Keeping your monitor optimally positioned, regardless of its size, can reduce eye strain and promote a neutral posture, reducing strain on your neck and the rest of your body. Eye strain is of particular concern with a monitor that is too close or too far away. This can cause blurred vision, dry eyes, and headaches. But it’s also important to keep the monitor at a neutral height, not too low either. The optimal distance is about 20 to 40 inches, or about an arm’s length. A distance of at least 20 inches is recommended for any screen.
During this time, you should look slightly down at the center of the screen, positioning yourself slightly above the monitor. You can adjust your chair, adjust the monitor height, or install them in unique configurations to achieve this. For example, if a monitor can’t be positioned optimally by simply placing it on your desk, you can turn to a floating monitor arm or even a wall mount.
Screen size changes optimal viewing distance and angles
The larger the screen, the farther away it should be from your eyes. Smaller screens under 24 inches are generally comfortable at around 20-28 inches. Anything over 27 inches should be between 24 and 32 inches, or even 40 inches for larger monitors. Laptops come with different screen sizes, but most are below the 24-inch threshold, meaning 20 to 28 inches is ideal.
Depending on the overall size, there are also some monitor features you shouldn’t waste your money on, especially those related to placement. Curved screens in a smaller format, for example, are a huge waste. The curve is meant to bring the screen closer to you and improve viewing angles, but with anything smaller than a 24-inch monitor, you lose a lot of that experience.
Viewing angles and height also play a role in eye strain and body fatigue. If you’re always trying to look down or at a high-mounted monitor, it won’t be comfortable for long periods. You want the top of the monitor to be just below eye level, with a backward tilt of about 10 to 20 degrees. Again, the center of the monitor should be slightly below your eyes so that you are looking down. The opposite is also true. A screen too low to eye level is a major mistake that risks destroying your posture on a daily basis.
How to achieve optimal placement at your desk?
There are several ways to achieve the optimal monitor height without changing the monitor. The obvious option is to place it on your desk on top of its original stand and use smart positioning to direct your eyes away, including tilting the monitor if necessary. But not all monitors come with an adjustable stand, and sometimes your desk doesn’t have enough space, or you’re too close to a wall or other surface to get the right placement.
First, replace your desk with a larger one or a modular standing desk that lets you adjust the height. If that’s not an option, you can also use a cheap Amazon Basics desktop add-on to relieve some of the strain on your eyes and body. Buy one sturdy enough for your monitor, and place it right on top to raise it slightly off the surface. Of course, monitor arms are also useful.
Take a look at some of the best monitor arms you can buy; the prices aren’t exorbitant either. This is a relatively affordable and quick solution rather than completely replacing your monitor. These arms typically attach to the desk, allowing you to move the monitor freely. What’s really cool about an arm is that you don’t need to hold the screen at just one angle or viewpoint. You can reasonably move it to change perspective. But ultimately, it’s a great way to keep your monitor at the optimal viewing distance.
