For the longest time, it felt like OLED monitors would continue to raise the bar as well as the prices. Being the best panel technology on the market, OLEDs always demanded a hefty premium over IPS and other alternatives. However, in the last year or so, we've been seeing OLED prices fall significantly as newer models launch in the $400–$500 range. Buying an OLED display might finally seem like a no-brainer, but depending on your usage and preferences, it might not be the best choice. IPS displays still provide excellent image quality, gaming features, and brightness levels — all at lower price points than OLED panels. Plus, they aren't prone to burn-in like OLEDs, which could be a crucial consideration for some users.

You want a work monitor that you can also game on

OLEDs aren't as versatile as IPS panels

For gamers who solely want a gorgeous, high-performance display, there's nothing better than an OLED monitor. The self-emitting pixels can generate true blacks and guarantee the best HDR experience possible. Besides, the near-instantaneous response times mean you can't do better for motion clarity. However, not everyone uses their PC only for gaming. Many people are after versatile displays that are suitable for both work and play. If you're after a high-end monitor that satisfies your professional needs without feeling limited in gaming, an IPS monitor can be an excellent choice.

IPS monitors are still known for their true-to-life image quality and reasonably fast response time. Their color accuracy makes them ideal for creative professionals, while gamers can benefit from the variety of resolutions, refresh rates, and sizes that they come in. OLED displays, despite being superior in image quality and responsiveness, aren't ideal for sustained work and productivity workloads. They suffer from inferior text clarity compared to IPS monitors, and the looming burn-in concerns force you to make significant changes to your workflow. You don't need to worry about static elements on the screen when using an IPS monitor, and the gaming performance is still worth it.

You work in a well-lit room

OLEDs can't get as bright as LED monitors

While OLED panels excel at contrast levels, they don't get as bright as IPS and other panels. Newer OLED monitors, especially the tandem OLED models, have shown improvements in this regard, but IPS monitors still have the lead in full-screen brightness. Even my older IPS monitor (LG 27GL850) had a maximum SDR brightness of 350 nits, compared to 250 nits on my current OLED monitor (Alienware AW3423DWF). This can make it slightly difficult to use an OLED display in direct sunlight or with other light sources facing the screen.

Where an IPS display might get bright enough to overcome any problematic glare from the incoming light, an OLED monitor could struggle, especially in SDR scenes. Some people can control the lighting conditions in their room, so this might not be a huge concern for them. Otherwise, buying an IPS monitor might be the smarter play. OLED monitors are good enough for night usage, but if your work revolves around editing, web browsing, or writing articles during the day, you'll probably find IPS monitors better suited to your needs.

You want the highest resolution and fastest refresh rate

High-end OLEDs are still pricey

OLED monitors might be affordable as long as you consider 1440p 180Hz–240Hz options. These models are now available in the $400–$450 range from brands like MSI, AOC, and Samsung, especially during sales. However, 1440p 360Hz or 4K 240Hz OLED monitors are still hard to find below $650–$900. These high-end combinations are still firmly in the premium category, unless you shop for an IPS monitor. IPS models from Asus and Acer can offer a 1440p resolution with a 300–320Hz refresh rate in the $250–$350 segment.

4K high-refresh-rate IPS monitors are still expensive, but you can still find them cheaper than comparable OLED alternatives. If high-end gaming is your priority, but you don't want to spend a bomb, IPS monitors can save you a few bucks that you can invest in a better graphics card or CPU.

You can't live with a deteriorating panel

Burn-in can only be delayed, not denied

OLED burn-in is an inescapable reality. It's a question of when, not if, with OLED protection mechanisms only able to delay the inevitable. Sure, you can adopt burn-in prevention tips of your own, but if a slowly degrading panel doesn't sit right with you, an OLED display might not be right for you. Newer-generation OLEDs have come a long way when it comes to delaying burn-in, and warranties have also improved, but burn-in remains a downside of the technology. It's simply the nature of organic LEDs, and you're either okay with it or you aren't.

LED panels used in IPS and other monitors aren't prone to burn-in, and can have a significantly longer life if you buy a decent model in the first place. Of course, your usage and handling will also determine the lifespan of your monitor, but an OLED monitor is always on a clock. Many people aren't comfortable paying more and yet being forced to baby their display, while always living in fear of permanent image retention. If peace of mind is more important to you than superior image quality and performance, then buying a high-end IPS monitor could be the best way forward.

IPS might not have technical superiority, but it might be the best choice for you

OLED monitors represent the pinnacle of panel technology, beating IPS and other alternatives in image quality, motion clarity, and HDR experience. However, they aren't perfect, and can even be subpar for some use cases. IPS monitors are still excellent for gaming and productivity while being cheaper than OLEDs. You don't need to worry about burn-in or inferior brightness on an IPS monitor, and issues like backlight bleeding can be mitigated by choosing the right model.