Are you looking for a new monitor, and what panel should you opt for: IPS or LED monitor? Luckily, we have got you covered!
The monitor is one of the most complicated and confusing peripherals because it demands detailed technical knowledge. When you delve into the market, you’ll see many options, each offering unique features and specifications. You must consider multiple factors, i.e., display size, refresh rates, resolutions, aspect ratio, and colour accuracy while buying any of those options.
The situation is overwhelming because numerous acronyms are associated with monitor screen technology. This is the most essential part you need to pay attention to when looking at so many options and are bombarded with technical jargon of LCD, IPS, LED, TFT, etc. You must ensure what screen technology is and what would be best for your digital needs.
In this blog post, we look at the two most common display technologies in use today and explain IPS vs LED PC monitors with different performance and quality factors to see which one comes out on top for your needs and budget.
So, let’s dive in!
What is an IPS Monitor?
IPS (In-Plane Switching) is one of the most common display technologies available today and is an improved alternative solution to conventional twisted nematic (TN) panels. Despite being released in the mid-1990s, IPS display technology is becoming increasingly popular as the standard choice for TVs and monitors.
Since its launch, many upgrades have been done, solving many of its shortcomings through increased interoperability with other technology. As a result, IPS displays are now positioned as the norm, illustrating the display industry’s ongoing progress and adaptability.
Many prefer IPS screens over TN due to their wider viewing angles and sharper colour accuracy. The applied electrical force in TN panels occurs in the longitudinal direction, resulting in slanted LC (liquid crystal) directors. When viewed from different angles, this tilt causes varied phase retardation in a limited and unbalanced vertical viewing angle. IPS display technology was introduced as an alternate driving scheme based on a transverse electric field to overcome these constraints. Compared to other technologies, IPS panels align liquid crystal molecules parallel to the substrate plane, resulting in substantially broader viewing angles and the best colour reproduction.
What is an LED Monitor?
LED or light-emitting diode is another type of backlighting technology that uses an array of light-emitting diodes as a light source. LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) convert electrical power into optical power through carriers injected into the LED via electrodes. In display technology, LED monitors use LEDs to illuminate the content of each pixel. You must also remember that all LED monitors are technically LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), but the key distinction is the backlighting technology. LED computer monitors use Light-Emitting Diodes for backlighting, while traditional LCD monitors use CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps).
They provide a brighter display while taking less energy. LED monitors are also budget-friendly. These monitors also feature a dimming range and high contrast ratio and have less impact on the environment. As a result, LED panels are standard in larger displays like TVs, projectors, or outdoor displays.
IPS vs. LED Monitors: What are the Key Differences?
Now that you have a better idea of what IPS and LED monitors are, let’s look at the aspects in which they differ.
Technology
Let’s start with the very central area. IPS Monitors are based on Panel Technology. On the other hand, LED monitors use flat panel display technology with a backlight feature, setting themselves apart from other display technologies.
Despite the technological differences, LED monitors are compatible with various devices. Until about 2014, plasma screens dominated production, but LCD technology soon eclipsed them. It might be surprising for you to know that LED and IPS monitors use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology as their underlying structure. All IPS screens are LCD panels, but not all LCD panels are IPS panels. In any case, IPS refers to the way molecules inside the liquid crystal of a display are positioned or oriented.
Image Quality
Regarding image quality, IPS (In-Plane Switching) display panels give improved image quality in areas such as clarity, image sharpness, and viewing angles. However, IPS computer monitors may have difficulty obtaining ideal contrast ratios despite their high brightness levels.
Conversely, LED monitors have less colour accuracy and reliability with limited viewing angles at which you can get the best quality. These panels excel in exceptional black levels and high contrast ratios. The viewing angle of an LED monitor could be better, which can be a significant issue, especially if you aren’t sitting directly in front of it.
Choosing a VA (Vertical Alignment) panel instead of IPS or LED panels is a good compromise since it allows for good image quality and deep black depths, resulting in a more realistic and visually appealing overall image.
Viewing Angle
Viewing angles play a significant role in evaluating your overall viewing experience. IPS display panels offer much broader viewing angles with superior viewing angle capabilities. These monitors provide a viewing area without any distortion or colour shift when you view from different locations. Indeed, thanks to the viewing angle characteristics of IPS panels, you can rest assured that the display’s quality is maintained even when viewed from off-centre angles.
On the other hand, LED panels also provide stable performance in both vertical and horizontal angle directions, with little to no deterioration in picture quality. This feature increases the adaptability of LED displays by allowing you to enjoy consistent and reliable image quality independent of your viewing position relative to the screen.
Response Times
Response time refers to a monitor’s adjusting time from one colour to the next. It determines how snappy and responsive your visuals feel on a monitor. You can have a more excellent graphics card, but you won’t see any difference with a sluggish monitor. That’s why you should pay careful insights to response time when buying a new monitor.
Previously, IPS monitors had much longer response times, but the most recent models come with response times up to 1ms. IPS PC monitors were marketed towards buyers who did not prioritise response times, with LED monitors usually being favoured by competitive FPS players. LED monitors feature as fast as 1 ms response times, but the colour reproduction and viewing angles become worse at this rate.
Brightness and Colour Accuracy
IPS panels win here. Thanks to their unique architecture and working principle, IPS screens will have higher brightness. In addition to their higher brightness range, IPS panels maintain colour accuracy and hue levels across various viewing angles. This attribute makes IPS panels an excellent choice for primary and secondary monitors. The wide viewing angles also improve the viewing experience.
Conversely, LED monitors offer ordinary brightness levels. The LED lights which power the LED display allow for precise dimming of darker areas, resulting in a higher contrast ratio. Consequently, dark areas on an LED panel appear notably darker and bright areas brighter. However, it’s important to note that LED monitors show variations in colour accuracy and temperature due to poor viewing angles.
Power Consumption
Another big difference between IPS and LED displays lies in the power uptake. If energy efficiency is something you are looking for, choosing LED monitors is a wise selection. LED displays consume less energy than their LCD-based competitors despite their higher brightness when compared to IPS screens. That explains why they are the finest and most affordable Liquid crystal display technology amongst their counterparts. This gain in the energy economy is especially notable. On the other hand, they rely on excessive power consumption to fulfil outstanding screen performance standards in IPS displays.
If you are concerned about the impact on monthly energy bills of buying a new IPS monitor, the difference in energy use, while higher, usually does not cause a noticeable rise in overall energy expenses.
Pricing
IPS monitors are usually more expensive than LED displays. The higher cost of IPS displays is due to the advanced technology used in these displays. Even though IPS displays have historically been more expensive, the market’s increasing competitiveness and the rise of multiple manufacturers have made it simpler to find high-quality monitors at more inexpensive costs. For instance, you can purchase Huawei AD80HW from Laptop Outlet at around only £150.
Regarding an LED monitor, you can get an excellent high-performance monitor for under £500, depending on your model and the included specs and features. However, even at a low cost, better options may be available, like ASUS TUF VG27AQML1A. You can purchase this incredible monitor from Laptop Outlet for around £430.
IPS vs LED Monitors: Final Verdict
IPS and LED display panels will confuse you when looking for a new monitor. You can find a lot of monitors with both IPS and LED panels designed by various brands. IPS panels refer to the alignment of liquid crystal molecules for the substrate plane. These panels were crafted to reduce the shortcomings of their predecessors -LED panels.
LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) have a longstanding history, most notably in the electronics industry, where they have been used for circuit board illumination. They are well-known for their improved picture quality, as well as their low cost of production and ability to emit light in a broad spectrum of colours.
However, your choice of display boils down to your unique digital needs and budget. Once you go through our IPS vs. LED comparison mentioned above guide, you will find out which panel type is the perfect choice for you. If you want a monitor for home and office use, go for an IPS panel. If you need a budget-friendly and energy-efficient monitor, an LED monitor will provide the best value for money.
No matter what you choose, visit the Laptop Outlet to explore a wide range of IPS and LED monitors from all the renowned brands like ASUS, MSI, Lenovo, and more.
