When it comes to choosing the best display for your PS4 gaming setup, two options stand out – monitors and TVs. Both have their own pros and cons when used with a PS4 or PS4 Pro. This comprehensive guide compares monitors and TVs across various factors to help you decide whether a monitor or TV is better for PS4 gaming.
Monitor vs TV for PS4 Gaming: An Overview
Monitors and TVs take different approaches to display technology resulting in key differences:
Responsiveness – Monitors have lower input lag and faster response times leading to a more responsive, real-time gaming experience. TVs prioritize picture quality over speed.
Refresh rates – Monitor refresh rates range from 60Hz to 144Hz or more, allowing smoother gameplay and reduced motion blur. Most TVs max out at 60Hz.
Size and viewing – Monitors come in smaller 24-27 inch sizes ideal for desktop use. TVs start at 43 inches for big-screen couch gaming.
Features – Gaming monitors offer features tailored for gaming like AMD FreeSync/Nvidia G-Sync, multiple genre-specific display modes, crosshairs and more. TVs offer a more generalized experience.
Resolution – Monitors currently max out at 4K while high-end TVs are pushing 8K. However, 4K is plenty for PS4 gaming.
Prices – Good gaming monitors can be purchased for $200 or less. 4K TVs start at $500 and up.
In a nutshell, monitors excel at responsive competitive gaming while TVs are designed for laid back big-screen couch gaming. Let‘s look at the key differences in more detail:
Responsiveness – Monitors Are Faster for Gaming
For responsive real-time gaming, speed is critical. Two specifications determine responsiveness – input lag and pixel response times.
Input lag measures signal delay between pressing a button and seeing the effect on-screen. Lower input lag leads to instant on-screen feedback translating to a more real-time gaming experience. Monitors aimed at gaming have input lag of 10ms or lower. Mainstream TVs have lag ranging from 15ms to 50ms or more.
According to tests by DisplayLag, one of the best gaming monitors – the Asus VG248QE has input lag of just 9.5ms. In comparison, top TVs like the LG C1 OLED manage 10ms lag while more mainstream models range from 15ms to 30ms.
Pixel response time measures how fast a pixel can change from one color to another indicating display speed and motion clarity. Faster response times eliminate motion blurring and ghosting in fast paced games.
Gaming monitors have response times between 1ms to 5ms. TVs are typically slower between 8ms and 15ms. A 1ms monitor like the Asus VG279QM provides the crispest motion clarity for competitive gaming.
In summary, monitors are engineered for speed and have markedly faster response times and lower lag than TVs. For real-time responsiveness in fast paced competitive games, a monitor is the clear winner.
Refresh Rates – Monitors Go Up To 144Hz
The refresh rate indicates how many times a display refreshes the image per second and is measured in hertz (Hz).
Higher refresh rates translate into smoother motion and gameplay. It also reduces perceived motion blur which is important in fast action scenes. Most monitors designed for gaming have refresh rates of 144Hz or higher.
TVs currently max out at a 60Hz refresh rate as they prioritize visual quality and input lag over smoothness. Some newer TV models support 120Hz refresh rates at lower resolutions.
The PS4 and PS4 Pro output games at 60 FPS (frames per second) matching the 60Hz refresh rate supported by both TVs and monitors. So on paper, a 60Hz TV or monitor would be sufficient.
However, there are scenarios where higher refresh rates lead to tangible improvements even for 60 FPS games:
- Playing competive online shooters like Call of Duty where every millisecond counts. The lower input lag and faster pixel response at 144Hz can improve your game.
- If you play games on both PS4 and PC. A 144Hz monitor will provide smoother gameplay for your PC games.
- Future proofing for the PS5 which supports up to 120 FPS gaming.
For these reasons, a high refresh gaming monitor between 120Hz to 144Hz is recommended for optimal PS4 gaming.
Monitor vs TV Viewing Experience
The intended viewing environment and setup should dictate your choice between a monitor and TV:
Monitor – Monitors work best at a desk viewed up close like a PC setup. A 24-27 inch screen is ideal at 1-2 feet viewing distance. The smaller screen with focused viewing makes monitors excell at PC and console gaming.
TV – Living room couch gaming is where TVs shine. Their 43-65 inch large screens are designed for 5-12 feet viewing distances. Gamers who prefer kicking back on a couch will enjoy big screen TV gaming.
Competitive esports gamers use 24-27” monitors as they prioritize responsiveness and viewing focus. Casual gamers enjoy the big TV screen for immersive, laid back gaming.
Consider your typical gaming setup – a monitor for desktop gaming and TV for big-screen couch gaming.
Gaming Features – Monitors Are Tailored for Gaming
Gaming monitors are designed specifically for gaming and offer features tailored to different game genres:
AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync – These adaptive sync technologies reduce screen tearing for smoother gaming. TVs lack such gaming specific features.
Multiple gamer modes – Monitors offer display presets optimized for FPS, RTS, RPG and other genres. TVs have general presets like Sports, Movie, Vivid etc.
Display enhancements – Some monitors feature built-in crosshairs, timers, frame rate counters and other overlays to enhance the gaming experience.
Ergonomics – Monitors offer height, tilt and swivel adjustments suitable for desk use. Most TVs only allow tilting.
In summary, monitors designed for gaming provide features tailored specifically for different game genres. Their extensive adjustments facilitate comfortable long duration gaming.
Resolution – 4K Gaming Still Limited to Pros
Display resolution determines image sharpness and level of detail. For PS4 gaming, 1080p and 4K are the most common resolutions:
- 1080p – The native resolution supported by PS4. Great balance of visual fidelity and performance.
- 4K – Supported by PS4 Pro for enhanced visuals. Demanding on performance leading to lower frame rates.
4K gaming on the PS4 Pro can lead to lower frame rates as the console struggles to render higher resolution graphics. Many PS4 games run at 30 FPS at 4K compared to 60 FPS at 1080p.
4K shines best on gaming PCs where high-end GPUs can readily handle the higher resolution at 60 FPS or more. For PS4, 1080p provides a smoother experience while still looking great.
Monitors currently max out at 4K resolution while high-end TVs are pushing even higher 8K resolution. Keep in mind that 8K gaming is still years away from being practical or mainstream. A 4K monitor or TV is plenty for current generation console gaming.
Price – Monitors Are More Affordable
Gaming monitors offer more bang for the buck compared to similarly specced TVs. Here are some examples:
- A 27” 144Hz 1080p gaming monitor – $180
- 27” 60Hz 4K HDR monitor – $279
- 43” 4K TV with HDR – $449
- 55” 4K OLED TV – $1299
As you go up in features, resolutions and screen sizes, the prices for TVs shoot up exponentially while monitors remain quite affordable.
You can get a very capable 1080p or 1440p gaming monitor for under $300. Equivalent specced TVs cost a lot more. Keep the prices in mind when choosing between a monitor and TV.
Console Gaming Favors TVs
While monitors excel on responsiveness and focus, the living room TV experience has its own advantages for console gaming:
- Big screen immersion – Bigger 43 to 65 inch screens immerse you in the game world.
- Couch-friendly – Kick back on a couch with a wireless controller for comfy gaming sessions.
- Split screen and local multiplayer – TVs work better for local co-op and split screen gaming.
- Shared viewing – Family and friends can enjoy watching and playing together.
Unless you primarily enjoy competitive online multiplayer games, the big screen TV is hard to beat for console gaming. The large screen and social setting make for an engaging gaming experience.
Factors to Consider
Here are some key points to consider when choosing between monitors and TVs for PS4 gaming:
Viewing angles – Monitor viewing angles are narrower. TVs work better for co-op couch gaming.
Input lag – Monitors have lower lag for responsive gaming. Many TVs have high input lag.
Response time – Monitor response times up to 1ms enable sharp fast motion. TVs are typically 8-15ms.
Adaptive Sync – Monitor G-Sync and FreeSync prevent screen tearing for smoother gameplay. Mostly absent in TVs.
Refresh rates – Monitor refresh rates up to 144Hz enable smooth gameplay. TVs max out at 60Hz.
HDR – Many new monitors and TVs support HDR with expanded color and contrast. Ensure your display supports HDR if this feature is important to you.
Inputs – Have enough HDMI ports to connect your PS4 and other devices. HDMI 2.0+ enables 4K HDR gaming. DisplayPort is beneficial for high refresh rate PC gaming.
Carefully consider the factors above that affect gaming performance and experience when choosing between monitors and TVs.
The Bottom Line
While both monitors and TVs have their pros and cons, monitors in the 24” to 27” size range tend to provide the best overall experience for PS4 gaming.
Their responsive performance, focused viewing, gaming features and ergonomic adjustments make them ideal for PS4 gaming. Competitive gamers will benefit greatly from the lower lag and faster response of monitors.
However, casual gamers who prefer big-screen couch gaming are better off with a TV 40 inches and larger. Choose a TV with low input lag and fast response time to avoid sluggish performance.
When in doubt, choose a monitor for optimal responsive PS4 gaming performance. But go with a TV If you primarily enjoy single player story-driven games and want big screen immersive gameplay. Ideally, have both – a monitor for competitive gaming and a TV for couch gaming and entertainment.
