Tested Picks for Gaming, Work, Mac Mini, and Photo Editing
Finding the best monitors for PS5 means balancing 4K resolution, HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, and real HDR performance without overpaying. During our 30-day trial, we tested gaming, curved, and color-accurate monitors across very different use cases. This guide breaks down real performance instead of confusing spec-sheet marketing.
This article is for PS5 and Xbox Series X owners, remote workers, and creative professionals comparing monitor options before spending money. It also covers curved monitors and color-accurate picks for Mac mini and photo editing setups.
| Key Takeaways for Readers: ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM = best overall pick for PS5 and Xbox Series X, with true 4K/120Hz. Samsung ViewFinity S9 = best curved monitor for work, thanks to Thunderbolt 4 and a built-in KVM. ASUS ProArt PA279CV = best monitor for Mac mini, with single-cable USB-C simplicity. BenQ PhotoVue SW272U = best monitor for photo editing, with print-accurate color calibration. LG UltraGear 45GR75DC = best curved monitor overall for immersive gaming and multitasking. Rule of thumb: match refresh rate and HDMI version to your console before chasing extra resolution. |
Who This Monitor Buying Guide Is For
This guide is for PS5 and Xbox owners who want tested, hands-on results instead of confusing spec sheets. It also helps remote workers and creative professionals comparing curved and color-accurate monitor options.
Skip this guide if:
- You already own a 4K 120Hz monitor that meets your console needs
- You need a dedicated competitive esports monitor over 240Hz
- You’re shopping specifically for a portable or travel monitor
Quick Verdict: Top Picks at a Glance
| Monitor | Best For | Resolution | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM | Best for PS5 and Xbox | 4K, 240Hz | ~$999 |
| Samsung ViewFinity S9 | Best curved monitor for work | 5120×1440 | ~$1,299 |
| ASUS ProArt PA279CV | Best for Mac mini | 4K, 60Hz | ~$469 |
| BenQ PhotoVue SW272U | Best for photo editing | 4K, 60Hz | Premium tier |
| LG UltraGear 45GR75DC | Best curved monitor overall | 3440×1440 | ~$899 |
Quick take: If you only read one line, read this — the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM delivers the smoothest, most vivid 4K/120Hz experience for both PS5 and Xbox Series X owners this year.
1. ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM — Best Monitor for PS5
The PG27UCDM earned our top spot among the best monitors for PS5 for one clear reason. During our 30-day trial, its HDMI 2.1 port unlocked full 4K resolution at 120Hz, giving every game buttery-smooth motion without dropping visual detail.
This monitor also doubles as one of the best monitors for Xbox Series X, thanks to identical HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. We tested both consoles side by side, and HDR colors popped equally well on either system, with the QD-OLED panel delivering deep, true blacks throughout.
| ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM — Design & Features | |
| DESIGN | |
| Panel Type | 27-inch QD-OLED, near-instant response time |
| Ports | 2x HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, USB hub |
| Stand | Fully adjustable height, tilt, swivel, and pivot |
| Extras | Anti-glare coating, built-in KVM switch |
| FEATURES | |
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| Refresh Rate | 240Hz max, supports PS5’s 120Hz over HDMI 2.1 |
| HDR | Vivid HDR with QD-OLED contrast and color |
| Price | Around $999 |
Pros
- True 4K at 120Hz over HDMI 2.1 for both PS5 and Xbox Series X
- QD-OLED panel delivers vivid HDR color and perfect black levels
- Near-instant response time eliminates motion blur in fast games
Cons
- Premium price sits above most standard gaming monitors
- OLED panel carries some long-term burn-in risk with static images
- 240Hz refresh rate goes unused on PS5, which caps at 120Hz
2. Samsung ViewFinity S9 — Best Curved Monitor for Work
Remote workers searching for the best curved monitor for work kept landing on the Samsung ViewFinity S9. Its 1000R curvature matched our natural field of view, noticeably reducing eye strain during eight-hour workdays.
The Thunderbolt 4 port genuinely simplified our desk setup during testing. We charged a laptop, transferred data, and ran the display through a single cable, while the built-in KVM switch let us jump between two computers instantly.
| Samsung ViewFinity S9 — Design & Features | |
| DESIGN | |
| Panel Type | 34-inch curved ultrawide, 1000R curvature |
| Ports | Thunderbolt 4 with 90W charging, KVM switch |
| Stand | Height-adjustable, ergonomic tilt |
| Extras | Built-in speakers, single-cable desk setup |
| FEATURES | |
| Resolution | 5120 x 1440 ultrawide |
| Refresh Rate | 100Hz for smooth everyday multitasking |
| Color Accuracy | Vibrant, accurate color out of the box |
| Price | Around $1,299 |
Pros
- Single-cable Thunderbolt 4 setup charges your laptop while driving the display
- 1000R curve genuinely reduces eye strain during long work sessions
- Built-in KVM switch makes multi-device workflows effortless
Cons
- Built-in speakers work for calls but lack depth for music
- 100Hz refresh rate is fine for work but modest for gaming
- Premium price reflects its productivity-focused feature set
3. ASUS ProArt PA279CV — Best Monitor for Mac Mini
Mac mini owners hunting for reliable color accuracy consistently pointed us toward the ASUS ProArt PA279CV. Its single USB-C cable carried video, data, and power directly from the Mac mini, keeping the desk refreshingly simple.
Factory calibration impressed us most during side-by-side color comparisons against Apple’s own displays. The Delta E under 2 accuracy matched what macOS expected, making it dependable for both creative work and everyday productivity.
| ASUS ProArt PA279CV — Design & Features | |
| DESIGN | |
| Panel Type | 27-inch 4K IPS Black panel |
| Ports | USB-C (90W PD), HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, KVM |
| Stand | Fully ergonomic — height, tilt, swivel, pivot |
| Extras | Single-cable connection to Mac mini via USB-C |
| FEATURES | |
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| Color Accuracy | Factory calibrated, Delta E under 2, 100% sRGB |
| Best For | Mac mini setups needing color-accurate work |
| Price | Around $469 |
Pros
- Single USB-C cable handles video, data, and power from Mac mini
- Factory-calibrated color accuracy suits creative professional work
- Built-in KVM switch supports Mac and Windows on one screen
Cons
- 60Hz refresh rate limits its appeal for gaming use cases
- HDR performance is modest compared to mini-LED alternatives
- IPS Black panel costs more than standard IPS competitors
4. BenQ PhotoVue SW272U — Best Monitor for Photo Editing
Photographers searching for the best color setting monitor consistently chose the BenQ PhotoVue SW272U in our tests. Its wide-gamut coverage matched Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 almost perfectly, so exported files matched what we saw on screen.
The included hood blocked glare during long editing sessions near a window. Hardware calibration tools let us fine-tune color profiles for print-accurate results, something software-only calibration simply couldn’t match.
| BenQ PhotoVue SW272U — Design & Features | |
| DESIGN | |
| Panel Type | 27-inch 4K IPS panel with anti-glare coating |
| Ports | USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, USB hub |
| Stand | Fully ergonomic with included hood for glare control |
| Extras | Hardware calibration, paper color sync mode |
| FEATURES | |
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| Color Accuracy | Wide-gamut coverage for Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 |
| Best For | Professional photo editing and print-accurate color |
| Price | Premium tier — check site for current pricing |
Pros
- Exceptional color accuracy across Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 gamuts
- Included hood blocks glare for consistent editing conditions
- Hardware calibration ensures long-term color reliability
Cons
- Premium price reflects its professional photo-editing focus
- 60Hz refresh rate makes it a poor fit for gaming
- Larger footprint needs more desk space than compact monitors
5. LG UltraGear 45GR75DC — Best Curved Monitor Overall
Buyers comparing the best curved monitors on the market kept returning to the LG UltraGear 45GR75DC. Its 45-inch ultrawide curve felt genuinely immersive during both gaming sessions and everyday multitasking across multiple windows.
The 200Hz refresh rate paired with a 1ms response time kept fast-motion content smooth throughout testing. Both G-Sync and FreeSync worked flawlessly during our compatibility checks across Nvidia and AMD graphics cards.
| LG UltraGear 45GR75DC — Design & Features | |
| DESIGN | |
| Panel Type | 45-inch curved ultrawide VA panel |
| Ports | 2x HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C, USB-A |
| Stand | Sturdy stand with tilt and height adjustment |
| Extras | Elegant, minimal bezel design |
| FEATURES | |
| Resolution | 3440 x 1440 ultrawide |
| Refresh Rate | 200Hz with 1ms response time |
| Compatibility | Works with both G-Sync and FreeSync |
| Price | Around $899 |
Pros
- Immersive 45-inch curve at a genuinely accessible price point
- 200Hz refresh rate with 1ms response suits fast-paced games
- Works seamlessly with both G-Sync and FreeSync graphics cards
Cons
- HDR brightness is fairly dim compared to premium alternatives
- Large curved footprint requires a spacious desk setup
- Not compatible with PS5’s native resolution without black bars
ASUS PG27UCDM vs. Sony InZone M9 II: Closest Competitor Comparison
- Choose the ASUS PG27UCDM if you want the deepest blacks and richest HDR from a true QD-OLED panel.
- Choose the Sony InZone M9 II if seamless automatic PS5 calibration matters more than squeezing out the last bit of contrast.
How to Choose the Best Monitor for Your Setup
Not every buyer needs the same monitor. Here is what actually matters when shopping for the best monitors for PS5 and related creative or work setups.
- HDMI version: HDMI 2.1 is required for true 4K at 120Hz on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
- Panel type: OLED delivers perfect blacks, while IPS suits color-critical work without burn-in risk.
- Curve tightness: 1000R curves suit immersive single-monitor setups better than gentler curves.
- Color accuracy: look for Delta E under 2 if photo or video editing is a priority.
- Connectivity: USB-C and Thunderbolt simplify single-cable setups for laptops and Mac mini.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need HDMI 2.1 for PS5 gaming?
Yes, HDMI 2.1 is required to unlock true 4K resolution at a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Q2: Can the PS5 use an ultrawide curved monitor?
No, the PS5 doesn’t support ultrawide resolutions and will show black bars or stretching.
Q3: What’s the best monitor for Mac mini creative work?
The ASUS ProArt PA279CV offers factory-calibrated color and simple single-cable USB-C setup.
Q4: Is a curved monitor good for office work?
Yes, a 1000R to 1800R curve reduces eye strain during long, multi-hour work sessions.
Q5: Does the same monitor work well for both PS5 and Xbox Series X?
Yes, any monitor with HDMI 2.1 and 4K/120Hz support works equally well for both consoles.
Q6: What color accuracy do I need for photo editing?
Aim for a Delta E under 2, ideally with factory calibration for Adobe RGB or DCI-P3.
Final Verdict
After testing resolution, refresh rate, and color accuracy across five very different monitors, the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM earned our top spot as the best monitor for PS5 this year. It delivered smooth 4K/120Hz gameplay alongside genuinely vivid HDR color.
Remote workers should look closely at the Samsung ViewFinity S9 for its curved, single-cable convenience, while Mac mini owners have a dedicated pick in the ASUS ProArt PA279CV. Photographers chasing print-accurate color should consider the BenQ PhotoVue SW272U.
Whichever monitor you choose, all five picks on this list beat an aging, low-refresh display by a wide margin. Match your pick to how you actually use your setup, and the upgrade will feel immediate.
Prices and availability are current at the time of writing and may change. Always check the retailer’s site for the latest pricing.
