TVs vs monitors: Which one is right for you?

It’s tempting to pick a TV as a primary monitor to view your content. They’re larger and cheaper, and after all, and no one can deny that movies and TV shows look amazing on a TV. However, there are some very good reasons why monitors are so much more expensive than TVs, and why monitors are more suited for computers.  

ALSO READ: What are the different types of monitors?

Do note that computer monitors can be used as TVs and will look better than TVs in many cases. However, monitors don’t normally include features like volume control, eARC, and others that a TV would normally have. Here’s how you choose between a TV and monitor for your needs: 

A monitor is better for text, TV for video

Your monitor and TV might have the same resolution of 4K, but usually, the colour resolution of a monitor is much higher than that of a TV. This is referred to as chroma subsampling and is a technique used to reduce the amount of data being sent to a display. Imagine an array of pixels that are four units wide and two units tall. Ideally, you’d want each of these pixels to show a unique colour. In many TVs, manufacturers might design the display in such a way that those eight pixels show only four colours, or in the case of budget TVs, only two. 

This loss of colour resolution is not noticeable when watching movies or looking at photos, but fine detail like text can look blurry and uncomfortable. If you spend a lot of time reading or writing, you’re going to want a monitor. If you just want a large display for showing off your photos, video, or other multimedia content, a TV is fine. Some TVs, particularly the high-end ones, do offer a high enough chroma subsampling, but they are extremely expensive. 

TVs vs monitors: PPI or pixel density

A 32–inch monitor with a 4K resolution will look much sharper than a 55–inch TV with a 4K resolution when viewed at the same distance. TVs are designed to be viewed from at least 6-8 feet away, while monitors are meant to be viewed from just 2-3 feet away. You’ll need to be aware of the viewing distance before picking a monitor or TV. The chroma subsampling issues we discussed previously will be exacerbated by sitting closer to the TV. 

TVs vs monitors: Control and connectivity

A TV is meant to be controlled from a distance, so its inputs are designed for that use case. Most of the navigation happens via a remote. A TV will also include features like eARC and optical audio output to make it easier for users to attach soundbars and AV receivers. Secondly, any USB outputs or inputs are primarily for power and data transfer and not for peripherals. This can be a problem if you’re used to connecting a keyboard and mouse to your monitor’s USB hub. 

ALSO READ: Best TV settings for different types of content

Monitors, on the other hand, are designed to be within arm’s reach, and so the controls are placed just under the monitor. If you intend to use the monitor as a TV, this can be quite inconvenient, especially when switching inputs. Secondly, monitors don’t normally have an optical out or eARC support, rendering any good soundbar or DAC useless. Monitors also support more capable video connectors such as DisplayPort and USB-C or Thunderbolt. 

TVs vs monitors: Sound quality

TVs have far better speakers than monitors. TVs are meant to be placed in large rooms, after all, and come equipped with 10-20W speakers at a minimum. Monitors, on the other hand, will have 2-3W speakers that are just enough for basic communication. 

TVs vs monitors: Refresh rate and response time

A major issue with most TVs is that they’re locked to a fixed refresh rate of 60Hz. Related to this, TVs also tend to have a very high pixel response time – the time it takes for a pixel to change from one colour to another – which leads to visual blur with fast-moving content. TV shows and movies, and even YouTube content is delivered at 24-30Hz, which a TV can easily handle. Games, on the other hand, need to be running at 60-120Hz for the best experience, which a lot of TVs can’t handle. Some TVs do support a game mode and high refresh rate, but unless their pixel response time matches that refresh rate, game visuals will still be blurry. 

It’s simple, really, TVs are great for consuming shows and movies, while monitors are better for gaming and text. The display you choose will depend on which of the above activities is most important for you. There are some exceptions in the form of monitors with smart features, and TVs with high subsampling and TV features, but these are rare right now.