Anyone know of any Direct Lit LED Gaming monitors?

[Duox]

My old 120hz died and I have been trying every monitor under the sun but Edge Lit LED monitors just make my eyes water . All my TV's and older monitors are Direct lit LED rather than edge and don't hurt my eyes at all . I have tried every panel type multiple times in my search and the only common feature on all the displays I tried was the backlight.

Since then I have been searching for a monitor that used Direct LED backlights like they did a few years ago,since full array and oled are more of a premium product. I saw on Rtings that the BenQ 2411p was direct lit but that turned out to be incorrect as the manufacturer confirmed it was Edge Lit. So I am back at square one trying to find something still in production that doesn't use Edge Lighting but is 144hz or better.

Edit: added this in case anyone googles in the future. I ended up buying a BenQ 2540k. It is still edge lit but takes much longer to strain my eyes than the IPS and VA panels I tried.

[Chief Blur Buster]

Direct LED Lit Monitors
Try a G-SYNC Ultimate display. They are always direct LED lit. Ultimate uses Full Array Local Dimming.

Alternative: Better Edge Lit LCD
Also, does any Apple iPad or laptop display make your eyes water? These are edge-lit LCDs but use more eye-friendly edgelight LEDs. I ask because this can produce an extra datapoint that can help lead us to better edge-lit displays.

If an edge-lit Apple display is always calm for your eyes, then potentially purchasing a wide-gamut "Fast IPS" LCD may actually be calm enough for your eyes -- e.g. LG 27GL850 or ViewSonic XG270QG (G suffix = G-SYNC native) since the KSF-based NanoIPS LED backlights are pretty eye-pleasing in non-strobed mode (caveat for red ghosting in strobe backlight mode, but you don't sound you would use strobing?). The NanoIPS gaming monitors & an apple LCD feels very similar to the eyes, for example -- some Apple iPads are using the same backlight LEDs.

[Duox]

I have an Iphone XR that is fine. I have tried the LG GL83A, Asusa VG25qm, Gigabyte G27QC and they all cause extreme eye strain in less than an hour which makes gaming impossible. I had not heard about the nano ips being easier on the eyes so maybe I should give one of those a try . Knowing the GSYNC ultimate is always full array is a huge thing to know though. Thank you for all these tips. Most helpful response I've ever gotten in my search for a modern monitor that doesn't hurt my eyes.

[Duox]

I am ordering the LG to give it a shot in case the Nano IPS makes a difference. If that doesn't work I will have to pony up for a full array. Crazy how I have never had these problems despite having multiple gaming monitors of CCFL and Direct LED Backlighting but everything new has been a minefield for my eyes.

[Chief Blur Buster]

Knowing the GSYNC ultimate is always full array is a huge thing to know though. Thank you for all these tips. Most helpful response I've ever gotten in my search for a modern monitor that doesn't hurt my eyes.

Be warned, if an Apple display gives you eyestrain from extended use, then the NanoIPS probably won't help you -- but I did mention that information in advance.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the makeup of white LEDs have changed over the years (phosphor formulation) so this may also be a secondary cause of your eyestrain. Sometimes different LEDs are used for direct backlight, and an edgelight lighting up the rear of the LCD.

Another test is to rotate the display into portrait mode and see what happens. Some people are sensitive to polarized light. Some screens emit horizontally polarized light and other screens are vertically polarized light. So while this probably doesn't make a difference, this is an additional "test" you can subject yourself to -- to see if polarization is an unexpected factor of your eyestrain. Very, very, very few % of people are affected by this. You can notice a screen will go completely black in one rotation with polarized sunglasses.

Yet another factor is the antiglare filter on the LCD, since a lot of old direct-backlit LCDs either omitted the antiglare sheet (creating a glossy display). And a common factor of Apple LCDs is they don't use polarized sheets (Apple LCDs are almost always glossy screens), which might also help explain some of this.

That said, it could be very well that direct-LED-lit can be the issue. That said, there's a lot of correlated factors that happens at the same time, when LEDs are moved to the edgelight versus direct backlight -- and there is a frequent "wild goose chase to red herrings" effect.

[STOPchris]

Direct LED Lit Monitors
Try a G-SYNC Ultimate display. They are always direct LED lit. Ultimate uses Full Array Local Dimming.

Are you sure about this? I have the AW2721D from Alienware and it is Gsync Ultimate, but I've read it is not a full array back light.

[Londan]

I have the exact same issue i think. I have tried the LG GL850, LG GL83A and Samsung G7. All 3 caused eye strain. I actually have an early XL2411P and think it is direct backlit - atleast according to rtings review it is (under local dimming section). I have 0 issues with this monitor atleast. Really want to upgrade monitor but it seems im out of luck now because every monitor is edge lit.

[Duox]

Given my history with having issues with LED headlights I am guessing it is the type of LED that is hurting me. Specifically clear white bulb LED headlights and indoor lights bother me but frosted and amber bulbs do not. I am trying the GL850 right now but the eye strain is still there though less than the LG GL83A, Asusa VG25qm, Gigabyte G27QC did.

I would be satisfied but when I look at my secondary monitor IPS monitor (Dell S2717h) I have no strain at all. I'd gladly return to a 24 inch TN gaming monitor if I knew it would get me away from feeling like I'm staring at a flash light even on 14 brightness.

Sucks there is no alternative backlights these days.

[Duox]

I I actually have an early XL2411P and think it is direct backlit - atleast according to rtings review it is (under local dimming section). I have 0 issues with this monitor atleast.

Contacted BenQ directly through email support , Twitter , and REddit and they all said it was Edge Lit like the rest of their panels. I contacted rtings and they said they had heard this from a few users now and were going to retest. Wondering if it changed without them changing the number at some point.

[Chief Blur Buster]

XL2411P is edgelit. As of now (early 2021), ALL modern gaming monitors are edgelit except for a few models like 4-figure-priced G-SYNC Ultimate.

Are you sure about this? I have the AW2721D from Alienware and it is Gsync Ultimate, but I've read it is not a full array back light.

I checked and... You're right. It has local dimming, but it's edgelight-based local dimming. Thanks for the correction. I am not frequently exposed to Dell/Alienware brand, nor work with these people (yet...).