Types of Touch Screen Monitors: Explained with Examples and Uses

Published: 7 Apr 2025

Greetings!

I’ve always been curious about touch screens, so I thought — why not make an easy guide for beginners like you and me?

Touch screen monitors are everywhere — from smartphones and tablets to ATMs, kiosks, and smart boards. But did you know there are different types of touch screen monitors, each with its own working style and use?

different types of touch screen monitors

In this article, I’ll explain all the major types of touch screen monitors in simple language. Whether you’re a student, beginner, or just curious, this guide is for you.

What is Touch Screen Monitors? : Simple Definition
A touch screen monitor is a special type of display that lets you control or interact with the screen using just your fingers. You can easily tap, swipe, scroll, or even draw — all without needing a mouse or keyboard. These screens detect your finger (or stylus) and respond accordingly. They’re used in smartphones, tablets, ticket machines, car dashboards, and even in classrooms.

What is Touch Screen Monitors? : Simple Definition

A touch screen monitor is a special type of display that lets you control or interact with the screen using just your fingers. You can easily tap, swipe, scroll, or even draw — all without needing a mouse or keyboard.

These screens detect your finger (or stylus) and respond accordingly. They’re used in smartphones, tablets, ticket machines, car dashboards, and even in classrooms.

Table of Content

Main Types of Touch Screen Monitors
Quick Comparison of Touch Screen Types
Which Touch Screen Type is Best for You?
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Main Types of Touch Screen Monitors

Different types of touchscreen technology power the devices we use every day. Knowing the right type helps you choose better — because the uses of touch screen monitors go far beyond just tapping on a phone.

So, without any delay, let’s explore the most common types of touch screen monitors and understand how each display works. In hurry! here is the list:

Resistive Touch Screen
Capacitive Touch Screen
Infrared Touch Screen
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Touch Screen
Optical Imaging Touch Screen

1. Resistive Touch Screen Monitor

One of the oldest and most affordable types of touch screens, resistive touch screens are still used in devices where cost and durability matter. You’ll often see them in ATMs, POS machines, and older handheld devices.

resistive touch screen monitor used in ATM machines

How it works:

This screen has two thin layers. When you press down, the layers touch and create a signal. That’s how it knows where you touched.

Pros:
Works with finger, glove, or stylus Affordable Good for rough environments

Cons:
Not very sharp or clear Needs pressure to work Can wear out with time

Where it’s used:

ATMs
Industrial machines
Old smartphones

2. Capacitive Touch Screen Monitor

Capacitive screens are the most common in today’s smartphones and tablets. They offer smooth interaction and are known for their sharp, bright displays.

Capacitive touch screen used in smartphone and tablet

How it works:

It uses your finger’s electrical charge. When you touch it, it senses the electric field change and responds.

Pros:
Very clear display Supports multi-touch (like pinch-to-zoom) Smooth and quick response

Cons:
Doesn’t work with gloves or regular stylus A bit more expensive

Where it’s used:

Smartphones
Tablets
Laptops

3. Infrared Touch Screen Monitor

Infrared touch screens are known for their high accuracy and durability. They are widely used in interactive kiosks and medical devices, especially where precise input is important.

Infrared touch screen used in medical display and kiosks

How it works:

It uses invisible infrared light beams. When your finger blocks the light, the screen senses the touch.

Pros:
Durable and scratch-resistant Works even without touching hard High clarity

Pros:

Durable and scratch-resistant

Works even without touching hard

High clarity

Cons:
Can be affected by sunlight More expensive

Cons:

Can be affected by sunlight

More expensive

Where it’s used:

Medical displays
Interactive kiosks
Education tools

4. SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) Touch Screen

SAW touch screens are used where high image clarity and sensitive touch are required. These are often found in information kiosks, shopping malls, and touchscreen maps.

Surface Acoustic Wave touch screen in information kiosk

How it works:

This type sends sound waves over the screen. When you touch, the waves are disturbed, and the screen finds the location.

Pros:
Very high image quality Sensitive touch Works with finger or stylus

Cons:
Dust or water can affect accuracy Needs cleaning

Where it’s used:

Information kiosks
Large touch screens in malls
Medical devices

5. Optical Imaging Touch Screen Monitor

Used mostly in large displays like whiteboards or digital signage, optical touch screens are highly accurate and support touch by any object — including fingers, pens, or gloves.

Optical touch screen used in interactive whiteboards

How it works:

It uses cameras and infrared light to detect your touch location. When you touch the screen, it blocks light or changes the reflection.

Pros:
Great for large displays High touch accuracy Works with any object

Cons:
Bulky design Costly

Where it’s used:

Interactive whiteboards
Digital signage
Presentation screens

Quick Comparison of Touch Screen Types

Type	Touch Method	Clarity	Multi-Touch	Cost	Usage Examples
Resistive	Pressure-based	Low	No	Low	ATMs, POS machines
Capacitive	Electrical touch	High	Yes	Medium	Phones, tablets
Infrared	Light interruption	High	Yes	High	Kiosks, medical use
SAW	Sound waves	High	Yes	Medium	Info booths, malls
Optical	Light + cameras	High	Yes	High	Whiteboards, signage

Which Touch Screen Type is Best for You?

It depends on your needs:

For budget devices: Resistive screens are cheap and useful.
For smartphones and tablets: Capacitive screens are fast and smooth.
For industrial or medical use: Infrared or SAW screens offer high accuracy.
For classrooms or large displays: Optical touch screens work best.

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” — the best touch screen display depends on what you want to do.

Conclusion

Touch screen technology has evolved significantly — starting from basic resistive screens to today’s advanced infrared and optical systems. Knowing the different types of touch screen monitors helps you make better choices, whether you’re buying a device, working on a project, or simply learning something new.

So, which type of touch screen caught your attention the most? Tell us in the comments! And if this guide helped you, feel free to share it with friends who love tech as much as you do.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You might still have some questions in your mind about touch screen monitors — let’s clear them up with these quick FAQs.

What is the most common type of touch screen?

Among all the available options today, capacitive touch screens are the most commonly used in modern devices. They are especially popular in smartphones due to their high responsiveness and smooth multi-touch support.

Which touch screen type works with gloves?

Resistive touch screens are the best option when you need to use gloves. Unlike other types of touchscreen technology, they respond to pressure, so you can operate them with gloves, a stylus, or even any object.

Are resistive touch screens still used?

Yes, resistive touch screens are still used in ATMs and machines where budget and durability are important. They remain a reliable choice in industrial setups, making them one of the most practical types of touch screen monitors even today.

What is the difference between capacitive and resistive touch screens?

Capacitive screens respond to electric charge, are more responsive, and clearer. Resistive ones use pressure and work with anything but are less clear.

Which touch screen is best for industrial use?

For industrial settings, resistive and infrared touch screens are commonly preferred. Their strong build and ability to function accurately in harsh or dusty environments make them a reliable choice for factories and heavy-use areas.