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So you have a Sony PlayStation 5—what next? Accessories like extra storage are helpful, but you need a proper gaming monitor to elevate your gaming and viewing experience. Our favorite all-around pick for the PS5 is the MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD, but we have plenty of choices for budget shoppers, frequent travelers, and deep-pocketed players who want the latest and greatest. Let's run down our favorite monitors for the PS5, each of which we chose based on our extensive experience testing monitors, evaluating things like image quality, ease of use, and value for money. After the list, read on for a breakdown of all the details you need to know before buying a monitor to use with your PS5.
Our Top Tested Picks
MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD
Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor (S2721HGF)
Alienware 500Hz Gaming Monitor (AW2524HF)
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL3A
Sony Inzone M9
Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD-OLED
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE
Best Overall Gaming Monitor for PS5
MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD
- One of the most feature-packed monitors we've ever seen
- QD-IPS panel is highly responsive in all modes, including HDR
- Exceptional gaming performance in all scenarios
- Thoughtful design and port layout, including HDMI 2.1
- Integrated KVM
- Square-shaped stand may not be ergonomically friendly for all gamers
- Oversaturated color out of the box
- Slightly higher dE values than average
The MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD is a few years old but remains one of our favorite quantum dot monitors. QD tech adds a thin layer of microparticles that help boost color accuracy and brightness, and the MPG321UR-QD showcases the tech well, displaying exceptional gaming performance in all scenarios. Color contrast and accuracy may need some tweaking on the user's end, but other than that, we can't help but recommend it.
With excellent performance, high refresh rates, and HDMI 2.1 support, the MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD is a great overall pick for PlayStation 5 owners.
Best Budget Gaming Monitor for PS5
BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S
- Exceptional gaming performance
- Low input lag
- Well-designed OSD menu
- Stand and cabinet design may not be for all gamers
- No USB ports
- HDR performance is middling
The PlayStation 5 is expensive, so gamers might not be ready to invest another two or three hundred dollars in a monitor to accompany the console. If you are short on change, the BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S might quickly and easily solve your display woes. You've got some limitations to consider—it's a 1080p display with middling HDR and no USB ports—but we picked it because of its exceptional gaming performance and low input lag, as well as its low price.
The BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S is not for gamers looking for dazzling 4K visuals, but it'll satisfy those looking for just enough to enjoy their games while not going broke in the process.
Best Gaming Monitor for Basic 1080p Play on PS5
Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor (S2721HGF)
- Inexpensive for a 27-inch high-refresh gaming panel
- Very low input lag
- Excellent Nvidia G-Sync performance
- Mediocre contrast
The Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor (S2721HGF) is a perfect example of a monitor that offers stellar gaming performance for a very reasonable price. Low input lag and a solid refresh rate define the display, while its slight curve gives it a distinctive look. The Dell 27 may not have as many features as its pricier Alienware-branded siblings, but it's a simple and effective way to play your PS5.
If you can live with its modest 1080p resolution, the Dell 27 Curved (S2721HGF) is one of the best gaming monitors for the PS5.
Best Gaming Monitor for High-Refresh 1080p Play on PS5 (and PC!)
Alienware 500Hz Gaming Monitor (AW2524HF)
- Low input lag
- Built-in headphone hanger
- Exceptionally high refresh rate
- Two DisplayPort inputs
- No headphone jack
- Still a pricey prospect
If you're like us, chances are your monitor is meant for more than just console gaming. If you have a PC that allows it, you can easily tap into higher frame rates and better visuals. The Alienware 500Hz Gaming Monitor (AW2524HF) is meant for esports play with its sky-high refresh rate of 500Hz, but it can easily handle the PlayStation 5 and its 120fps mode. The 1080p maximum resolution might be a turn-off for some, but if you're a pro player who prefers high refresh rates over high resolutions, you probably won't mind.
Competitive players who want a monitor to serve their console and PC needs will find a lot to love with the Alienware 500Hz Gaming Monitor (AW2524HF).
Best Gaming Monitor for High-Refresh 1440p Play on PS5 (and PC!)
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL3A
- Relatively affordable
- Excellent color accuracy
- Support for AMD FreeSync Premium
- Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
- Poor audio quality from built-in speakers
- Not the most handsome monitor
On a budget but don't want to sacrifice resolution? Money-savvy gamers might be interested in the Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL3A, which combines a QHD (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) resolution and a 180Hz refresh rate. It's a great choice for PS5 gamers who want to activate Performance Mode on their consoles, and it offers midrange PCs plenty of headroom to crank up resolutions and refresh rates. The monitor is a little ugly, and its built-in speakers are frankly not good, but for $299, we're willing to sacrifice a few niceties.
The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL3A delivers great performance for PS5 players on tight budgets or those with midrange PCs.
Best Gaming Monitor for High-Refresh 4K Play on PS5
Sony Inzone M9
- Eye-catching design
- Exclusive features for PlayStation 5
- Very low input lag
- HDMI 2.1 and USB-C ports included
- Expensive
- Sound quality is unremarkable
Sony's first attempt at a gaming monitor is the Inzone M9, a 4K panel with an aesthetic that matches the PS5's black-and-white color scheme. With exclusive PS5 features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping, which automatically detects your PS5 at startup and optimizes HDR settings, the Inzone M9 is uniquely equipped to maximize the performance of your console. At 144Hz, the monitor is ideal for high frame rates and VRR modes on the PlayStation 5. PC gamers might find it lacking in features for the price, but Sony's freshman effort is worth a look.
If you're interested in brand synergy and want the curtains to match the drapes, the Sony Inzone M9 is a great buy for 4K console play.
Best OLED Gaming Monitor for PS5 (and PC!)
Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD-OLED
- Excellent color accuracy and color gamut
- Low input lag
- High HDR brightness
- Distinctive aesthetics
- Expensive
Offering 4K resolution at 240Hz, the Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD-OLED blows many competitors out of the water based on its performance specs alone. But thanks to the OLED panel, it also boasts impressive visuals. The display's slight curve comes with benefits, including reduced glare and deeper perceived blacks, but it also makes the monitor look bigger than it actually is. It's an excellent, if expensive, choice for both PlayStation 5 and PC gaming.
If money is not a factor, don't miss the Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD-OLED's OLED brilliance.
Best Portable Gaming Monitor for PS5
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE
- High refresh rate and low input lag
- Built-in battery and speakers
- Bright (272 nits) and colorful (97.7% of sRGB)
- Kickstand works in both landscape and portrait modes
- Includes soft carrying sleeve
- Expensive for a 15.6-inch portable monitor
While it may be pricier than most portable monitors, the Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE justifies its cost with low input lag, a 144Hz refresh rate, and excellent color range right out of the box. The XG16AHPE is a formidable, well-rounded portable display for gaming, and it should serve you well if you're traveling and need a screen for your PlayStation 5.
Gaming on the go? The Asus ROG Strix XG16AHPE is a worthy companion that pairs well with the PlayStation 5.
What Resolutions Will the PS5 Run At?
Screen resolution in a monitor for the PS5 is a key initial consideration. Officially, the PlayStation 5 supports only two of the most popular gaming monitor resolutions: 1,920 by 1,080 pixels (a.k.a. full HD or 1080p) and 3,840 by 2,160 pixels (a.k.a. 4K or UHD). The console technically also supports 8K output, but anyone expecting an 8K gaming experience (or even a robust 4K one) is vastly overestimating just how much gaming power is under the PS5's hood. Anything relating to the unit's 8K video playback or gaming capabilities is locked down by the system's firmware, anyway.
Originally, 2,560 by 1,440 pixels or 1440p, a popular resolution with PC gamers, was not an option for the PS5, despite many developers' claims that activating it should be as easy as changing a setting. The middle resolution has become a sweet spot for many serious single-player gamers on PCs, who want more pixel density than 1080p while retaining the responsiveness that only resolutions below 4K can deliver in competitive esports. Thankfully, an update in September 2022 added 1440p support.
Considering that games like Fortnite have been optimized to run at up to 120 frames per second (fps) at 1080p resolution on certain Xbox consoles, players of that and similar titles may want to look at monitors that regularly hit refresh rates (screen redraws per second) of at least 120Hz. But there's some PS5-specific nuance there, too. So, let's get into that key issue next.
Refresh Rate: Why Screen Speed Matters
The PlayStation 5 supports different resolutions and refresh rates, including a refresh rate of up to 120Hz at either 1080p or 4K resolution (output from the PS5). The thing is, only a few games can actually run at frame rates as high as 120fps at 4K, and not as many as you'd think can even manage it at 1080p.
With the PS5, support for refresh rates above 60Hz is game-dependent and by no means consistent. Here's a list as of the end of May 2024, courtesy of PlayStation Universe, of PS5 titles that offer 120Hz gameplay, with special notes for those that will render the game at customized resolutions under 1080p depending on the developer's limits. As you can see, 120Hz support can vary by resolution or even by in-game mode of play.
Most gaming monitors fall into one of the following maximum-refresh-rate tiers: 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, 200Hz, 240Hz, or 360Hz. If you plan to play only on your PS5 (that is, without any PC gaming in your future), choosing a display that tops out at either 120Hz or 144Hz is good enough. Beyond that, you could be paying for higher refresh rates you'll never see on screen. If you do plan on using your PC as well, then a monitor with a higher refresh rate might be up your alley, especially if you enjoy dabbling in esports.
Display Cables (Can) Matter Connecting Your PS5
Next, a small detour to talk about cables. While previous consoles usually maxed out at HDMI 2.0, both the PlayStation 5 and the latest version of the Xbox Series X support HDMI 2.1.
Our primer on the state of HDMI 2.1 will give you a deeper understanding of why this is a crucial distinction. The HDMI 2.1 spec supports up to 120fps at either 1080p or 1440p resolution. However, if you're trying to play PS5 games at 120fps in 4K, you'll need a 4K monitor that's compatible with the HDMI 2.1 spec and that supports that refresh rate at that resolution. You'll also need an HDMI 2.1-compatible cable, dubbed an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. (More about that at the link above.)
Monitors with HDMI 2.1 support, 4K resolution, and 120Hz or higher refresh rate are becoming more common, but they are far from the norm. If you're planning on buying a monitor with a higher refresh rate because you'll be using it with your PC, know that you'll have to use a DisplayPort, as well as a solid GPU and CPU, to tap into those higher refresh rates from your gaming PC.
What Are VRR and ALLM? (Hint: It's Sony Keeping You Competitive)
Finally, in 2022, Sony delivered firmware updates for the PS5 that enable two critical features if you take competitive gaming seriously: variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM).
VRR is the console version of Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync, two technologies that sync the graphics processing unit (GPU) with the display. For games like Fortnite that might exceed 60fps or 120fps at times, VRR makes sure that the game frames are synchronized with the timing of your monitor's screen redraws, reducing screen artifacts and an issue known as screen tearing. With tearing, partial images from two different screen draws misalign with one another during action sequences. VRR keeps your image clean from tears and visual stutters during fast motion.
ALLM, meanwhile, helps reduce the input latency between your console and display. Input latency affects how long it takes for an action, such as a button press, to be reflected on the screen. The lower the number, the more quickly you'll be able to react to what your character does in response to your inputs. Look for monitors that support these features. Several of the models we've listed in our roundup will have VRR, ALLM, or both buried somewhere in their settings for you to turn on and take advantage of during high-intensity multiplayer battles.
So, What Is the Best Monitor for PS5?
Ready to make your PS5-centric pick? We've provided a guide to some of the best gaming monitors we've tested that are a good fit for the latest Sony console. Keep in mind that a few high-refresh-rate 4K displays are compatible only with DisplayPort 1.4b connections (which is to say, with PCs only), though they'll support ordinary HDMI for PlayStation 5 use at 60Hz. (Plus, you might want to check out our favorite PS5 games to snag.)
