When it comes to finding out what the best monitor panel type is for gaming, the good news is that it's relatively straightforward! However, what's best is very different depending on what type of gaming you're using your monitor for.
Each monitor panel type has different qualities with its own unique benefits and disadvantages, so it's not the case of 'newer equals better', but more the case of picking the right tool for the job.
Let's dive into exactly what makes the best monitor panel type for gaming and what you should look for.
What is the Best Monitor Panel Type For Gaming?
There are three main panel types: TN, IPS and VA. As mentioned each one is best for different scenarios and in some cases budgets too.
IPS panels are the newest tech out of the three and they offer wide viewing angles, fast response times, and excellent colour reproduction.
TN panels are older and on the whole, cheaper too. They typically boast fast response times, decent contrast, but less impressive viewing angles than IPS.
And finally, VA monitors have excellent contrast, great colour and nowadays excellent response times. Think of them as a 'middle ground' between TN and IPS monitors.
LATEST TECH: IPS Monitors like this one are the new kids on the block (See it on Amazon)
Best Monitor Panel Type for Competitive Gaming
For competitive gaming, you'll want to make sure that you first select the best monitor size, as you'll want to reduce any unnecessary head movement, but when it comes to panel type it's all about speed!
You'll be able to find a ton of monitors which have 1ms response times, but we'd say that zoning in on either TN or IPS panels would be a good place to go.
TN panels are on the whole less expensive, so if you're after a budget-friendly monitor, this could be a great choice.
IPS monitors will give you greater viewing angles which may be useful if you have an audience and want them to check out your skills!
FAST & BUDGET FRIENDLY: TN monitors like this perform and don't break the bank (See it on Amazon)
Best Monitor Panel Type for Gaming and Movies
When it comes to ultra-realistic gaming and excellent visuals VA monitors appear to be a good way to go. You'll get high contrast and deep blacks, which will pair nicely with epic solo campaigns or movies.
Viewing angles are better than a TN panel, but still not as good as IPS, so getting a monitor which allows for adjustability could be a wise move.
There are loads of VA monitors on the market to choose from, ranging from 1080p to 4K and of course, ranging in price.
SHOWSTOPPER: This VA Monitor boasts HDR and 4K! (See it on Amazon)
So as you can see, what's best is entirely down to your primary use of the gaming monitor itself, but this should give you a good grounding of where to start your search.
If you're on the hunt for a new gaming monitor, whether you're interested in a standout budget monitor for under 300 or an HDMI 2.1 showstopper, you may want to check out our specific guides to help you with your search.
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- Best Monitor for Competitive Gaming 2021
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