple tabs open at once, and text for reading. The larger size and better clarity are more manageable on the eyes, even when sitting farther from the screen.
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Comfort
The comfort level of a 24-inch vs. 27-inch monitor depends on how you use your monitor and the nature of your workload. Your personal vision level will also make a difference. The 27-inch affords a larger workspace, and the higher resolutions are easier on the eyes if you stare at a screen for long periods.
A 24-inch monitor can be more comfortable with scenarios where you can limit head and eye movements to view directly ahead. They offer a more concise viewing picture so the user is more stationary. The larger 27-inch monitor requires some head and eye movement to acquire specific areas for direct viewing.
24-Inch vs. 17-Inch Monitor: 6 Must-Know Facts
- Monitors are measured diagonally from corner to corner.
- 24-inch monitors require less physical space and use less energy than larger monitors.
- Most text, images, and videos can be easily viewed on a 24-inch monitor.
- Image quality is better on larger 27-inch monitors because they can accommodate higher image resolutions.
- Size, image quality, and comfort are the primary considerations when comparing 24-inch vs. 27-inch monitors.
- Primary uses for 24-inch and 27-inch monitors include office or work, gaming, video viewing and editing, and home applications.
24-Inch vs. 27-Inch Monitor: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Choose?
The considerations of size, image quality, and comfort discussed above must be factored into your decision between 24-inch vs. 27-inch monitors. In other words, how you use your computer is your best guide to answer questions like “Which one is better?” or “Which one should I choose?” Let’s look at the most common applications.
Work or Office
Workers using a computer for production will likely choose the more prominent 27-inch monitor to display data, better display multiple tabs or workflows, and be easier on the eyes. However, this could also depend on the size of your work environment. The smaller 24-inch monitor may fit on your desk better with other necessary equipment. We recommend the Sceptre 24-inch Professional Thin 1080p LED Monitor.
- 99% sRGB display
- Up to 75Hz refresh rate
- 3ms response time
- 2x HDMI ports and VGA input
- Built-in speakers
A popular scenario in some fast-paced workplaces is to mount multiple monitors to quickly view numerous pictures or data streams. Apart from space considerations, 27-inch monitors allow for better viewing at a greater distance. The larger viewing area can display data for more than a single user at a glance. For most work or office applications, we recommend the Dell SE2722HX 27-inch FHD Monitor.
- Full HD display with 16.7 million colors
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 75Hz refresh rate
- Anti-glare screen
- 4ms response rate
Gaming
Many gamers may automatically lean toward a larger 27-inch gaming monitor for better clarity and a larger game viewing space, but this can actually create more problems. A larger monitor will require more frequent head and eye movements to keep up with what is happening in the game. Fast-paced games can wear out your neck or cause you to miss important actions. A 24-inch monitor can allow you to take in the entire viewable screen without moving your head.
Refresh rates are typically better on 24-inch monitors. This can be critical in action-packed games with constantly moving images and interactions. Gamers prefer accuracy over resolution. In fact, professional gamers prefer 24-inch monitors, and they are even standard equipment at professional gaming tournaments. Our pick is the Alienware AW2524H 24-inch Gaming Monitor.
- 480 Hz native refresh rate
- IPS panel features sRGB 99% color coverage
- NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer technology
- NVIDIA G-Sync (tear- and stutter-free gaming)
Watching and Editing Video
Sustained video viewing or editing requires a high-resolution monitor. Most high-end video editing and rendering applications work better (and recommend) a high-resolution display. A 27-inch monitor generally comes standard with a minimum 1440p resolution, but they are available with up to 4K (3840×2160-pixels). Any type of productivity application with numerous UI elements and lots of windows will be easier to use with a higher-resolution 27-inch monitor.
We recommend the LG UltraFine UHD 27-Inch 4K UHD 2160p Computer Monitor for seamless video viewing and editing.
- 99% coverage of the sRGB spectrum
- IPS with VESA display
- HDR compatibility with 400 nits brightness
- 60Hz refresh rate
- AMD FreeSync
Home Use
How do you choose between 24-inch vs. 27-inch monitors for home use? The same factors apply that we considered for work. You must take into account your available space, how you primarily use your computer, and how much time you spend in front of the monitor. A good-quality 24-inch monitor is suitable for almost every conceivable home application.
Gamers playing from home will want a 24-inch monitor. The smaller size fits easily onto most desks used at home. The image resolution of a 24-inch monitor can easily handle online shopping, research, social media sharing, and viewing images or videos. Conversely, a larger 27-inch monitor can also handle all these routine tasks and allow somewhat easier viewing.
For home use, we recommend the Acer Full HD 1920 x 1080 IPS Zero Frame Home Office Computer Monitor that is available in either 24-inch or 27-inch sizes.
- Full HD IPS with 178° wide view angle
- 1920 x 1080 resolution
- 72% color gamut
- 60Hz refresh rate
- 4ms response time
