Whether you’re looking for a more immersive experience or fast high frame rate multiplayer gaming , pairing your Xbox Series X with a new gaming monitor will get you there.
Gaming monitors have all the same picture offerings as a TV, but with features more suited to enhance your gaming experience – such as high or variable refresh rate, low input lag, or wider color range. With the Xbox Series X being capable of 4K gaming at 120 frames per second, and the Series S capable of 1440p resolution, also at 120 fps, your TV may not make the most out of your console, while its size leaves you stuck playing from the couch.
TL;DR - The Best Monitors for Xbox Series X/S:
- LG 27GP850-B - Best Monitor for Xbox Series X/S
- AOC 24G15N - Best Budget-friendly Monitor
- Acer Predator XB283K - Best 4K Monitor
- Alienware AW3225QF - Best OLED Monitor
- ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM - Best Competitive Gaming Monitor
- Cooler Master GP27Q - Best Mini-LED Monitor
- Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 - Best Curved Monitor
A new monitor is the simple solution to our sofa-gaming woes, but not all are built the same. The hardware limitations of the Xbox Series X/S add some complications as well, and you may be stuck figuring out what features you need and which ones your system will even use. For example, while most monitors are HDR (high dynamic range) compatible – the Series X/S is only able to display HDR on a compatible 4K monitor, any other resolution is out of luck.
It’s important to be picky when choosing your gaming monitor. Not only do you have to dig into the details of each display – but also see how they will interact with your game system, and play into your personal gaming preferences.
With that said, if you’re new to gaming monitors or looking for an upgrade, I’ve done the shopping for you with this guide that’ll fetch your Xbox Series X/S the level-up you’ve been after.
1. LG 27GP850-B
The Best Monitor For Series X/S
It may be tempting for Series X owners to gloss over 1440p monitors like the LG 27GP850-B for the coveted 4k, but this monitor still has a lot to offer regardless of which system you use. With a 27” Nano IPS panel, this Ultragear monitor has excellent viewing angles, presented in a crisp 1440p resolution.
It may not be a 4K monitor, but don’t underestimate the LG27GP850-B. With variable refresh rate active on your Xbox, this monitor is capable of running both Series X and S at 120fps (frames per-second) in QHD, provided that your game is compatible. While it isn’t capable of using the Series X’ HDR gaming feature (only 4k monitors can do that) its 400-nit peak brightness makes for a vivid display with colors that pop.
It also comes seated on a large, fully-adjustable stand that can raise and lower the monitor with ease. Stands with a lot of movement like this one can make some people nervous when it comes to durability, however this monitor's build is heavy and sturdy, allowing for easy adjustments that won’t make you afraid to damage the screen. The back of the monitor itself has a large onboard speaker, and a sharp design that will fit right in with your gaming setup.
2. AOC 24G15N
Best Budget Xbox Series X/S Monitor
A firm entry-level option, this monitor is highly accessible for those that want to dive right into desktop console gaming, without waiting around for a deal on a high-end monitor. For those willing to pay slightly more for extra immersion, it also comes in a larger 27-inch variety (AOC 27G15N) with identical specs. If you’re looking to take the plunge into gaming monitors sooner than later, this one will get you there while being enough of a deal to justify a future upgrade.
Other than price-point this gaming monitor’s other main appeal is its refresh rate: At 180hz the AOC 24G15N can handle Xbox Series X games running at maximum speed. For a low price you also get Adaptive Sync, that’ll keep your head in the game during any pesky frame rate drops. While this is a step below QHD the 1080p Full HD resolution still looks fantastic for next-gen consoles, especially on a 24-inch display.
The VA panel is one of the few drawbacks of this monitor, though, as this panel technology is known for color shifting when viewed from side angles, and ghosting (when previous frames overlap with your current frame). The ghosting on this monitor is tolerable, however, and shouldn’t impact high motion gameplay, and the VA panel does come with some advantages. This monitor has quality color depth and contrast without the need for a painfully bright screen. This monitor’s panel is no different, with really dark shadows and rich colors; next-gen lighting effects look great on this display.
Keep in mind, though, this monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers. But it does have a 3.5mm audio jack so headphones or speakers can easily be plugged in to remedy this. Hardly a trade off for gamers that prefer to play with a gaming headset anyway.
3. Acer Predator XB283K
Best 4K Xbox Series X/S Monitor
The Acer Predator XB283K has an extra bright IPS panel that projects upward of 400-nits of brightness when HDR is active. The monitor is only rated at DisplayHDR 400, which isn’t the most encompassing HDR, but combined with the monitor covering 90% of the DCI-P3 color gamut colors on this display are still incredibly accurate and vibrant..
Now, while the monitor is limited to a 144Hz refresh rate, that’s still fast enough to get the smoothest gameplay the Series X can manage. And even when the monitor isn’t running at its maximum frame rate, FreeSync Premium eliminates screen tearing. Beyond poor button placement that gives the onboard menu a bit of a learning curve, the overall design is well up to par. The display mount is highly adjustable, while built in cable management and headphone rack keeps things tidy.
This monitor has the potential to run Xbox games at maximum resolution, frame rate and with HDR – but don’t forget to double check what settings are actually going to work with your gaming library.
4. Alienware AW3225QF
Best OLED Monitor for Series X/S
The Alienware AW3225QF is an extra-large 4K monitor that’s probably only worth it if you have the Xbox Series X. The Quantum Dot OLED back panel beefs up the 4K resolution, by giving each pixel its own individual brightness adjustment for tremendous clarity and depth. In SDR, the monitor has access to over 200 nits of brightness that explodes up to 1000 nits of peak brightness when HDR is enabled.
The very slight curvature radius is immersive and approachable, and makes for a great experience, whether you’re watching movies or playing games, and allows you to sit closer without the size of the display being completely overwhelming. This 32-inch display is also perfect for longer splitscreen sessions, especially if you don’t want the eye-strain from squinting at a smaller monitor.
The Xbox Series X can’t use the full 240hz refresh rate, but it does mean the monitor has all the bandwidth it needs for playing games at 120 fps, and if you upgrade to a gaming PC down the road, this will still be one hell of a gaming monitor. You also get an extremely low 0.3ms response time, which should all but eliminate input lagThe stand is just as appealing to look at itself with a simple but cool design, and two built-in RGB lights on the back for added flair you can set straight from the menu.
Thanks to the OLED panel, though its possible that over time the monitor may develop some burn-in from fixed HUD elements in games. If you play a variety of games, make smart use of brightness settings and also use the monitor’s built-in pixel/panel refresh settings – you can mitigate this issue and get the longest lifespan possible out of your monitor.
5. Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM
Best Monitor for Competitive Gaming
You may be curious why a 1080p monitor would be best for online and competitive gamers. 1080p monitors, while not offering the highest visual fidelity, are capable of higher refresh rates at a lower cost. So, if you’re the type that’s always playing esports games like XDefiant, a high frame rate will always outweigh a higher resolution.
Not only is the Asus TUF VG279QM with an exceptionally fast refresh rate of 240hz, but it also has Asus’ Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync onboard. ELMB Sync works alongside Adaptive-Sync, making for lightning fast refresh rates with minimal smearing ensuring you won’t miss a millisecond of the action.
The IPS panel allows for an on-average 400 nits of brightness, which helps make up for its lack of HDR compatibility with the Xbox Series X because, at peak brightness, every pixelshines, even in sunny rooms. With this dazzlingly bright display we also have a large 27-inch screen that builds your immersion even more in first-person shooters and gives a comfortably wide viewing area for fighting and racing games. This is also a large enough display to hook up two Xbox Series X/S controllers and go at it in splitscreen, provided you don’t mind sitting a little close together. It also has two built-in 2W speakers which, while unimpressive in sound quality, saves the headache of purchasing and setting up any more equipment.
Asus also includes a fully adjustable and weighty stand you can tweak to your heart's content. For a great monitor, specialized for performance gaming, this sits at a relatively low barrier-to-entry price; typically listing for just under $300 on Amazon.
6. Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q
Best Mini-LED Xbox Series X/S Monitor
Mini-LED is a relatively new panel technology that offers extreme shadow and color depth, brightness and a true HDR experience. Similar to OLED monitors, the Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q relies on 576 Mini-LED dimming zones and a Quantum Dot layer that automatically brightens and dims depending on what is happening on the screen. Thanks to these dimming zones, this is a fantastically well lit monitor, with none of the burn-in risk of an OLED display. Even though it's super bright at max settings, colors don’t appear desaturated and black levels stay inky-dark.
While there’s still the hiccup of Xbox Series X/S not allowing HDR on anything less than a 4k monitor this is still a gleaming display without HDR enabled. The Tempest also provides more than enough performance to run your Series X/S games at 120 fps, thanks to its native 165Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium.
If you’re falling in love with the idea of Mini-LED, have a Series X and want an even better HDR experience it also comes in a 4K variety, but you’re going to have to shell out the extra dollars to access that higher resolution.
7. Samsung Odyssey G7
Best Curved Xbox Series X/S Monitor
One of the biggest draws of gaming monitors is the ability to use multiple monitors in order to create a highly immersive battle station. Xbox Series X/S aren’t able to support multiple monitors in the same way a PC can,but curved monitors, like the Odyssey G7, can bring console gamers a similar experience.
The 16:9 aspect ratio and 27” screen fits perfectly with the display’s curvature, which comes in at a nice radius that doesn’t stretch or squash the image. It’s easy to get absorbed into high quality graphics with the handsome 1440p resolution, and 240Hz refresh rate
Samsung added an SVA panel with Quantum Dot LED backlighting to this generation of Odyssey monitors. This is a type of VA panel enhanced for stellar viewing angles, with the same intense contrast and color depth that are usually found in IPS panels.
I can’t shrug off the design sensibilities of this monitor either: The Samsung Odyssey G7 is a sharp and futuristic monitor, thanks to eye-catching Infinity Core lighting built into the back and front of the monitor’s chassis. This monitor is what we consider mid to high-end and so it’s proportionally priced – you can net a Samsung Odyssey G7 for around $700 from Amazon or Walmart.
How to Pick the Best Monitor for Xbox Series X/S
When choosing a monitor it’s best to know the limitations of your system and your game library. While the Xbox Series X’s big selling point is that it supports 4K and is capable of 120 frames per second, not every game natively supports these benchmarks.
Make sure that your monitor supports HDMI 2.1 and that you’re using the correct cable, as this is the only way to achieve 4k at 120fps with the Series X. It’s very important for Series S users to note that the S only supports a native resolution up to 1440p, so it makes little sense to shell out for a more expensive 4K monitor.
Do you prefer competitive online games like racing simulators and first person shooters? If that’s the case, a monitor with a high refresh rate and low ghosting is a must-have to give you an edge over the competition. Some hardcore esports fans prefer 1080p monitors for this reason, as they’re capable of higher frame rates and low input lag at a lower price.
Or are you a story driven gamer that wants to get lost in another world and be absorbed by gorgeous next-gen graphics? This is where finding the balance between screen resolution and refresh rate comes into play. While a 4K monitor would be the clear winner when it comes to delivering the best graphics for next gen games, it often comes at the cost of smoothness in gameplay. Keep in mind that when you enable ‘performance mode’ in your games, you’re usually lowering the resolution to 1440p or 1080p anyways.
Monitors for Xbox Series X/S FAQ
Is it better to play Xbox Series X/S on a TV or a monitor?
If going purely spec-by-spec, you could argue monitors are technically better for gaming, period. But this doesn’t account for personal preference or use of space. Using a gaming monitor is attractive but requires a bit of dedication to make it worth getting into – after all, without a proper desk setup where would you put your new monitor? Gaming monitors are great, but that isn’t to say you won’t still get a good gaming experience with a TV. Gaming monitors simply provide an edge that leaves it up to the player to decide whether to take advantage of them or not.
Can I use multiple or ultrawide monitors with Xbox Series X/S?
Unfortunately, ultrawide monitors like the Odyssey G9 are not compatible with the Xbox Series X, or any of the other consoles for that matter. We will have to simply wait and see if ultrawide monitors become more widely adopted in the future, hopefully leading to less compatibility issues. Ultrawide displays are solely the territory of PC gaming – at least for now.
Which screen resolution is the best?
The best resolution isn’t always simply the newest or the most pixels. 4K is creeping its way into being more affordable, while 1440p seems more poised to become the “standard” screen definition many gamers are clamoring for now. Don’t count 1080p out though, good old ‘High Definition’ still comes with its perks that has helped it maintain a firm place in the hearts of competitive gamers going for pure frame rates.
Plus, many 4K games are locked at 60 fps for Series X and require downscaling to 1440p in order to hit those top frame rates. You may have to double check your Xbox display settings sometimes when using 4K monitors, especially if you play older backwards compatible titles, so you’re always getting the best picture possible.
Elayna Willoughby is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering tech and gadgets. She has a lifelong love of gear from gaming consoles to smart phones and keyboards. She has a background writing poetry, fiction and non-fiction. When they aren’t writing, you can find them playing Cyberpunk 2077 or catching up on Star Trek in their free time. "Elle" also likes making music on her keyboard, and relaxing with her dog, Pippy. You can follow her on Instagram @starofthefire!
