What are the best console monitors? The most traditional way to play with our many beloved consoles is to connect them to a TV (and over the months we have created many guides in this regard), preferably located in the living room. In recent years, things have changed a bit, also thanks to various YouTubers intent on showing their gaming stations. Hence the idea of creating your own gaming setup, a space to host PC e consul, clearly related to a monitor. Some of you might object by writing to us that, even in a position placed in the room, there could be a TV with a massive diagonal. That's true, but most of the public who embrace this solution opt for a monitor (HERE the cheapest models to play) both for convenience and for the space required.
With that said, let's get started!
Best console monitors
-
- MSI Optix MAG251RX
- samsung odyssey g3
- BenQ EW3270U
- Asus CG32UQ
- ROG Strix XG438QR
- BenQ MOBIUZ
Best for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
MSI Optix MAG251RX
MSI Optix MAG251RX is a monitor full of interesting features. First of all, it is a panel equipped with FreeSync and G-Sync technology, which makes it a useful screen also to accompany a decent PC configuration, especially considering the 240Hz and a response time of 1ms. However, such features are of little use to make PlayStation 4 and Xbox One work at their maximum, except for the response time. Interesting, though, HDR 400 support in combination with IPS technology, which does not guarantee very marked blacks but an enviable color accuracy.
The design is instead very simple and minimal, and the pedestal is not bulky. In short, perhaps the price is a bit high, especially considering the diffusion of 4K screens, but if you are looking for a Full HD panel to use with older generation consoles and maybe from time to time to also connect it to your computer, this is a good choice.
See on Amazon
See on eBay
samsung odyssey g3
The model Odyssey g3 di Samsung it is a perfect solution for various audiences. Let's start with the design, it has a minimal but at the same time captivating look, except for the pedestal, one of the bulkiest ever, so if you have little space, consider carefully. For the rest, on an aesthetic level it can be really appreciated. The connectivity is excellent: they are there due uscite HDMI completely identical to each other, one DisplayPort, headphone jack output and obviously, power.
However, its real strengths lie in the quality of the panel, truly capable of clearly breaking away from many of its other colleagues, especially considering the price at which it is offered. There are also a number of features completely dedicated to gamers, such as various image profiles dedicated to various genres, from FPS to RTS. How not to mention the FreeSync, 120Hz also achieved via HDMI – with a maximum of 144Hz when connected via DisplayPort – and its optimal contrasts and brightness peaks.
We suggest this screen not only to console owners but also to gamers PC (preferably equipped with AMD GPUs). Image quality will remain the same on all three platforms, but it will be right with the PC that you will make the most of it; the base consoles unfortunately do not support many of the features it has, limiting themselves to 1920x1080p a 60Hz. The discourse instead changes for Xbox One X, which natively supports every single feature mentioned. If you are not interested in screens 4K HDR, could be a very good alternative.
See on Amazon
See on eBay
Best for PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X
BenQ EW3270U
Recommend you a monitor that makes the most of PlayStation 4 Pro e Xbox One X it's a really tough business. Some models hover around prohibitive price ranges, resulting in useless choices for most users. Fortunately, BenQ EW3270U, screen 4K HDR e FreeSync, turns out to be the best meeting point with the public, the model with the most advantageous quality/price ratio.
As always, let's start with the aesthetics which, also in this case, boast a minimal profile, without renouncing its elegance. Note the rather slim stand, which saves you a lot of space on your desk. As far as connectivity is concerned, we find two doors HDMI 2.0 able to exploit 4K HDR at 60Hz, DisplayPort, USB-C, headphone jack e supply.
But how does it deal with Xbox One X e PlayStation 4 Pro? Very well. The panel - once connected - immediately recognizes the consoles and their features, working at their best from the first moment.
Small note regarding the display of content HDR: once this feature is activated, the panel will not allow you to change any parameters, except for some small modifications. In this respect some users have complained about a warm color temperature display with the option HDR and cold with HDR Cinema. There is actually a way to work around the problem, although it is not very clear and requires a bit of tinkering: basically you will have to set the image profile to "SRGB;" having done this, once a content has been started HDR you will notice an optimal color temperature, much closer to what you would get by setting “warm 1″ in most common TVs.
The only real waiver – it just affects Xbox One X - remains HDR Dolby Vision. More than justified absence given that we are talking about a feature dedicated to multimedia content and present mostly on TVs.
About 500 €, therefore, you will take home a model capable of exploiting every single drop of your consoles and, why not, you will almost catch up with the next ones PlayStation 5 e Xbox Series X, provided that you are not interested in achieving the 120Hz while playing content 4K e HDR, in this case a higher bandwidth and the presence of a port are required HDMI 2.1.
We recommend that you also take a look at the successor model, the BenQ Ew3280U, quite similar but with a revised design and a better rendering of HDR technology.
See on Amazon
See on eBay
Asus CG32UQ
With the previous model, BenQ EW3270U, it is only possible to smell the potential of an HDR panel, this is because the screen has a peak brightness that is not exactly very high. One way to make the most of all the features listed above with the addition of a good HDR rendering, is to buy the monitor Asus CG32UQ that, with his 600 Nits, puts the best examples of HDR offered by your consoles under the knife.
We always talk about a VA panel, so the delay in response is reduced to the bone. As for the dimensions, however, just like the BenQ, the display is 32 inches, a rather standard size for monitors by now. Finally, a feature certainly much appreciated by players, this model also supports the FreeSync, which allows you to completely eliminate the problems related to tearing, so as not to have a hitch during your games (even on NVIDIA cards).
See on Amazon
See on eBay
Best for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
ASUS ROG Strix XG438QR
You want to be ready for the next gen and okay for the next 5 years (at least)? Well, the purchase that's right for you is ROG Strix XG438QR, a premium model to say the least.
In addition to being fully compatible with the upcoming Xbox Series X e PlayStation 5, even surpassing the limit of 4K at 120Hz going up to 144Hz, it also has above-average color and contrast rendering. This panel takes advantage of indeed HDR 1000 which, combined with the remarkable contrast and brightness it achieves, creates truly satisfying images. Being a model designed for gaming, it also has a rather low response time (5ms), absolutely lower than the vast majority of screens available on the market.
As for the design, it is impossible not to notice its overwhelming look. The screen is very particular and recalls a gaming peripheral from the first contact. Connectivity is also higher than normal, thanks to ports HDMI, DisplayPort e USB 3.0.
In short, the price is very high, it is true, but know that you will take home a quality and above all current screen for many years.
See on Amazon
See on eBay
BenQ MOBIUZ
BenQ, which has always been one of the best manufacturers of monitors in the gaming sector, has finally decided to release it on the market a monitor that truly exploits every single potential of the performing Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. We are therefore talking about a display that travels at a 4K resolution and a refresh rate of at least 120Hz, technologies such as AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync and, attention, even an audio system characterized by an almost unprecedented quality in the panorama. BenQ's idea, in fact, is to offer its customers, also considering the cost, a product that is already equipped with everything needed to play well and feel their video games at their best.
In short, if you are looking for a complete and quality input for the next-gen branded Microsoft and Sony, the BenQ MOBIUZ is absolutely the screen for you.
See on Amazon
See on eBay
How to choose a console gaming monitor
The choice of monitor is among the most important and fundamental for a gamer. Of all the components that make up a player's setup, the monitor is that device for which it is worth spending a little more, so as to ensure a long-lasting purchase and have fantastic performance right from the start. In the following paragraphs we will go to see some of the features to pay attention to before buying a monitor. Let's start!
Type of display
First you will have to have clear ideas and decide the main use of the screen. If you just play games, with no regard for entertainment, then a TN panel is the best choice as it can drastically lower input lag. There are also other excellent compromises, such as IPS, capable of generating very faithful colors without completely neglecting the response time.
Finally, panel resolution also plays an important role. Trivially, choose it based on the capabilities of your hardware: if you have a PC capable of running your favorite games in 4K, then buy a display with 3840x2160p resolution, alternatively consider 2K or 1080p panels. As for the console world, however, if you own the new PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, 4K is definitely the best choice.
HDR e refresh rate
Let's start immediately from this assumption: monitor e HDRAt least for now, they don't get along that well. There are various panels capable of supporting this technology, of course, but in the vast majority of cases they do not exceed 400 Nits (maximum monitor brightness). To work at its best, this technology needs a lot more Nits, the ideal would be 1000, but panels of this type easily exceed the 1500 € as an entrance fee, and at that point why not buy a TV? It's very complicated, it's useless to get around it, this technology still seems too premature, at least in regards to the monitor. However, it would be completely wrong to argue that surrender HDR of a panel a 400 or 600 Nits, is completely to throw away. Clearly it is not comparable in the least, but the changes, especially if you come from panels 8 BIT, are very evident, therefore satisfactory. This is demonstrated, for example, by the model Asus CG32UQ.
What about, however, regarding the refresh rate? First that, if you don't have one video card or console capable of overcoming the 60 FPS, it will be completely useless to invest in a panel 120Hz or even 144Hz. Before you dive into one monitor like this, make sure yours is too consul is adequate and, at worst.
Design and dimensions
Ok, we have dealt with the resolution, refresh rate, panel type and paid attention to all the features dear to gamers, but what are they the most suitable dimensions? And the screen? Is it better curved, or not? Regarding the dimensions, the factors to consider are actually few: basically, if you play with the screen positioned on a desk, at a maximum of 10/12cm away, well, better not to exaggerate too much with the dimensions, limiting yourself as a peak to 27″ or so. With regard to the conformation of the display however, everything is even simpler: curved screens necessarily need to be seen centrally, that is to say that you will not be able to look at them from the side, under penalty of a reduction in image quality, especially if the panel is not IPS and, more importantly, less immersiveness, which would be the purpose of these screens.
Why would a console gamer prefer a monitor to a TV?
The reasons that can lead a user to prefer a monitor instead of a TV are to be found in various aspects, but above all it is worth mentioning the space, the dimensions of the panel. Let's say it clearly: gaming TVs are now fully projected into the 4K world, and are large, in the vast majority of cases, at least 42″ inches. If you really can't put such a little animal in your room, or you don't have the necessary budget to bring home a 42″… Well, monitors come to your rescue, both in terms of the space required and in terms of price .
Price
As reiterated in the first paragraph, it pays to invest a little more money in the purchase of a monitor. The reason is obvious: the screen is very important and, in the vast majority of cases, it improves the enjoyment of an experience, either because 4K and HDR allow you to fully enjoy a story-driven game, or because competitive a high refresh rate and excellent screen response make the difference. So, if it's savings you're looking for, with just over €200 you might be able to get away with it, but keep an eye on some specifics and, above all, keep your usage scenario in mind.
