Which is the Best Monitor for Console Gaming

Most older systems, including the PS4, PS4 Pro, and Xbox One, are restricted to 60Hz. Microsoft added capability for 120Hz with the Xbox One X, but most game developers forego it in favor of higher graphics quality at 60Hz and slower frame rates. Due to the substantial capacity of HDMI 2.1, the Xbox Series X and PS5 allow 120Hz output and can theoretically use them alongside a ‘4K’ UHD resolution on select TVs. The game must run at least 60 frames per second and ideally 120 frames per second to fully utilize the refresh rate.

Not all games will allow for this, but in some games or less graphically demanding scenarios, frame rates should easily exceed 60 frames per second (fps) even at this resolution. Even though the Xbox Series X and PS5 have a massive increase in power from previous generations, not all games will support 120Hz. Although it supports HDMI 2.1, the Xbox Series S is not designed for high-resolution games at fast frame rates. However, support for 120Hz at lesser resolutions is unquestionably a priority. If you want to take advantage of the games that do support this, having a monitor with 120Hz output would be sensible.

A higher refresh rate Best Monitor for Console Gaming, such as one with a 120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, or even higher refresh rate, is often preferred and usable by serious (or, should we say, competitive) PC gamers. They will want to run their games at the maximum frame rates possible on a monitor that can keep up, possibly with lower graphics settings. Alternately, they could update their current setup. While gamers that play more leisurely may also benefit from higher refresh rates, there is now a lot of interest in variable refresh rate (VRR) technology to assist things to flow smoothly when the frame rate and refresh rate aren’t in sync.

AMD FreeSync, which a growing number of monitors also enable through Adaptive-Sync, is supported on the Xbox One X and Series X/S through HDMI. VRR compatibility is available as an optional (and frequently used) feature in HDMI 2.1.

On current LCDs, the pixel reaction time is undoubtedly not the most significant component of the “responsiveness jigsaw,” but it is one of many. We strongly advise reading our dedicated article on the subject to learn more about the elements influencing a monitor’s responsiveness and how they interact. Following are some key conclusions to draw from this article on this feature of a screen:

• The extent to which this happens on a sample and hold monitor (i.e., your ordinary LCD) depends heavily on the screen’s refresh rate and frame rate of the content. Our eyes move as we track motion on display.
• Most of the apparent blur we observe on a sample and hold monitor is caused by this eye movement rather than pixel responsiveness (i.e., your typical LCD). Refer to the “Pursuit photography method” part of our post on responsiveness for a fantastic example.
• The speed of a pixel’s response varies based on the shades used in the transition; therefore, specified response times might be pretty deceptive (i.e., the grey levels involved).
• If a monitor advertises a response time of 1-2 milliseconds, that will typically apply to some of the monitor’s swiftest transitions (i.e., best case). These rapid transitions generally are made possible by solid pixel overdrive or grey to grey acceleration, even on a responsive TN panel. It causes “overshoot” and the occurrence of “inverse ghosting,” which are ugly motion abnormalities that some users dislike.
• Your eye movement hides pixel responses on a 60Hz sample and holds the monitor (your average LCD) faster than 8ms. A “mask of a blur” effectively conceals them. As a result, you wouldn’t notice a difference between an 8ms pixel transition and one that happens at 1ms, 2ms, or even 0.001ms.

With these ideas in mind, it becomes abundantly evident that choosing a monitor with a stated “1ms” or “2ms” response time won’t always be better for you than choosing a model that could be slower on paper. Considering the range of response times and the fact that you can only use a 60Hz refresh rate, where the demand for rapid pixel responses is non-existent. As previously indicated, it’s also feasible that an overshooting monitor hurts rather than aids the visual smoothness.

Depending on how pixel overdrive is implemented and how much flexibility the user is given, it may or may not be feasible to select a more moderate amount of acceleration devoid of such eyesores without effectively turning off the overdrive. BenQ’s ‘AMA’ implementation on certain of their ‘RL’ and ‘XL’ series monitors is an example of this, where the ‘High’ setting (lowest level of pixel overdrive without deactivating it) might result in a degree of overshoot that some users will find unpleasant.

Regarding Best Monitor for Console Gaming displays, resolution matters the least if you’re using one of the older base versions of previous generations’ consoles, with 1080p being the maximum resolution supported by most PS4 and Xbox One games. A 4K panel is the best option if you’re using one of those systems’ mid-generation upgrades (Xbox One X or PS4 Pro) or next-generation consoles (Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5) and wish to play 4K games or watch 4K video on them.

Suppose you only have a primary PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch. In that case, there seems to be little benefit in purchasing a monitor with a resolution higher than 1080p unless you want to use it for movies and regular computer use.

Millions of tiny dots make up an LCD panel’s images. Three sub-pixels, one for each primary color, make up each pixel. The resolution of a monitor indicates the size of pixels of a screen. The more pixels you can fit into a monitor’s square inch, the more realistic and smooth the image will be. If you want a monitor more significant than 27 inches, you must have a higher resolution (QHD or above).

Some resolutions go by several names. The most frequent display resolutions you’ll see are listed here, from best (a significant number of pixels) to worst (least number of pixels). We’re talking about a 16:9 aspect ratio unless otherwise specified.

You’ve probably noticed your phone’s HDR (High Dynamic Range) setting, but what does it do? It’s easier to comprehend if we define Dynamic Range first. In simple words, dynamic range refers to the difference between an image’s brightest and darkest areas. High dynamic range (HDR) improves and adds information to opaque sections of an image to make it look more realistic. Dark colors are shown richly and clearly on monitors that support HDR. Competitive players will get an advantage because they can see dark areas more clearly.

However, keep in mind that the following are the only gaming systems that support HDR:

• Xbox One S
• Xbox One X
• Xbox Series S
• Xbox Series X
• PlayStation 4
• PlayStation 4 Pro
• PlayStation 5

Ultrawide monitors are among the most immersive on the market, with a wide field of view that significantly enhances the visual experience.

Unfortunately, consoles do not support the 21:9 aspect ratio (ultrawide display AR). Games don’t keep resolutions like 2560 x 1080 and 3440 x 1440, which are found on these ultrawide monitors, with most opting for the more typical 16:9 format. It’s unclear whether this will always be the case, but for the time being, we’ll have to monitor settled for 16:9 displays.

More pixels are better for the best image. But if your graphics card isn’t powerful enough, those pixels can also make you play games more slowly. For 4K/UHD or 5K transmissions, most video interfaces do not allow refresh rates faster than 60 Hz. That’s starting to change (for a premium), but to play at 4K and push above 60 frames per second, you still need a very costly graphics card (fps).

The GeForce RTX 3080 and 3090 can typically get there, but good luck tracking one down!

You can observe decent pixel density in QHD resolution (2560 x 1440 and a detailed image on displays up to 32 inches, which are manageable for mid-priced graphics cards.

The maximum frame rates are achieved with FHD (1920 x 1080) resolution (you won’t find gaming displays with a lower resolution today), which is also the least demanding on your GPU.

However, don’t go over 27 inches with that resolution because the image quality may suffer, and bothersome individual pixels may become evident.

The minimum graphics card requirements vary depending on the game, but you’ll need at least a GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or Radeon RX 6800 if you purchase a QHD monitor for gaming (and don’t want to have to reduce the in-game settings to low).

Best Monitor for Console Gaming for 4K gamers should invest in the fastest graphics hardware they can. For lighter games or if you cut down some settings, the GeForce RTX 3070 would suffice, but the GeForce RTX 3080/3090 or the Radeon RX 6800 XT or Radeon RX 6900 XT would be preferable.

With their wide field of view and potential reduced eye strain, curved monitors are meant to make your experience more immersive. When viewed from certain angles, they can, nevertheless, be prone to glare (light sources are coming from various angles instead of one).

Effective curved monitors are typically extremely wide and at least 30 inches in size, both of which indicate higher prices.

Know the specifications for the curvature of the monitor you choose. The best recommended maximum viewing distance for an 1800R curvature is 1.8 metres, and so forth. The display is more curved the lower the curvature (down to 1000R).

Playing video games becomes more immersive thanks to the monitor’s curvature, which aids in generating the illusion of peripheral vision. The impact is much better with monitors due to their size and widespread use in homes.

Movie theatre screens are curved for the same reason, and while many firms tried to do the same with TVs (which didn’t work out so great), the effect is much better with monitors.

Additionally, curved monitors are good for your eyes. Yes, a lot of high-end flat monitors have eye-care features like blue light filters, which have been proved to disrupt sleep. However, all visuals are kept equally distance from your eyes by curving the monitor.

Less eye strain results from your eyes not having to adjust as much to images on the screen that are at different distances. A curved monitor could lessen the severity or frequency of headaches if you frequently get them after staring at a computer screen for an extended period of time.

Why 1440p Is Important?

Demanding games will render at a full HD 3840 x 2160 screen resolution because 1440p is essentially a 2560 x 1440 resolution. With that, 1080p has four times as many pixels. The ViewSonic XG2530 is an example of a monitor from manufacturers with a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz at resolutions lower than 1440p.

How Does 4K Work?

The next step up from 1440p in visual quality is 4K, also known as Ultra High Definition (UHD). There are two different dimension kinds for it, and we’ve included both of them here.

4096×2160 pixels for cinema 4K.

3840×2160 pixels make up the 4K you see on TVs.
As you can see from both of them nowadays, 4K gets its term from its pixel count, often approximately 4,000. Four times as many pixels make up 4K compared to previous HD formats like 1080p.

Is 1440p More Ideal For Gaming Than 4K?

If you’re a severe PC player, 1440p is frequently preferable to 4K. As long as your display and graphics card can support it, 1440p can offer a better experience than 1080p—without nearly as many issues as you’d encounter when attempting to play in 4K.

We sometimes decide to purchase a monitor for use in the workplace. In addition, 1440p is the less expensive alternative compared to 4K. Your productivity will increase due to the resolution, and you’ll save money without experiencing significant trade-offs.

When Is 4K More Effective?

In some circumstances, 4K is preferable to 1440p. One such situation is when you’re a professional filmmaker or cinematographer.

If you’re streaming TV and want to watch it in the best quality possible, 4K is also a great option—as long as you have the right equipment. This size can also give your screen’s colors more depth and a more immersive experience.
You might, in some circumstances, choose to use 4K for games. It would be best to verify that your graphics card could support this.

A 4k resolution monitor must be at least 32 inches and have a high pixel density. With these numbers, writing becomes utterly unreadable at any scale, and many other elements, including icons and even entire web pages, become useless.

1440p Vs. 4K Monitor, Which Monitor Is Good for Gaming? Conclusions:

Overall, 1440p has a higher resolution rate. It still looks impressive without requiring a big Screen tv that will take up a lot of space on your desk, makes running games easier, works for editing, and supports higher refresh rates.

Although these screen resolutions provide superb graphics and effective working capabilities, you must consider the budget. It consequently becomes crucial to take into account screen resolution while discussing gaming. Choosing the ideal PC solution will heavily depend on the resolution, which also impacts gameplay.

So, should I purchase a television or a monitor for video games?

It depends on your priorities and how much hardware you can afford to spend on video games or other activities.

If you have a gaming console, see if it supports 4K HDR. If not, you might be more interested in a TV with HDR. Also, keep in mind that while the screen’s refresh rate is probably restricted to 60 frames per second, your console can only handle 2160p at 60 frames per second. And if you do, purchase a DisplayPort cable for your new TV; otherwise, you’ll only be able to get 30 frames per second at this resolution.

In addition, if, as we previously mentioned, you want a TV set and are interested in integrated sound, you can also be more interested in television for gaming. The giant screens are only feasible in this format unless we are willing to give up a kidney to purchase our new screen for video games, which is another argument in favor of the television.

However, a monitor will provide you with the most satisfactory experience.

You may enjoy PlayStation gaming at its sharpest and smoothest, thanks to its core 4K at 120Hz gaming performance. What makes the PS5 an absolute legend is its ability to play in 4K resolution at a refresh rate of 120Hz, which is enhanced even further by its support for HDR.

That is the best scenario, at least. Budget-conscious people might have to forgo the next-generation gaming experience. The good news is that there are excellent 1080p, 1440p, and 4K gaming displays that can be used without HDMI 2.1 and should work fine. Finding the ideal one is all that is required.

1. Best overall monitor: Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A More Details +
2. Best TV for PS5: LG OLED C1 48″ More Details +
3. Best overall monitor: Acer Nitro XV272U 27″ More Details +
4. Best value monitor: Gigabyte M28U 28″ 144Hz More Details +
5. Best esports monitor: BenQ Mobiuz EX2510 24.5″ 144Hz More Details +
6. Best 4K/60 monitor: ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q 28” 4K 60 Hz More Details +