Pros and Cons of an Anti-Glare Screen

Anti-reflective (AR) coating has been around for years, on prescription glasses to camera lenses. As AR coating became more advanced, the technology integrated into electronic devices includes smartphones, tablets, laptops, and monitors.

These days, it is much more common for an electronic device to have an AR coating on its screen. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using a device with anti-glare technology. And in this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know when evaluating the benefits of an anti-glare screen protector.

• What is an anti-glare monitor?
• Pros of an anti-glare screen
• Cons of an anti-glare 
• Summary

An anti-glare monitor is a screen that uses a layer of coating to reflect light. This allows you to use it in bright light settings, like when you’re sitting near open windows or working outdoors, without a noticeable reflection.

Anti-glare monitors can have a negative impact on image quality, however, by making the image appear fuzzier or grainier in certain instances, such as when displaying the color white and other light colors.

That’s why many of the better anti-glare computer screens, including those found in the HP EliteDisplay E273 27-inch monitor and HP Spectre x360 convertible laptop, use an ultra-thin coating to minimize the reduction in color contrast and vibrancy. This allows you to enjoy the benefits of reduced glare on your computer screen, without worrying about image clarity issues.

There are many reasons to consider an anti-glare computer monitor. If you use your device for work or play for a good chunk of the day, for example, you’ll find a reduction in eye strain because of the anti-glare properties. Dealing with glare under harsher lighting conditions is aggravating, particularly when working from home, playing games, or watching movies.

One of the benefits of an anti-glare computer screen is how easy it is to clean. The thin AR coating means fingerprints and other minor smudges don't get directly on the glass. All you need is a soft microfiber cloth and regular tap water to keep your screen pristine. Avoiding harsh cleaning agents will prevent any damage to the AR coating or the glass of the screen itself.

When you’re watching movies or playing games, glare can really put a damper on the experience. Is there anything more irritating than missing a key scene or gameplay moment due to glare? Probably not.

Fortunately, the anti-glare coating reduces the amount of both direct and ambient light that hits your screen. Plus, it reduces the amount of visible dust, grease, and dirt on your display, so you enjoy your media without dealing with light or grime.

Another great benefit of anti-glare monitors is how it better brings out the vibrancy of deep colors. This is great for those who intend to use their screen for hours on end for work or entertainment.

Anti-glare is ideal for most remote work because the enhanced dark color vibrancy helps to reduce eye strain. While general color vibrancy is considered superior on glossy screens without AR coating, a screen with anti-glare properties more than makes up for this by bringing out more color in strong lighting conditions.

While it may seem that anti-glare is always the better choice, the truth is that they have their disadvantages, too. Beyond the typically higher price point, you also need to consider your working conditions, especially in light of your profession. If you do any professional video editing, UX design, photo-editing, or graphic design, for example, you may not find that anti-glare is the ideal option for you.

A matte screen – laptop or monitor – with an AR coating does have some trade-offs, particularly when it comes to color accuracy. This is important for professionals who need to be able to translate their projects to other devices for mass viewing. Because of this, many creative pros in visual industries prefer glossy screens and use them under low or no light conditions in order to represent the most accurate colors possible.

While anti-glare technology has become more commonplace, it’s not the standard across all devices or monitors. In most instances, an anti-glare is a feature available only on mid to high-end laptops and desktop monitors. With that in mind, as you shop for a new device, you need to weigh the additional cost and whether it’s worth it for you.

These screens may be easier to clean, but they will also reveal fingerprints and smudges more than other options. This is because the AR coating is more visible due to the increased contrast created by the coating itself. As a result, you’ll need to clean the screen more frequently and more carefully, by using a microfiber towel instead of any old rag or paper towel, to prevent the AR coating from wearing off.

The decision to invest in anti-glare technology for your next desktop monitor or laptop comes down to personal preference and your use case. If you know that you intend to use your device extensively for basic remote work and for viewing media, then there are definite benefits to an anti-glare laptop or desktop.

On the other hand, if you work in a more visual profession that requires the utmost color accuracy, you’ll likely need a glossy screen instead, reducing monitor glare by limiting the light in your work area.

Beyond these factors, also consider your budget and if you want to worry about carefully cleaning your screen. It's important to keep all these factors in mind when making a final decision on whether anti-glare is right for you.