The best monitor for PS5: What are your options?

It makes sense that your first thought will always be to use a PlayStation 5 with a TV, but that doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, there are plenty of benefits to using a monitor instead. In this post, we’ll go over some of the pros and cons of buying a monitor rather than a television, and we’ll also tell you the optimal options for the best monitor for PS5.

Also read: All you need to know about Sony’s PlayStation 5

Why you should get a monitor for PS5

There are multiple factors that make monitors a better option than TVs. There are also some downsides. Let’s go over some pros and cons to help you decide.

Size matters

Huge living room TVs aren’t always a viable option. Those living in smaller spaces will prefer a more modest screen. The bad news is that the industry often favors larger TVs, reserving higher-end specs for more sizeable HDTVs.

For example, it’s harder to find a 4K 120Hz 32-inch TV than it is to find a 50-inch one. This is not the case for monitors. You can get high-end specs even in the 24- to 27-inch size range. Chances are you can get a better monitor, as opposed to a TV, if you truly need a smaller screen that offers a premium gaming experience.

Monitors often offer higher refresh rates

Gaming-optimized TVs are rare. On the contrary, gaming monitors are very common. This means that these gaming monitors will come with some features that will make gaming better, including higher refresh rates.

Refresh rate dictates how many times a second a screen refreshes the image. You can learn more about this topic in our refresh rate guide. In summary, a higher refresh rate will make for smoother video. It’s also an important spec to consider if you play games in which every millisecond counts. You might not want someone to shoot you in between frames while playing an FPS game!

Monitors offer much shorter response times

Talking about games in which every millisecond counts, these gamers also prefer 1ms response times. A screen with this feature will only have a 1ms lag, meaning you can respond and see actions displayed much faster. Fast 1ms response times are very common in the monitor market.

While super-fast response times aren’t impossible in the HDTV industry, it’s definitely a very rare (and expensive) feature. It’s usually available in higher-end OLED TVs, which can easily cost thousands.

Mobility

Needless to say, monitors tend to be smaller than televisions. This also makes them much more portable. Moving a monitor from your desk to the living room is a breeze. These PC screens will fit much better in a car trunk, too. You can’t say the same about a huge TV.

Versatility

Monitors aren’t only great PS5 screens. These can also operate perfectly as a PC monitor, which may give users dual-functionality. Additionally, some newer monitors also come with access to smart TV apps. Even if yours doesn’t, you can always opt for a smart TV box or dongle to use via HDMI.

Monitors can come in different display aspect ratios

Are you a fan of those ultrawide monitors that expand further to the sides? While it requires some digging into the settings, the PlayStation 5 supports these wider aspect ratios. TVs with anything but a 16:9 ratio are hard to come by. On the other hand, monitors with more immersive aspect ratios are very common, and no longer that expensive.

Curved screens!

If you want even more gaming-oriented features in your screen, gamers are often attracted to curved screens. These are very common in the monitor world. While curved TVs are available too, these aren’t as common, especially in smaller sizes. Not to mention monitors are often found in rounder curvatures, which make your experience much more immersive.

PC gaming optimizations

If you’re a gamer, there’s also a chance you dabble with some PC gaming. A monitor will often come with certain optimizations for Nvidia and AMD GPUs, further improving your gaming experience when gaming on your computer. These are known as Nvidia GeForce G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync.

Also: The best monitors for work and play

Why you might prefer a TV instead

TVs are usually much larger

Large monitors usually top off at around 32 inches or so. Anything larger than that is hard to find. Not to mention these larger monitors are usually much more expensive than a similarly-sized TV. This means that if, in fact, you want a large screen, a TV is usually a more suitable option.

Resolution

4K TVs have become ubiquitous in the TV industry. Even affordable HDTVs now come with 4K resolutions. 4K panels exist in the monitor space, but they are not as common. You’ll also have to pay up for a 4K monitor. If you want to take things even further and opt for an 8K panel, this feature is even harder to find in monitors.

TVs are more affordable

There’s no denying TVs can often be had at much cheaper prices, especially if you care about higher resolutions. As mentioned before, 4K TVs can be had for pretty cheap nowadays. 4K monitors are usually among the most expensive.

More TVs support HDR

Sony’s PlayStation 5 comes with support for HDR. HDR stands for “High Dynamic Range.” This spec ensures that image lighting is more balanced. You’ll be able to see more in the shadows, as well as the highlights. It makes for an overall nicer and more realistic experience, which is paramount for gaming.

HDR is a very common feature on televisions. Meanwhile, it’s much harder to find it in monitors, and you’ll more often have to pay a higher premium for it.

More options for panel technology

Most gaming monitors come with IPS LCD or LED panels. If you want higher-end technology like OLED, it’s still nearly impossible to find on a monitor. The few options available are very expensive.

Included speakers

This is a feature to watch out for! Keep in mind that plenty of monitors don’t come with speakers. And the ones that do often lack the audio quality most gamers want. TVs all come with speakers. And while TV audio isn’t usually great, it’s often better than what you’ll find on most monitors.

Related: The best smart TVs available

The best monitors for PS5

There’s something for everyone here. That said, these picks aren’t the absolute best monitors the industry has to offer. Those are extremely expensive and most often aren’t the best alternative. Instead, we chose the monitors that offer the most bang per buck. We tried to keep resolution, refresh rates, and response times as efficient as possible. There are also some options for those who also value portability, TV functionality, and more.

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best monitors for PS5 as new ones launch and older ones are phased out.

Samsung’s Odyssey series is an industry favorite in the gaming world. The Samsung Odyssey G7 LS28AG700NNXZA is especially good, and seems to tick most boxes in gaming standards. It has a large 28-inch IPS LED panel with a 4K resolution. You’ll also get a 1ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate, and HDR support. Plus, it happens to look amazing.

More: The best cheap 4K monitors

The one downside is that it comes with no speakers at all. Serious gamers will likely opt for nice gaming headphones or external speakers, though.

Here’s something nice for the curved screen fans. The MSI MPG Artymis 323CQR is a great monitor for PS5 gamers and sports a 1000R curvature. It has a QHD resolution on a 32-inch panel, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. It also looks great, but it lacks integrated speakers.

LG isn’t falling behind in the world of the best monitors for PS5. The LG UltraGear 32GP83B-B comes with a large 32-inch Nano IPS panel with a QHD resolution. Other specs include a 1ms response time and 165Hz refresh rates. Like many of the other monitors, this one doesn’t come with speakers either.

Related: The best monitor arms

You can probably already tell this is a special breed of monitor. It’s also very affordable compared to other screens of its kind. For starters, the Gigabyte G34WQC has a large 34-inch ultrawide screen, which also boasts 1500R curvature.

More: The best ultrawide monitors available today

Other specs include a 3,440 x 1,440 resolution and 144MHz refresh rate, as well as a speedy 1ms response time. You’ll even get HDR. And, unlike most other monitors on this list, this one comes with speakers!

If money really is no object, and you want a large ultrawide monitor with a really curved 1000R display, this is the one to get. The Samsung G97T Series is pricey, but it makes no sacrifices. Features include a huge 49-inch QLED display with a QHD definition. It also has a 1ms response time, a blazing 240Hz refresh rate, and HDR support. Sadly, you still get no speakers.

Alienware monitors are among the best-looking around, and this one is definitely one of the best monitors for PS5. The Alienware AW2720HF has a nice 27-inch Full HD screen with a 240Hz refresh rate and a quick 1ms response time. Not only that, but it’s pretty affordable for its features and design. It has no speakers, though.

Here: More 27-inch monitors you should consider

All the best monitors for PS5 listed above are great gaming screens, but they’re not usually great for other types of entertainment. Those who want a general monitor, a media hub, and a great monitor for PS5 will love the Samsung M8.

The Samsung M8 is a monitor/TV hybrid of sorts. It comes with a remote and can be used over Wi-Fi as a connected TV. As such, it comes with a gorgeous 32-inch 4K monitor and integrated speakers. It falls behind on other specs, though, as it only has a 60Hz refresh rate and a 4ms response time. You’ll enjoy the ample set of smart features it offers, though, and you can even use Bixby or Amazon Alexa with it, as well as Apple AirPlay and much more.

Upgrade: Take a look at these amazing OLED monitors

As if all that wasn’t enough, the Samsung M8 happens to look gorgeous.

Those who want true portability from a PS5 monitor can’t do better than the Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE. This thing will fit in any bag, as it’s as small and thin as a laptop or tablet. It comes with a 15.6-inch 1080p resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate.

Next: The best portable monitors around

Response time isn’t great at 3ms, but that’s the sacrifice you make for having something this small. Not to mention this monitor actually has integrated speakers.

FAQs

What’s the optimal resolution for a PS5?

The PS5 can run 8K resolution, but supported games are scarce and the software isn’t quite ready yet. That said, 4K is the optimal resolution in terms of game support and current capabilities. If you want your gaming to be as crisp and smooth as possible, you should go for a 4K screen with at least a 120Hz refresh rate.

Bear in mind that 1080p will still look great from a good distance. It’s also better to focus on response time and refresh rates, even if that means sacrificing 4K resolution.

HDR stands for “High Dynamic Range.” It’s a display feature that helps show more detail in both the shadows and highlights, balancing lighting across a frame. The PlayStation 5 supports HDR10, so you might want to get a monitor with that feature.

What is the response time in a monitor?

Response time refers to the time it takes for a monitor to switch from one color to another. In use, it translates to the reaction time a monitor offers. A low response time results in display lag.

What is a monitor’s refresh rate?

The refresh rate is what the term sounds like. It dictates how fast a monitor takes to refresh an image. It’s measured in times per second. For example, a 120Hz refresh rate screen refreshes the display 120 times a second.

What is the best refresh rate for a PlayStation 5?

The PlayStation 5 tops off at 120fps. This means that anything over 120Hz is unnecessary for PlayStation 5 users. That said, you might want to get higher refresh rates on your monitor just in case you use it with anything else.