IPS monitors are popular for providing with better color accuracy and super wide viewing angles. You can enjoy the screen from any angle without having to worry about shifting colors because it offers a 178/178 viewing angle.
Back in the day, even the best IPS monitors weren’t considered for gaming due to their slow response time but with technological advancements, things have changed. Today’s IPS monitors are perfect for gaming as they offer good color contrast as well as good response times.
However, picking the right product can be difficult due to the huge variety of options out there.
To help you in this regard, we have picked some of the best IPS monitors for gaming and general use. But first, we must get to know what it takes to find the top-notch IPS monitor. Let’s dive into the detail.
Top Picks:
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How To Choose The Best IPS Monitor
Before we take a look at the best IPS monitors, let’s find out what it takes to choose a good one. Here are the factors that you need to look into before making a purchase:
Resolution
If you are looking for a monitor to play high-end games and perform video editing then it is recommended to settle for 4k or 5k resolution monitors.
Graphics Card
Apart from resolution, a GPU plays a vital role in enhancing pixels. If a monitor supports FreeSync feature then it will automatically synchronize the GPU’s settings with the monitor to improve refresh rate and motion quality.
Refresh Rate
Most gaming monitors have a refresh rate of 144Hz. However, a monitor with 75Hz will also work great with the FreeSync option as it improves the response rate.
Input Lag
This feature is important for gamers because an input lag refers to how quickly the monitor can recognize the output from a graphics card. Monitors with high refresh rates will have low input lag.
G-Sync And FreeSync
Both of these features have the same goal, to reduce stuttering and screen tearing. However, monitors with G Sync feature support Nvidia graphics card and monitors with Freesync support AMD graphics card.
Flicker Free
This technology is a must for gamers because it prevents eye straining. It works by reducing flickering and makes it safe to stare at the monitor for up to 8 hours.
Customization
It is best to pick a monitor that lets you tilt the screen and adjust the height according to your needs so that there is no strain on your body.
Screen Size
Technically speaking, the bigger the screen the better it is. However, remember that a big screen may ruin some games, especially if you sit too close to the screen so always keep in mind the size of the room and sitting distance when picking a monitor.
11 Best IPS Monitors
Dell Alienware AW3418DW
Best Of All
If you’re looking for an IPS gaming monitor that offers a wide view then you’re in for a treat. It’s a 34” 3-sided bezel curved monitor which is polished with a silver finish that gives it a luxurious look.
This curved monitor gives a picture-perfect resolution of 3440×1440 WQHD which makes up for 3.68 million pixels in total. That’s 1.77x more detailed than an HD display. Therefore, you’ll be able to notice crisp and perfect shadows, every blade of grass, drop of sweat, etc.
It offers extensive and vivid colors along with a 178°/178° viewing angle which displays excellent result no matter which angle you look at it from. This monitor has a detailed and vivid SRGB 99% color reproduction and a pixel pitch of 0.2325mm.
The response time of AW3418DW is commendable at 4ms which takes the gaming experience up a notch. Moreover, it refreshes at 120Hz (overclocked).
Moreover, you can choose from FPS, RTS, and RPG and three different customizable game modes to enhance the experience.
Lastly, it offers 4 different lighting zones to create a personalized dynamic look.
Pros:
- Aspect ratio of 21:9 and 1900 radius
- Reduced stutter and lag
- Eliminates screen tearing
- The swivel hinge design lets you adjust the height and tilt the screen
- Multiple access ports for connectivity
- 6-feet power cord
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- No speakers
Acer Predator XB271HU bmiprz
Ultimate Gaming Experience
Acer Predator XB271HU is one of the best 27-inch monitors for many reasons. It offers a refresh rate of 144Hz which can be overclocked to 165Hz.
With a 1440p IPS panel, you also get to enjoy the NVIDIA G-SYNC technology to uplift your gaming experience.
This model brings 350-nit peak brightness to the table, along with a 1001:1 static contrast ratio and has a response time of 4ms and supports 100% sRGB colors.
XB271HU doesn’t come factory-calibrated which is why you will need to make color adjustments on your own. It’s pretty easy to set advanced 6-axis and RGB color setting using the OSD menu.
The resolution offered by the monitor is 1440p with 108.79 pixels per inch. You will definitely enjoy the output.
It works on NVIDIA G-Sync Technology that offers a variable refresh rate when you connect it to a GTX card. This technology alters its refreshing rate along with the GPU which results in less screen tearing and stuttering.
With the card connected, you will see a lag of as low as 1ms only.
Pros:
- Dark boost enhances brightness in dark parts of the game
- Place a custom aimpoint on screen for better aiming in FPS games
- ULMB technology displays a flicker-free picture
- Height adjustment up to 150mm
- Offers a tilt of -5°/20°, -/+ 30° swivel, 90° pivot
- Extra HDMI port to maximize 2560×1440 at 60Hz
- Built-in speakers, headphone jack, and four USB 3.0 ports
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Light may leak from the corners
ASUS VG279Q
Budget-Friendly Gaming Monitor
ASUS VG279Q is one of the few 27” monitors to offer both 1080p and 144Hz. These specs are found in TN and VA panels mostly. So, if you are looking for a monitor with sharp colors and good viewing angles then this can be a good choice.
With a response time of 3ms, this monitor offers smooth gaming quality. Moreover, you can get a CRT-like motion clarity by setting the refresh rate to 85Hz,100Hz or 120Hz. This is possible due to the ELMB backlight technology.
It has a 400-nit peak of brightness and 8-bit color depth to offer excellent picture quality. However, the pixel density is a bit low on this model due to it being a 1080p variant.
Low framerate compensation is yet another feature of this beauty. It offers a smooth performance even at 40 frames per second.
The adaptive sync feature allows users to use an AMD graphics card that works on 40-144/FPS. It helps eliminate screen tear and stutter from the picture.
Pros:
- Anti-glare matte 3H coating to reduce reflection
- Flicker-free backlight performance
- Supports motion blur reduction
- Built-in 2x2w speakers
- Shows 16.7 million colors
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer gamma and hue settings
Dell UltraSharp U2518D
Decent All-Rounder
Dell UltraSharp U2518D provides crystal clear details along with some amazing features that make the gaming and viewing experience worthwhile.
This 25-inch IPS monitor shows the high-quality result with the augmented HDR display. It is coated with gunmetal gray and black matte. Plus, it has a completely bezel-free design that looks aesthetically pleasing.
With UltraSharp U2518D, you get a resolution of 2560×1440. It also offers a refresh rate of 5ms and a maximum brightness of 350cd/m2, making games more enjoyable.
As far as colors are concerned, it has an average color contrast of 950:1 at 40% and 20% brightness.
Lastly, with 117 pixels per inch, you get perfectly vibrant images.
Not to forget that it offers an HDMI 2.0, mini dp 1.2, display port and 5 USB slots.
Pros:
- It comes factory calibrated
- 100% sRGB color gamut coverage
- You can set the height adjustment up to 5 inches
- Good refresh rate of 60Hz
Cons:
- The HDR feature drops colors in some games
- No speakers
Acer Predator X27 bmiphzx
For Gaming Enthusiasts
Gaming enthusiasts know how important resolution is to the overall gaming experience. This beauty is made with gamers in mind and offers excellent resolutions and refresh rates.
This 27-inch IPS monitor offers a 3840×2160 resolution. In addition to this, you get a refresh rate of 144Hz (overclockable) and G-sync technology as well.
The screen comes with a 384-zone backlight and peak brightness of 1000 nits with Adobe RGB color and HDR.
The backlight can be adjusted to either gaming or desktop mode. Apart from that, it also incorporates a three-level overdrive control, FPS counter, and aiming reticles to enhance the gaming experience.
This model is constructed using a light absorbing fabric with a thin aluminum stand that makes it easier to move the monitor.
The HDMI port is nicely placed. Moreover, you also get to enjoy 3 USB ports.
Pros:
- 3-year warranty
- Offers a color depth of 10 bit
- Supports G-Sync technology
- Durable build quality
Cons:
- ULMB is not included
- Brightness cannot be adjusted in the HDR mode
LG 34UC79G-B
Great UltraWide IPS Monitor
This 34-inch curved IPS panel monitor has a 3800mm radius which ensures that there’s no image distortion. It’s a top-notch monitor with a bunch of amazing features.
LG 34UC79G-B offers a resolution of 2,560×1,080 with a pixel density of 82 PPI. It also offers a normal refresh rate of 50Hz but thanks to the AMD Freesync, you can increase it to 144HZ which is quite commendable. However, consider installing an AMD GPU so that the refresh rate synchronizes with the GPU settings.
It has a brightness level of 250 cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 1363:1. It portrays vibrant colors and a wide diversity of shades with matching tones.
However, it struggles a bit when it comes to pink and red shades due to the sRGB coverage falling a bit short at level of 92.1%.
Pros:
- Offers FPS and RTS modes
- Supports crosshair
- Works on 1ms motion blur reduction technology
- LED-Lit type display
Cons:
- Response time could be better
LG 27GL650F-B
IPS Monitor That Brings Gaming to a New Level
LG 27GL650F-B is a Full HD gaming monitor with a pretty decent refresh rate of 144Hz, which will allow you to experience clean picture while playing your game.
Along with that comes very good blur reduction of 1ms, which completely removes blurriness from your screen, allowing you to completely enjoy those next-gen graphics.
Also, it has G-Sync compatibility, meaning that you won’t have to worry about sudden frame drops or frame skips and instead, you will be able to fully commit to enjoying your game.
Apart from that, this monitor features Radeon Free Sync tech, making it a perfect match to be used with AMD Radeon graphic cards. Along with that comes HDR10 compatibility.
When it comes to some extra features, this 27” monitor allows you to completely customize its position since you can adjust the height, you can rotate it and you can completely adjust tilt stand to your wishes.
Pros:
- Pretty good refresh rate
- Blur reduction option
- It is compatible with G-Sync
- Includes Radeon Free Sync
- Features HDR10 compatibility
Cons:
- Higher resolution would be nice
BenQ GW2480
The Best Cheap IPS Monitor
This one is the probably best IPS monitor under $200 that you can get. It’s a 24” 1080p eyecare monitor which is suitable for all kinds of users.
It offers a full HD display (1980×1080) resolution with a pixel density of 23.8 inch.
The monitor has a flicker-free backlight technology. It features a filter that helps prevent blue lights to keep your eyes safe. You can choose from 4 blue light settings: web surfing, multimedia, reading, and office.
BenQ GW 2480 is an 8-bit color monitor system (6 bit + 2 bit FRC). FRC is the frame control rate of a monitor which shows good color schemes even at low resolutions.
The monitor covers the standard sRGB color gamut which is an added plus.
It has an Advanced High-Performance IPS panel system (AH-IPS) offering a peak nit brightness of 250 and offers a 60 Hz refresh rate and a contrast ratio of 1000:1.
With a response rate of 5ms and input lag of 10ms, this monitor ensures that there’s no delay.
You can increase the response time by setting the AMA option to Premium or High from the OSD menu. AMA (Advanced motion acceleration) is used to cut off time delay and improve output.
Apart from that, you can also overclock the system up to 75Hz if you wish to enhance motion clarity.
There’s also a built-in sensor inside the monitor that sets the level of brightness automatically according to the ambient lighting. Thus, your eyes won’t feel tired even after long hours of use.
Pros:
- It contains pre-calibrated picture resets
- Offers picture adjustments (hue, saturation, 5 gamma presets, contrast, RGB color levels, etc)
- Contains an HDMI, display, VGA port along with two 1-watt speakers
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not suitable for demanding gaming
HP VH240a
For Casual Gamers
Another budget IPS monitor that you should consider is the HP VH240a. It has a 24-inch screen and a resolution of 1080p. It’s a good fit for casual gaming and everyday use.
It can be frustrating when the monitor shifts images when you see from the side angles. However, you will face no such problems when using this beauty as it has a 178-degree wide angle view that keeps the picture intact even from skewed angles.
You get plenty of screen space with the full HD resolution and a pixel density of 92 pixels per inch.
This 8-bit color monitor shows 16.7 million colors but covers only 72% of the color gamut. Hence, it might not be the best choice for heavy work such as editing and high graphics gaming.
Still, it’s feasible thanks to the 5ms response time, 60Hz refresh rate, 250-nit brightness, and 1000:1 contrast ratio.
Pros:
- VGA, HDMI, built-in speakers included
- Supports auto-sleep mode
- Anti-glare coating prevents reflection
- Very small delays
Cons:
- No display port
Acer SB220Q bi
The Best IPS Monitor Under $100
This 21.5 inch IPS monitor works flawlessly. It offers Full HD resolution, shows vibrant colors, and even supports AMD free sync to reduce response times. All in all, this is the best IPS monitor under $100.
The IPS panel on this monitor supports gaming and high-end graphics. With both horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 178, you won’t have to worry about image shifts. Moreover, the color contrast is also commendable.
Since this monitor has a response time of 4ms, you will experience little to no ghosting while watching a movie or playing a game. Plus, there are no blurs and the picture is neat and clean.
It offers a refresh rate of 60 Hz but you can enhance it to hit a high of 75 Hz for a better gaming experience.
It incorporates the AMD Freesync feature that allows you to synchronize the frame rate with the graphics card. It results in better response time and quality. More importantly, you won’t be seeing any stuttering and screen tearing.
Pros:
- Aimpoint feature gives three crosshairs overlays
- Black boost increases brightness in dark portions of a game
- Overdrive will improve response time
- Comes with pre-calibrated custom gaming profiles (racing, arcade, etc.)
- Flicker-free and blue light filter supported
Cons:
- No VESA mount option
- Size
Samsung LC24F396FHNXZA
Good Choice For Low-End Gaming
Samsung LC24F396 is an ideal monitor for both gaming and everyday activities. It reflects 16.7 million colors and the image quality is also quite sharp.
Since this monitor has a contrast ratio of 3000:1, you will get to see vivid colors at 1080p resolution. Thanks to this contrast, the black and white parts on the screen are prominent and the quality looks realistic.
Moreover, it has a pixel density of 93 PPI which further enhances quality.
The eye saver mode on this monitor helps minimize flickering and captures blue lighting to provide a soothing experience. With this option enabled, you can play high-end games, watch movies or perform work for longer hours without getting tired.
The monitor can auto adjust brightness according to the environment. It’s eco-friendly and very useful, too.
This 24-inch monitor might have a refresh rate of 60Hz but thanks to the free sync option, you can match the refresh rate of the monitor with the GPU installed into the computer.
Pros:
- 1800R screen curvature looks aesthetically pleasing
- Less delays (11ms of input lag)
- 4ms response time
- Samsung upscale option enhances picture quality
Cons:
- No display port
Conclusion
At the end of the day, choose a monitor that suits your requirements. Pick a 4k IPS monitor if you wish to enjoy high-end gaming or go with a 1080p monitor for office use.