Best Monitor for Trading: The Complete Buyer’s Guide (2023)

You’ve probably heard about monitors before, but do you know what kind of monitor is best for trading? How do you know which one to buy?

In this comprehensive guide to the best monitor for forex trading, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about trading monitors, including:

• What makes a trading monitor good?
• What features are important to look for?
• What is the best monitor for you?
• What are the top monitors in the market?

The best part is that all these answers are based on real-world experience.

So if you are looking for a new monitor and trade the markets, then this guide will find you the perfect monitor for your set-up.

What Makes A Trading Monitor Good?

There are many features to look out for when buying a trading monitor. Here are some of the most important ones:

Price It’s not always the most expensive monitor that’s best. It’s more about what’s included and how well it does what you want it to do. You can get a really good monitor for less than $300

If you’re buying a new trading monitor, you need to know what features you need.

You should also know how important these features are, as they’ll affect your buying decision.

Refresh Rate

While many people don’t think about it, performance is one of the most important factors in a trading monitor. Many traders prefer to use monitors with high frame rates.

A higher frame rate means that the monitor displays frames more quickly, which can be a big advantage when it comes to trading. 

Most monitors come in at around the 60 Hz refresh rate area, which is adequate for trading and general use.

However, 100 Hz monitors provide a good “bang-for-your-buck” option.

High Resolution

This is what makes your screen appear crystal clear and allows you to display large quantities of data on the screen.

Having a small resolution makes charting and reading difficult because everything is “squished” into a small resolution space.

Think elephant in a room.

Whereas having a high resolution will allow for significantly more space to make charting and reading more optimised.

Think elephant in the Savannah. 

Same information (the elephant), wildly different room.

It’s recommended that all monitors nowadays have high-resolutions as standard.

You want to look for a minimum of 1920 x 1080 monitor resolution availability.

Compatibility:

You need to ensure that the screen is compatible with your current computer or laptop for trading forex.

The most common display connections are:

• HDMI
• VGA
• DVI
• Thunderbolt / USB-C 

Most computers are set up for HDMI.

To change your screen connection to DVI, VGA, or Thunderbolt, you may need to buy an adapter for your screen.

If you have a newer computer, the screen is probably compatible with USB-C.

Special Feature: Blue Light Filter

When it comes to trading, there are two hidden things that can stop you from making good trading decisions.

• The first is lack of sleep.
• The second is blue light.

This can happen with monitors or smartphones. The problem is that they emit light that is damaging to our eyes.

While some screens are more damaging than others, they are generally either too bright or too dark. This is why you see traders using special filters.

Many monitors come with a blue light filter already built-in. This is the easiest way of protecting your eyes.

If you want to be ultra-safe, though, you can also buy a special filter that works with most screens.

Special Feature: VESA Compatible 

This is an essential feature for anyone who trades the markets. If you are a beginner, or just starting out with crypto trading, then it’s highly recommended that you buy a monitor that is VESA compatible.

For those of you who don’t know what VESA is, it stands for Video Electronics Standards Association. It is an industry-standard that sets the specifications for monitor size, connectivity, and so on.

Basically, VESA monitors mean you can simply integrate with different mounts without a hitch.

VESA monitors are easy to set up and use.

If you are just looking for a single monitor or a large curved monitor then this feature isn’t necessary.

What Is The Best Monitor For Trading?

Now you know what to look out for, I’ve curated a list of potential monitors for you that match the above.

Top-quality monitors tend to be in the $200 range, but these are certainly worth it.

If $200 is out of your budget, don’t feel forced into looking for something and overspend.

Look:

If you are upgrading monitors or looking to switch to multiple monitors, keep reading.

If $150-200 is out of your reach, stick with what you have until you can afford to upgrade.

Let’s look at the contenders:

Samsung FT45 Series

The Samsung FT45 FHD 1920×1080 IPS Monitor with 75hz Refresh rate is an ideal monitor for traders that seek the crispest and clear image possible.

It has a wide view angle and the eye saver mode can help reduce eyestrain for a comfortable work experience, even during long trading hours for you day traders.

Enjoy clear, crisp images and a wide viewing angle with this Samsung monitor.

The LED display delivers bright images that are easy on the eyes, and the 1920 x 1080 resolution ensures that you can enjoy every detail in your favourite games or movies.

This Samsung monitor also has an ergonomic stand with a built-in tilt feature, so you can adjust it to your viewing preferences.

This monitor is a great investment for your home, because it is durable and sturdy, and can handle a lot of wear and tear.

Additionally, thinking about multiple monitors – this one can be turned vertical too.

The Key Specs:

• The FT45 Series offers a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, with a 75 Hz refresh rate and a 5 ms response time.
• Slim monitor with a 3-sided bezel-less frame, so you have more screen real-estate.
• Great connection hub with a Display Port,  2 x HDMI, and a 2 x USB hub, this thing is ready to connect.
• VESA compatible which makes it easy to hang on the wall or mount on a separate arm or bracket. You can also adjust the angle to your desired position so that you can maximize your productivity for a long day of work
• Eliminates flickers with its Flicker Free technology and helps reduce eye strain with it’s Eye Saver Mode – this is a great feature for you day traders and research-a-holics.

Review & Ratings:

The Samsung FT45 Series has received an average of 4.6 stars out of 5 from verified customer purchases.

All in all, this is a great monitor for you traders, as it offers great value for money.

The Samsung FT45 Series is a great monitor for day traders.

It is a versatile monitor, with large screen size, a nice ergonomic stand, and a nice feature set. It also offers a great price point and has a good performance for the price.

Samsung CF390 Curved Series 

These Samsung LCD monitors include both Eye Saver Mode and flicker-free technologies to help reduce eye strain while viewing screens for extended periods of time.

The curvature of the display also helps to make the monitor comfortable when it comes to viewing it for extended periods of time.

Curve screens are perfect for those who want a widescreen, without plugging in multiple monitors (and it’s more cost-effective)

Samsung monitors are usually well-built and offer many features, including full HD display support, AMD FreeSync and a lot of the latest gaming technology. This Samsung model provides gamers with a great feature set in a sturdy and competitively priced unit.

Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution displays with a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, 250cd/m2 brightness rating, and a 4 ms response time for a clear picture with reduced ghosting and blur are a little harder to find than ever. 

The monitor is capable of mounting to a wall using a 75 x 75 mm mount, and the monitor can be viewed from virtually any angle.

This is one of the best-curved monitors at this price point.

The Key Specs:

• A 27″ vertical alignment (VA) panel is a common LCD display used in computer monitors and televisions. A VA panel uses an electronic backlight system that allows for smooth gradation and low viewing angles while minimizing the need for a polarizing filter.
• The resolution is 1920 x1080 and has 250 cd/m2 brightness.
• 1800R Curvature & has a response time of 4 ms.
• VGA & HDMI Inputs
• 3,000:1 Static Contrast Ratio – 178°/178° Viewing Angles
• Eye Saver Mode & Flicker-Free Technology

Review & Ratings:

The  Samsung CF390 Curved series has received an average of 5 stars out of 5 from verified customer purchases.

Overall, it’s a solid monitor with a great price point and a good number of features.

HP 24 mh Series

The HP 24mh FHD Monitor is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of professionals and consumers.

This monitor has everything you want, and it doesn’t cost much. In fact, it may even be the best deal you’ll ever find on a monitor.

 The micro-edge design is attractive and adds beauty to any environment.

You will get an amazing view of up to 178 with this Full HD display, thanks to its IPS technology and ultra-wide viewing angles.

 In addition, VESA mounting gives you the freedom to put your monitor wherever you please and you can connect your pc and consoles with HDMI and DisplayPort ports.

 Finally, one of the few screens on the list with speakers with its built-in 2W speakers

The Key Specs:

• This FHD display with IPS technology gives you a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 75 Hz
• Ultra-slim design
• An ultra-wide 178° horizontal & vertical viewing angles
• Connects with a broad range of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA ports
• Two built-in 2W speakers
• Low Blue Light mode helps reduce eye strain by making colours warmer and makes whites more natural 
• You can adjust the screen to your liking with either a forward or backward tilt.

Review & Ratings:

The HP 24 mh Series has received an average of 4.7 stars out of 5 from verified customer purchases.

In summary, this monitor is an affordable option with a ton of features that you can use to your advantage.

The overall performance of this monitor is fantastic and the price is unbeatable.

ASUS BE279QSK Series

This one is a bit more business-esque. But does a good job.

It has a 4-way stand for easy viewing adjustments and an IPS panel for wide-angle viewing that is incredibly sharp with an output of 1920 x 1080.

The monitor is a slim display that is also VESA mountable, making it easier to set it up on a wall.  

Like with most monitors, it’s incredibly versatile when it comes to adjusting your screen.

You can adjust the height, tilt the screen and swivel it in any direction that makes it comfortable for you.

You can even turn in vertical to work from, this is common when people have multiple monitors and can be helpful when reading long documents (or trading chat rooms/forums).

It also includes key features that help protect your eyes from straining, these include an ultra-blue light setting with 4 different filters and flicker-free technology.

The Key Specs:

• Full HD frameless IPS panel reaching 1920 x 1080 resolutions and wider viewing capability.
• With HDMI, DisplayPort, D-sub, USB and audio jack it has extensive connectivity for most devices.
• Ergonomic design with a full range of adjustments to ensure maximum comfort whilst trading.
• TV Rheinland-certified Flicker-free and Low Blue Light technologies are included.

Review & Ratings:

The ASUS BE279QSK Series has received an average of 4.7 stars out of 5 from verified customer purchases.

Overall, it’s a good all-around monitor for those who need to work on a desktop, especially if you have multiple monitors. It has a very high-quality feel and can be used as a professional monitor for trading.

ASUS VG328H1B Curved Series 

The 1500R curved gaming monitor has an ultrafast 165Hz refresh rate and is designed for professional game players. The display colours are approximately 16.7 million.

The 17.3-inch 1920x1080p resolution is a great fit for multi-monitor setups or for playing games on high settings.

ASUS has long been renowned for its prowess in providing a wide range of innovative technologies that have given us some of the best and most popular products in the world. ASUS ELMB technology is no exception to that and is one of the company’s most exciting and useful new inventions.

ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB ) technology together with Adaptive-sync enables the ASUS to offer 1ms MPRT. With that in mind, you can expect sharper graphics with higher frame rates. 

FreeSync Premium is a technology that eliminates screen tearing and choppy frame rates. It’s great for traders that want to run multiple charts up at once.

The Key Specs:

• 32-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) 1500R curved gaming monitor with ultrafast 165Hz refresh rate.
• A full HD (1920 x 1080) trading monitor is the ultimate in visual performance for all. The fast refresh rate of the panel allows traders to see what’s happening faster, and the screen can be tilted up to provide a more immersive experience.
• The ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology eliminates ghosting and tearing for sharp visuals with high frame rates.
• FreeSync Premium technology.

Review & Ratings:

The ASUS VG328H1B Curved Series has received an average of 4.7 stars out of 5 from verified customer purchases.

Overall, the screen is a great choice for trading, you can expect a high-quality performance from the ASUS VG328H1B.

Philips 288E2E Series

The latest display technology from Philips delivers the ultimate in-home and office viewing.

A stunning 21:9 ultra wide-screen, the display is designed to take up less space on your desk and maximise the viewing area.

In addition, the new monitor has been built to meet the needs of modern users, including a built-in USB-C port for charging and data transfer, as well as a 4K Ultra HD resolution, so you can enjoy the best possible images from your computer and keep up with the latest technology.

With the addition of an IPS panel, you can experience vivid images and wide-range colours at all times.

The monitor’s widescreen means that you’ll be able to enjoy the full benefits of a multi-monitor set-up, allowing you to group your work and entertainment apps in a way that makes sense to you.

The monitor is also fully-featured for video gaming, thanks to its NVIDIA G-Sync technology which minimises screen tearing, along with support for HDR10, FreeSync, and AMD FreeSync technology. 

The Key Specs:

• This Philips E-line LCD monitor is a model from the popular E line series. It offers an UltraClear 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 resolution with a 10-bit IPS panel.
• Ultra-wide Color technology is a type of High Dynamic Range (HDR) image display system that uses two or more primary colors. This allows for images to contain much more information and color depth than standard monitors can offer. Ultra-wide Color systems are capable of reproducing a wider color spectrum than typical display technologies.
• AMD FreeSync technology offers fluid, artifact-free gaming performance while enabling support for a wide range of refresh rates, which are currently up to 60 Hz and 4 ms of GtG (response time).
• VESA mount compatible.
• LowBlue and EasyRead configurations & flicker-free technology to help eye strain.

Review & Ratings:

The Philips 288E2E Series has received an average of 4.4 stars out of 5 from verified customer purchases.

All in all, this is a well-reviewed and popular choice for anyone looking for a quality monitor. It’s on the expensive end, around $300, but it has the highest specifications by far.

Philips 346E2CUAE Curved Series

Okay, last one in the list but I’ve saved what I personally think is the best until last:

This Philips E-Line 34″ LCD Monitor delivers CrystalClear, UltraWide Quad HD 3440 x 1440 resolution for an expanded workspace compared to regular Quad HD monitors.

Philips’ E-Line 34″ LCD monitor has a resolution of 3440 by 1440, which means its resolution is greater than the 30″ standard LCDs from the past.

This results in more screen space and an improved viewing experience with the UltraWide QuadHD specifications and has a 1500 curvature to create a pane of an immersive viewing experience and wide angles.

One feature I liked is the USB-C docking set-up, which allows you to plug in other compatible devices and use it as a hub.

Picture-in-Picture (PIP) lets you use the screen in the best way possible – in full-screen mode, allowing you to use other apps at the same time. The Philips MultiView function allows up to two screens for maximum productivity.

It has a wide range of inputs:

• USB-C (with USB 3.2 x4 hub)
• DisplayPort 
• HDMI

And has an audio out connectivity.

Built-in stereo 5W x2 speakers for convenience. 

It’s also VESA compatible, but the standard set-up has an excellent height adjusted and tilt stand – as well as it proving a cable management system to clear the cable clutter.

And of course, it has blue light settings to help with your eyes.

The Key Specs:

• The E-line 34″ monitor has CrystalClear, UltraWide Quad HD 3440 x 1440 resolution for an expanded workspace.
• There is a 1500 Curved VA panel for wide-viewing angles and a viewing experience.
• A USB-C docking system included
• Philips Multiview allows Picture-by-Picture or Picture-in-Picture for maximum productivity.
• USB-C (with USB 3.2 x4 hub), DisplayPort and HDMI inputs.
• Built-in stereo 5W x2 speakers.
• VESA Compatible
• Specialist blue light settings are pre-built into the monitor to help your eyes.

Review & Ratings:

The Philips 346E2CUAE Series has received an average of 4.4 stars out of 5 from verified customer purchases.

Overall, this is a monitor that covers everything precisely that a trader would need on a day to day basis, without having to have multiple monitors set up.

This is an incredible monitor and will last you a good few years from the high-specs alone.

As you can see, there are similar brands on the list, which isn’t because the choice is limited, but because these offer both performance and affordability.

Do You Need Multiple Monitors for Trading? The Truth

Many traders think they need multiple monitors, but the truth is that not every trader needs multiple monitors. If you can manage with one, there’s no reason to waste money buying more.

Traders usually have two main trading screens:

The first one is the chart where you look at the market, data feeds, news, and watch the prices move.

The second one is a tool that tracks the price, volume, and other indicators in real-time.

As a result of having two monitors, you can watch a lot more than just one market at a time. With this setup, you can easily analyze several markets and have them show up in different colours on your screen.

You can also use the charting tool to zoom in on different time frames or to see price movement in smaller increments. This means that you can more easily trade different currencies or stocks at the same time.

The most important thing is that you have a setup that works for you. If you have a setup that works for you, then there’s no need for additional monitors.

The Verdict: What Is The Best Monitor For Trading?

So what is the best monitor for trading? It’s a simple question, but there are so many different opinions on this topic.

I’d recommend two different monitors based on what solution you are looking for:

Multi-monitor solution:

+ Samsung FT45 Series

Curved monitor solution:

+ Philips 346E2CUAE Curved Series

In conclusion, I recommend you to have a curved monitor for your trading desk. It’s more comfortable, more ergonomic, and has better visual acuity.

The curved monitor is also a great solution if you have a lot of charts on your desk. It will save you a lot of space.

Although it’s more costly, think about it this way:

You get 1 large monitor that is amazing vs settling for 2 strong performers that will cost twice as much.

If you have the budget, I would recommend you to get the Philips 346E2CUAE Curved Series.

Either way, I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best monitors for trading.

If this guide has helped you and you want to purchase any of the monitors above, please feel free to use the links I have provided.

They will help support the content and running of the website.

I am an Amazon Associate so I will receive a commission should you purchase through the links, but this will not come at any additional costs to you.