Console Monitor | The best of 2022
That said, let's get started!
Best console monitors
MSI Optix MAG251RX Samsung Odyssey G3 BenQ EW3270U Asus CG32UQ ROG Strix XG438QRBest for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
MSI Optix MAG251RX
MSI Optix MAG251RX is a monitor packed with 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 get the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One working to their fullest, except for the response time. Interestingly, however, the 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 spread 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 connect it to your computer too, this is a valid choice.
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Samsung Odyssey G3
Generic photosSamsung's Odyssey G3 model is a perfect solution for a variety of audiences. Let's start with the design, it has a minimal but at the same time captivating aspect, except for the pedestal, one of the most bulky ever, so if you have little space, evaluate well. For the rest, on an aesthetic level it can be really appreciated. Connectivity is excellent: there are two completely identical HDMI outputs, a DisplayPort, headphone jack and, of course, the power supply.
However, its real strengths lie in the quality of the panel, really able to detach itself clearly from many of his colleagues, especially considering the price at which it is proposed. There are also a number of features completely dedicated to players, such as various image profiles dedicated to various genres, from FPS to RTS. How not to mention the FreeSync, the 120Hz also reached via HDMI - with a maximum of 144Hz when connected via DisplayPort - and its optimal contrasts and brightness peaks.
This screen, as well as console owners, we also recommend it to PC gamers (preferably with AMD GPUs). The image quality will remain the same on all three platforms, but it will be with the PC that you will make the most of it; the basic consoles unfortunately do not support many of the features it possesses, limiting themselves to 1920x1080p at 60Hz. The speech instead changes for Xbox One X, which natively supports every single feature mentioned. If you are not interested in 4K HDR screens, it could be a very good alternative.
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The best for PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X
BenQ EW3270U
Recommend a monitor that makes the most of PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X is a tough job. Some models hover around prohibitive price ranges, resulting in useless choices for most users. Fortunately, BenQ EW3270U, 4K HDR screen and FreeSync, turns out to be the best meeting point with the public, the model with the most advantageous quality / price ratio.
Let's start as always with the aesthetics that, even in this case, boasts a minimal profile, without sacrificing its elegance. Note the rather slim pedestal, which saves you a lot of space on your desk. As for connectivity we find two HDMI 2.0 ports capable of exploiting 4K HDR at 60Hz, DisplayPort, USB-C, headphone jack and power supply.
But how does it behave with Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro ? Very good. The panel - once connected - immediately recognizes the consoles and their features, working to the maximum from the very first moment.
Small note regarding the display of HDR content: once this feature is activated, the panel does not will allow you to change any parameters, except for a few small changes. In this regard, some users have complained about a warm color temperature display with the HDR option and cold with HDR Cinema. There is actually a way to remedy the problem, although it is not very clear and requires a little tweaking: basically you will have to set the image profile to "SRGB;" Once you have done this, once you start HDR content you will notice an optimal color temperature, much closer to what you would get by setting "warm 1" on the most common TVs.
The only real waiver - it only concerns Xbox One X - remains HDR Dolby Vision. Absence more than justified given that we are talking about a feature dedicated to multimedia content and present mostly on TVs.
At around 500 euros, therefore, you will take home a model capable of exploiting every single drop of your consoles and, why not, put you almost on par with the next PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, as long as you are not interested in reaching 120Hz when playing 4K and HDR content, in this case a higher bandwidth and the presence of a HDMI 2.1 port.
We also recommend taking a look at the next model, the BenQ Ew3280U, which is quite similar but with a revised design and a better rendering of HDR technology.
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Asus CG32UQ
With the previous model, BenQ EW3270U, you can only smell the potential of an HDR panel, this is because the screen has a peak of brightness that is not 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 Asus CG32UQ monitor which, with its 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, exactly like the BenQ the display is a 32-inch, now quite standard size for monitors. Finally, a feature certainly much appreciated by gamers, this model also supports FreeSync, which allows you to completely eliminate the problems related to tearing, so as not to have hitches during your games (even on NVIDIA cards).
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Best for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X | S
ASUS ROG Strix XG438QR
Do you want to be ready for the next gen and in place for the next 5 years (at least)? Well, the right purchase 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 and PlayStation 5, even exceeding the 4K 120Hz limit pushing up to 144Hz, it also has an above average color and contrast rendering. In fact, this panel exploits HDR 1000 which, combined with the remarkable contrast and brightness it achieves, gives life to 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 special and resembles a gaming peripheral from the first contact. Connectivity is also superior to normal, thanks to HDMI, DisplayPort and USB 3.0 ports.
In short, the price is very high, it is true, but know that you will take home a quality screen and above all current for many years.
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How to choose a gaming monitor for consoles
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 immediately have fantastic performance. In the following paragraphs we will go to see some of the features to pay attention to before buying a monitor. Let's get started!Type of display
First of all you need to have a clear idea and decide on the main use of the screen. If you just play, without any regard for entertainment, then a TN panel is the best choice as it can drastically lower the input lag. There are also other excellent compromises, such as IPS, capable of generating very faithful colors without completely neglecting the response time.Finally, the resolution of the panel 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 a resolution of 3840x2160p, alternatively consider the 2K or 1080p panels. As for the console world, however, if you own the new PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, 4K is certainly the best choice.
HDR and refresh rate
Let's start with this assumption: monitors and HDR, at least for the moment, don't get along so well. There are various panels that can support this technology, of course, but in the vast majority of cases they do not exceed 400 Nits (maximum brightness of the monitor). To work at its best, this technology needs many more Nits, the ideal would be 1000, but panels of this type easily exceed 1500 euros as an entry cost, and at that point why not buy a TV? It is very complicated, useless to go around it, this technology still seems too premature, at least with regard to monitors. However, it would be completely wrong to argue that the HDR yield of a panel at 400 or 600 Nits is completely to be thrown away. Clearly it is not comparable in the least, but the changes, especially if you come from 8 BIT panels, are very evident, therefore satisfying. For example, the Asus CG32UQ model demonstrates this.What about the refresh rate? First of all, if you don't have a video card or console capable of exceeding 60 FPS, it will be completely useless to invest in a 120Hz or even 144Hz panel. Before throwing yourself on a monitor of this type, make sure that your console is also adequate and, in the worst case.
