The Best IPS Monitor

IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCD panels have become the default choice for both office productivity and casual gaming thanks to their wide viewing angles, consistent color reproduction, and fast response times.

Whether you are upgrading your home desk setup, looking for a secondary screen, or building a multi-monitor workstation, a high-quality IPS monitor can dramatically improve your daily computing experience.

In this guide, we have evaluated the top picks in the category using a consistent research methodology, analyzing specifications, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback, to help you find the best IPS monitor for your needs and budget.

Below you will find our curated list of top-rated IPS monitors, ranging from compact portable displays to large high-refresh-rate gaming screens. Each model has been scored on our 10-point BP Score and is ranked accordingly.

For a deeper dive into what makes a great IPS monitor, read on to our comprehensive buying guide.

Best Ips Monitor Buying Guide

Resolution and Screen Size

The resolution and physical size of a monitor directly affect how much content you can display and how sharp it looks.

Full HD (1920×1080) at 24 or 27 inches remains the most common combination for everyday use and offers an excellent balance of sharpness and affordability.

If you need more screen real estate for spreadsheets, design work, or gaming, QHD (2560×1440) provides a noticeable step up in detail. For professional photo or video editing, 4K UHD (3840×2160) panels are increasingly available at accessible prices.

When choosing a size, consider your desk depth and viewing distance: a 27-inch 1080p panel may look slightly pixelated if you sit close, while a 24-inch 4K screen can make text very small without scaling.

For compact desks or travel, portable 15.6-inch IPS monitors offer surprising utility. These USB-C powered displays are ideal for extending a laptop’s screen on the go.

If a secondary screen is what you need, our roundup of portable monitors covers the best options across different budgets.

Refresh Rate and Response Time

Refresh rate determines how many times per second the screen updates its image, measured in Hertz (Hz). A standard 60 Hz IPS monitor is sufficient for office work, web browsing, and watching videos.

However, once you experience a 120 Hz or 144 Hz panel, even everyday mouse movements feel smoother. For competitive gaming, higher refresh rates reduce motion blur and give a tangible advantage.

Most modern IPS panels deliver a 1 ms to 5 ms gray-to-gray response time, which is fast enough to avoid ghosting in fast-paced games. Pairing a high-refresh-rate IPS monitor with a capable graphics card ensures you can drive those frames consistently.

Many of the IPS monitors in our list offer 120 Hz, 144 Hz, or even 240 Hz refresh rates while maintaining excellent color accuracy.

If you are a competitive gamer seeking maximum smoothness, a 240 Hz IPS panel is a top-tier choice, but 144 Hz remains the sweet spot for most users.

Check our dedicated guide to 144Hz 1ms monitors for more details on this popular combination.

Connectivity and Adjustability

Modern IPS monitors typically include HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, with many adding USB-C with power delivery for laptops. USB-C connectivity simplifies cable management and allows you to charge your laptop while sending video and data over a single cable.

For a clean workspace, monitors with built-in USB hubs or VESA mount compatibility let you attach the screen to an arm or wall mount, freeing up desk space.

Height-adjustable stands are a significant ergonomic benefit, reducing neck strain during long work hours. If you plan to use multiple monitors, look for thin bezels and tilt/swivel/pivot adjustments to align them seamlessly.

Built-in speakers are common on office-oriented models, but their audio quality is often basic. For immersive sound, external speakers or headphones are recommended. Our review of 27-inch monitors with speakers can help if built-in audio is a priority.

Panel Uniformity and Color Accuracy

One of the main advantages of IPS technology is its wide viewing angle, typically 178° both horizontally and vertically. Colors stay consistent even when viewing the screen from the side, making IPS ideal for collaborative work or sharing your screen.

For color-critical tasks like photo editing, graphic design, or video production, look for monitors that cover 99% or more of the sRGB color space and offer factory calibration. Professional-grade IPS monitors often support wider gamuts like DCI-P3 or Adobe RGB.

Budget IPS panels may exhibit some backlight bleed or uniformity issues, but at typical usage brightness, these are rarely noticeable. Our selection includes models that have received positive feedback in expert reviews for consistent brightness and color performance.

If you need a monitor specifically for creative work, explore our business monitors guide for ergonomic and color-accurate options.

Budget Considerations

IPS monitors are available across a wide price range, from under $50 for a portable 15.6-inch model to several hundred dollars for a 4K high-refresh-rate panel.

Generally, you get what you pay for in terms of resolution, refresh rate, build quality, and ergonomic stand. For a basic home or office setup, a 24-inch 1080p 60 Hz IPS monitor can be found at very competitive prices.

Stepping up to a 27-inch 1080p 120 Hz or 144 Hz model adds fluidity without breaking the bank. Gamers on a tight budget should consider the cheapest monitors that still offer IPS panels with decent response times.

Remember that a monitor is a long-term investment; spending a little more on a model with better connectivity, adjustable stand, and higher refresh rate can extend its lifespan across multiple computer upgrades.

For those seeking a compact secondary screen, our guide to small monitors covers sizes that fit tight spaces.

Why You Should Trust Us

BestProducts is an independent review site dedicated to helping you find the best products for your needs. We do not accept payment for positive reviews, and our recommendations are based solely on thorough research.

Each product in this guide has been evaluated using our consistent BP Score from 0 to 10, which considers specifications, expert review consensus, verified buyer feedback, and published data.

We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback.

Our team monitors hundreds of reviews across the web and aggregates the most reliable opinions to give you a clear picture. For more on our methodology, visit our Computers & Office section.

Final Thoughts

After evaluating the top IPS monitors on the market, we have selected the following award winners:

Best Overall: Dell 24 Monitor – SE2426H, This 23.8-inch FHD IPS panel delivers a smooth 144 Hz refresh rate, a fast 1 ms response time, and AMD FreeSync support at a very accessible price.

Its combination of performance and value earned the highest BP Score among all models we reviewed.

Best for Gaming: Dell 27 240Hz Gaming Monitor – SE2726HG, With a 240 Hz refresh rate and IPS technology, this 27-inch FHD monitor is built for competitive gamers who need the smoothest possible motion.

It supports AMD FreeSync Premium and features a TÜV 3-Star certified low-blue-light mode.

Best Portable: MNN 15.6″ FHD Portable Monitor, A lightweight, USB-C powered IPS display that is perfect for extending a laptop’s workspace on the road. It offers 60 Hz refresh rate and HDR compatibility at a budget-friendly price.

Best Value 27-Inch: Acer 27in FHD IPS 120Hz Monitor – KB272 G0bi, This 27-inch FHD panel provides a 120 Hz refresh rate, making it an excellent choice for both office work and casual gaming without spending a premium.

It earned a near-perfect BP Score for its price-to-performance ratio.

Best for Professional Use: Dell 27 Monitor S2725QS, A 4K UHD IPS monitor with 120 Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium, this model is ideal for creative professionals who need sharp detail and smooth motion. It covers a wide color gamut and offers extensive ergonomic adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IPS monitor?

An IPS (In-Plane Switching) monitor uses a type of LCD panel technology known for its wide viewing angles, accurate colors, and consistent brightness across the screen.

Unlike older TN panels, IPS displays maintain image quality even when viewed from the side, making them ideal for collaborative work, creative tasks, and gaming where color fidelity matters.

Is IPS better than VA or TN for gaming?

IPS panels generally offer superior color accuracy and viewing angles compared to VA (Vertical Alignment) and TN (Twisted Nematic) panels. For fast-paced gaming, modern IPS panels have response times as low as 1 ms, rivaling TN.

VA panels have better contrast ratios (deeper blacks) but can suffer from slower response times and narrower viewing angles. IPS is the most versatile choice for gamers who also use the monitor for work or media consumption.

For a dedicated gaming setup, check out our guide to PS5 monitors for consoles.

What refresh rate should I choose for gaming on an IPS monitor?

For casual gaming, a 60 Hz IPS monitor is perfectly adequate. However, a 120 Hz or 144 Hz panel provides a noticeably smoother experience, especially in fast-moving genres like first-person shooters or racing games.

Competitive gamers who prioritize every millisecond should consider 240 Hz or even 360 Hz IPS displays. The choice also depends on your graphics card’s ability to maintain high frame rates at the monitor’s resolution.

If you have a mid-range GPU, 1440p 144 Hz or 1080p 240 Hz are excellent targets. See our recommendations for 1440p gaming monitors for a balance between resolution and speed.

Can an IPS monitor be used for professional photo or video editing?

Yes, many IPS monitors are excellent for color-critical work. Look for models that cover at least 99% sRGB and optionally DCI-P3 or Adobe RGB. Factory calibration is a plus.

IPS panels offer consistent colors across the screen, which is crucial for editing. For 4K editing needs, a 27-inch or larger IPS monitor with high pixel density is recommended.

Our 27-inch 1440p gaming monitors guide also includes options suitable for creative professionals due to their color accuracy and high resolution.

Are cheap IPS monitors worth buying?

Budget IPS monitors can be excellent value, especially if you do not need high refresh rates or 4K resolution. Many affordable 24-inch 1080p IPS models offer good color and viewing angles for everyday computing, web browsing, and office work.

However, they may compromise on build quality, stand adjustability, and peak brightness. For a secondary screen or a student setup, a cheap IPS monitor can be a smart purchase.

To learn about the most affordable options, explore our 1080p 24-inch monitor roundup.

How do I clean an IPS monitor safely?

Always power off the monitor before cleaning. Use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth slightly dampened with distilled water or a specialized screen cleaner. Never spray liquid directly onto the panel; apply it to the cloth first.

Gently wipe the screen in a circular motion, avoiding excessive pressure. Do not use paper towels, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the anti-glare coating.

For stubborn smudges, a small amount of isopropyl alcohol mixed with water (50/50) is safe for modern IPS panels, but check your manufacturer’s guidelines first.

About the author