Products at a Glance
How we picked the best PS4 monitor
Of course, to get the best recommendations for you we needed to search the current gaming monitor market to find the right ones. Doing your due diligence is especially the case when you’re looking for technology. Why? Because they have concrete specs that you need to buy correctly and tech can get expensive, so you can throw a lot of money down the drain if you get the wrong product.
So, to narrow down the search we identified which features of a monitor work best with games consoles, and the PS4 in particular, and chose five based on important characteristics. They were the monitor’s size, supported resolution, refresh rate and response times, and color fidelity specs like the monitor panel type and their color gamut. We cover a lot of these in our ‘things to consider’ segment at the foot of this page, so if you’re unsure of what these are and why they’re so important, get clued up below.
Even when you’re working with tech specifications, user experience is still important. That’s why we’ve also taken into account the number of reviews and how well they rate each monitor. Each one you’ll find on your list has been reviewed at a minimum of hundreds of times and overwhelmingly rated positively. This means each monitor has impressed hundreds, if not thousands, of shoppers in the past, and odds are they’ll please you too. Looking for the best overall monitors for gaming? Check out our best gaming monitor guide.
Product Reviews
- A 27” LCD monitor that uses LG’s own IPS screen panel tech for heightened color accuracy.
- 1m GtG response time protects the screen from image ghosting.
- Has a 144Hz refresh rate that reduces screen tearing and smoothens gameplay.
- Constructed with a 3-sided borderless design along the sides and top.
- IPS panels can get that “IPS glow” where the edges may glow after heavy use along the edges of the screen.
Here’s our top choice after our research was concluded – the LG Ultragear 27GL83A 27” QHD Gaming Monitor. Most of us have heard of LG in the past, they’re a large and reliable manufacturer of all kinds of electronics and, most importantly, television and monitor displays. That kind of brand exposure is great for rooting out problematic displays as their products are bought thousands of times, so it’s easy to see when they disappoint.
If its place at the top of our list hasn’t tipped you off, the LG Ultragear 27GL83A model wasn’t a disappointment when it dropped. When compared to the other monitors on this list, this LG model is actually one of the most budget-friendly displays on our list and is a great value purchase for those who want a competent gaming monitor without breaking the bank.
So, what are the specs you can expect with this gaming monitor? We’ve already mentioned this is a twenty-seven-inch display, which is on the upper end of the average screen size for these types of monitors. That screen is Quad High Definition, so that’s 2560×1440 pixels arranged at a 16×9 aspect ratio, and it’s an LCD that uses In-Plane Switching panels. LG is actually the market leader in IPS panels, and many other brands have to buy their highly color-accurate IPS panels from them. That color accuracy is just what you need to make the graphics of your favorite video games pop.
This LG monitor has an impressive one millisecond gray-to-gray response time, the current fastest response time possible with monitors on the market right now. Increased response times ensure that active pixels don’t remain on-screen any longer than they need to, which preserves image quality and reduces the potential for ghosting. Along with this, it has a smooth refresh rate of 144Hz too, which is ideal for that one-millisecond response time. We should also add that this model is compatible with NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology, so this is a great option if you’re already a fan of NVIDIA’s hardware and software.
Physically, the monitor is very light on borders. It uses a three-sided design that’s almost borderless, having a very thin boundary on both sides and the top of the screen. That screen is mounted on an adjustable stand that’s capable of tilting, pivoting, and changing height to better match the needs of whoever is sat near the monitor.
The only downside we can think of is inherent to the IPS panels that this monitor uses. After you have owned and used the monitor for a while, it’s not uncommon to see IPS panels glowing along the edges of the screen. It’s purely aesthetic and shouldn’t affect any performance but they may be distracting to gamers, especially if you prefer to game in the dark.
- A 27” WQHD IPS monitor that has been designed for immersive and professional gameplay.
- Ultrafast 170Hz maximum refresh rate allows you to access smooth gameplay.
- This HDR monitor uses a professional color gamut for superior contrast and performance.
- Uses ASUS’s Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync tech eliminates ghosting and screen tearing.
- May have inconsistent backlight uniformity.
The second monitor we have to show you is the ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q model, a 27” HDR Gaming Monitor. The ASUS ROG Strix series earned its name from ASUS’s high-performance gaming laptops but they also produce standalone monitors, too. Of course, the ASUS ROG Strix name comes with a heftier price attached to it, almost double that of our first LG model. Like LG, ASUS is a big name in the computer hardware industry, so you can rest assured that you’re getting quality electronics from them.
Twenty-seven inches is the same size as the LG option above, so there’s no need to delve deeper into that. The same is true for this monitor’s Wide QHD resolution which is just another term for QHD at 2560×1440 pixels. Also called 2K, WQHD monitors have been designed with professional gameplay and immersion in mind.
This ASUS ROG Strix also has a similar IPS LCD panel and a one-millisecond gray-to-gray response time, just like the LG model at number one. What’s different here is the potential refresh rate peak, where you can overclock the monitor to 170Hz for a smoother performance than that of our number one option.
What else stands out with the ROG Strix series is its sophisticated color gamut. This is supported through ASUS’s High Dynamic Range tech, or HDR, which provides great color contrast and performance. HDR specs can be confusing and misleading but fortunately, this ASUS ROG Strix is certified as a DisplayHDR 400 monitor.
Built into this ASUS monitor is their ELMB SYNC technology. That stands for Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync that enables high frame rates during gameplay while stopping any pixels from ghosting onto the screen, along with reducing screen tearing. ELMB is G-Sync compatible too, as is the monitor at large, so you can enjoy NVIDIA’s variable refresh rates without having to put effort into getting the software to work with your hardware.
Speaking of hardware, it has two HDMI v2.0 ports that enable the console connectivity that you want when trying to hook a monitor to your PS4. If you have got, or you decided to get, a computer desktop, you can also use the DisplayPort 1.2 port to connect to other gaming hardware. The next generation of consoles don’t use DisplayPort but it’s a possibility for future consoles, so this can also be a future-proof purchase.
The monitor may have poor backlight uniformity. This is essentially the same as the IPS glow that you see with the LG model except it’s often less intense but still noticeable.
- A large 32” curved gaming monitor that provides immersive panoramic entertainment.
- VESA certified as Display HDR 400, supporting enhanced brightness and color contrast.
- Powered by AMD’s Free Sync 2 tech to get rid of screen tearing and choppiness.
- Features USB-C SuperSpeed connectivity for fast 2K USB data transfer.
- The curved shape of this monitor’s screen causes backlight bleeding on the side edges.
The third great monitor we found is the BenQ EX3203R 32” Curved Gaming Monitor which, off the face of it, you’ll notice it’s our largest display on this list. It also features 1800R curvature, so those thirty-two inches don’t take up too much extra space and help to provide a panoramic, immersive view.
Like the previous monitor, this BenQ display boasts a 144Hz refresh rate that supports fluid gaming. To back that up, it’s also VESA certified as having Display HDR 400 that ensures you get a high level of brightness and enhanced color contrast, all to support a vivid image when you’re playing your favorite games.
Unlike every monitor we’ve talked about so far, this BenQ display uses AMD tech more than NVIDIA tech. The main example of this is the AMD Free Sync 2 technology which is this monitor’s way of eliminating choppy frames and screen tearing when there’s a lot of movement going on on-screen.
This monitor uses updated USB-C SuperSpeed cables that are capable of transferring this display’s 2K resolution and other USB data transfers all through just one cable. Though this monitor has VA panels that are usually resistant to glow and light bleeding, the curved shape of this model can cause backlight bleeding and white splotches along the sides.
- A 27” FHD IPS monitor that uses proprietary ASUS tech like Game Fast and Eye Care.
- Its color is enhanced through exclusive GameVisual technology.
- Shadow Boost tech makes it much easier to see darker areas.
- The most budget-friendly monitor on our list.
- GameVisual forces you to use their presets, which may feel restricting for some gamers.
Next up we have another ASUS monitor, the 27” VG279Q Full HD Gaming Monitor. If you liked the look of the ROG Strix but it was too rich for your blood, the VG279Q model might be the better option for you. It not only comes with a lot of the familiar features we like to see in these kinds of monitors, but you get them for the lowest price point on our list.
As an ASUS monitor, you get some of the great benefits that come with the brand such as ASUS Game Fast input, which ensures your gaming experience is fully responsive, and ASUS Eye Care tech which tries to keep eye fatigue to a minimum. Along with that, the stand itself is made so that the screen can be tilted and pivoted into all kinds of ergonomically viable positions for the user.
The color that’s reported by this monitor is facilitated through GameVisual and GamePlus which enhance color fidelity while also affording you more control over color settings when gaming. Gaming looks great too, thanks to the use of a 144Hz refresh rate that stops tearing from occurring.
This model also uses Shadow Boost, a tech that takes dark and dim images and brightens them without overdoing them. This makes it much easier to see darker areas if they’re too dim for you to game comfortably, something that can be great if you’re unused to gaming in the dark or you’re playing a game that involves a lot of dungeon delving and darkness.
- A 27” WQHD monitor with an IPS-grade display panel that runs games smoothly.
- HDR400 color gamut support provides a rich spectrum of color.
- Comes with a Razer Chroma RGB aluminum base that has cable management included.
- You have control over the monitor’s connectivity setting via Razer Synapse integration.
- Adjustment of the backlight when you’re in HDR mode isn’t possible.
Last but not least, we have the Razer Raptor 27” Gaming Monitor. If you’re familiar with gaming hardware, you’ve probably heard of Razer. They supply gaming laptops along with peripherals like mouses and monitors. In this case, we’re suggesting the twenty-seven-inch WQHD Razer Raptor that uses an IPS-grade panel. Functionally identical to a straight IPS panel, these have better color fidelity and are smoother than alternative panel types.
Speaking of color, the color gamut of this screen is also HDR400 certified, so experts have verified that the monitor will deliver a richer spectrum of color than products that don’t have the certification.
Proprietary Razer features also make this a convenient monitor to own. First, it’s housed in a sturdy yet lightweight Razer Chroma RGB aluminum base that has divots and storage areas for cable management. If you’re always concerned about wire layout, you should definitely look to monitors like this. At the same time, the software features of the monitor are fully customizable thanks to its Razer Synapse integrated settings.
How to choose the best PS4 monitor
There are some key areas we’d advise you to look at when you’re selecting the right monitor for you. Let’s take a closer look…
Size
This one is simple enough – how big do you need your monitor to be? While this is more of a preferred choice for desktops, there’s the chance that you’ll be sat further away if you’re using a PS4. In that case, you need to have your game console setup plotted out so that you can get the perfect fit.
Resolution
Display resolution determines the size of detail of the image that’s being presented on your monitor. We’d advise a minimum of 2K when buying a gaming monitor for the PS4. Those are models that have a resolution of 2560×1440. You can get 4K models too but this is less of a requirement when you’re working with the graphics hardware of the PS4, which is often less powerful than a computer desktop.
It’s also worth considering the size of your monitor when you pick your chosen resolution. Due to pixel density, you’ll find that 1080p looks much better on a screen that’s around 24 – 27 inches. For 1440p, we’d say don’t go too much bigger than 32-inches max.
HDR
You’ll want to go for a monitor with HDR as it does make games on the PS4 look much better, especially if you’re playing some of the more immersive titles. Look for either HDR 10 or a VESA DisplayHDR400 certification or above.
Refresh rate and response time
The refresh rate is the frequency that your screen refreshes whatever’s on-screen. 60Hz was the standard for a time but for gaming monitors now, you’ll want to look for at least 144Hz for any products worth your time. Refresh rates stop tearing and ghosting, which is when the pixels burn a still image into your screen that you can see once it’s off.
Response times, on the other hand, dictate how fast the pixels change to reflect the information on your screen. Unlike the Hertz count of refresh rates, you want response times to be lower. At a minimum, go for a five-millisecond response time, though one-millisecond response times are best for competitive gaming. Faster response times make for smoother gameplay.
Colour fidelity
For overall color fidelity, you should look at three things. Look at the available color gamut, which will come as either an RGB or sRGB type or a DCI-P3 type. DCI-P3 is preferable as it offers a wide range of colors but they’re not necessary. The standard for consoles is often sRGB but both will be compatible with your monitor. Try to get the highest color gamut percentage possible.
Along with that, pay attention to the panel type and whether the product is certified for a High Dynamic Ratio, or HDR. HDR improves color contrast to deliver sharper images to your screen. As for panel type, IPS tends to be the most suitable for color performance and making the colored display pop over alternatives like VA panels.
Is it better to play PS4 on a monitor?
It depends on what type of gaming experience you’re after, but on the whole, we’d say playing PS4 on a monitor is better than a TV. That’s because gaming monitors are designed to be responsive, bright, and sized to enhance competitive play too. For immersion, we’d say a TV or 43-inch monitor is a great way to go though!
What size monitor is good for PS4?
To get the most out of your PS4, we’d say for either a 32 inch or 27 inch monitor. Any bigger and you may find the image quality isn’t great, but that being said, it will still look good!
Our Verdict
So, while we’ve ranked each of these monitors in terms of suitability towards the average consumer who wants more for less, there are other conclusions that we came to when researching this article. For example, we’ve focused largely on twenty-seven-inch monitors and, where there’s a monitor that isn’t twenty-seven inches, we awarded it our third place.
The physical screen size of the monitor isn’t too important to its technical specs, though this depends on how far away you are due to your console-setup. You should work out how far you’ll be and, if you’re not at the same distance you’d be at a computer, then try to aim for a bigger one.
We’ve also stuck to reliable providers, which is always a good idea. Whether it’s ASUS, LG, Razer, or lesser-known but established foreign companies like BenQ, it’s important to know who you’re buying from.
Our verdict is that you should get the most sophisticated item for as much as you can afford. While our number one and four options are more budget-friendly, the others gravitate around roughly the same price. That said, all of them should work quite well with what you have planned.