Best Console Gaming Monitor for PS4 and Xbox One in 2024
There’s a plethora of monitors out there, but not all are suited for gaming. Some are designed for office use while some would perform brilliantly for tasks like photo/video editing.
For console gaming monitors, there’s a lot of factors to put into consideration before buying one. Imagine shelling out $300 or less on a monitor but it lags while trying to speed past opponents in Need for Speed. Compared to regular TVs or monitors, the best console gaming monitors are optimized with features and technology that’ll enhance your gaming experience.
Best Console Gaming Monitor on the Market
So you don’t have to, we’ve done the groundwork and compiled a list of some of the best console gaming monitors that’ll offer impressive gaming performance for both PS4 and Xbox users.
Let’s get right to it.
1. BenQ ZOWIE RL2455T
BenQ prides itself as a leading manufacturer of top-quality consumer tech products ranging from peripherals, digital cameras, gaming monitors, and other communication products. With a 24-inch Full HD screen, the Zowie RL2455T utilizes BenQ’s native Black eQualizer technology to offer gamers competitive advantage by enhancing color clarity and representation.
More specifically, what the technology does is to brighten darker areas in your games without overexposing the light(er) areas. “How would this improve your gaming experience?” you might ask. Well, by brightening up darker screen areas, you get to see and target your opponents’ characters better, particularly when they’re hiding in shadows or in the dark.
Moving on, the possibility of experience lag in image or color shift during gaming is almost non-existent. Thanks to its 75 Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time.
The bezel is a little think but BenQ says it is a special bezel frame that minimizes eye strain, reduces distractions, and improves gaming comfort. The connection ports on the rear are compatible with all types of gaming console — PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Wii U.
This edition of the BenQ Zowie RL2455T comes with an adjustable stand that lets users play games comfortably by vertically adjust and tilt the monitor to the most comfortable eye and neck level. It is also VESA compatible, meaning you can hook it up to a monitor arm. The preset display presets/modes (FPS mode, RTS mode, Fight mode, etc.) help to easily optimize the monitor’s size and scaling based on the genre for smooth gameplay.
Price and Availability
The BenQ Zowie RL2455T retails for about $150 — $176 (see offers on Amazon). In the box are the monitor, the adjustable stand, instruction manual, and every other thing you need to set up the monitor on your table. Users of this monitor have attested to its smooth gaming performance and rich picture quality.
Other Key Features
- Display Size: 24-inches
- Display Type: LCD
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p) Full HD
- Dimension: 19.84 x 8.42 x 22.81 inches
- Refresh Rate: 75 Hertz
- Response Time: 1 ms
- Connectivity: D-Sub x 1, DVI, HDMI x 2
- Weight: 12 lbs
- Others: Built-in Speakers
Pros
- Numerous preset gaming modes
- Black eQualizer technology provides enhanced visibility.
- Great collection of connection ports.
- Built-in speakers.
Cons
- Black eQualizer might mess with color accuracy.
2. MSI Optix G241
Micro-Star International (MSI) is another leading gaming brand and the company’s Optix G241 is one of the best console gaming monitors out there. It is a perfect blend of premium aesthetic and brilliant image & color reproduction.
The 24-inch display is an In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel with a Full HD resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate. Expect fluid and lag-free gaming and vibrant images at wide (up to 178 degrees) viewing angles.
The MSI Optix G241 also supports the AMD FreeSync technology which brilliantly matches and adjusts the refresh rate of the monitor to your console’s frame rate on the fly. Xbox users can expect better gaming performance as the Microsoft console also supports FreeSync adaptative synchronization over HDMI.
Back to the monitor’s design, it’s nothing but beautiful and visually-appealing. The top and side bezels of the monitor are almost non-existent and the stand also helps to achieve great balance when on a desk.
There’s a tiny red button on the rear whose function is to allow users to customize and adjust on-screen display (OSD) settings on the fly via the built-in software. The input and output connectivity ports are also housed on the rear.
Price and Availability
Price-wise, the MSI Optix G241 is quite expensive, but not prohibitively. It boasts of state-of-the-art features and offers great value for money. At $279 (see offers on Amazon), you’ll definitely get your money’s worth and more.
Other Key Features
- Display Size: 24-inches
- Display Type: LED
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p) Full HD
- Dimension: 24.1 x 8.9 x 17.8 inches
- Refresh Rate: 144 Hertz
- Response Time: 1 ms
- Connectivity: HDMI (1.4b) x 2, 3.5mm headphone jack x 1.
- Weight: 11.13 lbs
Pros
- Sturdy bezel-less design and construction.
- High refresh rate offers smooth gaming performance.
- FreeSync-certified.
- Minimal blue-light emission.
- Support night vision.
Cons
- The stand isn’t adjustable.
- No built-in speakers.
3. Sceptre C305B-200UN
Not only does Sceptre make some of the best console gaming monitors, but they also have some of the most affordable ones.
The Sceptre C305B-200UN is a sub-$300 monitor with a curved display and ultra-slim bezels. And thanks to the high AMD FreeSync-powered refresh rate (200 Hz via the DisplayPort), expect sharp image reproduction and non-existent input lag. For HDMI connections, the refresh rate is capped at 165Hz.
Speaking of connections, there are three HDMI 2.0 ports and one DisplayPort on the rear. A mildly-bright LED light is also neatly engineered on the back cover. This illuminates and adds some aesthetic touch to your ambiance, especially when gaming in the dark.
The display is only slightly-curved but it provides wide viewing angles, reduces reflection, and generally lets you have immersive gaming experience. On paper, its 5ms response time isn’t really great, but we didn’t come across complaints about input lag, motion blur, or image fade.
There’s a built-in speaker but don’t expect heavy game-level audio from it; gaming speakers and headphones would provide better audio experience.
The metallic stand has a solid construction and holds the monitor firmly on your table. One downside, however, is that the stand is fixed and cannot be adjusted. You’d need a VESA-compatible (75mm by 75mm) wall mount or monitor arm if you occasionally want to adjust the monitor’s height and angle.
Price and Availability
Overall, the Sceptre C305B-200UN is a budget-friendly and high-performance curved-screen gaming monitor. It also has some built-in display modes (Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture) that help users multitask and receive input from dual sources simultaneously. You can get a unit of this monitor for about $278.99 (see offers on Amazon).
Other Key Features
- Display Size: 30-inches
- Display Type: LED
- Display Resolution: 2560 x 1080 (1080p) Full HD
- Dimension: 27.8 x 16.1 x 7.4 inches
- Refresh Rate: up to 200 Hertz
- Response Time: 5 ms
- Connectivity: 1 x DisplayPort, HDMI x 3.
- Weight: 12.15 lbs
- Others: Built-in Speakers
Pros
- Large curved display.
- High refresh rates.
- Comes with built-in speakers.
- LED lighting on the rear is a great aesthetic addition.
Cons
- The stand is not adjustable.
4. ASUS VE278Q
This isn’t the gaming monitor to buy if you’re big on aesthetics. It doesn’t have the fancy and high-end stuff you’d find on other ASUS gaming monitors (e.g. LED lighting, bezel-less design, Eye Care technology, etc.) but it gets the job done. Plus, it’s affordable (under $200).
The major selling point of the ASUS VE278Q is its impressive and fluid picture quality. It boasts of a 27-inch non-glare Full HD display with a 2ms grey-to-grey response time and 85Hz refresh rate. There’s also a variety of old and new input options on the rear and a bunch of control/menu buttons on the lower bezel’s underside.
The buttons are properly-concealed and labeled for easy identification. They offer easy access to changing the monitor’s video modes, brightness level, speaker volume, and switching input options. The monitor is powered by ASUS’s proprietary ‘Splendid Video Intelligence Technology’ which provides six(6) preset modes that optimize video performance.
There’s a key for selecting and switching between the preset video modes (Standard, Game, Theatre, Night View, Scenery, and sRGB).
With Picture-in-Picture enabled, the ASUS VE278Q, you will simultaneously receive and display signals from two different inputs/ports on the screen. It ships with a table stand which, sadly, isn’t adjustable. The built-in speakers are on the rear and there’s an AI Light sensor that sits between both speaker grills. The sensor automatically adjusts the monitor’s brightness according to the amount of ambient light in the room.
Price and Availability
The ASUS VE278Q sells for about $150 — $169 (see offers on Amazon). It ships with VGA-to-VGA and DVI-to-HDMI cables out-of-the-box.
Other Key Features
- Display Size: 27-inches
- Display Type: TN/LED
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p) Full HD
- Dimension: 27.8 x 16.1 x 7.4 inches
- Refresh Rate: 85 Hertz
- Response Time: 2 ms (grey-to-grey/G2G).
- Connectivity: 1 x DisplayPort, HDMI x 2, DVI-D, D-Sub/VGA, 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack
- Weight: 14.30 lbs
- Others: Two Built-in 3W Stereo Speakers
Pros
- AI Light sensor reduces power consumption and makes the eye more comfortable.
- Dual Stereo Speakers produce decent audio.
- Great collection of video input connectivity.
- Supports Picture-in-Picture.
Cons
- Monitor stand isn’t adjustable.
5. Acer SB230
This is the best budget console gaming monitor on this list. And at 8.3-inches (width size) and 4.88 Ibs, it is also the slimmest and most portable monitor you can get for your gaming setup. Compared to other 23-inch monitors, the Acer SB230 has more screen space, thanks to the super-slim top and side bezels.
It also supports AMD Radeon FreeSync technology which syncs your console’s frame rate with the monitor. However, it’s worth mentioning that the Acer SB230’s refresh rate is capped at 75 Hz. For a $100 gaming monitor, this is decent.
The display is held upright by a circular base that’s just as stylish as the monitor. Sadly, you cannot adjust the height, neither can it be attached to a wall mount or monitor arm. This is because there are no support VESA screw holes on the rear.
On the bright side, it’s quite interesting to see a budget gaming monitor with some sort of anti-bluelight technology incorporated. Thanks to Acer’s VisionCare technology, the monitor reduces blue-light emission and prevents eye strain and other negative effects of over-exposure to digital light.
Overall, this is a great gaming monitor to buy if you aren’t a competitive or professional gamer. The same applies to gamers on a shoelace budget who still want a nice-looking monitor. Picture quality is great and with a 1ms response time rating, you can expect ultra-fast image transitions and responsive gaming performance.
Price and Availability
The Acer SB230 is sold for about $100 — $109 (see offers on Amazon). It has all the connection ports you need and ships with a free VGA cable.
Other Key Features
- Display Size: 23-inches
- Display Type: TN/LED
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p) Full HD
- Dimension: 20.9 x 8.3 x 15.8 inches
- Refresh Rate: 75 Hertz
- Response Time: 1 ms
- Connectivity: 1 x DisplayPort, HDMI x 1, DVI-D, D-Sub/VGA, 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack
- Weight: 4.88 lbs
Pros
- Slim, edge-to-edge design.
- Possesses blue-light reduction technology.
- Fast response time.
- Affordable.
Cons
- No built-in speakers.
6. AOC CQ34G2
The AOC CQ34G2 monitor is a perfect blend of style, performance, and affordability. The 34-inch display is curved and has ultra-slim bezels at the top and on the sides. Albeit there are editions of this monitor with 2K and 4K resolution, this version has a Full HD resolution and supports a maximum refresh rate of 75 Hz while response time is pegged at 1 ms.
The monitor uses a Vertical Alignment (VA) panel, a type of LED display, that offers better color contrast than other forms of LED/LCD panels. You can also expect vibrant color reproduction from the AOC CQ34G2.
Despite its large screen size, the monitor is portable and occupies very little space on your table, thanks in part to the stylish stand. Interestingly, the stand can be adjusted to increase or lower the monitor’s height. And if you’d rather hook the monitor to a wall mount or monitor arm, there are VESA mounting holes (100 mm x 100mm) on the rear to achieve that.
All the needed connectivity options are also onboard. Plus, you get free DisplayPort and HDMI cables.
There’s also support for AMD FreeSync which reduces image stuttering, plus a Low Input Lag mode designed to eliminate input lag during gaming by reducing latency and heavy image processing.
Price and Availability
This is one of the cheapest 34-inch curved console gaming monitor money can buy you. As mentioned earlier, it ships with an HDMI cable and a DisplayPort cable as perks. The AOC CQ34G2 retails for $300 — $309 (see offers on Amazon).
Other Key Features
- Display Size: 34-inches
- Display Type: VA panel
- Curvature: 1500R
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p) Full HD
- Dimension: 31.82 x 20.79 x 9.33 inches
- Refresh Rate: 75 Hertz
- Response Time: 1 ms
- Connectivity: 1 x DisplayPort, HDMI x 2
- Weight: 24.6 lbs
Pros
- Stylish and bezel-less design.
- Free HDMI and DisplayPort cables included.
- Fast response time.
- Adjustable stand.
- Affordable.
Cons
- No built-in speakers.
What to Lookout for in a Projector
So, what exactly are some of the things you need to have in mind when shopping for a console gaming monitor? What are the features you should pay attention to the most? What do some of the seemingly complex terms mentioned above mean? Why are they important? We explain everything in lay terms below.
1. Screen Size
Measured in inches, screen size is one thing you first have to decide before putting other features into consideration.
For optimal viewing experience, gaming monitors with at least 22-inches display will get the job done. Bigger screen sizes might provide bigger and wider viewing angles but this is dependent on viewing distance. If your gaming chair would be close to the table/desk where the monitor would be placed, you’re better off with something between 22 — 27-inches.
Monitors with 30-inches or above or best mounted on a monitor arm. You should also note that bigger screens are generally more expensive, but not always.
2. Screen Shape
Flat monitors are common and everywhere but curved monitors are becoming increasingly popular. Curved displays are stylish and score more aesthetic points than their flat counterparts. Some reports also have it that curved monitors make gaming more immersive and they generally offer better color consistency and viewing angles.
The curvature (the degree to which the display is curved) is denoted in radius (R). So, when you see terms like 1,200R or 4,000R on a monitor’s spec sheet, it refers to the degree of curve of the screen. The smaller the curvature rating, the greater the monitor’s curve is.
3. Resolution
This is another important metric to look out for on a console monitor. The minimum resolution we recommend is Full HD (1080p). Other resolutions like QHD/2K (1440p) and UHD/4K (2160p) offer better image quality and sharper visual due to their higher pixel counts. Expectedly, the higher the resolution/pixel count, the more expensive it is.
Again, Full HD monitors offer great image quality. But if you’re willing to shell out more money, go for 2K or 4K monitors by all means. You’ll definitely enjoy your money’s worth.
4. Refresh Rate
This term simply describes the rate/speed at which a monitor changes image displayed on the screen per second. Refresh rate is measured in Hertz (Hz), and the higher a monitor’s refresh rate, the smoother images appear on the screen.
The effect of this on gaming is that your monitor will stay in tune with the rapid movement of your characters when playing fast-paced games, giving you a competitive edge over an opponent playing on a monitor with a lower refresh rate.
One important thing to note, however, is that your console must also be equipped to run games at the same (high) refresh rate as the monitor.
A console (PS4, for example) with a 60Hz refresh rate can only push images at a maximum framerate of 60 frames per second to your monitor. Using the PS4 on a 144Hz monitor will still display images at 60Hz. So, there’s really no point buying a monitor with a high refresh rate if your console or GPU isn’t equipped to refresh displayed images at the same rate.
If you own an Xbox One (with 120Hz refresh rate), then it makes sense buying a monitor with 120Hz refresh rate or higher.
5. Response Time
Response time (measured in milliseconds) describes how much time it takes a pixel on your monitor to change from one color to another — usually from white to black and vice versa, or grey to white and vice versa. The lower a monitor’s response time, the better image clarity and color accuracy you’d get during gaming.
Currently, the lowest response time a monitor can have is 1ms. And that is the best response rate for pro-level and competitive gaming.
6. Connectivity
Finally, ensure you carefully examine the available connection option on a gaming monitor before buying one. You want to make sure your consoles can be directly connected to the monitor. The best console gaming monitors out there have at least one DisplayPort and HDMI. Monitors with USB ports and audio ports (3.5mm or 5mm) lets you connect headphones, speakers, and other peripherals.
And speaking of connectivity, we recommend buying monitors that can simultaneously display input from two input sources on the screen. You’d find this feature labeled as Picture-in-Picture Mode or Picture-by-Picture Mode on most monitors.
Conclusion
In addition to the above, you should also look-out for the little things like built-in speakers, adjustable stands, bezel-less designs, RGB lighting, eyecare or blue-light reduction technology, etc.
They help to make gaming more enjoyable. And that’s it, your starter guide to buying the best console gaming monitors. Drop and comment below if you have any questions.