How We Ranked The 6 Best Monitors For Eye Strain

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By

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Apr 30, 2024 1:23 PM
best monitor eye strain guide that shows the top best computer monitor model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

When you’re seeking relief from eye strain, choosing a monitor with the right features is crucial. Monitors that offer blue-light filters, flicker-free technology, and adjustable stands significantly reduce eye fatigue. High brightness and excellent contrast ratios are essential to combat various lighting conditions, ensuring comfortable viewing for extended periods.

We analyzed 196 monitors, certifying 6 as the best for minimizing eye strain. Our evaluation covered 319,302 reviews, and 71% of experts failed our trustworthiness test. Our unique approach includes verifying product performance and using our Trust Score to filter out fake reviews. These top monitors excelled in our stringent testing criteria, ensuring optimal eye care. If you already have an excellent computer monitor and aren’t looking to replace it, consider trying the best blue-light blocking glasses to see if they help reduce eye fatigue and improve comfort during prolonged use.

How Did We Rank the Best Monitor for Eye Strain?

Crafting our buying guide for the best monitors for eye strain involved analyzing over 200 websites to gather data from various testing methods and customer reviews. Gadget Review’s true score system distills this information into 2 required test results and 2 must-have specifications. Our expert analysis focused on identifying the main causes of eye strain, helping you choose a monitor that reduces discomfort and enhances visual comfort with confidence.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must have flicker-free tech
  • Must have a blue light filter

? Test Criteria

  • Brightness: Equal to or greater than 300 nits, ensuring a bright and clear display under any lighting conditions.
  • Reflections: A reflection percentage of less than 5% of the total light emitted ensures optimal performance across a wide range of lighting environments, enhancing overall viewing pleasure.

Latest Updates

  • 04/30/2024: Republished the list to include the best monitors for eye strain based on our True Score system.

Top Monitor for Eye Strain For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Asus ROG PG27AQDM

    • Best For Asus

    The Asus ROG PG27AQDM, with its reflectance rate, refresh rate, response time, and eye-care features, offers excellent performance and comfort. Ideal for professionals and gamers, its cost is justified by its visibility and minimal eye strain.

    Asus ROG PG27AQDM Review →

    True Score

    87
    89
    10

    Experts

    90
    6k

    Customers

    SAVE $99
    $799.00
    $699.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    HP OMEN 27QS

    • Best For Mac Mini

    The HP OMEN 27QS has low input lag, high brightness, and a 240Hz refresh rate, making it a great budget pick for gaming and bright environments. Its reflectance rate and DCI-P3 coverage ensure good visibility and vibrant colors.

    HP OMEN 27QS Review →

    True Score

    85
    83
    4

    Experts

    91
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $100
    $299.99
    $199.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Viewsonic XG2431

    The Viewsonic XG2431 is suited for bright environments thanks to its high brightness, blue light filter, and flicker-free technology. Its lower contrast ratio and DCI-P3 color coverage make it better for producing vibrant visuals for general use.

    Viewsonic XG2431 Review →

    True Score

    84
    84
    6

    Experts

    90
    984

    Customers

    SAVE $20
    $279.99
    $259.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

    • Best For Macbook Pro

    The Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 has a great response time, contrast ratio, and reflectance rate, minimizing glare and maximizing vibrance and smoothness for color-critical work, gaming and video playback.

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 Review →

    True Score

    83
    83
    10

    Experts

    88
    335

    Customers

    $999.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dell S2722QC

    The Dell S2722QC is ideal for bright environments. It combines high brightness with a good reflection rate for clear visibility. It features a responsive input lag, sufficient refresh rate, and good response time for minimal motion blur, enhancing productivity.

    Dell S2722QC Review →

    True Score

    83
    81
    3

    Experts

    89
    3k

    Customers

    SAVE $120
    $369.99
    $249.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dell G2724D

    The Dell G2724D has a top-tier brightness, blue light filter, and flicker-free technology for eye comfort. With good contrast, manageable reflectance, and wide color coverage, it balances performance and cost-effectively.

    Dell G2724D Review →

    True Score

    82
    82
    2

    Experts

    88
    126

    Customers

    SAVE $81
    $299.99
    $219.00

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Monitor for Eye Strain?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required), anyone can quickly and easily compare these computer monitors and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase the best monitor for your eyes.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Reflections< 5%YesThe total amount of light, in percentage, your monitor reflects.
Brightness> 300 nitsYesHow bright the monitor will get, usually under specific testing conditions, like 10% windows (which means 10% of the screen is a white box.)

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 110+ computer monitor reviewers and found that 33 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for computer monitors.

  1. Samuel Breton – Rtings, MuckRack
  2. Chris Eberle – Tom’s Hardware, LinkedIn
  3. Tony Hoffman – PC Mag, MuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every computer monitor review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Computer Monitor Test Data & Results

1. Brightness (Nits) Test Results

Brightness is the biggest determining factor for how vivid images appear and how well a monitor is going to deal with the environment it’s placed in. Brightly lit offices will make it harder to see the screen if the brightness is too low, which degrades the image quality of anything on screen.

In most situations, we recommend a brightness of at least 200 nits, though higher is always better, as it allows the monitor to be placed in progressively brighter rooms and offices without issue. That said, 300 nits are enough to work in standard lighting conditions so that images stay vivid.

Brightness (in nits; higher is better)

2. Reflections % (Total Reflections) Test Results

When using a monitor in any kind of room outside of one that’s pitch black, the screen is going to reflect light. As the light becomes strong, you’re likely to see more light and more glare reflect off it, but depending on the coating and screen type, this can be mitigated. Good screen coatings will keep ambient light and direct light managed by reducing the impact they have on the screen. Bad reflections handling means even weak light sources will create glare that makes it hard to use the monitor.

That’s why we recommend your monitor reflect no more than 6% of the total light shining on it. This keeps glare in check, prevents image quality from being ruined, and allows you to actually see what you’re working on when using your monitor. Lower is always better, but 5% is enough to work without issue.

Reflections % (lower is better)

Best Monitor for Eye Strain: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring Flicker-Free Technology: Flickering screens can cause eye strain and headaches. Opt for monitors with flicker-free technology to minimize this issue.


  2. Choosing the Wrong Screen Size and Resolution: A monitor that’s too small or with a low resolution can cause you to squint and strain your eyes. On the other hand, a screen that’s too large or with a high resolution might force you to strain to see smaller text. Find a balance that suits your needs. If you are an aspiring competitive gamer, consider what size monitor pro gamers use for optimal field of view and responsiveness. For superior image quality and detailed graphics, the best 4K monitor provides a high resolution that enhances work and play.

  3. Overlooking Adjustable Brightness and Contrast: A monitor with adjustable brightness and contrast allows you to customize the display to your comfort level and the surrounding lighting conditions. To further reduce eye strain and enhance viewing comfort, employing the best monitor settings for your eyes is crucial.

  4. Ignoring Ergonomic Features: Consider monitors that offer ergonomic features such as height adjustment, tilt, and swivel options. Proper ergonomics can reduce neck and eye strain by allowing you to position the monitor at a comfortable viewing angle. The best computer monitors for work include ergonomic adjustments and offer optimal screen size and resolution to enhance productivity and minimize fatigue.

The Best Monitor for Eye Strain Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Brightness
Contrast Ratio
Color Gamut (DCI P3)
Color Gamut (sRGB)
Input Lag (ms)
Response Time (ms)
Reflections %

Asus ROG PG27AQDM

  • Best for Asus

87
  • 311.24 nits

  • 311.24:1

  • 94.85%

  • 99.975%

  • 10.8 ms

  • 2.13 ms

  • 2%

$699.99
$799
$99

HP OMEN 27QS

  • Best for Mac Mini

85
  • 389.5 nits

  • 389.5:1

  • 94.35%

  • 100%

  • 8.5 ms

  • 4.2 ms

  • 4.8%

$199.99
$300
$100
84
  • 354.2 nits

  • 354.2:1

  • 73.53%

  • 100.95%

  • 16.9 ms

  • 4.95 ms

  • 4.9%

$259.99
$280
$20

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

  • Best for Macbook Pro

83
  • 317.53 nits

  • 317.53:1

  • 96.12%

  • 106.96%

  • 13.55 ms

  • 0.79 ms

  • 1.8%

$999.99

Dell S2722QC

  • Best for 4K Gaming

83
  • 339 nits

  • 339:1

  • 82.9%

  • 100%

  • 9 ms

  • 8.3 ms

  • 4.6%

$249.99
$370
$120

Dell G2724D

  • Best for 120Hz

82
  • 432 nits

  • 432:1

  • 86.35%

  • 100%

  • 9 ms

  • 4.3 ms

  • 4.8%

$219.00
$300
$81

Monitors for Eye Strain Questions (FAQ)

What features should I look for in a monitor to reduce eye strain?

Look for monitors with features such as flicker-free technology, low blue light emission, adjustable brightness and contrast settings, and ergonomic design (e.g., height adjustment, tilt, swivel) to minimize eye strain and promote comfortable viewing experiences.

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