Every display in this catalogue uses one of four finishes. They handle glare differently, and the ones that cut it best cost you a little sharpness or durability. Where your windows and lamps are matters more than any spec sheet.
Anti-glare etched glass. Matte finish etched at the nano level, scatters light without a coating.
Anti-reflective coating over glossy glass. Cancels reflections optically while keeping image sharp.
Anti-glare film or hard coating applied to the panel. Diffuses light through surface texture.
Plain glossy glass with no anti-reflective treatment. Vivid colors but visible reflections.
| Feature | Nano-Texture | AR Coating | Matte | Glossy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection handling | Excellent. The etched glass scatters light | Good. The coating cancels reflections | Excellent; the textured surface diffuses light | Poor. It reflects like a mirror |
| Image clarity | High, with slight softening | Maximum, the sharpest of the four | Moderate, with some haze or sparkle | Maximum, with the highest perceived contrast |
| Durability | High. It's permanent, but needs a special cleaning cloth | Moderate. The coating can wear over the years | High, since the film is part of the panel | High. It's just glass |
| Common use | Pro displays, high-end iMacs | Apple laptops, tablets, standard Studio Display | Office / productivity monitors | Consumer TVs, older displays |
Nano-texture or matte. Both scatter light well. Nano-texture keeps contrast higher; matte is far cheaper.
AR-coated glass. If you control the lighting, it's the sharpest of the four.
Nano-texture if budget allows. Matte film introduces mild haze that can affect shadow detail.
Matte film. It's cheap and hard-wearing, and most office monitors use it because mixed lighting doesn't bother it.