Having extra monitors saves you time and gives you deeper insight into pricing fluctuations, market data, and other critical information. With extra monitors, you can view key indicators such as MACD, RSI, and OBV simultaneously.
Keep reading for a breakdown of the best monitors for trading, what features to look for in a trading monitor, and our top picks for monitors to help you successfully day-trade. Or visit our workplace solutions page for further insights into optimizing the way you work.
When it comes to trading, knowledge is power.
Imagine using one monitor for your trading. As a trader, you need to be constantly studying financial reports, tracking markets, watching the news, reading up on pricing history, and so on.
When it comes to trading, it’s important to have access to key metrics for passive tracking. Fortunes are made and lost in a matter of seconds, and the ability to respond to events in a timely manner can mean the difference between success and failure.
While you could get the job done on one monitor, the fact that you constantly need to switch between four or five different tabs means that you’re wasting both time and money.
With additional monitors, you can easily multitask, simultaneously access your critical indicators, and avoid the eye strain that comes with staring at a single screen for multiple hours a day.
The more monitors you have, the more knowledge is available to you, and the better your power to make optimal financial decisions.
One question we often get asked is if having more monitors will improve trading capability. And the honest answer is it depends.
Having more monitors is great because it gives you a deeper understanding of pricing history, more room to track price fluctuations, watch breaking news, and so on.
But while it gives you a deeper understanding of what to buy and what to sell, it’s ultimately up to you to make the right call.
How Many Monitors Do I Need for Trading?
When it comes to the number of extra monitors that you need, there’s no one right answer. While some traders use a dual-monitor setup, other traders have been known to go as high as 20 monitors.
One helpful rule of thumb is to calculate how many monitors you would need based on how many charts you’d like to keep track of at once. With the exception of ultrawide monitors (which we’ll get to later), most monitors can comfortably fit a maximum of four charts.
If you want to track 12 charts simultaneously, you should have at least three monitors. If you want to simultaneously track 16 charts, you should use at least four.
Should You Use an Ultrawide Monitor for Trading?
Another question we often get asked is if you should use one large ultrawide monitor for trading or multiple smaller monitors. Just like the number of monitors you need, the choice comes down to personal preference.
Ultrawide monitors are monitors that utilize an aspect ratio of 21:9. While some ultrawide monitors are flat screens, other ultrawide monitors come curved.
Ultrawide monitors are useful because they provide more screen space for you to work, though it should be noted that they are typically more expensive than traditional monitors. According to a Harvard Medical School study, ultrawide monitors, in particular, can provide a stronger sense of immersion and reduce eye fatigue by engaging your peripheral vision.
However, if your home office setup involves mounting your monitors, it’s best to avoid curved ultrawide monitors as their size and curvature can create complications when mounting.
What to Look for in a Trading Monitor
While some monitors are marketed specifically for traders, not all of them will improve your trading experience. Here are some key features to look out for.
High Resolution
For traders, using a high-resolution monitor is important.
The higher the resolution of your monitor, the better you’ll be able to read the sidebars, titles, and legends on graphs that can become fuzzy on lower-quality monitors. Having a high resolution also helps you see the chyrons on news shows more easily.
A monitor with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080p or higher is recommended.
Ergonomic
Ergonomic monitors are monitors that can be calibrated to the way you’re sitting to make you more comfortable and productive. Try looking for ergonomic monitors that contain swivel, tilt, and height adjustment features.
It’s important to be able to view your monitor at a comfortable distance without hunching over or straining your neck. For more tips on how to best position your monitor, click here.
VESA-Compatible
VESA is the standard mounting interface for monitors and TVs. VESA mounts work by attaching multiple monitors to a single mount, so that you can have monitors on top of one another or side by side.
Though not strictly necessary, placing your monitors on a VESA mount can make your desktop feel less cluttered.
If you’re trying to save space at your desk, try looking for monitors that are designated as “VESA compatible”.
Blue Light Filter
Another good feature to have in a trading monitor is a blue light filter. Blue light is a type of high-energy light emitted by computer screens that can cause eye strain and have an adverse effect on sleep.
For traders that use multiple monitors, blue light can seep into their vision, not just from the front, but from the sides as well. Therefore, for traders or other professionals who use multiple monitors, having monitors with blue light filters is especially crucial.
Try searching for a monitor that comes with a blue light filter to reduce eye strain and improve sleep.
How Should You Set Up Your Trading Monitors?
When it comes to your trading, there are multiple ways to set up your workspace.
Traders using a three-screen setup will be fine using the monitors on their original stands.
However, if you’re using more than four monitors, it’s recommended that you use a VESA mount to make the most of your space.
Some traders have a separate monitor connected to a Bloomberg terminal on one side, and a separate desktop or laptop connected to a bank of other monitors on the other side.
Other traders work off of a desktop or laptop, and group their monitors by market movers, trading time frame, and watchlist.
In order to make sure they don’t miss anything, these traders also set up custom alarms that trigger whenever certain stocks cross a designated pricing threshold.
Whether you’re using a three-screen setup or an eight-screen setup, it’s important to experiment until you find a setup that works for you.
Top Five Trading Monitors
VP2468
With an edge-to-edge SuperClear® IPS panel, the 24” ViewSonic® VP2468 monitor displays stocks, charts, and news in stunning FHD 1080p resolution. The VP2468 comes equipped with a frameless design, excellent screen uniformity, and unmatched color accuracy to provide an incredible viewing experience.
The VP2468 comes with multiple connectivity options including a DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, and HDMI® inputs for simplified installation. For easier multi-monitor setup, the VP2468 connects to other monitors via a single-cable daisy chain.
VP2468_H2
If you’re looking to create a multi-monitor setup with the VP2468, consider the VP2468_H2 bundle.
The bundle comes with two VESA-compatible VP2468 monitor heads that can be quickly set up on VESA mounts. To save you money, the VP2468_H2 comes without monitor stands.
If you’re a trader planning to buy multiple monitors to mount, that’s one less thing for you to throw out.
VA2456-mhd
With a crisp 24” inch display, the ViewSonic VA2456-mhd helps you take productivity to the next level.
The VA2456-mhd comes with 1920 x 1080p FHD resolution and adjustable viewing presets for crystal clarity whether you’re checking stocks, reading charts, or monitoring market news.
Use it on the included stand, or easily attach it to a compatible VESA mount.
This ultra-clear monitor uses IPS technology for consistent clarity no matter what angle you’re looking at your monitor. And with a sleek frameless design, the VA2456-mhd gives you a seamless multi-monitor viewing experience. This monitor also comes in a dual-pack bundle without monitor stands.
VG2455
Designed for home offices, the VG2455 provides exceptional wide-angle performance, enabling users to see the screen no matter where they’re sitting.
This 24” monitor comes with a 1920 x 1080p FHD resolution and features a single cable solution. Transfer power, video, and audio via a single USB 3.1 Type-C cable and cut down on cable clutter.
The VG2455 comes with a blue light filter and built-in ergonomic features including swivel, pivot, and height adjust for increased productivity and comfort.
And with an effortlessly simple three-step setup, the VG2455 lets you spend less time fiddling around with cables, and more time making money.
VP3481
With a stunning 34-inch curved screen, the ViewSonic VP3481 executive class monitor can hold all the charts, news, and data you need to make day trading successful. Engineered with precise color accuracy and enhanced with HDR10 support to provide a more dynamic range of colors and richer contrasts, the VP3481 is a powerful trading workstation.
This 34-inch curved display creates a powerful sense of immersion while also reducing eye fatigue1. The VP3481 is also equipped with ViewSonic ViewSplitTM technology, which enables you to easily divide your screen into multiple viewing windows for the ultimate multitasking experience.
Conclusion
When it comes to trading stocks, purchasing a good monitor setup is one of the best investments you can make.
A good monitor setup can give you insight into different asset classes, a deeper understanding of pricing history, and the ability to make more informed decisions when you buy, trade, or sell.
If you enjoyed reading this article, please feel free to visit our workplace solutions page where you’ll find more articles and insights into workplace optimization.
Citations:
1: Burkhart Kimberly & Phelps James R. (2009) AMBER LENSES TO BLOCK BLUE LIGHT AND IMPROVE SLEEP: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL, Chronobiology International, 26:8, 1602-1612, DOI: 10.3109/07420520903523719
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