IPS vs VA Gaming Monitor Motion Blur: Which Wins?

In the endless quest for the perfect gaming setup, the monitor panel you choose is critical. For South African gamers chasing ultra-smooth, responsive gameplay, the fierce debate between IPS and VA panels often comes down to one thing: motion blur. One technology promises superior colour and speed, while the other boasts incredible contrast. But when the action gets heated in that final squad wipe, which panel will give you the crispest, blur-free image? Let’s break it down. ⚡

DAHUA LM24-E230C 24" FHD Gaming Monitor / Ultra-narrow Bezel / 165Hz / Adaptive sync / VA Panel / DHI-LM24-E230C

R2799.00In Stock

Samsung Odyssey G55C 27″ Curved Gaming Monitor / QHD resolution / 1000R curvature / 165Hz refresh rate / 1ms response time / AMD FreeSync / LS27CG552EAXXA

R4999.00In Stock

DELL 27 MONITOR SE2725HM VGA HDMI 210-BQZW / (1920 x 1080) Display resolution / IPS level Display / 5ms Response Time / 178° Verticaland Horizontal Viewing Angle / SE2725HM

R2499.00In Stock

AOC 24G15N Gaming Monitor / 24" / VA FHD 1920x1080 / 180hz / 1ms / HDMI DP|VESA / Flicker Fee / Low Blue Mode / Adaptive Sync/ AOC-24G15N

R2499.00In Stock

Dahua 24 inch FullHD IPS panel 165Hz 1ms fast response time Ultra-thin bezel Monitor with DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, Height Adjustable Stand / DHI-LM24-E231A

R2899.00In Stock

Dahua LM27-E230CN 27inch Gaming Monitor/ Ultra-narrow Bezel / 180Hz / VA Panel / DHI-LM27-E230CN

R2999.00In Stock

IPS vs. VA: The Motion Clarity Face-Off

Q: What's the core difference between IPS and VA panels for gaming? A: At a basic level, IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels are known for their fantastic colour accuracy and wide viewing angles. VA (Vertical Alignment) panels are the champions of contrast, delivering much deeper, inkier blacks. This fundamental difference in how they're built affects everything from cinematic immersion to, most importantly, how they handle fast-moving objects on screen.

Q: So, which panel is actually faster and better at reducing motion blur? A: Generally, IPS panels have faster pixel response times. This means the pixels can change from one colour to another more quickly, resulting in less visible blur or "ghosting." For fast-paced, competitive games where tracking targets is key, the superior motion clarity of IPS often gives it the edge.

Q: I’ve heard about "black smearing" on VA panels. What is that? A: That’s the classic weakness of some VA panels. Black smearing is a specific type of motion blur that happens when pixels struggle to transition quickly from pure black to a brighter shade. In dark game scenes, it can look like a dark trail smearing behind a moving object. While many modern VA panels have massively improved, it can still be a concern on certain models.

AOC 20E1H 19.5" HD (1600 x 900) 60Hz Desktop Monitor - 5ms response time - WLED-Backlit - HDMI, VGA Inputs - Cable Management - Stand Offers Tilting / 20E1H

R1499.00In Stock

AOC 22B3HM, 21.5 Inch Full HD 1920 x 1080 Pixels Ultra Slim Monitor with 3 Sided Frameless Design, Va Panel, Hdmi/Vga Port, Full Hd, 4ms Response Time, 75Hz Refresh Rate, Flicker Free, Black / AOC-22B3HM

R1499.00In Stock

HP 527SW G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - White/Silver / 27" FHD (1920 x 1080) / IPS Panel / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / Eye Ease with Eyesafe Certification / 94F46AS

R4499.00In Stock

Lenovo G25-20 Gaming Monitor - 24.5" FHD (1920x1080) TN display, Anti-glare 16:9 - Up to 0.8 ms response time - 165Hz refresh rate - 1000:1, 72% NTSC, 8-bit / 66D6GAC2SA

R4499.00In Stock

Acer Predator XB3 XB253QGP 24.5" FHD 1920x1080 144Hz IPS Gaming Monitor / NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible / Rapid 144Hz Refresh Rate / 2ms Response Time / VESA DisplayHDR 400 / UM.KX3EE.P10

R3999.00In Stock

MSI PRO MP275W E2 27-inch IPS 1920 x 1080 (FHD) Gaming Office Monitor, 120Hz, Free-Synch, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA Port, VESA Mountable, Tilt, Speaker, 4-Side Slim Bezel 1ms, White / 9S6-3PD3CM-030

R3199.00In Stock

Q: Does that mean all VA panels are slow and smeary? A: Not at all. High-end VA technology has come a long way. Top-tier VA panels, especially those from brands like Samsung with their Odyssey series, have pushed response times to be highly competitive with fast IPS displays. These premium models successfully combine deep, rich blacks with impressive motion handling.

Q: What about the downsides of IPS? Is "IPS glow" a real problem? A: Yes, it’s the main trade-off. "IPS glow" is a faint, usually whitish or yellowish haze that can be seen in the corners of the screen when displaying very dark images in a dimly lit room. It's a characteristic of the technology, not a defect. For most, it's unnoticeable during normal gameplay, but it can be visible in the darkest cinematic scenes.

Q: Who should buy an IPS monitor then? A: Competitive gamers who live and breathe fast-paced titles like Valorant, CS2, or Apex Legends will benefit most from the motion clarity of a quality IPS display. Creative professionals who demand the most accurate colours for photo or video work also swear by them. Brands like Dell have a strong reputation for producing excellent IPS monitors that balance speed and colour fidelity.

Q: And who would prefer a VA monitor? A: A VA panel is perfect for gamers who prioritise immersion and cinematic flair. If you love sprawling, atmospheric single-player games like Alan Wake 2 or Starfield, the superior contrast ratio makes a massive difference. In a dark room, the deep blacks make the game world feel incredibly rich and alive.

DAHUA LM24-E230C 24" FHD Gaming Monitor / Ultra-narrow Bezel / 165Hz / Adaptive sync / VA Panel / DHI-LM24-E230C

R2799.00In Stock

SAMSUNG 24" Odyssey G32A FHD 1ms 165Hz Gaming Monitor with Eye Saver Mode, Free-Sync Premium, Height Adjustable Screen for Gamer Comfort, VESA Mount Capability / LS24AG320NAXXA

R3199.00In Stock

Samsung Odyssey G55T 34" Ultra WQHD (3440 x 1440) 165Hz Curved Gaming Monitor / AMD FreeSync Premium / 165Hz Refresh Rate / 1ms Response Time / 1000R Curved Display / Futuristic Design / LC34G55TWWRXEN

R9999.00In Stock

ViewSonic VX2476 23.8" IPS Monitor / Frameless bezel and stylish stand / 75Hz Refresh Rate / Blue Light Filter & Flicker-Free / VX2476-SH

R2799.00In Stock

Acer Predator XB3 XB253QGP 24.5" FHD 1920x1080 144Hz IPS Gaming Monitor / NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible / Rapid 144Hz Refresh Rate / 2ms Response Time / VESA DisplayHDR 400 / UM.KX3EE.P10

R3999.00In Stock

HP OMEN 34c Curved Monitor — 34' WQHD VA 165hz — Gaming Console Compatible — 2x HDMI 2.0 — 1x DisplayPort 1.4 — AMD FreeSync Premium — Dual Speakers — Tilt & height adjustments — VESA Mountable - Black / 780K8AS

R12999.00In Stock

Key Takeaways

• IPS for Speed: On average, IPS panels have faster response times, leading to less motion blur, which is ideal for competitive gaming.
• VA for Contrast: VA panels offer far superior contrast ratios, resulting in deeper blacks and a more immersive experience in dark scenes.
• The Gap is Closing: Premium VA panels are now much faster, nearly matching IPS speeds, while newer IPS tech has improved contrast.
• Know the Trade-offs: Be aware of potential "IPS glow" (on IPS) and the risk of "black smearing" (on some VA panels).
• Choose for Your Games: For fast-paced shooters, IPS is a safer bet. For cinematic, atmospheric titles, VA often provides a more striking visual experience.