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.
The Z-Edge 27-inch QHD IPS monitor offers a compelling alternative to the ASUS above at a slightly lower price point. It shares the same 2560x1440 resolution and 27-inch screen size, making it directly comparable in terms of pixel density and visual sharpness. The 240Hz refresh rate is a step below the ASUS's 300Hz, but for console gaming, where the PS5 and Xbox Series X top out at 120fps, the practical difference between 240Hz and 300Hz is essentially zero. What matters more for console players is the 1ms response time and the IPS panel technology, both of which this monitor delivers.
The port selection on the Z-Edge is particularly generous for a monitor at this price. Two HDMI inputs, two DisplayPort inputs, and an audio output jack give you the flexibility to connect multiple consoles simultaneously and switch between them without unplugging cables. This is a practical advantage if you own both a PS5 and an Xbox Series X, or if you want to keep a PC connected alongside your console. The dual HDMI inputs support the bandwidth needed for 1080p at 120Hz, which is what the PS5 and Xbox Series X use when running games in their high-frame-rate modes.
The IPS panel produces good colour accuracy and wide viewing angles, making it suitable for a variety of game genres from fast-paced shooters to slower-paced RPGs and open-world titles. The 27-inch screen size at 1440p hits a sweet spot for desk gaming, being large enough to be immersive without requiring you to move your head to see the edges of the screen.
At £179.99, the Z-Edge represents strong value for a 1440p 240Hz IPS panel. It suits console players who want 2K sharpness, a fast IPS panel, and the convenience of multiple input ports for connecting several devices at once.
Verdict: A strong 1440p alternative with generous port selection and a fast IPS panel, ideal for multi-console households wanting 2K sharpness without paying the premium for 300Hz.
Pros
- 2560x1440 IPS panel at 240Hz delivers sharp, smooth visuals for PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming
- Dual HDMI and dual DisplayPort inputs allow multiple consoles and a PC to stay connected simultaneously
- 1ms response time keeps motion clear in fast-paced titles
Cons
- Z-Edge is a lesser-known brand with a shorter track record for long-term reliability than Samsung or ASUS
- No USB hub functionality, unlike some competitors at a similar price
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 £184.34, 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
The KTC 27-inch 2K monitor is a notable inclusion in this roundup because it combines a 2560x1440 resolution with a 210Hz refresh rate (overclockable) and built-in speakers, all at a price that undercuts most of the 1440p competition. For console players who do not want to invest in a separate speaker system or who are setting up a secondary gaming station, the built-in speakers remove one item from the shopping list and reduce cable clutter on the desk.
The IPS panel at 2560x1440 delivers the same pixel density advantage over 1080p screens that the ASUS and Z-Edge picks offer. At 27 inches, the 1440p resolution produces a noticeably sharper image than a 1080p panel of the same size, which is particularly apparent in games with fine text, detailed environments, or complex UI elements. The 210Hz base refresh rate is sufficient for console gaming, where 120fps is the current ceiling, and the overclocking capability to higher refresh rates is a bonus for PC users who might also connect a desktop or laptop to the monitor.
The port selection is generous: two HDMI 2.0 ports, two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, and a USB 2.0 port. The dual HDMI 2.0 inputs are essential for multi-console households, and the dual DisplayPort 1.4 inputs cater to PC users. The USB 2.0 port adds a small degree of hub functionality, useful for connecting a wireless headset dongle or a USB drive.
At £149.99, the KTC is one of the most affordable 1440p monitors in this roundup. KTC is a newer brand in the UK market, and buyers should factor in that the after-sales experience may differ from established names like Samsung or ASUS. That said, for the price, the specification list is genuinely impressive.
Verdict: The best-value 1440p monitor with built-in speakers in this roundup, making it a practical choice for console players building a clean desk setup on a tight budget.
Pros
- 2560x1440 IPS panel at 210Hz delivers sharp, smooth visuals at one of the lowest prices for 1440p in this roundup
- Built-in speakers reduce the need for a separate audio solution in a secondary gaming setup
- Dual HDMI 2.0 and dual DisplayPort 1.4 inputs provide flexible multi-device connectivity
Cons
- KTC is a lesser-known brand with limited UK after-sales history compared to Samsung or ASUS
- Built-in speakers are unlikely to match even a budget soundbar for audio quality
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.
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.
