What to Look for in a Monitor for Xbox Series X and Switch 2

For an Xbox Series X or a Switch 2, look for a monitor with an HDMI input that the maker says supports the mode you want, a stated 120Hz at your chosen resolution, VRR and low-latency mode support named in the specifications, and an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable to connect it. The two consoles ask for different things. The Series X can aim for 4K at 120 frames per second, while the Switch 2 in TV mode tops out at 4K at 60 and offers 120 at lower resolutions, so the best monitor for one is not automatically the best for the other.

This is a checklist, not a ranking. Specifications are as of October 2026, and the console makers' own pages are the final word on what each console outputs.

What each console can send

Start with the source. These details come from the pages named in the sources box at the end.

Because the Switch 2 page does not describe the dock's HDMI version, do not assume anything beyond what it lists. If a particular game or feature matters to you, check Nintendo's support pages for it, and the monitor maker's specification page for the input you plan to use.

Check the HDMI input, not just the monitor name

A monitor can list several video inputs, and not every HDMI port on it has the same capabilities. One port may support a higher refresh rate or a newer feature than another. Read the monitor's input table in the manual or on the maker's page for the exact port you plan to use, and plug the console into that one.

If a monitor has only DisplayPort for its best modes, it will not take a console directly. A console outputs HDMI, and an HDMI to DisplayPort connection needs an active converter, which adds another place for limits; our HDMI to DisplayPort adapter guide explains the direction and limits. It is simpler to buy a monitor with a suitable HDMI input.

For the cable, HDMI.org says the Ultra High Speed HDMI cable was introduced with the HDMI 2.1 specification and supports up to 48Gbps. Use one for 4K at 120 Hz and other demanding modes, and see our Ultra High Speed HDMI cable guide for what the label means.

120Hz: match the mode on both ends

A monitor's headline refresh rate usually applies at its native resolution and on specific inputs. For a Series X, a 4K 120Hz target needs a monitor that states 4K at 120Hz over HDMI. For a Series S, or for a Switch 2 in 120 fps modes, a 1440p or 1080p monitor with a stated 120Hz or higher over HDMI is enough, and these screens are often easier to find.

• Read the specification for a line such as resolution, refresh rate and input in the same sentence. A 144Hz label that applies only to DisplayPort does not help a console.
• Check what the console actually sends in its video settings, and set it to match the monitor.
• If a game only offers 120 in a lower resolution mode, that is the game's choice and the console's output, not the monitor's fault.
• A monitor above 120Hz is fine for these consoles; the console sets the ceiling.

Plan for a fallback too. If the console and monitor cannot agree on a mode, the console may settle on a lower one, and you may not notice until a game feels less smooth than you expected. After connecting, open the console's video settings and the monitor's on-screen information display, and confirm that the resolution and refresh rate they report match what you bought the monitor for. Check again after a console or monitor update, since both can change which options appear.

VRR and low-latency mode

HDMI.org lists variable refresh rate and auto low latency mode among HDMI features, describing VRR as reducing lag, stutter and tearing and ALLM as setting a low-latency mode automatically. Wikipedia's Xbox article says both Xbox Series consoles support VRR and ALLM as part of the HDMI 2.1 feature set. Nintendo's page lists VRR up to 120 Hz for the Switch 2's built-in screen, but does not say whether it applies to TV output, so for the Switch 2 on a monitor, check Nintendo's support pages.

What to look for on the monitor side: VRR support named for the HDMI input, not only for DisplayPort, and ALLM or a game mode that the monitor applies automatically. Many monitors expose these in the on-screen menu, and some need to be enabled. Our VRR range and low framerate compensation explainer covers how VRR works and why range matters.

HDR and picture quality

Nintendo's page lists HDR10 for the Switch 2's video output, and Xbox's page says the Series X|S are the first consoles to support gaming in Dolby Vision, with a footnote limiting Dolby Vision games to the Series X|S. A monitor that accepts HDR10 does not necessarily look good with it. VESA's DisplayHDR program exists for that reason, and our guide to DisplayHDR certification versus generic HDR claims explains how to read the labels. If you care about Dolby Vision, check that the monitor lists it by name.

Panel type, brightness and response time still matter, and a good panel with modest specifications can beat a poor one with big numbers. Compare monitors on the features you will use, and ignore headline refresh rates you cannot reach.

Size, audio and sharing the screen

• Size. Consoles are usually played from further back than a desk screen. A mid-size monitor is fine at a desk; a larger one suits a couch distance.
• Audio. Check whether the monitor has speakers or a headphone output, since a console sends sound over HDMI. If it has neither, plan on a headset connected to the controller.
• Sharing with a PC. If a console and a computer share the screen, a switch between them can limit the mode. See our HDMI splitter, switch and extender guide for what to check.
• Stand and mounting. Console desks often want a monitor on an arm; check the hole pattern before you buy one.

If your friend or family owns a PS5 Pro, the sibling guide Best Monitors for the PS5 Pro covers that console. This one stays with Xbox and Switch 2.

Frequently Asked Questions