Best Features-for-Buck Monitors for Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X Gaming Consoles
If you need to know what to look for in a monitor for your gaming console, be it PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, you can check out our article here. Here, we look at some of the best monitors for PS5 and Xbox Series X at the right prices.
8 Best Monitors for Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X Gaming Consoles
Without compromising on quality while meeting all the requirements, check out our recommendations below. Our list of the best features for buck monitors for PS5 and Xbox Series X are further divided into sizes:
50+ inch
- LG OLED C1 (OLED C2 not widely available)
40+ inch
- Gigabyte Aorus FV43U
30-ish inch
- Gigabyte M28U
- LG Ultragear 27GP950
- Samsung Odyssey G70A
- MSI Optix MAG274QRF
Smaller than 25-inch (HDMI 2.0)
- Acer Nitro XF243Y
- AOC 24G2
You can learn about what to look for in a monitor for your console here.
1. Every Dollar Invested Well-Spent – LG OLED C1 (55-inch version)
Search Gigabyte LG C1 OLED on Amazon
| Size | 55-inch (16:9) |
| Resolution | 3840×2160 (4K UHD) |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
| Panel Type | OLED |
| Peak Brightness | 900 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | Infinite (it’s an OLED screen) |
| Color Gamut | 96.9% DCI-P3 |
| True Response Time | 0.2 ms (average) |
| Input Lag | 7 ms (average) |
| VRR Options | Freesync (rated), G-SYNC (rated) |
| Ergonomics | No adjustment features |
So, how exactly does a $1,000 display become a cost-to-performance value choice? If it has all the bells and whistles, features and extras, that makes the purchase completely worth it. And for something like the LG OLED C1, you also have the technological advantage over all others on this list. It is an all-round amazing screen in every aspect, from picture quality, color gamut, rich blacks, response times, input lag, refresh rates, everything!
It’s not just our best pick for our feature-for-the-buck PS5 and Xbox Series X monitor, it’s practically the investment for any purpose.
A bit short on funds for the 55-inch version? Just step down one tier to the 48-inch version! Maybe the C1 feels outdated? Try your luck getting a C2 instead. Either way, it will be money well spent.
2. Classic Living Room Console Gaming – Gigabyte Aorus FV43U
Search Gigabyte AORUS FV43U on Amazon
| Size | 43-inch (16:9) |
| Resolution | 3840×2160 (4K UHD) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Peak Brightness | 800-1,000 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 4,500:1 |
| Color Gamut | 99.1% sRGB, 98.4% Adobe, 87.8% DCI-P3 |
| True Response Time | 10 ms (average) |
| Input Lag | 5 ms (average) |
| VRR Options | Freesync (rated), G-SYNC (usable) |
| Ergonomics | No adjustment features |
If for gaming purposes only, the Aorus FV43U is definitely built to handle console gaming perfectly. True, it’s a VA panel, but don’t let that stop you from appreciating the nice features that it has. First, of course, is its contrast ratio, standard 1000 nits peak brightness, plus good color gamut, which delivers the crisp clear images we prescribe for this kind of setup. That is all on top of HDMI 2.1 support, a very large 40+ inch display (take that viewing angles!), and PC-rated image clarity and setting options.
The monitor does feel somewhat cheap-ish since the frame is not metallic, but it is good and sturdy for the price.
3. The Perfect All-Rounder – Gigabyte M28U
Search Gigabyte M28U on Amazon
| Size | 28-inch (16:9) |
| Resolution | 3840×2160 (4K UHD) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Peak Brightness | 350 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,000:1 |
| Color Gamut | 99.8% sRGB, 82.4% Adobe, 84.0% DCI-P3 |
| True Response Time | 4 ms (average) |
| Input Lag | 4 ms (average) |
| VRR Options | Freesync (rated), G-SYNC (usable) |
| Ergonomics | Height, Tilt, Swivel |
It is essentially the smaller, more personal version of the LG OLED C1 in terms of usability, but with using a more “inferior” IPS panel. It is generally considered an S-tier monitor for all types of uses, but it is especially useful for the PS5 and Xbox Series X because it offers all that price-to-performance (and features) goodness with proper HDMI 2.1 support.
Overall, the M28U hits a good balance between responsiveness, color vibrance, and connectivity options, while being able to hide its inherent weaknesses (such as brightness not suited for HDR content). But in case you still need a bit more screen estate, we suggest bumping it up to the equally competitive M32U with a 31.5-inch display as shown below.
4. A Worthy Technological Investment – LG UltraGear 27GP950
Search LG Ultragear 27GP950 on Amazon
| Size | 27-inch (16:9) |
| Resolution | 3840×2160 (4K UHD) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Peak Brightness | 700 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,200:1 |
| Color Gamut | 100% sRGB, Adobe 88.1%, 95.2% DCI-P3 |
| True Response Time | 5 ms (average) |
| Input Lag | 4 ms (average) |
| VRR Options | Freesync (rated), G-SYNC (rated) |
| Ergonomics: | Height, Tilt (No Swivel) |
Yes, it is slightly more expensive than the much bigger FV43U. Yes, it is more than a third of the price of the M28U. But it is still fairly feature-for-the-buck, for all the technological goodies that you can use on this thing. First off, it uses a nano-IPS display. Long story short, it’s a much better version of an IPS display that eliminates its inherent drawbacks, while making the display compatible with true-HDR content. Second, it has monstrous dark transition speeds, almost double that of the M28U. Lastly, it delivers all the premium features of standard UltraGear models, including, of course, the basic and default HDMI 2.1 connectivity we need for both modern consoles.
5. Reasonably M28U Alternative – Samsung Odyssey G70A
Search Samsung Odyssey G70A 4K on Amazon
| Size | 28-inch (16:9) |
| Resolution | 3840×2160 (4K UHD) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Peak Brightness | 350 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,100:1 |
| Color Gamut | 99.2% sRGB, 83.2% Adobe, 87.5% DCI-P3 |
| True Response Time | 5 ms (average) |
| Input Lag | 4 ms (average) |
| VRR Options | Freesync (rated), G-SYNC (rated) |
| Ergonomics | Height, Tilt, Swivel |
If you find yourself unable to find either the M28U or M32U, and are unwilling to compromise on the level of performance or price, then we’d like to suggest a properly specced price alternative. The Samsung Odyssey G70A may not be the same technological trailblazer as its beefier cousins the G7 (shown below) or G8. But at least it still offers good 4K specs for the price, and for the compatibility that your PS5 and Xbox Series X can perfectly adapt to.
As for what it can do? It really is “just” a slightly inferior (but also slightly cheaper) version of the M28U, with perhaps the obvious glaring difference in its frame build and chassis.
6. Sweet Spot for Competitive Xbox Play – MSI Optix MAG274QRF
Search MSI Optix MAG274QRF on Amazon
| Size | 27-inch (16:9) |
| Resolution | 2560×1440 (QHD) |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Peak Brightness | 350 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,200:1 |
| Color Gamut | 99.5% sRGB, 100% Adobe, 81.3% DCI-P3 |
| True Response Time | 3.5 ms (average) |
| Input Lag | 3.5 ms (average) |
| VRR Options | Freesync (rated), G-SYNC (rated) |
| Ergonomics | Height, Tilt, Swivel |
(REMINDER: Native 1440p IS NOT supported by the PS5 at the moment)
For our single 1440p choice, there is no other better competitor than the MSI Optix MAG274QRF. Color vibrance and response-wise, it is much better than any of its competitors. Not even the 1440p version of the M28U (M27Q) can compete with this gaming beast. Heck, the M28U would also have a hard time beating its specs for the price it offers if put head-to-head.
Naturally, having the right ports for the job means it could reliably support the Xbox Series X without hindering any of its potential. We definitely would have wanted to recommend this as well for the Sony PlayStation 5. But, until native 1440p is supported by the console, this will be an Xbox-exclusive entry.
Want to push this model’s cinematic image quality even further? We recommend trying out its later QD version (MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD).
7. Monster Downscaler, on a Budget! – Acer Nitro XF243Y
Search Acer Nitro XF243Y on Amazon
| Size | 24-inch (16:9) |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 (FHD) |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Peak Brightness | 400 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,000:1 |
| Color Gamut | 99.4% sRGB, 76.2% Adobe, 78.1% DCI-P3 |
| True Response Time | 7 ms (average) |
| Input Lag | 5 ms (average) |
| VRR Options | Freesync (rated), G-SYNC (usable) |
| Ergonomics | Height, Tilt, Swivel |
(REMINDER: 1080p 120Hz is possible for PS5/Xbox Series X even with just HDMI 2.0)
One description: ultra-crisp 4K down-scaled to 1080p. That pretty much sums up what we can say about the Acer Nitro XF243Y. As it is a modern IPS panel, it also has the perfect viewing angles plus the color vibrance, making it compatible with just about any atmosphere the game can throw at you. Also, contrary to how plain its stand looks, it actually has full adjustability like the rest of this list.
There are drawbacks, of course, such as the lower contrast ratio that somewhat inferior feel even when compared to other IPS options. But all in all the XF243Y and its features are still packaged very well within a super affordable price point.
8. Some Things Just Never Change – AOC 24G2
| Size | 24-inch (16:9) |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 (FHD) |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Peak Brightness | 370 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,550:1 |
| Color Gamut | 99.0% sRGB, 83.7% Adobe |
| True Response Time | 5 ms (average) |
| Input Lag | 5 ms (average) |
| VRR Options | Freesync (rated), G-SYNC (usable) |
| Ergonomics | Height, Tilt, Swivel |
(REMINDER: 1080p 120Hz is possible for PS5/Xbox Series X even with just HDMI 2.0)
The classic 1080p price-to-performance champ is still undoubtedly the AOC 24G2. One of the best budget options if you are simply looking for a cheap, but very competitive monitor for your current-gen console. To summarize, think of what the M28U can do, its price scaling, but with only less connectivity and quality-of-life features. Oh, and of course, it’s at 1080p. That’s how good the AOC 24G2 still is today.
If you are buying fresh, do take note that current versions of the 24G2 are slightly different than the first released ones. These 2.0 models sacrifice on color depth and stretch the response time of the new panel a bit longer.
No Love for INZONE?
Most recently, Sony has released its own lineup of gaming-focused monitors (plus headsets), which of course offers its own set of optimizations and aesthetic compatibility for the PS5. Namely, the INZONE M3 (27-inch FHD 240Hz) and INZONE M9 (27-inch 4K 144Hz) series. While it clashes directly with the technologically superior LG Ultragear 27GP950 in terms of performance, it’s just a tad bit more pricey for its size category, and thus was excluded from our list.
If you do have the extra funds to spend, these two monitors are definitely worth checking out, especially so for those who want a good streamlined gaming environment for a switchable PC/PS5 gaming setup.
