How to Choose a Good Console Gaming Monitor (2023 Update)

First off, it needs to be said that monitors have distinct advantages over TVs. Since you sit close to them, you get more “bang for pixel” so to speak. Even an 8K TV looks like regular HD from common living room viewing distances, but a PC gaming monitor? By and large everyone sits just a few feet away from those, meaning every pixel counts – and is accounted for.

Further, monitors come in much more affordable prices. If you don’t need a massive screen, then monitors simply deliver better value for money. By the same token, monitors don’t take up a lot of space, so depending on your circumstances, that could be a major consideration.

Finally, gaming monitors often pioneer new technology later picked up by televisions. For a fraction of the cost of a good 4K TV, you get a monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate (TVs just recently arrived at 120Hz), FreeSync, HDR, and powerful audio. Monitors also don’t have all the complicated electronics and post-processing of TVs, meaning very low latency. Your typical gaming monitor has a 1ms response (grey to grey and/or moving picture response time, GtG or MPRT), while very few TVs come even close to that. Most TVs are happy to deliver 8ms with game mode engaged. 

Relative article: Monitor vs. TV for Gaming: Which One Is the Best?

Go with 25” or 27” to maintain optimal pixel density and clarity. That would work best if you prefer high refresh rates or speedy frame rates.

Going with a 32” format will provide excellent pixel density. When speaking of pixel density, we’re also considering viewing distance. Unlike TVs, monitors are meant for up close and personal usage, so resolution really matters.

Starting September 2022, PS5 has offered support for 2560 x 1440, otherwise known as 1440p or QHD. The resolution is supported in up 120Hz and is detectable by the PS5 console. Which means that if you connect your PS5 to a 1440p monitor via HDMI and set the console resolution to “automatic”, it’ll switch to native 1440p. Before the update, PS5 consoles would revert to 1080p when connected to a 1440p monitor, so the update is definitely good news.

For console gaming, unlike PC, we recommend flat, 16:9 monitors. Ultra-wide, curved 21:9 monitors look very attractive, but their custom resolutions aren’t supported by any console at the time of this writing, and such support isn’t forthcoming.

Having said that, if the idea of a curved monitor really appeals to you, look for one that uses a standard resolution like 2560 x 1440. You won’t have the ultra-wide look, but also no issues with unsupported resolutions.

If you want to game in 4K, then a 60Hz monitor will do just fine, since in that resolution none of the existing consoles exceed 60 frames per second. However, should you prefer higher refresh rates for smoother gaming, then a premium 144Hz QHD monitor will serve you faithfully. Quite a few games already have 120Hz modes on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with more to come. All of them offer lower resolution to attain higher frame rates, so a 1440p monitor (aka QHD monitor) is perfect.

Applies mostly to Xbox consoles, which support VESA Adaptive Sync and HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, as well as AMD FreeSync. All of these fancy terms mean the console’s graphics processor and monitor know how to match their frame rates, thus avoiding unsightly screen tearing and additional lag-related issues. If you opt for an Xbox console, make certain the monitor you pick has FreeSync or Adaptive Sync support to get the most out of the experience.

Relative article: What is FreeSync? What Can it Do for Better Gaming Experience?

Whether you prefer competitive multiplayer or single player makes a huge difference.

The former needs high frame rate while the latter tends to favor resolution. If you gravitate towards reflex-based first/third person shooters and arcade racers, you’re best off with a 144Hz panel.

But if your cup of tea is open world titles and graphics-intense exploration games, then a gorgeous 60Hz 4K console gaming monitor would be more appropriate. Think of it as a performance or fidelity balance, which is how many games refer to this equation in their graphics settings. Performance has come to mean lower resolution with higher frame rate, fidelity the opposite.

Now on to pairing specific consoles with optimal monitors.

Here we have a more interesting situation. Three times more powerful than the Series S, the Series X generally aims for 60Hz in native 4K. But it’s definitely capable of 120Hz in lower resolutions, such as 1080p. It also supports 1440p and FreeSync, so you have a lot of options with this one. Again, if you prefer a console gaming monitor with native 4K and are fine with 60Hz.

Most titles are roughly 4K 60Hz, with some offering a lower resolution 120Hz mode. So, you can choose high refresh console gaming monitors like the MOBIUZ EX2510S/EX2710S and have fun with high frame rate titles, or go with the EX3210U for the full 4K 144Hz experience. Once more, that depends on your preferred playstyle and genre.

Bit of a simpler situation than with the Xbox consoles due to less supported variables. As of this writing, PS5 doesn’t offer FreeSync, and most importantly, has yet to implement 1440p (QHD) as an official, selectable resolution. That leaves full HD 1080p and 4K as the two resolutions of PS5. However, as far as gaming goes, the situation is very similar to Xbox Series X, because the PS5 is roughly the same as computing power goes.

Somewhat of an outlier here but worth a mention, especially as a second console to accompany an Xbox or PlayStation. Switch is all about 720p and 1080p in docked mode to the monitor via HDMI, so you don’t need a mighty monitor. However, good HDR and 10-bit color are a must because Nintendo games do color so well and deserve good presentation. The MOBIUZ EX2510S and EX2710S will do great for the Switch.

Based on our own experience so far with the new generation of consoles, some of the biggest games work best in lower resolution/high refresh. Therefore, going with a 1080p or 1440p console gaming monitor may not be as outdated as you may initially think in the supposed age of 4K. Having said that, the higher resolution has indisputable advantages with regards to detail and image quality.

And whatever you do, please avoid ultra-wide monitors or any monitor not 16:9 in aspect ratio. None of the console's support anything but 16:9 resolutions right now, so you’d be wasting your money.

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