What to consider in an ideal monitor an Xbox? First up, there's the issue of resolution. At this writing, the Xbox One (plus variants within the Xbox One family) and the Xbox Series S and X are the models that support all three major monitor resolutions: 1,920 by 1,080 pixels (a.k.a. full HD or 1080p), 2,560 by 1,440 pixels (1440p), and 3,840 by 2,160 pixels (4K or UHD).

Here's a quick breakdown:

The Sony PlayStation 5 originally supported only 1080p and 4K resolutions but has since been updated to support high-performance 1440p gaming monitors.

Indeed, 1440p is seen as a native-resolution sweet spot by many competitive PC and console gamers. Considering that certain key titles such as Fortnite have been optimized to run at up to 120 frames per second (fps) on Xbox consoles at either 1080p or 1440p, players of titles like those may want to consider a 1440p display rather than a 4K monitor if getting high frame rates is their main concern. Speaking of high fps, that ties into the next factor, refresh rate.

Refresh Rate: Why Screen Speed Matters

Different Xbox consoles support different combinations of resolution and refresh rate. For example, the Xbox One and its variants are limited to a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz when the console is displaying in either 1080p or 1440p. 

The Xbox Series X, however, supports a 120Hz refresh rate at resolutions as high as 4K. That said, we recommend checking to see if any of the games you plan to play actually support higher refresh in the first place. The support is game-dependent.

Most gaming monitors slot into one of the following maximum-refresh-rate tiers: 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, 200Hz, 240Hz, or 360Hz. If you're buying a monitor solely for use with your Xbox (with no PC gaming planned in the near future), we recommend choosing a model that peaks at 120Hz or 144Hz, so you're not paying for extra frames you'll never see on screen.

Why the Cables Matter in a Monitor for Xbox

Next, a word about cables. While all consoles included in the Xbox One lineup support only HDMI 2.0, the newest Xbox Series X can connect to your preferred TV set or gaming monitor via HDMI 2.1. On the Series X, HDMI 2.1 allows up to 120fps refresh at either 1080p or 1440p resolution. However, if you want to play your Xbox Series X at 120fps in 4K, you'll need a 4K monitor that's both compatible with the HDMI 2.1 spec and that supports that refresh rate specifically at 4K over HDMI. You'll also need an HDMI 2.1-compatible cable, dubbed an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.

Monitors with HDMI 2.1 support, 4K resolution, and a 120Hz or higher refresh rate were still scarce at this writing. Gamers should expect any high-refresh-rate 4K displays released going forward to support HDMI 2.1, but you'd do well to verify before buying. High-refresh 4K, HDMI 2.1-capable gaming monitors are finally becoming commonplace. But support for the spec is by no means guaranteed, so be sure to check.

Newer cables are also enabling new panel-boosting tech for many emerging monitors, allowing compatibility with both VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (auto low-latency mode). These technologies keep consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 in relative pace with the PC when it comes to reducing input latency and screen-tearing artifacts.

Another thing worth noting: If your Xbox and PC will share the same monitor, you won't be able to reach those beyond 120Hz-refresh rates at 4K from your PC with just an HDMI connection; you'll need to use a DisplayPort, as well as ensure you have a GPU and CPU that's up to the task.

HDR: The Bright Icing on the Cake

Finally, let's take a second to talk about HDR, or high dynamic range. HDR is a feature that gives your games their best opportunity to shine, displaying color palettes and levels of brightness and clarity that far exceed what you'd see on a non-HDR monitor or TV. 

The feature is more common on TV sets than gaming monitors at present, but monitor manufacturers are catching up. As more PC players and console owners upgrade their gaming hardware, the demand for gaming displays that support HDR has risen.

While Xbox 360 and specific Xbox One model owners can't access the feature, the Xbox One X and Xbox Series X are compatible with what Microsoft calls its Auto HDR feature. This adds an API-level layer that simulates the HDR effect on games where either the game or the hardware can't support a native HDR implementation. (See the full list of games supported under Microsoft's Xbox Enhanced HDR program.)

HDR monitors are rated at different levels that correspond to the peak brightness level you should expect. Currently, you can find gaming monitors rated from HDR10 (the lowest brightness) up to HDR 1000. In between, you'll find displays rated at HDR 400 and HDR 600. (For all of these except HDR10, the number indicates the peak HDR brightness in nits or candelas per square meter.)

Which level you choose should ultimately be determined by how vivid you want your content to be—HDR 400 often doesn't cut the mustard in this department—as well as how much dynamic range you want available to play with while tuning settings in multiplayer games. (One strategy, for example, could be pushing greater levels of contrast to see enemies in darker scenes during a multiplayer match, something a high HDR rating can help with.)

Ready to Buy the Right Monitor to Use With Your Xbox?

Ready to make your pick? We've sketched out here some of the best gaming monitors we've tested that are a good fit for your Xbox. (Also, be sure to check out our favorite Xbox Series S and X games to buy straightaway.) Our spec breakout table, as well, should help you pinpoint the one at the price and resolution level that makes sense for your situation.