The Sony INZONE M9 is a 27-inch, 4k gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate. It's part of Sony's INZONE lineup that features other products like the Sony INZONE H9 Wireless and is a higher-end monitor than the Sony INZONE M3. It has typical gaming features like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, VRR support to reduce screen tearing, and full-array local dimming. Sony also advertises it as being 'Perfect for PS5' as it has features with the console that other monitors don't have, like Auto HDR Tone Mapping, and it has design similarities with the PS5, so it gives your setup a uniform look.
Our Verdict
The Sony INZONE M9 is decent for PC gaming. Although its 144Hz refresh rate isn't high for competitive PC gaming, it's still fine for casual gamers, and it has VRR support to reduce screen tearing. It also has low input lag for a responsive feel, and motion looks sharp, but there's more blur at lower refresh rates. Even though it has a low native contrast ratio, blacks still look deep with the local dimming feature enabled, but small highlights are muted in HDR.
- 144Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
- Low input lag.
- Fast response time at high refresh rates.
- Full-array local dimming improves contrast.
- Low native contrast ratio.
- More blur at lower refresh rates.
- Blooming around bright objects.
The Sony INZONE M9 is impressive for console gaming. It has features with the PS5 that other monitors don't have, like Auto HDR Tone Mapping, and it also takes full advantage of the Xbox Series X|S. It has a high 4k resolution for detailed images, and it has a full-array local dimming feature that helps it display deep blacks, but there's blooming around bright objects. In terms of gaming, it has low input lag for a responsive feel, and motion looks sharp at most refresh rates, except there's more blur at lower refresh rates.
- Low input lag.
- Fast response time at high refresh rates.
- HDMI 2.1 bandwidth for consoles.
- Full-array local dimming improves contrast.
- Made for PS5 features.
- Low native contrast ratio.
- More blur at lower refresh rates.
- Blooming around bright objects.
The Sony INZONE M9 is great for the office. The large, high-resolution screen makes it easy to multitask, as you can easily work with multiple windows open, resulting in fantastic text clarity. It has good visibility in bright rooms thanks to its high brightness and good reflection handling, so glare isn't an issue. Sadly, it has limited ergonomics, so it's difficult to adjust it to an ideal viewing position, and although it has USB-C power, it's limited to 15W of power delivery. It even has a KVM switch, but it only works after a firmware update.
- Bright enough to fight glare.
- Good reflection handling.
- Fantastic text clarity.
- KVM switch works after firmware update.
- Limited ergonomics.
The Sony INZONE M9 is decent for media creators. The large, high-resolution screen makes it easy to see more of your workflow at once. Unfortunately, it has oversaturated colors before calibration, so you need to calibrate it for the best accuracy, but it displays a wide range of colors once you do. It has an okay local dimming feature that helps improve the contrast ratio, but it has blooming around bright objects, which isn't ideal for editing content in dark rooms. It also has limited ergonomics, which is disappointing for sharing your screen with others.
- Bright enough to fight glare.
- Full-array local dimming improves contrast.
- Good reflection handling.
- Fantastic text clarity.
- Low native contrast ratio.
- Limited ergonomics.
- Colors are oversaturated before calibration.
The Sony INZONE M9 has great brightness. It's bright enough to fight glare and also delivers an impactful HDR experience, but small highlights are muted in HDR.
- Bright enough to fight glare.
- Large highlights get bright in HDR.
- Small highlights are dim with local dimming.
The Sony INZONE M9 has a good response time. For the most part, motion looks sharp, but there's more inverse ghosting and blur at lower refresh rates.
- Fast response time at high refresh rates.
- More blur at lower refresh rates.
The Sony INZONE M9 has okay HDR picture quality. Although it has a low native contrast ratio, it has a full-array local dimming feature to improve the picture quality in dark scenes. That said, it has blooming around bright objects, and it doesn't display very bright colors well.
- Full-array local dimming improves contrast.
- Blooming around bright objects.
The Sony INZONE M9 has okay SDR picture quality. It displays a wide range of colors, but it has a low contrast ratio, so blacks look gray without its local dimming feature.
- Displays wide range of SDR colors.
- Low native contrast ratio.
The Sony INZONE M9 has decent color accuracy. Since it lacks an sRGB mode and has oversaturated colors before calibration, you need to calibrate it for the best accuracy.
- Colors are oversaturated before calibration.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Feb 21, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.0.1. This includes a new test result for DisplayPort 2.1 Transmission Bandwidth.
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Updated Jan 24, 2025:
Added that the Sony INZONE M9 II gets even brighter in HDR.
- Updated Aug 12, 2024: Confirmed that its KVM switch works after a firmware update.
- Updated Aug 09, 2024: Updated text throughout the review according to Test Bench 2.0, mainly in the Verdict and Motion sections.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 27-inch Sony INZONE M9, which is the only size available, and the results are only valid for this monitor. As a part of Sony's INZONE monitor lineup, it sits above the Sony INZONE M3, and you can see the differences between them below.
| Model | Size | Panel Type | Resolution | Max Refresh Rate | HDMI 2.1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M9 | 27" | IPS | 4k | 144Hz | Yes |
| M3 | 27" | IPS | 1080p | 240Hz | No |
Our unit was manufactured in June 2022, and you can see the label for our unit here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The Sony INZONE M9 is a 4k, 27-inch gaming monitor that's mainly designed for use with gaming consoles, specifically the PS5. It has features with the PS5 that other monitors don't have, like Auto HDR Tone Mapping, and its design even shares similarities with the console. Although there are other 4k gaming monitors that work well with consoles, this one is really meant to complement the PlayStation. If that isn't as important for you, you can go for other monitors with better motion handling or picture quality, like the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx.
Check out our recommendations for the best 4k 144Hz monitors, the best monitors for PS5/PS5 Pro, and the best 4k gaming monitors.
The Sony INZONE M9 and the Sony INZONE M9 II are extremely similar 27-inch 4k gaming monitors with full-array local dimming. The M9 II is the better option for most gamers, as its local dimming system is slightly better at preserving details in dark scenes than the original M9 and looks slightly smoother with its higher 160Hz refresh rate. However, the original M9 looks less cloudy, particularly with static scenes, so you may prefer it if you find cloudiness or blooming distracting, particularly in slower scenes.
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85 is much better than the Sony INZONE M9. The Samsung has a much more versatile stand, so it's easier to place it in an ideal viewing position without having to buy a separate VESA mount. The Samsung model also has much better contrast and a better Mini LED local dimming feature, delivering brighter highlights in HDR and less blooming around bright objects.
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75 is better than the Sony INZONE M9. The Samsung has a much more versatile stand, so it's easier to place it in an ideal viewing position or turn the screen to share it with someone else. The Samsung also has much better contrast, delivering deeper blacks in a dark room and less blooming around bright objects thanks to its Mini LED backlight.
The LG 27GP950-B and the Sony INZONE M9 are both 4k, 27-inch gaming monitors. The LG has much better accuracy out of the box, and colors aren't oversaturated, so it's a better choice for anyone looking for an accurate image. The LG also has better ergonomics, so it's easier to place it in an ideal viewing position. The LG also has slightly faster response times, especially if you're gaming at lower refresh rates, including 120Hz or 60Hz gaming from a console.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
Test Results
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