Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Gaming Monitor for Everyday 1080p Play
Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor (S2721HGF)
- Inexpensive for a 27-inch high-refresh gaming panel
- Very low input lag
- Excellent Nvidia G-Sync performance
Gaming monitors don’t need to be flashy—sometimes they just need to work. The Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor (S2721HGF) is a simple, no-frills gaming monitor that offers great 1080p gaming performance on a 144Hz display. A simple 27-inch screen with two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort, the Dell 27 curves slightly, with a radius of 1,500mm. It offers good color contrast and color range, and in a pleasant surprise, this budget-friendly monitor also supports AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync adaptive-sync technologies for the prevention of screen tearing. Whether you’re gaming on a console or your PC, the S2721HGF is a simple, affordable solution.
If you’re on a budget and are fine with the bare necessities, the Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor will work for you.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
27 inches
Native Resolution
1920 by 1080
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
VA
Rated Screen Luminance
350 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
3,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Adaptive Sync
Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
Video Inputs
DisplayPort, HDMI
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
0
VESA DisplayHDR Level
NA
Dimensions (HWD)
19.4 by 24 by 7.5 inches
Weight
9 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
3 years
Learn More
Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor (S2721HGF) Review
Best Gaming Monitor for Everyday 1440p Play
LG 27 UltraGear Gaming Monitor (27GR83Q)
- Extremely low input lag
- Wide color range
- Excellent color accuracy
- Good SDR and HDR brightness
- Simple, familiar design
- Could be cheaper
If you’re in the market for a reasonably priced gaming monitor, but you’re looking to tap into higher resolutions than 1080p, the LG 27 UltraGear Gaming Monitor (27GR83Q) is right for you. It’s a great monitor for those who own mainstream gaming PCs or favor performance over quality modes for their console games. The unassuming monitor measures 27 inches and offers a DisplayPort, two HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and a USB-B port. The 2,560-by-1,440-pixel panel offers a 240Hz refresh rate, which is optimal for gamers interested in fast-paced action games, and opens up opportunities to tap into higher refresh modes on consoles, too. Combine that with low input lag and good color range, and you’ve got an excellent 1440p monitor.
Have a mainstream PC or a current-gen console and want a sweet spot between state-of-the-art refresh rates and high screen resolution? The LG 27 UltraGear Gaming Monitor (27GR83Q) will work for you.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
27 inches
Native Resolution
2560 by 1440
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
IPS
Rated Screen Luminance
400 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Adaptive Sync
AMD FreeSync Premium
Video Inputs
HDMI, DisplayPort
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
2
VESA DisplayHDR Level
DisplayHDR 400
Dimensions (HWD)
24.2 by 18.4 by 10.0 inches
Weight
13.7 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year
Learn More
LG 27 UltraGear Gaming Monitor (27GR83Q) Review
Best Gaming Monitor for Everyday 4K Play
HP Omen 27k
- 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 (which can also be used as a DisplayPort input), the HP Omen 27k offers plenty of I/O options for console and PC players. The 144Hz refresh rate might be low when compared to other premium gaming monitors, but it’ll do the job for players who value 4K visuals over all else. The color range is fair, but the color accuracy and low input lag help balance out the monitor’s less-than-stellar aspects. Overall, it’s an excellent 4K monitor for casual gaming.
If you’re interested in saving money and optimizing visual fidelity, the HP Omen 27k is a solid pick.
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
Video Inputs
HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C
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
Best Budget Gaming Monitor
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL3A
- 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, but you can find a capable screen for a budget 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 unsightly aesthetic—but those are issues we think you can live with for $299.
For gamers on a budget, the Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL3A delivers solid visuals and performance at a pauper’s price (for a gaming monitor, anyway).
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
Video Inputs
HDMI, DisplayPort
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
Best OLED Gaming Monitor
Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD-OLED
- Excellent color accuracy and color gamut
- Low input lag
- High HDR brightness
- Distinctive aesthetics
OLED technology has come a long way, and it’s now a crucial part of some of the best gaming monitors on the market. Few are as impressive as the Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD-OLED, a 4K gaming monitor with a refresh rate of 240Hz. A slight curve and an all-white frame give the 32-inch monitor a commanding presence on your desk, and flawless color accuracy, color range, and low input lag make it a perfect pairing with high-end PCs and consoles alike. It may not have a headphone jack (its only real flaw) but its performance is second to none.
If you’re looking for the best OLED gaming monitor money can buy, look no further than the Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD-OLED.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
32 inches
Native Resolution
3840 by 2160
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
QD-OLED
Rated Screen Luminance
1000 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1,000,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Adaptive Sync
VESA Adaptive Sync
Video Inputs
DisplayPort, HDMI
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
4
VESA DisplayHDR Level
DisplayHDR 400
Dimensions (HWD)
18.61 by 28.17 by 12.04 inches
Weight
13.23 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
3 years
Learn More
Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD-OLED Review
Best Big-Screen Gaming Monitor (30 to 40 Inches)
Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM
- Excellent color coverage
- Unique RGB lighting
- Solid OLED panel care options
- High peak HDR brightness
- Virtual KVM feature
- More expensive than main Alienware competitor
- Unsightly power brick
Sometimes you just want to play your games on the big screen. The Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM is a 32-inch behemoth, complete with a gorgeous 4K OLED panel and a 240Hz refresh rate. Unique RGB lighting and a built-in KVM help it stand out from other 4K OLED monitors, and pair well with high-end PCs. Impressive color range, color accuracy, and low input lag make an even stronger argument for this big screen.
If you’re ready to enjoy a large screen in all its splendor, the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM is the right place to start.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
32 inches
Native Resolution
3840 by 2160
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
OLED
Rated Screen Luminance
1000 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1,500,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Adaptive Sync
AMD FreeSync Premium
Video Inputs
DisplayPort, HDMI
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
3
VESA DisplayHDR Level
HDR10
Dimensions (HWD)
22.8 by 28.2 by 10.7 inches
Weight
13.2 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
3 years
Learn More
Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM Review
Best Giant Gaming Monitor (40 to 50 Inches)
LG 45 UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor
- Gorgeous, gigantic display
- Attractive design
- Vivid, smooth picture for gaming or movie watching
- 240Hz refresh rate
- Expensive
- Key features can’t be accessed without remote control
- Low SDR brightness
Bigger is better, and the LG 45 UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor is as big as they come. Measuring 45 inches on the diagonal, the supersized UltraGear is an ultrawide monitor. With a resolution of 3,440 by 1,440 pixels, it maintains a high level of visual fidelity. The curve is tight, wrapping to a 1,000mm radius, which is meant to further immerse you into your favorite games. And the giant screen can act as an excellent productivity tool, as well. It’s also an OLED panel, which means richer colors, deeper blacks, and an overall excellent color range.
If giant-screen gaming appeals to you, then the LG 45 UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor is exactly what you need.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
44.5 inches
Native Resolution
3440 by 1440
Aspect Ratio
21:9
Screen Technology
OLED
Rated Screen Luminance
200 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1500000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Adaptive Sync
AMD FreeSync Premium
Video Inputs
DisplayPort, HDMI
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
2
VESA DisplayHDR Level
HDR10
Dimensions (HWD)
25.5 by 39.1 by 14.3 inches
Weight
35.3 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
2 years
Learn More
LG 45 UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor Review
Best Esports Monitor
Sony Inzone M10S
- Exceptionally high refresh rate for an OLED monitor
- Incredibly slim
- Good color accuracy
- Esports-friendly stand design
A gaming monitor doesn’t just have to look good. It needs to perform well, too. Esports gamers have long had to sacrifice high resolutions for high refresh rates, but that is no longer the case with the Sony Inzone M10S. A 2,560-by-1,440-pixel monitor, the eye-catching Inzone M10S is more than just a pretty face. Boasting a 480Hz refresh rate and low input lag, the monitor is built for high frame rates and fast-paced gameplay. It’s an ideal choice for competitive players who want impressive visual fidelity to match their high-performance play.
Tired of trading resolution for refresh rate? Competitive gamers should take note of the excellent Sony Inzone M10S.
Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)
27 inches
Native Resolution
2560 by 1440
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Screen Technology
WOLED
Rated Screen Luminance
275 nits
Rated Contrast Ratio
1,500,000:1
Pixel Refresh Rate
480 Hz
Adaptive Sync
Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
Video Inputs
HDMI, DisplayPort
USB Ports (Excluding Upstream)
2
VESA DisplayHDR Level
DisplayHDR True Black 400
Dimensions (HWD)
19.8 by 23.7 by 7.7 inches
Weight
13.6 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year
Learn More
Sony Inzone M10S Review
Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
- 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. It might not be ideal for competitive play, but the dazzling screen offers more than enough eye candy to earn a recommendation.
Sometimes, a game calls for the widest screen possible. When it does, answer with the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9.
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
Best Portable Gaming Monitor
ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED
- 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.
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.
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
Buying Guide: The Best Gaming Monitors for 2024
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 size. (A 24- or 25-inch panel seems to be the sweet spot, especially 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 with most of them you’ll be limited to 1080p resolution. If you have lots of room and money is no object, jumbo monitors are tempting. A 30-inch 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, and 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’re 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 may want to avoid IPS. This changed in 2019, 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 to the gaming display party. OLED tech has been a staple in TVs since 2018 or so, and now it’s not out of the ordinary to see gaming monitors with OLED displays. In terms of power efficiency, color gamut, and viewing angles, OLED blows IPS and VA out of the water, but it’s much 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 keypress or mouse click) to be reflected onscreen. 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)
The trend in gaming panels over the last couple of years is toward refresh rates substantially higher than 60Hz. The most common increments we see today in so-called high-refresh-rate gaming displays are 75Hz, 120Hz, and 144Hz. But models with 240Hz, 360Hz, and up to 500Hz and even greater are now available.
Most of the 240Hz panels we’ve seen peak at 1080p resolution, with 1440p and 4K panels topping out at 165Hz and 144Hz respectively. This is due to the throughput limitations of the two most popular cable technologies, HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4b. This should start to change as the faster HDMI 2.1 spec becomes more widespread, but that could take a while since we only saw the first instance of HDMI 2.1 in a gaming graphics card with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3080 and subsequent RTX 30 series cards.
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
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 you have a high refresh rate, however, doesn’t guarantee your gaming graphics will be free of tearing and artifacts. That leads us to the other big PC-centric trends in late-model gaming monitors: 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 AMD card for FreeSync).
(Credit: Molly Flores)
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 can now 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 (for example, 60Hz to 144Hz) 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: Molly Flores)
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: Molly Flores)
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 what they can do in general-use cases like watching movies or browsing the web, as well as how accurately they can reproduce color in a number of chromaticity tests.
(Credit: PCMag)
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.
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 variety of video inputs, so you can connect it to a variety of 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: Molly Flores)
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.
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. (Heck, you can even find RGB solid-state drives these days.)
Some of the software utilities that can sync your monitor to the rest of your RGB setup include Asus Aura Sync, Acer DisplayWidget, and MSI Mystic Light, as well as Alienware’s Command Center. More advanced options like SteelSeries’ GameSense work in tandem with some monitors to display in-game information like your ammo and health levels via RGB LED strips 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-60Hz 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.
