IPS Monitor List: Premium LCD Panels

I'm often asked for a recommendation on what type or brand of LCD monitor offers the best picture quality, to which I usually suggest an LCD that is manufactured using IPS based panel technology. IPS monitors are known for providing superior color accuracy and wider viewing angles than the more commonly found TN monitors. This list goes a bit further and compiles most, if not all of the S-IPS, H-IPS, AH-IPS, e-IPS, PLS and other variations of IPS panels that are currently being used for LCD displays and available on the retail market.

This list is sortable; it can be arranged (in ascending or descending) by Display Model, Size, Resolution, or Price. The default sorting is alphabetical by manufacturer. Updates will be made when a new IPS monitor is introduced or older models are discontinued, replaced by newer models, or no longer available from retail outlets so check back frequently to find the best IPS monitor that meets your display requirements. Monitors that have been recently added to the list are marked with a NEW tag. Once production has ceased on a particular display it will be moved to the discontinued page. For more information about IPS technology, please read LCD Panel Technology Explained, which covers the main LCD panel types and advantages of LCD monitors with IPS panels.

Note For Professionals

A calibration tool should be utilized to receive the full benefits of a IPS monitor. I recommend the Spyder4Elite. Also, e-IPS and similar panels with only 6-bit support should be avoided if you do any photo editing or use software that requires accurate color representation. e-IPS (and some AH-IPS) panels have better viewing angles than TN technology, but many of them are 6-bit displays that only support 8-bit color depth through a method of dithering (FRC), unlike other high-end IPS variations which make use of true 8-bit (or higher) LCD panels.

Rundown of IPS Panel Variations Used Today

In today's LCD monitor market there are many versions and diversity found among IPS technologies, unlike when S-IPS first started to become popular among PC enthusiasts many years ago. Some of these panel types appear to be merely marketing gimmicks (p-IPS), while others actually do offer improvements or physical changes (H-IPS). The following are the main IPS variations most commonly utilized in modern LCD displays:

• S-IPS - Super In-Plane Switching was a big improvement that helped popularize IPS technology among the average consumer. They offered improved performance and better response times than the first generation of standard IPS panels. You will find there are few manufacturers who still list their monitors as being S-IPS in the specifications; they have been mostly replaced by AH-IPS, e-IPS and H-IPS.
• H-IPS - Horizontal In-Plane Switching introduced a physical change to the pixel structure of IPS technology. Before this change, IPS pixels resembled the shape of an arrow. H-IPS pixels, upon closer inspection, look like straight lines arranged vertically. H-IPS panels have very similar characteristics to S-IPS, but one noticeable difference is what is now known as "IPS glow". S-IPS panels have a purple tint when viewing dark images from wide angles, whereas H-IPS is more of a white tint, hence the coining of IPS glow.
• e-IPS/E-IPS - The life of this panel type has been very vague. It has been referred to as both E-IPS (Enhanced In-Plane Switching) and e-IPS (Economic In-Plane Switching). The e-IPS version is a simplified version of H-IPS that doesn't require a strong backlight due to greater transparency, thus pricing for these panels is generally cheaper than other IPS technology. E-IPS is an "enhanced" version of S-IPS which featured higher contrast ratios and faster pixel response times.
• p-IPS - Performance In-Plane Switching is simply a marketing term NEC has applied to their 10-bit line of H-IPS displays to separate them from lower end models.
• AH-IPS - LG made even greater performance gains and more accurate color representation with Advanced High Performance In-Plane Switching, as well as reduced power consumption.
• Super PLS - Super Plane-to-Line Switching was developed in 2010 by Samsung as a wide viewing angle panel to counter LG's IPS technology. Super PLS is very similar in design to IPS, though Samsung claims their PLS technology is less expensive to manufacture and achieves higher brightness levels.

IPS Monitor Recommendations

IPS monitors are available for every budget. These are my personal top choices for each price point.

Small Budget Dell S2340M

Medium Budget Asus PA248Q

Large Budget Dell U3014

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