What is a Monitor Bezel? Bezel Sizes and Impact On Your Display

A monitor bezel is the plastic frame surrounding the viewable screen area. Bezel sizes range from ultra-thin under 2mm to thick over 12mm. Thinner bezels allow more seamless multi-monitor setups. Thicker bezels provide durability. Bezel width doesn’t affect visual performance, only aesthetics and resilience. Most monitors have uniform bezels on all sides.

If you’ve ever shopped for a new monitor or television, you may have come across the term “bezel” before. The bezel refers to the plastic frame or border that surrounds the actual display area on a monitor, TV, or other screen.

In recent years, thin bezel monitors have become increasingly popular. A thin bezel creates a more seamless viewing experience, especially if you plan on using multiple monitors together. The thinner the bezel, the less distraction and interruption you’ll have between multiple displays.

But what exactly qualifies as a thin bezel? And do thinner bezels necessarily make for a better monitor? Let’s have an in detailed discussion below!

What is a Monitor Bezel?

The bezel on a monitor or TV is the plastic frame that surrounds the actual display area. This frame helps to securely hold the monitor screen and internal components in place.

The bezel is what creates the visible border around the edges of the viewable screen. Some bezels are thick and prominent, while newer monitors tend to have thin or even ultra-thin bezels.

In addition to housing the display, the monitor bezel also serves a few other key functions:

• Hides Internal Components – The bezel conceals and protects the internal wires, circuits, and hardware inside the monitor.
• Adds Structural Integrity – The plastic frame helps add stability and durability to the monitor. This prevents the fragile display panel from bending or breaking.
• Houses Logos and Buttons – Monitor brands often have their logos etched into the bottom bezel. The bottom or side bezels also house the power button and any other display controls.

What are the Standard Bezel Sizes?

Bezel sizes can vary greatly depending on the monitor. But in general, there are a few common categories that most bezels fall into:

Bezel Size	Description
Ultra-thin	< 2mm
Thin	2-6mm
Medium	6-12mm
Thick	> 12mm

Ultra-thin – These bezels measure less than 2mm thick and create barely visible borders around display. They offer seamless multi-monitor setups.

Thin – A thin bezel is around 2-6mm thick. This is the most common bezel size for modern LCD monitors with smaller frames.

Medium – Mid-range bezels are 6-12mm thick. More budget or older monitors tend to have bezels in this size range.

Thick – Bezels measuring over 12mm are considered large thick bezels. TVs and some cheaper monitors have very prominent thick bezels.

The bezel width specs are often listed in monitor product descriptions and specs sheets. But you can also easily measure the bezel yourself with a ruler or calipers if unsure.

Do Thin Bezels Make a Better Monitor?

With ultra-thin and thin bezels becoming more popular, many consumers wonder if they make for superior monitors compared to thicker-bezeled models. Here are some of the pros and cons to weigh:

Pros of Thin Bezels:

• More seamless look, especially for multi-monitor setups. Thin bezels allow for near edge-to-edge display appearance.
• Sleek, modern aesthetics that are viewed as more premium.
• Take up less space around the screen, creating more compact monitor with smaller footprint.

Cons of Thin Bezels:

• Can be less durable – Thinner plastic frames might bend or break more easily without proper care.
• Often more expensive than thicker bezel monitors. Thin bezel is premium feature.
• Can cause unwanted light glare on screen edges.

So in summary, thin bezels have an attractive look but come with some potential drawbacks. Thicker bezels are more dated in style but offer enhanced protection and lower costs.

Tips for Measuring Your Monitor Bezel

When shopping for a monitor, you’ll often see bezel size described in millimeters (mm) in the specs and product details. But if you already own a monitor, how can you find out the bezel width? Here are some tips:

Use a Ruler for a Quick Measure

The easiest way is to simply measure the bezel with a standard ruler or measuring tape. Make sure you measure the left, right, top and bottom bezels separately. Place the ruler right against the display, and measure just the frame portion.

Use Calipers for a Precise Reading

For an extremely precise measurement, use digital or manual calipers. Calipers can measure within 0.1 mm, while a basic ruler is only accurate to 1-2mm. Carefully line the caliper jaws up to the edge of the viewable screen area to quantify just the bezel width.

Check Manufacturer Spec Listings

If you don’t have the ability to measure the bezel physically, refer to the manufacturer’s specs sheet for your monitor model. The technical specifications will often list the exact bezel width in mm.

Take Multiple Measurements

Some monitors may have uneven bezels, with slightly different widths on each side. To get a complete picture, measure each bezel surface individually and note whether they vary.

Final Draft

The monitor bezel refers to the plastic frame encircling the display panel. Bezels come in a range of widths, from ultra-thin at under 2mm to thick at over 12mm.

Thinner bezels create a more seamless viewing experience and modern look. But thicker bezels offer enhanced durability and lower costs.

When selecting a monitor, consider the bezel thickness that best suits your needs and priorities. Measure your existing monitor bezels or check manufacturer specs to quantify the width.

For multi-monitor productivity setups, an ultra-thin bezel under 3mm provides the most seamless experience. Gamers may opt for medium 6-9mm bezels for resilience during intense gaming sessions.

Overall, the bezel width itself does not affect visual performance – only the aesthetics and durability. With this guide, you now understand what monitor bezels are and how to choose an optimal frame size for your display needs.