How do IPS vs TN vs VA panels differ from one another, and which one is best for YOU? Find out now.
Depending on whether you’ll be using the monitor mostly for gaming, color-critical work, viewing movies, or other daily activities, you should choose between various panel kinds.
The maximum contrast ratio is found in VA panels, however this typically means a slower response time, making them ideal for watching movies but unsuitable for competitive gaming. Although TN panels are inexpensive and have quick response times, their image quality and viewing angles are subpar.
The widest viewing angles and fastest pixel reaction times are provided by IPS panels, however they don’t have as high of a contrast ratio as VA panels and are typically more expensive.
The type of display panel will have the biggest influence on overall image quality, excluding screen resolution.
The best panel technology for you must be chosen because each of the three has benefits and drawbacks.
What is IPS Panel?
In-plane switching, or IPS, employs a different crystal orientation than VA and TN. In contrast to TN and VA, where the crystals are twisted, IPS crystals are parallel to the glass substrate and rotate inside the plane of the substrate to allow light to pass through, much like a camera’s shutter. On modern monitors, IPS panels are by far the most prevalent.
Since IPS panels have wide 178° viewing angles and the most accurate and constant color reproduction, you can essentially gaze at the screen from any direction without the color or contrast of the image changing.
An IPS monitor is unquestionably appropriate for you if you’re a designer or photographer.
While there are still some slower IPS models with 4 to 5ms response times, the majority of IPS monitors today have pixel reaction times that are comparable to TN panels (1ms).
Since ghosting is hardly perceptible, many gamers will find that even these slower IPS panel monitors can still deliver a satisfying fast-paced gaming experience.
“IPS glow” is the biggest drawback of IPS monitors.
When viewing exceptionally gloomy material in a dark environment, you may detect light “glowing” around the edges of the screen. This unintended consequence of too much light going through the panel is normal.
In some circumstances, such as when playing a game or watching a movie with gloomy sequences, it can be moderately annoying but overall it is bearable. You should RMA the monitor if the IPS light is disturbing in any rare instances, primarily as a result of poor quality control.
IPS panels don’t have as much contrast as VA panels, which is another item to bear in mind. A VA alternative has a static contrast ratio of about 3,000:1, whereas a typical IPS monitor has a static contrast ratio of about 1,000:1.
On VA monitors, blacks would therefore appear much deeper, but this technology also has drawbacks, which we’ll discuss later.
The first IPS Black panel, which raised the static contrast ratio to over 2,000:1, was created by LG Display in 2022. One of the first displays with this technology was the Dell U2723QE.
In addition, LG is reintroducing the A-TW polarizer on a few of its models, including the new LG 32GQ950. At the expense of introducing a slight purple glow at extreme angles, this will assist in reducing IPS glow.
On LED-backlit monitors, the contrast ratio can be further enhanced by employing localized dimming. However, there is essentially no noticeable benefit absent the usage of a pricey full-array local dimming system.
IPS monitors used to cost more than TN screens with the same specifications. Some IPS monitors today cost just a little bit (if any) more than their TN counterparts.
Remember that there are various IPS panel varieties depending on the manufacturer, and you may also encounter them with various names. You should be aware of the most recent versions of:
- Samsung PLS (Plane to Line Switching)
- AU Optronics AHVA (Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angles)
- InnoLux AAS (Azimuthal Anchoring Switch)
- BOE ADS (Advanced Super Dimension Switch)
- LG IPS, AH-IPS, Nano IPS, IPS Black
Even while all of these panels promise wide viewing angles, accurate color, and quick pixel response times, some are obviously superior to others.
What is TN Panel?
The first LCD technology to hit the market was called twisted nematic, or TN. Liquid crystals are placed between two polarizing filters in TN panels. The crystals twist when an electric current is supplied, allowing light to pass through. Although TN panels are by far the least expensive, they are also less frequent and a little out of date.
As they offer the quickest response times, TN panels—which are now mostly seen in gaming monitors—are where we’ll start.
Gray to gray pixel transition, sometimes known as “GtG,” which all newer TN monitors will provide, completely removes ghosting and trailing behind moving objects.
Many professional FPS players use TN panel gaming monitors because they offer a buttery-smooth gaming experience at an inexpensive price when combined with a high refresh rate.
The image shifts in color, contrast, and brightness when seen at skewed angles on TN monitors, which also have the weakest color reproduction (170° horizontally, 160° vertically).
With the exception of occasional gamma/saturation shifts, viewing angles aren’t a problem as long as you’re seated in front of the monitor, so if money is tight and performance is more important to you than gorgeous colors, a TN panel monitor is right for you.
Although more expensive versions will have more vibrant colors, they won’t be as good as alternatives like IPS or VA panels. They can be extremely bright.
What is VA Panel?
VA, or vertical alignment, uses crystals that are vertically aligned and tilt to let light through. VA crystals are perpendicular to the glass substrate, whereas IPS crystals are parallel to it. Although IPS panels are more popular for monitors, VA panels are one of the most popular options for TVs.
Last but not least, VA panels with a greater static contrast ratio are available.
Contrast ratios for IPS and TN panels typically range from 1,000:1 to 2,500:1, while those for VA panels typically range from 2,500:1 to 3,000:1, with more expensive models having even higher contrast.
Because of this, they can show richer blacks, whiter whites, and a more noticeable relationship between the darkest and lightest tones overall.
This, however, also implies that it takes pixels longer to transition from such intense black to lighter tones.
They may have a specified reaction time speed of 4-5 ms, which is comparable to the average IPS display, but their real black to white pixel transition is far slower.
As a result, visible black smearing can be seen behind moving objects in dark video game backgrounds, which can be annoying for competitive play.
Because of this, ardent FPS players choose IPS or TN panels over VA ones.
Not everyone is equally sensitive to this problem, and many gamers prefer a greater contrast ratio even if it means some smearing.
With a 1ms GtG response time, Samsung’s most recent VA panels, which are utilized in the Odyssey G7 and G9 curved gaming monitors, are actually just as quick as certain IPS models.
Thus, with their deep blacks and quick pixel transitions, these monitors provide the best overall image quality and performance. However, as the review points out, they are also more expensive and have some other drawbacks.
Samsung will also introduce the Odyssey G8 model in 2022, which features a 32-inch 4K 240Hz panel, a 1-millisecond GtG response time, and a tiny LED backlight.
Now let’s talk about various VA panel monitors that enable a wide color range.
A few IPS monitors really offer better colors than some VA panels, but the colors on those VA displays won’t be as constant as those produced by IPS technology.
In other words, gamma shifts may cause a certain shade of red, for example, to appear differently at the top of the image and in the center on a VA panel monitor.
The main reason designers choose IPS displays is because these minor uniformity flaws are vital for color-critical work but generally aren’t particularly obvious or unpleasant in everyday use.
The majority of LED TVs employ VA panels instead of IPS because of their high contrast and lack of IPS glow, which makes them particularly perfect for watching movies in a dark room where details in the picture’s shadows truly show out.
Finally, although though VA panels have 178° viewing angles specified, exactly like IPS, there are a few little changes in brightness and contrast at specific angles, but nothing too drastic.
Depending on the manufacturer of the panel, VA panels may also be marketed as:
- MVA (Multidomain Vertical Alignment) (Multidomain Vertical Alignment)
- P-MVA, S-MVA
- Advanced MVA (AMVA) should not be confused with AHVA (IPS by AUO)
IPS vs TN vs VA: What The Difference?
IPS: Lower Black Levels, Faster Refresh Rate, and the Best Colors and Viewing Angles
For the performance of the displayed color, the In-Plane Switching display is rated top. The only model that consistently offers 95% or 100% DCI-P3, the broadest color gamut currently unveiled and utilized in digital theatres, is IPS.
The best TN displays have 20% to 30% less color space than even entry-level IPS panels. Additionally, the IPS panel has broad viewing angles of 178/178. From virtually any angle, there will be a clear and equitable perspective. IPS will provide you with the greatest, especially for watching with others.
On IPS-type monitors, response and refresh rates have grown recently. Speed is now comparable to the VA, but it still trails behind Tennessee.
An IPS panel won’t be able to produce much more than 150Hz or 160Hz. In contrast, IPS panels display HDR content far better than TN since they fall between TN and VA in terms of performance. The IPS screen, when combined with the wide color gamut, potentially gives superior HDR than the VA.
Even though there might not be much of a distinction between VA and other sorts for the casual viewer. IPS panels, in comparison, tend to obliterate dark details. Black levels are a major weakness of IPS, whereas VA and TN provide more precise black levels. for a fantastic IPS gaming display.
Perfect for:
If small concerns with black levels are eliminated, IPS displays are ideal for gamers who want immersive settings, are enthusiastic about graphics and want to experience the images, or who just want to watch material together. All greatly profit from color while maintaining more reliable wide-angle performance.
TN: Primary Speed, Last Color and Angle, Good Black Levels
TN monitors are often the least expensive because they are arguably the oldest form of panel and are frequently referred to as the original LCD. Response Time is this monitor’s main benefit. Up until recently, only TN panels could deliver pixel updates in 1 milliseconds or more, which made them an excellent choice for gaming.
Only TN panels can handle 240Hz refresh rate, or frames per second (FPS), while other varieties have a maximum of 150–200Hz. In-game motion will be hazy and ghostly if the monitor reacts too slowly. On slower monitors, overall input lag will also rise. Additionally, the TN Panel continues to be the fastest and offers the most precise degree of detail and black levels.
On the down side, TN panels rarely exceed 1000:1 contrast and only fully reproduce the RGB color space. This has the smallest color space and has the lowest visual quality. The narrow viewing angles of TN panels, which only reach 170/160 degrees, are by far their largest flaw. This implies that if you view it from a broad perspective, such as the left and right sides, you will notice rather significant shifts in hue.
Perfect for:
Online gamers. TN panels continue to be the finest option for competitive multiplayer games where every second counts since the speed is still unsurpassed. TN is the ideal option if you enjoy playing shooting and fighting games and want to compete with other gamers or just get the best frame rate.
**Keep in mind that while you won’t get the best color or image quality, you will get a quick display.
VA: Excellent All Around, Best Contrast, but Not the Fastest
The LCD gains color and widens its viewing angle when the VA panel appears. VA panels have the best contrast of any LCD and create a significantly wider range of colors than TN panels. The VA has improved and now performs about the same as the TN, usually hitting 2-3ms response rates and 200Hz refresh rates. However, it is still slower than the TN.
These displays perform better than RGB-compliant displays and frequently achieve Adobe RGB’s richer, wider color gamut. They also feature large 178/178 viewing angles. The majority of TVs today desire to use VA panels because they are fantastic for HDR content and have remarkable contrast ratios (3000:1 and above are typical). Our EW3270U is a top-notch choice for a VA monitor.
Perfect for:
If you enjoy playing video games and have a wide range of interests in many genres, VA is here for you. No matter what you play, you’ll receive terrific performance and superb visual contrast quality. Because VA is slower than VN, the exception is made by competitive players who are solely concerned with winning.
Conclusion
You now have the option to select after the most crucial features of IPS vs TN vs VA were briefly discussed. All three simply describe the creation, organization, and control of the transistors that regulate the pixels. However, they are all still TFT LCDs, and after years of development—in fact, with gaming monitors—they can all perform admirably for you.
| Type | Speed | Color | Contrast | Viewpoint | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN | The fastest, the only type that is sufficient for a refresh rate of 240hz . Very fast response time, under 1ms | Limited color coverage- standard RGB. But specifically black detail | Lowest, but sufficient for most applications (and will continue to be developed) | The biggest problem for TN. Even sophisticated monitors will experience color shift and image fade when viewed from the side | Fast-paced games such as FPS, MOBA, and other online games. Ideal for players who like to play with unlocked framerates |
| VA | Almost as fast as TN, but slower by 1-2ms. Capable of adequate refresh rate up to 200hz | Color performance is quite good, the gamut is wider than TN – adequate Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 | Best contrast ratio, average 3000:1 | Most monitors of this type are adequate for 178/178 (horizontal/vertical viewing) | For players who like to play various genres, and also watch movies and TV |
| IPS | The slowest, because each pixel has a detailed process | Most advanced. Only this type can meet the latest color spaces such as DCI-P3 and Rec. 2020 | The color contrast is between TN and VA, so it’s pretty good. However, IPS monitors are prone to experiencing “crushed” blacks , obscuring details in dark areas | Good consistency with 178/178, most adequate for viewing from a variety of positions and angles around the monitor | Players who like to play story-based games , who like to enjoy the beauty of graphics and colors. Also best for players who are interested in playing local multiplayer, because of the wide IPS viewing angle |
However, the differences you experience won’t be as significant as what is claimed in other articles, including this post, because all three belong to the same branch and use technology that is always evolving. There isn’t currently a “wrong” panel type. However, there is nothing wrong with choosing the game experience that best suits you.
