PickMyMonitor
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Monitor for PS5 and Xbox Series X

Buying a monitor for a console comes with one rule that admits no exceptions and that many people discover too late: without HDMI 2.1 there is no 120 Hz at full resolution, however many hertz the box advertises.

Why HDMI 2.1 is not optional

This generation of consoles only outputs over HDMI. HDMI 2.0 does not have the bandwidth for 4K at 120 Hz: either you stay at 60 Hz, or the monitor drops the resolution to reach 120. A full HDMI 2.1 carries both at once.

The detail that trips people up: there are monitors offering 240 Hz over DisplayPort and HDMI 2.0. On a PC they fly; with a console plugged in they only go halfway.

Which resolution makes sense with a console

Consoles are built around 4K, so a 27 or 32-inch 4K monitor uses their native output with no scaling. QHD also works well and costs less, but the console will scale the image.

120 Hz is plenty: no console game goes beyond it, so paying for 240 or 360 Hz only makes sense if the monitor is shared with a PC.

VRR and low latency mode

Both consoles support variable refresh rate, which removes the stutter when a game cannot hold its frame rate steady. Almost every current gaming monitor has it; it is worth checking that it works over HDMI and not only over DisplayPort.

Auto low latency mode switches itself on when the monitor detects the console and saves you the trip through the menus.

What we would buy

The models in the catalogue that best match what is explained above.

Frequently asked questions

Can I play on a PS5 with HDMI 2.0?

Yes, but capped at 4K and 60 Hz, or at 120 Hz with a lower resolution. Games that offer a 120-frame performance mode cannot be fully enjoyed.

Does a 240 Hz monitor improve anything on a console?

On a console, no: no game exceeds 120 frames. It only pays off if the same monitor is also used with a powerful PC.

Is a monitor or a TV better for a console?

A monitor wins on latency and at short desk distance. A TV wins on size and, at the high end, on HDR brightness. For playing under a metre away, the monitor is the better tool.