PPI or pixels per inch is a rarely mentioned specification for monitors and TVs, but its one of the biggest factors for your visual experience. PPI describes how many pixels there are in a square inch of the screen, dictating how sharp it looks at a glance. Higher resolutions and smaller screens like 4K monitors typically have higher numbers, but that’s not the “end all be all” of a screen.
As an example, a 27-inch 4K monitor has 163 PPI while a similar-sized 1080p variant has around 82 PPI. That’s a drastic difference, and naturally, the 4K variant will look sharper due to the higher pixel count while the lower one can look fuzzy. However, higher and lower PPI have their pros and cons, especially if we factor in the display’s use-case.
PPI and Where it Factors In
High PPI or pixels per inch are desirable for games and movies because images look sharper, cleaner, and more detailed. However, 4K demands more potent hardware, so you will pay a higher premium for both the system and the display. 4K gaming, in particular, is more costly since you have to get a high-end or flagship GPU for maximum performance.
There’s also the fact that you get more visual space on a screen with a high enough PPI versus its counterparts. This translates to a larger field of view in games and more room to maneuver for productivity. However, objects like letters and numbers may look smaller even if they are noticeably crisper.
This characteristic is desirable, but not all can work with it since we all have varying levels of visual clarity. There are some tools that you can use to alleviate the difficult legibility and visibility such as scaling, but those are not perfect for every instance.
Lower PPI screens like the 1080p variants are widespread and considerably cheaper than their counterparts. It doesn’t take a lot of graphics power to run games at max settings and framerates, so you don’t have to spend a lot to build a great setup. These monitors are also commonly used in offices and schools, plus they have been around for a while so most of us are used to viewing them.
1080p screens are still very popular because they are very easy to read and write on in an office or school setting. Letters, numbers, and images are not as sharp, but they are easy to discern even if your vision isn’t perfect. Games still look good on them, but their value is in the excellent visibility, which gives you an edge in competitive titles.
Space is rather limited on these displays, but that was never an issue for most unless they did a lot of multitasking or meticulous editing. However, these monitors are cheap enough that you can buy two or three for the price of a high-resolution alternative.
Of course, there are middle ground models like 1440p, which bridge the gap between high and low PPI. They offer the best compromise in almost every aspect, including pricing, so many users often prefer them over going big with 4K. This type is great for both gaming and productivity, but the key description here is its middling characteristic.
How to Get the Best PPI Level for Your Needs
Managing pixel density is basically choosing the resolution you want and the size of the screen to get an ideal PPI level. Get a smaller display if you want tighter pixel density, but go with a larger variant to loosen it up a bit. Note that low PPI will look fuzzier the further you sit, but if PPI is too high then you might find yourself squinting or leaning in often to better discern what’s on screen.
We recommend 24-inch models for 1080p, 27-inch and 34-inch (ultrawide) for 1440p, and 32-inch for 4K monitors. These sizes offer the best balance for each respective resolutions so you won’t need too much scaling. Of course its all up to preference, but these are the most comfortable form factors we’ve used during our reviews and testing.
Another way to work around the cons of varying pixel density is to use scaling which is built into all operating systems. This will come in handy for high-resolution models since objects like letters might look too small for most. Users typically utilize 150% scaling in Windows for 27-inch 4K screens, but the problem is that not all applications support that level.
Choosing wisely will get you around this deal breaker, but we recognize that its sometimes impossible to find if a certain program or gain will or will not support scaling. If that’s the case, then you might be stuck with a screen that’s hard to view most of the time.
The third consideration we have for managing the effects of pixel density is your viewing distance. High resolution models are great for far and nearfield use, but lower resolution screens will start to look fuzzy and pixelated. Each available screen size on the market has a recommended distance for safe and comfortable use, so we recommend checking that out too before pulling the trigger.
Editor’s Note:
Don’t think that these facts make choosing a monitor more complicated than what you originally thought. Anything with 92 PPI (24-inch 1080p) or higher will be great no matter what, and you only have to take the steps we mentioned above to work around the kinks. You can check this website out to easily calculate PPI and determine which will work best for you.
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