The best gaming monitors make the most out of your gaming PC by offering stunning displays, speedy response times, and additional gaming features. Whether you’re looking for the best budget gaming monitor to save up for a new CPU or GPU, or you’re searching for a premium 4K monitor, there’s plenty of choice.
TL;DR – These are the Best Gaming Monitors:
After you’ve invested so much into your gaming rig, the only way to top it off is to invest in a gaming monitor that really shows off what your machine can do. Whether you’re exploring the luscious wilds of your favorite RPG, or trying to reach the top of the leaderboards in Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3, we’ve picked out the best gaming monitors for you to enjoy.
Looking for savings? Be sure to check out the best gaming monitor deals happening right now.
The Best Gaming Monitors 2024
1. LG 45GR95QE-B
Best Gaming Monitor
LG 45GR95QE-B
1
An immersive curved OLED monitor that’s perfect for gaming
Screen size: 45″ 800R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: OLED | HDR compatibility: HDR10 | Brightness: 1,000 nits | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 0.03ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
Pros:
Excellent contrastFast response
Cons:
Could be prone to burn-in
At 45 inches, the LG 45GR95QE-B is somewhat a beast of a gaming monitor. But thanks to its curvature, OLED panel, and incredible contrast, the results are absolutely worth the investment. Visuals remain clear with its 3,440 x 1,440 resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, and extremely low 0.03ms response time. With support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, the monitor won’t suffer from screen tearing, ghosting, and stuttering. That means you can fully immerse yourself into whatever game you’re playing.
With a near-infinite contrast ratio and perfect blacks, the LG 45GR95QE-B makes for one of the best gaming monitors. But, it’s also a winner for media creation and media consumption, too. Even in bright rooms it handles reflections well. So whether you’re watching a movie on your ultrawide screen or getting up your K/D ratio in your favorite first-person shooter, it’s going to deliver on all fronts.
2. HP OMEN 27q
Best Budget Gaming Monitor
HP OMEN 27q
27
For budget-minded buyers in search of a crisp, vibrant 1440p monitor with a high refresh rate and gaming features.
Screen size: 27″ | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort
Pros:
1440p/165Hz refresh rateFreeSync Premium
Cons:
For under $250, the HP OMEN 27q offers some stellar specs, starting with a 1440p display delivering a 165Hz refresh rate ready for fast-paced games. Luckily many modern graphics cards can drive those high frame rates in 1440p. Of course, you can always drop to 1080p if your PC can’t keep up. Then when you add a 1ms response time and FreeSync Premium, you’ll enjoy ample visual and motion fidelity for silky smooth frames in even your fastest-paced games.
Beyond gaming, this budget gaming monitor delivers rich and vibrant visuals on a 27-inch screen that pairs well with its crisp 1440p resolution. A 400-nit peak brightness ensures easy viewing of the monitor in most spaces. You even get HDR support, albeit basic, while its color performance is decent. However, similar to other IPS panels, the contrast ratio isn’t the best out there, but for the price, that flaw can be forgiven.
The best 4K gaming monitor, the RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor
3. RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor
Best 4K Gaming Monitor
RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor
9
A 27-inch 4K display that manages a 160Hz refresh rate and uses Mini LEDs in its panel for a high contrast ratio and brightness, making it especially shine in HDR.
Screen size: 27″ | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: LCD IPS G-Sync, FreeSync Compatible | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 1000 | Brightness: 650cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 160Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB-C (DisplayPort mode), 2 x USB-A, 1 x USB-B
Pros:
Impressive image quality in SDR and HDRIPS panel with Mini-LEDs
Cons:
The RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor delivers a sharp, detailed picture with superb color accuracy on perfectly sized 27-inch screen. Its IPS panel with Mini-LEDs has an impressive 1,152 local dimming zones for a high contrast ratio ensuring punchy highlights and plenty of depth in dark, shadowy scenes, though there’s some slight blooming around bright objects. With HDR turned on, you’re viewing experience will be amplified further with vivider images that are on par with many OLED monitors.
RedMagic didn’t skimp on gaming features, including a DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C with a DisplayPort mode, which both offer a 160Hz refresh rate in 4K. Two additional HDMI 2.1 ports max out at 120Hz and are perfect for hooking up a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S. Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync are compatible, so your graphics card and display play nicely for better motion handling at those high refresh rates.
AOC Agon Pro AG456UCZD playing Helldivers 2
4. AOC Agon Pro AG456UCZD
The best Ultrawide gaming monitor
AOC Agon Pro AG456UCZD
0
The AOC Agon Pro AG456UCZD is a high-end OLED ultrawide gaming monitor that will bring your PC games to life.
Screen size: 44.5″ | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: OLED, FreeSync Premium | HDR compatibility: HDR 10 | Brightness: 1,000cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 0.03ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB-C (DisplayPort mode), 4 x USB-A, 1 x USB-B
Pros:
Stunning pictureUltrawide resolution
Cons:
Ultrawide monitors have been around for a while and have become staples in the world of PC gaming. The AOC Agon Pro AG456UCZD shows just how far this display mode has come, pairing its high 3,440 x 1,440 resolution with a gorgeous OLED panel. As with any OLED gaming monitor, you get extremely deep blacks and bright colors, and because this display supports HDR 10, you can enable HDR no matter what device you pair it with.
The only real downside is the price. AOC is asking a whopping $1,399 for this AGON display, which is higher than a lot of the best monitors out there right now. For that money, though, you’d be hard pressed to find a monitor that can match the image quality the AG456UCZD offers, even if the larger screen size diminishes the pixel density a bunch. If you have the cash, and you want the best ultrawide gaming monitor, though, it’d be hard to find one better than the AOC Agon Pro AG456UCZD.
Picture setting adjustments on the HP Omen 27qs
5. HP Omen 27qs
Best Esports Gaming Monitor
HP Omen 27qs
3
Go for speed on this 1440p monitor with a fast IPS panel that pushes 240fps and supports FreeSync and G-Sync for limited screen tearing.
Screen size: 27″ | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x USB-A, 1 x USB-B, 1 x Audio
Pros:
Speedy 240Hz refresh rate in 1440pFreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync compatibility
Cons:
IPS glow plagues darker scenes
In esports, speed is key, and the HP Omen 27qs has it on lock with a 240Hz refresh rate that’ll let you cruise through maps while catching all the visual detail you need to get the drop on your opponents. It hits those high frames at a sharp 1140p resolution, and when your screen and GPU struggle to keep a consistent frame rate, FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync compatibility will step in, ensuring motion clarity.
This 27-inch monitor uses a fast IPS panel that produces a bright and colorful picture. It’s even HDR certified, though that shouldn’t be the reason you purchase this monitor. The mediocre contrast ratio and hazy IPS glow also mean it’s not ideal for darker scenes. But given the price tag, these minor flaws can be forgiven.
Curve of the Samsung Odyssey G7
6. Dell Alienware AW2725DF
Best 1440p Gaming Monitor
Dell Alienware AW2725DF
0
With exceptionally vivid colors and a high refresh rate, you can feel fully immersed in your favorite games
Screen size: 26.7″ | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: QD OLED | HDR compatibility: HDR TrueBlack 400 | Brightness: 1,000 nits | Refresh rate: 360Hz | Response time: 0.03ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x DisplayPort 1.4
Pros:
High refresh rate with VRR supportBright and vivid colors
Cons:
VRR flicker when changing frame rates
At well under $1,000, the Dell Alienware AW2725DF makes for a solid gaming monitor. It features an extremely fast 360Hz refresh rate, incredibly low input lag, and crisp, bright images. For gamers who prefer a slightly smaller screen, this monitor is the perfect size to still achieve that immersiveness that those AAA titles deserve.
While there is some noticeable VRR flicker when changing frame rates, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks of this gaming monitor. If you’re looking for a high-end monitor that delivers outstanding picture quality and deep blacks, the Dell Alienware AW2725DF is a solid choice, even in brighter rooms.
Adjustable stand on the Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM
7. Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM
Best 1080p Gaming Monitor
Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM
9
A 27-inch Full HD display with an overclockable 240Hz refresh rate, low input lag, and adaptive sync for smooth action.
Screen size: 27″ | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync, G-Sync compatible | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz, 280Hz (OC) | Response time: 1ms (GtG) | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
Pros:
Budget priceExcellent motion handling
Cons:
People might be clamoring over 4K displays, and 1440p has a home in the hearts of many gamers trying to balance visual quality with value, but 1080p monitors still have their place. The Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM is a prime example where FHD fits in because, for under $300, you get a screen that delivers an overclockable 240Hz refresh rate, a one-millisecond response time, and low input lag, which will see your games run as smooth as hot butter. FreeSync support and G-Sync compatibility also ensure your monitor and GPU are on the same team for visuals that look great without tearing.
The Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM stretches its 1080p picture across a 27-inch screen, which is reasonable for the resolution. Although, you may do some pixel peeping in exchange for a more immersive viewing experience. Its IPS panel offers decent viewing angles and color reproduction, while the 400-nit brightness means you can use it in brighter spaces. There’s even display DisplayHDR 400 certification, but given there’s no local dimming and a mediocre contrast ratio, HDR support shouldn’t be why you buy this monitor.
Some other quality-of-life boxes can get ticked off, too, with a height-adjustable, pivoting stand, two HDMI ports, and one DisplayPort for ample connectivity opportunities.
8. MSI MPG Artymis 273CQRX-QD
Best Curved Gaming Monitor
MSI MPG ARTYMIS 273CQRX-QD
0
The MSI MPG Artymis 273CQRX-QD is a curved 1440p gaming monitor with a 1000R curvature, Quantum Dot technology and Freesync Premium.
Screen size: 27″ 1000R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync Premium | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 400 | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2a, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB-C, 1 x Headphone
Pros:
Color accurateImmersive 1000R curvature
Cons:
Curved monitors sometimes give you leg up against competitors, as the screen pairs perfectly with your field of vision. Our favorite happens to be the MSI MPG Artymis 273CQRX-QD, a curved monitor from MSI that features quantum dot screen technology. Simply put, this monitor is going to be more color-accurate and immersive than any other gaming monitor out there, especially in its price range.
This MSI Artymis gaming monitor features a 1000R curvature and a 1440p VA panel that offers incredibly deep blacks. It also features FreeSync, which is perfect if you’re using an AMD graphics card like the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT. This is easily the best curved gaming monitor you can get, especially under a thousand bucks.
Ultrwide screen on the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
9. Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
Best Super Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
13
This stretched-out 48.8-inch 1440p display delivers stunning visuals and a speedy 240Hz refresh rate.
Screen size: 48.8″ 1000R | Aspect ratio: 32:9 | Resolution: 5,120 x 1,440 | Panel type: Mini LED QLED VA, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR10, HDR10+, Quantum HDR 2000 | Brightness: 2,000cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
Pros:
48.8-inch ultrawide curved display2,000-nit peak brightness
Cons:
With the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9, you get a super ultrawide monitor, and it’s not just “super” because of how wide it is, but also because of how powerful it is. Samsung delivers an insanely stretched-out 48.8-inch display panel that’s effectively two 1440p monitors side by side without a gap in between. The display has an incredibly tight 1000R curvature that keeps it nice and close to your eyes from one side to the other.
Samsung has stuffed this thing to the gills, too. The display is lit with intense Mini LED backlights that deliver a 2,000-nit peak brightness — something you’ll be hard-pressed to find on just about any other screen. That brightness pairs with the strong contrast and broad color of the QLED panel in front of those Mini LEDs. You can take all the gorgeous gaming visuals this monitor can display for a high-speed cruise thanks to the monitor’s 240Hz refresh rate. And, since 5,120 x 1,440 won’t be the easiest resolution for any computer to drive, FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync compatibility will help keep the visuals neat and tidy.
Game Menu on the LG UltraGear 48GQ900
10. LG UltraGear 48GQ900
Best Gaming Monitor for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
LG UltraGear 48GQ900-B
10
VRR, a 0.1ms response, a 120Hz/4K refresh rate, and ample connectivity make this large OLED monitor with vivid colors and deep blacks shine in console gaming.
Screen size: 47.5″ | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: OLED FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible | HDR: HDR 10 | Brightness: 135cd/m2(typ) | Refresh rate: 120Hz (138Hz overclockable) | Response time: 0.1ms | Inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
Pros:
Massive 47.5-inch OLED panel120Hz refresh rate in 4K
Cons:
No HDR certification or Dolby Vision
If you’re looking to use your new consoles on a monitor rather than a gaming TV, you’ll want to do it with the LG UltraGear 48GQ900. This monitor brings some high-end gaming chops, like VRR, a 0.1ms response, and a 120Hz refresh rate (overclockable to 138Hz) for some of the smoothest, blur-free action out there. And you won’t need to swap around cables when switching between PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or a gaming PC thanks to its inclusion of three HDMI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort connection.
The LG UltraGear 48GQ900 offers a massive 47.5-inch OLED panel, so you’ll enjoy all the benefits of true blacks, infinite contrast, and eye-popping color for deep immersion in all of the action. The only area where this display struggles is brightness in certain scenes, but it’s still a brilliant display to enjoy 4K gaming on your next-gen console.
11. Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q
Best FreeSync Gaming Monitor
Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q
1
FreeSync Premium ensures stutter-free frames when going for 165Hz in 1440p, while a high contrast ratio and brightness let you enjoy HDR gaming.
Screen size: 27″ | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR 1000 | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
Pros:
Excellent contrast ratioStunning colors
Cons:
The Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q is the perfect companion to your AMD graphics, as it’s packing FreeSync Premium to ensure your monitor and GPU are playing nicely. Given how hard it’ll be to run games at the speedy 165Hz/1440p that this monitor is capable of, FreeSync Premium comes into play to keep each frame intact. For more insurance that you’ll enjoy some butter-smooth gameplay, there’s also a 1ms response time.
Using an IPS panel with mini LED technology, the Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q delivers a wild contrast ratio and impressive HDR performance thanks to its 576 local dimming zones. You’ll be immersed in deep blacks and vibrant color with its wide color gamut and 10-bit color support. This FreeSync monitor even pumps out brightness hitting 1200 nits in HDR mode.
12. Gigabyte FO32U2 Pro
Best OLED Gaming Monitor
Gigabyte FO32U2 Pro
0
This stunning monitor delivers on all fronts thanks to its wealth of features and OLED panel
Screen size: 31.5″ | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: OLED | HDR compatibility: HDR TrueBlack 400 | Brightness: 1,000 nits | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 0.03ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
Pros:
Outstanding picture qualityExtremely thin panel
Cons:
Most graphics cards don’t yet support DP 2.1
If you can dig deep and spend a little over $1,000 on an outstanding gaming monitor, then the Gigabyte FO32U2 Pro is hard to beat. It offers stunning picture quality, a near-infinite contrast ratio, up to 240Hz refresh rate, and a wealth of OLED care and protection so you know your money has been well spent. Even for productivity-based tasks, this gaming monitor is up there with the best, ensuring colors are vivid whether you’re in SDR or HDR mode.
While most PC gaming setups are going to feature a headset, this monitor also comes with built-in speakers – an added bonus if you don’t want to wear a headset for whatever reason. Diving deep into the monitor’s settings, there’s a lot to play with here. From plenty of gaming features to different HDR modes, including HDR, HDR Movie, HDR HLG, HDR Game, and HDR Vivid, you could easily get lost for hours tweaking this monitor to your needs.
Where to Get the Best Gaming Monitor in the UK
We’ve mentioned several brilliant screens on this list, with up to 14 different options to choose from. These range from the most affordable all the way up until the juggernaut sets for those who love to take in every single detail. Thankfully, all of the displays mentioned can be found in UK retailers, and we’ve just so happened to track them down to save you the trouble of a time-consuming Google search.
Samsung Odyssey G7
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Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q1A
0
Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQR
6
Best Gaming Monitor for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5 LG UltraGear 48GQ900
1
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A
2
Best Super Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Samsung Odyssey G9
1
Best FreeSync Gaming Monitor Gigabyte Aorus FI27Q Tactical Gaming Monitor
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How to Choose a Gaming Monitor
Below we go over the three essential things you should consider including screen size, resolution, and aspect ratio. We’ve also briefly explained a few of the more technical aspects of computer display such as panel types, refresh rate, and the variable refresh rate technologies available today.
Screen size: “How big?” Will probably be the first thing you’ll ask yourself, and the answer really comes down to your unique situation. Are you in a tiny dorm with barely any room or are you looking to get a 43-inch gaming monitor to replace your TV?
How you answer that question will ultimately determine the display size you need. But, if you’re looking for some basic guidelines on screen sizes, 24- to 27-inch displays will satisfy most gamers. Those looking for a more immersive experience might be interested in a 32-inch or larger screen. As with most things, gaming monitors will usually become more expensive as you go up in size, so think with your budget as much as your ambition.
Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio of your monitor is closely related to its size because it determines which form factor your display will have. The majority of monitors fall into the widescreen category with their 16:9 aspect ratio. Ultrawide displays have been rising in popularity recently, and these screens often feature the 21:9 aspect ratio you would typically see at the movie theater. If you can believe it, modern displays have only been getting even wider and there’s a growing crop of 32:9 displays as well.
Screen resolution: This determines how sharp your gaming monitor will be and, for the most part, there are three choices: Full HD (1,920 x 1,080), Quad HD (2,560 x 1,440), and Ultra HD or 4K (3,840 x 2,160). Like screen size, as the numbers go up so does the price, plus they’ll require a higher-end graphics card if you hope to maintain a high frame rate.
Panel type: Although most monitors might look the same on the surface, there are a few different panel types that offer specific benefits and shortcomings. Twisted Nematic (TN) panels are the most basic and common panel you’ll come across as they deliver the fastest response times of 1ms often at the cost of duller colors, grayer black levels, and poor viewing angles.
In-Plane Switching (IPS) is the next most prevalent type of display and it’s basically the opposite of a TN panel. Rather than focusing on speed, IPS panels are known for rendering excellent colors and contrast while offering wider viewing angles in exchange for slightly slower response time, usually hovering around 3-5ms.
Lastly, Vertical Alignment (VA) panels are becoming increasingly common and they essentially split the difference between TN and IPS panels. They offer great image quality with decently quick response times. VA panels aren’t perfect, though, as sometimes fast-moving objects will give off ghosting effects due to the slower response time.
If you want a responsive experience, it’s best to pick one with a fast response time, which is a measure of how quickly a pixel can change from the brightest to the darkest (white to black) color.
Response time: Competitive shooters and MoBAs demand the quickest response times, so it’s best to play these types of games on monitors that offer a 1ms response time. Playing Indie games and most single-player experiences shouldn’t be a problem on a display with a response time between 3-5ms – and it’s pretty much impossible to find a monitor that is slower than this.
Refresh rate: This is another important measure of how responsive the display is, and it defines how often your screen can display a completely new image — so it essentially dictates your frame rate. 60Hz is the standard refresh rate for silky smooth PC gaming, but there’s a long list of options that feature even higher refresh rates of 120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz, 360Hz and even up to 500Hz.
Basically, the higher the refresh rates the more times the image on your screen will update every second, resulting in a smoother gameplay experience. Beyond the visual appeal of high refresh rate displays, they can be useful for gamers who need to keep up with the rapid movements competitive games demand. Generally, you’ll be at an advantage if you see your opponents and react before they do.
G-Sync vs FreeSync: Variable refresh rate (VRR) technology is a fairly recent invention and it ensures you have a consistently smooth and responsive gaming experience. Currently, there are two flavors of VRR, Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, and they’ll require a prerequisite that you own a compatible graphics card from the corresponding brand. Nvidia GeForce cards do allow you to enable VRR on any FreeSync monitor, but your results will vary.
At the most basic level, VRR syncs your monitor’s refresh rate with the number of frames your GPU outputs. This prevents screen tearing caused by the graphics card feeding your display multiple frames while it’s is in the middle of refreshing its picture. If your graphics card is running your game at 60 fps, you’ll see your monitor refresh at exactly 60Hz with wonderfully smooth gameplay.
Our only other piece of advice when buying a gaming monitor is to make sure your video card can handle the resolution and refresh rate of the display you’re considering. It would be a waste of money to buy a 4K monitor when your GPU can only handle 1080p gaming.
Gaming Monitor vs. Gaming TV
Choosing a display to game depends on personal preference and how you want to play. Below we discuss gaming monitors vs TVs.
Gaming monitors are often much smaller than a TV and usually live on a gaming desk with you sitting just a couple of feet away. Most have ergonomic stands, letting you adjust the height, swivel, and tilt to find a good viewing angle which also makes it easier to hook up multiple monitors. The best ultrawide monitors immerse you in the game by stretching your field of vision.
TVs come in much larger sizes and rest on a TV stand or mounted on a wall, ready to be viewed from a distance. Most TVs offer a fairly basic stand with limited to no adjustments, making them much harder to see when they’re on a desk.
Both monitors and TVs have their own advantages when it comes to image quality. Mid-range and high-end TVs excel in brightness, contrast, and color thanks to their OLED panels or Mini-LED backlights. That also lets them take on HDR content better than many monitors. However, some 4K monitors can keep up and often deliver even more sharpness.
As for gaming performance, you want a display with a low input lag, high refresh rate, and soild pixel response times. Generally, this is where monitors go a notch above even the best 4K TVs.
The majority of monitors offer a super low input lag, often adding just a few milliseconds delay between the input and the input appearing on screen. TVs are a hit or miss, so it’s important to do your research before purchasing.
As for refresh rate, even budget monitors hit high frame rates, though you sacrifice resolution. At this point, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a gaming monitor with a refresh rate below 120Hz, with some going up to 360Hz or even 500Hz. There’s also probably some type of VRR baked in for the smoothest frames possible. Gaming TVs still lag behind, with most 4K options landing on either 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, while adaptive sync technology is sometimes included.
Then there’s pixel response time, which is essential to avoid ghosting on screen. Both monitors and TVs perform similarly, though OLED panels often seen in TVs have an almost instantaneous response time.
When purchasing a display, the price comes into play, and gaming monitors often provide better value. You can find monitors for $200 that still offer a wealth of gaming features, including a high refresh rate and adaptive sync. TVs around that same price are more than likely going to lack any type of gaming features. Even budget gaming TVs will set you back a good chunk of change with still limited gaming features.
Gaming Monitor FAQ
What’s the difference between G-Sync and FreeSync?
FreeSync and G-Sync are similar, using VRR technologies to synchronize the refresh rate of the display and the frame rate of the PC or console you’re gaming on. Both types of monitors have the same VESA Adaptive-Sync technical standard, and most FreeSync displays work as G-Sync-compatible, or vice versa, even if manufacturers can’t make the claim outright.
The only exceptions are G-Sync and G-Sync Ultimate monitors, which require additional hardware, only work with Nvidia GPUs, and handle adaptive sync through a display’s entire refresh rate—other VRR usually taps out around 48Hz. That means these monitors are often pricier.
Find more about FreeSync vs. G-Sync here.
What’s the best resolution for a gaming monitor?
The ideal resolution for your display really depends on your needs. If you’re after ultra-high refresh rates or have a more modest graphics card, 1080p is the way to go. These monitors are also going to be the most budget-friendly option.
For those that prefer a stunning, crisp display, 4K monitors keep pixel peeping to a minimum and are ideal for a 27-inch screen size or bigger. However, you won’t hit 500Hz like some Full HD offerings, and to enjoy a speedy refresh rate – like the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM offers – you need to be willing to drop a good chunk of change. Driving those high frame rates will also be taxing on your system.
That leads us to the perfect middle ground: a 1440p display. You’ll enjoy a sharper resolution than 1080p, and most hit impressively high frame rates. You will still need a mid-range or better graphics card, but if you have the hardware, these monitors are great for competitive gaming. Plus, you’ll find they’re often cheaper than UHD options.
Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
