How Many Monitor Nits Do You Need for the Best Display?

There’s a tendency among those looking to buy a monitor to think that as long as a monitor’s brightness specs are high, it will be a good purchase. But is this always the case? The following article will explore this issue and explain what other factors users should consider before purchasing a monitor instead of focusing only on brightness levels. 

ž● The Myth Surrounding High Brightness/Nit Values

● Moderate Brightness is the Way to Go

ž● Finding the Balance Between Professional and Daily Needs

žž● Other Key Things to Look for in a Monitor

žž● Conclusion

Nits are the standard units used to measure the amount of light emitted by a screen. A lot of people assume that a high nit value is best for a monitor because they think that stronger light means better performance. This may be true for monitors that display a lot of HDR content, but for the average user such high brightness levels aren’t necessary.

In fact, in the darkened labs where manufacturers test their SDR* monitors, the monitors are usually set to a brightness of 100 nits. In these conditions the monitors are still able to produce black levels that are in the 0.001 to 0.03 nit range, which is a decent value. What this means is that in a normal setting, a monitor that can produce 100 to 300 nits of brightness will be good enough. Any monitor with brightness above those levels may be producing more light than is needed and may cause eye strain.

* An SDR monitor supports sRGB and Rec.709 color gamuts with a typical brightness of 100-300 nits.

*The suggested screen brightness (nits) follows industrial standards.

For outdoor use with strong ambient light, monitors with high brightness levels might be the best choice. But for normal settings (e.g., at home or in the office) extended use of the same type of monitors may instead cause discomfort or eye fatigue. Thus, it’s best to select a monitor that has a low blue-light feature and flicker-free technology to reduce eye strain. Furthermore, a monitor with an anti-glare screen will also help reduce the impact of ambient light on the viewer’s eyes.

For photo/video editors, designers, and other related professionals, color accuracy is vital for the equipment they use.

And since all SDR color gamuts (sRGB, P3, Rec.709 etc.) are tested under 100 nits, high brightness levels on a monitor don’t automatically translate to more accurate colors, users who prioritize color accuracy should instead focus on color gamut coverage and the Delta E* value. Beyond that, they should also check the factory calibration report for any monitor they might buy. Both these items do more to describe the accuracy of the monitor’s colors than its brightness value.

*Delta E is a metric for understanding how the human eye perceives color difference.

Outside of a suitable brightness level and accurate colors, there are several other important elements to look for in a monitor:

• Flicker-free Technology: This ensures that the image on the monitor doesn’t flash, while also protecting your eyes.

• Anti-glare Fine-Coated Panel: As mentioned above, this reduces the amount of ambient light reflected onto the viewer’s eyes which makes their viewing experience more comfortable.

• Adjustable Color Temperature: This allows you to customize the monitor’s colors based on the ambient light and your personal tastes, so that you can further optimize your monitor use.

• Height Adjustable Stand: The ability to adjust the height of the monitor to ensure that it’s slightly lower than eye level will help improve your posture and decrease the strain on your neck and back. The center of the display should be around 20 to 30 degrees below eye level and at a distance of 50 to 70 centimeters (roughly at arm’s distance) from your eyes.

As discussed in this article, monitors with high brightness (i.e., a high nit value) are particularly suitable for users involved in HDR color grading, such as in post-production. Professionals working primarily with SDR color gamuts, like sRGB, P3, Rec.709 for digital content and Adobe RGB for printing, should focus on the monitor’s color gamut coverage and Delta E value to ensure accurate color representation for their work. In other words, the average user doesn’t really need to be seeking out such high brightness levels. Buyers need to look at the bigger picture and factor in their individual needs, particularly the setting where they will use the monitor. Things like eye protection, color accuracy, and other features should also be accounted for.

If you’re looking for a monitor that ticks all the boxes described above, BenQ’s monitors will have you covered. From world-renown color accuracy, to multiple layers of advanced eye-protection and a plethora of features that improve the user’s experience, BenQ’s line of monitors are sure include a model that’s right for you.

To learn more about BenQ’s monitors and their various features, click here.