Best monitor for Xbox Series X 2022: pair your new-gen console with a gaming-focused display
The best monitor for Xbox Series X is fast becoming a genuine, plausible, and excellent display option for owners of Microsoft's current-gen consoles. With the Xbox Series X offering 120Hz high-refresh capability, and both the Series X the Series S offering 1440p resolutions, it is now a plain fact that home consoles are offering some specs and features that would be equally at home on a monitor as well as a TV.
What's more, the new generation of home consoles has been with a new generation of monitors which have been designed to happily accommodate and match up with these machines: many pack HDMI 2.1 and so plenty of bandwidth to support ultra-high res 4K rendering at 120Hz with variable refresh and all the HDR bells and whistles turned on. Of course, many TVs now offer the very same functionality. But TVs can come with downsides, such as input lag, poor pixel response, and overly aggressive image processing; things not present on the best gaming monitors for Xbox, for example.
Displays designed for the Xbox Series X, however, are fine-tuned for what really matters for gamers, namely response, low latency, and accurate rendering. And you’re not paying for features like SmartTV interfaces or digital tuners that aren’t relevant for gaming, making the best monitor for Xbox Series X a specific and accurate solution.
You can also get Xbox Series X monitors that pack that full feature set in much smaller and more ergonomic packages than TVs - like the best 4K monitors for gaming, for example. Sure, 30-inch and even smaller TVs are available. But not with 120Hz panels, 4K, or 1440p native resolution, and HDR support. If you want 120Hz gaming with 1ms response and HDR support in a desk-sized package, maybe with a DisplayPort input for tag-teaming with the best gaming PC or best gaming laptop, well, a monitor is definitely the way to go. Nonetheless, in many scenarios, depending on your needs, preferences, and budget, a console-optimised monitor could be your gaming weapon of choice.
The best gaming monitors for Xbox Series X in 2022
1. Acer Nitro XV282K
The best monitor for Xbox Series X
Screen Size: 28-inch | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 / 4K | Brightness: 400 nits | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Features: HDR 400, 144Hz, USB-C with 65W charging, DisplayPort 1.4; HDMI type HDMI 2.1 x2
4K and 120Hz in a compact package
IPS panel with 1ms response
USB-C with charging
Only basic HDR support
Expensive for a 28-inch panel
One of the advantages of a gaming Xbox Series X monitor over a TV is the option to pack all those next-gen display features into a compact package. This is exactly what the new Acer Nitro XV282K is all about.
Based around a 28-inch IPS panel, it ticks an awful lot of boxes, starting with up to 144Hz refresh and the full 120Hz over HDMI 2.1. Thanks to the use of a modern IPS panel, the response is rated at a nippy 1ms. And that’s 1ms by the gray-to-gray metric, not the less demanding MPRT measure.
There’s variable rate refresh support for liquid-smooth rendering, too, plus a focus on delivering low latency. There aren’t all that many games that will run at 4K and 120Hz on the Series X. But for those that will, including Halo: The Master Chief Collection, this Acer panel is surely the weapon of choice. It also has basic HDR capability thanks to HDR 400 certification. With that comes 400 nits of brightness.
With both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 connectivity, the Acer Nitro XV282K is likewise the perfect tool for tag-teaming with both a Series X and a PC. Even better, the XV282K also has USB Type-C connectivity with 65W of charging. If you’re planning on sharing your screen with a laptop, in other words, this model makes that super simple thanks to single-cable connectivity to drive the display, charge your laptop and connect peripherals.
It all comes in a slick chassis with slim 7mm bezels on three sides of the panel, which ensures that this is about as compact as a 28-inch monitor can get. It also offers a full range of adjustments, including height, tilt, swivel, and even rotation into portrait mode.
2. BenQ EL2870U
The best cheap Xbox Series X monitor
Screen Size: 28-inch | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840x2160 / 4K | Brightness: 300 nits | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Features: HDR10, variable refresh rate, DisplayPort 1.4; HDMI type HDMI 2.0 x2
The full 4K for less money
Speedy 1ms TN panel
Low latency
Not too bright
Limited HDR support
If you’re looking for a responsive, 4K gaming monitor for Xbox Series X on a budget, something’s gotta give. That something is 120Hz high refresh support. Of course, for many of the very best looking games, 120Hz is arguably a moot point, given 4K means driving over eight million high-quality pixels to your panel of choice every second. 60Hz or 60fps is, still, plenty.
Enter, therefore, the BenQ EL2870U, a tried and tested 28-inch 4K monitor with a strong gaming feature set. What it doesn’t have, however, is HDMI 2.1 support. So it can only hit 60Hz. It’s also TN rather than IPS in terms of panel tech. So, don’t expect the best contrast and viewing angles. Oh, and it’s rated at 300 nits, so it won’t exactly burn you a new set of retinas, either.
But don’t let that put you off. Along with the full 3,840 by 2,160 4K native resolution, the BenQ EL2870U gives you a 1ms response and ultra-low latency. And that’s 1ms TN-style, which tends to be faster in the real world than 1ms from an IPS screen. If you want super speedy, blur-free visuals in shooters like Fortnite, this is about as good as it gets. BenQ has also included variable rate refresh support over both HDMI and DisplayPort.
As for HDR support, the EL2870U will accept an HDR signal and render colours correctly, though there’s no VESA HDR certification and no local dimming. With a DisplayPort 1.4 socket, it’ll make for a decent desktop PC monitor, too.
3. Acer Predator CG7
The best massive monitor for Xbox Series X
Screen size:: 43-inch | Aspect ratio:: 16:9 | Resolution:: 4K; 3840x2160 | Brightness:: 1,000 nits | Response time:: 1ms | Viewing angle:: 178/178 degrees | Contrast ratio:: 4,000:1
Mega 43-inch 4K panel
VA tech delivers huge contrast
Up to 144Hz for ultra-responsive gaming
Not a true HDR panel
Backlight is edge-lit
Very pricey
Acer’s beastly 43-inch Predator CG7 has been updated to offer HDMI 2.1 support, and that makes it a shoo-in for our best gaming monitor for Xbox Series X guide now. An early note: as ever, the branding of the new variant is confusing. It’s the Acer Predator CG437KP you want, the additional ‘P’ on the end is the critical indicator of the updated model - the prices you see here are for that and the links will take you to the right place.
Specs-wise, the VA panel is the real 4K deal and good for fully 1,000 nits of brightness and 1ms responses, albeit that 1ms stat is not the usual gray-to-gray, but Acer’s Visual Response Boost mode, which comes at the cost of brightness. Just as important it’ll hit the full 120Hz thanks to that HDMI 2.1 upgrade (connected to a PC it’ll go even faster - 144Hz).
For the record, Acer says it will also run at 120Hz at 1440p on the Xbox Series X, giving you the option to step down the resolution in return for more speed and response. That makes this panel suitable for twitchy online shooters like Fortnite, while the sheer scale and punch of the VA panel is also a good fit for graphics fests like Assassin's Creed: Valhalla.
As for colour accuracy, Acer reckons the CG7 is good for 90 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut, which isn’t too shabby. The CG7 is also DisplayHDR 1000 certified. However, it only has 14 edge-lit dimming zones rather than full-array local dimming, so it’s not the full HDR deal. That said, the inherent 4,000:1 contrast of the VA panel combined with that powerful 1,000 nits brightness means that this is about as good as it gets with having full-array dimming.
Read more: Acer Predator CG437K review
4. Gigabyte M27Q
The best 1440p Xbox Series X monitor
Screen Size: 27-inch | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 / 2.5K | Brightness: 350 nits | Response time: 0.5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Features: HDR 400, 170Hz, variable refresh, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C, KVM switch; HDMI type HDMI 2.0 x2
Uber feature set
Fast response
Quality 170Hz IPS panel
Not the full 4K experience
Limited HDR support
The Xbox Series X’s ability to run games at fully 4K and 120Hz grabs all the headlines. But depending on your budget - and whether you play on an Xbox Series S - aiming for a monitor of 1440p resolution could actually be more significant. Sometimes known as 2.5K, 1440p refers to a native resolution of 2,560 by 1,440 pixels.
All told it’s fewer than half the pixels of 4K and that means lower GPU load, higher frame rates, and a more responsive feel. But does that also come with less visual detail? Not necessarily. At least, not in terms of pixel density if you compare the 1440p Gigabyte M27Q with, say, a 55-inch 4K TV. It’s this Gigabyte panel that has more pixels per inch.
It’s also dramatically cheaper than a comparable 4K panel, as in less than half the price. After all, the Gigabyte M27Q has one heck of a feature set. Its IPS panel is good for 0.5ms pixel response (albeit by the MPRT rather than more demanding GtG metric) and 170Hz refresh. The M27Q is also DisplayHDR 400 certified, supports variable refresh rate, and is rated at 92 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space. It even has USB Type-C, though only with 10W of charging power.
All that in a 4K monitor? It costs megabucks. With this little 27-inch 1440p beauty, it’s so much more affordable. Not only will you probably not miss the extra pixels much of the time compared to a 27-inch 4K monitor, but the higher frame rate will also reduce latency and improve responsiveness. As an all-around solution for pretty much any kind of gaming, 1440p isn’t so bad after all.
5. AOC 24G2 / 24G2U
The best budget-friendly 1080p IPS monitor for XSX
Screen Size: 24-inch | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 / Full HD | Brightness: 250 nits | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Features: 144Hz, variable refresh rate, DisplayPort 1.2; HDMI type HDMI 1.4 x2
Proper IPS panel
144Hz refresh
Variable refresh rate
No HDR support
Relatively puny 24-inch panel
Not terribly bright
Limited to a budget of around $200 / £200? Don’t despair. A high-refresh monitor with a decent IPS panel is within reach that will still be a top Xbox Series X gaming monitor. Enter the AOC 24G2 and its closely related AOC 24G2U sibling. Inevitably, some compromises have to be made. The 24G2 / 24G2U are mere 24-inch monitors with a modest 1,920 by 1,080 resolution, otherwise known as 1080p. The difference between the two? The 24G2U adds a USB hub.
Good for a seriously zappy 1ms pixel response and with both variable refresh rate support and a low input lag mode, they run at a fulsome 144Hz, albeit you’ll only be using 120Hz of that on your Series X. Of course, that’s far lower resolution than a 4K panel with just one quarter the number of pixels. But then fewer pixels means more frames and lower latency.
In other words, you’ll actually be able to make full use of the Series X’s 120Hz capability and the FPS Boost feature, which might just give you that critical edge in your Battle Royale or team-based shooter of choice, be that Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, Battlefield 5 or Overwatch.
One obvious omission, spec wise, is HDR capability of any kind. But then very few monitors deliver a true HDR experience. So, at least AOC doesn’t tease you with the promise of HDR only to ultimately disappoint. What’s more, with slim bezels and both height and tilt adjustment, this panel doesn’t feel or look like a budget option.
6. ASUS XG27UQ
The best 4K gaming monitor for Xbox Series X that offers everything
Size: 27-inch | Resolution: 4K (3840x2160) | Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Response Time: 1ms | Panel: IPS | Ports: 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort, 2x USB 3.0, earphone jack
Perfect specs of 4K, 144Hz, 1ms
It's far cheaper than any other monitor with similar specs
The best way to play the latest AAA games
Quite expensive than most
Until now, 4K60fps+ gaming has been a concept only attainable by the hardcore enthusiasts who dedicate everything they have to PC gaming and their best gaming monitors. Not anymore. Thanks to the new-gen consoles, and the launch of the 30-series cards from Nvidia, and AMD's RX series equivalents, it's finally affordable for those who desire it.
The ASUS XG27UQ changes that entirely, bringing almost the best possible specs on a 4K screen down to a reachable tier for everyone - including Xbox Series X players. It's still not cheap, but a 4K monitor with 1ms response time and a 144Hz refresh rate going below the $1k mark is quite something. And it does that quite considerably too, coming in at around $800/£800. It's still a hefty price tag, don't get me wrong, but it's far cheaper than the other top-tier offerings.
The ASUS XG27UQ is like a gaze into what gaming can really be like: Cyberpunk 2077 had my jaw on the floor, with stunning lighting effects and texture detail throughout Night City. As did Assassin's Creed Valhalla, with the sunrays splitting the treetops. You will not be disappointed with this contender for best gaming monitor for Xbox Series X.
7. BenQ EW3270U
The best affordable 4K Xbox Series X monitor
Screen size:: 31.5-inch | Aspect ratio:: 16:9 | Resolution:: 4K; 3840x2160 | Brightness:: 300cd/m2 | Response time:: 4ms | Viewing angle:: 178/178 degrees | Contrast ratio:: 3,000:1
Excellent 3,000:1 static contrast
Perfectly sized monitor for console
Slightly older model
No 120Hz
BenQ's monitors hit a number of different excellent value-, price- and performance points and the BenQ EW3270U is one that will offer a great contender for best gaming monitor for Xbox Series X mainly because it's another attractive, 4K panel that doesn't break the bank. While it's a slightly older model and not a true HDR display, it will process an HDR input like the above EL2870U, but it will also - thanks to its VA panel - give you a fantastic 3,000:1 static contrast and some seriously vivid and bright colours. Yup, you won't get that 120Hz again, but the offering is still an attractive one here.
You do get all 3,840 by 2,160 pixels and really nice core image quality in a generous 32-inch package. At this price point, we'd expect to see monitors of a good handful of inches smaller in size. Throw in a slim-bezel design that looks far more expensive than it is and it’s a very compelling overall package.
It won't truly unleash the full fury of the Xbox Series X, but if you're willing to prioritise 4K resolution, excellent colours, and large monitor size, then this BenQ is well worth a look.
8. Philips Momentum 559M1RYV
The best 'designed for Xbox' Series X monitor
Screen size:: 55-inch | Aspect ratio:: 16:9 | Resolution:: 4K; 3840x2160 | Brightness:: 1,200 nits | Response time:: 4ms | Viewing angle:: 178/178 degrees | Contrast ratio:: 4,000:1
Huge 55-inch panel
Full 4K and 120Hz experience
Crazy bright at 1,200 nits
Pixel response is ‘only’ 4ms
HDR performance is middling
Expensive compared to TVs
With the first of what’s set to be a whole family of console-optimised monitors, Philips has gone big with the Momentum 559M1RYV, all 55 inches of it. Philips says that low latency is one of the Momentum’s core features and what marks it out from 4K TVs. So, yes, this is the full 4K Monty with HDMI 2.1 and support for up to 144Hz refresh, making it the perfect TV-sized gamijng monitor for Xbox Series X.
VRR or variable refresh rate support is also included, which bodes well for both response and fluidity. Even more impressive is the VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification. In fact, the Philips Momentum 559M1RYV peaks at an eye-popping 1200 nits peak brightness in HDR mode. Even in SDR mode, it’ll hit a heady 750 nits. Ouch.
The detailed spec includes VA panel technology with excellent 4,000 to one static contrast and impressive 95 percent coverage of the demanding DCI-P3 colour space. A Bowers & Wilkins soundbar is also included as standard. As a big-screen option, then, this Philips panel looks promising. But not quite perfect.
The response is rated at 4ms, whereas the best LCD monitors are rated at 1ms. Moreover, this monitor has only just been announced and it’s not clear if this monitor supports local dimming. Without it, it won’t be a true HDR display, whatever the certification. Still, the sheer scale of this thing will be spectacular for anything graphically intensive, from cinematic driving games like Forza Horizon to the eye candy-infested escapades of Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla.
9. Samsung U32J590
The best Samsung 4K monitor for Xbox Series X
Screen size:: 32-inch | Aspect ratio:: 16:9 | Resolution:: 4K; 3840x2160 | Brightness:: 270 nits | Response time:: 4ms | Viewing angle:: 178/178 degrees | Contrast ratio:: 3,000:1
Great colours and contrast
4K native resolution
32-inch panel size
60Hz refresh
No HDR support
Only 270 nits
We’d all love a 4K, 120Hz, HDR Xbox Series X monitor with a mini-LED backlight that cranks out 1000 nits and delivers 1ms pixel response. However, in the real world, these panels barely exist - especially in affordable price ranges as anything that comes close costs megabucks.
This is where the Samsung U32J590 comes in as an option. For not much more than 300 bucks, you get a big, beautiful 32-inch 4K panel with excellent 3,000:1 contrast thanks to a quality Samsung VA panel. Of course, VA tech isn’t exactly synonymous with speedy pixels. But Samsung is the master of fast VA panels and this one is rated at a decent 4ms GtG.
Inevitably, the specs are a little limited in other areas. Refresh is pegged at 60Hz, so there are no 120Hz thrills. You also don’t get HDR support, local dimming, or any of that fancy next-gen backlight technology. Indeed, peak brightness is quoted at 270 nits, which is towards the lower end of what we’d deem acceptable. But it should be good enough for all but the very brightest environments.
As an affordable gaming monitor for Xbox Series X and introduction to the XSX’s 4K highs, this is a very appealing proposition.
10. ASUS VP28UQG
The best cheap 4K Xbox Series X monitor
Screen size:: 28-inch | Aspect ratio:: 16:9 | Resolution:: 4K; 3840x2160 | Brightness:: 300cd/m2 | Response time:: 1ms | Viewing angle:: 170/160 degrees | Contrast ratio:: 500:1
4K visuals
1ms response
Great value
TN panel
Only 60Hz refresh
If you're looking to be ruthlessly realistic in your Xbox Series X monitor search, the cold, hard truth is that only a very few games will actually run at the 120fps that we'd all love. Paritcularly, if they are graphically intensive games - you just aren't going to get close to 120Hz running at 4K. As a result, if you're willing to compromise and stick to 60Hz with your 4K resolution then options like the ASUS VP28UQG could be just the ticket.
Priced around $240 / £240, it’s remarkably affordable for a 28-inch panel that offers a full 4K resolution. Including the necessary HDMI 2.0 connection, the monitor also sports DisplayPort 1.2 connectivity, meaning this could easily fit into a setup that has a PC too. Another caveat is that another absent spec is HDR capability - but, again, most so-called HDR monitors aren’t truly capable of HDR visuals.
Likewise, what does matter for many gamers is speed in terms of pixel response. Here, the ASUS VP28UQG scores big with its 1ms-capable TN panel. Granted, TN tech isn’t the best when it comes to colours, contrast, and viewing angles. But you’d be surprised just how close it now comes while maintaining an edge over IPS and VA technology for pure speed. And lastly, this is an incredibly good value monitor that will ensure your bucks go far.
Best gaming monitor for Xbox Series X 2022
11. ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ
The best Xbox Series X monitor for colours and contrasts
Screen Size: 43-inch | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840x2160 / 4K | Brightness: 1,000 nits | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 4,000:1 | Features: HDR 1000, 144Hz, variable refresh rate, low latency mode, DisplayPort 1.4; HDMI type HDMI 2.1 x2, HDMI 2.0 x2
Seriously punchy VA panel
Excellent contrast
Ticks every feature box
Poor pixel response
Very expensive
Limited HDR implementation
On paper, the new ASUS ROG Strix XG43UQ absolutely nails the ‘best of both worlds monitor-TV hybrid’ brief. How so? It starts with the 43-inch panel size, which is enough for a big-screen TV experience but just about compact enough for plausible desktop use.
Next up, connectivity is well covered, with both a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, ensuring you can get the most out of the Xbox Series X’s advanced, bandwidth-hungry feature set, plus DisplayPort 1.4 for optimal PC compatibility. The only omission is USB Type-C - though this is mainly of benefit for connecting laptop PCs.
As for image quality, the specs look strong. The full 4K panel runs at up to 144Hz on PC and does the full 4K@120Hz thing with the Series X. There’s DisplayHDR 1000 certification and a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits, variable refresh support for the Xbox plus G-Sync, and FreeSync adaptive refresh compatibility for PC. What’s more, Asus claims 1ms response and includes technologies like Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) which promise an exceptional responsive experience.
In practice? This Asus panel is incredibly punchy and earns a shot at being the best gaming monitor for Xbox Series X. The VA panel and strong backlighting, plus the 4K pixel grid and 120Hz-plus refresh, make for a spectacular experience in brighter gaming scenes. You haven’t seen Cyberpunk 2077 in its full glory unless you’ve experienced a big, powerful panel like this.
12. Gigabyte G27
The best affordable Xbox Series X IPS monitor
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Brightness: 300 nits | Response time: 1ms (MPRT) | Viewing angle: 178/178 degrees | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Features: 144Hz, variable refresh rate, DisplayPort, 95% DCI-P3; HDMI type HDMI 1.4 x2
Good quality 27-inch IPS panel
144Hz refresh
95% coverage of DCI-P3
No HDR support
Lacks some brightness
Not the quickest IPS tech around
If you're after good image quality, high refresh, fast pixel response for a price you can afford, then the Gigabyte G27F could very well be the Xbox Series X monitor for you. It ticks a lot of boxes, but, of course, at this price point, you can’t have everything: most notably, you can’t have all eight million pixels that come with full 4K; this is a 1080p model.
Sticking at 1080p does mean, however, that you can get faster refresh and response times, which can be critical in online shooters and battle royale games, including the likes of Fortnite, where low latency is king in a very competitive environment.
There's no HDR support here, but it's worth remembering that an awful lot of supposedly 'HDR' monitors are nothing of the sort. In fact, hardly any monitors are capable of true HDR visuals, so, the Gigabyte G27F’s lack of HDR is largely academic. And it’s not as if it implies poor panel quality: Gigabyte says the G27F is good for 95 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut, which is better than some content creation panels.
If there is a weak spot, it’s likely to be the response time. Gigabyte claims 1ms pixel response, but courtesy of the MPRT metric. The best IPS monitors achieve 1ms via the more demanding gray-to-gray standard. However, the Gigabyte G27F is hardly a slouch and, for the money, it’s very appealing.
13. AOC Agon AG275QXL
The best Xbox Series X monitor for League of Legends fans
Screen size: 27” | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 at 170Hz | Brightness: 400 nits | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 178° H&V | Contrast ratio: 1,000,000:1 | Features: DisplayHDR 400, adaptive sync, 94% DCI-P3, DisplayPort 1.4 x1, HDMI 2.0 x2
Sweet 1440p 170Hz IPS action
Fully adjustable stand
Unique design
Cheap-feeling plastics
Design may not be for everyone
AOC has heard you like League of Legends. So, the brand has put some League of Legends stuff on your screen so that when you’re actually looking at League of Legends on your screen, you’ve also got League of Legends stencilled on your screen. That’s the design philosophy behind the AOC Agon AG275QXL. There’s a huge LoL logo on the base, underneath which is a serious RGB light show powered by AOC’s Light FX tech.
More importantly, you also get a sweet 27-inch 1440p IPS panel with 170Hz refresh and 1ms response. It’s not the fastest 1440p panel out there, and it only offers limited HDR support, but it’s quick, slick, and delivers for just about every gaming genre and is perfect as an Xbox Series X or S monitor due to that 1440p resolution.
Still, LoL design aside, this is a great 27-inch gaming monitor still and has all the chops to perform incredibly well in that 1440p sweet spot.
Read more: AOC Agon AG275QXL review
14. Samsung Odyssey G7
The best Samsung 1440p Xbox Series X gaming monitor
Screen size: 27"; 1000R curve | Panel type: VA | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Brightness: 350 nits | Contrast ratio: 2500:1 | Features: G-Sync Compatible, FreeSync Premium, 2x USB 3.0 hub
Gorgeous curved VA panel
Super-fast response
Nice design and build quality
An extreme curve could be too much
Not a true HDR display
Looking for one of the best Xbox Series X gaming monitors that combines nearly everything that’s best about the latest LCD technology? You just found it in the Samsung Odyssey G7 C27G7. With local dimming, adaptive sync, high refresh, HDR, quantum dot technology, a curved panel, and more, on paper it's got the works.
More specifically, it comes with a 27-inch diagonal with 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh for what we think nails the sweet spot in terms of balancing detail with speed and response.
The main question mark concerns the use of VA panel technology, which is traditionally associated with slow pixel response and generally slightly laggy performance. Not so here. Samsung claims 1ms response times and interesting we found that this monitor feels and looks at least that quick. No question, it’s comparable with the best TN monitors for sheer speed. That it also matches IPS panels for colours and adds excellent contrast into the mix makes for an incredibly compelling package.
As for negatives, they’re limited to a particularly poor HDR implementation and the brutal-but-immersive 1000R curve may be a bit too much for some folks.
Read more: Samsung Odyssey G7 review
15. AOC AGON PRO PD32M
The best money-no-object Mini-LED Xbox Series X monitor
Screen size: 32-inch | Panel type: IPS | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160) | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 4ms | Brightness: 600 cd/m2 | Contrast: 1000:1 (static); 80m:1 (dynamic) | Features: Mini-LED panel, Porsche-imbued design, remote control unit, DisplayHDR 1400, RGB lighting
Top-of-the-line specs everywhere
Incredibly bright
Glorious 4K 144Hz mini-LED panel
Lots of ports
Bulky stand and overall size
Difficult to nail down the perfect HDR and brightness settings
An impossible-to-ignore price tag
Where we to totally ignore prices and costs, this is probably the most all-singing, all-dancing monitor for Xbox Series X you can get. The PD32M simply has every top specification you could possibly want from a gaming monitor - any gaming monitor - let alone a 4K one.
It's a truly premium experience, and to get all the features it offers in one screen is something spectacular. If you're looking to invest in a display that ticks all the boxes, then the PD32M will not let you down and you will not regret it. To get specific you're getting a 4K monitor that is: 32-inches; an IPS panel; 144Hz in refresh rate; 1ms in response time; mini-LED in its backlight type; 600 nits in its brightness; and Vesa-Certified DisplayHDR 1400 (!). This is a lot to pack into one monitor but the performance that results is breathtaking - games look superb, run super smoothly, and produce one of the top gaming experiences we've ever seen. Seriously, it's hard to go back to anything else once you've seen the full whack of the PD32M's capabilities.
The monitor is a big chunky boy though so you'll need a fair bit of desk space - though it is flat so doesn't hog up too much extra space with its stand. However, the design is very cool and oozes that Porsche Design chic-ness to make a great-looking bit of kit. The RGB lighting on the sides is one of a few downsides as it's not really necessary for a screen where the panel does all the talking, and it can be tricky to optimise the screen for your use or different games as it is so bright and colourful.
The price tag is hard to ignore as it's just a lot of money, however, when you factor in literally all of the specs, features, and performance, it's not as ridiculous an investment as one might think. And it really could be all the gaming monitor you ever need.
Note: Stock seems to be a bit hard to come by, but this could be a symptom of just being a new monitor to the market, and the global situation with the stock of New And Nice Things - hold tight and check back regularly!
Read more: AOC Agon PD32M review
Is a 4K monitor worth it for Xbox Series X?
We think this one is a firm 'yes'. The Xbox Series X (and PS5) is placed as a proper 4K-capable machine, and so pairing it with a 4K monitor seems like the best kind of gaming monitor to pick. However, this is tempered by the refresh rate limits and the frames per second numbers if that's what you're chasing. If you mainly play games that are able to run at 120fps on Xbox Series X then and these are what you most enjoy then you may be better off with a high refresh 1080p or 1440p screen as opposed to a 4K one.
Can Xbox Series X hit 144Hz?
Unfortunately, no. But it can so nearly reach that as the Xbox Series X's max refresh is 120Hz. At this speed, the difference between that and the fabled 144Hz refresh rate that is often held as the sweet spot for PC gaming will be almost unnoticeable to the human eye - 24 frames a second, once you're going at over 100, will be minuscule.
Do you need a 120hz monitor for Xbox Series X?
For most gamers stillm, 120Hz is more of a bonus than a necessity. The list of games that can offer that framerate is still relatively small, so we'd recommend going for a 4K monitor on the whole, as gaming at 4K at 60Hz (where possible) is a great combo of specs.
Does the Xbox Series X need a 4K gaming monitor?
If we were to be plain ruthless and apply only the most severe logic, then, no, the Xbox Series X doesn't need a 4K monitor. However, we think, if you're going to get the best out of an XSX-and-monitor pairing, then you should aim for a 4K Xbox Series X gaming monitor. The console is designed to strive and perform at this resolution, and, for most gamers, this is what will be the target too - even if it might be limited to 60Hz at the same time (honestly, this is still fast enough for most folks).
However. You can easily make use of a 1080p or 1440p gaming monitor for use with an Xbox Series X or S console, and this might be better for you. For example, if you prefer speed and getting as many frames per second in your setup as possible hen playing games like Warzone or Fortnite, then a lower resolution monitor with a higher refresh rate will be for you. And if you have a multi-device setup at home, using a PC too, then being able to match your Xbox console with an existing monitor is another benefit.
And for all your other monitor needs check out our guides to the best G-Sync monitor, best G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitor, best curved gaming monitor, and best portable monitors, and for more console monitor guides, check out our best PS5 monitor and best PS4 monitor pages.
We haven't seen any Xbox Series X bundles incorporating monitors, but if you're after discounts on your new setup there are plenty of Xbox Series X accessories on sale. We're also rounding up all the latest Xbox Series X restock predictions.
And if you do prefer something more TV-shaped, then the contenders for best TVs for Xbox Series X, best 120Hz 4K TVs, best OLED TV, and best QLED TV are all definitely worth looking at too.
