• The list in brief ↴
1. Best overall
2. Runner up
3. Best mid-range
4. Mid-range alternative
5. Best budget
6. Budget altnerative
7. How to choose
The Xbox Series X is the world's most powerful console today, so gamers everywhere should pair it with something that offers an equal viewing experience. For many serious and competitive gamers playing at a desk, a monitor is a superior option over any television. Offering faster response times (unless you're gaming on OLED) and easier viewing for competitive gaming, any console gamer can benefit from gaming on a monitor.
So what's the right choice for you? We're here to help you decide. Whether you're gaming with mom's credit card or on a budget, we've got a wide range of selections for you to take a look at. Many of these have either been tested by us, or proven through word-of-mouth.
You might also be a dual gamer like myself. Someone who covets the convenience of the console experience while also appreciating an all-powerful PC. With Steam and others even possibly coming to Xbox, maybe it's time to be ready for both! So, let's take the leap into the world of monitor gaming!
The quick list
The best overall
DELL has launched the king of all of the monitors, one of the first true 4K gaming monitors that come in actual monitor size. Rather than arriving at over 40" like other "monitors," this one sticks to 32", giving a perfect pixel density at 4K. Bolstered by the best visual screen that can be provided through OLED technology and 240hz support for PC enthusiasts, this monitor is the absolute best you could obtain. If you've got the spare change lying around, there's no use in looking for other monitors at the same price point; this is it!
Runner up
The latest G8 has HDR2000 and FreeSync packed into a curved, 32-inch 4k frame. In terms of color reproduction and HDR output, it's top-tier outside of costly OLED monitors available today. There's little use in a 240hz display for consoles that only output at 120hz, but it's there and killer. When tested, the G8 has a very slightly lower input response time when set to 240hz than when set to 120hz, even if the source is 120hz. For gamers out there who may switch between Xbox and PC like myself, this monitor is 100% for you.
Mid-range
Offering a 144Hz refresh rate, excellent color range, and good contrast, the OMEN 27k is an ideal gaming monitor. Thanks to the helpful connection area, you can plug in multiple devices and switch between them via the KVM switch. There are also plenty of ports to accommodate your PC accessories. What makes this the absolute best mid-range monitor pick for me is the fact that I've never seen a 144hz 4K monitor with HDR for under $600 with this kind of build quality. They're very few and far between.
Mid-range alternative
Don't let some of the price drops fool you; the standard price for this monitor currently sits at around $650, not $1000. You can snag the Alienware monitor if you're willing to pay $100 to $200 more than the OMEN. With nearly the exact same specs as the HP monitor, it's better in terms of HDR performance and refresh rate for gamers who also play on PC.
Best budget
Gaming on a budget never got tighter! Even though it's 1080p, at 24", the pixel density is perfect. It comes with a wonderful color-saturated IPS panel that features a staggering 1ms response time. In gaming, anything more could be the difference between life and respawn! It also features Freesync for the added smooth experience all gamers desire.
Budget alternative
This is nearly identical to the monitor I used for years, and I love it. The downside is it's 1440p, but at 27", it doesn't really make much of a difference. At a significantly higher DPI than at 32", the discrepancy is negligible when compared to 4K at the same size. All while coming with the ability to support 120hz and HDR10.
The best overall monitor for Xbox
This is the end of all monitors. No, really, this thing is incredible. An OLED monitor in the form factor of an actual monitor? Not a giant, 43" television that's pitched as a "monitor"? These are the cream of the crop in terms of just about anything a gamer is looking for.
First, let's talk about the QD-OLED panel, something Aliewnware is really loving. Almost nothing in the monitor space will look this good for a gaming monitor. QD-OLED is a hybrid display technology that uses OLED panel technology and enhances the color and brightness properties of OLED using Quantum Dots. You may have seen QLED panels for televisions out and about. This is a mash-up of the two best panel technologies on the market.
Now, throw in the already incredible response times of an OLED panel, mix it with 240hz, and make it 4K. In my opinion, you have the best gaming monitor on the market. Nothing touches this except your wallet, and that's the catch. This thing is about as expensive as high-end monitors come. It'll set you back over twice the price of an Xbox Series X, $1200 before tax in the US.
With it, you'd be set not only for Xbox Series X|S gameplay but also for PC. Unless you have a ton of money to throw around, I recommend this monitor to hybrid gamers like myself—people who find themselves gaming on both Xbox and PC. If you're not, only go out and get this if you've got money burning a hole in your pocket.
Runner up for best overall Xbox monitor
This is my personal favorite monitor on the market for gamers who play exclusively on Xbox. With top-tier HDR and 120hz support for Xbox, you won't find anything under $1000 that's better. It even doubles as the second-best hybrid monitor on this list. If you're gaming on a PC as well, then the 240hz will be highly beneficial for you.
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 won the 2022 CES Award for Innovation for a reason. With a wonderfully curved display, this monitor regularly retails for $800 or less on sale or $900 at what's considered the new MSRP.
Touch grass? You won't need to on this baby. The grass will be so detailed you won't ever leave your room again!
Best mid-range Xbox monitor
As our own Rebecca Spear said, "The OMEN 27k is an ideal gaming monitor," and she's right. Offering all the bells and whistles an Xbox gamer is looking for. We can check off 4K, 120hz support, HDR, Freesync, VRR, and even a KVM switch!
It even doubles as a fantastic PC gaming monitor featuring both Freesync and Nvidia G-Sync. You can crank the refresh rate up to 144hz to really maximize that buttery smoothness found in high refresh rate gaming monitors. The KVM switch allows for quick access between your PC, Xbox and other peripherals devices, too!
This thing is a beast in its price range, but far more elegant than any beast I've ever seen. If you're looking to pay a comparative price to that of your Xbox while not breaking the bank, then this OMEn is the ideal choice to make.
Read our in-depth HP OMEN 27k review.
Mid-range alternative
This monitor is best suited for gamers who play on Xbox and PC. Sporting a 280Hz refresh rate that you'll only get from the latter, the Alienware AW2723DF is one of the top choices for gamers looking for competitive specs with reasonable image quality. If you want an even higher refresh rate but lower resolution, they have one of those, too!
Alienware also has some excellent "gaming" features built into their monitors, with Freesync to boot.
All in all, the OMEN is just a little more worth it to me, but if you've got the extra cash and want a better HDR experience with a better PC monitor, then maybe the Alienware is for you. However, you could also spend just a little bit more and get something like the Odyssey monitor instead.
Read our in-depth Alienware AW2723DF review.
Best budget Xbox monitor
This is the first monitor in our group that doesn't feature 4K. However, that's okay! I gamed on a 1080p monitor for years, and it's fantastic. Monitor sizes are all about pixel density. This monitor is 24", which is perfect for 1080p. At 4K, you'd barely notice a difference on a 24" screen. In some cases, 4K might even make text almost impossible to read.
What's more, this ASUS monitor still comes with 120Hz support for Xbox Series X|S, a wonderful addition for any gamer looking to play games that take advantage of this feature. Top it off with some Freesync support, and you've got yourself a nice little monitor, all for a price less than that of the Xbox Series S.
Budget alternative Xbox monitor
You really can't go wrong with the HP OMEN 27qs if you're looking to game on a budget. Sure, it's about $150 more than the ASUS TUF monitor, but it's worth it, in my opinion. As a fellow who's gamed on a 1440p monitor for years, it's excellent! 240hz is absolutely fantastic for users looking to play on a PC, too.
It doesn't come with HDMI 2.1, but that's okay since it's restricted to 1440p, meaning 120Hz at 1440p is supported for both Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. When it comes to a budget, you still need a decent monitor. This HP is the right pick!
Read our in-depth HP OMEN 27qs review.
How to choose the best monitor for Xbox
- Resolution: Our monitors listed here are either 4k or 1440p. When choosing a monitor, you mustn't settle for 1080p on the latest generation of consoles. Resolution is the standard measurement for the number of pixels on a screen or a form of clarity. 1080p is blurry by today's standard.
- Size: A monitor can be too big, while also being too small. There are what are known as "sweet spots" for monitor sizes. They relate to the resolution of said monitor. For example, a 32" 1440p monitor will have a very low pixel density, meaning the overall image will be blurrier than if it was reduced to a 27" monitor. A good rule of thumb is as follows, 32" for 4K, 27" for 1440p, and 24" for 1080p.
- Refresh rate: With Xbox offering 120hz output, it's silly to do anything less. With 120fps games, you'll notice a far smoother playing experience than compared to the old gold standard of 60 frames-per-second—higher refresh rates than that provide more flexibility for the future.
- HDR: It's modern day. Don't buy a display unit without some sort of High dynamic range (HDR). This technology generally improves the color gamut of a display by leaps and bounds. That difference is different depending on the type of HDR your display comes with. All displays listed have HDR.
- FreeSync: This tech will significantly reduce the tear or stutter on gaming displays that include it. A recommended feature that all monitors in this list contain.
- Response Time: This is where monitors really come into their own. They outperform the functional response times of any TV that isn't an OLED.
With that, those are our top picks for gaming monitors to pair with the Xbox Series X and S. No matter your preference, you won't go wrong. Any monitor listed here will give gamers a fantastic gaming adventure. Whether on a budget or at the top end, you can safely walk away knowing you put your dollars into products you can trust and count on.
