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The introduction of Overwatch in the gaming industry has pushed monitor brands to explore limitless possibilities.
The game is insanely popular, probably because of its ability to combine the First Person Shooter mechanics with the MOBA-style knack.
It is a deadly combination (in a good way) and has propelled gamers to seek monitors that offer advanced features, such as high frame rate, for an overall better gaming experience.
Comparison of the Best Monitors For Overwatch
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Monitors For Overwatch
- OUR TOP PICK: Acer SB220Q
- RUNNER-UP: HP Pavilion 22cwa
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: AOC C24G1
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What Makes a Monitor Great For Overwatch?
A good gaming monitor that’s ideal to use for playing Overwatch will have the following features:
High Refresh Rate
This is something that directly impacts the performance of the user and the overall quality of the game. Look for monitors that have a refresh rate of 144 frames per second at the minimum and preferably 240 fps, if you want to go overboard.
IPS Display Panel
This is another pro-gamer requirement because it reaps multiple benefits. To give an idea of how an IPS plays the upper hand than regular monitors, it is imperative to know that older monitors had a TN panel that posed problems such as bad viewing angles. This is why only an IPS panel is cut out for a game like Overwatch.
With a high refresh rate monitor and IPS panel display, users can expect a much smoother gaming experience and get the most out of various projectiles and abilities employed throughout the game. With these features, you can expect to win more fights in Overwatch.
What Monitor Size is Good For Overwatch?
The size of the monitor should be your foremost concern when you are choosing between various options. Having a big screen size will provide for a larger display, which results in a more powerful gaming experience.
A big field of vision is something that beginners and pros both seek in their Overwatch monitors. However, there is one catch. The bigger the monitor size, the higher the price you will have to pay for it. But up until now, no one has regretted paying a few bucks more for a better gaming experience.
Review of the Best Monitors For Overwatch
For a game like Overwatch, anyone would want to get their hands on a quality monitor. Even though a high refresh rate is the first feature to look for, some brands offer equally essential features that will help you stand out as a winner.
To help you make a better purchasing decision, we have compiled and reviewed the best monitors for Overwatch in terms of their distinguishing features;
Best Overall:
Acer SB220Q
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Acer fans are always raving about this unit’s IPS panel, and for a good reason, it gives the most accurate color range, which will give an immersive gaming experience at an affordable price. Another great feature that buyers enjoy is the viewing angles of 178-degrees, which prevents any distortion in color quality when viewing from a different angle.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Even though Acer SB220Q has a smaller screen size in comparison to its competitor 24-inch budget monitors, it makes the screen resolution hold a dense pixel count, which makes the image turn out more detailed. It has a response time of four ms, which is good enough to prevent ghosting and motion blur.
With the FreeSync enabled, you can expect a dynamic change in the refresh rate, which will prevent any input lag overload and screen stuttering. It offers a unique ‘Aim Point’ feature that has three crosshair overlays for improved accuracy. Its ‘Black Boost’ feature offers more visibility in dim parts of video games, with the ‘Overdrive’ feature making the response time better.
Bottom Line
The design of Acer SB220Q is a winning point, as its 0.24-inch thin screen makes the monitor look more exclusive. Its thin bezels make it a great option for a multi-monitor gaming setup. One downside is its incompatibility with VESA mount, which offers a restricted view from different angles, but it’s still a pretty sweet deal, considering its price.
Runner-up:
HP Pavilion 22cwa
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This monitor is usually bought by those for whom the budget is the topmost priority. Even though it is affordable, it offers a ton load of specifications such as IPS technology and the thin bezel which users have reported providing a seamless gaming experience.
Why it Stands Out to Us
With a high HD display resolution of 1920×1080, this monitor sets itself apart from competitor models by combining high resolution with diagonal viewing capability. Users also get to enjoy the full-screen display and a striking nine ms input lag feature.
Even though it compromises a bit on response time speed of seven ms (which is of no concern if you are not a pro gamer), it makes up for it by its IPS display, which has, by far, the best color reproduction. There is immense color depth, and it gives wide viewing angles with tilt capability.
One unique feature it offers is the eco-efficiency of the monitor. It comes with energy-saver technology, which significantly reduces energy consumption through its Auto-Sleep Mode.
Bottom Line
If a lightweight, aesthetic, and eco-friendly monitor are what you are going for, this is your best bet. Moreover, its anti-glaring coating performs well under various lighting conditions, so you get the best out of it no matter where you place it.
Best for the Money:
AOC C24G1
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Apart from affordability, users are all in for the AMD FreeSync, and one ms MPRT features this monitor has to offer. Its most liked feature is the design quality in comparison to the high refresh rate displays at this price point.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Offering eight-bit color depth along with a striking 3,000:1 contrast ratio, this monitor is a beast when it comes to gaming. It has 250-nit peak brightness, which lights up the darkest spots of Overwatch. The 1080p resolution it offers along with the 178-degree wide viewing angles make for the best gaming experience you can get.
Moreover, the pixel density offered at HD 1920×1080 on this 23.6-inch screen gives out crisp details and high frame rates, which makes the game run super smoothly. This is a lot that users are being offered for such an affordable price.
Apart from that, the color quality is out of this world; you get the option to set it to ‘sRGB’ color temperature mode, which gives out the most accurate color reproduction.
Bottom Line
Immersive image quality with excellent design quality and the gameplay is an unbelievable achievement by AOC at this price point. It cannot get any better than this, considering the striking colors and fast response time that you get with them.
4. ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most Overwatch fans prefer this top-tier gaming monitor over any other because of its gamer-oriented aesthetics. It is liked for its sturdiness and color quality, both features that were marketed by Overwatch itself when it first came out.
Why it Stands Out to Us
ASUS has been the face of gaming monitors for the longest time and for a good reason. It has a robust body instead of sleek screens that cannot handle a lot of input, and in all fairness, performance is preferred over aesthetics by a real gamer. With a 240Hz refresh rate and one ms response time, this monitor beats the mark.
It also features an adjustable stand with thin bezels, which means you get to be super comfortable for a great gaming experience. Its compatibility with G-Sync and various on-display features like individual contrast profiles take it to a whole new level. Users also get the benefit of drawing things over the screen, such as a crosshair or FPS counter.
Bottom Line
To sum up, if you are a fan of sturdy-looking gaming gears, you are sure to place your bet on this one. It not only offers all the specs needed for a competitive gaming experience, but it also has an adjustable body so you can be in your most comfortable position while gaming.
5. Sceptre C248W-1920RN
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to reviews, this is the best hybrid monitor solution for casual gamers who often have to use the monitor for work purposes. It is reported to be great for conventional use and has excellent aesthetics, which make it look like one of the more expensive monitor options in the market.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like that it displays games and videos alike in a good resolution because of the presence of the VA panel, which gives out decent colors. What sets it apart is the 75Hz refresh rate, which is an upgrade from the 60Hz found in most monitors at this price. It might not have the best color adjustment features, but users are also getting a lot in terms of performance, considering its budget-friendliness.
It also has super-slim bezels and is supported by a stand. Users have the option to tilt it, and its 1080p resolution, combined with a five ms refresh rate, offers a pretty good gaming experience if you are a beginner. Thanks to its VA panel technology, users also get vibrant colors with little lag in modern games.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, this is the one to go for if all you need is an aesthetic-looking, multi-purpose monitor with excellent image quality. Not to forget, it comes at a very reasonable price, keeping in mind other curved 24-inch monitors in the market.
Perks of Getting a New Monitor for Playing Overwatch
The never-ending versatile brand options for fast and aesthetic monitors can be super confusing to choose from according to one’s gaming needs. However, if you know what matches your Overwatch gaming style, you will be able to reap the benefits of that particular monitor. Some examples include:
Improved Refresh Rate
Overwatch is a fast-paced game-play for which standards monitors cannot easily comply with because they only offer up to 60 Hz, which is unfortunately only sufficient for video-watching. Acer gives you a refresh rate of 144 Hz at the minimum, and it is a difference that you are sure to notice. If you are a pro gamer, you can also choose to go up to 240 Hz, which is the very best in the market.
Quicker Response Time and Input Lag
The response time is responsible for the pixels that appear on the monitor, and the input lag is responsible for the time it takes for a command to be worked upon after you give it through your controller. Some companies give ten ms of input lag, which prevents blurry images with ghosting.
Good Display Resolution
Display resolution is the key to a good Overwatch gaming experience as it handles the details over the screen. Some manufacturers offer Quad HD and 4K Ultra HD, both of which offer amazing clarity.
Overwatch Monitor Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Success
Purchasing the right monitor is one thing; knowing how to get the best out of it is another. We have highlighted some features below which users can alter according to preference if they want to get the best Overwatch gaming experience:
Display Mode
In the screen options, go to the display mode, which will have three options. Choose fullscreen or borderless windowed over the windowed option for a better view of the game.
Resolution
The higher the numbers you choose, the more detailed the images will turn out to be. It will normally be set at Full HD (1,920 x 1,080), but in a good Overwatch monitor, you can go up to 2,560 x 1,400 (WQHD) and 3,840 x 2,160 (4K).
Aspect Ratio
This decides the width and height of the display. Usually, users get an aspect ratio of 16:9, but if you have an ultra-wide monitor, you can set it to 21:9 for a wider view.
Graphics Quality
When playing Overwatch, the refresh rate cannot be ignored at any cost because higher refresh rates of 144Hz or 200Hz result in a smoother gaming experience. Be sure to set yours to the maximum before you start the game.
Conclusion
After reviewing all the best monitors for Overwatch, it is crucial that you must not go lower than 240Hz. Keep in mind that these are powerful monitors and will require complementing hardware setup to work efficiently.
People Also Ask
After covering the basics of the hardware and software requirements needed in a monitor for the best Overwatch gaming experience, there is still a lot of content that is not touched upon. To help save you from running into potential problems, we have answered the most frequently inquired questions below;
What Causes the Monitor Screen to Go Black While in Overwatch?
Programs that include an overlay may have the tendency to crash. This results in a black screen. A missing update could also cause this problem, so make sure you run your updates on a regular basis. Another reason could be alterations made to software settings on video card drivers, which can be fixed by resetting it.
Is Using a Dual Monitor Setup Better For Overwatch?
A dual monitor setup is not the best gaming solution, especially for Overwatch, as it only supports 16:9 and 16:10 resolutions. Doing so would make the monitor run into display issues such as black bars.
How Do I Move Overwatch to My Secondary Monitor?
Go to ‘Settings’ and in the ‘System’ option, go to ‘Display’ and choose from ‘only two’ in the ‘Multiple Displays.’ By doing so, you will be switching off your laptop/PC screen and using your secondary monitor.
What is the Best DPI For Overwatch?
Overwatch best sustains with 800 and 1600 DPI. It is good enough for a fast and smooth gaming experience without any lagging or color corrections.
Are Expensive Monitors Worth it For Overwatch?
You can get a pretty good Overwatch gaming experience with affordable monitors. Still, if you are a pro and want the best of the best, then it is obvious that more expensive hardware has more to offer in terms of quality, such as a better graphics card lets you play on max settings on a 1440P monitor. This will be unmatched, so if you have a few extra bucks to spend, go for it.
How Much Should You Spend on a Monitor for Overwatch?
It is important to note that you need a lot more hardware than just the monitor for gaming. So if your total budget is $600-$800, you should not buy a monitor of more than $200 or $400 at the maximum. However, if you are looking for the top-notch Overwatch gaming experience, you will require a total budget of $1000, in which case high-end monitors cost around $300-400.