Difference Between LCD And LED Monitors

A square is a rectangle, but not all rectangles are squares.  Anyone remember this from basic geometry? Sometimes something that initially looks very different is technically in the same category as something else, but as a very specific subset.

This is what we have going on with LCD and LED monitors.  LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display while LED stands for Light Emitting Diodes.  At face value, these two things seem very different, but what few realize is that LED screens and monitors actually represent a subset of LCD monitors; just as our square belongs to a specific subset of rectangles.

Both monitors are comprised of double layers of glass through which liquid crystals allow and block light from passing through them allowing for the viewer to see images appear on the screen.

Where the differences begin to occur are in the placement of the lighting around and/or behind the monitor.  In an LCD monitor the lights are generally made of fluorescent tubes placed directly behind the screen. With an LED monitor the diodes can be placed behind the screen, but they can also be placed around the the edges of the screen.  Historically, placing the lighting around the circumference of the screen rather than behind has allowed LED monitors and televisions to be thinner than their LCD brethren.

Because LEDs run on smaller diodes rather than fluorescent tubes, they generally tend to be more energy efficient and provide a clearer, head on picture than LCD monitors.  What allows LCD monitors to still be relevant are the brightness advantage they hold and also the fact that they tend to be better viewed on an angle than LED monitors.

We are going to take a quick look at a couple LCD & LED monitors here and let you make the decision based on some of the highest rated monitors of each type (in differing price points) which one you feel will be the best fit for your home.

Difference Between LCD And LED Monitors

LED

1. Acer SB220Q

Designed by one of the top names in computer hardware, the Acer SB220Q is the perfect LED monitor for the screen buyer on a budget.  At 21.5”, this screen is created to be sleek and stylish as an ultrathin monitor to give your home not only the latest in technology, but to be minimalistic and provide a sense of style to your office.

AMD Radeon technology provides some of the sharpest, clearest picture you can find, so whether your computer needs tend to revolve around office work or gaming, the 1920 x 1080 resolution will see some fast response times and give you the performance you crave without the weight and bulk you don’t.

Buy It Now: Amazon

LCD

2. Acer UT0 UM.WW0AA.004

Acer is one of the leading LCD monitor companies and one of the reason they are having such success has been their ability to flatten their monitors to take away one of the biggest advantages LED monitors have had recently.

With their UT0 UM.WW.0AA.004 model, not only have they designed a 21.5” standing monitor that is great for working or gaming, but the stand also slides into the back of the monitor giving their screen a lay flat ability that is perfect for their touch screens.  Whether you want to draw or take the monitor on the go, this LCD monitor is great for the office or for the car and can do just about anything you would want a high quality screen to do.

Buy It Now: Amazon

3. ASUS ROG Swift PG348Q

Ultimately there is only one name we trust for our true, high end, best of the line computer monitors and that is the Republic of Gamers (ROG) line by Asus.  With LCD screens ranging from 24” to 34”, the Asus ROG Swift provides an elite monitor experience for the gamer and businessperson alike.

Designed with their patented eye care technology, blue lights and flickering that are hard on the eyes are all but eliminated.  This coupled with their extended, three year warranty, their careful attention to detail with a curved screen, and an ideal aspect ratio to prevent image distortion, this monitor bucks many of the stereotypes that affect LCD monitors and would be our preferred monitor if you are more concerned about quality and longevity than the lowest price tag.

Buy It Now: Amazon

4. Dell U2718Q

Another trusted name brings arguably the best LED monitor on the market (without requiring a second mortgage or cathedral ceilings to fit it in the room).  The Dell U2718Q offers a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 to give you some of the sharpest, most detailed images you will find in a computer screen.

Featuring a color wheel/depth of 1.07 billion colors, you can be sure that the LEDs in this screen are doing everything possible to achieve the exact contrast and brightness that movie producers, game designers, and lovable dog memes want you to see.  By far the best monitor we would recommend. Can you go larger and more expensive? Absolutely and go wild if you so choose, but for the average consumer looking for an LED monitor, the Dell U2718Q is the best available.

Buy It Now: Amazon

Difference Between LCD And LED Monitors Verdict

As you can see, there are quite a few difference between LCD and LED monitors. LEDs tend to be a whole lot better than LCD monitors, especially with new technologies and panels coming out like OLED. OLED is actually the new panels that even a consumer giant like Apple is using in their newest smartphones! That said, we’d definitely recommend any LED or OLED monitor as your next display purchase!