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 LM27-E231A 27inch Gaming Monitor, 165Hz, 1ms, Adjustable stand, 120% sRGB, FPS/RTS Gaming Modes / DHI-LM27-E231A

R3499.00In Stock

AOC Q27G4F 27" (68.5 CM) Frameless Ultra-Fast IPS Gaming Monitor, QHD 2560 X 1440, 180Hz, 0.5ms, HDMI 2.0, Display Port 1.4, MBR Sync, SNIPER SCOPE, SUPER COLOUR, G-Sync, Height Adjustable Stand, Tilt / Q27G4F

R4299.00In Stock

DAHUA DHI-LM27-A201X 27" LED Monitor / Ultra-narrow bezel / IPS Level-Display / 5ms Response Time / FHD 1920x1080 / 100Hz Refresh Rate / Low Blue Light / DHI-LM27-A201X

R2399.00In 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

AOC 27G42E 27" 180Hz Ultra-Fast Gaming Monitor, 1920 × 1080 (FHD), 0.5ms, Fast IPS, Adaptive Sync, 3-Sided Frameless Design, Black / 27G42E

R3199.00In 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.

ViewSonic 27” VX2779-HD-PRO 180Hz Gaming Monitor / 180Hz Refresh rate / SuperClear® IPS panel / 1ms MPRT / AMD FreeSync™ / HDMI / VX2779-HD-PRO

R2699.00In Stock

Dahua LM27-A200V 27" Monitor / FHD 1920 x 1080 / 100Hz Refresh Rate / 5ms Response Time / DHI-LM27-A200V

R2499.00In 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

Dell Curved Gaming Monitor 27 Inch Curved Monitor with 165Hz Refresh Rate, QHD (2560 x 1440) Display, Black / S2722DGM

R4199.00In Stock

HP 524SF G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - Black/Silver / 24" FHD (1920 x 1080) / Anti-glare / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / -5 to +25 degrees Adjustable Tilt / 94C17AS

R3699.00In Stock

HP 527SA G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - White/Silver / 27" FHD (1920 x 1080) / IPS Panel / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / Eye Ease with Eyesafe Certification / 94F48AS

R4999.00In 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.

AOC CQ32G4E 32" Curved Gaming Monitor / QHD (2560x1440) / 180Hz Refresh Rate / 0.5ms Response Time (MPRT) / HDR10 / Adaptive Sync / CQ32G4E

R5999.00In Stock

Dahua LM24-A200V 24" Monitor / FHD 1920 x 1080 / 100Hz Refresh Rate / 5ms Response Time / DHI-LM24-A200V

R1999.00In Stock

Dell Pro 27 Plus P2725QE USB-C Hub Monitor - 27-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) 100Hz Display, 5ms Response Time (Fast Mode), USB-C/DisplayPort/HDMI/USB-A Connectivity, Color Depth: 1.07 Billion Colors – Black

R10399.00In Stock

MSI PRO MP275 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, Black / 9S6-3PD3CM-029

R2599.00In Stock

HP 527SH G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - Black/Silver / 27" FHD (1920 x 1080) / IPS Panel / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / Eye Ease with Eyesafe Certification / 94C50AS

R4799.00In Stock

Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor - AW2725DM - 27-inch QHD 180Hz 1ms Display, IPS, NVIDIA G-SYNC, AMD Freesync, VESA AdaptiveSync / AW2725DM

R6699.00In 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.