Ideally, you want to orient your monitor in a way where the top of the screen sits either at or right below, your eye level.
I’m a long-time gamer who’s spent years playing on different setups. My ample experience with both online and offline games has enabled me to properly evaluate the best monitor setup for such titles.
This guide takes a further look at those aspects by analyzing the best monitor position for gaming, how to get your device where you want it, as well as how to achieve the best posture when sitting for extended periods of time.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- You typically want the top of your gaming monitor to sit in a space that’s either at your eyes or in an area that falls right below your gaze.
- There are several ways to adjust your gaming monitor, including a custom arm, a wall mount, or stacking it on top of boxes or books.
- When gaming, it’s important to keep good posture by ensuring your back is straight, your legs are on the floor, and you stay perfectly balanced.
A Gaming Monitor’s Perfect Height
When gaming, your monitor matters. There are many models out there and they all bring something different to the table. However, placement is incredibly important as well. A great product goes a long way, but you might see worse results if it’s not set up correctly.
When putting your monitor together, you want to orient it so that the top of the screen sits directly at, or slightly below, your eye level. The human eye naturally tilts downward when viewing the middle of the screen, so your view should be 5cm to 10cm below the top.
Another way to think about that is to have the center of the screen roughly 17 to 18 degrees below eye level and have the top line zero to thirty degrees below eye level. That won’t just make it more comfortable to game, it will allow you to better take in the game too.
At the same time, be sure to keep the screen roughly 20 inches, or an arm’s length distance, from your eyes. That will also create a solid amount of comfort, allowing you to play for long periods of time without experiencing too much strain.
Getting Your Monitor to the Correct Height
Knowing where to put your monitor is an important part of any gaming setup, but getting it there is another matter. For most users, it’s a simple case of buying an adjustable monitor or moving their desk to the appropriate height. However, not everyone has those options.
The best way to get your monitor to exactly where you need it is to purchase a monitor mount with an adjustable arm. That gives your computer a ton of flexibility and ensures you’ll always be able to move it around based on your needs.
If that doesn’t work, you can always get a wall mount if you have the space. That’s not as effective as an adjustable mount, but it will place your monitor in the exact right position. Of course, you can always stack some objects (such as books or boxes) under your monitor too.
If your monitor is too high, there aren’t that many other options at your disposal. Besides an adjustable arm, you’ll likely need to buy a shorter desk. That’s a much more expensive endeavor, but there are some affordable options out there if you take the time to look.
How to Get Good Posture While Gaming
One big reason to position your gaming monitor in the above way is to make gaming much easier, but it matters from an ergonomic perspective as well. Putting your computer in the exact right position will make the entire setup much more comfortable for your eyes and body.
When gaming, you want to sit with your hips so that your spine is pressed firmly against the backrest. Both thighs should be flat on the chair in a way so you’re not off balance either. You should also keep your head directly above your body to relieve pressure on your neck.
On top of that, if you have a gaming chair with armrests you should keep them at roughly 90 degrees. Position your desk just above your thighs, keep your back straight, and always orient yourself directly in front of your monitor so that you’re perfectly balanced.
If you sit cross-legged or rest in an off-kilter way you’re going to put stress on your body that will only build up as time goes on. The more ergonomic your setup is, the better off you’ll be in the long run. Sit roughly an arm’s length away from your monitor as well.
FAQs
Here I answer some of the biggest questions surrounding gaming monitor setup.
How High is Too High for a Monitor?
While you want to achieve the measurements listed in the above paragraphs, there is such a thing as having your monitor too high. You want to make sure it’s almost always right around where you look without needing to strain your neck. If you have to look up, it’s too high.
Is a Bigger Screen Better for Your Eyes?
It might seem intuitive that getting a bigger screen is always better for your eyes, but that’s not always the case. That’s because a bigger viewing area is more to take in, which can then cause discomfort. You want something that’s high resolution, but also easy to look at.
What’s the Best Monitor Size for Gaming?
Though a 24-inch screen is the tournament standard, as they allow players to easily take in everything at once, most gamers prefer 27-inch monitors for at-home use. That’s because they are the most versatile and come with a range of characteristics.
Final Words
When using any gaming monitor, it’s important to put it in the right place. Going too low can cause problems, but going too high can as well. Keep it around your eye level and a safe distance away in order to cut down on both strain and fatigue.
Where does your monitor sit? Have you ever adjusted it to get a better or more comfortable setup? Let us know in the comments below!
