Why I’ll be splashing out on a new monitor this Black Friday

Hybrid working is here to stay, so it’s time to upgrade your home office

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

The last 18 months have seen huge changes for many workers across the globe, with the pandemic shutting down workplaces and forcing millions to work fully remotely for the first time.

The idea of spending all your time in an office now seems rather outdated, with hybrid working universally recognized as the best way to get the most out of your workforce, allowing both the collaboration workplace experience, but also the opportunity for focus and productivity in a comfortable, familiar environment.

Many workers have had to DIY a home working set-up, often using whatever hardware and software they had at their disposal. But now hybrid working has become a common experience for many, you might be wondering how you can improve the process.

Externalmonitorsin particular can greatly improve productivity by allowing you to have multiple apps, programs or windows open across a much wider field of vision.

If you haven’t invested in an external monitor for your home office, thenBlack Friday 2021could be the ideal time, with a range of discounts set to go live over the next few days. But what exactly do you need to look for?

Best early Black Friday monitor deals so far

So if you are looking to get your hands on a new monitor this Black Friday, where should you start looking?

We’ve been hard at work tracking down some of the best early deals around, and have already collected some top offers from the likes ofSamsung,DellandLG- so here’s thebest early Black Friday monitor deals.

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

What type of monitor should I buy?

When you’re browsing throughBlack Friday monitor deals, it can be difficult to tell what device is actually a good buy and what monitors aren’t even worth the discounted price. We’re here to help you decipher the deals by telling you what specs to look out for.

Firstly you’re going to want to understand HD (sometimes called FHD or Full HD) vs4K(also called UHD or Ultra HD). 4K monitors will be filled with more pixels, and therefore put out a better image than HD monitors in general. However, they can cost quite a bit more and are only really worth it for gamers or those who need high-quality monitors for their job.

If you’re after a great viewing experience you’ll also want to look out for key terms likeHDR(high dynamic range), brightness, and color support. These features will mean that your monitor will be able to output a wide spectrum of colors, making bright moments pop and helping you decipher what is going on during dark scenes.

Next up are refresh rates.  You might have heard of people playing games at 120FPS, but to do that you’ll not only need a PC that’s powerful enough to run a game that well but also a 120Hz monitor that can produce the image. If you aren’t a gamer, high refresh rates aren’t going to be too important so if you can save even more by going with a lower option we’d generally recommend that.

Finally, you might want to compare flat monitors with curved screens. Curved monitors offer you a wider field of view, a more immersive experience, and many people find them more comfortable though they’re also larger and generally take up more space. If you’re short on desk space, are looking for a multi-monitor setup, or are on a budget, flat monitors will be your best choice.

Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK’s leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he’s not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.

iStorage Group acquires Kanguru Solutions as it looks to expand security offering

Phishing attacks surge in 2024 as cybercriminals adopt AI tools and multi-channel tactics

Smeg Combi Steam Oven review: a multi-functional countertop oven that looks stunning and cooks well