IPS vs. LED: Which is the Best Monitor Screen Technology

FACTS CHECKED BY  Bob Smith

There are many factors to consider before purchasing or upgrading a new monitor. Some factors include resolution, response times, and screen technology. Further, many monitor technologies are available today, making it tricky to choose the perfect one for your needs. In this article, we’ll focus on two popular screen technologies: IPS vs. LED to help your buying decision.

What is an IPS Display?

In-plane switching (IPS) is a panel display type found on LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors. These monitors are famous for their enhanced image quality and superior viewing angles, especially compared to their TN and VA counterparts.

Additionally, IPS monitors offer the best color accuracy, making them useful for more than just gaming. Hence, IPS technology is the most pricey of all available panel technologies.

What is an LED Display?

LED Monitor

LED Monitor

Source: Pxhere

It’s unsurprising to find LEDs in any lighting technology. After all, LEDs make some impressive displays with unique characteristics. But how do LEDs in screens work?

The purpose of LEDs in this display type is to light up each pixel’s content, sometimes individually. So, these monitors offer brighter displays that are energy efficient.

Additionally, LED monitors aren’t as expensive as IPS. Also, they come with higher dynamic contrast ratios and broader dimming ranges.

IPS vs. LED: The Comparison

Let’s compare these two technologies and find their differences.

Image Quality

Monitor with High Image Quality

Monitor with High Image Quality

Without a doubt, IPS offers superior image quality. These monitors can dish out crisp and clear images with vibrant colors and consistency. Overall, you’ll get a more satisfying experience with IPS.

On the other hand, LED monitors to struggle to produce black colors. But they offer deep contrasts. Also, they have poor viewing angles. Hence, it’s challenging to see correctly without sitting directly in front of the device. You won’t notice this problem when gaming, But it may affect other activities.

Response Times

Gaming Monitor

Gaming Monitor

Before now, IPS monitors featured slower response times of about 5-10ms. Although it seems impressive initially, it had adverse effects on fast-paced FPS games. So, more gamers favored LEDs, While IPS monitors were for consumers who didn’t mind the slower response times.

But newer models now offer improved response times as low as 1ms. Also, they offer 240Hz+ refresh rates, high-quality IPS panels, and other benefits, giving gamers a superior viewing package.

Contrarily, LED monitors always had speedy response times. But they have terrible viewing angles and color accuracy.  Hence, more users moved to the new and improved IPS monitors.

Display

Monitor with Stunning Display

Monitor with Stunning Display

IPS and LEDs have one thing in common: They use flat display technologies. However, IPS is a screen technology for LCD panels. In truth, you can call all IPS panels LCDs, but not all LCD panels are IPS.

Also, IPS handles how the liquid crystal positions or orients its molecules to make an image. They are well-known for their color reproduction and accuracy. However, these displays are more expensive to manufacture and use more energy.

In contrast, LED monitors to use a flat panel display technology that utilizes arrays of LEDs as a light source. Since the LEDs serve as backlights, these displays have brighter screens and higher contrast ratios. Though they don’t reproduce accurate colors like IPS, these monitors offer incredible dimming and fast refresh rates.

Compatibility

Although IPS and LEDs use different technologies, they have excellent compatibility. Some monitors combine both technologies like the following:

  • LED-backlit displays on IPS panels or other panel technologies.
  • LCD monitors with IPS panels and LED backlights.
  • IPS panels with LED or LCD backlight technologies.

Refresh Rates

IPS monitors were once slower than other monitor technologies. And it’s because the technology focused more on color accuracy and viewing angles over speed. However, IPS monitors can now output faster refresh rates, up to 360Hz.

LED monitors to have refhaveh rates of at least 400Hz, which offers flicker-free images on the screen. Interestingly, newer technologies have raised the bar by providing refresh rates of about 9000Hz. But this feature may result in decreased brightness sometimes.

Power Consumption

IPS monitors need a lot of power to deliver quality images. Hence, they’re not so energy-efficient.

In contrast, LEDs offer much brighter displays but consume less power than IPS monitors. It’s one of the reasons why LED monitors are a more popular option for LCD backlight technology.

Wide Angles

Monitor with Wide Angles

Monitor with Wide Angles

IPS displays tend to show better viewing angle capabilities than LEDs. They offer wider viewing angles (about 178 degrees) that won’t distort or shift colors when you view from different angles. And even if you’re facing the screen directly, you’ll still have clear visuals.

LED displays also offer similar viewing angles. But you might experience distortions or color shifts when viewing from different angles.

Cost

We previously mentioned that IPS offer several benefits that make them more expensive than LED monitors. So, the premium quality IPS variants go for over $2000. Even the more affordable variants cost a few hundred dollars.

On the other hand, LED monitors are more affordable. They can cost as low as seventy dollars. The high-quality versions can cost up to a thousand dollars.

Heat Emission

Since IPS consume more power to create crisp images, they emit more heat than LED monitors.

Though LED monitors have brighter displays, they consume less power and boast lower heat emissions.

Is IPS Better than LED?

IPS Monitors

IPS Monitors

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The benefits of using LED monitors include long-lasting backlights, brighter pictures, and minimal energy consumption. But IPS monitors offer better color reproduction, image accuracy, and viewing angles.

LED monitors are ideal if you’re working with a tight budget. They also work well for gaming due to their high response rates. But if your needs go beyond gaming, IPS is the best choice for premium picture quality.

IPS vs. LCD

FeatureIPSLCD
Image qualitySuperior image quality up to 5k UHD 2160p ultrawide.Image quality is not as excellent, but it also offers 5k UHD 2160p ultrawide resolutions.
Response times1ms.1ms.
Display typePanel technology.Backlight technology.
Refresh ratesUp to 360Hz.Minimum of 400Hz.
CostIt can cost anywhere from $150 to $2000.It can cost anywhere from $70 to $1000.
Wide anglesYou can view from different angles without color saturation.The colors may change when viewed from different angles.

Which Monitor Should You Buy?

Modern TV lcd 

Modern TV LCD 

Here are some questions to ask yourself before choosing a monitor:

How Will You Use Your Monitor?

Before picking a monitor, you must check if it fits your application. For instance, if you’re dealing with visual applications, go for the IPS monitor. On the other hand, you should pick LED monitors if your application involves playing fast-paced shooting games.

Pictures or Functionality?

Another factor to consider is if you want performance or functionality. IPS monitors have great functionality. However, they lack performance since they aren’t energy efficient and may heat up.

Although you won’t get stunning visual and color accuracy, LEDs offer a dependable and consistent monitor performance.

FAQs

Which is better: LCD or IPS Screen?

IPS displays are LCDs. But, some LCDs use backlight technologies instead of panels. However, IPS outperforms other LCD technologies.

IPS Display vs. LED: which is better for the eyes?

IPS displays have a lower chance of straining your eyes compared to LEDs. They offer excellent color representation and contrast rations. Hence, your eyes won’t need much effort to decipher images.

Are IPS monitors good for gaming?

IPS monitors are good enough for playing single-player AAA games. However, they’re not so great for fast-paced multiplayer games.

Rounding Up

High-quality Monitor

High-quality Monitor

Source: Wikimedia Commons

IPS and LEDs offer excellent benefits that you might need for your applications. IPS monitors are perfect if your budget can afford the device. But the LED is your go-to if you want a more affordable option.

LEDs also have different options to make up for their downsides. You can choose LED monitors with LCD and TN panels for better functionality.
Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to help.

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