The 5 Best IPS Monitors (Gaming, 4K, Budget)
WE take a look at the best IPS monitors for gaming
Finding the best IPS monitor for your specific needs can be a pretty strenuous task these days thanks to the abundance of affordable options that currently flood the market. Finding the right one usually requires a tonne of product research, reading user feedback, and watching comparison reviews.
Fear not though, folks! Here at WePC, we’ve done all the hard work for you. We’ve scoured the web to find only the biggest and best IPS monitors available. We’ve used a strict set of criteria to sniff out the best monitors for most scenarios. That means whether you’re a video editor or budding esports gamer, the following article will have an IPS monitor that suits your exact needs.
So, with all that in mind, let’s waste no more time and dive straight into it!
Our Top Picks
Our 5 Best IPS Monitors
In-depth Review
ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279Q
ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279Q
If you’re a regular here at WePC, you’ll not be surprised to see the ASUS PG279Q make another appearance in one of our best monitor pages. It’s a monitor we know well here and one that we feel comfortable recommending as the best overall IPS panel.
Let’s start by taking a brief look at the design. ASUS has given the PG279Q their signature ROG branding. The aesthetic is neither boring or gamery – boasting a gun-metal grey color theme accentuated by a red LED at the base of the stand. Thin bezels and a full versatile stand help complete the premium look of this monitor.
Now, on to the specs. The PG279Q comes equipped with every high-performing monitor spec you could want for both gaming and workflow requirements. It features an overclockable 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, G-Sync support, 100% sRGB coverage, and a 1440p WQHD resolution – all wrapped up in a stunning 27inch IPS panel. We previously called this the perfect balance of specs for fast-paced FPS games and highly accurate color recreation – an opinion that isn’t set to change any time soon. Pair the 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms rapid response time together to experience truly immersive gameplay – and that isn’t taking into consideration the G-Sync support either. With 100% sRGB coverage, you’re going to experience colors true to their origin in both entertainment and creative scenarios.
Whether you’re looking for a superb gaming monitor or something precise and accurate for editing, the PG279Q should be right up there in your list of considerations. Just be aware that this monitor does come with a price tag that matches its impressive list of specs.
Acer Predator XB271HU
Acer Predator XB271HU
Next up, we have the hugely popular Predator XB271HU gaming monitor from Acer. Acer are no strangers when it comes to creating some of the best monitors money can buy (as you’ll see shortly), and this is another great example of the quality they provide all too often.
The XB271HU is predominantly a gaming monitor, and the design certainly screams that. It offers a red and gun-metal grey color theme that works extremely well with the angular stand and thin bezels of the panel. The stand is fully functional (Quad-directional) and offers cable management options as well.
As far as performance goes, this monitor is extremely good when it comes to gaming. The high-end IPS panel has been boosted with specs that include a 144Hz refresh rate, 4ms response time, and G-Sync support – all paired together to create an exceptionally fluid gaming experience. Even though the contrast may leave a little to be desired, the peak brightness and image clarity are of extreme quality. This would be a fantastic choice for an all-rounder who likes to delve into both gaming and creative situations.
You get all this for a very reasonable price tag as well – currently under $500 at the time of writing this. Compare that to other monitors of similar ilk, and you realize what good value for money this monitor displays.
LG 27GL83A-B 27 gaming monitor
LG 27GL83A-B 27 gaming monitor
The best value for money pick goes to LG’s impressive 27GL83A-B gaming monitor. A panel that has become increasingly popular since its release, and one that showcases an abundance of high-performance specs at a very reasonable price point.
Let’s touch on aesthetics first, though. The 27GL83A-B is one of the most attractive monitors in this guide. It offers a sleek and clean design with a dark-grey color theme at its core. The stand, aside from being extremely dynamic, has a wide “V” design finished with a brushed aesthetic. Highlights of red can be found throughout the monitor, which adds to the gamer feel of it. It has an almost borderless design that offers true levels of immersion as well.
Speaking of immersion, the performance of this monitor is where this thing excels. The 144Hz refresh rate delivers fast-paced content with almost zero blur trail. Something only high-end monitors can claim. Pair that with the 1ms response time and 1440p picture clarity for a stunning overall experience. With G-Sync support, you’ll also be able to utilize your Nvidia graphics card to its full potential – providing the smoothest of gameplay.
Overall, if you’re looking to get the most out of your money, LG’s 27GL83A-B offers some of the best bang-for-your-buck in today’s market.
Acer Predator X27 bmiphzx
Acer Predator X27 bmiphzx
Next up, we have the hugely impressive Predator X27 from Acer. This is the enthusiast’s choice and one that boasts the ability to do almost anything you throw at it. Whether you want high-end gaming performance or life-like realism, the X27 has you covered.
The design of this monitor sits somewhere between a luxury creative monitor and something designed for pure gaming. The angular stand and flappy panels scream gaming – whereas the thin bezels, sleek stand, and brushed metal are all characteristics you’d expect from something less gamey.
Looks aside, Acer has equipped this monitor with every high-end spec they could think of. Some of the features include; a 144hz refresh rate, 4ms rapid response time, HDR1000 support, 99% coverage of the aRGB color gamut, a complete eye-care package, and G-Sync support as well. That’s just scratching the tip of the iceberg as well.
This extremely versatile monitor offers all-round performance like nothing else on this list. An extensive color gamut and HDR1000 support offer some of the highest levels of color recreation in this guide. It’s perfect for creative types while being marketed towards gamers. If you have a PC that has the ability to push 144FPS in 4K resolution, I’m jealous. You’ll have the ability to utilize G-Sync with this monitor to enjoy true immersion across all platforms.
The only downside to this monitor is the price; it’s not cheap. Currently retailing at around $1000, this monitor certainly lands in the high-end of the price spectrum. However, if you do have the money to purchase something of this quality, you will not be disappointed.
AOC 27G2 27″ Frameless Monitor
AOC 27G2 27″ Frameless Monitor
Finally, we have the budget IPS pick, which comes in the shape of AOC’s 27G2 gaming monitor. It’s by far the cheapest in this guide, but don’t let the price tag fool you. The AOC still offers up a bunch of gaming specs that make for a great gaming experience. Before we discuss specs any further, though, let’s look at the design.
The 27G2 follows the general blueprint of the “G series” line of monitors from AOC. With a matt black theme, for the most part, this monitor offers a refined design that will look good in most settings. Accentuated with splashes of red throughout this monitors design give the G2 a “gaming” feel – but that’s not a bad thing. Overall, the design is a plus from me.
Where this monitor really excels, however, is in the performance. This is a 144Hz gaming monitor that offers a 1ms (MPRT) response time, 250 nits of brightness, excellent viewing angles, and decent colors for the most part. Let’s be honest; this thing isn’t going to win any awards as far as color recreation goes. However, when you consider the price tag, it certainly holds a strong place in today’s market.
The gaming performance is decent as far as budget monitors go. This one has been designed to compete with the hugely popular VG279Q from ASUS – something we feel it has done exceptionally well. Like the ASUS, AOC has equipped this monitor with FreeSync technology to allow gamers to optimize their gaming experience. Furthermore, with a max resolution of 1920 x 1080, the AOC 27G2 is a fantastic contender for a high-performance esports monitor.
Overall, it’s hard to be overly critical of this monitor, purely because of the price tag. Currently retailing at a shade over $200, the AOC offers a budget option for gamers and casual users alike.
Final Word
Well, there you have it, our comprehensive guide to the best IPS monitors currently available in today’s market. We hope this guide makes your next IPS monitor purchase a little bit easier.
If you’re looking for the best all-round IPS monitor that not only provides crisp image clarity and vibrant colors as well as a great gaming experience as well, ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is our number one pick.
Those are our top 5 best IPS monitor available right now. If you thought we missed out an honorable mention, why not leave us a comment in the section below letting us know. Better still, you can now head on over to our Community Hub, where you can discuss everything to do with monitors with like-minded individuals!