Frame rate and refresh rate, maximum resolution, panel size, technology type, brand, these are all specifications that most people think about when shopping for a new monitor, and they are important. However, there is one aspect of monitor placement that too many people overlook: the distance between the monitor and your eyes. Why is this important, some will say? It’s mainly about health and ergonomics, allowing you to maintain a strong posture when sitting at your desk.
Keeping your monitor optimally placed, regardless of its size, can reduce strain on your eyes 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 be looking slightly down at the center of the screen, positioning yourself a little above the monitor itself. 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 placed in an optimal position by simply placing it on your desk, you can turn to something like 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 to 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 that are 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 of time. 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 below 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 the optimal space or you’re too close to a wall or surface to get the right placement.
First, replace your desk with something larger or a modular standing desk that allows you to adjust the height. If that’s not an option, you can also use something like a cheap Amazon Basics desktop add-on that can relieve some of your eye and body strain. Buy one sturdy enough for your monitor and place it right on top to raise it a little 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.
