Matte vs Glossy Screens

Ranked #61 in Computers & Electronics, #914 overall

The Two Kinds of LCD Monitors

There are two kinds of modern LCD screens: matte (anti-glare) and glossy. Both have their pros and cons and are a subject of many discussions.

Matte screens don't get glare or reflections on them; however, the same rough surface (polarizer) that reduces the intensity of reflected light results in less contrast and brightness since the light from the LCD screen passes through it. Matte screens diffuse light instead of reflecting it so they might be easier to read outdoors, if the backlight provides enough brightness. You don't have to worry as much about reflections as with a glossy screen.

Glossy screens have vibrant colors and the highest contrast and brightness because they have a smooth, high-gloss surface. As a result, it is often the choice for movies or gaming. However, strong lighting causes glare on these screens which is very annoying and may tire your eyes if you have to stare at it all the time. You can also see reflections on the screen. Some graphics designers may also find the colors inaccurate. Glossy will work great for you if the lighting in your room doesn't create any glare on the screen.

Which ones do you think are better, and why? We'd love to hear your opinion!

Matte vs Glossy Opinions

What kind of LCD screens are better?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Matte screens are better than glossy!

Rebecca says:

Matte. There must be something seriously wrong with people's eyeballs if they can't see the reflections on glossy.

Mrs. Magoo says:

I bought a "matte" film to go over the glossy screen and STILL couldn't see the screen when out doors. Matte please.

mel oster says:

I am looking for a new lap top and would not even consider a glossy monitor. they are totally impossible to see when you are outdoors or in a lighted room.

Brian says:

Unless you have an absolutely perfect enviornment, a matte screen is far better. It's much more usable, and the reduction in color gamut isn't that bad.

Jacky says:

I haven't TRIED matt screen, but I HATE my new Macbook Pro glossy screen. My eyes become sore and red very quickly when using it, and stay that way for a very long time. I also think my eyesight is being affected!

ulung says:

MATTE....!!! Glossy screen burns my eyes. Matte screen for healthier eyes

Karin says:

Matte, because you can actually see what's on the screen when there's a window next to you...

DinosaurEgg says:

Matte for me. Reflections are very annoying!

Doug says:

I hate the glossy screens. The glare is so annoying! I don't understand how anyone can use them!

Cihan says:

MATTE

Jerry Sandusky says:

I prefer matte all the way.

Tommy says:

I hate glossy screens I had one laptop with a glossy screen and I never want one ever again. Using it outdoors was a downright nightmare. Too bad so many of the laptops I'm looking at today only come with glossy screens. I wish I at least could have the option of choosing which one I wanted, and not have a glossy one forced upon me.

Laurie says:

People think that they like the glossy, LED backlit screens, but they're not good for the eyes. Glossy may look good in a Best Buy, and 14 year old gamers may like them, but take it home and do any serious work, like word processing and many of us find serious eye fatigue and/or headaches to be the result of the backlit LED glossy. I fear that the young gamers may find themselves, unwittingly, doing damage to their eyes. As much as I like the Macbook Pro, it seems to have a particularly irritating screen in terms of eye strain. I recently purchased one and no sooner turned it on to use it, than my eyes started to burn, tear and sear, leaving my nose dripping in sympathy to the eye irritation. What a pity. It's such a nice machine. Besides, if I want a mirror, I'll get a mirror. I don't want to have to fight with my computer to see the screen, wrangling this way and that trying to avoid reflections from behind, the side or best yet, from light reflecting off of my clothing.

MJSchrader says:

It seems easier to read

dee says:

I work with imaging systems in a hospital. After some critical inspection for
use in immunohistology (colors) and x-rays (black and white) the winner
was the Eizo Flexcscan S2243W (matte). I had a budget to allow for much more money to be paid, but this was the hands down winner of anything I could find. Excellent sharp images along edges of tissues and bones, etc. Contrast was superior across entire spectrum, and importantly, in black and white. Most people around here like glossy, and some of them were expensive... but no match for this screen when we compared with some color standard images covering contrast in all colors and B&W. I can't wait to get a 24-27" 2560x1600 version of this. For those working in medical
imaging, at least have a look at one of this line before comitting to what you feel is better.

Igor says:

I accidentally bought a laptop with a glossy screen without knowing that any idiot could produce such screens. In any next laptop I will buy I will first exclude any that are glossy. That's a primary concern. I can't work on a glossy screen!

vinylsaur says:

as a music producer i have found matte to be more versatile and easier on the eyes. i would say that anyone looking to spend an extended amount of time on their computer (like me) should invest in a matte screen.

Tomi says:

Matte

yiuyth says:

I think both of them are great but matte is a little better than glossy ...

UseppaKaren says:

If you are at all serious about photography and having the screen image match your printed image, then matte is the only way to go - particularly if you are working in a MAC environment. Although the images can look great on any MAC, HD or backlit glossy screen, the image you print will ALWAYS look significantly darker then what you see on your screen, unless a matte screen is used.

CVicious says:

I Like Glossy screens, but I am a amateur and don't do anything on my iMac but play video games and watch sum movies some times... perfect for me, just a screw around system my 27 inch iMac. But, if I was to do professional stuff I would obviously want a Matte screen Duh? what are you stupid? Matte screens are for professional people that need to do real work, Glossy fun screen iMac's are for people like me that are just farting around. There you go buddy, or chick. Matte for serious professionals, Glossy fun screens for farting around.

Alice Wonder says:

Matte screen protectors are good for smartphone touch screens because you don't have to worry about light glaring nor cleaning your screen everytime due to fingerprint smudges after using your phone.

Timothy says:

Glossy screens look better on a display at Best Buy or Walmart. Matte screens look better when you're actually using them. It's no surprise which one the computer industry has chosen.

tanya says:

Glossy screens are not for work. I bought a laptop and wish I could return it even if only because of the glossy screen. I hate it, makes my eyes strain and distracts my concentration.

WeWantMatteScreens! says:

Where can I buy a PC laptop with a matte screen?

Why do the companies keep foisting mandatory glossy screens on the public when the public obviously prefers matte screens???

jerp says:

what you write holds no water if there's no proper photos to show us the differences side to side

AppleDude says:

I tried both types for many years and I still have both. Personally, I find that a good quality matte screen such as the optional anti-glare display on MacBook Pros beats a glossy screen without any doubt. I even prefer the aluminum border around the screen rather than an all glass screen. If Apple makes a 27" matte display I will get rid of the eye-straining terrible-headache-causing glossy display I have in an instant. I HATE GLOSSY because working 12+ hours a day using it is driving me crazy!

Alex says:

I like glossy for movies but. I need matte to work with.... please Apple give me back an imac and mackbook pro matte option

TomMaybrier says:

Glossy looks beautiful but matte is more practical.

dino says:

I just can't stand glossy screen especially the one on laptop. The main complaint is glare and reflection. Laptops which are often taken outdoor shouldn't be made with glossy screen. Unfortunately, it's not easy to find a good laptop with matte's. If you have a chance seeing a IPS matte monitor, you will love matte screens because colors are so vibrant and, good of all, your eyes won't quickly get tired as will with the glossy screens.

Ryan says:

I use both, simultaneously, in tandem. One is attached to my laptop (glossy) and the other's an external (matte). The color on the glossy one is more vibrant yes, but sometimes it interferes with my work. I also can't stand it when the sun reflects off of it. I wish more laptop manufacturers made laptops with matte screens...

iracer_JLo says:

Glossy screens do look better, but you need such perfect light conditions that I'd never use one, especially on a laptop or other mobile device.

writer_villa says:

They are safer to you eyes.

jeeno says:

Definitely matte. I can't stand to continuously see reflections in the screen. I'd rather see what I'm doing as opposed to seeing my face reflect back at me all the time. I use a mirror for that purpose.

Programmer says:

When you have to spend hours in front of your computer typing away you come to realize how important it is to keep your eyes from getting tired. A matte screen is a lot easier to work with. Glossy screens might look fancier, but fancy comes last in my list of priorities. Health and practicality are much more important.

Glossy screens are better than matte!

HATER says:

"Matte screens are for old geezers and look like throwback screens. Glossy is what's up."

^this

uktvbrackets says:

glossy, i can put up with some glare. colours are richer and screen looks better overall

Strom Thurmond says:

I think I need lasik surgery. Otherwise I have to keep using shitty matte screens.

ADC says:

Matte screens are for old geezers and look like throwback screens. Glossy is what's up.

Trickworn says:

I think the Glossy one is the better one cause it looks cute and also very much perfect .

cheap lcd monitors

Notty says:

I would lyk glossy screens than Matte one coz am a hardcore gamer...

Obama says:

Glossy screen help my eye recovery from been destroy by matte screen one.
But I also found it hard to find professional level screen that offer glossy so perhaps matte screen has some advantage in this area. I wish in some manufacturer made professional glossy screen in future.

Beauke says:

Glossy is the best, matte has ugly colors, and bad black and white's, and it cost's more... FTW , Just take a glossy, better colors and deeper black and brighter white's !!!

asdf says:

Glossy

hima says:

GO GLOSSY !!

Ben says:

Glossy!

I have no idea how these people get so distracted by reflections? Even at 30% brightness its still bearable, anything higher than that and you're looking at an amazing screen. Theres a reason photos are always printed on glossy paper instead of normal paper from your home printer.

Runefox says:

Matte screens disperse light. This necessarily means that there is a loss in sharpness and colour depth when dealing with matte. Matte is useful for mobile devices and displays subjected to bright light sources, but for graphics design, gaming, or any real multimedia tasks, glossy screens provide a clearer viewing experience with richer colours. It's no surprise that there are many glossy displays to be found in the TV industry, though it is extremely surprising that desktop monitors are almost always matte, while notebook displays are almost always glossy - Based on their respective advantages, I'd expect it to be the opposite.

Rufus says:

It's the same as with photography. When you enlarge and develop a photo onto matte paper is looks nice, but you can't help knowing that it would "pop" so much more if it had been printed on glossy paper. It's why it's the standard for when photos are printed.
The exact same principles seem to work for glossy screens. Things look just fine on my matte screen but everything on my macbook is made beautiful by its glossy display and when watching films, glossy is a priority for me.

glossy? Yes please! says:

Matte screens look *dead* or like looking through a dirty window. Glossy screen give depth to pictures and the colours come alive. Frankly, I have never been disturbed by reflections from glossy screens.

Steve the tech says:

I prefer the glossy. Web pages and software screens are built with more stuff in them now, so in turn all that stuff gets tiny (like the writing on this screen). I prefer to see it all at once and not have to scroll back and forth, so I need high contrast. With the matte screen I find myself straining MORE, and I also work 12 hours a day on a screen.

SaznRai says:

I've been used both and I prefer glossy. The name and the sound of it might seem a bit off but it really is the good one. Whatever you need for clear and bright viewing, you get it. I didnt know about these types, I researched a bit and came to the conclusion that Glossy is my choice!

Jack says:

Clarrity.

Arthur in Japan says:

I would like to say glossy is best as all three PCs I have are so... Netbook, 15.4", and external monitor...

However, I have been interested in buying a larger 24" monitor and there are now very good spec. monitors available. Yes glossy always looks so virtual and fresh but the 'mirror-effect' is indeed a little niggling...

So, I am hoping that I can find a super performance matte finish monitor. LG electronics seem to be right up there in late 2011.

Theasis says:

Turn off the lights and blanket the sun, problem solved

holly says:

I think Glossy screens look much better on a laptop where as a matte one makes it looks old, my laptop screen is matte and is a very old laptop, i really want a Glossy one to make it look better. Even though Glossy screens do reflect the light making it more difficult to see, the picture is better. Matte screens are very dull in colour and light, you can modify this but it makes it look even worse, i do think Glossy screens are far better.

iQwestArticles says:

I'm only opting for glossy to keep all options on the table, since there are third party products that we can use to turn your glossy screen into a matte finish. With that said, I'd much rather read on the matte finished Kindle screen outside than the iPad glossy screen.

collins kanjanda says:

can i replace the glossy lcd on my laptop with a matte one?

Edge says:

I have a 1080p matte and a 1400x900 glossy. The 1400x900 just looks to have crisp colours compared to my other screen. I am comparing a 25'' Gateway screen to the HP w1907. The HP looks to have clear colors.

Scott says:

I would never give up the contrast and vibrancy of any of my glossy screens. My phone, laptop, and TV all have them, and I've never found it a nuisance to avoid reflections. My work PC has a matte screen, and I always feel like I'm looking through a film I can never clean off.

markets says:

It's all about the vibrant colors. I don't go computing outside, so indoors this is the best option.

Fanofboth says:

I know my iPod touch is a glossy screen and my monitor is a matte. I love them both. I am getting a alienware m14x and it has a glossy screen so I hope it will do well.by the way I am typing this from my glossy screen iPod touch. :)

77inc. says:

everything just seems so muchhh better

3ICE says:

MatteMacFan (on the left side) has not seen touchscreen laptops, but that doesn't mean they don't exist! In fact I am writing this comment with my fingertips on my glossy touchscreen with handwriting recognition.
--3ICE

GrowWear says:

Whatever is the easiest to clean wins my favor. Which reminds me that a lot of the designs out there don't factor that in. So many nooks and crannies in stuff! They could do better.

hyungsup says:

glossy is great for movies and games!
I'd go for glossy 80% of the time because it's usually cheaper.

dfrye1 says:

I prefer a glossy screen because everything is crisper and brighter. I do see the value of matte screens too.

Since I spend most of my time computing inside where there is not much worry for glare, I will stick with my glossy screen.

pwisbanana says:

Okay, I actually prefer matte screens for computers / laptops because of anti-glare, and it doesn't look messy when the screen is off.

But I am using a new glossy TV for my PlayStation 3! Since I am a basement gamer (sounds creepy, huh?), I don't have to worry at all about glare at all. I found a Vocaloid wallpaper at http://anime.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/549298/ This wallpaper is a nice piece of artwork, but you didn't experience a *HALLELUJAH CHORUS* moment on your computer screen, right? However, when I set this as my PS3 background, the lighting shone so holy and sacred! It makes me want to pay $600 for some kind of glossy canvas to be hung up onto the wall.

johnkimble says:

Glossy just looks so much better, matte looks old/outdated and washed out. Myself, I've gotten used to the slight reflections I get on the screen and I don't hardly notice them any more. And as long as you don't have the brightness turned down on your screen, you shouldn't have much of a problem with glare hindering your view. Also, I kind of like seeing my reflection in the background (I can still see the screen fine) - these matte lovers must be some ugly people :P

fashionality says:

glossy for recreational uses; matte for print production.

I AM "GLOSSY" says:

GLOSSY BABY!!!!! I only need to watch movies and play games or browse the internet and even work on projects.... I am getting the GLOSSY macbook pro 15"......

 
view all 338 comments

Comparison of Matte & Glossy Monitors

You can see two Apple MacBook laptops compared side by side in the photo above. The left one has a matte (anti-glare) LCD monitor while the right one has a glossy screen. The test was performed in a brightly lit room and as a result the glossy monitor has reflections on it.

Photo credit: Engadget

Computer Screen Preference Poll

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Comments

submit

by

Chadrew

When it comes to matte or glossy screens, I prefer matte all the way. I never had any complaints about their image quality. If you disagree, feel free... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Great Matte LCD Monitor 

ASUS VW246H 24-Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black

Amazon Price: $197.13 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

Great contrast, amazing response time and vivid colors makes this monitor ideal for gaming. You can hook up your consoles to it too. Has a matte screen!

Quality Glossy LCD Display 

HP 2511x 25-Inch LED Monitor - Black

Amazon Price: $199.98 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

This glossy screen monitor features full HD resolution, sharp contrast and low response time. It is great for watching movies and gaming.

LCD Cleaning Kit 

Inland 05119 Pro LCD Display Cleaning kits

Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

The kit includes a soft anti-static brush that effectively cleans dust and dirt, a safe cleaning solution made for LCD screens and a micro-fiber wipe.