Console gaming has changed dramatically over the past year. The PS5 and Xbox Series X now push 120fps in a growing library of titles, making a high-refresh monitor a genuine upgrade over a standard 60Hz television. If you are playing on a PS5, Xbox Series X or even a Nintendo Switch docked, a monitor rated at 120Hz or higher will feel noticeably smoother, deliver lower input lag than most televisions, and cost far less than a premium gaming TV. This guide is aimed at console players who want the best possible experience without spending over £300. We have focused on panels rated 144Hz and above, with fast response times and at least one HDMI 2.0 port, since that is what every current-generation console uses. Compared to last year, the 1440p options have dropped significantly in price, meaning you can now get a 2K resolution panel with a very high refresh rate for well under £250, which was not realistic twelve months ago.
Quick Verdict
Best Overall: ASUS 27-inch 1440p 300Hz Gaming Monitor (B0F8W5SM6N). A 2560x1440 IPS panel at 300Hz is exceptional value and the sharpest, fastest pick in this roundup for console players who want the best image quality and the highest refresh rate under £300.
Best Value: AOC 25G3ZM/BK 240Hz Gaming Monitor (B0BGCG4NJM). At under £100, this 240Hz VA panel delivers a genuinely fast gaming experience at a price that is hard to argue with, making it the smartest budget pick for console players on a tight budget.
Samsung's Odyssey G4B is one of the most trusted names in the gaming monitor market at this price point, and the 25-inch version offers a well-rounded package for console players who want a reliable, fast IPS panel from a brand with strong after-sales support. Samsung has refined the Odyssey G4 line over several iterations, and the G4B benefits from that experience with a well-calibrated IPS panel, a clean stand design, and a solid build quality that feels a step above some of the lesser-known brands in this roundup.
The 25-inch 1080p IPS panel runs at 240Hz, which is more than sufficient for current-generation console gaming. The PS5 and Xbox Series X output a maximum of 120fps, so the 240Hz panel has headroom to spare and ensures that the monitor's input processing pipeline is running well within its limits when handling 120fps console output. The IPS panel provides accurate colours and wide viewing angles, making it equally good for watching films and streaming content between gaming sessions.
The port selection is particularly practical for console players. Two HDMI 2.0 ports allow you to connect a PS5 and an Xbox Series X simultaneously, with a USB port for charging a controller or connecting a headset adapter. The headphone output jack is a useful addition for players who prefer to use wired headphones directly from the monitor rather than from the console controller.
The 25-inch screen size is slightly smaller than the 27-inch options in this roundup, which suits players who sit closer to their monitor or who have limited desk space. At £128.43, the Samsung Odyssey G4B is priced competitively for a branded IPS panel with dual HDMI inputs and Samsung's build quality. It is the pick for console players who want a reliable, well-supported monitor from a major manufacturer.
Verdict: Samsung's brand reliability and dual HDMI inputs make the G4B the safest choice for console players who want a fast IPS panel with strong after-sales support.
Pros
- Dual HDMI 2.0 ports allow two consoles to stay connected simultaneously without an external switch
- Samsung's brand reputation and after-sales support reduce the risk associated with budget monitor purchases
- USB port and headphone output add practical connectivity for console gaming setups
Cons
- 25-inch screen size is smaller than the 27-inch alternatives, which may feel limiting for immersive single-player games
- 1080p resolution is less sharp than 1440p options available at a similar or only slightly higher price
How We Picked
Every monitor in this roundup was assessed against the specific demands of console gaming rather than PC gaming. The primary criteria were refresh rate (144Hz minimum, with preference for 240Hz and above), response time, and HDMI 2.0 port availability, since every current-generation console uses HDMI as its primary output. Monitors with only HDMI 1.4 were deprioritised, as HDMI 1.4 cannot carry 1080p at 120Hz, which is the key high-frame-rate mode for PS5 and Xbox Series X. Panel type was assessed for both motion performance and colour accuracy, with IPS panels generally preferred for their combination of speed and colour quality, though high-contrast VA panels were included where they offered a meaningful advantage. Price was assessed relative to the specification on offer, with particular attention paid to the value delivered at each price tier. All picks fall within the £300 budget ceiling, and the selection covers a range of price points to suit different budgets within that ceiling.
Buying Guide
Refresh Rate: How High Do You Actually Need?
Refresh rate is the single most important specification for a gaming monitor, and it is the area where monitors offer the biggest advantage over televisions for console players. A standard television runs at 60Hz, meaning it displays 60 frames per second. A 120Hz or higher monitor doubles that, and the difference is immediately noticeable in fast-paced games. The PS5 and Xbox Series X both support up to 120fps in compatible titles, so a monitor rated at 120Hz or above will unlock that capability.
Monitors in this roundup are rated at 210Hz, 240Hz, or 300Hz. The question of whether 240Hz is overkill for console gaming is a fair one. Strictly speaking, yes, since no current console can output more than 120fps. However, a 240Hz monitor is not simply running at 240Hz when your console sends it 120fps. The higher refresh rate panel tends to have a faster pixel response time and lower input lag overall, which means the 120fps signal is processed and displayed more cleanly than it would be on a slower panel. The practical benefit is a slightly crisper, more responsive feel even at 120fps.
Resolution: 1080p vs 1440p
The choice between 1080p and 1440p depends on your budget and how close you sit to the screen. At 27 inches, 1080p is noticeably less sharp than 1440p when viewed from a typical desk distance of 50 to 70 centimetres. If you are buying a 27-inch monitor, spending a little more for 1440p is worthwhile. At 24 or 25 inches, 1080p looks perfectly acceptable and the pixel density is high enough that most players will not notice the difference from a normal viewing distance.
The question of 4K versus 1440p for gaming is relevant here. At this price bracket, 4K gaming monitors are not available, and even if they were, the PS5 and Xbox Series X cannot output 4K at 120fps simultaneously in most games. The practical choice for console gaming under £300 is between 1080p and 1440p, and 1440p is the better option if your budget allows.
Panel Type: IPS vs VA
IPS panels offer better colour accuracy, wider viewing angles, and faster pixel response times. VA panels offer higher native contrast ratios, which produce deeper blacks. For most console gaming scenarios, IPS is the safer choice because it delivers consistent performance across a wider range of game genres and lighting conditions. VA panels are worth considering if you play a lot of dark, atmospheric games and you game in a room with controlled lighting.
Ports: What Your Console Needs
Every current-generation console uses HDMI as its primary output. The PS5 and Xbox Series X use HDMI 2.1 natively, but they are backward compatible with HDMI 2.0 at 1080p 120Hz. All monitors in this roundup include at least one HDMI 2.0 port, which is sufficient for 1080p at 120Hz. If you own multiple consoles, look for monitors with two HDMI inputs to avoid swapping cables. The Nintendo Switch docked uses HDMI and outputs up to 1080p, so any monitor in this roundup will work with it.
Screen Size and Desk Space
For desk gaming, 27 inches is the sweet spot. It is large enough to be immersive without requiring you to turn your head to see the edges of the screen. 24 and 25-inch options are better suited to smaller desks or players who sit very close to the screen. Curved monitors add a degree of immersion at larger screen sizes but make less difference at 24 or 25 inches.
Final Verdict
The ASUS 27-inch 1440p 300Hz Gaming Monitor (B0F8W5SM6N) is the overall winner for console gaming under £300. It combines the sharpest resolution available in this roundup at 2560x1440, the fastest refresh rate at 300Hz, and a high-quality IPS panel that delivers accurate colours and fast pixel response. For PS5 and Xbox Series X players who want the best possible image quality and the lowest input lag at 120fps, it is the clear choice. The Z-Edge 27-inch QHD 240Hz is the runner-up for those who want 1440p at a lower price with the added flexibility of dual HDMI and dual DisplayPort inputs. For players on the tightest budget, the AOC 25G3ZM/BK delivers 240Hz performance and dual HDMI inputs for under £100, making it the best value pick in the entire roundup.
