Understanding Monitor Panel Types: IPS vs VA vs OLED

Choosing a monitor often comes down to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different panel technologies. Here's what you need to know about the three main types.

IPS (In-Plane Switching)

IPS panels are known for excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. Colors remain consistent even when viewed from sharp angles, making them ideal for content creation and collaborative work.

However, IPS panels typically have lower contrast ratios than VA panels, meaning blacks appear more grayish, especially in dark environments. They also tend to suffer from "IPS glow" in corners.

VA (Vertical Alignment)

VA panels offer the best contrast ratios among LCD technologies, often 3000:1 or higher. This results in deeper blacks and more immersive dark scenes, making them excellent for movies and atmospheric games.

The trade-off is narrower viewing angles and typically slower response times, which can cause more noticeable ghosting in fast-paced games. Color accuracy is also slightly below IPS panels.

OLED (Organic LED)

OLED panels offer the best of both worlds: perfect blacks (pixels turn completely off), excellent color accuracy, and fast response times. They're currently the gold standard for image quality.

The downsides include higher cost, potential for burn-in with static content, and sometimes lower peak brightness compared to high-end LCDs. However, modern OLED monitors have significantly improved burn-in resistance.