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There are many different monitors on the market. Various resolutions, refresh rates, sizes, etc. to consider, and if you’re a fan of flight simulators, you might be wondering which type of monitor will provide the best experience.
For flight simulators, you want to go as wide as possible for the most immersive experience. Ultrawide monitors and triple monitor setups are the best options if possible. Or a large 4K monitor if your PC can run it. Prioritise resolution over refresh rate and choose a monitor with an IPS panel for the best picture quality.
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Things to Consider
Before we look at the best monitors for flight simulators, there are a few things to consider to make sure you choose the best monitor for your circumstances.
Your Hardware
The first thing that you need to consider is your hardware and how capable it is of running the flight simulators you enjoy.
For example, if your PC isn’t very powerful and you’re trying to run a highly demanding flight sim like X-Plane 11, you won’t want to invest in a 4K or high refresh rate monitor. You simply won’t be getting the most out of the monitor. Head over to Game Debate to get an idea of the performance you can expect.
Monitor Size
The second thing I want to talk about is the best monitor size for flight simulators. If possible, you want to go for an ultrawide monitor or triple monitor setup.
Obviously, having the wide field of view will be a huge benefit in flight sims. The advantage of an ultrawide monitor is that there are no bezels to get in the way like there is with a triple monitor setup. It’s also the more convenient option because there’s only one monitor to setup. The downside is that there won’t be as much screen space as there is with a triple monitor setup.
There are two scenarios where I would recommend a standard 16:9 aspect ratio monitor. The first is if you have a very weak PC because it will require more powerful hardware to run wider displays. In this case I would recommend a 1080p monitor.
The second is if you want a 4K monitor. Because a 4K monitor has a higher pixel density, you can get a bigger monitor whilst keeping a sharp image. 4K monitors are very demanding though (and expensive), so they certainly aren’t for everyone. A 32″ monitor is a good size for 4K.
Resolution vs. Refresh Rate
In terms of the resolution and refresh rate of the monitor, I would favor a higher resolution over a higher refresh rate for flight simulators. Firstly, you probably won’t get enough frames per second to warrant a high refresh rate in most flight sims. Secondly, a higher resolution will mean better picture quality and a more immersive experience which is more important for flight simulators. A 1440p 60hz ultrawide monitor is ideal if your PC is capable of running it.
Do make sure you take into account your hardware because you might find you won’t be able to run flight simulators very well at a higher resolution.
Panel Type
There are two main types of panels. TN panels offer a faster response time which translates into a smoother experience. The downside is that the picture quality and color reproduction isn’t great. IPS panels have a slower response time but the picture quality is much better. TN panels are great for fast-paced games like first-person shooters, but for flight simulators, IPS panels are the better option.
Best Monitors for Flight Simulators
Now let’s take a look at the best monitors for flight simulators. I have picked various different monitors to suit different people needs so there should be something for everyone here.
Best Ultrawide 1440p – LG 34UC80-B
- For high-end PCs
- 34″ 1440p ultrawide curved display
- 60hz refresh rate
- IPS panel
- 5ms response time
- FreeSync
The LG 34UC80-B is a great monitor for high end PCs. It has a large 34″ ultrawide display which is great for immersion, and the 1440p resolution ensures a high pixel density. The monitor is also curved which is great for keeping everything in proportion on larger displays.
This monitor only has a 60hz refresh rate, but you probably won’t get much more than 60 FPS on most PCs at 1440p anyway. The other downside of this monitor is that it is quite expensive.
Best Ultrawide 1080p – LG 29UM68-P
- For mid-range PCs
- 29″ 1080p ultrawide display
- 75hz refresh rate
- IPS panel
- 5ms response time
The LG 29UM68-P is a great monitor for mid-range PCs. It is still an ultrawide monitor, but will be easier to run because it is only 1080p and not 1440p. Because of the lower resolution, I would recommend a 29″ display, although there is a 34″ version available too if you want a larger screen.
At 75hz, the refresh rate is quite reasonable for an IPS monitor. You probably won’t be getting more FPS than this unless you have a high-end PC anyway. And if you do have a high-end PC, I would recommend a 1440p monitor.
Great for a Triple Monitor Setup or Weaker PCs – BenQ GW2480
- For high-end PCs (triple monitor setup)
- For low-end PCs (single monitor)
- 24″ 1080p display
- 60hz refresh rate
- IPS panel
- 5ms response time
For a triple monitor setup, the BenQ GW2480 is a great option. They are very budget friendly and you can buy three of these for less than some of our other recommendations. Despite the low price, they still have an IPS panel at 1080p. Importantly, these monitors have very slim bezels making them perfect for multi-monitor setups.
The BenQ GW2480 only has a 60hz refresh rate, but you will most likely struggle to get much more than 60FPS when you’re running three monitors anyway. And you will need a fairly high end PC to run three 1080p monitors. It might be an issue if you’re also into fast-paced gaming though.
This monitor is also a good choice as a single monitor setup if you have a weaker PC that isn’t capable of running higher resolutions.
Best 4K – BenQ PD3200U
- For very high-end PCs
- 32″ 4K display
- 60hz refresh rate
- IPS panel
- 4ms response time
If you have a really powerful PC, you might want to consider the BenQ PD3200U. Although it isn’t ultrawide, it is a large monitor at 32″ so you will still get an immersive experience. The higher resolution of this monitor, combined with the IPS panel means you get a really sharp and high quality picture.
The obvious downside of this monitor is that it is quite expensive. You also need to consider that it will require quite a powerful PC to run some flight simulators at 4K.
Conclusion
There are various monitors that work great with flight simulators but it all depends on your specific circumstances. Overall, you should opt for an IPS panel and as high a resolution and wide a screen size as you can.
Last update on 2023-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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