Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
November 17, 2025: With this update, we added the Alienware 25 320Hz Gaming Monitor (AW2525HM) as Best Gaming Monitor for Everyday 1080p Play (replacing the Dell 27 Curved), and the AOC Q27G4ZD as Best Gaming Monitor for Everyday 1440p Play (replacing the LG 27 UltraGear Gaming Monitor). The rest of our picks have been vetted for currency and availability. Since our last update, we have tested and evaluated 10 monitors for possible inclusion in this roundup and our other monitor roundups.
- Aggressively low price
- Rock-solid gaming performance, high peak refresh for the money
- Surprisingly wide color range
- Retractable headset hanger
- Lackluster HDR experience
- No internal speakers or headphone jack
Gaming monitors don’t need to be flashy—sometimes they just need to work. And work well, the Alienware 25 (AW2525HM) does. It delivers exceptional 1080p gaming performance on a 320Hz display, making it an ideal choice for esports gamers who are willing to sacrifice visual fidelity in pursuit of low input and response times. The monitor features rock-solid gaming performance and low input lag, while also offering a surprisingly excellent color range. It also offers AMD FreeSync Premium, VESA AdaptiveSync, and Nvidia G-Sync Compatibility. Whether you’re gaming on a console or your PC, the AW2525HM is a simple, affordable solution.
Budget gamers: If you’re on a budget and are content with the bare essentials, the Alienware 25 will more than meet your needs.
Gamers who prioritize high refresh rates: Esports gamers will appreciate the monitor’s high refresh rate, which is crucial for seamless gameplay with minimal input lag.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
25 inches
Native Resolution
1920 by 1080
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
Fast IPS (FIPS)
Rated Screen Luminance
400 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
320 Hz
Adaptive Sync
AMD FreeSync Premium, VESA AdaptiveSync, NVIDIA G-Sync compatible
Video Inputs
HDMI (2), DisplayPort
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
2
VESA DisplayHDR Level
NA
Dimensions (HWD)
15.3 by 21.8 by 8.1 inches
Weight
13.3 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
3 years
Learn More
Alienware 25 320Hz Gaming Monitor (AW2525HM) Review
Best Gaming Monitor for Everyday 1440p Play
AOC Q27G4ZD
- Excellent color range
- Plenty of USB-A ports
- Reasonably priced for an OLED gaming monitor
- No USB-C ports
- Low maximum brightness
If you’re in the market for a reasonably priced gaming monitor that can tap into higher resolutions than 1080p, the AOC Q27G4ZD is right for you. It’s by far the most affordable OLED gaming monitor we’ve tested. It’s a great option for those who own mainstream gaming PCs or favor performance over quality modes for their console games. The monitor features plenty of USB-A ports, although it lacks some more modern conveniences, such as USB-C ports. The 2,560-by-1,440-pixel panel offers a 240Hz refresh rate, which is ideal for gamers interested in fast-paced action games, and also opens up opportunities to tap into higher refresh rates on consoles. Combine that with low input lag and good color range, and you’ve got an excellent 1440p monitor.
Owners of midrange PCs: Have a mainstream PC or a current-gen console and want a sweet spot between high refresh rates and high screen resolution? The AOC Q27G4ZD will work for you.
The OLED-curious: OLED monitors are notoriously expensive, but like most bleeding-edge tech, they’re finally starting to become affordable. The AOC Q27G4ZD might not be the most impressive OLED screen we’ve seen, but for the price, we’re happy to overlook any slight blemishes to an overall impressive display.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
27 inches
Native Resolution
2560 x 1440
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
QD-OLED
Rated Screen Luminance
450 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1,500,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Adaptive Sync
Nvidia G-Sync
Video Inputs
DisplayPort, HDMI
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
4
VESA DisplayHDR Level
DisplayHDR True Black 400
Dimensions (HWD)
16 by 23.9 by 9.4 inches
Weight
14.5 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
3 years
Learn More
AOC Q27G4ZD Review
- Relatively affordable
- Excellent color accuracy
- Support for AMD FreeSync Premium
- Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
- Poor audio quality from built-in speakers
- Not the most handsome monitor
You don’t need the latest and greatest gaming monitor to enjoy your games; you can find a capable screen for a budget-friendly price if you know what to look for. The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL3A is a more-than-capable 2K (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) monitor with a 180Hz refresh rate. It offers excellent color accuracy for the price, supports both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, and has surprisingly low input lag. It suffers from some issues—poor speakers and an overall ho-hum aesthetic—but those are issues we think you can live with for $299.
Gamers on a budget: For gamers on a budget looking beyond 1080p, the VG27AQL3A delivers solid visuals and performance at a pauper’s price (for a 1440p gaming monitor, anyway).
Console gamers: The VG27AQL3A is a great VRR-enabled gaming monitor for people looking to play their PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch 2 without any screen tearing.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
27 inches
Native Resolution
2,560 by 1,440
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
IPS
Rated Screen Luminance
350 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
180 Hz
Adaptive Sync
AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
Video Inputs
DisplayPort, HDMI (2)
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
1
VESA DisplayHDR Level
DisplayHDR 400
Dimensions (HWD)
21 by 24.2 by 8.5 inches
Weight
15.2 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
3 years
Learn More
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL3A Review
- Excellent contrast ratio
- High brightness
- Built-in KVM switch
- Clean, good looking design
- Subpar speakers
- Color range could be better
- Only one HDMI 2.1 port
With two HDMI ports (one 2.0 and one 2.1), a DisplayPort 1.4, and one USB Type-C port (which can also be used as a DisplayPort input), the HP Omen 27k offers a wide range of I/O options for both console and PC players. The 144Hz refresh rate may be low compared to other premium gaming monitors, but it’ll suffice for players who prioritize 4K visuals over all else. The color range is fair, but the color accuracy and low input lag help balance out the monitor’s more ordinary aspects. Overall, it’s an excellent 4K monitor for casual gaming.
Penny-pinching gamers: If you’re interested in saving money while optimizing visual fidelity, the Omen 27k is a solid choice.
Casual console gamers: If you’re gaming on a console and you just want things to look good without any hassle, the Omen 27k will help you take full advantage of your hardware.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
27 inches
Native Resolution
3840 by 2160
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
IPS
Rated Screen Luminance
400 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Adaptive Sync
AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
Video Inputs
DisplayPort, USB-C, HDMI (2)
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
2
VESA DisplayHDR Level
DisplayHDR 400
Dimensions (HWD)
20.62 by 8.79 x by 24.16 inches
Weight
16.6 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year
Learn More
HP Omen 27k Review
- Tremendous OLED screen quality
- DisplayPort 2.1 port
- Multiple refresh rate and resolution combinations
- Wide color range
The LG 45 Ultragear OLED (45GX950A-B) is an excellent update to the LG 45 UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor, improving it in every way. Measuring 45 inches on the diagonal, the supersized UltraGear sports a 5,120-by-2,160-pixel resolution, an OLED panel, and a tighter, 800mm curve. You’ll also find a host of new perks, including a DisplayPort 2.1 port. With richer colors, deeper blacks, and an overall excellent color range, the Ultragear earns our top recommendation for a giant gaming monitor.
Widescreen enthusiasts: If giant-screen gaming or multi-tasking appeals to you, then the LG 45 Ultragear OLED is exactly what you need.
Fans of immersive games: Few things are more satisfying than playing a game that’s tailor-made for immersive displays. This is an especially good display for genres such as first-person shooters, world-scale strategy titles, and racing or flight simulators.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
45 inches
Native Resolution
5120 by 2160
Aspect Ratio
21:9
Screen Technology
OLED
Rated Screen Luminance
275 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1,500,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
165 Hz
Adaptive Sync
AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
Video Inputs
DisplayPort, HDMI (2)
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
2
VESA DisplayHDR Level
DisplayHDR True Black 400
Dimensions (HWD)
21.5 by 39.0 by 13.5 inches
Weight
30.9 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
2 years
Learn More
LG 45 Ultragear OLED (45GX950A-B) Review
- Includes DisplayPort 2.1
- Low input lag
- Great color range
- Boosted audio quality thanks to DTS:X support
- Maximum SDR brightness could be higher
- Few I/O ports
With a 480Hz refresh rate and low input lag, the LG 27 UltraGear OLED (27GX790A) is a 2,560-by-1,440-pixel monitor built for high frame rates and fast-paced gameplay. A stunning OLED screen means you won’t sacrifice visual fidelity for performance. And with the latest DisplayPort 2.1 technology, you’ll be ready to fully utilize your latest GPU purchase while future-proofing your monitor for years to come. This monitor is ideal for competitive players who want the highest visual fidelity to match their high-performance play.
People who want a high resolution and a high refresh rate: Are you a competitive gamer tired of trading resolution for refresh rate? If so, you’ll be thrilled by the 27GX790A.
Competitive gamers: Hard-core gamers will love the 27GX790A’s exceptionally high refresh rate, which allows them to experience buttery-smooth visuals.
Owners of the latest GPUs: DisplayPort 2.1 will unlock the full potential of your GPU’s performance, while also future-proofing your monitor for years to come.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
27 inches
Native Resolution
2560 by 1440
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
OLED
Rated Screen Luminance
250 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1,500,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
480 Hz
Adaptive Sync
AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible, VESA AdaptiveSync
Video Inputs
DisplayPort, HDMI (2)
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
2
VESA DisplayHDR Level
DisplayHDR True Black 400
Dimensions (HWD)
22.8 by 23.8 by 9.8 inches
Weight
20.5 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
2 years
Learn More
LG 27 UltraGear OLED (27GX790A) Review
- Dazzling OLED display
- Exceptional color-gamut coverage and color accuracy
- Samsung’s gaming and media hub included
- Sleek, thin design
- A whopper of a price
- Few I/O ports
To our eyes, the premier ultrawide gaming monitor is the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9. Stretching wide at 49 inches, this gaming monitor supports a whopping 5,120-by-1,440-pixel resolution on its curved OLED panel. Its big wingspan has a gentle 1,800mm curvature and a chassis that measures a razor-thin 0.18 inch at its thinnest point. The OLED panel ensures a wide color range and deep blacks, and the ultrawide screen shines when playing simulators and other games that use the full screen real estate and park some of the image in your peripheral vision. Although it may not be ideal for competitive play, the dazzling screen offers more than enough eye candy to warrant a recommendation.
Wide-screen gamers: Sometimes, a game calls for the widest screen possible. When it does, answer with the Odyssey OLED G9. (Flight sims and racing games shine on panels like this, which dominate your peripheral vision with scenery whizzing past.) Just check that the games in question support the G9’s unusual resolution.
Major-league multitaskers: A big screen like the G9 is ideal for someone looking to replace their two-monitor setup with one glorious display without sacrificing multitasking capabilities.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
49 inches
Native Resolution
5120 by 1440
Aspect Ratio
32:9
Screen Technology
OLED
Rated Screen Luminance
250 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1,000,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Adaptive Sync
AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
Video Inputs
HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
2
VESA DisplayHDR Level
DisplayHDR 400
Dimensions (HWD)
20.8 by 47.0 by 9.3 inches
Weight
28.4 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year
Learn More
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 Review
- OLED screen with superb brightness, contrast, color coverage
- High pixel density makes for sharp images
- Sturdy hinged stand enables screen tilt
- Two USB-C ports, each with 60-watt power delivery
- A bit pricey
- Joystick and ports inconvenient to access
You can’t always game at your desk or on your couch. For on-the-go gaming, try the ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED. This portable monitor has a 15.6-inch 4K OLED screen with phenomenal brightness, excellent contrast and color coverage, and elite performance for a monitor that’s this compact. Lightweight and small enough to tuck into a bookbag, the ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED is one of the best ways to play on the go, pairing well with a console or a gaming laptop. And it makes for a great productivity pal if you need to use it for more serious pursuits.
Gamers on the go: If you’re traveling and looking for a dependable first or second screen for gaming on the go, the VX1655-4K-OLED is one of your best options. You can hook it up to a gaming console or to a small gaming PC.
Laptop users: Portable monitors are ideal for anyone traveling for work, and the VX1655-4K-OLED makes an excellent second screen for typical productivity tasks, alongside its gaming chops.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
15.6 inches
Native Resolution
3840 by 2160
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
OLED
Rated Screen Luminance
400 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
100000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Adaptive Sync
NA
Video Inputs
mini HDMI, USB-C
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
2
VESA DisplayHDR Level
NA
Dimensions (HWD)
8.8 by 13.9 by 0.6 inches
Weight
1.5 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
3 years
Learn More
ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED Review
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The Best Gaming Monitors for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Gaming Monitors for 2025
When it comes to deciding which gaming monitor to buy, screen size is a good place to start. Bigger is almost always better, but in some cases you’ll want to keep the size of your screen to no more than 27 inches measured diagonally. If you’ve watched any esports tournaments lately, you’ve likely noticed that all the players are focused on screens smaller than that. (A 24- or 25-inch panel is the sweet spot for esports-focused displays.)
Why? Well, if you’re playing a highly competitive title such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive or League of Legends, having a smaller screen means you can keep the monitor closer to your eyes while also keeping more of the frame in view. Being able to see every element on screen at once is a vital advantage in a competitive multiplayer environment. The larger your screen, the more difficult it is to keep every enemy combatant in your peripheral vision.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
If you have the room and don’t care so much about ultra-competitive gaming, however, a larger monitor provides plenty of space for your avatars and characters to roam and offers the opportunity to go beyond full high definition (known as full HD or 1080p and measuring 1,920 by 1,080 pixels). Many newer models are Wide Quad High-Definition (WQHD) monitors with 2,560-by-1,440-pixel resolution (also dubbed 1440p).
The higher pixel count provides sharper imagery than full HD, but you’ll need a reasonably powerful graphics processor to play the latest games at the higher resolution, especially if you have all the visual effects and eye candy enabled. This goes double for 4K or ultra high definition (UHD) screens with a resolution of 3,840 by 2,160 pixels.
If desk space is tight, there are plenty of 24-inch monitors available, but most of them are limited to 1080p resolution. If you have lots of room and money is no object, jumbo monitors are tempting. A 30-inch-or-bigger 4K display will deliver a stunning picture with amazing resolution. You can go all out with a 34-inch ultrawide monitor with either a flat or curved panel, or you can splurge on something larger still. (We’ve tested displays up to 65 inches.)
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
Ultrawide monitors typically have a 21:9 aspect ratio (as opposed to the 16:9 ratio of 1080p, 1440p, and 4K) and offer a much wider field of view than a standard monitor, but they take up a lot of room. A curved widescreen monitor enhances the immersive aspect by making you feel a bit closer to the action, and in some games, the wraparound view will also give you a competitive edge.
Battle-royale titles like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Apex Legends both support 21:9 resolution. Rather than simply squashing and stretching the image as some games do, these games (and others with native 21:9 support) will actually show more of the battlefield on either side than you’d see on a 16:9 panel. Battle-royale players in particular will benefit from this increased real estate. A player on a 16:9 panel may not see an enemy standing on a hill far off in the periphery, but a 21:9 player might be able to spot the threat without having to turn their character.
Which Monitor Panel Technology Should You Get?
You’ll see several main panel technologies used in different gaming monitors. Each has its pluses and minuses.
Twisted nematic (TN) panels are the most affordable and are popular among gamers because they offer fast pixel response times and refresh rates. Their biggest drawback? They’re prone to color shifting when viewed from an angle.
Vertical alignment (VA) screens are known for their high native contrast ratios, robust colors, and ability to display deep blacks. But they are also known to produce noticeable ghosting effects or blur fast-moving images, which can hurt gaming performance. (It depends on the model, which is where reading PCMag’s and other reviews comes in.)
In-plane switching (IPS) panels provide superb all-around color quality, strong grayscale performance, and wide viewing angles, but they can’t match the fast pixel response of TN panels and are subject to motion artifacts. They’re the best general-use monitor type, but discriminating gamers or competitive esports types once studiously avoided IPS. This changed some years back, however, when LG developed a new variation (dubbed Fast IPS, Rapid IPS, and Nano IPS by various manufacturers) that claims 1-millisecond gray-to-gray response time with overdrive turned on. These panels use a thin layer of nanoparticles applied to the backlight that enables wider color-gamut coverage and reduces response time, a combo that now makes Fast IPS the dominant choice for almost every midrange and premium gaming monitor. If you have room in your budget, Fast IPS monitors currently offer the best balance of gaming performance and image quality.
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) panels are the latest to arrive at the gaming-display party. OLED tech has been a staple in TVs since 2018 or so, and OLED panels are exploding across premium gaming monitors nowadays. In terms of power efficiency, color gamut, and viewing angles, OLED blows IPS and VA out of the water, but it’s more expensive. This cutting-edge tech hasn’t reached the refresh rate performance heights of IPS monitors, but it has come pretty close, reaching 360Hz in some cases. If eye candy is what you seek, you won’t go wrong with an OLED panel.
Because TN, VA, IPS, and OLED each have their pros and cons, we recommend looking at samples of each at your local electronics mega-mart if possible. That way, you can get an idea of their “feel” (visually speaking) and learn which compromises matter the least to you. Also, bear in mind that not all panels of a given type are created equal, so seeing the actual monitor you’re considering in person is always desirable.
Pixel Response, Input Lag, and Refresh Rate: Judging the Right Numbers
Gaming monitors should have a fast pixel response time and a high refresh rate, the latter commensurate with the frame rates your PC can push. (More on that in a moment.)
The most commonly used pixel response spec is gray-to-gray, which is measured in milliseconds (ms) and signifies the time it takes a pixel to transition from one shade of gray to another. (A few companies still use the older black-to-white measurement.) A fast pixel response will help eliminate smearing of moving images and provide a smoother overall picture. A gray-to-gray response of 2ms or less is ideal, but even a 4ms gray-to-gray response is usually adequate for single-player gaming.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Input lag is another important factor to consider when buying your next gaming monitor, especially for competitive players. Input lag refers to the amount of time it takes for an action (such as a keypress or mouse click) to be reflected on the screen. We consider any screens with input-lag results below 5ms on our tests to be a good fit for players who rely on lightning-quick reflexes to best their opponents.
Then there’s refresh rate. A monitor’s refresh rate refers to the number of times per second it can redraw the entire screen, measured in hertz (Hz). Most standard LCD monitors (including older gaming panels) have a peak refresh rate of 60Hz, which means the screen is refreshed or redrawn 60 times per second. Fast-moving images may appear blurry at this rate, or the panel may suffer from screen tearing, an artifact that occurs when the monitor displays misaligned pieces of two or more screen draws at once. (This can be alleviated by a synchronization technique called variable refresh rate, more about which in a moment.)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Over the last couple of years, gaming panels have been trending toward refresh rates substantially higher than 60Hz, to the point where now a new gaming monitor, as a rule, will have a refresh rate of at least 120Hz. The most common increments we see today in so-called high-refresh-rate gaming displays are 120Hz, 144Hz, and 165Hz. However, models with 240Hz, 360Hz, and up to 500Hz are now available.
Indeed, we’re even seeing 240Hz maximum refresh rates in some 1440p and 4K panels. Thanks to the mainstream adoption of the faster HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 specs, you no longer have to choose between high-fidelity visuals and high refresh rates. You can experience the best of both worlds—so long as you have a GPU that can push enough frames to leverage those refresh rates.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Games that run at frame rates higher than 60 frames per second (fps) can benefit from one of these monitors. The higher refresh rate can show motion more fluidly when in sync. Esports players who specialize in games that aren’t especially demanding in terms of 3D rendering (and therefore run at very high frame rates) will especially want to take note.
Just because your panel has a high refresh rate, however, doesn’t guarantee your gaming graphics will be free of tearing and artifacts. That leads us to two other factors: Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync.
G-Sync and FreeSync: Technologies in Flux
The newest gaming monitors use synchronization technology to help reduce tearing and other motion artifacts while lowering input lag. Displays equipped with Nvidia’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync technology hand off control of the display’s refresh rate to the graphics card or graphics processing unit (instead of the monitor), which lets the display operate at a variable refresh rate (VRR) matching what the card is capable of pushing at any given moment. The result is a smooth gaming experience with decreased input lag and no tearing. Note, however, that G-Sync and FreeSync monitors require a compatible graphics card with a DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0/2.1 output (an Nvidia card for G-Sync or an AMD card for FreeSync).
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The latest FreeSync version, FreeSync Premium Pro, has the same basic aim as earlier FreeSync versions—synchronizing the frame rate of the signal from a compatible AMD graphics card with the refresh rate of the monitor—but adds HDR support, low input lag (i.e., latency), and support for low-frame-rate compensation. The last is the ability to sync the frame rate of a GPU with that of a monitor, even when the GPU falls below the display’s minimum frame rate.
Users of FreeSync monitors can also turn on G-Sync in the Nvidia driver software in some monitors. The results may vary, but in essence, owners of FreeSync panels these days can try out VRR with an Nvidia rather than AMD graphics card. That should mean less or no screen tearing, ghosting, and other artifacts during variable-refresh-rate gameplay, as well as support for a wide range of refresh rates according to the monitor’s specifications. Certain models at the link above are labeled as G-Sync Compatible. Where supported, you can try to switch G-Sync on from the Nvidia software control panel and see if, and how well, its adaptive sync works.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
G-Sync has gotten more complicated in another way, too. The addition of the G-Sync Compatible category brings Nvidia’s number of monitor compatibility levels to three. G-Sync Compatible is the lowest tier. Next are monitors that meet Nvidia’s traditional G-Sync standards, containing specialized circuitry to support the standard; they’ve passed some 300 image-quality tests and are capable of operating over the full VRR range.
The top tier is G-Sync Ultimate, which bolsters the G-Sync standards with high-end features such as extreme luminance (1,000 nits) and a refresh rate of at least 144Hz.
HDR: Why It Matters in Gaming Monitors
High dynamic range (HDR) technology isn’t just for making movies and TV shows look good. It can also turn a dimly lit, washed-out game into something vibrant and full of contrast, with sharply defined edges around every part of the environment. You can find multiple levels of HDR in gaming monitors right now, ranging from DisplayHDR 400 up to DisplayHDR 1600. (There are also True Black levels for OLED monitors.) The figure refers to the number of nits or the brightness level at which the display should be capable of maxing out.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
While many gaming consoles, including ones in the Xbox and PlayStation lines, deliver flawless HDR in almost all their games, the PC still lags behind in terms of the number of game titles and monitors that support HDR. How well the tech is implemented varies on a case-by-case basis. That said, when done well, HDR adds a striking aspect to gameplay.
In testing at PC Labs, we’ve found DisplayHDR 400 is generally sufficient to get a nice visual effect, but the DisplayHDR 1000 and 1600 specs take the technology to an entirely new level.
Is a Gaming Monitor Also Good for Content Creation? How to Know
When we test monitors for their gaming capabilities, we also look at their general-use cases, like watching movies or browsing the web, and how accurately they can reproduce color in chromaticity tests.
The sRGB color gamut, or palette, acts like a baseline for how content on the internet will appear, while DCI-P3 is a measure of how well a monitor does at reproducing the color spectrum most often used for movies and TV shows. For still rather than motion images, there’s also the Adobe RGB gamut, which measures how well a monitor does at reproducing accurate color in professional content editing software such as Adobe Photoshop when preparing art to be printed.
(Credit: PCMag)
Color accuracy is also measured via a figure known as Delta E, which expresses the distance between, say, the theoretical most accurate orange and the orange that you see on screen. If you want to watch (or produce) a lot of movies on your gaming monitor, its percentage of DCI-P3 coverage should be your top concern. The Delta E, sRGB, and Adobe RGB numbers are the priority for creators who work in photography, 3D design, game production, modeling, or other creative fields where color accuracy is paramount.
What Ports Should a Gaming Monitor Have?
A gaming monitor should be equipped with a mix of video inputs so you can connect it to PCs and gaming consoles. Dual HDMI ports are ideal, since the major game consoles use HDMI, while most high-end graphics cards released in recent years offer DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1 connectivity. The older DVI connector has all but died out, though you may still see it in budget hardware.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
USB ports on a monitor are also a nice feature, as they make it easy to connect gaming controllers, mice, flash drives, and other external peripherals. You can often charge handheld devices by plugging them into a USB port. Side-mounted USB ports make it easier to plug and unplug peripherals than ones located on the back of the display, facing down.
A powerful speaker system with a built-in subwoofer will enhance your gaming experience and save desktop space, and a stand with height, tilt, and swivel adjustments offers ergonomic comfort for all-night frag-a-thons. That said, if you tend to game with a gaming headset, a conveniently situated USB port might be more useful than middling built-in speakers.
Finally, select models have RGB lighting on the cabinet. While some shoppers can’t stand the stuff (it may wash out game visuals on screen, for example), plenty of gamers like to sync their gaming monitor with other RGB-illuminated components such as their PC case, graphics card, or memory modules.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Some software utilities that can sync your monitor to the rest of your RGB setup include Asus Aura Sync, Acer DisplayWidget, MSI Mystic Light, and Alienware’s Command Center. More advanced options like SteelSeries’ GameSense work in tandem with some monitors to clue you in to in-game information (like your ammo and health levels) via RGB LEDs on the monitor. The number of GameSense-compatible games and apps is limited, but it’s a neat look into a possible future of functional, not just decorative, RGB bling.
Ready to Buy the Right Gaming Monitor for You?
Screen size, panel technology, and features will determine how much you’ll pay for a gaming monitor. You can snag a 24-inch model with TN technology and a fast gray-to-gray pixel response time well for under $200 (some models even start at under $100), but you won’t get much in the way of features or brilliant image quality. Expect to pay more than $200 if you want a higher-than-100Hz refresh rate joined with some subset of perks, such as an adjustable stand, a USB hub, multiple digital video inputs, and either G-Sync Compatible or FreeSync support.
A full-blown 27-inch, higher-than-1080p gaming monitor decked out with features like G-Sync and a Nano IPS display can cost north of $500, while a 34-inch UHD monitor can run you more than $700. If you’re looking for a big-screen, ultrawide monitor with a curved panel, plan on spending even more.
For more of our monitor picks, check out our top monitors overall. Players can also check out our favorites among other peripherals such as gaming keyboards and gaming mice to finish outfitting their game dens.
