A good monitor completely transforms the user experience of any activity you want to do. But if we focus on video games, a suitable screen can make all the difference, even affecting the outcome of your matches. So, let's see how to choose a good monitor for gaming and avoid getting burned in the process.
The keys to choosing a good gaming monitor
In general, there are no bad products, only devices that are more or less suitable depending on the needs and intended use. This is also true for monitors, as a screen for office work is not the same as one for design or for playing video games. And it is this last case that we will focus on: how to choose the best monitor for gaming.
To choose a good monitor and be sure that you have not made a mistake, you must be clear about some key concepts and characteristics. So, let's do a quick and clear review of what you need to know.
Panel technology: IPS vs TN vs VA
Today it will be clear to you that there are two technologies in the manufacture of screens: OLED and LCD. In a matter of gaming monitors, it is not very common right now to see OLED screens, although there are some. So we are going to omit them, because they also involve a greater outlay and are not really worth it.
Focusing on TFT LCD screens, it's important to know that there are three basic panel types: IPS, TN, and VA. Within each of these, there are some variations, but essentially they are identical, so it's not worth getting too bogged down in the details.
Depending on the type of LCD panel, you'll find advantages and disadvantages . Therefore, there's no single winner, but rather options that will suit your needs better or worse. If we had to quickly summarize the best and worst aspects of each technology, it would be this:
- IPS panels They offer great image quality, with fairly faithful color and very wide viewing angles (they prevent darkening of some areas when you are not perpendicular to the screen). The negative or less positive part is that they are screens that offer a longer response time and lower contrast (shallower blacks).
- TN panels On the contrary, they offer screens with a very low response time and a high refresh rate. Of course, you sacrifice a little quality in the reproduction of colors with respect to an IPS and viewing angles are also more limited. Of course, they are or are usually cheaper.
- VA panels They stand out for their contrast and brightness. They are a good option, although they are not perfect either. The response time is not as fast as in the TN type, nor is the color fidelity. In addition, they tend to be used more commonly on televisions and not so much on computer screens.
Response time
Screen response time refers to the interval between when a command is given and when it is executed on screen. In other words, you press the button to shoot, jump, punch, etc., and the time it takes to see the action is the response time.
This response time is important in games where those small millisecond differences can mark the outcome of the game. Therefore, and more in competitive games, the lower the response time, the better.
Connectivity
The connections on any screen are key to its performance. A large part of its functionality depends on them, so it's important to pay attention to both the number and type of connections. Currently, modern monitors and televisions have connections capable of getting the most out of current hardware , but things may change with future releases. Here's a quick diagram showing the most common connection for audio and video transmission. The connector you really need to worry about right now: HDMI.
The HDMI standard offers different versions, these are the ones that exist and their most important characteristics:
- HDMI 1.0: transmit Full HD signal at 60 Hz
- HDMI 1.3: QHD video transmission at 60 HZ and Dolby TrueHD sound
- HDMI 1.4: UHD video transmission for non-game content, 4K resolution at 24Hz (valid for movies, but not for use as a computer display)
- HDMI 2.0: currently the most widespread, supports 4K video resolution, 60 HZ and HDR material
- HDMI 2.1: the most recent connection that supports 8K video, 120 Hz and is what screens and televisions will need to have to get the most out of the technical capabilities of PS5 and Xbox Series X
If you're planning to buy a next-gen console and don't want to upgrade your monitor, you won't have any problems. You can still use your current monitor for gaming, but keep in mind that some technologies that can significantly impact the gaming experience, such as variable refresh rate (VRR) or auto low latency mode (ALLM), won't be available unless your monitor has HDMI version 2.1 . Currently, few, if any, monitors offer this feature fully. Therefore, you might want to wait a while before buying a new monitor if it's not absolutely necessary.
refresh rate
The refresh rate, on the other hand, is the number of times the image is drawn on the screen. The higher this value, the smoother and more realistic the gameplay. And, again, in games with a strong action component, this is very beneficial as it allows you to react more quickly to your opponents' movements.
These days, finding screens with a 144Hz refresh rate is becoming increasingly common when it comes to gaming monitors. And in games or when watching action-packed content, they allow for a clearer image by avoiding the halo effect that makes fast-moving images appear blurry. Even so, as you'll see later, it shouldn't be the primary factor when deciding which model to buy.
Steps to choose a good gaming monitor quickly
With the above in mind, the question is: how do I choose the best gaming monitor? Well, let's see, there are many ways to deal with this decision, but both for this type of screen and for any other, this scheme can be very useful. So, it's a matter of going step by step until you have the hardware configuration that your ideal monitor should meet.
Screen size and resolution
The first filter is screen size and resolution . Because, although playing on a large screen is always appealing, it doesn't necessarily offer the best possible gaming experience. Even less so if you plan to play online and in competitive modes.
Therefore, establish what screen diagonal you need based on the distance of the game. A 27″ monitor can be a great option to have a considerable size without sacrificing other features and without making too high an investment, although we leave the price issue for last.
Regarding the screen resolution, here you have to take into account the power of your PC and other possible uses that you are going to give it. It is true that 4″ 27K screens are not so expensive anymore, but you may find a 27″ panel, 4K and with a refresh rate of more than 60Hz, you will have a hard time finding it. And if you do, what it's going to cost you is paying for it.
So, if you're sure it's only for gaming, there are plenty of 27" 1080p monitors available at very good prices. Alternatively, QHD panels offer extra resolution and might be of interest. Regarding panel technology, again, if it's for gaming, a TN panel has advantages. But if you want to use the screen for other purposes, an IPS panel might be better.
refresh rate
As we explained above, being able to use high refresh rates (120Hz, 144Hz, etc.) offers advantages and improves the gaming experience . But you should know that it doesn't depend solely on the monitor; your PC's graphics card is largely responsible.
If the graphics card does not offer enough connections or power to output a video signal with a refresh rate of more than 60Hz, it does not matter if the screen supports them. You will not notice any change or improvement.
G-Sync and AMD FreeSync technologies
Related to the above, variable refresh rate technologies allow the image output from the graphics card to be synchronized with the monitor itself. Without them, artifacts may occur during the image transmission and reception process. So yes, it's worth ensuring your next monitor has Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync.
As you can already guess, do not buy a screen with Nvidia G-Sync if your graphics is AMD and vice versa. Because they are not compatible technologies, so either all Nvidia G-Sync or all AMD Freesync.
Ok, now that you are clear about everything, a quick summary to consolidate content. If you are looking for a new screen to fully enjoy your favorite games, these are the steps you must follow:
- Choose screen diagonal according to available space you have and playing distance. Between 24 and 27 inches are recommended sizes and where the greatest offer is concentrated.
- Litigation, Arbitration: If your graphics card is not capable of supporting quality 4K gaming, better a 1080p screen or if you have some power, QHD screens.
- If you are looking for a monitor with a high refresh rate, then opt for TN type LCD panels. If you want better quality in color representation, viewing angles, etc., IPS panels are better, but if you also want a refresh rate of more than 60Hz it will cost you more.
- If you use NVIDIA graphics, have it Nvidia G-Sync. If you use AMD GPU, have AMD Freesync.
Done, with this you will be able to find the gaming monitor that best suits your needs. And don't just stay with those that have the gaming label, sometimes there are monitors that despite having a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz are a better option for overall quality than those that add that striking label.
Best gaming monitors of 2022
If you want to stay up-to-date with the latest models on the market, here are several recommendations (offering the best value for money) that will be perfect for improving your PC (or console) gaming experience. Take note:
Huawei MateView GT34
If you want a truly unique ultrawide monitor experience, this model is sure to be a perfect fit. It features a 34-inch FullView panel, WQHQ 3K+ resolution (3.440 x 1.440 pixels), a 165Hz refresh rate, a 21:9 aspect ratio, and 350 nits of brightness within a 1500R IPS LCD screen with HDR technology.
This monitor is capable of displaying up to 1.070 billion colors , images with a 4.000:1 contrast ratio, and a latency of just 4 ms. To prevent eye strain during marathon gaming sessions, it incorporates Flicker Free technology and a blue light filter. In addition, it features dual microphones that pick up sound from up to 4 meters away in any direction and offers multifunction USB-C ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, and a wired headphone jack with a 3,5mm minijack connector.
See offer on AmazonMSI Optix G27CQ4
27″ WQHD curved screen, 165Hz, with 2.560×1.440 resolution, 1ms response, 16:9 aspect ratio and VA panel with 250nits brightness. Compatible with consoles.
See offer on AmazonXiaomi Mi Curved Gaming Monitor
34″ WQHD screen with 3.440×1.440 resolution, 21:9 aspect ratio, two HDMI 2.1 connectors, two DisplayPort 1.4, 4ms response and 144Hz refresh rate. Compatible with consoles.
See offer on AmazonASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ
27″ WQHD gaming monitor, 2.560×1.440 resolution, FastIPS technology, 170 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response (GTG), 16:9 aspect ratio, compatible with G-SYNC and DisplayHDR 400. Without a doubt , a great monitor value for money.
See offer on AmazonASUS TUF-VG27AQ
27″ WQHD gaming monitor, with 2.560×1.440 resolution, IPS, 165Hz refresh rate, ELMB Sync, G-SYNC and Adaptive-sync compatible, 1ms response speed, 16:9 aspect ratio and HDR10.
See offer on AmazonBenQ MOBIUZ EX2710S
This gaming monitor offers a fairly standard size of 27 inches. Its panel is IPS technology with a refresh rate that amounts to 165 Hz, a somewhat peculiar figure. It has a response speed of 1 ms and is HDRi certified. Of course, it also has support for HDMI 2.1, so it is fully compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series X and their games at 120Hz.
See offer on AmazonSony Inzone M9
In this case, we are dealing with another 27-inch monitor. The technology of its panel is IPS LED, with a Full Array LED backlight system. The resolution of this monitor is 4K, and its refresh rate is 144 Hz. In terms of response times, the Inzone M9 offers a great latency of a single millisecond. It is a truly complete monitor, as it is DisplayHDR600 certified, two HDMI 2-1 ports, several USB ports and integrated speakers. Its rear part allows you to configure different colored lighting to give a touch of personalization and not tire the eyes. Its only negative point is its price, which can be quite high depending on the budget. However, we are facing a monitor with outstanding characteristics.
See offer on AmazonThe links to Amazon in this article are part of our agreement with their Affiliate Program and may earn us a small commission on their sale (without affecting the price you pay). Even so, the decision to publish and add them has been made, as always, freely and under editorial criteria, without attending to requests from the brands involved.