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Purchasing a go quality monitor or set of monitors. Is a great investment for serious day traders. Its also a great idea for people simply wanting to build a more user friendly and flexible computer workstation.
Good quality monitors help improve functionality. Create a more visually accurate and comfortable user experience. Also significantly improve productivity.
There are a huge variety of monitors available on the market today. In this post I would like to breakdown the important considerations and features specific to a day trading workstation setup. I will also list what I think are the best monitors for day trading.
Table of Contents
Most important monitor features for day trading
The two most important monitor feature considerations for day traders are: What is the best monitor size and what is the best screen resolution.
What is the best monitor size for trading
The physical size of the monitors you choose is mostly a personal preference. However I have a few thoughts that may help in your selection.
The amount of screen real estate you need comes down to your own strategy and what works best for you. The way I see it. Irrespective of the amount of screen space you need. You can either go for FEWER larger monitors or MORE smaller monitors. To achieve the same monitor area.
The monitor size you choose can therefore be made based on how you like to divide your work space, ergonomics, your preferred individual chart size, cost and monitor resolution (I will discuss this in more detail below).
Monitor sizes most suitable for day trading range from 24″ to 32″. I don’t like going any smaller than 24″. Your charts want to be large and clear. Its also worth considering that most multiple monitor stands are limited with the monitor size they support. Also the larger the monitor the higher the price relative to screen area.
Personally I use 3 x 24″ 1080p monitors setup in landscape side by side. This setup allows me to use individual monitors to divide my work space into 3 separate areas. Still providing large charting with a continuous visual experience between all monitors. A multiple 24″ monitor setup allows me to easily upgrade my setup with additional monitors in the future if I choose.
What is the best screen resolution
This is the single most important consideration for a comfortable and visually accurate display. Your resolution will determine the quality and clarity of the images displayed on your screen. Its important for day trading to have displays that are clear and crisp. To assist you make fast, real time decisions in a live environment.
Screen size versus resolution
Before discussing resolution in detail. Its important to understand that screen size and resolution must be considered together.
Your monitors physical size determines pixel size when comparing the monitors of the same resolution. Let me explain further…
Resolution tells us how many pixels a monitor displays. For example 1080p describes a 1920 x 1080 pixel display. 1920 pixels horizontal by 1080 pixels vertical. If you compare two monitors with the same resolution i.e 1080p. They both have the same number of pixels but the larger monitor displays larger pixel sizes to accommodate the same number of pixels across the display area.
This has an impact on your user experience. Larger pixels will appear slightly more grainy and images less crisp.
For day trading I prefer that 24″ monitors have a minimum resolution of 1080p. This will provide you with high quality images at the size monitors suitable for a day trading workstation setup.
The great news is that most 1080p monitors are relatively inexpensive. Meaning its possible to purchase a set at a reasonable price.
If you prefer monitor sizes between 24″ to 27″ then going for a 2K monitor or Quad-high definition is a better option. 2K displays 2560 x 1440 pixels.
For monitors greater than 27″ up to 32″ a 4K monitor or Ultra-high definition is the way to go. 4K displays 3840 x 2160 pixels.
2K and 4K monitors however are significantly more expensive than 1080p monitors.
Best monitors for day trading
Below I will list my recommendations for the best monitors for day trading. This is a list of my choices for the best monitors for day trading for 1080p, 2K and 4K resolutions.
Best 1080p monitor for day trading
DELL U2415 Ultrasharp
My choice for best 24″ 1080p monitor has to be the DELL 24 Inch U2415 Ultrasharp Monitor.
This is a great value for money monitor option. Offering a monitor packed full of features and flexibility.
The DELL U2415 offers 1930 x 1200 pixel resolution. It comes with 1 x HDMI and 1 x DisplayPort and 5 x USB 3.0 connections. Which is a lot more than comparable monitor options.
My favorite feature of the DELL U2415 is the ultra thin bezel. This is perfect for a multiple monitor setup. The screen edge almost disappears and provides an almost seamless visual experience between monitors.
The U2415 picture quality is comparable with models that cost significantly more. Colors are accurate and has a wide viewing angle.
This is a high quality monitor at an affordable price is perfect for a multiple monitor day trading workstation setup.
Best 1440p monitor for day trading
HP Z27n G2
If your wanting to up your screen size without comprising on picture quality and not break the bank. Then the HP 27 Inch Z27n G2 is a great option.
The HP Z27n G2 comes with a 27 inch 2540 x 1440 pixel resolution display. It has 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x DVI, 3 x USD 3.0 and 2 x USB-C connections.
It has good color accuracy. Although it is suggested that the neutral color preset be used for the best image quality.
The HP Z27n G2 comes with a 3 sided micro edge. With the ability to daisychain up to 2 displays using the DisplayPost connection. Features perfect for a multiple monitor setup.
Best 4k monitors for day trading
Depending on your budget and the age of your computer. Investing in a 4K monitor is going to give you the best visual experience of all the monitors listed here.
The price of 4K monitors is still very reasonable. If your setup only involves one or two additional monitors or budget is no obstacle then a set of 4K monitors is the way to go.
Below is a list of my picks for the best 4K monitors available today.
HP Z27
This is a great all round monitor. It comes packed with many of the latest features and has one of the most color accurate displays on the market.
The HP Z27 comes with a 27 inch UHD 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution display. It features 1 x HDMI, 1 x Mini DisplayPort, 1 x DisplayPort, 3 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C.
The USB-C type port allows you to connect and charge a compatible laptop. The monitors 2 x USB 3.0 ports can then be used to connect peripherals such as mouse, keyboard or other devices. The monitor effectively acts a s a docking station. Unfortunately there is no option to daisy chain monitors with the HP Z27. This would have been a really nice additional feature.
The monitor also has thin bezel edges perfect for a side by side multiple displays for a continuous visual experience.
If you are looking for a simple single additional monitor workstation setup. Or you like the higher resolution and picture quality that a 4K monitor provides and happy to make the extra investment. The HP Z27 is the way to go.
BenQ PD3200U 32″ 4K Designer Monitor
If you like working with a big screen. Then the huge BenQ PD3200U 32″ 4K Designer Monitor is a beautiful big screen option.
The BenQ PD3200U 32″ 4K Designer Monitor comes with a massive 32 inch 4K 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution display. Its also loaded with ports. 5 x USB 3.0, 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x Mini DisplayPort.
The massive screen allows for a fully immersed visual experience. The color accuracy in good enough for day trading needs and the 4K resolution provides good picture quality for this size monitor. The stand allows the monitor to be turned vertically and tilt up and down or left and right. Perfect for a two or three monitor desktop setup. Either horizontally or vertically arranged.
Be warned though. The big screen experience comes a significant price hike from 27 Inch 4K monitors. Its bezels are also a bit larger than the other monitors listed above.
If you prefer a big screen visual experience and happy to pay more then the BenQ PD3200U 32″ 4K is a REALLY nice option!.
