Monitors for PS5, PS5 Pro & Xbox: 2026 buying guide

Key points in brief

A monitor for a console is bought according to different rules from one for a gaming PC. The reason is simple: the PS5, PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X|S only have an HDMI output. The DisplayPort through which a PC gets the best out of the panel remains unused with them. This means the HDMI input alone determines how much of what you pay for actually reaches the screen. This guide therefore first answers what you need – the reasoning follows afterwards.

What do you need when?

Three rules that prevent a bad purchase:

• The interface decides, not the hertz figure. 1440p at 120 Hz already runs over HDMI 2.0; 4K at 120 Hz needs HDMI 2.1 – on the PS5 this also applies to VRR (Variable Refresh Rate: the refresh rate follows the game’s frame rate and prevents tearing, i.e. torn image edges). The Xbox also gets VRR over HDMI 2.0, provided the monitor states sync support for that input.
• The advertised hertz figure is a panel value. What the HDMI input accepts of it is a second figure – and that is rarely stated in the data sheet.
• Response time is not input lag. The 0.5 or 1 ms in the data sheet describes the panel – depending on the measurement method, the pixel transition (GtG) or how long a moving image remains visible (MPRT). What you actually feel between controller and picture is a third value that hardly any data sheet states.

This guide then sorts the models from our range into three tiers (1440p/120, 4K/120 and OLED) and clarifies which input on a monitor with several HDMI sockets really carries 4K at 120 frames. With several sources, that is the real question, not the number of connections.

On this page

• Which monitor suits the PS5?
• 27-inch 4K/120 or 1440p: what is worthwhile on a console?
• Console profiles at a glance
• Why 4K/120 only works via HDMI 2.1 – and DisplayPort is no use to the console
• How many HDMI 2.1 inputs does the monitor need?
• Response time or input lag: what counts on a console?
• VRR approval or just “Adaptive Sync”?
• Which monitors do we recommend for PS5 and Xbox?
• Monitor or projector for the PS5?
• Positioning and accessories
• Frequently asked questions
• Would you like advice?

Which monitor suits the PS5?

Three routes suit the PS5, and the table above assigns them: a 1440p device with HDMI 2.0, a 4K panel with HDMI 2.0 for 4K at 60 frames, or HDMI 2.1 if 4K at 120 frames and VRR are to be added. The special PS5 case here: 4K output at 120 frames is only available where a title supports this output mode – 1440p at 60 or 120 Hz, on the other hand, is always output by the console.

One question comes up again and again: why does the new monitor only show 60 Hz on the PS5? The HDMI input is the most obvious cause; the section on HDMI 2.1 explains why. The three tiers under Which monitors do we recommend show which models serve these routes.

What does the PS5 Pro change when choosing a monitor?

The 4K tier with HDMI 2.1 suits the PS5 Pro: its PSSR upscaling (the Pro’s image processing) renders the image more finely before it reaches the monitor – the higher the panel’s resolution, the more likely you are to see a difference. The Pro changes nothing about the signal: it too only outputs 4K at 120 frames via HDMI 2.1. The suitable models are listed in tier 2; where contrast makes the biggest difference, tier 3 lists the OLED models.

27-inch 4K/120 or 1440p: what is worthwhile on a console?

At 27 inches, 1440p is already sharp; 4K renders text and textures more finely, but requires HDMI 2.1 for 120 frames. The difference becomes clearer from 32 inches and at a desk close up, where text and menus also play a role alongside the game. The table shows which output needs which input.

When are 120 frames worthwhile – and where is the money better spent otherwise? Two things need to be separated. A 120 Hz-capable input is regularly worth something on a console: it carries not only the pure 120 fps modes but also quality modes at 40 frames, which require 120 Hz output, and in tier 1 it costs hardly anything extra. The panel refresh rate above 120 Hz is a different matter: nobody on a console can use what a monitor with 144, 200 or 320 Hz can additionally do; only a gaming PC can. That extra cost is the one you would do better to put into a 4K panel, a stated HDR tier or a second HDMI input on a fixed budget. The same applies to competitive shooters and racing games such as Gran Turismo 7: you need the 120 Hz input, not the faster panel. Only when a gaming PC is connected to the same monitor does the higher panel rate pay off. The guide Projectors for PS5, PS5 Pro and Xbox lists which console offers which modes for each device.

A worked example: PS5 and Series S at the same desk, budget around €250. With the entry-level model from tier 2, both get an HDMI input, and the PS5 also gets HDMI 2.1 – the prerequisite for VRR, though not yet proof of it. Tier 1 would be cheaper, but would bring neither 4K nor, with HDMI 2.0, the prerequisite for PS5 VRR.

Console profiles at a glance

Which output needs which input is explained in the table under 4K/120 or 1440p. This profile shows what distinguishes the consoles from one another; all four support 1440p and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode, the automatic switch to the low-latency mode).

In a nutshell: With the Series S, a 4K panel contributes least to the gaming picture, because the console upscales its image to it – it can still be worthwhile for desk work alongside gaming. What each console can do in detail and which games use the 120 fps modes is explained in the projector guide for each console: PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

And the Nintendo Switch 2? It is not the focus here, but fits exactly into the first tier: for TV mode, Nintendo states a maximum of 3840 × 2160 at 60 fps, and 120 fps only when 1920 × 1080 or 2560 × 1440 is set. If 120 frames matter to you on the Switch 2, a 1440p monitor from tier 1 is the right choice; if you prefer 4K, you get it – but at 60 frames, for which HDMI 2.0 is enough. Worth noting for your choice of monitor: Nintendo only lists VRR in the specifications for the built-in screen, not for output to a TV or monitor.

Why 4K/120 only works via HDMI 2.1 – and DisplayPort is no use to the console

The HDMI 2.1 standard provides for up to 48 Gbit/s; HDMI 2.0 ends at 18 Gbit/s and therefore only carries 4K at 60 frames (HDR has been part of it since version 2.0a). How much of that a 4K/120 signal really needs depends on colour depth and chroma subsampling, which is why the input’s version number is more reliable information than the Gbit figure. The order matters: the version number tells you what the standard allows. How much bandwidth a specific input actually provides and which signal it accepts is a separate specification that by no means every data sheet gives.

Then there is the rule that prevents most bad purchases: the hertz figure on the box is a panel value that is usually achieved via DisplayPort. On monitors with HDMI 2.0, the HDMI input often accepts less. For the console, the question “HDMI 2.1 or 2.0” is therefore more important than the one between 144 and 200 Hz. The DisplayPort remains unused on it anyway, as does USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode.

How the console finds out what is possible in the first place. When switched on, the monitor reports via its EDID which resolutions and frame rates it accepts on that input. The console then chooses the best of what it is offered. If 1440p/120 is missing from this list, the PS5 silently falls back to the next best combination, usually 1080p/120 or 4K/60. You see a picture, just not the one you paid for, and no message points this out.

This information can be found; it is just rarely where you look for it. Three cases from our range show how differently it can be placed:

We already have this information for some of our gaming monitors. If it is missing for the model you want, it is one of the values we will obtain for you (here’s how to ask).

Our overview of gaming monitors contains the general buying guide on frame rate, sync, 27 inches and panel technology. This guide sticks to consoles.

How many HDMI 2.1 inputs does the monitor need?

One per console. The PC is connected via DisplayPort and does not occupy an HDMI input; two HDMI inputs are therefore enough for a PS5 and an Xbox side by side. Only with a third source, such as another console or a streaming player, does the number of HDMI inputs become a buying criterion.

In short: Two HDMI inputs are the standard here and are enough for two consoles. What matters, however, is not the number of sockets but their version – the CG48 demonstrates this: four devices can stay plugged in, but only one of its four inputs is a 2.1 port, so exactly one device gets 4K at 120 frames. Two consoles at the same time in 4K at 120 frames therefore require two 2.1 inputs, not merely two sockets.

Response time or input lag: what counts on a console?

On a console, input lag is what counts, and monitor data sheets almost never state it. Response time describes something else: how quickly the image follows a change, i.e. smearing. It even comes in two measurement methods that are not comparable. GtG (grey to grey) measures the pixel transition itself, MPRT the time an image remains visible; MPRT values are lower and are often only achieved with black frame insertion switched on. Our tables therefore indicate which method is meant. Input lag, on the other hand, is the time from the signal at the HDMI input to the visible image, i.e. the monitor’s share of the delay between controller and response. The term is explained in our projector A–Z entry on input lag.

For classification we use our own rule of thumb, not a standard. It only applies to values measured in game mode at 4K/60: up to 16 ms excellent and suitable for competitive shooters, 17 to 25 ms very good for action and racing games, 26 to 35 ms good for role-playing and adventure games. At 60 fps there are 16.7 ms between two console frames; a monitor in the “excellent” class therefore stays below the frame interval. At 120 fps it is only 8.3 ms, and there every millisecond counts.

The input lag cannot be read from the response time in the data sheet; the difference between 0.5 and 1 ms means nothing on a console. What you can feel, however, is whether the monitor passes the signal straight through in game mode or post-processes every frame. Most gaming monitors have a dedicated picture mode for this, and the console signals the start of a game via ALLM. Whether a model has this mode and whether it switches automatically varies from device to device – the device class alone does not tell you.

VRR approval or just “Adaptive Sync”?

The two consoles set different conditions, and that decides the purchase. Sony is clear: VRR switches on automatically on the PS5 when it is connected to an HDMI 2.1 display with VRR support. An HDMI 2.0 input is therefore ruled out, whatever else the monitor can do. The Xbox Series X|S goes via the monitor’s sync support on the HDMI input, and that is also available on HDMI 2.0. For the PS5, then, interface and explicit VRR support count together; for the Xbox, the support on the input.

The brand names are easily misleading: FreeSync Premium and G-Sync Compatible primarily describe certifications for PC graphics cards from AMD and NVIDIA. What counts for the console is the information on whether the monitor accepts variable frame rates via HDMI, and in which frequency window.

And it is precisely this information that is rarely in the data sheet. Three examples from our range: on the Asus XG27AQ, Adaptive Sync runs via HDMI from 48 to 144 Hz, even though the input is HDMI 2.0. On the iiyama G-Master GB2791QSU-B1, G-Sync Compatible is stated at 48 to 320 Hz on DisplayPort and HDMI, with the limitation mentioned above. On the iiyama GB2771UHSU-B1, VRR is explicitly stated alongside FreeSync Premium, as you can read in the iiyama data sheet for the GB2771UHSU-B1 (PDF). If it is missing for the model you want, the same applies as above.

One more trade-off that matters before buying: the motion clarity function, called Motion Blur Reduction (MBR) at iiyama and ELMB at other brands, switches off on most devices as soon as Adaptive Sync is active. You then have to choose between VRR against tearing and MBR against motion blur. There are exceptions: with ELMB Sync, the Asus XG27AQ explicitly supports both at the same time. On a console with a fluctuating frame rate, VRR is the more sensible choice if in doubt.

Which monitors do we recommend for PS5 and Xbox?

Three tiers based on what actually arrives: 1440p at 120 Hz, 4K at 120 Hz, and OLED as the HDR upper class. Every console works on every tier; the tier only determines how much of its output arrives – more on this in each summary. Technical values are taken from the manufacturers’ data sheets; prices are rounded guide values for orientation – you can see the current price on the respective product page. The sync support column reflects what the data sheet says about the respective input: if it only gives a brand name without an input, the HDMI side is simply not documented – and on a console, that is exactly the difference.

Tier 1: 1440p at 120 Hz

In short: The affordable route to 120 frames; the Series S gets the most out of it, and the Nintendo Switch 2 is also at home here. The Asus XG27AQ shows how far apart the consoles are: ASUS specifies its output on the Xbox Series X|S as 1440p at 120 Hz including VRR, but on the PS5 as 1080p at 120 Hz or 1440p at only 60 Hz. No manufacturer in this tier states VRR on the PS5 – HDMI 2.1 alone is not enough for that.

Tier 2: 4K at 120 Hz

All seven have HDMI 2.1 and therefore the prerequisite for 4K at 120 frames.

The HDR column gives the VESA tier where the manufacturer states one, otherwise whatever the data sheet provides instead. A missing VESA tier does not mean that a device does not accept an HDR signal – it simply means that no certification is stated. Pay attention to the wording: a manufacturer abbreviation such as “HDR400” looks like a VESA tier, but is not one.

In short: None of these data sheets explicitly mentions the PS5: all list FreeSync Premium or Adaptive Sync – certifications that primarily apply to PC graphics cards – without naming the associated input. On the Xbox, sync support on the HDMI input is enough; for the PS5 it is no proof. After that, size decides: 27 inches for the classic desk, 32 inches for more area, 43 inches for sofa distance. And with HDR, the decision is between brightness and area: if you want visible HDR, take the XV275KP3 – it is the only one with a certified tier above DisplayHDR 400. If you want more picture instead, go for 32 or 43 inches: with the Acer XB323QKV3 with DisplayHDR 400, with the two iiyama models without any stated VESA tier at all.

We stock further 4K models for which we are still asking the manufacturer about the frame rate actually accepted per input. Tell us the model you want, and we will clarify it before you order.

Tier 3: OLED for the highest contrast

All six have HDMI 2.1. Here too, no data sheet explicitly states VRR for the PS5. Two devices go furthest, as their data sheets quantify the sync range for the HDMI input instead of just naming a brand abbreviation: the Asus XG27ACDNG with 48 to 360 Hz and the Samsung G80SH with 48 to 240 Hz. This makes it more likely that the PS5 accepts them as VRR displays, but it is not proven – we can obtain this information from the manufacturer on request. DisplayHDR True Black is the separate VESA tier for self-emissive panels. Like DisplayHDR 400 or 600, it sets brightness requirements, but it also demands a black level that is orders of magnitude deeper. That is where the visible difference lies, and that is why these figures cannot be compared with those from tier 2.

On a console, OLED is worthwhile because of the contrast: an OLED panel switches off each pixel individually and therefore shows dark game scenes without greyed-out black. The technology does carry one risk: fixed game HUD elements such as the minimap and health bar remain unchanged in the same place for hours and can burn in – which manufacturers mitigate with pixel shifting and pixel refresh, but cannot rule out. The buying guide for gaming monitors covers the general panel questions.

In short: This tier is not a step up in resolution but in contrast – the Asus XG27ACDNG and the Samsung G60SF have a 1440p resolution, putting them below tier 2 in that respect, but they offer OLED black. After that, the seating distance decides: just under 27 inches at a close desk, 32 inches as the usual compromise, 48 inches where the monitor replaces the TV by the sofa. 4K and OLED together are available four times: the EX271UZ, X32X3 and G80SH at the desk, and the CG48 as a 48-inch alternative for the sofa. If, on the other hand, you value a documented HDMI sync range, you will find it on the XG27ACDNG and the G80SH. This tier costs around €1,000 to €1,600, with the 48-inch version at the upper end.

Monitor or projector for the PS5?

The monitor is the usual choice at the desk and in competitive play: short seating distance, up to 120 Hz on the console (only a PC uses higher panel rates), short signal paths without image processing. The projector wins on the sofa: 100 inches and more, several players, HDR with tone mapping on a large surface. The guide Projectors for PS5, PS5 Pro and Xbox shows which projector suits which console, and the models with a game mode are listed in the overview Gaming projectors.

In between lies a third class: the 43-inch iiyama G4380UHSU-B2 and the 48-inch Acer Predator CG48 bring desk technology to sofa distance and replace the TV when the room does not allow projection. With the monitors recommended here, however, 48 inches is the limit. Beyond that, the TV takes over: Sony’s Bravia models automatically switch to the right picture mode with the PS5 via Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, although on the Bravia 8, 4K/120 and VRR are only available on two of the four HDMI inputs; the comparison with projectors and laser TVs is in the Bravia comparison. If the picture should grow even larger without drilling into the ceiling, a laser TV stands on the TV unit and projects from there at 100 inches and more.

Positioning and accessories

To clarify at the desk before buying:

• Choose the cable class according to the output: 4K/120 needs an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable rated at 48 Gbit/s; 4K/60 with HDR and 1440p/120 run over a Premium High Speed HDMI cable rated at 18 Gbit/s. At 4K/120, even short cables fail if they cannot handle the bandwidth. You will find suitable lengths among our HDMI cables.
• Height and mounting: According to the data sheets, the 27- and 32-inch models from tiers 1 and 2 come with a height-adjustable stand with 110 to 150 mm of travel, allowing the centre of the image to be set at eye level. For a monitor arm or the wall, the VESA dimension of the respective model counts; the information is on the product page. Suitable arms and wall brackets can be found among the TV and display mounts.
• Sound works differently on a monitor than on a TV: Neither the PS5 nor the Xbox still has an optical audio output, and only in exceptional cases do monitors offer the return channels ARC and eARC, via which a TV passes the sound on to the sound system. With a monitor, that leaves two routes: built-in speakers for menu sounds and ambient noise, and the headphone output for stereo to speakers or a soundbar. Neither is stated in every data sheet. In any case, you hear the PS5’s spatial audio most directly through a headset on the controller or via USB, independently of the monitor. For multichannel sound via speakers in the room, the usual route is a TV or an AV receiver between console and sound system.

The value that is almost never in the data sheet: Which frame rate the monitor you want really accepts via HDMI is usually only stated in the manual, if at all (the section on HDMI 2.1 explains why). Tell us your console and the model, and we will obtain the information for you: Contact + request personal advice →

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is a 60 Hz monitor enough for the PS5?

For games at 30 or 60 fps, yes. You only reach the 120 Hz output modes once the HDMI input processes 120 Hz – in 1440p already via HDMI 2.0, in 4K only via HDMI 2.1. The step from a 60 Hz device to a 200 Hz panel such as the iiyama GB2771QSU-B1 stays within the entry-level tier, under €200.

Can the PS5 output 1440p?

Yes, since the September 2022 system update at 60 and 120 Hz, and 1440p/120 also runs via HDMI 2.0. Sony added VRR at 1440p with a later update; it only works on monitors with HDMI 2.1. The 1440p devices for this are listed in tier 1.

Does the Xbox Series S need HDMI 2.1?

No. A 1440p monitor with HDMI 2.0 makes full use of it, provided its input handles 120 Hz; what it renders in which title is in the console profiles. Suitable models are listed in tier 1.

What happens with a 21:9 or 32:9 monitor on a console?

The console does not fill it. The PS5, PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X|S output exclusively in 16:9; on a wider panel the image is therefore centred, with black bars on the left and right. As long as the monitor maintains the aspect ratio and does not stretch it to full screen, you lose nothing – the image simply doesn’t get any wider, and you are paying for an area the console doesn’t use. For the console, what counts with a widescreen format is therefore the height: a 34-inch device in 21:9 shows your game at roughly the same size as a 27-inch screen in 16:9.

On a PC, on the other hand, these formats show their full strength, especially in racing and flight simulations and in open worlds. If you use both at one desk, you will find the devices among the 21:9 monitors and 32:9 monitors; for the console alone, 16:9 remains the right choice.

Does a curved monitor bring anything on a console?

The curvature is a question of seating distance, not of the signal: the console outputs its image without knowing about the curve and loses nothing as a result. It comes into its own at close range and from around 32 inches, where it brings the edges of the image to a similar distance from your eyes as the centre. The only thing to bear in mind: strongly curved models are often widescreen formats at the same time – in which case the paragraph above applies. If you are interested in the design independently of the console, you will find the selection among the curved monitors.

Why does my monitor only show 60 Hz on the PS5?

Four causes are typical: the monitor has a 4K panel with HDMI 2.0 and only accepts 4K at 60 Hz; the HDMI input is below the panel value (why); the cable cannot handle the required bandwidth; or the game does not support 120 Hz output. Check in this order – settings first, then hardware: graphics mode in the game, the output settings for 120 Hz and 1440p on the PS5, then the cable class, the HDMI version of the input, and finally the frame rate that this input actually accepts.

Does G-Sync work on a console?

G-Sync is the certification for NVIDIA graphics cards in a PC; the PS5 uses VRR via HDMI 2.1 instead, and the Xbox HDMI VRR according to the respective monitor’s specifications. A monitor with G-Sync Compatible is not at a disadvantage on a console; the feature simply remains unused there. With the iiyama GB2791QSU-B1, what counts for the PS5 is its HDMI 2.1 input with a stated Adaptive Sync range – but the data sheet does not name explicit PS5 approval.

Which HDMI cable do I need for the monitor?

For 4K/120, one from the Ultra class rated at 48 Gbit/s; below that, the Premium class rated at 18 Gbit/s is sufficient; if in doubt, the one with a certification label. Bandwidths, lengths and where to buy are covered in the accessories section.

Would you like advice?

We will be happy to advise you: tell us your console, desired size and whether a PC will also be connected to the monitor, and we will recommend the right model along with the cable class. By phone on 0221 719981-0 or by email to vertrieb@beamer-discount.de. All 4K models with HDMI 2.1 are collected under 4K monitors.

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• Monitors
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