The Philips 221V8LN: A Powerful Gaming Monitor
The Philips 221V8LN is a 22-inch Gaming Monitor that offers impressive specifications at an incredibly low price. With its high native contrast ratio, wide gamut color, 75 Hz refresh rate, and FreeSync support, this monitor is perfect for enthusiasts who want exceptional quality without breaking the bank.At just $70 (about £55), the 221V8LN is an affordable option for gamers who want to experience the benefits of FreeSync. Its wide color gamut, high refresh rate, and ultra-fast response time ensure smooth gaming without any stutter or tearing.
Specifications
The 221V8LN features a 22-inch VA (Vertical Alignment) panel that provides excellent color reproduction and contrast. Its native contrast ratio exceeds 4,200:1, surpassing most IPS panels and other VA monitors. Additionally, it covers over 85% of the DCI-P3 color space, resulting in vibrant and accurate colors. Although it lacks HDR support, its high native contrast ratio compensates for this omission.Other notable specifications include a 75 Hz refresh rate and Full HD resolution. Despite these impressive features, the 221V8LN does not require a high-end GPU, making it an ideal choice for gamers looking to save on their next upgrade.
In addition to its internal features, the 221V8LN supports Adaptive-Sync through FreeSync. However, it does not offer G-Sync support due to its HDMI 1.4 connectivity instead of DisplayPort. This monitor also lacks USB ports, internal speakers, and RGB lighting.
Philips 221V8LN Design
The 221V8LN boasts a minimalist design that focuses solely on delivering an exceptional gaming experience. Its thin bezel seamlessly blends with the rest of the chassis, giving it a sleek and clean look. The Philips logo is positioned at the bottom center, while the control keys are conveniently located at the lower right.Although the monitor does not offer swivel or height adjustments, it provides a 20-degree tilt adjustment to accommodate individual viewing preferences. However, the lack of VESA mount support leaves the stand exposed. If necessary, users can either utilize the tilt adjustment or mount the monitor on a third-party stand.
In terms of I/O, the 221V8LN includes a VGA, HDMI 1.4, and a 3.5mm audio jack. While it lacks USB ports, internal speakers, and RGB lighting, it does come with a 3.5mm audio cable for those who require audio connectivity. However, users will need to provide their own adapter for a full-size jack.
Philips 221V8LN Performance
The Philips 221V8LN delivers exceptional image quality that is difficult to find at this price point. Its deep contrast, vibrant colors, and near-perfect gamma response create an immersive visual experience for gaming, as well as for photo and graphics work.The high pixel density of the monitor ensures sharp detail in games, and the option to enable or disable FreeSync does not affect the overall performance. This is particularly true at its native resolution, as most GPUs struggle to exceed Full HD without encountering stuttering issues.
Gaming on the 221V8LN is a satisfying experience, thanks to its smooth motion at 75fps and responsive controls. The higher refresh rate enhances the gaming experience and proves advantageous for productivity tasks, such as working in Excel.
The monitor's standout features are its excellent contrast and color accuracy, which make photo and graphics work effortless and comfortable. Additionally, the high contrast ratio ensures deep blacks, resulting in a more immersive visual experience.
While the smaller screen size may require some adjustment for work-related tasks, the high pixel density contributes to clear text and UI elements. Adjusting the font size to 100% or higher is recommended, but it's a small compromise compared to a lower resolution display.
The 221V8LN encompasses a comprehensive range of features that are further enhanced by its exceptional contrast ratio and color accuracy.
