If you've ever purchased a monitor or TV monitor, the terms IPS, VA, and TN are likely familiar to you. But what do they actually mean? If you already know, this article is not for you!

These acronyms represent different types of monitor panel technologies, each with its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. In this article, we will demystify these terms through a direct comparison that will help you understand which type of monitor best suits your needs.

What is a display panel?

Let's start from the beginning. A display panel is the component of a monitor or television responsible for showcasing the transmitted content. Therefore, it is the one in charge of bringing the image to life.

Over the years, this technology has evolved significantly. Do you still remember those monstrous TVs with a very deep box? For many years, they were the result of Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) screen technology, which had a very limited resolution.

Fortunately, the advent of flat-screen technologies, such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), revolutionized the industry, leading to the development of TN, IPS, and VA panels, each with distinct features and advantages, as we will explore in the following sections.

 What is a TN Panel?
 

TN (Twisted Nematic) panels are one of the oldest types of LCD technology. They became popular in the 80s and 90s, finally providing a viable alternative to CRT technology. They were extremely popular for many years, especially in screens up to 19 inches.

They are known for their extremely fast response times, making them a preferred choice for gamers. However, they fall short in color reproduction and viewing angles.

The main features of a TN panel monitor
 

• Fast Response Times (1 ms is common)
• High Refresh Rates (up to 240Hz)
• Lower Production Costs

Advantages
 

• Ideal for competitive gaming due to low input lag
• Generally more economical (but not always!)

Disadvantages
 

• Weak viewing angles
• Limited color accuracy and reproduction
• Limited contrast (up to 1100:1)
   

What is a VA panel?
 

VA panels (Vertical Alignment) are a form of LCD in which liquid crystals naturally align vertically with the glass substrates. In terms of performance, they typically fall between TN and IPS panels.

Their significant advantage compared to TN panels is the higher contrast (usually between 2000:1 and 3000:1). They provide better color reproduction and viewing angles than TN panels but are not as strong in these aspects as IPS panels.

The main features of a VA panel monitor
 

• Higher contrast ratios (ideal for deep blacks)
• Better color reproduction than TN panels
• Decent viewing angles

Advantages
 

• Superior contrast and deep blacks
• Balanced performance suitable for a variety of uses

Disadvantages
 

• Slower response times than TN (with some exceptions)
• May suffer from ghosting in fast-paced scenes
   

What is an IPS painel?
 

IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels are known for their excellent color accuracy and viewing angles. In an IPS panel, a layer of liquid crystals is placed between two glass surfaces. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned parallel to these surfaces, in a horizontal plane.

They are often the choice for professional photo and video editing and became very popular in the mid-2000s. Today, they are one of the best-selling panel technologies.

It's worth noting that PLS panels (produced by Samsung) and AHVA panels are similar to IPS panels.

Main features
 

• Excellent color accuracy and reproduction
• Wide viewing angles
• Generally more expensive to produce

Advantages 
 

• Superior image quality and color consistency
• Ideal for graphic design and content creation

Disadvantages
 

• Response times generally slower than TN panels
• Can be more expensive
   

Comparative Table IPS vs VA vs TN

Let's then take a quick comparative summary between IPS, VA, and TN panels:

Parameter	TN Panel	VA Panel	IPS Panel
Refresh Rate	Best	Good	Reasonable
Brightness	Good	Reasonable	Good
Contrast	Reasonable	Best	Good
Colors	Poor	Good	Best
Viewing Angles	Poor	Good	Best
Price	Cheaper	Reasonable	More Expensive
Best for	Gaming	General Use	Professional Work and Editing

 

Options for All Preferences


While IPS panels have gained much popularity due to their superior image quality, TN panels continue to be favored by gamers for their high refresh rates and low response times. Meanwhile, VA technology is somewhat less popular but still has some presence in the market.

Fortunately, there are options for all preferences! Explore the different TN, VA, and IPS monitor options at the best prices in our online store.

If you prefer to see the differences firsthand, visit one of our physical stores in Porto or Braga. We're confident that one of our experts will be able to help you find the ideal option.