So you’re looking for the best gaming monitor for your console. You’ve come to the right place!
When choosing the best monitors for Playstation 5, Xbox Series X, or Series S you need to consider various specifications. The most important being the resolution, refresh rates, size, and HDMI bandwidth. Other than that it is helpful to check the input lag, HDR capabilities, and motion handling.
To get the most out of your consoles the best monitors will support 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and HDMI 2.1 input. With these in mind, you get access to the most crucial console features and get the most out of gaming performance on each platform.
The Top Picks
What specs to look for?
When buying a gaming monitor for your PS5, Xbox Series X, and Series S it’s best to look for good resolution, high refresh rates, and great color accuracy with beautiful HDR capabilities, giving you beautiful picture quality. Not all the monitors on this list will cover every single one of them, so it all comes down to your preferences and the money you’re willing to spend on your new display.
Resolution
4K resolution has become a standard in today’s tech so you’ll be future-proofing yourself by getting a gaming monitor that supports it. And you’ll get the best resolution out of each of the consoles since all of them support 4K.
Refresh rate
The 144Hz refresh rate is not necessary when talking about the current generation of consoles, but again, you can future-proof yourself for the next generation and you could use your gaming monitor with a gaming PC too if you’re for example competitive gaming and FPS games.
Color accuracy and HDR capabilities
Picking a gaming monitor with a high enough contrast ratio and high peak brightness will ensure a quality gaming performance for you. Other than that your gaming monitor, if you decide on an LCD panel, will ideally have no bleeding meaning the backlight doesn’t escape on the edges of your panel.
Although still behind the TVs on the market, the best monitors get better and better with their HDR settings. The perfect choice would be a display supporting HDR 10+ that can get you the best color science available.
Monitor vs TVs for gaming
Specs
Gaming monitors have much better responsiveness and refresh rate compared to gaming TVs. Since they don’t do image processing they have virtually no input lag. They also tend to have a Display Port in addition to HDMI, which might not be too interesting to console gamers, but it’s always good to have additional options if you want to use a gaming monitor with a gaming PC alongside.
Size
Other than that gaming monitors are usually way smaller than your regular TV, so it’s easier to move them, and they usually have an adjustable stand, which makes them even more convenient.
Features
On the flip side TVs have the size, a full remote control, TV tuner, and smart features with internet connection and apps. But I’m gonna presume that you’re a born gamer and that is why you came to look for a gaming monitor for your setup.
What to look for in a console gaming monitor?
When buying a gaming monitor for PS5 or Xbox you don’t need all the best of the best in specs.
Refresh rate
Each console supports up to 120Hz, so any monitor with that refresh rate will be enough. Don’t need to go above it, unless you’re planning on using it with a gaming PC as well.
Resolution
When it comes to resolution, there are 5K and even 8K gaming monitors out there already, but your console won’t go above 4k any time soon. While both Sony and Microsoft consoles are technically capable of outputting 8K resolution, they’re both software capped to 4K for now. So you’re completely fine with a 4K gaming monitor.
Features
It’s nice to see some special console features in a gaming monitor. For example, the mid-range monitor, the Inzone M9 from Sony got some cool exclusive features when paired with PS5. Additionally, some monitors offer many other features, like a game timer, fps counters, RGB lights, and more.
Best premium gaming monitors
1. Samsung Odyssey Ark
Quick review
Now that is a great gaming monitor that won’t go unnoticed. This enormous display is perfect for you if you want to have a TV-sized screen with monitor capabilities, like low input lag and fantastic image quality.
With all of the most important specs checked out you’ll be sure to get everything out of your gaming console. You get the 165Hz refresh rate too, so PC gaming at higher frame rates is also a great option. Well, It’s not really 240Hz, which started to be available here and there, but anything above 120Hz is enough for most gamers.
The sound quality is great too. The curved display creates a kind of sound dome with its built-in speakers, which gives a chilling experience while gaming.
On the other hand, it is expensive and quite heavy, but man does it look good at 55 inches. I can definitely recommend it, but if it’s not your vibe check out other monitors for PS5 and Xbox I reviewed here.
2. AOC AGON Pro PD32M
Quick review
If the Samsung 55″ monster was a bit too much for your taste, but you’re still looking for top specs in a gaming monitor, then Agon Pro might be just for you.
Designed by Porsche, it will surely catch the eye of a future buyer and his friends, when coming over to check out the new gaming setup. This one is a great-looking monitor.
This time you’re looking at the Mini LED display, so you’re looking at fantastic peak brightness, contrast counted in millions, and great colors, but it won’t be as responsive as the IPS panel. Although, you’re looking for the best monitor for a console.
So if it isn’t for a PC competitive FPS player too, I think you’ll be just fine with LED.
Best mid-range gaming monitors
3. Sony Inzone M9
Quick review
The Inzone M9 is my top pick from the best gaming monitors for the PS5 as well as Xbox Series X and Series S. Well in this case it is the absolute best monitor PS 5 can get, but Xbox Series X/S users will be more than satisfied here too.
For starters, it is a great-looking, great-designed screen. Packing all the crucial features and specs you’d want out of your console gaming monitor.
And for the Playstation freaks out there, it comes with special features just for you guys. For example, Auto HDR Tone Mapping, which optimizes the best HDR settings depending on the game you’re playing.
4. Gigabyte Aorus FI32U
Quick review
A cheaper alternative to Sony Inzone M9, the Gigabyte display offers no less than its competitors, except maybe for PS5 features. The thing that can catch your attention is its stellar design. This one stands out next to every other monitor on this list.
One small downside is a bit worse HDR setting than competition, but that wouldn’t scare me off. Especially since it is a very capable and very good-looking gaming monitor.
Best budget gaming monitors
5. Dell 24 S2421HGF
Quick review
Dell’s monitor is a simple yet effective offer for anyone looking for a good screen at a good price.
The TN panel gives you really good responsiveness but at the cost of worse viewing angles and color reproduction. And keep in mind that at this price point, 1080p displays will be the norm.
But honestly, I just recently moved on to 4K displays and 1080p is still a super crisp picture quality, that will satisfy most people in my honest opinion. So this one is a nice choice on a tighter budget.
6. Gigabyte M27Q P
Quick review
Maybe the Dell gaming monitor is a bit too small or has a bit too low of a resolution. And maybe you have a bit more money to spend on a gaming monitor. If that’s the case, the M27Q P could be the best budget gaming monitor for you.
It packs a bit better resolution at 1440p and supports HDR, so it crosses out almost everything you would like to see in a console monitor.
While not the most iconic when it comes to the design, it is a nice-looking, sturdy choice for anyone looking for a reasonably priced display for themselves.
Summary
So now you know what to look for in your new console monitor and got some options directly from here. I hope you found your next monitor here. Or at least some knowledge to find one on your own.
Have fun gaming and thanks for choosing NanoNugget!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum frame rate on a console?
Both Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S offer 120fps support for a super smooth experience. But keep in mind, that a lot of games support only up to 60fps, and some even get just 30fps while gaming at 4K. But usually, it’s gonna be 60FPS.
Q: Do consoles support 8K?
Technically, Sony and Microsoft consoles, except for the Xbox Series S (1440p max), support 8K output, but they are currently software capped to 4K. Maybe in the future, they will take advantage of this possibility, but at the moment 4K displays will do just fine for everybody interested in console gaming.
Q: Should I get a 144Hz gaming monitor for console gaming?
Well, current-gen consoles support up to 120Hz refresh rate, so even a slight bump of 144Hz or any higher for that matter will make any difference playing on a console. But I wouldn’t go for a 60Hz monitor anymore. Let’s at least keep up with technology moving forward.
Q: Can I use a 1080p monitor with current-gen consoles?
Sure you can. Every console mentioned in this article supports a 1080p display. While you will surely get more out of 4K, if you’re on a tighter budget, the Xbox Series S with a nice 1080p monitor will guarantee as much fun as any other choice.
Q: Is monitor a better choice for consoles?
Monitors are usually smaller than a typical TV, so there is the convenience argument. Plus monitors have way better responsiveness than TVs. If you’re playing anything competitive, monitor is a no-brainer. If you’re more casual, and like to have some smart options like Netflix or Spotify directly on your device when you’re not gaming, tv will be more likely for you.