The monitor or display screen sitting atop your desk is the gateway through which you see what’s going on inside your computer. Since this monitor is so important, why not invest in one that is actually good and can serve you well for years to come?
Thankfully, most monitors on the market today are pretty good as compared to a few years ago, but you should still make an informed decision to get the most bang for your buck! The most important consideration for this decision of getting a new monitor is the underlying panel technology.
Quick Facts
| Quick Facts | TN Panels | IPS Panels | VA Panels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Gaming (high refresh rates and response times) | Color accuracy | Balance of gaming performance and color accuracy |
| Response Times | Low | High | Between TN and IPS panels |
| Refresh Rates | High | Mostly low | Low |
| Viewing Angles | Poor | Great | Okay |
| Color Accuracy | Low | High | High |
| Pricing | Cheap | Expensive | Between TN and IPS panels |
| Disadvantages | Poor viewing angles and color accuracy | Lower response times and refresh rates, expensive | Not perfect viewing angles and response times, can be pricey |
| Best Suitable For | Hardcore gaming with minimal motion blur and input lag | Vibrant displays and wide viewing angles, content creation | High-end gaming and all-round use, better contrast and black levels |
The Three Panel Types
The monitor panel type represents the technology and material used in the physical construction of the monitor. Thanks to their unique properties, different panel types are suited for different uses.
There are three monitor panel types that are commonly available today. These are:
- TN (Twisted Nematic) Panels
- IPS (In-Plane Switching) Panels
- VA (Vertical Alignment) Panels
In terms of their features, this table should summarise it up pretty well:
| TN Panels | IPS Panels | VA Panels | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Response Times | Low | High | Between TN and IPS panels |
| Refresh Rates | High | Mostly low | Low |
| Viewing Angles | Poor | Great | Okay |
| Color Accuracy | Low | High | High |
| Pricing | Cheap | Expensive | Between TN and IPS panels |
Don’t worry if you aren’t sure which one is right for you. We are now going to take a deeper look at the characteristic qualities of each panel type so you can buy the kind of monitor that you will enjoy using!
TN Panels
For a long time, TN (twisted nematic) panels were the only kind of monitor panels that used to offer low response times and high refresh rates. If you are an experienced gamer, gaming monitors using TN panels are probably your long-time favourites for the exact same reason.
Due to their special response times and refresh rates, TN panels do not suffer from motion blur in games where other monitors may struggle to keep up with rapidly changing graphics. Plus, these panels have minimal input lag, so you can never go wrong with a TN panel when it comes to gaming.
On top of their compatibility with gaming requirements, monitors using TN panels tend to be the cheapest on the market and make for great entry-level displays if you are just getting into building your own gaming rig. They also tend to have the highest refresh rate.
Disadvantages
There is no rose without thorns, and although the advantages of TN panels mentioned above might tempt you to order one right away, there are indeed some disadvantages to these kinds of monitors.
TN panels suffer from extremely poor viewing angles, so you can only realistically have a good experience with them if you are going to sit right in front of them at all times. This is bad news if you want your friends to share the same screen as you, perhaps for some Netflix (and chill).
These panels also have the worst colour reproduction and accuracy, so people wanting to indulge in tasks related to graphics and content creation should steer as far away from these monitors as possible.
IPS Panels
If you want a beautiful display with a diverse gamut capable of displaying the most vibrant of colors (something a TN panel monitor can definitely not do), an IPS (in-plane switching) panel is probably a good choice for you.
These monitors really shine where TN panels struggle, offering excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. This makes them the ideal choice for content creators and gamers who want to enjoy some local multiplayer games with their favorite people right by their side.
In recent years, IPS panels are also starting to catch up with TN panels in terms of response times and refresh rates, although this is only true for high-end IPS monitors. You’ll tend to see IPS curved panels the most.
Disadvantages
Unfortunately, most IPS panels still do not offer response times and refresh rates that are nearly as good as TN panel monitors. For the average budget gamer, this is probably not going to be a good choice since you need these qualities for most competitive games.
Another thing IPS monitors struggle with is their contrast levels. The blacks do not look quite as dark as they would on a monitor, with better contrast ratios and black levels. In a dark room, this is going to bother anyone who bought an IPS monitor for a good viewing experience.
Finally, if you must get a good IPS monitor, you are going to shell out some big bucks since these things can be fairly expensive, especially when you demand low response times and high refresh rates.
VA Panels
If you are in the market for a high-end gaming monitor, you are going to find a lot of VA (vertical alignment) panels. These monitors have gained a lot of popularity in recent years because they improve upon the drawbacks of other panel types.
VA panels boast contrast and black levels that IPS monitors fail to provide, without giving up the colour accuracy and vibrance of IPS panels. They also have better viewing angles as compared to TN panels, so they can serve as a sweet spot between IPS and TN panels.
The image depth offered by these monitors is also hard to match so if you are not a hardcore gamer and are just looking for a monitor that is a great all-rounder, go and get yourself a good VA panel monitor!
Disadvantages
Even VA panels are not perfect, and you are going to have to face some trade-offs here as well. For the advantages mentioned above, you will have to give up the perfect viewing angles of an IPS display and the low response times of a TN display.
If you really want to get a monitor that uses a VA panel without these trade-offs being too overpowering, you are going to want to look at only the pricier models of VA panel monitors.
Other Considerations
- Power Consumption: The energy efficiency of a monitor panel may be a consideration, particularly for those who are conscious about power consumption. IPS panels generally consume more power than TN or VA panels due to their unique construction and method of controlling and filtering light. If power efficiency is a priority, TN and VA panels may be a better choice.
- Durability and Longevity: The lifespan of a monitor can vary depending on the panel type. Typically, all three panel types – TN, IPS, and VA – are quite durable and can last for a significant period with proper care. However, each panel type can have unique issues. For instance, IPS panels can suffer from a problem called IPS glow, while VA panels can have issues with ghosting due to slower response times.
- Screen Size and Resolution: While not directly related to the panel technology, screen size and resolution can impact the visible benefits of each panel type. Color accuracy and wide viewing angles of IPS panels, for example, might be more noticeable and advantageous on larger, higher-resolution screens. For gaming at high resolutions and large screen sizes, VA panels offer a good balance of high contrast ratios and decent response times.
- Newer Technologies: While TN, IPS, and VA remain the most common panel types, newer technologies are emerging, offering different benefits. OLED and Mini-LED panels, for instance, provide superior contrast ratios, color accuracy, and response times, but at a significantly higher cost. However, these technologies are also more prone to burn-in and may have shorter lifespans.
- Adaptive Sync Technology: Monitor panels can support Adaptive Sync Technologies like NVIDIA’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync, which help to reduce screen tearing in games. G-Sync typically works best with high refresh rate monitors, often seen in TN and certain high-end IPS and VA panels. FreeSync, on the other hand, has a wider range of compatibility and can work with a broader spectrum of refresh rates, making it suitable for a variety of monitor types.
Final Thoughts
Each kind of the popular panel types in monitors has its own pros and cons. Having said that, you should carefully weigh your options and compare their qualities using the descriptions written above to pick the right one for yourself.
It is also strongly recommended that you head out to the market and take a look at the different kinds of monitor displays yourself. Ofcourse, you can never go wrong with something you have tried and tested on your own!
What kind of monitor are you currently using? What do you plan on upgrading to? Keep us in the loop by chiming in the comments below!
Monitor Panel FAQs
Which is better, IPS, VA, or TN?
The best panel type depends on your specific needs. For high refresh rates and low response times, TN panels are better, making them suitable for competitive gaming. If you prioritize color accuracy and wide viewing angles, IPS panels are better. VA panels offer a balance between IPS and TN panel features, providing good color accuracy and slightly better response times than IPS.
Is TN, VA, or IPS better for gaming?
TN panels generally offer the highest refresh rates and lowest response times, making them the top choice for high-speed, competitive gaming. However, for gamers who prioritize color accuracy and viewing angles, a VA or high-end IPS panel can be a better choice.
Which is better, IPS or VA panel?
IPS panels have superior color accuracy and wider viewing angles than VA panels, which makes them a preferred choice for graphic designers and content creators. However, VA panels offer better contrast ratios, making them suitable for people who prefer better black levels and slightly better response times.
Why are VA panels better than IPS?
VA panels provide better contrast ratios and deeper blacks than IPS panels. They have better color accuracy and viewing angles than TN panels and are usually cheaper than IPS panels. Therefore, they offer a balance of the benefits of both TN and IPS panels.
Which panel type is best for eyes?
IPS panels are generally considered the best for the eyes due to their superior color accuracy, consistency, and wider viewing angles. However, individual comfort can depend on factors like brightness, blue light emission, and flicker-free technology, which are not exclusively linked to panel types.
Why are VA monitors cheaper than IPS?
The cost of monitors can be influenced by factors such as manufacturing complexity, supply and demand, and the specific technologies used. Generally, IPS panels are more expensive to produce due to their advanced technology that offers better color accuracy and viewing angles. On the other hand, VA panels provide a balance of performance and image quality, usually at a more affordable price than IPS panels.
