Key Points
- When choosing a gaming monitor, there are several panel types: IPS, TN, VA, and even OLED, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
- You should also consider screen size and aspect ratio, the size of your workspace, and your budget.
- Samsung’s LC32G75TQSNXZA was voted the best overall gaming monitor. We have also included categories for the best budget gaming monitor, best 4k gaming monitor, best widescreen curved gaming monitor, and best freesync gaming monitor.
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There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all strategy for the best gaming monitors. Most high-end gaming monitors feature a fast response time and low input lag, resulting in small motion blur. Variable refresh rate (VRR) support and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth are two other technologies that enhance the user experience. If you want an immersive gaming experience, there are high-resolution monitors, such as 4k, and others that sacrifice resolution for a faster refresh rate for high-frame-rate gaming.
With the most excellent gaming monitor on the game station, users will see what a powerful PC is capable of with superior visual quality and game speed. A monitor capable of displaying 4K content is required for a 4K graphics card. To upgrade to a monitor that will impress observers with high refresh rates and fantastic quality rather than a monitor that would hang your PC.
There are thick 4K TVs for pixel enthusiasts that are just as taxing on your wallet as on the newest graphics cards. Fortunately, there is a slew of good options for you to replace your outdated monitor.
Over the past year, many gaming monitors have been tested to ensure that the best gaming monitor was found for each budget range and performance requirement for various gaming worlds, such as the best monitor for Xbox series X and PS5. This list is updated regularly as newer products pass stringent testing.
Best Overall Gaming Monitor: Samsung LC32G75TQSNXZA
- WQHD resolution is 1. 7 times the pixel density of Full HD
- 1ms response time
- Supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and FreeSync Premium Pro
- 125% more color space with Samsung's QLED technology
- Features a curved panel display
Samsung’s LC32G75TQSNXZA (LC32G75TQSNXZA) features excellent gaming performance that should appeal to the majority of gamers. It’s one of the very few monitors in the market that comes in 27 and 32-inch sizes. It offers native FreeSync compatibility to avoid screen tearing, and it’s G-SYNC compatible if users have an NVIDIA graphics card. Users can attain the entire refresh rate spectrum over a DisplayPort link with its 240Hz refresh rate and variable refresh rate (VRR) capability.
Gaming feels easy and responsive because of the fast response time and reduced input lag. It does, however, have a poor response time in gloomy transitions, resulting in some black smearing, which is characteristic of VA panels. In addition, it features a high contrast ratio, making it ideal for gaming in dim lighting.
Click here to check out SAMSUNG Odyssey G7 Series on amazon.com.
Best Gaming Monitor For 4K: LG 27GN950-B
- 27” UHD (3840 x 2160) Nano IPS display
- Aspect Ratio is 16:9; viewing angle is 178º (R/L), 178º (U/D); brightness is 400 nits
- IPS 1ms (GtG) 144Hz with VESA DSC Technology
- NVIDIA G-SYNC compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
- DCI-P3 98% with VESA DisplayHDR 600
The LG UltraGear is the world’s first 4K Nano IPS gaming monitor with 1ms response times, allowing users to appreciate their powerful GPU fully. This elegant slim-bezel design comes with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync adaptive refresh compatibility, LG’s Sphere Lighting 2.0 RGB visual theatrics, and the extraordinary detail of the 4K pixel grid, that delightful 144Hz is impressive. With the LG UltraGear 27GN950-B, users get a fantastic panel with superb IPS visual acuity. Despite its limited HDR features, it produces vibrant colors and contrast in the games. The response time and fast refresh rate backup G-Sync’s steady images and smoothness. Whereas the absence of HDMI 2.1 and USB Type-C is a little restrictive, especially in the long run, it’s currently one of the most incredible monitors for 4K gaming on the market.
Click here to check out LG UltraGear Gaming Monitor on amazon.com.
Best Budget Gaming Monitor: Pixio PX277 Prime
- IPS PANEL- View your content the way it is meant to be viewed with beautiful, vibrant, vivid colors and brightness.
- 27IN 1440p WQHD DISPLAY - Work hard and play hard with a 27 inch 2560 x 1440 resolution display that has a peak brightness of 500nits!
- 3-SIDED BEZELESS THIN DISPLAY - Enjoy a sleek look for your display! Gone are the days of clunky, thick plastic bezels!
- CONNECTIVITY - The PX274 Prime has 1 DP1.2 port and 2 HDMI1.4 ports. One DisplayPort Cable is included
- Geared towards productivity, the PX274P is equipped with a bright 27 inch WQHD 1440p resolution 500 nit(max) IPS panel and can support up to 75Hz for some light gaming during break time.
In terms of gaming displays, the Pixio PX277 Prime is as essential. However, the base, which is constructed with a sci-fi motif in mind, is clean looking, and the build quality shows that a lot of attention went into it. The thin bezel is also a positive. This 27-inch panel delivers frames at a steady 165Hz refresh rate, which isn’t the fastest but adequate for gameplay. However, its inexpensive pricing is the PX277 Prime’s most vital selling point. A great entry-level option for those who want a more prominent display with a high refresh rate without breaking the bank. While the Pixio panel’s build quality isn’t as good as a higher-end monitor, it’s ideal for the budget gamer who doesn’t mind preceding some of the bells and whistles of a higher-end display in exchange for top performance.
Click here to check out Pixio PX277 Prime on amazon.com.
Best Widescreen Curved Monitor For Gaming: Acer Predator X38
- Ultra-wide screen with high resolution
- Powerful laptop with frameless design
- Exception, brightness, contrast, and color range
- Two powerful speakers, each with 7 watts.
- Multiple ports ( USB 3.0, Display, HDMI) for your devices.
If ‘go crazy or go home’ is your screen motto, Acer has you covered with the Predator X38, a gigantic 37.5-inch curved screen that looks fantastic. It has a 3840×1600 resolution but not a QHD ultrawide display. Instead, the IPS panel looks impressive with a 24:9 aspect ratio, and the size users have a lot of screens for games. It’s slightly curved, with a 2300R bend, and emerges with a durable, pre-fitted big metal booth that leans back a full 35 degrees, revealing the display and power ports beneath for easy, no-fumble plugging in.
The display also has G-Sync technology, which allows for variable refresh rates of up to 175Hz. It’s somewhat taller and roughly half as wide as the 27-inch 16:9 displays, but the higher resolution implies significantly lower dot pitch. The wraparound effect of the XR382CQK is highly engaging for games that correctly support ultrawide solutions—sitting at the desk. The 38-inch display will fill the visual field. It’s a large, dramatic, and attractive show. This is one of the most fantastic widescreen gaming monitors in the industry if users want to make a statement.
Click here to check out Acer Predator X38 Laptop title=”Acer Predator X38″] on amazon.com.
Best FreeSync Gaming Monitor: Gigabyte G27Q
- Panel size (diagonal): 27” IPS
- True resolution : 2560 x 1440p (QHD)
- Response time: 1ms (MPRT)
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Color saturation: 92% DCI-P3 / 120% sRGB
- Brightness: 350 cd/m2 (TYP)
- Contrast ratio: 1000:1
- Display colors: 8 bits
- HDR: VESA Display HDR400
The G27Q demonstrates that a good IPS 1440p display does not have to be expensive. Gigabyte’s 27-inch monitor costs roughly $330 and comes with a slew of desirable features, but it’s best known for its vibrant color and fluid gameplay. It seems pretty ordinary as a flat, 27-inch monitor with a layout that wouldn’t stick out in an office setting. However, it not only has a beautiful, colorful IPS panel with 8-bit color and 92 percent DCI-P3 coverage, but it also supports HDR. In addition, the Gigabyte G27Q excels at gaming thanks to AMD FreeSync Premium adaptive sync. It’s also G-SYNC compatible, so it doesn’t matter whether users are on Team Green or Red.
It’s an easy purchase. Its VESA Display HDR 400 Certification allows it to get blindingly bright, but clear weather and other bright places tend to blow out and lose resolution in gameplay. Dark parts are occasionally crushed. There are two HDMI 2.0 connectors, DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0 Type-A downstream connections, and one USB 3.0 Type-B downstream.
Click here to check out Gigabyte G27Q on amazon.com.
How To Pick The Best Gaming Monitor: Step By Step
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There is a slew of considerations to be made. The resolution, screen size, refresh rate, response time, and panel type (curved or flat) are all factors. Here is a brief but comprehensive guide to give users a better sense of what factors to consider when buying the best gaming monitor.
Panel Type
The essential component of a screen, and probably the most significant, is because it influences practically every display aspect, except for sound. There are three main types of LCDs in use, each with its features.
TN (Twisted Nematic)
TN is still the fastest panel type. Hence, if you find a monitor with a refresh rate of 360Hz, it’s almost probably TN. For the fastest response times and most incredible refresh rates, they do not disappoint.
VA (Vertical Alignment)
They’re fantastic all-rounders. Excellent contrast, a fast response time, vibrant colors, and more expansive viewing fields than TN.
IPS (In-plane Switching)
It is thought to be the best in terms of color performance and viewing angles. Response times and refresh rates are comparable to VA, which means they are slower than TN but still adequate for most purposes.
Screen Size and Resolution
While monitors vary in size from 22″ to more than 50″, the most major gaming monitors are between 25″ and 35″. Over the last six years, resolutions have settled on 1920 x 1080 (full HD 1080p), 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 2K), and 3840 x 2160. (4K or UHD). When balancing size and resolution, you should aim for a pixel resolution of roughly 100-120 pixels per inch. This will provide you with the clearest and sharpest image possible. Thus, 1080p looks best on monitors measuring 25″ or 27″, 1440p on panels measuring 27″ to 35″, and 4K on monitors measuring at least 32″. Yes, you can watch 1080p on a 32-inch screen, but it will be a little grainy. On the other hand, 4K on a 25″ screen will appear overly dense.
Refresh Rate
In the world of gaming displays, this is the gold standard. Users don’t need a super-fast monitor because most games, except CS: GO and Rainbow Six Siege, require a lot from GPUs and won’t operate at 240Hz or 360Hz. Because most games run at 60Hz to 120Hz on PC and the latest consoles, a 144Hz or 165Hz monitor will suffice with plenty of room to spare.
Response Time
A display’s reaction time and refresh rate influence your gaming performance. Stuttering and tearing occur if your graphic card and panel are mismatching. Variable refresh rate technologies help users sync their display with the GPU to minimize screen tearing. However, users must rely on the monitor’s inherent features for total input latency (pushing a key or button and the associated action appearing on-screen).
What to Know Before Buying Best Gaming Monitor
The ideal monitor for gaming can show off the game in the best light possible, with the highest resolution and a wonderfully ergonomic design. However, a few hurdles to leap over before users decide to invest money in one. With that in mind, here are the key considerations to make when purchasing a gaming monitor and what to look for to avoid buying an overpriced eyesore.
Ergonomics
The size of the gaming monitor is essential as no one would want a larger gaming monitor than their gameplay station.
Resolution
While some video games and graphic cards can display at 4K, which is almost double the density of 1080, it can significantly impact overall performance, so go for a 1440P display.
Budget
Before buying a gaming monitor, always have some boundaries of money set in mind. There’s no need to splurge. Instead, unless users have a larger budget of roughly $800 / £600 / AUS$600, search for a premium monitor with other integrated capabilities such as sound, webcam, and Bluetooth to make it easy to connect the headphones and speakers to reduce desk clutter.
Ports
It’s critical to ensure that the panel supports a broad range of inputs, so check for HDMI and DisplayPort at the very least and a headphone jack to connect the headphones to reduce latency compared to a Bluetooth connection.
What Should You Avoid When Shopping for a Gaming Monitor?
It’s helpful to keep these “don’ts” in mind when you’re searching for the right gaming monitor for you:
- Buying a monitor with a low refresh rate: In simple terms, the refresh rate is how many times the monitor updates its image per second. If the refresh rate is too low, it can cause motion blur and make game play feel sluggish. To avoid this, aim for a monitor with a refresh rate of 144Hz or more.
- Buying a monitor with a high response time: Response time is how long it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another. If the response time is too high, it can cause ghosting and make gaming feel unresponsive. The ideal response time is 1ms or less.
- Buying a monitor with a poor panel type: As we mentioned above, there are three main panel types used for gaming monitors: TN, IPS, and VA. While TN panels have the fastest response time, they have the worst color accuracy. Conversely, IPS panels provide the best color accuracy and the slowest response times. VA panels offer a good compromise between color accuracy and response time.
- Buying a monitor with a small screen size: If you want the ultimate immersive gameplay experience, you need a monitor with a screen size of at least 24 inches. Anything lower will make it difficult to see what’s going on in your game.
- Buying a monitor without the features you need: If you’re a serious gamer, be sure to buy a monitor that has features that will enhance your gameplay, such as G-Sync or FreeSync, which can reduce screen tearing and stuttering. It’s better to spend a little more upfront (if you can afford to) than to experience buyer’s remorse while playing your favorite games.
Using Best Gaming Monitor: What It’s Like
When looking for the best gaming monitor for the setup, there are several panel types: IPS, TN, VA, and even OLED, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. You should also consider screen size and aspect ratio, which impact your views, workspace, and, once again, your money budget. We haven’t touched on the extras, such as speakers, RGB, or port options.
But we have tested the above-listed monitors for the best overall, best budget, best 4K, best FreeSync, and best in widescreen curved gaming monitors to provide you with great info on what it’s like to use them in the real-time world and mentioned their specs.
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