While using a TV as the display for your console is convenient and may seem like a good option because of its big screen, you will have to cope with its slow response time and high input lag.
That’s why if you want a responsive and enjoyable gaming experience, but have a limited budget, buying a new monitor is the way to go.
In this buying guide, you will find the best gaming monitors for PS4 and Xbox One as well as everything you need to know in order to decide which one is the best pick for you!
Monitor | Size | Panel | Resolution | Refresh Rate | VRR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
32” | IPS | 1920x1080 | 60Hz | None | ||
32” | VA | 1920x1080 | 75Hz | FreeSync | ||
27” | VA | 1920x1080 | 75Hz | FreeSync | ||
27” | IPS | 1920x1080 | 75Hz | FreeSync |
All four console gaming monitors will provide you with an input lag performance and a response time speed that are unmatched by any TV that’s available at this price range.
However, as these monitors differ from each other in screen size, panel type, and specific features, make sure to follow our guidelines and tips to pick the ideal display for you.
Since this guide is primarily intended for the standard Xbox One and PS4 consoles, all monitors feature Full HD 1920×1080 resolution and a native 60Hz refresh rate.
Do you have the PS4 Pro or Xbox One S/X? Visit our best gaming monitors for Xbox One X and PS4 Pro guide.
If you are looking for a smart TV that can handle PC and console games, check out our best TVs for gaming on PS4/Xbox One buyer’s guide.
Finally, if you’re looking for a monitor mainly for PC gaming and secondly for console gaming, visit our comprehensive gaming monitors guide.
Also, note that high refresh rate displays are not that more expensive than 60-75Hz displays nowadays. So, even if you don’t need a high refresh rate display right now, it’s a good idea to invest in one as you might upgrade your console later on.
Therefore, this guide is mainly intended for those who want to spend the least amount of money on a new monitor for their PS4/Xbox One and don’t plan on upgrading soon.
If you want to view our changelogs for this particular buying guide, you can do so at the end of this article.
LG 32ML600M
Affordable 32″ HDR Monitor
Size: 32”
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
VRR: None
The Pros:
- Precise, consistent, and rich colors
- HDR support with wide color gamut
- Quick response time speed
The Cons:
- Not practical for PC use due to low pixel density
- No AMD FreeSync
- Tilt-only stand
- Stand prone to breaking
About The Monitor
If you are looking for the biggest PC monitor for PS4 and Xbox One gaming, we don’t recommend going over 32″.
Because you are limited to 1080p, a larger screen than 32″ would provide you with a really low pixel-per-inch ratio which results in a pixel-y image, and smudgy details.
The LG 32ML600M is the best 32″ 1080p monitor with an IPS panel, and it’s also one of the rare displays with these specs that offer HDR (High Dynamic Range) support.
Image Quality
Out of all three-panel technologies, which include IPS (In-Plane Switching), TN (Twisted Nematic), and VA (Vertical Alignment), IPS monitors offer the widest viewing angles and the most accurate, consistent, and vibrant colors.
The wide 178-degree viewing angles ensure the picture won’t shift in color, contrast, or brightness when you watch the screen at skewed angles.
IPS panels also offer a fast pixel response time speed, so there’s won’t be any prominent trailing visible behind fast-moving objects.
Note that on a 32″ screen, 1080p resolution has a pixel density of 70 pixels per inch (PPI), meaning that it’s not ideal for regular PC use as individual pixels will be noticeable from up close.
32″ 1080p displays are more suited for gaming at a distance. In fact, at around 4 ft (~120cm), you won’t be able to notice the individual pixels. Think of the LG 32ML600M as a small TV with the responsiveness of a gaming monitor.
Now, as we’ve mentioned, the monitor also supports HDR.
Naturally, you cannot expect the same HDR viewing experience as you’d get from a 4K HDR TV since the LG 32ML600M has only 1080p resolution, a 300-nit peak brightness, and a 1,200:1 contrast ratio, but the colors will be just as vivid as that of some more expensive TVs.
Add to that the fact that the LG 32ML600M is also considerably cheaper and faster than any HDR TV even near this price range, you get a pretty well-balanced image quality and performance for the money.
Features
Moving on, the LG 32ML600M also offers plenty of gaming features, including custom crosshair overlays, Black Stabilizer (improves visibility in darker games), Dynamic Action Sync (minimizes input lag), and On-Screen Control (allows OSD adjustments in a desktop application).
Just like all monitors included in this guide, the LG 32ML600M doesn’t use PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) to regulate brightness, so it is flicker-free. It also has a built-in low-blue light filter, so you can game for hours without straining your eyes.
Design & Connectivity
The LG 32ML600M Xbox One and PS4 monitor feature a simplistic and elegant design with a low-haze anti-glare, matte screen coating, -5/10 degree tilt adjustability, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Note that many users have reported that their monitor’s stand had broken. We recommend getting a third-party stand and mounting it via the VESA pattern.
When it comes to connectivity, you will find two HDMI ports, a single VGA input, and a headphone jack.
Acer XZ320QR
32″ Curved Monitor With FreeSync
Size: 32”
Panel: VA
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
VRR: FreeSync
The Pros:
- Large curved screen
- High contrast ratio
- AMD FreeSync up to 75Hz
- Ergonomic stand
The Cons:
- Not practical for PC use due to low pixel density
- Minor ghosting visible in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
About The Monitor
The Acer XZ320QR is one of the best non-high refresh rate 32″ 1080p monitors with a VA panel. It supports HDR, has a higher contrast ratio, a curved screen and AMD FreeSync!
Image Quality
The VA panel of the Acer XZ320QR monitor provides a superior contrast ratio of 3,000:1, which makes for deeper blacks and a more vivid relation between the darkest and the brightest tones.
However, the colors are not as accurate and punchy as they are on IPS models. There is no obviously better option here, some prefer higher contrast (VA), and some prefer better colors (IPS).
The Acer XZ320QR covers the basic sRGB color space, so there’s no over-saturation.
The viewing angles are almost as good as they are on IPS panels. Some minor shifts in contrast are expected, but only if you’re looking at the screen from skewed angles.
Another thing where IPS panels are better than VA is pixel response time, particularly when it comes to transitioning of dark pixels. So, in really dark games, you may notice some smearing of fast-moving objects, but nothing game-breaking.
Features
Turning to the features, the Acer XZ320QR supports AMD FreeSync over HDMI.
If you have a compatible graphics card or an Xbox One console, FreeSync will allow the monitor to change its refresh rate dynamically according to the frame rate.
This way, all screen tearing, and stuttering is removed without any noticeable (~1ms) input lag penalty.
Now, the Acer XZ320QR FreeSync range is 48-75Hz/FPS, so if your FPS is under 48, it won’t work, which is bad news for console games that are limited to 30FPS.
However, since FreeSync is based on VESA’s Adaptive-Sync standard, which is free, it doesn’t increase the monitor’s price.
So, even if most of your games are limited to 30FPS, it’s nice to have this feature for other games or if you have a PC with an AMD FreeSync-compatible graphics card.
Design & Connectivity
The Acer XZ320QR has a moderate screen curvature of 1500R, ultra-thin bezels, 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility, and a low-haze anti-glare screen coating, while its stand offers height, tilt and swivel adjustments.
Connectivity options include HDMI 1.4 and VGA.
Alternatives
- Philips 322E1C – similar specs for ~$200
Note that you can find 32″ 1440p 165Hz curved models on sale for $200 – $250. such as the Acer EI322QURP.
Philips 272E1CA
27″ Curved Monitor
Size: 27”
Panel: VA
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
VRR: FreeSync
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio
- FreeSync up to 75Hz
- Integrated speakers
The Cons:
- Tilt-only stand
About The Monitor
In case you want something that’s more practical for PC use and has a VA panel, the Philips 272E1CA is for you.
Image Quality
With the Philips 272E1CA, you get the same 3,000:1 contrast ratio for deep blacks as well as full sRGB color space coverage for accurate colors.
The higher pixel density also makes for more screen real estate and sharper details. While 81 pixels per inch is still not ideal for PC use, it’s much better than 70 PPI of the 32″ 1080p models.
Just like with the Acer XZ320QR, there is a bit of visible motion blur in fast-paced games, particularly in darker scenes. For slower and more graphically-oriented games, this isn’t an issue at all.
If you mostly play FPS games, though, consider the 27″ IPS gaming monitor we’ll get into next.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is tilt-only, but it’s VESA mount compatible.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, VGA, a headphone jack, audio line-in and dual 3W integrated speakers.
Alternatives
LG 27MP400
27″ IPS Monitor With FreeSync
Size: 27”
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
VRR: FreeSync
The Pros:
- Wide viewing angles
- Quick response time
- AMD FreeSync up to 75Hz
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
- Tilt-only stand
About The Monitor
Want an affordable IPS monitor with gorgeous colors as well as AMD FreeSync for your Xbox One? The LG 27MP400 is an excellent display for the price with a bunch of extra features and it even includes a versatile stand!
Image Quality
Featuring an IPS panel with 8-bit color depth, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, a 250-nit peak brightness, and wide 178-degree viewing angles, the LG 27MP400 offers great image quality considering its price of just $110.
What’s more, it has a quick response time speed for virtually no ghosting in fast-paced video games.
As we said earlier, 1080p on 27″ monitor isn’t perfect for office-related use involving productivity work and spreadsheets, but it’s okay for gaming, especially if you sit a bit further from the screen.
Features
The LG 27MP400 supports AMD FreeSync over both HDMI and DisplayPort with a 48-75Hz range.
Other available features include Black Stabilizer (for better visibility in darker games) and various picture presets.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is tilt-only, but the screen is VESA mount compatible via the 75x75mm pattern.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, VGA and a headphone jack.
Alternatives
- LG 27MP450 – with a height-adjustable stand for $10 more
- HP 27h, ASUS VA27EQSB, BenQ EW2780 – height adjustable stand, integrated speakers but more expensive
Conclusion
Whichever monitor you decide on, it will deliver a more responsive and intense gameplay experience compared to an equally priced TV.
If you are a mostly casual gamer, we recommend either the LG 32ML600M or the Acer XZ320QR for a comfortable gaming experience from your favorite armchair, office chair, or couch.
For mixed use of console and PC gaming/multimedia use, the 27″ Philips 272E1CA and the LG 27MP400 offer a well-balanced performance and great image quality.
Updates +
- November 18, 2023:
– Replaced the Acer CB272 with the LG 27MP400.
– Replaced the BenQ EW277HDR with the Philips 272E1CA.
– Replaced the Samsung C32R502 with the Acer XZ320QR. - November 22, 2022:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available.