1440p vs. 4K: What's the Right Resolution for Your Monitor?
There's a lot to consider when picking out the best monitor for your needs. Brands will hype up their features, their integration of AI and all sorts of trumped-up specifications that may mean little to the average monitor user (and might have little relation to real-world performance). But of all the specifications you'll encounter, resolution is often one of the first to consider. It's a question of clarity, and you don't want a display that's not clear.
These days, 1080p displays are a dime a dozen, and their clarity is really lacking at larger sizes. Meanwhile, 1440p and 4K monitors are now much more accessible -- in numbers and in price -- while significantly improving clarity. If you're on the hunt for a new monitor and struggling to choose between 1440p and 4K, I'll run through the key aspects of each and additional details to consider when making your choice.
What is 1440p?
At its most basic level, 1440p is an indication of the number of pixels a display has. In the case of a typical 16:9-aspect-ratio display, it indicates a resolution of 2,560x1,440 pixels: 2,560 pixels horizontally by 1,440 vertically (and that little "p" indicates progressive scanning along each of the 1,440 rows of pixels). Sometimes you'll see this written as 2.5K instead, denoting the horizontal resolution instead of the vertical. A typical 1440p display will have 3,686,400 pixels. Occasionally, you can find monitors with 16:10 aspect ratios as well, and in those cases, you'll likely see 2,560x1,600-pixel resolution. Ultrawide monitors have also become popular, and you'll find many with a 3,440x1,440-pixel resolution, effectively extending the horizontal aspect of a 1440p display without adjusting the vertical aspect.
The Innocn 49Q1R curved gaming monitor is an ultrawide 1440p display with a 32:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 5,120x1,440 pixels.
Josh Goldman/CNET
What is 4K?
With the mainstream adoption of 4K, we saw a shift in the standard naming convention. Where 1440p (and 1080p before it) referenced the vertical resolution of the display, 4K switched to reference the horizontal resolution. For monitors, 4K (sometimes called Ultra HD, UHD or 2160p) has a horizontal resolution of 3,840 pixels (close enough to 4,000 for it to get its "4K" nickname) and a vertical resolution of 2,160 pixels. In the DCI cinema standards, the resolution is actually 4,096x2,160, but you won't find many displays with that resolution. Like 1440p, this is the resolution of a 4K monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio. You can find different aspect ratios, especially on laptops, where 16:10 has become more popular in recent years, but these will still usually be referred to as 4K since the horizontal resolution remains unchanged. A typical 4K monitor will have 8,294,400 pixels.
Which is better: 1440p or 4K?
There's no easy answer for which is better. It would be easy to assume that 4K is better -- after all, why wouldn't more pixels be better? But more pixels won't always be beneficial. A 4K display may require more power than a 1440p display of the same size. A computer will have to work harder to produce 4K output than 1440p because 4K needs more than twice as many pixels rendered. And then there's the matter of diminishing returns: All the extra pixels won't do you any good if you can't even see them.
This has been a hotly debated topic for years, with Apple's introduction of Retina displays kicking off a lot of discussion -- and a lack of consensus -- on what resolution and viewing distances are best. Just dig through the Retina display Wikipedia page or CNET's TV size buying guide, and you'll see there's some heavy science involved and still plenty of room for debate. For example, the International Telecommunications Union recommends viewing a 4K display at a distance 1.6 times the height of the screen (e.g., 31.4 inches away for a 4K monitor with a 40-inch diagonal), meanwhile, Sony suggests a viewing distance 1.5 times the height of the display at 4K.
The LG 32GS95UE is one of the best 4K displays we've tested.
Lori Grunin/CNET
That may not make it any easier to choose the right display for you, but it does highlight some important details. The size of your screen and how close you plan to sit are key considerations in figuring out which resolution you should pursue.
A huge, 40-inch monitor situated at arm's length will look way better with a 4K resolution (though from that distance, 8K would be better). But if you sit three feet away, the difference between 1440p and 4K will shrink. Similarly, if you compare that 40-inch 4K panel (which has 110 pixels per inch) to a 27-inch 1440p panel (108 pixels per inch), the difference in clarity will be almost imperceptible; you'll get just more screen space with the larger monitor.
Sometimes 4K will result in icons and visuals that are too small to see easily. In these cases, you'll probably use scaling to increase their size. This might seem like it defeats the purpose of the extra resolution, but you will still benefit from the extra pixels because they inherently have smaller gaps between them. When viewed from close enough, those gaps can become apparent, giving the picture a "screen-door effect," and that's something you definitely want to avoid.
Which is right for you?
After you consider the size of the display you want and the distance you plan to sit from it, you'll also want to consider how you intend to use it.
If you're doing basic office work on the monitor, there's not much you have to worry about beyond making sure the display will be sharp enough at your viewing distance. A smaller monitor at arm's length will likely be fine at 1440p. But if you want to go with an extra-large screen, then consider 4K. That extra resolution will let you make the most of the screen space, effectively giving you four 1080p displays for some serious multitasking.
If you're gaming, you'll still want to make sure you're looking at a sharp display, as you want to be able to make out details in your games. But there's also the question of performance. As mentioned before, 4K resolution calls for more than double the pixels of 1440p. All those pixels demand a lot from a gaming system. It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to get smooth frame rates at 1440p than it is at 4K.
You can always lower the resolution of a game in its settings (on PC at least), and modern graphics processors have tricks to lighten the load with the likes of AMD's FSR, Nvidia's DLSS and Intel's XeSS, but these techniques have their drawbacks, sometimes making it simply look like you're running at lower resolution or introducing visual artifacts -- artifacts that are much easier to see with extra resolution. So, if you don't have a high-end graphics processor with plenty of VRAM, 1440p is generally the way to go.
If you're a creator, there's a better argument for 4K. Photography tends to be incredibly high resolution, and 4K video is much more accessible these days. Having a higher-resolution display will give you a better chance of viewing your work at its full resolution (or at least close to it), meaning you'll get an accurate representation of it. For instance, if you view a 4K video on a 1440p monitor, you actually won't be seeing more than half of the image. If there are unsightly artifacts in those unseen pixels, you might accidentally leave them in your final edit.
Also read: Best Gaming Monitor for 2025
Resolutions aren't all created equally
Even if you're looking at two monitors with the same resolution and screen size, they still may not be equally clear. For each pixel, there are a series of smaller subpixels, which provide the different color elements that create the pixel (for instance, if you want a purple pixel, you may see a red and a blue subpixel light up to create the purple). Alas, that subpixel layout can also play into a monitor's clarity.
An RGB subpixel layout is fairly common. This sees a row of three subpixels (red, then green, then blue). However, I've used a number of OLED monitors that have a different subpixel layout. And even though these monitors had the same 1440p resolution and 27-inch screen size as others I'd tested, they had issues with clarity in some contexts. For example, small text could have soft edges or unexpected colors showing up.
So, after you decide which size and resolution will work in your setup, be sure to check out reviews to get a fuller picture of a monitor's quality. In our reviews at CNET, you'll find more testing data on aspects of monitors that can have as much or even more impact on a monitor's quality than resolution, such as panel type, contrast and color gamut.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Android Authority
30 minutes ago
- Android Authority
Google Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) deal: We've never seen it this cheap!
Robert Triggs / Android Authority As Android fans, the Google Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) is obviously one of our favorite wireless chargers. It doesn't often go on sale, and the lowest we've seen it go for was $53.93 back in 2022! Today, it's on sale for just $43.99, making this a record-low price. Get the Google Pixel Stand 2nd Gen for just $43.99 ($35.01 off) This offer is available from eBay, but the seller is actually Best Buy. This gives us a level of confidence, as it is not just a random online seller. Google Pixel Stand Wireless Charger (2nd Gen) Google Pixel Stand Wireless Charger (2nd Gen) Much more than just fast wireless charging for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6. The Pixel Stand (2nd gen) is built to unlock your Pixel 7's Assistant capabilities while fast charging. It also wirelessly charges a wide range of other smartphones quickly too. See price at eBay Save $35.01 The Google Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) is an excellent wireless charger, especially if you use a Pixel smartphone with it. It can charge Pixel devices at up to 23W, but those speeds don't work with all devices. For example, you can charge a Pixel 9 Pro XL at 23W, but the Pixel 9 Pro speeds are reduced to 21W, and the Pixel 9 can juice up at 15W. For non-Pixel phones, the maximum charging speed is 15W. It's not the fastest charger out there, but it is pretty speedy, especially with compatible Pixel devices. Robert Triggs / Android Authority The integrated fan makes it more efficient, as it keeps your device cool while charging. This means charging will throttle less, as phones usually slow down charging when they get too hot, and wireless charging produces a lot of heat. Additionally, batteries get slowly damaged with heat, so keeping the phone cooler will extend the battery's overall life. I also happen to love its clean, minimalist design. Not to mention the fact that it doubles as a stand, offering easy access to your apps and content even while charging. It's great for desks, side tables, and so on. This is a really nice deal if you want to catch Google's best wireless charger. Make sure to act quickly, though, as this is a record-low price on a product that seems to be going away soon. Google doesn't even have it in stock anymore, so chances are retailers are getting rid of extra units.
CNET
33 minutes ago
- CNET
Early July 4th Deals: Save Hundreds at Amazon, Best Buy, Target and More Before The Holiday Weekend
Retailers like Best Buy, Walmart and Amazon are gearing up for the July 4th, even though we are still a few weeks away from the holiday weekend. But in anticipation of this occasion, some companies have already released some fantastic deals. If you're anticipating July 4th sales, you're probably also tracking Prime Day. This sales event also occurs in July, on July 8th, to be exact. So, there will be plenty of opportunities to snag all of the items on your summer wish list at a discount. These deals will save you tons on TVs, laptops and outdoor items. It also includes your favorite brands, like Apple and Anker. Just make sure to dive into the offers quickly because these pre-holiday sales may not last long. Don't forget to check back often because we're constantly updating this page as items sell out or new deals become available. Early July 4th tech deals These are the best tech deals we've found so far among the early Fourth of July sales. We've spotted deals on some of our favorite TVs, tablets and more. Insignia 50-Inch F50 4K Smart TV: $180 This TV has a great size, loads of features and a good picture. It's also 40% off right now, so getting it for $180 is a chance you shouldn't miss. Details Save $120 $180 at Amazon Close Apple M3 MacBook Air 13-inch laptop: $899 We named the M3 MacBook Air the overall best laptop of 2024, and this discount makes it even sweeter to upgrade to a model with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, an 18-hour battery life, 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. Details Save $200 $899 at Best Buy Close More early July 4 tech deals: Early July 4th home and kitchen deals Dyson V8 Plus cordless vacuum cleaner: $350 Dyson has often earned spots on our list of best vacuums, and the V8 Plus model is perfect for tackling dust and debris. If you've been considering an upgrade, don't sleep on this vacuum deal -- the V8 is now just $350, the lowest price we've seen. Details Save $120 $350 at Amazon Close Ring Battery Doorbell: $50 The Ring Battery Doorbell is an excellent way to add a bit more security and convenience to your home. And it's now half off if you're a Prime member, which is a great deal. Details Save $50 $50 at Amazon Close Ninja Creami ice cream maker: $169 Make your own ice cream concoctions at home with the viral Ninja Creami, thanks to this rare discount. It's easy to use and makes restaurant-quality frozen desserts with the click of a button. Details Save $30 $169 at Walmart Close More early July 4 home and kitchen deals: Early July 4th mattress deals Now is a great time to upgrade your mattress and score a great deal. Here are our favorite mattress deals to shop during early Fourth of July sales. Nectar mattresses Score a new mattress for as low as $349, plus 66% off bundles. Choose from tons of styles and designs. Details Up to 50% off mattresses See at Nectar Close Mattress Firm You can get up to 20% off adjustable bases and up to 60% off Mattress Firm's bestsellers. Pillows and sheets are also 20% off. Details Save up to 60% See at Mattress Firm Close DreamCloud DreamCloud is offering some significant savings, offering up to 60% off mattresses. (So, you could potentially score a mattress for as low as $299) Plus, you can also save $599 with the included accessories and get 66% off bundles. Details Save up to 60% on mattresses See at DreamCloud Close More early Fourth of July mattress deals: Early July 4th outdoor deals Upgrade your backyard or prep for your next summer camping trip with these hot early Fourth of July outdoor deals. Solo Stove sales Solo Stove, which offers a wide selection of fire pits and accessories, is currently offering up to $230 off bundles. In addition to fire pits and accessories, the company also has pizza ovens and other outdoor goodies, including furniture. Details Save up to $230 bundles See at Solo Stove Close Christopher Knight 2-piece mesh chaise lounge set: $329 Reduced by almost $200, these Christopher Knight chairs are now a good 37% off. The clean lines of these lounge chairs will complement any outdoor decor, and they feature adjustable backs, so you can go from sitting to napping in seconds. Details Save $193 $329 at Amazon Close Anker Solix C1000 portable power station: $449 If you're going camping this summer, a portable power station is an asset -- coming in handy if you unfortunately lose power at home. This model has 11 versatile ports and is strong enough to keep an electric grill, projector or coffee maker powered up. It has a maximum rated power of 1800W, but can reach a peak power of 2400W. Details Save $350 $449 at Amazon Close More of the best early Fourth of July outdoor deals: When do July 4th sales start this year? Independence Day falls on July 4th every year. Fourth of July sales often tend to hang around for a few days before and after the holiday. Amazon also announced that its next Prime Day will take place from July 8 to 11, so the two sales may blend. Where are the best pre-July 4th sales? Fourth of July sales offer some of the best prices on tech, appliances, mattresses and fashion, making it a great time to snag stellar prices on must-have items, and there are a ton of retailers still participating in the holiday savings. Unsurprisingly, Amazon is usually one of the best places to buy since it sells products from almost all major brands across these popular categories, making it a tremendous one-stop shop for all of your Fourth of July buys. Outside of Amazon, we recommend checking out appliance and tech sales at Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe's, as well as holiday sales on a large variety of categories at Walmart, Target and Nordstrom, among others. Should I shop July 4th sales or wait for Prime Day deals? There's no definitive way to say whether Fourth of July sales or Prime Day deals are best. Both sales offer plenty of deals, including some of the best prices we'll see all year. Plus, it's likely the two sales will blur into one big discount extravaganza, given their expected proximity. Fourth of July sales offer more variety in retailers, though much of your shopping may take place on Amazon anyway. There are also plenty of non-Amazon retailers that will keep their sales rolling through mid-July, often directly competing with Amazon Prime prices. Since you'll be able to shop so many Fourth of July sales in just a few weeks, grab what you need and then keep tabs on Prime Day deals later for anything you miss out on. How to keep up with the best July 4th sales There are a lot of ways to ensure you're getting the latest scoop on Fourth of July offers. The CNET Deals team covers all the best price drops, discounts and deals every day from across the web, highlighting the best offers. We'll be tracking all the major retailer sales following the Fourth of July holiday and sharing the promotions you need to hear about, and there are plenty of ways to hear from us. One option is to bookmark to check out our latest coverage. You can also follow @CNETDeals on X to see everything we publish or sign up for our CNET Deals newsletter for a daily digest of deals delivered to your inbox. Another great option is to sign up for CNET Deals text alerts for curated deals during major shopping events. Remember to install our CNET Shopping browser extension to help ensure that purchases you make all year round will be at the lowest price available.
The Hill
40 minutes ago
- The Hill
Pope Leo's AI warning
The Big Story Pope Leo XIV sounded the alarm this week over artificial intelligence (AI)'s potential impact on young people's intellectual and neurological development, building upon one of the main focuses of his papacy. © Vatican Media via Associated Press The first American pope delivered the message to an annual conference on AI and ethics, part of which took place in the Vatican this week. 'All of us, I am sure, are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development,' the pope said. 'Our youth must be helped, and not hindered, in their journey towards maturity and true responsibility.' The pontiff described how new generations have unprecedented, quick access to data and information, while noting they must not confuse this access to data with intelligence. 'In the end, authentic wisdom has more to do with recognizing the true meaning of life, than with the availability of data,' Leo said. Leo acknowledged AI has been used in positive ways, pointing to research in health care and science. But he warned of the possibility the emerging technology can be used for 'selfish gain at the expense of others' or 'to foment conflict and aggression.' The pope said AI, especially generative AI, 'also raises troubling questions of its possible repercussions on humanity's openness to truth and beauty, on our distinctive ability to grasp and process reality.' Since being elected pope in early May, Leo has made the risks of AI on humanity a key priority of his papacy. In his first official address to cardinals in May, the pope warned of the challenges AI poses to the 'defense of human dignity, justice and labor.' The mission resembles that of Pope Leo XIII, who pushed for workers' rights amid the industrial revolution, and a Vatican spokesperson told media outlets the name choice was 'not a casual reference.' Read more in a full report at Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter, we're Miranda Nazzaro and Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future: Meta, Oakley partner for AI-powered glasses Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is partnering with Oakley to launch new artificial intelligence (AI) powered glasses, the tech giant announced Friday. The new smart glasses, like Meta's earlier Ray-Ban glasses, are equipped with a built-in camera, open-ear speakers and AI capabilities. The Oakley glasses also feature a longer-lasting battery and a higher resolution camera that can shoot 3K video. … Telegram founder planning to leave fortune to his 100+ children The founder of the instant messaging app Telegram said he plans to leave his multibillion-dollar fortune to the more than 100 children he has fathered either naturally or through sperm donations. Pavel Durov, in an interview published Thursday with French political magazine Le Point, said he does not differentiate between the six children he fathered naturally in three relationships and the dozens of others he fathered by sperm … Aflac discloses cybersecurity incident Aflac said Friday that it experienced a cybersecurity incident last week that may have impacted files containing social security numbers, health information and other personal information. The insurance company first detected suspicious activity on its network last Thursday and 'promptly initiated our cyber incident response protocols and stopped the intrusion within hours,' according to a press release. 'Importantly, … The Refresh News we've flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics: Crypto Corner Coinbase secures EU crypto license © Richard Drew, Associated Press Welcome to Crypto Corner, a daily feature focused on digital currency and its outlook in Washington. Crypto exchange Coinbase has obtained a license to operate in the European Union (EU) under the bloc's relatively new regulatory framework for digital assets. The company announced Friday that it has secured a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) license, allowing it to operate in all 27 European member countries. Coinbase also plans to establish its European crypto hub in Luxembourg, after receiving its license from the country's Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). 'This is a pivotal moment for Coinbase, Luxembourg, and Europe's growing crypto ecosystem,' the exchange said in a press release. 'We look forward to continuing to contribute to Europe's vibrant economy, unlocking growth, and increasing economic freedom across the region.' As crypto firms seek MiCA licenses in Europe, the U.S. continues its slow forward march toward establishing its own regulatory framework. The Senate voted 68-30 Tuesday to pass the GENIUS Act, a bill creating regulatory rules of the road for one form of cryptocurrency, known as stablecoins. President Trump threw his weight behind the legislation Wednesday, urging the House to quickly pass the bill without any major additions. However, his call stands at odds with the hopes of some in Congress and the industry, who had been hoping to tie stablecoin legislation to another bill laying out a regulatory framework for the rest of the crypto market. In Other News Branch out with other reads on The Hill: ChatGPT use linked to cognitive decline: MIT research ChatGPT can harm an individual's critical thinking over time, a study released this month suggests. Researchers at MIT's Media Lab asked subjects to write several SAT essays and separated subjects into three groups — using OpenAI's ChatGPT, using Google's search engine and using nothing, which they called the 'brain‑only' group. Each subject's brain was monitored through electroencephalography (EEG), … What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Senate parliamentarian knocks pieces out of Trump's megabill Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has ruled that several key pieces of the massive bill to implement President Trump's agenda run afoul of … Read more Former Clinton campaign chief on Democrats: 'We're leaderless, we're messageless, we're agendaless' Democratic strategist Patti Solis Doyle said the party lacks a leader, message and agenda when asked about the state of the Democratic Party in an … Read more You're all caught up. See you next week!
