Key Points
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The best gaming monitor for PS4 is usable for current systems.
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Ergonomics and refresh rates are important to consider when shopping for monitors.
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There are several quality, under $100 options for best gaming monitors for PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
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If you’re willing to spend more money, there are incredible displays available.
Gaming monitors are your best alternative to flat-screen TVs — especially if you need something for a tight space like a desk. You might be in the market for a new console like a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. However, you also may be getting priced out by scalpers or the late stages of the pandemic chip shortage, so now you’re either stuck with the PS4 or Xbox One. This last generation of consoles still has some great games that aren’t available anywhere else. For instance, the best gaming monitor for PS4 boosts the display of a last-gen game that the PS5 or Xbox Series X just can’t.
Your budget narrows down the options for the best gaming monitor for PS4 or whatever console you’re scouting. Shopping for a gaming monitor for the first time is daunting for a lot of reasons. A common worry is if you're held back by choosing a "bad" monitor or a smaller budget. HaloHype has provided the following categories for every budget imaginable no matter what console you’re playing on. Since this is a Halo site, these ranges keep to a Halo theme.
Time to jump into it.
5 Things to Consider When Shopping For a Gaming Monitor
Specs for gaming monitors and displays require a lot of translating complex codes or numbers and can scare off even the most passionate and tech-savvy gamers. Below are the five things to consider before you even start Googling around for displays.
Budget
As the “end all, be all,” the budget dictates what is expendable whether that’s more money for better ergonomics or if you want that extra $20 to buy another game. Understand that if you want a higher resolution or size, you might need more cash.
Ergonomics
Many have heard the tale of the infamous “gamer neck” or “gamer posture.” A monitor doesn’t actively harm your body while you use it, so look into an adjustable display for your comfort. It’s recommended that your monitor meets your eye line as much as possible and adapts to whatever surface you place it on. Your eyes and neck will thank you after long sessions.
Resolution
While some games and graphics cards render at 4K, performance can take a nosedive if you’re rendering below 1080p. If you can, something between 1080p and 4K renders a PS5 or Series X at ideal rates.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate is how often an image appears on a monitor every second. The higher that rate is, the smoother the images appear. If your monitor is at 120Hz, you’ll see 120 frames per second while playing on the console. That’s pretty high. When looking into any monitor, understand that its refresh rate makes or breaks performance. If it’s possible to compromise and you go below 120, that's great. But you likely won’t want to.
Ports and Inputs
How many ports there are in a monitor gives you options if you need to switch between inputs. If you’re playing solely on console, you’ll likely have HDMI right away. It’s always a good idea to confirm this, however; getting a monitor without the right input is a real buzzkill. If the monitor has multiple inputs like VGA or DVI, it’s a common justification to mark up the price.
Now that you know what to shop for, check out the classification system and examples of what monitors to expect in each.
Marine Class — 0 or Less
The UNSC marines are entry-level soldiers dipping their toes into the conflict, learning how to fight. This monitor section is for gamers looking for a low-cost, reliable, and perhaps refurbished monitor that’ll get the job done. It’s indeed possible to get competitive on a budget of $100 or less, but if you’re not careful, those can wear out much earlier than you’d like.
Here are three gaming monitors to help you get your feet wet:
Sceptre E-205W-16003R
This 20” has a surprising balance of vivid colors and sharp imagery. It also has ports for HDMI, DVI, and VGA for older and newer systems to plug into, even an older computer tower. Depending on the retailer, a brand new version of this monitor goes for about $70 making it the perfect entry point into the game.
Asus VP228HE
A standard 16:9 LCD Monitor, this Asus 21.5” display offers crisp viewing for older systems and new ones alike. It has a surprising range of visibility and visual fidelity you’d expect in more expensive displays. This monitor is listed for under $100 at most retailers.
Element 1080p Frameless
The Element Electronics’ 24” frameless monitor immerses you in the action with its design all for under $100. Where other gaming monitors stick out like a sore thumb, this thin bezel blends in with any room’s decor whether you’re in a dedicated game room, dorm, or office space. This frameless monitor is an inexpensive option for a gamer of finer tastes.
Orbital Drop Shock Trooper Class — 1 to 0
The Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) is the specialist willing to infiltrate enemy lines for the daring missions necessary for success in the conflict. As such, this monitor class is in the midrange of budgets for those wanting a bit more than an entry-level display but not willing to shell out a price tag that could get you a Mjolnir armor set. These monitors are the standard range expected for a monitor that lasts and get you the best balance of size and visual fidelity.
Samsung CF396 Curved LED
The 24” CF396 is one of the best midweight heavy hitters available for monitors. It’s fairly compact, convenient, and provides higher display values but still is reasonably priced. Bright, vibrant, with 1080p resolution, it’s a quintessential example of what of the higher quality to expect from HaloHype’s ODST monitor class.
LG Ultrawide 29WP50S
Can’t find something reasonably priced and sizable? This 29” display provides a higher definition and a considerable 21:9 aspect ratio for convenient viewing from all angles. Two HDMI cords allow for quick switching between inputs just in case you have multiple game platforms and don’t feel like unplugging and replugging or don’t want to pay out the nose for an HDMI splitter. The Ultrawide is well worth the price tag of just under $200.
Asus TUF VG30VQL1A Ultrawide
The TUF HDR Monitor has a sleek curve and a 30” display that is well worth the $250+ price tag. It prioritizes size and displays quality like other midrange monitors, but this HDR tech allows for higher contrast: the brightest brights and darkest darks for all your gaming needs.
Spartans — The Big Spenders
Unless you play or design video games professionally, it won’t be every day that you’re considering a monitor in this price range. But in case you’re looking for a massive upgrade, these are among the best quality that a Spartan could ask for.
These are three of the most coveted gaming monitors right now:
Gigabyte G34WQC Ultra Wide
This monitor sets the standard for what a Spartan expects: a monitor offering curvature, immersive aspect ratios north of 21:9, and a display of 34” is considerable for its price in the mid $400 range. Low blue light and a high response rate are also appealing for those with sensitive eyes and higher demands of use.
AOC CU34G2X Curved Frameless
Ultrawide means ultra-large, and this behemoth is no exception for an ultimate battle station. This 34” display is a true 34” with frameless bordering that you’d expect the upper echelons of monitors to have. It also features six customizable preset configurations depending on what games you play. If you’re playing Halo Infinite but want to switch to an RTS like StarCraft, this monitor does it at the press of a button.
Samsung CRG9 Curved Monitor
Much bigger than the average monitor, this 49-inch tank of a display has a max resolution of 5120 x 1440 at 120Hz. It’s flicker-free to help reduce eye strain and is ideal for long game sessions while you grind the Halo Infinite battle pass. The CRG9 is an example of the most high-quality monitors on the market and ranges around $1000 a pop.
Time to Shop
Now that you know what to expect when shopping for gaming monitors for consoles, you can determine what benchmarks are useful within your budget. The right choice can last years and even some decent trade-in value if you play your cards right.
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