IPS vs VA vs TN vs OLED: Which Monitor Panel to Buy

Among current models from major brands, VA or OLED suit dark-room movies and games, IPS suits office work, and TN or OLED suit high refresh rates. Stated contrast is 1,000:1–1,500:1 for IPS and 3,000:1–5,000:1 for VA, against 1,000,000:1–1,500,000:1 for OLED.

As of October 2026, this compares current models from Dell, LG, ASUS, MSI and other major brands on their official specs, plus each maker’s warranty page. If you’re unsure, find the row below that matches how you use the monitor. None of the models was tested in person, so there’s no verdict on how they look.

Quick guide: which panel for which use

Assumptions: spec-sheet numbers for current models from major brands; none of the models was tested in person. Refresh rate (Hz) is how many times per second the screen updates.

When no row fits, go by this:

• Not sure: IPS if you want an LCD. EIZO says that among LCDs it shows the least change in brightness and color from an angle
• Deeper blacks matter most: VA
• OLED: check the maker’s warranty page for your country before you buy

What each panel type does best

IPS, VA and TN are LCDs. On an OLED, every pixel makes its own light.

The numbers cover the official specs of current models from major brands.

• IPS: the liquid crystals lie parallel to the screen. Contrast is 1,000:1–1,500:1 and max refresh is 100Hz–180Hz
• VA: the highest contrast among the LCDs, at 3,000:1–5,000:1. Max refresh is 165Hz–280Hz
• TN: only 24.1-inch 1080p models turned up. Max refresh is 280Hz–600Hz
• OLED: contrast is 1,000,000:1–1,500,000:1 and max refresh is 240Hz–360Hz. BenQ says burn-in, a lingering image, is more likely

How to check a spec sheet

Look for these four things on the spec sheet of any monitor you’re considering.

1. Panel type. The “panel” line says IPS, VA, TN or OLED. “Fast IPS” and “Rapid VA” are maker names for the same types
2. How contrast is labeled. Compare “typical”, “static” or “native” numbers with each other. Keep “dynamic” numbers separate
3. Viewing angle condition. “CR≥10” means the angle where contrast drops to 10:1. Among current models from major brands, IPS and VA both list 178°/178°
4. How response time is measured. GtG and MPRT are different numbers, so compare like with like

Black level is white brightness divided by contrast. On the published numbers, at the same white brightness, a VA black is 1/2 to 1/5 the brightness of an IPS black. Those are maker claims, so what you see may not match the math.

Reading viewing angle and response time numbers

• Viewing angle: Among current models from major brands, the viewing angle spec is 178°/178° on every IPS, VA and OLED model compared, so it doesn’t tell them apart. EIZO says the number doesn’t describe brightness or color shift from an angle
• Response time: Among current models from major brands, GtG and MPRT response times measure different things, so only same-method numbers can be compared. 3 models list MPRT only. GtG is how long a pixel takes to switch from one gray to another. MPRT expresses motion blur as a time
• OLED response time: every OLED model compared lists 0.03 ms (GtG), which is under 1/6 the shortest LCD GtG

OLED burn-in warranty by maker and country

This table shows what each maker’s warranty and product pages said. A product page covers only the model on that page.

If you’ll use an OLED for office work, pick a maker that covers burn-in and read the years and conditions.

Makers warn that static images left on screen for long stretches can burn in. None publishes how many hours it takes, so that isn’t covered here.

Picks by use

These come from current models from major brands, limited to new listings on Amazon.com sold by Amazon or the maker. Each has 100 or more ratings and at least 4 stars.

Amazon.com listings of two AOC and three ZOWIE models weren’t checked, so they aren’t picks. Among the other models checked, each pick is the cheapest with shipping. Prices and ratings were checked in October 2026, and none was tested in person.

Check the price before you buy.

Office work, IPS

Movies and games in a dark room, VA

• Competitive FPS, TN: none confirmed

No Amazon.com listing was confirmed for one TN model, the ASUS ROG Swift Pro PG248QP. The Amazon.com listings of the other three weren’t checked.

OLED with burn-in coverage stated on the maker’s US page

FAQ

IPS or VA: which is better?

VA if you watch movies or play games in a dark room, IPS if you mostly work or sit off to the side. Stated contrast among current models from major brands is 3,000:1–5,000:1 for VA and 1,000:1–1,500:1 for IPS.

Is the viewing angle the same on IPS and VA?

On paper, yes. Among current models from major brands, the viewing angle spec is 178°/178° on every IPS, VA and OLED model compared, so it doesn’t tell them apart.

EIZO says the number doesn’t describe brightness or color shift from an angle, and that among LCDs (IPS, VA, TN) IPS shifts the least. There is no source comparing OLED, so it isn’t covered.

Can you compare response times in GtG and MPRT?

No. Among current models from major brands, GtG and MPRT response times measure different things, so only same-method numbers can be compared. 3 models list MPRT only.

The same model can also list a different GtG in each mode.

Does the warranty cover OLED burn-in?

On the 6 makers’ warranty pages checked in October 2026, LG and MSI state burn-in coverage on only one of the two countries’ pages checked. The other page says nothing either way, so whether the actual coverage differs is unconfirmed.

Samsung’s Japan page was not found, so it is unconfirmed; GIGABYTE’s US pages conflict. Coverage differs by country, and some countries’ pages say nothing.

Check the warranty page for your country before you buy.