When it comes to gaming, having the right equipment is essential;specially when playing with Sony’s Xbox One. A good gaming monitor is vital for providing the highest quality gaming experience possible. In this blog post, we will explore what is the best gaming monitor to purchase when considering the Xbox One.
When gaming on the Xbox One, performance and visuals are crucial; therefore, gamers should be looking for the best gaming monitors available on the market. The most important thing to consider when choosing gaming monitors for the Xbox One is its refresh rate. The refresh rate is measured in Hertz or Hz and refers to how rapidly the monitor refreshes the display for each one of the frames in a second – a faster refresh rate means higher frame rates and smoother gameplay.
In terms of gaming monitors for the Xbox One, generally speaking you will get the best results with a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. However, monitors with a refresh rate of 144 Hz or higher will provide an even enhanced gaming experience. Furthermore, if you are playing on a 4K console such as the Xbox One X, having a 4K monitor enables gamers to take advantage of the console’s full capabilities.
Aside from refresh rate, there are other features to consider when choosing gaming monitors for the Xbox One; for example, the response time and input lag. The response time of a monitor measures the time for one pixel to change from one color to the other, the lower the response time the better. Input lag refers to the time required for a monitor to display a change in pixels, and again the lower the input lag, the better. For a competitive gaming experience, it is recommended to aim for a response time of 4 milliseconds or lower and an input lag under 10 milliseconds.
Along with the technical specs, gamers should also consider the available ports on the monitor. Connecting the monitor to an Xbox One requires HDMI; however, some monitors may also offer DisplayPort, VGA and DVI. Having a variety of ports available makes it easier to connect and control other compatible devices; such as extra monitors, projectors, keyboards, mice and more.
Curved Monitors
Monitors have also become increasingly flexible and diverse in terms of design; for example curved monitors. Curved monitors have grown in popularity, primarily due to its immersive capabilities and wraparound view. This has made curved monitors a great choice for console gamers, as it grants them a more virtual-reality feel to the gaming experience. Additionally, curved monitors provide enhanced peripheral vision which can be great for racing games, shooters and other multiple-viewpoint games.
Although curved monitors can have technical advantages over their flat-screen alternatives, there may not always be an advantage in practice; so it is recommended to evaluate the available curved monitor options and decide accordingly. Furthermore, curved monitors come in a variety of sizes and resolutions, making it important to choose the right size to fit your needs.
IPS vs TN Panels
In addition to curved and flat models, there are also different panel types to consider. Panel type stands for the technology used to create the actual display on the monitor and the two most common types are called in-plane switching (IPS) and twisted nematic (TN). IPS panels are known for their wide viewing angles and better color accuracy while TN panels offer faster response times, making it the preferred choice for gamers. A good compromise between the two is an vertical alignment (VA) panel which offers good color accuracy and decent response times.
At the end of the day, deciding on the best monitor for playing Xbox One comes down to personal preference. If your focus is on competitive gaming, it is recommended to go for a monitor with a lower response time and input lag, while gamers playing visually-intensive games should consider monitors with higher refresh rates and 4K resolution. Moreover, if you prefer a more immersive experience, getting a curved monitor is ideal.
Price
The price of gaming monitors can vary greatly with the most basic monitors starting at around $200 while top-of-the-line models can cost up to $1000. To get the most out of the Xbox One and its capabilities, gamers searching for the best gaming monitor should look for models ranging from $400 to $600.
Connections
In terms of connections, it is recommended to opt for monitors with multiple ports to allow for the connection of other gaming peripherals. The Xbox One typically requires the use of HDMI ports; however, other gaming peripherals may require the use of USB ports or even DisplayPort or DVI ports. Therefore, when purchasing a monitor for the Xbox One, make sure it has the necessary ports.
Viewing Features
Finally, gaming monitors come with a variety of additional viewing features such as anti-glare, adjustable stands and more. Some models even come with built-in speakers and additional gaming modes. All of these features can add to the overall gaming experience, however, for the most part, these additional features are not essential for experiencing the full capabilities of the Xbox One.
Size
The size of the monitor is also an important factor to consider when shopping for gaming monitors. In general, bigger monitors are better since they can allow you to experience the unique features that the Xbox One provides. However, bigger monitors can be more expensive and may require additional desk space; therefore, use caution when choosing the size of the monitor.
Brand
When it comes to gaming monitors for the Xbox One, there is no single brand that stands out. All major gaming monitor manufacturers offer models suitable for the Xbox One and choosing one largely comes down to personal preference. Having said that, popular brands such as Acer, Asus and LG provide good quality monitors with up-to-date features and specs.
