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Adding the best gaming monitor to your setup – PC or console – is, we think, one of the handfuls of guaranteed methods that can provide an instant impact on your gaming experience, immersion, and enjoyment.
There are plenty of options nowadays including differences in resolution (1080p, 1440p, and 4K), screen techs (FreeSync and G-Sync), and more. This guide will help you make decisions and will cover all the relevant specs, and types and we’ll also find you the best prices too. An important point to make too is that these monitors are absolutely not just for PC gaming, as more and more console gamers are using them too nowadays.
As a result, we’re really spoilt for choice for the best gaming monitors around. At GamesRadar+ we’ve been working hard for years to pick out the best gaming monitor by constantly reviewing, testing, and comparing the best in the business to build this very list to help you find the best screen going. Our writers and reviewers spend masses of time with each screen we review and really put them through their paces with hard gaming sessions, as well as noting their qualities for everyday and work use.
And to help you make the best decision, we strive to lay out all the facts as plainly as possible. After all, the best gaming monitors have more going on behind the scenes than the best gaming TV (opens in new tab) or the best home projectors (opens in new tab). So if you game separately to where you watch your films and TV content, then a monitor is a great idea to optimize your setup. Whatever your needs, our round-up will help you make the right call and get you something with a brilliant picture, and all the performance and features you need.
The best gaming monitors 2022
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1. Alienware 34 AW3423DW QD-OLED
The best gaming monitor overall
Specifications
Screen size: 34”Aspect ratio: 21:9Resolution: 3440 x 1440 at 175HzBrightness: 1,000 nits peak HDRResponse time: 0.1msViewing angle: 178° H&VContrast ratio: 1,000,000:1Features: QD OLED panel, 99.3% DCI-P3, Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate, DisplayPort 1.4 x1, HDMI 2.0 x2, USB hub, AlienFX lighting
Reasons to buy
+Fabulous OLED panel+Incredible pixel response+True HDR performance
Reasons to avoid
-Less convincing as a desktop monitor-Not the lowest latency option-Not exactly cheap
It’s been an awfully long time coming, but with the new Alienware 34 AW3423DW, OLED technology has finally come to the best gaming monitor. And, boy, does it deliver. This screen has better contrast and a faster response than any LCD panel we’ve ever seen while also looking richer, more convincing, more immersive, and being faster, sharper, and clearer. It really does do everything.
We found that it’s not absolutely perfect, though. The supposedly brighter HDR 1000 mode actually results in a duller image most of the time than the more usable HDR 400 setting. You will rarely if ever see the full 1,000 nits. The low pixel density also means this isn’t a great choice for an all-purpose display. It’s likewise not a good fit for console gaming. And strictly speaking, higher refresh panels will offer better latency.
Concerns involving OLED burn-in do linger, a little. If that proves unfounded, OLED could take off on the PC in a big way and for most types of gaming, we think this is an absolute revelation.
Read more: Alienware 34 AW3423DW QD-OLED review
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2. AOC 24G2 / 24G2U
The best gaming monitor under $250 / £200
Specifications
Screen Size: 24-inchAspect Ratio: 16:9Resolution: 1920 x 1080 / Full HDBrightness: 250 nitsResponse time: 1msViewing angle: 178/178Contrast ratio: 1,000:1Features: 144Hz, variable refresh rate, DisplayPort 1.2; HDMI type HDMI 1.4 x2
Reasons to buy
+Proper IPS panel+144Hz refresh+Variable refresh rate
Reasons to avoid
-No HDR support-Relatively puny 24-inch panel-Not terribly bright
Limited to a budget of around $200 / £200? Don’t despair. A high-refresh monitor with a decent IPS panel is within reach and we think could be a top gaming monitor for a lot of folks. Enter the AOC 24G2 and its closely related AOC 24G2U sibling. Inevitably, some compromises have to be made. The 24G2 / 24G2U are mere 24-inch monitors with a modest 1,920 by 1,080 resolution, otherwise known as 1080p. The difference between the two? The 24G2U adds a USB hub.
Good for a seriously zappy 1ms pixel response and with both variable refresh rate support and a low input lag mode, they run at a fulsome 144Hz which was confirmed to us in testing. Of course, that’s a far lower resolution than a 4K panel with just one-quarter the number of pixels. But then fewer pixels means more frames and lower latency which might just give you that critical edge in your Battle Royale or team-based shooter of choice, be that Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, Battlefield 5, or Overwatch.
One obvious omission for us, spec-wise, is HDR capability of any kind. But then very few monitors deliver a true HDR experience from our experience. So, at least AOC doesn’t tease you with the promise of HDR only to ultimately disappoint. What’s more, with slim bezels and both height and tilt adjustment, this panel doesn’t feel or look like a budget option.
Read more: AOC 24G2 review
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3. ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ
The best gaming monitor for most people
Specifications
Screen size: 27″Aspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 2560 x 1440pBrightness: 350 cd/m2Response time: 1msViewing angle: 170° H, 178° VContrast ratio: 1,000:1Features: IPS panel, HDR-10, Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync technology
Reasons to buy
+Excellent picture quality+Great colours and vibrancy+Lovely and smooth+Solid settings menu
Reasons to avoid
-Slightly haziness to some edges and images-Matte finish gives lighter pictures a sheen
The ASUS TUF VG27AQ is not exactly a flashy entry to our best gaming monitor list but it is bursting at the seams with quality. It’s ordinary-looking but that didn’t fool us, as it packs a punch and offers an incredibly speedy monitor for gaming. There’s a 165Hz (featuring Adaptive Sync Support), a 1ms response rate of 1ms, and it is both G-Sync and FreeSync compatible. Add into this ASUS’ own Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync technology and the in-game pictures this monitor provides are some of the smoothest and best you can get on a 1440p monitor.
When we tested the monitor, the image quality was excellently crisp, too – it’s not all about the speed. Stir in a rating of HDR10 high dynamic range for colour and brightness levels, too, and they are some of the nicest images we’ve seen on a 1440p. The VG27AQ does a great job of balancing overall picture quality, speeds, and, importantly, the price point. It’s a great do-it-all monitor that we think will serve people well for PC gaming and console gaming.
Though remember, that 1440p resolution won’t be natively supported by any PlayStation console. Yet.
Read more: ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ review
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4. Dell S2721DGF
The best mid-range gaming monitor
Specifications
Size: 27-inchResolution: 1440pRefresh Rate: 165HzResponse Time: 1msPanel: IPSPorts: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 5x USB 3.0, headphones, audio line-out
Reasons to buy
+All the best specs; 1440p, 165Hz, 1ms+Wide viewing angles+Stunning, sleek design
Reasons to avoid
-Poor HDR performance and dark areas
Dell offers a lot of monitors, from basic 1080p run-of-the-mill office jobs to uber impressive 4K beauties. The S2721DGF slots firmly in the middle, offering gaming performance at 1440p, and while we find that the specs are those you’d expect of a top-notch competitive esports ready screen, when we took it out of the box it certainly doesn’t look like one on the outside.
When any PC gamer is looking for a monitor, two specs are vital; refresh rate and response time. The Dell S2721DGF is almost perfect in this regard, offering 165Hz and 1ms respectively and this was confirmed to us in testing. Another attraction is the IPS panel, which is excellent and contributes to the bang-to-buck value that the monitor offers. The monitor is covered in a matte, all-black finish, with thin, flat bezels around the edge, making it a brilliant choice for anyone looking for a double or triple-monitor set-up.
The only place we think this monitor trips up is in HDR performance, especially in dark areas. The contrast is low, which means it’s often hard to differentiate between subtle blacks and greys, but if you’re using this primarily for gaming and not movie-watching, it’s not too big of a deal. This is one of the best 1440p gaming monitors on the market.
Read more: Dell S2721DGF review
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5. MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR
The best curved gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 34”Aspect ratio: 21:9Resolution: 3440 x 1440 at 165HzBrightness: 550cd/m2Response time: 1msViewing angle: 178° H&VContrast ratio: 3,000:1Features: AMD FreeSync, DisplayHDR 400
Reasons to buy
+Ultra bright and punchy VA panel+Extreme curve is incredibly immersive+Excellent HDR performance for this type of screen
Reasons to avoid
-Curvature not as convincing in Windows-Not exactly cheap-Pixel response is merely decent
Not a fan of curved candidates for best gaming monitor? Then you might want to jog on. Because we think that MSI has definitely doubled down on the notion of bent screens with the MPG Artymis 343CQR. With a mere one metre radius of curvature, this thing is positively twisted.
As it happens, we found that it’s also unbelievably immersive. Partly this comes down to that extreme 1000R curve, but it’s also because MSI has boldly opted for VA rather than IPS panel technology. Combined with a very strong monolithic backlight, the result, confirmed in our testing, is punchy peak brightness of 550cd/m2 and 3,000:1 static contrast. Granted, there’s only entry-level HDR 400 certification. But this monitor delivers the best HDR experience we’ve yet seen from a monitor with no local dimming. CyberPunk 2077 running on this 34-inch, 3,440 by 1,440 pixel beauty is truly something to behold.
Of course, the big worry with any VA panel is pixel response. The 343CQR does need a little time to warm up. But once it’s up to temp, we found the response is nearly good enough to justify the 1ms claim. Add in 165Hz refresh and AMD FreeSync support (for the record, Nvidia G-Sync isn’t officially supported but does work) and you have one heck of an overall gaming package.
Back on the Windows desktop, that extreme curve makes less sense. Likewise, at this price point, the mere 1440p resolution will be disappointing from a productivity perspective. And don’t forget that even the latest consoles don’t support the ultra-wide 21:9. But for the specific job of high-end PC gaming, with the arguable exception of esports, this monitor proved to us that it is absolute madness. And in a very good way.
Read more: MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR review
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6. ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ
The best 4K gaming monitor
Specifications
Size: 27-inchResolution: 4K (3840×2160)Refresh Rate: 144HzResponse Time: 1msPanel: IPSPorts: 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort, 2x USB 3.0, earphone jack
Reasons to buy
+Perfect specs of 4K, 144Hz, 1ms+It’s far cheaper than any other monitor with similar specs+The best way to play the latest AAA games
Reasons to avoid
-Quite expensive-Need a 3080 or better to unlock its full potential
Until now, 4K60fps+ gaming has been a concept only attainable by the hardcore enthusiasts who dedicate everything they have to PC gaming and their best gaming monitors. Not anymore. Thanks to the recent launch of the 30-series cards from Nvidia, and AMD’s RX series equivalents, it’s finally affordable for those who desire it. To reach that level, you need one of the best monitors on the market, but they’re usually more expensive than the graphics cards themselves.
The ASUS XG27UQ changes that entirely, bringing almost the best possible specs on a 4K screen down to a reachable tier for general PC gamers. It’s still not cheap, but for the first time ever a 4K monitor with 1ms response time and a 144Hz refresh rate is below the $1k mark. Quite considerably actually, coming in at around $800/£800. It’s still a hefty price tag, don’t get me wrong, but it’s far cheaper than the other top-tier offerings.
We think that the ASUS XG27UQ is like a gaze into what PC gaming will be like for everyone 5 to 10 years down the line. With ray tracing on, Cyberpunk 2077 had my jaw on the floor, with stunning lighting effects and texture detail throughout Night City. As did Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, with the sunrays splitting the treetops. if you have a rig capable of it – seriously, don’t upgrade to 4K if your graphics card is a few years old – then you will not be disappointed with this monitor.
Read more: ASUS XG27UQ review
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7. BenQ EL2870U
The best cheap 4K gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 28″Aspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 3840 x 2160 at 60HzResponse time: 1msBrightness: 300cd/m2Viewing angle: 170° H, 160° VContrast ratio: 1000:1Features: TN panel, eye-care technology, built-in 2W stereo speakers, headphone jack, FreeSync
Reasons to buy
+4K HDR support +Built-in speakers
Reasons to avoid
-Poor viewing angles
The BenQ EL2870U has been proving to us all that 4K doesn’t have to cost a bomb – and it can hold its own as a quality monitor all the while.
While the viewing angles of its TN panel continue to prove to us in testing that there are better options for viewing, this monitor boasts a shocking wealth of functionality typically found outside a budget monitor’s wheelhouse. If you have an AMD graphics card, the BenQ EL2870U is enhanced with native FreeSync support. Sadly, however, it is not G-Sync Compatible – trust us, we tested it. That said, it does have a utilitarian selection of ports, namely two HDMI 2.0 connections and a single DisplayPort 1.4.
And, should you spend hours on end trying to best your KDR in Apex Legends (opens in new tab) like we did with this monitor in testing, then Ben-Q’s integrated eye-care solution automatically adjusts brightness and blue light to safeguard your eyes from the evils of light-emitting diodes. It’s not perfect, but the fact that this 28-inch 4K HDR screen regularly goes on sale for a fraction of its price is a compelling case for snatching one up no matter what you platform you play on.
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8. MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD
The best 1440p gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 27-inchResolution: 2,560 x 1,440 at 144HzBrightness: 300 cd/m2Response time: 1ms GTGRefresh rate: 165HzViewing angle: 178° H&VContrast ratio: 1,000:1Features: IPS panel, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible, DisplayPort 1.2 x1, HDMI 2.0 x2, USB-C with 15W charging
Reasons to buy
+Crazy quick IPS panel+Great all-round feature set+Excellent colour coverage
Reasons to avoid
-15W USB-C charging-Limited HDR support
We think that the combo of 1440p and 27 inches has been the sweet spot for affordable PC gaming for an age. Does it make sense for consoles, too? The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD likes to think so, in part thanks to a compatibility mode that allows a 4K input from the PS5 to run at 2.5 on this 2,560 by 1,440 pixel panel, which means it offers a different edge in its contention for best gaming monitor.
Even with that quirk aside, this MSI panel still has a lot going for it, we think. For starters, it runs at 165Hz and packs a high-quality IPS panel with colour accuracy that’s well above the norm for a gaming monitor.
Arguably even more important is the fact that this monitor is seriously fast in our testing. Rated officially at 1ms response, it’s one of, if not the, fastest LCD gaming monitors we’ve ever seen. That speed makes it great for all kinds of PC gaming and a particular joy for online shooters which were great to test. It’s also feature-packed, including G-Sync compatibility, plus USB-C connectivity (albeit limited to 15W of charging power).
Read more: MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD review
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9. Acer Predator XB253QGX
The best 1080p gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 25-inchPanel type: IPSAspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 1920 x 1080Response time: 0.5ms MPRTRefresh rate: 240HzWeight: 11.8 lb / 5.35 kg
Reasons to buy
+Speedy 240Hz panel+Good response for an IPS panel+Decent brightness and colours
Reasons to avoid
-Low resolution compromises visual detail-Small panel size
For most gamers, 1440p and 144Hz is the current sweet spot for best G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitor; the best compromise between speed and visual detail. However, for esports aficionados, it’s all about frame rates and response. This is where the Acer Predator XB253QGX comes in.
Resolution-wise, it’s only 1080p from a 25-inch panel. But it clocks in at fully 240Hz refresh and is good for an ultra-low MPRT pixel response time of 0.5ms (GtG response is 1ms claimed). The Predator is also Nvidia G-Sync capable. HDR support is entry-level stuff in the form of DisplayHDR 400 certification. But that at least ensures punchy peak brightness of 400cd/m2.
The IPS panel tech likewise makes for more accurate and vibrant colours than an equivalent TN screen. For online shooters right through from Counter-Strike: Source to Call of Duty: Warzone, this panel is a peach. It’s very quick and blur-free and feels super responsive.
It’s less impressive rendering the latest eye candy in the likes of Cyberpunk 2077. The relatively low res makes for much fuzzier image quality than 1440p or 4K panels. But if speed is what you demand, the Acer Predator XB253QGX does that better than most while not entirely giving up on image quality.
Read more: Acer Predator XB253QGX review
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10. Acer Predator XB271HU
The best G-Sync gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 27”Aspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 2560 x 1440Brightness: 350 cd/m2Response time: 4msViewing angle: 178° H&VContrast ratio: 100,000,000:1Features: IPS panel, nVidia G-Sync, flicker-free backlighting, Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB), built-in speakers
Reasons to buy
+Robust IPS display+Excellent G-Sync range
Reasons to avoid
-Limited input connectivity-G-Sync upcharge
The Acer Predator XB271HU is the Nvidia user’s answer to the Asus MG279Q, and it features many of the same benefits: a vibrant, flicker-free IPS panel with 144Hz refresh, excellent viewing angles and built-in screen tear prevention technology. Like AMD’s FreeSync, Nvidia’s G-Sync lets the GPU and monitor coordinate their efforts, reducing or eliminating screen tearing. Unlike FreeSync, which is part of the DisplayPort 2.1a standard and is free to include in any applicable monitor, G-Sync requires a proprietary Nvidia chipset in the display, which usually incurs a $200 premium over comparable monitors equipped with FreeSync, and even more versus monitors with no adaptive sync support.
The upside is that since Nvidia has total control over the standard and its implementation, there’s greater assurance that a G-Sync monitor will work as advertised, while FreeSync quality can vary between manufacturers and from model to model. G-Sync monitors also tend to support a wider range of applicable refresh rates, as well as better anti-ghosting than FreeSync monitors.
True to form, the Predator XB271HU is G-Sync capable between 30 and 144Hz out of the box, up to a maximum of 165Hz if you’re the overclocking type. Most modern computers, even the kind you buy a $700+ monitor for, can’t render a steady 144+ frames-per-second, so right now that much G-Sync headroom isn’t especially useful. As an investment, however, the Predator XB271HU makes a strong argument, as it’ll graciously provide for not only your current GPU, but the next couple of upgrades as well.
Best gaming monitors 2022 – The best of the rest
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11. Samsung Odyssey G7
The best G-Sync compatible gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 27″; 1000R curvePanel type: VAAspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 2560 x 1440Refresh rate: 240HzResponse time: 1msBrightness: 350 nitsContrast ratio: 2500:1Features: G-Sync Compatible, FreeSync Premium, 2x USB 3.0 hub
Reasons to buy
+Gorgeous VA panel+Super-fast response+Nice design and build quality
Reasons to avoid
-Extreme curve could be too much-Not a true HDR display
Looking for one of the best gaming monitors that combines nearly everything that’s best about the latest LCD technology? You just found it in the Samsung Odyssey G7 C27G7. With local dimming, adaptive sync, high refresh, HDR, quantum dot technology, a curved panel, and more, on paper it’s got the works.
More specifically, it comes with a 27-inch diagonal with 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh for what we think nails the sweet spot in terms of balancing detail with speed and response. That’s why it’s our pick for best 240Hz gaming monitor right now.
The main question mark concerns the use of VA panel technology, which is traditionally associated with slow pixel response and generally slightly laggy performance. Not so here. Samsung claims 1ms response times and interesting we found that this monitor feels and looks at least that quick. No question, it’s comparable with the best TN monitors for sheer speed. That it also matches IPS panels for colours and adds excellent contrast into the mix makes for an incredibly compelling package.
As for negatives, they’re limited to a particularly poor HDR implementation given the DisplayHDR 600 certification, plus a niggling doubt that the extreme 1000R curve may be a bit too much of a good thing.
Read more: Samsung Odyssey G7 review
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12. ASUS VP28UQG
The best PS5 monitor
Specifications
Screen size:: 28-inchAspect ratio:: 16:9Resolution:: 4K; 3840x2160Brightness:: 300cd/m2Response time:: 1msViewing angle:: 170/160 degreesContrast ratio:: 500:1
Reasons to buy
+4K visuals+1ms response+Great value
Reasons to avoid
-TN panel tech-Just 60Hz refresh
The PS5 is capable of 4K and 120Hz. But the reality is that relatively few games will be capable of achieving both at the same time. That’s doubly true of the latest and most graphically intensive games. You’re not going to get close to 120Hz running at 4K. So, if you fancy 4K and can’t stretch to a high-refresh monitor, the ASUS VP28UQG could be just the thing.
Priced around $240 / £240, it’s remarkably affordable for a 4K 28-inch panel. And thanks to an HDMI 2.0 interface, it’s fully compatible with the PS5. ASUS has also included DisplayPort 1.2 connectivity, so this monitor will happily tag team with a PC, too. Along with no support for 120Hz refresh, HDR capability is also conspicuous by its absence. But, again, most so-called HDR monitors aren’t truly capable of HDR visuals.
Likewise, what does matter for many gamers is speed in terms of pixel response. Here the ASUS VP28UQG scores with its 1ms-capable TN panel. Granted, TN tech isn’t the best when it comes to colours, contrast, and viewing angles. But you’d be surprised just how close it now comes while maintaining an edge over IPS and VA technology for pure speed.
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13. Acer Predator CG7
The best Xbox Series X monitor
Specifications
Screen size:: 43-inchAspect ratio:: 16:9Resolution:: 4K; 3840x2160Brightness:: 1,000 nitsResponse time:: 1msViewing angle:: 178/178 degreesContrast ratio:: 4,000:1
Reasons to buy
+Mega 43-inch 4K panel+VA tech delivers huge contrast+Up to 144Hz for ultra-responsive gaming
Reasons to avoid
-Not a true HDR panel-Backlight is edge-lit-With great size comes expense…
Acer’s beastly 43-inch Predator CG7 has been updated to offer HDMI 2.1 support, and that makes it a shoo-in for our best gaming monitor for Xbox Series X guide now. An early note: as ever, the branding of the new variant is confusing. It’s the Acer Predator CG437KP you want, the additional ‘P’ on the end is the critical indicator of the updated model – the prices you see here are for that and the links will take you to the right place.
Specs-wise, the VA panel is the real 4K deal and good for fully 1,000 nits of brightness and 1ms responses, albeit that 1ms stat is not the usual gray-to-gray, but Acer’s Visual Response Boost mode, which comes at the cost of brightness. Just as important it’ll hit the full 120Hz thanks to that HDMI 2.1 upgrade (connected to a PC it’ll go even faster – 144Hz).
While it’s a massive size, you will get all the support you need for Xbox Series X play. For example, for the record, Acer says it will also run at 120Hz at 1440p on the Xbox Series X, giving you the option to step down the resolution in return for more speed and response. That makes this panel suitable for twitchy online shooters like Fortnite, while the sheer scale and punch of the VA panel is also a good fit for graphics fests like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla.
As for colour accuracy, Acer reckons the CG7 is good for 90 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut, which isn’t too shabby. The CG7 is also DisplayHDR 1000 certified. However, it only has 14 edge-lit dimming zones rather than full-array local dimming, so it’s not the full HDR deal. That said, the inherent 4,000:1 contrast of the VA panel combined with that powerful 1,000 nits brightness means that this is about as good as it gets with having full-array dimming.
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14. Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
The best ultrawide gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 27″; 1000R curvePanel type: VAAspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 2560 x 1440Refresh rate: 240HzResponse time: 1msBrightness: 350 nitsContrast ratio: 2500:1Features: G-Sync Compatible, FreeSync Premium, 2x USB 3.0 hub
Reasons to buy
+Stupendously immersive gaming experience+Stupidly bright and punchy+Fantastic response and speed
Reasons to avoid
-Mini-LED backlight is surprisingly crude-Pixel density is nothing special-Insanely expensive
49 inches, 240Hz, seven million pixels, crazy 1000R curvature, and 1,000 nits not enough? Then how about the new Samsung Odyssey Neo G9. It ups the original G9’s 1000 nit ante to a slightly silly 2000 nits and also ups the price point to even loftier levels. Arguably more important isn’t the peak brightness but the fact that the old 10-zone edge-lit backlight has been ditched in favour of a cutting-edge 2,048 zone mini-LED backlight.
In theory, that’s a huge upgrade. In practice, it’s a bit more complicated. This is a big screen, and so even with that many zones, the granularity of the backlight control is actually quite crude. But when it’s performing at its best, the Neo G9 puts on a spectacular HDR show that few if any monitors can match.
It might be one to skip for console play for now – the likes of LG’s 120Hz C1 and CX OLED TVs are better matched for that from a big-screen perspective – but for pure PC gaming, the Neo G9’s wrap-around immersion is awfully hard to beat so that’s why this is the best ultrawide monitor you can buy right now in the search for your best gaming monitor.
Read more: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 review
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15. Alienware AW2518HF
The best Alienware 1080p gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size: 24.5”Aspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 1920 x 1080 at 240HzBrightness: 400 cd/m2Response time: 1msContrast ratio: 1000:1Features: AlienFX RGB LED lighting, AMD FreeSync support
Reasons to buy
+High frame-rates +Alienware exclusive bonuses
Reasons to avoid
-No G-Sync
Alienware is a household name in PC gaming, so you know you’ll be getting the good stuff when it comes to the company’s line-up of bespoke monitors. The AW2518HF is a particularly enticing option, with a focus on exceptionally fast response times and refresh rates which come at a forgivable cost of visual resolution. That aforementioned refresh rate comes in at an impressive 240Hz, making the AW2518HF one of the best 240Hz gaming monitors and also perfect for competitive gaming with consistently smooth imaging that rarely buckles under pressure.
But the drawback is the TN (Twisted Nematic) technology panel, which doesn’t allow for G-sync support and only offers full HD resolution. It still plays fast and smooth for what you’re paying for, though, and the AW2518HF’s gorgeous, expressive design and build is ergonomically robust to ensure a safe and comfortable viewing experience at all times. It even comes rigged up with the AlienFX RGB LED lighting, which can be synced up to whatever’s playing on the screen, as well as the rest of your Alienware PC and laptop (opens in new tab) hardware.
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16. ASUS ROG Strix XG17
The best portable gaming monitor
Specifications
Screen size:: 17.3-inchAspect ratio:: 16:9Resolution:: 1920x1080Brightness:: 300cd/m2Response time:: 3msViewing angle:: 178/178 degreesContrast ratio:: 1,000:1Features:: IPS panel, 240Hz refresh rate, adaptive sync, USB-C x 2, HDMI, 7800mAh battery
Reasons to buy
+High quality IPS panel+240Hz plus adaptive sync+Built-in battery
Reasons to avoid
-Very expensive-No HDR support
Arguably the current daddy, and best portable gaming monitor money can buy, both in terms of stature and price, the Asus ROG Strix XG17 clocks in at 17 inches and around $600 / £600 depending on the configuration.
As standard, it’s a 1080p IPS display cranking out up to 240Hz refresh and comes with a tablet-style folding stand. For a little extra cash, you can have a folding tripod stand that allows for a full range of adjustability.
It’s pretty beefy at over a kilo for the display, to which you can add another 0.65kg for the optional tripod. But then it is 17 inches and sports a 7800mAh battery. That allows for up to 3.5 hours of mains-free use, though the display can also be powered over USB-C. In terms of video inputs, it’s USB-C or HDMI.
It’s a quality bit of kit with a metal chassis, 3ms response, wide color gamut coverage, a gaming-friendly 1080p native resolution, and a full range of OSD menu options including pixel overdrive settings. Unless you want to go 4K or need HDR support, this is probably as good as portable gaming panels get.
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17. AOC Agon AG275QXL
The best gaming monitor for LoL fans or flashy designs
Specifications
Screen size: 27”Aspect ratio: 21:9Resolution: 2560 x 1440 at 170HzBrightness: 400 nitsResponse time: 1msViewing angle: 178° H&VContrast ratio: 1,000,000:1Features: DisplayHDR 400, adaptive sync, 94% DCI-P3, DisplayPort 1.4 x1, HDMI 2.0 x2
Reasons to buy
+Sweet 1440p 170Hz IPS action+Fully adjustable stand+Unique design
Reasons to avoid
-No native res support for the PS5-Cheap-feeling plastics-Design may not be for everyone
AOC has heard you like League of Legends. So, the brand has put some League of Legends stuff on your screen so that when you’re actually looking at League of Legends on your screen, you’ve also got League of Legends stencilled on your screen. That’s the design philosophy behind the AOC Agon AG275QXL. There’s a huge LoL logo on the base, underneath which is a serious RGB light show powered by AOC’s Light FX tech.
More importantly, this is still a great contender for best gaming monitor as it has all the chops you could want at 1440p: it’s a 27-inch IPS panel with 170Hz refresh and 1ms response. It’s not the absolute fastest 1440p panel out there, and it only offers limited HDR support, but it’s quick, slick, and delivers for just about every gaming genre. Just remember that the 1440p native resolution is not a great fit for the PS5, while the Xbox Series S/X is limited to 120Hz – only the PC can access the full 170Hz.
Read more: AOC Agon AG275QXL review
What’s the best panel tech for the best gaming monitors?
Most gaming monitors now offer in-plane switching, or IPS, panels. Compared with the twisted nematic, or TN, displays of the past, IPS screens have much better viewing angles and color reproduction. That said, competitive gamers who care more about performance than visual fidelity still find TN monitors enticing because of their faster, often 1ms response times.
What’s a priority spec in the best gaming monitor: 4K or 144Hz?
Like choosing between IPS and TN panel tech, a similar sentiment applies in the resolution department, where 4K monitors exist alongside those with somewhat lower pixel densities yet higher refresh rates. If you find yourself kicking back exploring the vast open-world of an Assassin’s Creed game more often than sniping your friends in Overwatch, then 4K HDR inhabits the best gaming monitor of your future. Esports athletes, on the other hand, ought to peep the 120Hz or 144Hz, or even higher, speed demons we’ve scouted out.
Should I get one or two gaming monitors?
The brutal reality here is that unless you’re some kind of superhuman, you can only play one game at any one time, and look at one screen to play said game at any one time – thus one monitor is, realistically, all you need.
Having said that, there’s always a case for a 2nd gaming monitor – I use two at home depending on what PC game I want to play. Such is the range of the best gaming monitors available, if you had the budget and the setup, you could go for one which is best for competitive play and one that’s best for slower-paced role-playing games, and so on. What might work here is also one larger, curved gaming monitor as these can be had at very aggressive price points now too.
So, even though I would like to approach this much like my attitude in the kitchen, that more is more, it might just not be worth it for most folks. Particularly if you’re on a budget; even if you’re set on having two screens, you could splash out on one and pick up a cheap 2nd one for work or admin.
What type of monitor is best for FPS gaming?
Speed and smoothness of picture are the two most important factors when choosing the best gaming monitor for first-person-shooter games.
Speed in the screen having a fast refresh rate (Hz) which dictates the level of frames per second you’ll get from your machine; but also in the screen’s response time, (ms) which measures the amount of time it takes for a pixel to change. You want the former to be as high as possible, and the latter to be as low as possible.
And smoothness rolled into this by the screen having FreeSync or, preferably, G-Sync to ensure the transitions between frames are consistent and buttery is the perfect complement to the speeds. The likes of the best G-Sync monitor and best G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitors will be great shouts here.
Best gaming monitors: quickfire glossary
Best gaming monitor lists like ours try to give you as much information as concisely as possible, however this also means relying on tech speak and acronyms sometimes. Here we have outlined some of the most common terms and what they mean so you can be fully informed.
Color accuracy: How closely a displayed color is able to match its real world counterpart.
Contrast ratio: How bright and dark a display can get at maximum settings.
HDR: High Dynamic Range is a display technology that allows for a broader range of contrast and color, enabling brighter highlights, deeper blacks, and richer color.
IPS: In-plane Switching, a technique and panel type of LCDs that provides the best viewing angles and color amongst competitive LCD tech (VA and TN).
Local dimming: A technique of using backlight to dim or light zones of a panel to enhance contrast and picture quality.
Peak brightness: Literally how bright a monitor or display can be, measured in nits.
Refresh rate: Measured in hertz, refresh rate is a measure of how many times the image on a display is updated. A refresh rate of 60Hz is equivalent to 60 frames per second (and so on).
Resolution: The number of pixels a display is capable of displaying, written as width by height. A 1920 x 1080 display renders 1920 pixels across and 1080 pixels vertically, but often referred to as just ‘1080p’ – a pattern of abbreviation used throughout the resolutions of displays.
Tearing: Tearing is the appearance of an image being severed, with one frame appearing on one side of the tear and another on the opposite side.
TN: Twisted Nematic is the cheapest and fastest LCD display technique which traps nematic liquid crystal between two planes of polarized glass.
UHD: Ultra-high-definition, the term used to describe 4K and 8K resolutions.
VA: Vertical Alignment, an LCD panel technology with the best image depth and highest contrast amongst other competitive LCD techniques (TN and IPS) but often slowest response time.
How we test gaming monitors at GamesRadar+
Between our on-team staff and our crew of expert freelance writers and reviewers, every monitor that comes our way is subject to the same kind of deep scrutiny to get to the bottom of its good bits, and not-so-good bits.
We spend hours and hours testing each monitor, living with it where possible and using it as our everyday screen for work and play. As a result, we test out work and productivity functionality to give you an idea as to whether you can rely on it for the more mundane things, and then we play and run a big batch of games on the screens to ensure it provides good performance, no matter the price point or feature set. When it comes to games, we test single-player expansive games like RPGs and strategies to examine their detail, colour, and image quality, while also ensuring we test them with online and competitive shooters to see how they hold up when speed is key.
For more information, you can read more on How we test monitors at GamesRadar+ here, and for an overview of our approach to gaming tech then you can check out our full Hardware Policy.
If you’re after something that’s TV-shaped then head over to our best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X, best OLED TV, and best 120Hz 4K TV guides which will all see you right.
