Are IPS Monitors Better for Eyes? Which Is Good for Gaming in 2024

With the increasing number of people working from home, the use of monitors has become more prevalent than ever before. It is essential to consider the health implications of using monitors, particularly with the amount of time spent in front of them. In recent years, IPS monitors have gained popularity, with some users claiming they are better for the eyes. In this article, we will explore this topic in-depth and provide you with the information you need to decide whether IPS monitors are better for your eyes or not.

What are IPS Monitors?

IPS stands for In-Plane Switching, and it is a type of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel technology. This technology was developed to improve the viewing angles and color reproduction of LCD monitors. Unlike other LCD panels, IPS monitors use a more extensive range of colors and have better color accuracy, making them suitable for tasks that require precise color representation.

How Do IPS Monitors Work?

IPS monitors have a unique structure that allows them to display images with better accuracy and wider viewing angles. Each pixel on an IPS monitor has a liquid crystal that can rotate to control the amount of light that passes through it. This rotation is controlled by an electric field, which allows the monitor to display images with a more extensive range of colors and better accuracy.

Are IPS Monitors Better for Eyes?

IPS monitors have some features that make them potentially better for the eyes than other types of monitors. Here are some reasons why:

Wider Viewing Angles

One of the most significant advantages of IPS monitors is their wider viewing angles. This means that you can view the screen from various angles without losing color accuracy or image quality. This feature reduces the need to adjust your posture or the monitor’s position frequently, reducing eye strain and fatigue.

Better Color Accuracy

IPS monitors offer better color accuracy than other types of monitors. This is because they use a more extensive range of colors and have better color calibration capabilities. This feature reduces eye strain, as you can view images with better clarity and detail, reducing the need to squint or strain your eyes.

Lower Flicker Rates

Flicker is the rapid and repeated flashing of a monitor’s screen, which can cause eye strain, headaches, and fatigue. IPS monitors have a lower flicker rate than other types of monitors, reducing eye strain and fatigue when using them for extended periods.

Lower Blue Light Emissions

Blue light is a type of light that is emitted by electronic devices, including monitors. Overexposure to blue light can cause eye strain, fatigue, and even disrupt sleep patterns. IPS monitors have lower blue light emissions than other types of monitors, making them safer for extended use.

What makes an IPS Monitor better?

There are several factors that make IPS monitors potentially better than other types of monitors.

1. Firstly, IPS monitors have wider viewing angles, meaning that you can view the screen from various angles without losing color accuracy or image quality. This reduces the need to adjust your posture or the monitor’s position frequently, reducing eye strain and fatigue.
2. Secondly, IPS monitors offer better color accuracy than other types of monitors. This is because they use a more extensive range of colors and have better color calibration capabilities. This feature reduces eye strain, as you can view images with better clarity and detail, reducing the need to squint or strain your eyes.
3. Thirdly, IPS monitors have lower flicker rates than other types of monitors. Flicker is the rapid and repeated flashing of a monitor’s screen, which can cause eye strain, headaches, and fatigue. IPS monitors have a lower flicker rate, reducing eye strain and fatigue when using them for extended periods.
4. Lastly, IPS monitors have lower blue light emissions than other types of monitors. Blue light is a type of light that is emitted by electronic devices, including monitors. Overexposure to blue light can cause eye strain, fatigue, and even disrupt sleep patterns. IPS monitors have lower blue light emissions than other types of monitors, making them safer for extended use.

IPS Monitors: Advantages and Disadvantages

There are many advantages of using IPS monitors over TN panels, such as better viewing angles and color reproduction at a wider range while some disadvantages like less brightness levels can be ignored in most cases.

Advantages:

• Wide Viewing Angles: IPS monitors have a wider viewing angle compared to other types of monitors. This means that you can view the screen from different angles without experiencing any color distortion. This feature is especially helpful when working with a group or when you need to move around while using your monitor.
• Color Accuracy: IPS monitors offer better color accuracy than other types of monitors. This is because they can display a more extensive range of colors and have better color calibration capabilities. This feature is especially important for graphic designers, photographers, and other professionals who need to view images with high color accuracy.
• Better Contrast Ratios: IPS monitors offer better contrast ratios than other types of monitors. This means that they can display deeper blacks and brighter whites, resulting in a more vibrant and detailed image. This feature is especially helpful when watching movies, playing games, or working with graphic design software.
• Lower Flicker Rates: IPS monitors have lower flicker rates compared to other types of monitors. This means that they emit less screen flicker, which can cause eye strain and fatigue. This feature is especially helpful for those who spend long hours in front of their computer screens.

Disadvantages: 

• Higher Cost: IPS monitors are generally more expensive than other types of monitors. This is because they use higher-quality materials and offer better color accuracy and viewing angles. If you are on a tight budget, you may need to consider other types of monitors.
• Slower Response Time: IPS monitors have a slower response time compared to other types of monitors. This means that they may experience motion blur when displaying fast-moving images or when playing games. This feature is not suitable for gamers or those who need to work with fast-paced content.
• Backlight Bleed: IPS monitors may suffer from backlight bleed, which is the uneven distribution of light from the screen’s edges. This can be especially noticeable when viewing dark images or when watching movies in a dark room.
• Limited Contrast Ratio: While IPS monitors offer better contrast ratios compared to other types of monitors, they still have a limited contrast ratio. This means that they may not be suitable for those who need to work with content that requires extremely high contrast ratios.

Is IPS Display Better than LED?

It is important to note that IPS (In-Plane Switching) and LED (Light-Emitting Diode) are not competing technologies. IPS is a type of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology, while LED refers to the type of backlight used in many monitors, including IPS monitors.

IPS displays are known for their superior viewing angles, color accuracy, and contrast ratios compared to other types of LCD displays, such as TN (Twisted Nematic) and VA (Vertical Alignment). However, LED backlighting can be found in both IPS and non-IPS displays.

LED backlighting has several advantages over other types of backlighting, including lower power consumption, longer lifespan, and improved brightness and contrast levels. Additionally, LED backlighting is more environmentally friendly than other types of backlighting, as it does not contain mercury or other harmful materials.

In summary, IPS displays are known for their superior color accuracy, viewing angles, and contrast ratios, while LED backlighting offers lower power consumption, longer lifespan, and improved brightness and contrast levels. When choosing a monitor, it is essential to consider both the display technology and the backlighting used, as both can impact the overall quality of the image displayed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better to protect my eyes: IPS or TN?

IPS monitors cost more than their counterparts but they reduce eye strain and provide a more comfortable computer use experience.

If you are experiencing pains when using your computer then it may be time to upgrade to an IPS monitor, which will lower eyestrain in the long run.

How do I choose the best eye monitor?

The IPS technology is more expensive than other monitors but it will reduce eye strain and provide a more comfortable computer use experience for you.

If you are experiencing pains when using your computer then it may be time to upgrade to an IPS monitor. Printers and scanners can also affect your eyes, so take breaks while using them as well.

Are IPS glow bad for eyes? 

There are mixed opinions about this online, but it’s generally not thought of as being harmful to the health of your eyes. Typically, backlight bleed/glow is much more problematic for vision than IPS glow. If you’re concerned, try and pick a monitor with the lowest amount of IPS Glow that you can find.

Are IPS Monitors Better for Eyes?

When I look at my screen sometimes there is this weird blurry light around bright objects on it known as “IPS Glow” which people seem to think isn’t that bad for your eyes.

The way that liquid crystals work causes this glow to appear, bending/refracting the light slightly as it passes through.

Some people think IPS Glow is not harmful and there are mixed opinions about it online but most consider Backlight bleed a much bigger problem for vision than IPS Glow. If you’re concerned about it, try to pick a monitor with the lowest amount of IPS Glow that you can find.

Is IPS Panel good for reading?

Yes, I believe that they are.  IPS panels are very popular in most laptops these days, and they’re also used for many desktop monitors. IPS is known to be the best technology available when it comes to LCD displays because of its excellent viewing angles, color reproduction, and accuracy.

Are IPS panel good for gaming?

The IPS panel has a few drawbacks that don’t make them ideal for gamers, but they’re becoming a popular choice because of their great color reproduction and viewing angles. They aren’t the best option for fast-paced gaming or playing competitively online since it can be quite hard to track your enemies with an IPS monitor.

Can anyone adjust the blue light on the IPS monitor?

Yes, it is not only possible, but you can even use software to control it for some of them.

What are dead pixels?

Dead pixels are abnormalities of the LCD screen that happen when a pixel is either stuck in on position or off. It can also be a software issue, but it’s extremely rare and only happens if your computer freezes for too long while watching something with sound.

Final Words

IPS panels are very good at many things, including accuracy in coloring and viewing angles. IPS monitors are very suitable for people who work with color, including photographers and graphic designers. They’re not the best choice for gaming but they do have many benefits that make them worthwhile to use in most situations where accurate colors are needed.

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