TN stands for Twisted Nematic and is the oldest type of LCD panel that uses twisted liquid crystals that change direction when voltage is applied. TN panels are known for their fast response time, high refresh rate, and low cost, and are used in many gaming displays.
VA and TN panels have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to picture quality and performance. Here are some of their main differences:
- Contrast ratio: VA panels have a much higher contrast ratio than TN panels, typically something like 3000:1. This means that VA panels can display darker blacks and brighter whites, resulting in sharper, more realistic-looking images.
- Black level: VA panels have deeper, more uniform black levels than TN panels, which tend to be grayish and uneven. This means that VA panels can show more detail and subtlety in dark scenes, while TN panels may lose some information or appear as though nothing is there.
- Color accuracy: VA panels have better color accuracy than TN panels, but not as well as IPS panels. VA panels can produce more colors and shades than TN panels, which often suffer from color banding and distortion. However, VA panels may still have issues with color shift or gamma shifts at extreme angles or in bright environments.
- Color range: VA panels have a wider color gamut than TN panels, but not as much as IPS panels. VA panels can display more of the sRGB gamut than TN panels, which are somewhat limited. However, VA panels may still cover the Adobe RGB or DCI-P3 standards that some professional applications require.
- Viewing Angle: VA panels have a much wider viewing angle than TN panels, typically 178 degrees, both horizontally and vertically. This means that VA panels can maintain colors and contrast across the screen, regardless of your viewing position. TN panels have a much narrower viewing angle, typically 160-170 degrees or less. This means that TN panels can lose a lot of color and contrast when viewed from an angle, especially on the vertical axis.
- Response time: TN panels have much faster response times than VA panels, typically 1ms or less compared to 5ms or more. This means that TN panels can switch pixels faster, resulting in less motion blur and ghosting in fast-moving scenes. VA panels have a slower response time, which means they may show smearing or trailing effects in fast-paced games or videos.
- Refresh rate: Both VA and TN panels can support high refresh rates, up to 240Hz or even 360Hz in some cases. This means that both types of panels can display more frames per second (FPS), resulting in smoother and more responsive gameplay. However, TN panels may have an advantage over VA panels in terms of input lag, which is the delay between your input and the corresponding function on the screen. TN panels have lower input lag than VA panels, which may give you a slight advantage in competitive gaming.
- Price: TN panels are generally cheaper than VA panels because they use older, simpler technology. This means you can get a monitor with a TN panel for less than a comparable monitor with a VA panel. However, you may sacrifice some image quality and features for less.
Choosing between VA and TN panels depends on your usage and personal preferences. Here are some general guidelines to help you decide:
If you value image quality over performance, and if you watch a lot of movies or play games with dark scenes, a VA panel is more suitable for you. A VA panel gives you better contrast, deeper blacks and wider viewing angles than a TN panel.
If you value performance over image quality, and if you play fast-paced games or competitive sports, a TN panel is a better choice for you. A TN panel gives you faster response times, higher refresh rates, and lower input lag than VA panels.
Of course, these are not absolute rules and there are exceptions and changes among different models and brands. You may also want to consider other factors such as size, resolution, features, design, warranty, and customer reviews before making a final decision.
Who are VA panels suitable for?
So, who should go for VA panels? VA panels are a good choice for gamers who value high contrast and image depth over fast response time and color accuracy. VA panels can also be suitable for general use such as web browsing or watching video, as they offer balanced performance between TN and IPS panels. However, if you’re looking for the best color accuracy and viewing angles, or the fastest response times and refresh rates, you might want to consider IPS or TN panels instead.
Finally, you should see which features are of particular importance to you and try to see different monitors closely before buying because it is not enough to just compare them on paper. In the following, we will introduce a number of VA monitors that we may be able to help you with your purchase.
The best monitors with VA panels
According to the knowledge we have gained so far about these monitors, now it’s time to introduce some examples of VA monitors from different companies. The following list has classified these monitors according to price.
- Samsung monitor C27HG70; A 27-inch curved monitor with QHD resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, HDR support and Freesync 2 technology. It has excellent color accuracy, brightness and contrast, making it ideal for gaming and multimedia tasks. It also has an adjustable stand, USB port and multiple ports.