Monitors over 37 inches are great for multitasking, but they require you to turn and swivel your neck often, which can feel awkward at first if you’re not used to it. (BestReviews)

Getting a new monitor might seem unnecessary, but it’s a good idea if you’re a gamer or looking for a wider screen. There are many high-end monitors you can upgrade to, but you should consider which features are important to you first.

Samsung is known for its high-quality TVs and also makes excellent monitors. For example, the Samsung SD850 32-inch WQHD LED Monitor has a sleek design and boasts High Dynamic Range 10 technology to display vibrant colors and stunning visuals.

Computer monitors can range from as small as 22 inches wide to as big as 49 inches. Larger monitors are great if you have ample desk space and are excellent for streaming movies, gaming and multitasking. Samsung monitors 32 inches and under are suitable for home and office use. Anything over 37 inches is ideal for home entertainment and other tasks such as high-powered games and graphic editing.

Gaming monitors are more versatile than standard monitors since they have more advanced specs and features, but they’re optimized to deliver a smooth and immersive gaming experience. However, while some traditional monitors are suitable for gaming, most are better suited for general office work and computing tasks.

Curved TVs are now considered a flop, but curved monitors are a commodity. Since a single viewer primarily uses monitors, curved monitors make more sense as the viewing angle for users is close and right in front of them. Curved monitors create a more immersive experience and are preferred by many gamers, but they’re less desirable than traditional monitors for multitasking using a dual-display setup.

The refresh rate shouldn't be at the top of your priority list if you're looking for a monitor for essential work or school tasks, but a fast one is paramount for hardcore gamers. A fast refresh rate provides a smoother, more realistic picture quality and helps gamers react faster with increased precision. A standard refresh rate is 60 hertz, but gamers typically benefit from a screen with a rate of at least 120 hertz.

A full high-definition monitor should suffice for basic computing tasks and occasional content streaming. However, if you want to stream ultra-high-definition 4K content, you’ll need a screen with a higher resolution screen. Mid-tier Samsung monitors offer quad high-definition resolutions, which display 1440 horizontal pixel lines. QHD monitors provide more clarity and brighter visuals than HD ones but are still unsuitable for streaming UHD 4K content.

High dynamic range is a feature that essentially merges a dark and bright image to show more clarity and higher contrast. This lets viewers see darker and brighter details more quickly and provides a smoother viewing experience.

HDR10 and HDR10+ are updated formats of the original HDR technology and essentially render images with a brightness of over twice that of the standard dynamic range, allowing for excellent contrast and deeper blacks. Besides one other electronics brand, HDR10+ technology is limited to Samsung TVs and monitors.

Monitors larger than 37 inches that display high resolutions can cost $500-$800. However, if you want a smaller screen with a full HD resolution or a monitor with fewer features, you can find one for $200-$500.

A. Screen tearing is when a moving image briefly appears distorted and occurs when a game's frame rate doesn't align with the monitor's refresh rate. If your monitor supports it, you can enable AMD FreeSync technology for a variable refresh rate or go into the graphic processing unit settings and try different modes until your frame rates are cohesive.

A. There are two primary reasons. Firstly, it keeps manufacturing costs down, and secondly, it's considered redundant since most people prefer headphones or connecting high-quality external speakers.

Samsung SD850 32-inch WQHD LED Monitor: available at Amazon

Our take: This monitor provides excellent picture quality and a broad range of vivid colors.

What we like: This monitor offers 1.7 times the pixel density of full HD monitors, has a USB-C port for a single connection and a less cluttered workspace, and HDR10 technology delivers bright colors and excellent depth. Plus, it supports AMD FreeSync technology and can be adjusted and rotated.

What we dislike: It's not ideal for gaming because some customers reported too much screen tearing to get an enjoyable experience.

Samsung 27-inch CR50 Frameless Curved Gaming Monitor: available at Amazon

Our take: This monitor has a 1800R curvature for an immersive experience, making it excellent for gaming and streaming movies.

What we like: This three-sided frameless monitor allows dual-monitor usage and offers a 3000:1 contrast ratio for displaying deep blacks. It supports AMD Radeon FreeSync and other gaming modes for smooth gameplay, and Eye Saver mode reduces flicker and blue light emissions for less eye strain.

What we dislike: It lacks the clarity offered by 4K or UHD displays, there aren't any built-in speakers, and the image can appear blurry when zooming in.

Samsung 49-inch CRG9 Curved Gaming Monitor: available at Amazon

Our take: This monitor offers a high frame rate and dazzling visuals that deliver high-quality gaming sessions and enjoyable streaming.

What we like: This 49-inch screen has an intuitive Picture by Picture mode, making it great for multitasking. It has a wide build that's the equivalent of two 27-inch monitors placed side by side. It delivers bright colors and supports AMD Freesync 2 technology to display crisp HDR content and reduce input latency.

What we dislike: It takes up a lot of desk space, and some users report flickering when adaptive sync is enabled.

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Kevin Luna is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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