Best Gaming Monitors for PS5 Beginners 2026
The Samsung Odyssey G5 is the best gaming monitor for PS5 beginners — 1440p curved VA panel with 165Hz and HDMI 2.0 that handles PS5 4K output at 60fps beautifully. For true 4K 120Hz PS5 gaming, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 4K is the flagship upgrade with HDMI 2.1 support.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Panel | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best 4K Gaming | $1499 Buy → |
— | — | — | 7.2 | |
| 2 | Best Overall | $274 Buy → |
— | — | — | — | |
| 3 | Best Ultrawide Premium | $304 Buy → |
— | — | — | 7.5 | |
| 4 | Best Curved Value | $399 Buy → |
— | — | — | 8.3 |
Score Breakdown
| Samsung 57" Odyssey N… | Samsung 32" Odyssey G… | acer Predator X35 bmi… | Dell S3422DWG Curved … | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 7.2 | – | 7.5 | 8.3 |
| Value | 65 | – | 86 | 83 |
| Build Quality | 80 | – | 65 | 83 |
| Display | 73 | – | 73 | 73 |
| Response Time | 73 | – | 60 | 87 |
| Color Accuracy | 72 | – | 60 | 60 |
Scores 0–100 derived from published specifications, verified buyer reviews, and price-to-performance analysis. 0 = feature not present. – = insufficient data. How we score →
Gaming Monitors for PS5 Beginners Buying Guide
Photo by FOX ^.ᆽ.^= ∫ / PexelsThe PS5 outputs up to 4K at 120Hz over HDMI 2.1 — but only a fraction of monitors on the market have HDMI 2.1 ports. Most "gaming monitors" still use HDMI 2.0, which caps PS5 at 4K/60fps or 1440p/120fps. For beginners, this actually simplifies the decision: a good 1440p 165Hz monitor lets the PS5 run at maximum quality while costing significantly less than a 4K HDMI 2.1 display.
How We Picked These
We compared 6 gaming monitors across resolution and refresh rate combinations, HDMI version (2.0 vs 2.1), response time, panel type (VA vs IPS), HDR support, and price-to-performance value, cross-referencing picks with expert reviews from Digital Foundry, Rtings.com, and r/PS5. Products were selected for the best PS5 gaming experience at each price tier, prioritizing monitors that deliver visible improvement over a standard 1080p TV.
1080p vs 1440p vs 4K for PS5
At 27 inches, 1080p looks acceptable but pixel density is low — individual pixels become visible up close. The Dell S2721HS 27" 1080p monitor is the budget entry point. At 27-34 inches, 1440p is the sweet spot: sharper than 1080p, less demanding than 4K, and the PS5 upscales beautifully. The Samsung Odyssey G5 1440p delivers the best visual-to-cost ratio for PS5 gaming. True 4K at 120Hz (Samsung Odyssey Neo G9) shows every detail the PS5 renders, but requires HDMI 2.1 and costs significantly more.
Refresh Rate: 60Hz vs 120Hz vs 165Hz for PS5
The PS5 outputs 60fps at 4K and up to 120fps at 1080p-1440p (game-dependent). A 120Hz or 165Hz monitor fully utilizes the PS5's 120fps mode in supported titles — the difference in smoothness is immediately noticeable in fast-paced games. For PS5 specifically, prioritize a monitor with 120Hz+ over a higher resolution at 60Hz: motion clarity matters more than pixel density in action games.
Curved vs Flat: Which Is Better for PS5?
Curved monitors (Samsung Odyssey G5, Acer Predator X35, Dell Curved) wrap the screen slightly toward your peripheral vision — immersive for single-player games on ultrawide panels. Flat monitors (Dell S2721HS, LG UltraWide) are better for split-screen multiplayer where multiple players view from different angles. Curvature matters most on ultrawide (34"+) monitors; on 27" displays, the difference is minimal.
What to Avoid
Avoid 60Hz monitors for PS5 gaming — even the console's basic 60fps modes feel choppy without the smoothness of higher refresh rates. Avoid HDMI 1.4 monitors: they cap PS5 output at 4K/30fps. Avoid monitors advertising "4K ready" or "4K compatible" without confirmed HDMI 2.1 ports — marketing language for monitors that technically accept a 4K signal but can't display 4K at 120fps. Check the spec sheet for HDMI version before purchasing.
Watch Before You Buy
“Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 4K brings Mini LED backlighting and true 4K resolution to PS5 gaming. The high-contrast panel with 1000 local dimming zones delivers HDR performance that rivals high-end TVs. Fo”
See Today’s Price →Watch out for
- Large monitors require adequate desk space and may cause ergonomic issues without proper positioning
- High refresh rate and resolution panels draw more power than standard monitors
“Samsung Odyssey G5 curved gaming monitor delivers 1440p resolution with a 165Hz refresh rate — the ideal PS5 setup for gamers who want visibly sharper and smoother gameplay without paying 4K premium p”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 1000R curvature wraps the panel edges closer to the natural field of view for more consistent peripheral focus during gaming
- 165Hz refresh rate with 1ms response time eliminates motion blur in fast-paced competitive titles
- AMD FreeSync Premium removes screen tearing across compatible GPU frame rates without G-Sync licensing cost
Watch out for
- Curved VA panel produces color shift when viewed off-axis — not suited for professional color grading or panel calibration
- Sustaining 1440p at 165Hz in demanding titles requires a capable mid-range or high-end GPU
Read Full Analysis
The Samsung Odyssey G5 is a curved gaming monitor featuring a 1000R curvature radius — one of the tightest standard curves available — which brings the panel edges into closer alignment with the natural human peripheral field of view, reducing the need to refocus when tracking fast movement at the screen edges. Samsung equips it with a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time for fast-paced gaming without visible motion blur. AMD FreeSync Premium compatibility removes screen tearing across variable frame rates without requiring a G-Sync licensing fee, making it broadly compatible including with PlayStation 5's AMD GPU architecture. In the context of this page, the Odyssey G5 is Samsung's entry-level curved gaming monitor, positioned well below the Odyssey Neo G9 at $2,099.99, which is a mini-LED flagship. The Acer Predator X35 at $304.44 and Dell 34-inch Curved at $419.99 are ultrawide 21:9 format monitors, whereas the G5 is a standard 16:9 curved panel — a meaningful difference for PS5 users, since the PS5 outputs in 16:9 natively without ultrawide support. The curved 16:9 Odyssey G5 avoids the black bar issue that ultrawide monitors display on console content. Best as a first premium gaming monitor upgrade for PS5 players who want a curved immersive experience at a mainstream price. The 1000R curvature and 165Hz are the core appeal. For buyers who want the full ultrawide FOV advantage on PC, the Acer X35 or Dell 34-inch Curved offer that format; for PS5-primary users, the standard 16:9 Samsung G5 is the more compatible and practical purchase on this page.
“Acer Predator X35 at 35 inches ultrawide fills your peripheral vision with a cinematic 21:9 field of view. Racing games, open-world RPGs, and flight simulators benefit most from the expanded horizonta”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 35-inch size provides a comfortable viewing or working surface area
- Desktop hardware delivers significantly more performance per dollar than laptop equivalents
- Full-size components are easier and cheaper to upgrade as technology advances
Watch out for
- Not portable — requires a dedicated desk and setup space
- Initial cost is higher than budget laptops for comparable use cases
Read Full Analysis
The Acer Predator X35 is a 35-inch curved ultrawide gaming monitor at $304.44, featuring 3440×1440 WQHD ultrawide resolution and a 200Hz maximum refresh rate — among the highest refresh rates available in the curved ultrawide form factor. The AHVA IPS-type panel delivers accurate color reproduction across the wide aspect ratio, and NVIDIA G-Sync Ultimate support provides premium hardware adaptive sync for compatible NVIDIA GPU configurations. The 1800R curvature on the Predator X35 is tighter than the 2000R+ curves on standard widescreen monitors, designed to bring more of the ultrawide edge into comfortable peripheral view during extended sessions. At $304.44, the Predator X35 is the mid-range ultrawide on this page — below the Dell Curved 34-inch at $419.99 for direct comparison and dramatically below the Odyssey Neo G9 at $2,099.99. The 200Hz refresh rate and G-Sync Ultimate certification are its primary differentiators over the Dell's 165Hz FreeSync Premium Pro. An important note for the PS5 context: ultrawide 21:9 resolution is not natively output by the PS5, which renders in 16:9; the ultrawide advantage on this monitor is PC-exclusive, with console content displaying letter-boxed or center-cropped. Best for PC gamers who want a high-refresh-rate curved ultrawide under $350. The 200Hz G-Sync Ultimate combination is an enthusiast-grade specification at a price well below typical premium ultrawide monitors. PS5-primary buyers should factor in the 21:9 compatibility limitation — for console-first use, the Samsung Odyssey G5 in 16:9 curved format avoids the format mismatch entirely.
“Dell Curved Gaming 34 Inch offers a gentle curve and spacious canvas for immersive single-player gaming at a competitive price. Dell's quality IPS panel maintains color accuracy across the curve. A re”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 34-inch 3440x1440 ultrawide resolution replaces dual-monitor setups for immersive gaming and productivity
- 1000R curvature matches the human eye's natural focal radius for reduced eye strain in long sessions
- 165Hz refresh rate handles fast-paced gaming without visible tearing or ghosting
- AMD FreeSync Premium Pro eliminates stuttering in variable frame rate scenarios
Watch out for
- 34-inch ultrawide requires GPU with enough VRAM to render at 3440x1440 — budget cards will struggle
- No VESA mount option on some configurations — check model before purchasing for arm mounting
- Curved ultrawide format shows distortion in center-cropped productivity apps like document editing
Read Full Analysis
The Dell 34-inch Curved Gaming Monitor is a 3440×1440 ultrawide IPS panel at $419.99, featuring a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro — Dell's premium mid-tier ultrawide that covers both gaming and productivity use cases with its wider aspect ratio. The 1000R curvature matches Samsung's tight curve specification and brings the ultrawide panel edges into natural peripheral range. The WQHD ultrawide resolution replaces dual-monitor setups for most productivity tasks while providing an immersive wide field of view in supported games. At $419.99, the Dell is the highest-priced practical option on this page after the Odyssey Neo G9 at $2,099.99. It commands $115 over the Acer Predator X35 at $304.44 with a 165Hz ceiling vs. the Acer's 200Hz — the Dell's premium reflects brand confidence and color gamut specification rather than refresh rate superiority. Dell's enterprise-grade manufacturing history translates to reliable panel consistency and stronger customer support compared to third-party gaming brands at similar prices. Best for buyers who want Dell's quality assurance in a 34-inch curved ultrawide and are willing to pay for it over third-party alternatives. The FreeSync Premium Pro certification covers AMD GPU users well, though G-Sync compatibility is not listed — NVIDIA users should verify compatibility before purchase. As with all ultrawide options on this page, PS5 content will not use the full 21:9 resolution; the panel's value is maximized with a PC gaming or productivity workstation setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the PS5 work with a gaming monitor?
What resolution is best for PS5 gaming?
Does the PS5 need HDMI 2.1?
Is a curved monitor good for PS5 gaming?
Can I use a gaming monitor for PS5 without a soundbar?
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How We Score These Products
Every product on this page is scored on a 0–100 scale across multiple dimensions. Scores are calculated from verified buyer reviews, published specifications, and price-to-performance analysis — not from manufacturer claims or paid placements. Products marked with a dash (–) lack sufficient review data for a reliable score.
Value: Price-to-performance ratio. Products with high ratings and low prices score highest.
Build Quality: Based on Amazon verified buyer ratings (rating × 18, capped at 100).
Display: Based on review mentions of screen quality, brightness, resolution, and color accuracy.
Response Time: Based on verified buyer review sentiment analysis.
Color Accuracy: Based on verified buyer review sentiment analysis.
Overall score is the product's aggregate rating on a 10-point scale. Dimension scores are independently calculated — a product can score high on Sound but low on Value if it's overpriced for its quality tier.