IPS vs LED monitors – what is the difference?

Different screen technologies explained

Table of Contents Table of Contents

If you have been looking for a new monitor, then you might have come across ‘IPS monitors’ as well as ‘LED monitors’ quite a lot. So, how do these two types of monitors differ? 

Well, to start with, technically, IPS is a panel type, while LED is a type of backlight. As these two are different technologies, they are not directly comparable. Now, IPS panels are usually used in LCD monitors (or displays), while LED monitors make use of VA or TN panels. 

As we saw in our LED vs LCD guide – all LED monitors are technically LCD monitors, but not all LCD monitors are LED. This is because both types of monitors use LED backlighting, except for the older LCD monitors that are powered by CCFL tubes. 

With that being cleared out of the way, in this guide, we will be looking at the differences between IPS panels (in LCD monitors) vs LED monitors (with VA or TN panels). 

IPS monitor – what is it, and how does it work?

Simply put, an IPS monitor is one that comes equipped with an IPS panel. The technology, as mentioned above, has its own unique set of benefits – which often lead to an increased price tag over the alternatives. Having said that, we’ll be going into more detail regarding the intricate differences between TN, VA, and IPS further down the article. Before we do that, though, we’ll take a look at LED.

For example, if you have to get a good IPS monitor for gaming or editing, we will recommend the following monitors – 

LED monitor – what is it, and how does it work?

LED stands for light-emitting diode and is a type of backlight technology with displays. This display technology utilizes LEDs to light up each pixel’s content. LED technology monitors offer a brighter display while consuming less power than others. All LED monitors are technically LCD monitors, but not all LCD monitors are LED. 

This may seem confusing, but basically, both types of displays use liquid crystals to help create an image, the difference being the backlight. LED monitors are often less expensive, feature a broader dimming range, are generally considered quite reliable, feature a higher dynamic contrast ratio, and are less impactful on the environment.

To give you an idea of what’s available on the market, we have hand-picked a few LED monitors – 

IPS vs LED monitor – how are they different?

Before we get into an in-depth explanation, here’s a brief overview of how IPS and LED monitors are different – 

IPS monitors	LED monitors
A panel type	A type of backlight
Better color accuracy and wider viewing angles (compared to TN or VA panels)	Deeper blacks and higher brightness levels (compared to IPS panel LCD monitors)
High power consumption	Power-efficient
IPS monitors are generally expensive	LED monitors are usually affordable

Now that we have a better understanding of what IPS and LED monitors are known for let’s look at the areas in which they differ in greater detail.

Technology

Starting off with the main area they differ, IPS Monitors are types of Panel Technology. LED Monitors, on the other hand, are Backlight Technologies. Although they differ in technology, both can be compatible enough to work together.

Until around 2014, plasma displays were the most commonly manufactured until LCD took over. It is worth pointing out, again, that LED and IPS monitors both use LCD (liquid crystal displays).

Power consumption

IPS monitors deliver specific quality images, which means they need more power to keep up with all the on-screen activity. LED monitors may show brighter screens, but they actually consume less power compared to IPS monitors. This is what makes LED monitors a more common LCD backlight technology today.

Response time

In the past, it was fair to say an IPS monitor had a much longer response time, but recent releases have shown a dramatic decrease in this, with top models shipping with as low as 1 ms. IPS monitors were marketed towards consumers where a slower response time wasn’t a priority, with LED monitors usually being favored by competitive FPS players.

LED monitors, usually with TN or VA panels, feature low 1ms response times but with the viewing angles and color accuracy being worse, we see more and more competitive players moving to IPS as the technology improves.

Can you really notice a slow response time? While 5-10ms may seem small, fast-paced games like CS2, PlayerUnknown’s Battleground, Fortnite, Overwatch 2, and other FPS games in general will show noticeable differences. This is because the IPS monitor has to process the images accordingly before throwing them back to the monitor.

Now monitors have it all: blistering response times, high-quality IPS panels, 240Hz+ refresh rates, and more, giving gamers the full package for their viewing pleasure.

IPS monitor refresh rates

Like response times, IPS panels were historically much slower than TN and VA alternatives. They seemed to focus more heavily on color accuracy, viewing angles, and color gamut – whereas TN would prioritize speed. That said, as monitor technology continues to evolve, IPS monitors are closing the gap between themselves and other panel technologies in terms of speed.

Nowadays, IPS monitors can offer up to 360Hz refresh rates, becoming some of the fastest on the market. Pair that with low 1ms response times – thanks to OverDrive and MPRT –and you have an incredibly responsive, color-accurate panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IPS better for your eyes?

IPS monitors are considered to be the better, healthier choice for your eyes. No matter how acute your viewing angle may be, color stays vivid and refined, and lines stay lovely and crisp. Say, for example, you’ve invited a few friends over to watch a movie on your computer; even those sitting at the very edge of the room will have a clear view of the picture.

VA panels aren’t bad either, but other panel types will exhibit shifting color and drastically modified contrast when viewed from anywhere other than dead center, which can lead to your eyes overworking to make sense of the picture. Eventually, this extra labor takes its toll on your peepers, causing eye strain and possibly even headaches.

IPS panels also offer more consistent brightness from edge to edge, which can really help your eyes cope with those monster sessions behind the desk.

Is IPS Monitor LED or LCD?

IPS monitors have an LCD (liquid crystal display) design, but as we mentioned earlier, LED  monitors also use an LCD to create images. The difference is that IPS LCD monitors use fluorescent panels as backlighting, while LEDs use, you’ve guessed it…light-emitting diodes as backlighting.

Technically, LED displays should be referred to as LED LCDs. It’d clear up a lot of confusion for the consumer, but in this fast-paced, dog-eat-dog-world, who has time for three extra letters?

What is an LCD? Put simply, it’s composed of molecules with two behavior types. Normally, they’re dense and unstructured, but when exposed to electricity, they expand into a highly organized and equal form.

Conclusion

After looking at the differences between IPS and LED technologies, it doesn’t really feel fair to compare the two. After all, one is a type of LCD panel, and the other is a type of LCD backlight; the bottom line is they are different.

Regardless, IPS monitors are perfect for graphically stunning games, creating content, or professionals who edit imagery and videos. The sharp image display and quality colors may be perfect for gaming, but they may not be worth it for pure competitive FPS players.