Best monitor for Flight Simulator 2020 in 2024 – our top picks for MSFS

We’re taking a nosedive to help you find the best monitor for Flight Simulator 2020.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of the best simulator games out there. It boasts cutting edge graphics that do not shy away from detail. So, choosing the right monitor to enjoy the game is of especially great importance. The game’s potential to deliver a hyper-realistic and immersive gaming experience should be enjoyed to the maximum degree with an appropriate gaming monitor.

Below you’ll find a full breakdown of our top recommendations. We’ve selected a range of OLED, ultrawide, curved, 4K and 1080p displays, with some alternate recommendations too. In other words, we’ve considered the best monitors for Flight Simulator, considering resolution, refresh rate, visual fidelity contrast ratios, and overall value for money.

There are lots of factors to consider before committing to a monitor. For a truly immersive experience, an ultrawide curved monitor is best, like Samsung’s Neo G9. But don’t worry, we won’t jump the gun. Depending on whether you’re playing Flight Simulator on your PC, Xbox Series X / S, you’ll also need to ensure that your monitor accommodates enough connectivity ports for your PC or game console. It might also be worth checking out the best TVs for Xbox Series X if you’re interested in larger gaming set up.

With a little help from us, you’ll be flying high in the sky having chosen the best monitor for Microsoft Flight Simulator, so without further ado, let’s get stuck in!

1. Best overall monitor for Flight Simulator 2020 – Samsung 49″ CRG9

Samsung’s 1800R gaming monitor is a brilliant option for those after a stunning screen display and multi-device compatibility.

This 120Hz, QLED gaming monitor ticks all the right boxes. Above all else, this monitor will do a brilliant job of immersing you into the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator thanks to its wide curvature. It boasts a very bright screen, overcoming glare whilst keeping the graphics smooth and crisp.

Thanks to AMD’s Free-Sync technology (which only works if you have an AMD graphics card), expect a supremely smooth gaming experience elevated by the monitor’s high color gamut. This means you can fly anywhere around the world in glorious detail without the worry of poor motion handling.

Compatible with PC, Mac, Laptop, Desktop Computer, PS4, and Xbox, this monitor will suit most Flight Simulator pilots very well. With 49 inches of monitor, it’s understandable if you’re worried about the space that you’ll have left on your desk. To resolve this issue, check out our selection of the best ultrawide monitor arms to keep your set-up neat and tidy.

2. Best OLED monitor for Flight Simulator 2020

When this monitor was released in October 2022, it was one of the largest OLED monitors ever on the market. An OLED panel differs quite a bit from traditional LED displays, delivering near instantaneous response times (this monitor is a blistering 0.1ms G2G) alongside high refresh rates. You should consider the OLED PG42UQ if you’re interested in a dynamic screen for Microsoft Flight Simulator that’s also suited for entertainment purposes.

As a 42-inch display, this monitor can be considered a cross between a TV and a monitor without the Smart TV features (which means no annoying ads, yay!). The display features an anti-glare Micro-texture coating that keeps reflections to a minimum and helps you see more accurate screen colors. This translates perfectly for a game like Flight Simulator, especially when the open skies start popping off at sunset.

While a risk of OLED monitors is burn-in, this has improved since OLED displays were first introduced. For the PG42UQ, ASUS has included a built-in custom heatsink that delivers 8% lower temperatures for longevity. The size of the display helps here, providing a larger surface area for heat exchange to help keep the monitor cool – something that’s ideal for longer haul flights.

3. Best ultrawide monitor for Flight Simulator 2020

This is some monitor – an absolute whopper to be precise. The good news is that the price has dropped since release thanks to the arrival of its successor – the Odyssey OLED G9.

It’s sure to deliver a spectacular gaming experience thanks to its impressive 99.6% RGB color gamut combined with Mini LED technology which produces magnificently rich effects in both light and dark colors. When flying, this will translate to a beautiful picture, whether you’re flying at nighttime or daytime.

Though its 49″ might be a downside for some, Samsung acknowledges the challenge of housing a large piece of hardware such as this by giving the choice to mount the display. You can raise or lower it by 120mm, plus swivel it by 15 degrees left and right making this monitor highly adjustable. Speaking of adjustability, if you’re planning on long gaming sessions, make sure you’ve got the ergonomic support with the best gaming chair to keep everything safe and comfortable.

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 also offers comprehensive OSD making it highly customizable. It boasts dedicated menus for gaming, picture, PIP/PBP (and more), and you have complete access to alter this monitor’s performance to your exact requirements. If you’d like to go into further depth regarding this monitor’s specs, check out WePC’s review of the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 where they discuss color accuracy, panel uniformity & more.

Of course, a monitor as hefty as this will need deep pockets. If it sounds like something within your range though, jump on it and immersive yourself in Flight Simulator like never before.

4. Best all round 1080p monitor for Flight Simulator 2020

Simply put, this monitor is a beast – something we’ve come to expect from the ROG Strix lineup from ASUS. It performs brilliantly in all the categories that matter, boasting a wide Adobe RGB color gamut, impressive response time, high refresh rate and smooth VRR.

If you’re disappointed that this monitor is only 1440p, we have covered the best budget 4K gaming monitors which should work very well with Flight Simulator. However, we’ve chosen this 1080p gaming monitor as our runner up to maintain a high fps, which is also determined by your graphics card. It’s important your GPU can cope with graphically intensive games like this one, which is why we’ve opted for the less demanding 1080p monitor.

Naturally, ROG Strix has ensured this monitor has Game Visual and Exclusive game plus color enhancement tools to get the most out of your flying sessions. It’s also been chosen for its flexible compatibility with Xbox, PS4, laptop and PC. Specifically, it has a DisplayPort 1.4 DSC x2, HDMI 2.0 x2, and USB 3.0 x2 ports.

Alternatives

Some other worthy alternatives include the ASUS TUF VG279QM that boasts a blazing 280Hz refresh rate. Otherwise, we’re big fans of Alienware’s AW2521HF monitor – both of which feature in our top picks of the best 1080p gaming monitors.

5. Best 4K monitor for Flight Simulator 2020 – LG 27GN950-B

To play Microsoft Flight Simulator in 4K is simply a treat – so we’ve chosen the LG 27GN950-B as our top choice if you want that top tier resolution.

Expect a brilliant refresh rate of 144Hz from this monitor, though it’s only possible with a powerful graphics card if you want to maintain frame rates. Check that you have at least Nvidia’s RTX 3080 Ti or higher, or AMD’s RX 6800 XT. Our friends over at PC Guide have already anticipated important questions around this subject, like can the RX 6800 XT do 4K at 60 fps?

Overall, this is a brilliant choice if your GPU is up to the additional demands. Flight Simulator will simply become a work of art with a display as impressive as this. Otherwise, it maybe it’s time to start researching the best GPUs for 4K gaming to get your setup up to scratch.

6. Best budget monitor for Flight Simulator 2020 – MSI Optix G24C

Thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate and low response time, this monitor delivers brilliantly despite its budget status.

We thought this monitor was worthy of a place on our list due to its range of special features including LCD panel and Adaptive Sync. If you’re unfamiliar with LCD panels (Liquid Crystal Display), it basically means your resolution will be extremely clear and crisp. So if you’re encountering stormy weather in Flight Simulator, know that this monitor will fully cope with the finer details of the game. LCD monitors also tend to be more durable and energy efficient, which fits their budget credentials.

Adaptive Sync basically ensures that your gameplay will be smooth and tear-free, an extremely important spec for Flight Simulator if you want to actually enjoy playing the game. The MSI monitor also boasts a vertical alignment panel that provides higher contrast ratios for an excellent black display, whilst its wide viewing angles insures none of what you see is distorted by the monitor.

Overall, the MSI Optix G24C is a serious contender for one of the best monitors for Microsoft Flight Simulator, worthy to be your final decision.

What specs does Microsoft Flight Simulator need?

Below you’ll find a list of the most important specs to look for in your monitor to ensure you’re getting the best performance:

• Refresh rates: 144 Hertz or higher
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 or higher
• Display size: 24 inches or larger
• Response time: Maximum 4ms
• Extra Features: G-Sync or FreeSync with Adaptive Sync, eyecare technology & ergonomic design.

What is the best setup for Microsoft Flight Simulator?

For the best computer set up for Microsoft Flight Simulator, we recommend a GPU that can handle 4K resolutions with a CPU to support it. For that reason, go for the Nvidia RTX 3080 graphics card, which will pair well with Ryzen 7 5800X.

If you’re interested in the latest and greatest, we’ve got you covered for AMD’s Zen 4 X3D CPUs. Whether you go for the Ryzen 7 5800X3D or 7800X3D which are currntly some of the best CPUs on the market for Flight Simulator.

Once that’s taken care of, consider buying the best flight stick for MSFS to up your gaming experience. Trying to fly with a keyboard and mouse is far from ideal – there’s little question as to why mechanical keyboards aren’t used in Boeing 747s.

Frequently asked questions

How much space does Microsoft Flight Simulator take up on PC?

Microsoft Flight Simulator uses 1.2GB on PC.

Can I use multiple monitors for Microsoft Flight Simulator?

Yes – though make sure you set this up in Game Settings. Some players have up to 3 monitors for MFS.

Do I need a gaming monitor for Flight Simulator?

A gaming monitor is optimal for Flight Simulator for low response times and high refresh rates.

What are the minimum system requirements to play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020?

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or Intel i5-4460 CPU, Radeon RX 570 or NVIDIA GTX 700 GPU, and 8GB

Can you use a TV for Flight Simulator?

You can use a TV for Flight Simulator, though they generally have lower refresh rates than monitors so your ride may not be as smooth. That being said, there is a brilliant selection of gaming TVs out there that hit a high refresh rate and low input lag.

Can I play Flight Simulator without a joystick?

Yes – so long as you have a keyboard and mouse you can play Microsoft Flight Simulator, though it is harder to navigate without it.

Is TV better than monitor for Flight Simulator?

If you mostly play Microsoft Flight Simulator, or other graphically intensive games, then TVs are a great way to maximize your enjoyment of the visuals. However, be careful of a potentially lower refresh rate and input lag that might make gameplay less smooth, especially in faster paced games.

Do I need a new monitor for Microsoft Flight Simulator?

It depends on what monitor you have, but we can’t help but recommend an ultrawide monitor for Flight Simulator to enjoy the skies. However, you can definitely still enjoy Flight Simulator on a 1080p monitor.