Best Console Gaming Monitor for High Definition Gameplay

best console gaming monitor featured image

They say a professional is only as good as his tools. As a gamer, this applies to everything you use from your gaming console to your gaming chair and even the kind of energy drink you like during those long enjoyable sessions. So why wouldn't you want to get a monitor that is specifically designed for gaming?

For a very long time and even today, gamers have used their TV's as the go-to display device for their gaming. But as gaming has gotten better and has started demanding displays that can handle 4K resolutions, the leading consoles such as Xbox One and PS4 have helped bring gaming consoles into the limelight.

HDMI is now the new video standard, and anything less just won't cut it. In fact, the way most of these games are designed simply cannot be displayed on mediocre monitors.

So, forget that HDTV and start thinking about getting the right gaming monitor for your absolute enjoyment. While this might seem like a new development, already the market is flooding with wild options as to which monitors are the best for which gaming consoles and for which games in specific.

Today, we are going to look at the best console gaming monitor for high definition gameplay options available to you.

What are the properties of a good console gaming monitor?

There is more to choosing a console gaming monitor than just size and brand. Three of the most important aspects for which to consider include:​

  • Reasonably fast response time
  • How many HDMI slots it has available
  • The kind of proprietary features it offers

When it comes to response time, you need to find a monitor that is either 1ms or 2ms. Anything higher than that just won't do and isn't a decent option for proper gaming.

Multiplayer gamers will understand why having as many HDMI ports as possible is good for the overall experience. With many options, you do not have to keep switching cables every time you want to switch systems. Of course, this is not necessarily a strict requirement for those who only use one system, but it would be nice to have the option. It really does make your gaming life much easier.

Apart from the HDMI ports and the response time, some of the most important aspects to consider include the kind of options you have at your disposal when it comes to tweaking your display.

While most console monitors allow you to customize the gamma or brightness of your screen, what you really need to keep an eye on are the additional proprietary features such as:​

BenQ's Black eQualizer technology which goes a long way to lighten your screen without completely washing out the gray and black colors.

If you ever find yourself stuck in two minds between a couple of gaming console monitors, always look at the proprietary features of each and what kind of benefits they bring to the table. That should help you decide based on what you value most.

Why should you buy a gaming console monitor instead of using your TV?

There are very many reasons why you should choose to invest in the right gaming console monitor instead of using your TV. These reasons include:​

  • Console monitors occupy less space and are more portable
  • They offer you more value for money (4K TV's are quite pricey)
  • You can use your monitor for other purposes as well
  • They are designed to specifically give you an excellent gaming experience as opposed to TVs that are built solely for viewing

If you look at the kind of money you would have to spend to get a TV that can handle the kind of graphics that most games have nowadays and how much less it would cost you to get the same value when you buy a console monitor, you will immediately see why you need to invest in one. Plus, a gaming monitor can be dedicated to your gaming and not shared with the entire family as your TV probably is in most homes.

With that being said, here are the best console gaming monitor for high definition gameplay for your consideration:

Top Console Gaming Monitor for High Definition Gameplay

BenQ EX3501R 35" UWQHD HDR10 Curved Monitor

BenQ seems to have it all figured out when it comes to gaming console monitors. The BenQ EX3501R 35" is one heck of a screen. Coming in as a curved display, this monitor offers you one thing that had been conspicuously missing from console monitors for quite a while: HDR.

While that has been a major selling point for TVs, gaming consoles have been stuck with the short end of the stick until BenQ came along.

The BenQ EX3501R 35" simply redefines HDR! Designed to be curved and offer the ultra-wide view that most gamers only imagine, this monitor is not only impressive, it is beautiful too.

Billed as a video enjoyment monitor by the creators, this display simply does not disappoint on any front.

BenQ EX3501R 35” Specifications:​

  • Screen size: 35-inch
  • Aspect ratio: 21:9
  • Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
  • Brightness: 300 cd/m2
  • Response time: 4ms
  • Viewing angle: 178/178
  • Contrast ratio: 2,500:1
  • Color support: sRGB 100%
  • Weight: 23 pounds
benq ex3501r 35 inches uwqhd hdr10 curved monitor image

Although some might see it as a little on the heavy side, the monitor is still very portable and does not take that much space.

Pros:​

  • It has a workable size that does not take up the whole room
  • It offers you HDR

Cons:

  • The menu can be a little tricky
  • Setting it up might take some thinking

If you are going to go all professional and get a gaming console monitor, you might as well go for the best. BenQ offers you all that and more with this model.


AOC Agon AG352UCG

Now, this is a beautiful monitor. With a 21:9 AMVA panel, this monitor brings you a mind-boggling 3,440 x 1,440 resolution plus G-Sync compatibility to boot! Those features alone make it one of the best gaming console monitors to buy in 2018. Now imagine pairing this monitor with a Nvidia graphics card?

aoc agon ag352ucg curved monitor image

This monitor, with its G-Sync capabilities, eliminates screen tearing all the while not adding any extra stress to your gaming hardware.

It even has better response times than many of its competitors. This means that you can now fully enjoy highly competitive games such as Lawbreakers and Overwatch without input lag. Now you have no excuses for not showing off your lightning fast gaming reflexes.

Although this monitor is huge and kind of a bit bulky, that is a small price to pay for all that it brings to the table. It comes in at around 26 pounds which means you will need a sturdy desk.

AOC Agon AG352UCG specifications:​

  • Screen size: 35-inch
  • Aspect ratio: 21:9
  • Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
  • Brightness: 300 cd/m2
  • Response time: 4ms
  • Viewing angle: 172/178
  • Contrast ratio: 2,000:1
  • Color support: sRGB 100%
  • Weight: 26 pounds

Despite its weight, this monitor still packs more of a punch than most of its competitors in the same category.

Pros:​

  • It is curved which means it completely fills your field of view
  • It features G-Sync compatibility
  • It comes in High Resolution
  • It has an anti-glare screen that works perfectly

Cons:

  • It is quite big and bulky
  • Doesn't have that many ports

If you do not mind the size and would like something that looks like it's from the future, then you should definitely go for this one.


BenQ PD3200U

As mentioned earlier on, BenQ is a beast when it comes to building gaming console monitors. Although this installation is mostly suitable for CAD professionals, that doesn't mean that you cannot simply buy it for kicks. It is indeed one of the most outrageously capable gaming monitors in the market today.

benq pd3200u monitor image

With the PD3200U, BenQ decided to focus on graphic design which means that this monitor can offer you impossibly amazing viewing angles no matter your sitting position. With this in front of you, there is no way you cannot get fully immersed in your virtual gaming world.

One of the biggest advantages that this monitor brings to the table is not the fact that it has excellent graphics or that it is huge, it is the fact that, unlike 4K monitors, you simply have to plug it in and play. You do not have to fiddle incessantly with the controls to get the best display!

BenQ does not joke when it comes to quality. With the BenQ PD3200U, every single unit goes through a thorough and professional calibration process by the experts at BenQ. This means that you get one of the best 4K monitors shipped to your door ready to go.

BenQ PD3200U specifications:​

  • Screen Size: 32-inch
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
  • Brightness: 350 cd/m2
  • Response Time: 4ms
  • Viewing Angle: 178/178
  • Contrast Ratio: 1,000:1
  • Color Support: sRGB 100%
  • Weight: 19 lbs

At just 19 pounds this is one of the most portable ultra-high-resolution desktop console monitors in the market.

Pros:​

  • It features 4K UHD resolution
  • It is a large screen
  • It is quite affordable

Cons:

  • It will need you to have a big desk
  • Some of its pro features are way too niche
  • The design might not appeal to everyone

Built for the office and CAD professionals, this is a monitor you should get only if you want nothing but the best for your gaming experience. It is a bit big, but that is a very small price to pay.


Alienware 25

For a gaming console monitor that can be configured to support either Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync, the Alienware 25 really isn't discriminatory against any PC. That is why it is one of the most popular monitors on the market today. It gives you the freedom to choose.

Most monitors are configured to support either one or the other but never both. Despite this fact, the Alienware 25 has virtually no screen tearing.

alienware 25 monitor image

A lot of thought went into designing this monitor as it offers you more than just functionality. It brings a beautiful look to the table too. With its strikingly exotic design that comes complete with AlienFX RGB lighting, you will definitely get all you bargained for with this model.

But apart from the cool sleek look and the configuration options available here, the Alienware 25 offers you a smooth 240Hz refresh rate that simply jerks your gaming experience right up into new levels.

As mentioned earlier, some of the most important features to look for in a gaming console are speed and responsiveness. The Alienware 25 has all these bases covered. With its low 1ms response time, this is a monitor for gamers who know exactly what they want and aren't afraid to go after it.

Alienware 25 specifications:​

  • Screen size: 24.5-inch
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
  • Brightness: 400 cd/m2
  • Response time: 1ms
  • Viewing angle: 170/160
  • Contrast ratio: 1000:1
  • Color support: SRGB 119%
  • Weight: 11.7kg

At almost 12kg you might have to get a very sturdy desk if you want to enjoy gaming on this monitor. That, however, is a very small price to pay for the kind of experience you will get here.

Pros:

  • It features a beautifully exotic design
  • It has an ultra-fast response time
  • It offers you an extremely fast refresh rate
  • It comes in AMD Free and G-Sync versions

Cons:

  • It is a little pricier than most
  • Doesn't offer you that many excellent viewing angles
  • Only offers 1080p

If you are looking for something that has a super fast refresh rate and an even better response time, then this is the console monitor for you this year.


As we mentioned before, there are hundreds of gaming console monitors you can choose on the market today. But if you want something that will give you value for money all the while greatly enhancing your gaming experience, then any one of these best console gaming monitors for high definition gameplay should be on your list.

They are fast, they are beautifully designed, and they are built purely for gaming!​