LED vs. LCD: What's the difference?

LED vs LCD

When deciding between an LED or LCD display, you should consider these important questions that will help you select the best display for your space. You should start by asking yourself, what’s the best option for my price range? What option best suits what you will be watching? How can the display I choose improve the space where I will be watching? What level of clarity do I need? Understanding the difference between LED and LCD is key to choosing the best display for you. We are here to answer these questions to help you find the right display for your needs.  


What is an LCD display? 

You see LCD screens around everywhere, but do you recognize them? They are all around at the electronics stores and in your workplace. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is a display technology that is used in computer monitors, televisions, mobile devices, and other common types of technology. With the power of the screen and fluorescent backlight, LCDs produce an image by illuminating liquid crystals with the fluorescent backlight that are embedded in the display screen. For individuals looking for a more cost-effective, vibrant display, LCD proves to be a reliable solution with a comprehensive set of possibilities.


What is an LED display?

Light-Emitting Diode (LED) has reframed the modern standard of screen displays. LED is a screen display technology that uses light emitting diodes instead of a fluorescent backlight to produce an image on the screen. LED displays utilize an LCD screen equipped with light emitting diodes instead of fluorescent lights. Although LCDs and LEDs share defining technological similarities, they also share many differences that can make or break your choice between an LCD or LED display.


WHICH IS BETTER FOR GAMING, LCD OR LED?

A full-array LED monitor is the best choice for gaming. Watch the edge edge lighting. The problem with edge lighting is that you’ll have fewer optimal viewing angles with which to play games. That’s not an issue if you prefer to sit directly in front of the screen while you’re gaming. But if you like to kick back in your chair or view from different angles, you’ll find that an edge-lit LED loses visibility as you move away from the center viewing angle. But even if you play while you’re directly in front of the monitor, edge-lit LEDs have more issues with glare than full-array LEDs do. That’s because of the uneven lighting (very bright around the edges, darker as you approach the center of the display). Because the pixels are evenly lit, LCD monitors tend to have better viewing angles and anti-glare than edge-lit LEDs.

EDGE-LIT LEDS ARE BETTER FOR A TIGHT SPACE AND BUDGET

Edge-lit LEDs do have two big advantages. If you have a very tight space in which to fit your monitor, you’ll like having an edge-lit LED because they’re usually thinner than the other types. They’re also less expensive to manufacture, which make them easier on the wallet.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE SPECS

When you’re shopping for a new display, don’t forget to review all of its specs. While the backlighting type is important, you should also take the resolution and refresh rate into account. Resolution refers to how many pixels are displayed on the monitor. Remember, the more pixels you have, the more dynamic your colors can be.


The process of selecting a new monitor or tv display can be daunting. If we can help you find the right screen for you, contact us anytime for help!