Whether you're in a dorm or simply don't have space for a big TV, console gaming on a monitor is a great alternative. Like any technology, not all monitors are created equal, and there are very different requirements depending on your usage. Luckily, the Xbox One can take advantage of many of the recent PC gaming technologies, including FreeSync VRR, and some games support a 1440p resolution, so many of the best monitors for PC gaming are also great for gaming on the Xbox One.
We've tested over 165 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best monitor for Xbox One X. See also our recommendations for the best curved gaming monitors, the best monitors for PS4, and the best FreeSync monitors.
The best 4k gaming monitor for Xbox One X we've tested is the Dell S2721QS. It's a simple but versatile model that delivers good gaming performance. It has a 27 inch screen that provides amazing immersion and plenty of space for multitasking. The stand allows for a good amount of ergonomic adjustments, and it has an IPS panel with wide viewing angles, making it a great choice for playing co-op games. It handles reflections well and gets bright enough to overcome glare, but it isn't ideal for dark rooms due to its low contrast ratio.
Motion handling is good, resulting in reasonably clear images in fast-moving scenes, and it supports variable refresh rate to minimize screen tearing. Input lag is very low and remains low even with VRR and HDR enabled. As for the HDR experience, unfortunately, it doesn't get bright enough to truly make highlights pop, so HDR content doesn't look much different from SDR.
There are only a few additional features, like a pair of integrated speakers and a Picture-in-Picture mode that lets you display images from two input sources at once. The backlight is flicker-free, which helps minimize image duplication and reduce eye strain on those long gaming sessions. Overall, while it isn't the most feature-rich monitor, it should satisfy most gamers.
If you want a monitor with a bigger screen than the Dell S2721QS, then you're better off with a TV like the LG 48 CX OLED. It has an amazingly low input lag, a near-instantaneous response time, and a Black Frame Insertion feature that further improves motion clarity. It supports FreeSync and is compatible with G-SYNC. Like all OLEDs, it can produce perfect blacks due to its infinite contrast ratio, making it a fantastic choice for gaming in the dark. The downside is the risk of permanent burn-in, which can happen when static content remains on the screen for an extended period. However, we don't expect it to be an issue for most people, and there are built-in features that can mitigate the risks. Also, since this is a TV, there are no ergonomic adjustments, so you might not be able to get the best viewing position. On the bright side, if you plan on upgrading your console to the Xbox Series X, it has a 120Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports.
Overall, the Dell is a better choice because it has better ergonomics and lower input lag, and it's significantly cheaper. However, if you want a big screen for the best immersion, go with the LG.
The best monitor for Xbox One that we've tested is the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx. This is a compact 24 inch IPS monitor with a 1080p resolution. It's decently well-built, and it comes with a sturdy stand that allows for an amazing amount of ergonomic adjustments, including a full 360-degree swivel range. Its excellent viewing angles make it easier to share content with others, and it gets bright enough to overcome glare in most lighting conditions.
This budget model's motion handling is amazing. It has exceptional response time at 60Hz, and it supports FreeSync variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing. Input lag is incredibly low and remains so when playing in HDR. Unfortunately, the overall HDR experience is rather mediocre because it can't display a wide color gamut, lacks local dimming, and doesn't get bright enough to make highlights stand out.
Sadly, there are very few extra features. You can add a virtual crosshair on the screen, and in addition to having a flicker-free backlight, it has a feature to filter out blue light, which helps reduce eye strain. Color accuracy is excellent out of the box; however, this may vary between individual units. On the whole, although its compact screen size and 1080p resolution might not be the most immersive, it's an excellent monitor that should please most people nonetheless.
If you want a larger model with a higher resolution for better immersion, then check out the Samsung Odyssey G7. Unlike the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx, this model has a curved VA panel with a 1440p resolution, and it's available in a 27 inch or 32 inch size. It also has exceptional response time at 60Hz and supports VRR. It delivers a better HDR experience because it can display a wide color gamut and gets brighter, although it's only bright enough to bring out some highlights in games, not for a true cinematic HDR experience. It has a significantly higher contrast ratio than the Acer, making it a great choice for dark rooms, but it also has narrower viewing angles, which isn't ideal for co-op gaming or sharing content.
Overall, the Acer and the Samsung are both excellent gaming monitors. Choosing between them depends mostly on your needs and setup. The Acer is a better choice if you want wide viewing angles and don't mind the smaller screen size. However, if you want a more immersive gaming experience and don't mind narrow viewing angles, then go with the Samsung.
The best monitor for Xbox One in the cheap category that we've tested is the HP X24ih. It's a decently-built 24 inch model with a 1080p resolution. It has an IPS panel with excellent viewing angles, and it provides good visibility in most lighting conditions. The stand allows for height and tilt adjustment, and it can rotate to portrait mode, but it can't swivel at all. Its 24 inch isn't the most immersive, but it does make the pixel density higher, resulting in sharper images and text.
It has exceptional response time at 60Hz, which results in only a short blur trail behind fast-moving objects. Input lag is incredibly low, and it supports variable refresh rate technology to minimize screen tearing. It has a flicker-free backlight, which helps eliminate image duplication and reduce eye strain. Unfortunately, it doesn't support HDR, although it wouldn't have added much since it doesn't have the color gamut nor the brightness needed to deliver a satisfying HDR experience.
As is expected for a monitor in its price range, there are very few extra features. You can add a virtual crosshair or a frame rate counter to the screen, and there's also a feature that helps with alignment in a multi-monitor setup. It's not the best for gaming in the dark as, like most IPS panels, it has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look grayish, and there's severe clouding throughout the screen on our unit. Overall, while there are some downsides, this is a great gaming monitor that most people should be happy with, and it's easy on the wallet.
Apr 13, 2021: Minor text and structure changes. Replaced LG 24GL600F with HP X24ih.
Feb 12, 2021: Replaced Acer Nitro XV273X with Acer Nitro XF273. Removed Dell Alienware AW2521HF. Added LG 24Gl600F as 'Best Cheap Monitor'.
Dec 15, 2020: : Removed LG 27UK650-W, BenQ EW3270, LG 27GL850, and ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV. Added Dell S2721QS, LG 48 CX OLED, Samsung Odyssey G7, Dell Alienware AW2521HF.
Oct 16, 2020: Minor changes to text for clarity; no changes to picks.
Aug 17, 2020: Replaced ASUS VG279Q with ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV.
Jul 15, 2020: Changed the LG from '1440p Co-Op Gaming Alternative' to '1440p Alternative'.
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best gaming monitors for Xbox One currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people, in each price range. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all of our monitor reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.