Best Monitor for PS5: What You Actually Need for 120fps and HDR
The best monitors for PS5 in 2026, the specs that matter, the specs that don't, and the monitors that actually deliver 120fps HDR gaming.
The PS5 outputs up to 4K at 120fps with HDR. Most monitors can't handle all three simultaneously. Many "best PS5 monitor" lists recommend screens that technically connect to a PS5 but don't actually take advantage of what the console can do. Here's what the specs actually mean and which monitors deliver the full experience.
What specs does a PS5 monitor need?
A PS5 monitor requires HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120Hz, a refresh rate of 120Hz or higher for performance mode games, and VRR support over HDMI to prevent screen tearing. For meaningful HDR, look for HDR600 certification with local dimming or an OLED panel. HDMI 2.0 forces you to sacrifice either resolution or frame rate.
HDMI 2.1 is mandatory. The PS5 outputs through HDMI. HDMI 2.1 supports 4K at 120Hz. HDMI 2.0 caps at 4K/60Hz or 1080p/120Hz, so you lose either resolution or frame rate. Every monitor on this list has HDMI 2.1.
120Hz minimum refresh rate. Many PS5 games now support 120fps performance modes (Fortnite, Call of Duty, Ratchet & Clank, Spider-Man 2). A 60Hz monitor wastes this capability entirely. Get 120Hz or higher.
HDR support varies wildly. "HDR compatible" and "good HDR" are different things. A monitor needs at least 600 nits peak brightness and local dimming to display HDR meaningfully. Most budget monitors list HDR400 certification, which is visually indistinguishable from SDR. Look for HDR600 or HDR1000 certification, or OLED (which handles HDR naturally through per-pixel lighting).
Resolution: 4K vs 1440p. The PS5 now supports 1440p output (added via update). 4K on a 27" monitor looks sharper. 1440p on a 27" monitor still looks excellent and is significantly cheaper. At 32", 4K is noticeably better than 1440p.
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). The PS5 supports VRR to eliminate screen tearing. Make sure your monitor supports VRR over HDMI (not just DisplayPort, since the PS5 doesn't use DisplayPort).
What size monitor is best for PS5?
For most PS5 players, 27 inches at 4K is the ideal size, delivering sharp detail at desk distance without overspending. A 32-inch 4K panel works better at couch distance. Budget-conscious players should consider 27 inches at 1440p, while screens 24 inches and under don't benefit from 4K at all.
| Size | Resolution | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27" | 4K | Desk distance gaming | The sweet spot for most PS5 players; sharp and immersive |
| 32" | 4K | Couch distance or far desk | 4K matters more here due to lower pixel density |
| 27" | 1440p | Budget desk gaming | Still looks great on PS5, significantly cheaper than 4K |
| 24-25" | 1080p | Small desk setups | Too small for 4K to matter; save money with 1080p/144Hz |
27" at 4K: The sweet spot. Sharp enough to see the resolution difference, large enough to enjoy from a desk distance. This is what most people should get.
32" at 4K: Better for couch distance or if you sit further from your desk. 4K matters more at 32" because pixel density is lower.
27" at 1440p: The budget sweet spot. Still looks great on PS5, significantly cheaper than 4K equivalents.
24-25": Too small for 4K to matter visually. If you're going this size, save money and get 1080p/144Hz.
What are the best monitors for PS5?
The top PS5 monitors are the Gigabyte M28U for best overall value (28-inch 4K, 144Hz, HDMI 2.1), the LG 27GR95QE or Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 for the best image quality with true OLED HDR, and the Gigabyte G27Q as the top budget pick at under $250. All support PS5 120fps gaming.
OLED (best image quality, premium price)
| Monitor | Size | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG 27GR95QE | 27" | 1440p (QHD) | 240Hz | Infinite contrast, best-looking 27" option |
| Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 | 32" | 4K | 240Hz | Full 4K OLED, unmatched image quality |
| ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM | 27" | 1440p | 240Hz | Excellent build quality and color accuracy |
LG 27GR95QE (27" QHD OLED): 1440p, 240Hz, HDMI 2.1, HDR with infinite contrast ratio. OLED blacks are genuinely transformative for games with dark environments. The best-looking monitor you can put a PS5 on at 27". Burn-in risk exists but modern OLED panels have mitigations.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (32" 4K OLED): 4K, 240Hz, HDMI 2.1, incredible HDR. Larger screen with full 4K resolution. Premium price but the image quality is unmatched.
ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: 1440p, 240Hz, OLED. Excellent build quality and color accuracy.
IPS (best value, great color)
| Monitor | Size | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte M28U | 28" | 4K | 144Hz | Best overall value; hits every PS5 spec |
| ASUS VG28UQL1A | 28" | 4K | 144Hz | Similar to M28U, slightly different color tuning |
| Dell S2722QC | 27" | 4K | 60Hz | USB-C hub monitor, great dual-purpose work/gaming pick |
Gigabyte M28U: 28" 4K, 144Hz, HDMI 2.1, IPS panel. The most frequently recommended 4K PS5 monitor because it hits every spec at a reasonable price. HDR is mediocre (HDR400) but the overall package is strong.
ASUS VG28UQL1A: 28" 4K, 144Hz, HDMI 2.1. Similar to the M28U with slightly different color tuning. Both are excellent.
Dell S2722QC: 27" 4K, 60Hz. Wait, 60Hz? Yes, but this is a USB-C hub monitor that doubles as a productivity display. If you use your monitor for work AND PS5 gaming and don't need 120fps, this is a smart dual-purpose choice.
Budget picks
| Monitor | Size | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte G27Q | 27" | 1440p | 144Hz | Under $250 on sale; no HDMI 2.1 (trade-off) |
| ASUS VG27AQ1A | 27" | 1440p | 170Hz | Good colors and response time at a reasonable price |
Gigabyte G27Q: 27" 1440p, 144Hz, IPS. Under $250 on sale. The PS5 outputs 1440p natively now, making this a legitimate budget option. No HDMI 2.1, so you get 1440p/60Hz from PS5 or 1080p/120Hz. Trade-off territory.
ASUS VG27AQ1A: 27" 1440p, 170Hz, IPS. Good colors, good response time, reasonable price.
What mistakes should you avoid when buying a PS5 monitor?
The biggest PS5 monitor mistakes are choosing a DisplayPort-only monitor (PS5 only outputs HDMI), trusting HDR400 as real HDR (it looks no different from SDR), buying 1080p at 27 inches or larger (it looks fuzzy), and picking a monitor with VRR support only through DisplayPort instead of HDMI.
Buying a DisplayPort-only monitor. The PS5 has zero DisplayPort outputs. If a monitor's best features (high refresh rate, VRR) only work through DisplayPort, those features are useless with PS5.
Buying HDR400 for "HDR gaming." HDR400 doesn't look meaningfully different from SDR. It's a marketing certification, not a visual improvement. Real HDR starts at HDR600 with local dimming, or OLED.
Buying 1080p at 27"+. At 27 inches, 1080p looks fuzzy. Either get a smaller monitor or higher resolution.
Ignoring VRR over HDMI. Some monitors support FreeSync over DisplayPort but not HDMI. The PS5 needs VRR over HDMI specifically.
What we make at Choost
At Choost Games, we develop and test our titles across multiple monitor types and panel technologies, giving us direct experience with how different resolutions, refresh rates, and HDR implementations affect in-game visuals. That hands-on testing shapes the hardware recommendations we share here.
We develop and test Granny's Rampage on multiple displays, and knowing how different monitors render our pixel art and VFX informs our art pipeline decisions. For more hardware content, the best gaming keyboard, best gaming mouse, and gaming monitor vs tv posts have more.
The shortest version
The Gigabyte M28U is the best overall PS5 monitor with 4K, 144Hz, and HDMI 2.1 at a fair price. For the best image quality, pick an OLED like the LG 27GR95QE or Samsung Odyssey OLED G8. Budget players should grab the Gigabyte G27Q at under $250. Must-have specs are HDMI 2.1, 120Hz+, and VRR over HDMI.
| Pick | Monitor | Key Specs | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Gigabyte M28U | 28" 4K, 144Hz, HDMI 2.1 | Hits every PS5 spec at a reasonable price |
| Best Image Quality | LG 27GR95QE / Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 | OLED, infinite contrast | Real HDR, unmatched visuals |
| Best Budget | Gigabyte G27Q | 27" 1440p, under $250 | Legitimate budget option with native PS5 1440p support |
Best overall: Gigabyte M28U (28" 4K, 144Hz, HDMI 2.1: hits every PS5 spec at a reasonable price).
Best image quality: LG 27GR95QE or Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (OLED, infinite contrast, real HDR).
Best budget: Gigabyte G27Q (27" 1440p, under $250).
Must-have specs: HDMI 2.1, 120Hz+, VRR over HDMI. Everything else is preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best monitor for PS5 at 120fps?
The Gigabyte M28U is the best overall PS5 monitor for 120fps gaming. It offers 28-inch 4K, 144Hz refresh rate, and HDMI 2.1 at a reasonable price. For the best image quality at 120fps, the LG 27GR95QE and Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 are top OLED picks with 240Hz panels and infinite contrast.
Do you need HDMI 2.1 for PS5?
Yes, HDMI 2.1 is mandatory for getting the full PS5 experience. HDMI 2.0 caps output at 4K/60Hz or 1080p/120Hz, forcing you to sacrifice either resolution or frame rate. HDMI 2.1 supports 4K at 120Hz, unlocking the console's full potential.
Does PS5 support 1440p monitors?
Yes, the PS5 now supports native 1440p output through a system update. This makes 1440p monitors like the Gigabyte G27Q a legitimate budget option for PS5 gaming. Without HDMI 2.1 on the monitor, you may be limited to 1440p/60Hz or 1080p/120Hz.
Is HDR400 good enough for PS5 gaming?
No. HDR400 is visually indistinguishable from SDR and does not deliver a meaningful HDR experience on PS5. For real HDR, look for HDR600 or HDR1000 certification with local dimming, or choose an OLED monitor that handles HDR naturally through per-pixel lighting.
