What is the best gaming monitor?If you’ve been using the same old monitor for years, you won’t know what you’re missing out on. Thanks to wider screens, higher resolutions, improved refresh rates, and new technologies, you can enjoy your favorite games with a level of clarity, smoothness, and immersion that you’ve never seen before.
Display technologies have come a long way over the past several years, with Micro LED and OLED options finally arriving on the market. These technologies finally mean it’s possible to enjoy a great HDR experience while you’re sitting at yourgaming desk, but be prepared to cough up some cash for this premium experience.
For everyone else, traditional LCD screens using the various IPS, TN, and VA panels remain as reliable as ever. Now, resolutions and refresh rates previously reserved for the higher end of the space are readily available at much more reasonable prices.
- Also tested
- How to choose a gaming monitor
- FAQs
Why you can trustour advice✔At PCGamesN,our experts spendhours testing hardware and reviewing games and VPNs. We share honest, unbiased opinions to help you buy the best. Find outhow we test.
Best gaming monitors in 2024:
1. MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD – best overall
2. AOC 24G2SP – budget choice
3. Sony Inzone M9 – next-gen option
4. MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED – best for FPS/esports (OLED)
5. Asus ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQN – best for FPS/esports (LCD)
6. Dell G2524H – best budget FPS/esports
7. Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144 – best 4K option
8. Samsung Odyssey G9 G95SC – best widescreen OLED
9. AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD – best value OLED
10. Asus TUF Gaming VG27Q1A – best for 1080p
11. LG 34GP83A-B – best ultrawide choice
12. Alienware AW3423DW – HDR choice
13. MSI MAG 325CQRF QD – 1440p curved monitor
14. Acer Predator X45 – best for racing/flight sims
MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD
Best gaming monitor overall
Today’s best deals
MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD specifications:
Screen size | 27-inches |
Native resolution | 2560 x 1440 |
Max refresh rate | 165Hz |
Panel type | IPS |
Reasons to buy
- Fast response times
- Wide coverage of DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB color gamuts
Reasons to avoid
- Overly saturated colors out of the box
- Poor HDR support
MSI may not be the first company that comes to mind when it comes to discussing the best gaming monitor but displays like the Optix MAG274QRF-QD prove that they should. While it most certainly isn’t the most memorable of model names, behind its alphabet soup is a screen that is a perfect match for most gamers out there.
It boasts a host of desirable specs, including a 1440p resolution paired with a buttery smooth refresh rate of 165Hz. These are elevated by the monitor’s 27-inch Rapid IPS panel, which offers superior contrast ratios to many of its competitors and surprisingly wide color gamut coverage thanks to the inclusion of quantum dot technology. Suffice it to say, the best PC games look wonderfully vibrant and sharp on this display.
However, it’s not just a pretty face, as this monitor is more than capable when it comes to responsiveness. It packs fast response times that are devoid of any noticeable ghosting, with Nvidia G-Sync compatibility helping to stave off any unwanted screen tearing.
Read our MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD review.
AOC 24G2SP
Best cheap gaming monitor
Today’s best deals
AOC 24G2SP specifications:
Screen size | 24-inches |
Native resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
Max refresh rate | 165Hz |
Panel type | IPS |
Reasons to buy
- 165Hz refresh rate
- Above average contrast ratio for an IPS
Reasons to avoid
- Response times are a touch slow
- Annoying OSD navigation
If you’re looking for a gaming monitor that offers good value without breaking the bank, then look no further than the AOC 24G2SP. Don’t let its low price point fool you, as this display punches well above its weight.
Just because you’re looking to save a buck, doesn’t mean you need to be saddled with lesser-quality screens or paltry refresh rates. AOC knows this and has packed a 1080p IPS panel inside the 24G2SP with a refresh rate of 165Hz.
These specs are perfect for budget gamers, as they don’t require powerful hardware to make the most out of them. If your system struggles to maintain a consistent frame rate, fret not, as AMD FreeSync Premium support will help mitigate stuttering and tearing.
Sony Inzone M9
Best next-gen gaming monitor
Today’s best deals
Sony Inzone M9 specifications:
Screen size | 27-inches |
Native resolution | 3840 x 2160 |
Max refresh rate | 144Hz (G-Sync and Freesync) |
Panel type | IPS (Full-array 96 local dimming zones) |
Reasons to buy
- Amazing response times
- Sharp image and accurate colors
- Good HDR and SDR brightness
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive
- Dodgy KVM switch
- Poor contrast
Sony, as a respected hardware manufacturer, was always going to do a good job when it entered the gaming monitor arena. With a native resolution of 4k and 144Hz max refresh rate with G-Sync, it’s a monitor that boasts some impressive specs.
Playing here helps you to appreciate the work of your favorite game’s visual artists because it offers an accuracy of color, and sharpness of image quite unlike anything you get with the majority of monitors. You can use it for both Xbox Series X and PS5 gaming, and its built-in interface is easy to navigate and understand, meaning you won’t need to worry about it not being so well optimized if you switch platforms.
Of course, this is an expensive bit of gear – one of the most costly options on this list. In return for that, you get an impressive monitor that has some truly remarkable response times. It does struggle with contrast a little bit, which might be off-putting, but all in all, it’s a case of getting what you pay for. We think it’s worth every penny.
Read our Sony Inzone M9 review.
MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED
Best FPS gaming monitor for esports (OLED)
Today’s best deals
MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED specifications:
Screen size | 27-inch |
Native resolution | 2,560 x 1,440 |
Max refresh rate | 360Hz |
Panel type | OLED (QD-OLED) |
Reasons to buy
- Amazingly fast gaming performance
- Handles HDR content well
- Cheaper than last gen OLED displays
Reasons to avoid
- Still expensive for 27-inches
- Not many features
- Questionable design choices
The MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED is an incredibly capable gaming monitor, offering blazing-fast gaming performance thanks to its speedy OLED response time and 360Hz refresh rate. Its image quality is also generally fantastic with HDR that, although it doesn’t get dazzlingly bright, is still really absorbing. Crucially, it also handles text much better than WOLED monitors like the AOC AG276QZD so is good for work and play.
It is a very no-frills monitor, though, with few extra features, such as speakers. Its design isn’t all that interesting either. What’s more, in general, the value of 27-inch OLED gaming monitors is questionable, as you can get a much bigger OLED screen for not that much more money. That said, this MSI offers amongst the best value for a screen of its type right now and is an ideal option for those wanting an great all-rounder screen for blisteringly fast gaming and everything else too.
Read our full MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED review.
Asus ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQN
Best FPS monitor for esports (LCD)
Today’s best deals
Asus ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQN specifications:
Screen size | 27-inches |
Native resolution | 2560 x 1440 |
Max. refresh rate | 360Hz |
Panel type | IPS |
Reasons to buy
- ULMB 2 is a game changer
- Built-in Nvidia Reflex Analyzer
- Great SDR brightness
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive
- No USB-C DP Alt. Port
- Not a huge upgrade for existing 240Hz owners
The Asus ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQN is second to none when it comes to competitive gaming, offering a high-fidelity and highly responsive gaming experience. All the specs you’d expect are here, including a 360Hz refresh rate and low response times, but there’s plenty more to enjoy.
One of the major defining characteristics of the PG27AQN is its 27-inch, QHD IPS panel. Freed from the confines of 1080p and TN technology, esports games and more look fantastic on this display. Providing you have a powerful enough graphics card, there is simply no other monitor out there that can match the feature set it provides.
All that said, it will cost you a princely sum. Providing you primarily play the likes of CS2 and League of Legends very regularly, you should find your money is well spent. The former game in particular benefits from the PG27AQN’s support for ULMB 2 (Ultra Low Motion Blur 2).
Read our Asus ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQN review.
Dell G2524H
Best budget gaming monitor for FPS/esports
Today’s best deals
Dell G2524H specifications:
Screen size | 24.5-inches |
Native resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
Max refresh rate | 280Hz |
Panel type | IPS |
Reasons to buy
- High refresh rate at a low price
- It looks fantastic
- Good IPS panel viewing angles
Reasons to avoid
- Not HDR
- Poor response times
If you’re after a monitor that’s good for esports but won’t cost a fortune, this is just about the cheapest option you’re going to find. Not long ago, the first360Hz monitor released and it cost $750. Remarkably, theG2524H is not only less than $500, but even less than $250.
Going for a budget choice does come with a few limitations, such as the lack of HDR picture quality and very low7.8ms response times. The refresh rates are fantastic, but these flaws do set it aside from the likes of theLG Ultragear 27GR95QE.
There’s still a lot to celebrate here though, from the brilliant contrast offered by the IPS panel to its convenient stand which prevents it from taking up too much space on your desk. AddFreesync and G-Sync compatibility to the mix, and plenty of intuitive customization options that let you adjust the picture quality in countless ways, and you’re left with a monitor that easily justifies its price.
Read our fullDell G2524H review.
Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144
Best 4K monitor
Today’s best deals
Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144 specifications:
Screen size | 32-inches |
Native resolution | 3840 x 2160 |
Max refresh rate | 144Hz |
Panel type | IPS |
Reasons to buy
- High resolution and refresh rate IPS panel
- Produces accurate and vivid colors
Reasons to avoid
- Lacks proper local dimming for HDR
- 1ms response time requires Adaptive Sync to be disabled
We expect high levels of performance and great build quality from Corsair products, and the Xeneon 32UHD144 oozes both in spades. Despite being relatively new to the display scene, the company has already crafted our favorite monitor for high-resolution gaming.
Pairing this screen with one of the best graphics cards on the market is a must, to properly drive its 4K resolution and make use of its 144Hz refresh rate. This is much easier to achieve than it sounds thanks to upscaling technologies like Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR, meaning your games can both look and feel fantastic with pin-sharp image quality and smooth gameplay.
The Xeneon 32UHD144 also offers several conveniences seldom found in competing options, such as its wonderfully pleasing cable management system and Corsair iCue integration. It also features a built-in multi-mount at the top of its stand, which can be used to seamlessly place your webcam or key light.
Read our Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144 review.
Samsung Odyssey G9 G95SC
Best widescreen OLED
Today’s best deals
Samsung Odyssey G9 G95SC specifications:
Screen size | 49-inches |
Native resolution | 5120 x 1440 |
Max refresh rates | 240Hz |
Panel type | OLED (Samsung QD-OLED) |
Reasons to buy
- Massive screen resolution for the money
- Fantastic gaming performance
- Built-in Wi-Fi and smart TV features
Reasons to avoid
- HDR isn’t actually that exciting
- OLED burn-in a concern
- Not everyone wants smart TV stuff
One of the latest monitors from Samsung, the G9G95SC is a truly impressive monitor. With its impressive 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh rate, the best PC games have never looked better than they do when they’re played on this.
At 49 inches wide,it’s really good at immersion – and it’s not just the visuals either. This monitor’s built-in speakers are pretty darn amazing, and we reckon most people who use it for gaming will end up just sticking to the native audio, rather than buying additional speakers or relying on one of the best gaming headsets.
It’s an expensive choice, for sure, but a case of getting what you pay for.It even comes with its own Wi-Fi and smart TV options, enabling you to easily make this gaming monitor an all-round entertainment center – although we appreciate that if you already have a smart TV, these things might get in the way.
Read ourSamsung Odyssey G9 G95SC review.
AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD
Best value OLED gaming monitor
Today’s best deals
AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD specifications:
Screen size | 27-inch |
Native resolution | 2,560 x 1,440 |
Max refresh rate | 240Hz |
Panel type | OLED (LG WOLED) |
Reasons to buy
- Fantastic gaming performance
- Excellent overall image quality
- Lowest-price OLED you can buy
Reasons to avoid
- Text clarity is poor
- Colored fringing on high contrast areas
- Frustrating menu controls
As consistently one of the cheapest known-brand OLED gaming monitors available, the AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD is inherently tempting. Crucially, that value temptation isn’t misguided as this is indeed a fantastic gaming display.
The combination of its ultra-fast OLED response time with its 240Hz refresh rate of 2,560 x 1,440 resolution makes it a great all-rounder for gaming, able to turn its hand to high-speed competitive FPS or more graphically rich HDR games. Video looks lovely on its too.
Where it falls down slightly its ability to produce sharp, easy-to-read text. Its pixel density combined with the LG WOLED panel it uses can make text look a touch fuzzy – far worse than an LCD or this size and resolution – and produce noticeable red/blue/green dot colored edges to text and other high-contrast edges. As such, it’s not our top choice for an all-rounder work and gaming display but is great it entertainment is your main focus.
Read our full AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD review.
Asus TUF Gaming VG27Q1A
Best 1080p monitor
Today’s best deals
Asus TUF Gaming VG27Q1A specifications:
Size | 27-inch |
Native resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
Max refresh rate | 165Hz |
Panel type | IPS |
Reasons to buy
- Decent size screen
- Decent resolution
Reasons to avoid
- Low contrast ratio
- Black uniformity poor
Once upon a time, 1080p was the best of the best. While it has since been surpassed, there are still many gamers who prefer to have a 1080p monitor in their setup. Generally, they’re a little cheaper than many of their higher-resolution counterparts.
Its 165Hz refresh rate may be lower than many of the faster monitors out there, but we don’t think this is going to be much of a problem for the average gamer.It still has a fantastic balance of image quality to responsiveness which you won’t see on a lot of the pricier models.
As it stands, a 27-inch screen is still pretty impressive, and the specs are all good enough. Just because there are monitors that are better than this one, doesn’t mean that this one is by any means (and there are a lot of actually bad ones that are worse than it).
LG 34GP83A-B
Best ultrawide monitor
Today’s best deals
LG 34GP83A-B specifications:
Screen size | 34-inches |
Native resolution | 3440 x 1440 |
Max refresh rate | 160Hz (OC) |
Panel type | IPS |
Reasons to buy
- Nano IPS benefits in an ultrawide form factor
- Higher refresh rate than other similar models
Reasons to avoid
- Potential for resolution incompatibility with some games
- Stand is fairly large
Switching to a 21:9 aspect ratio can help provide a more immersive experience, particularly in expansive open-world games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2. However, these screens can also enhance your productivity, and the LG 34GP83A-B is perfect for both these use cases.
It comes with a subtle 1900R curve so its screen subtly envelops you, filling more of your peripheral vision in the process. While most ultrawide typically feature VA panels, LG has managed to cram its Nano IPS technology inside this particular monitor, which allows for great color reproduction.
Combined with a 160Hz refresh rate, providing a smoother experience than many of its competitors that boast lower specs, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better gaming ultrawide than the 34GP83A-B around its price point.
Alienware AW3423DW
Best HDR monitor
Today’s best deals
Alienware AW3423DW specifications:
Screen size | 34-inches (ultrawide) |
Native resolution | 3440 x 1440 |
Max refresh rate | 175Hz |
Panel type | QD-OLED |
Reasons to buy
- Per-pixel local dimming makes for a fantastic HDR experience
- Ultrawide 21:9 1440p resolution with a 175Hz refresh rate
Reasons to avoid
- Risk of burn-in
- Brightness and contrast suffer in well-lit rooms
With the advent of OLED display technologies, genuinely great high dynamic range gaming is slowly but surely becoming more of a reality. Now, the Alienware AW3423DW is here to put all the longstanding pretenders on the market to shame.
Armed with a QD-OLED panel, the ultrawide gaming monitor features 1,000 nits peak brightness and an infinite contrast ratio. All of this contributes to an unrivaled HDR performance, and it’s much cheaper than some of its competitors to boot.
Its 21:9 panel boasts a native resolution of 3440×1440, a whopping 175Hz refresh rate, and a 0.1ms response time that all make for a wonderfully responsive gaming experience.
Read our Alienware AW3423DW review.
MSI MAG 325CQRF QD
Best 1440p curved monitor
Today’s best deals
MSI MAG 325CQRF QD specifications:
Screen size | 31.5-inches |
Native resolution | 2560 x 1440 |
Max refresh rate | 170Hz |
Panel type | Rapid VA |
Reasons to buy
- Value is incredible
- Color range out guns many IPS panels
- Super responsive
Reasons to avoid
- Poor I/O design
- Heavy
Bagging a curved 1440p, 170Hz display for under $500 is a bargain any day, but for an MSI MAG gaming monitor, it’s unreal value, considering the pedigree that comes with it. A 1000R curve offers the perfect viewing angle that can be easily adjusted thanks to both swivel and pivot capabilities.
When we reviewed it, we found that it stood toe-to-toe against an IPS display and in some cases provided a better image quality thanks to its 3500:1 contrast ratio and 96.8% DCI-P3 color range. It makes your games pop and adds a vibrancy that’s missing from some much more expensive monitors we’ve seen.
For those who like to tinker with their settings, this MSI MAG gives you all the freedom to make these changes on the fly thanks to an intuitive GUI. Granted, something not so intuitive is its I/O, which resides on a south-facing ridge, meaning it’s impossible to blindly arrange cables, and you almost have to pick the entire monitor up to make any adjustments.
Read our MSI MAG 325CQRF QD review for more.
Acer Predator X45
Best racing/flight sim monitor
Today’s best deals
Acer Predator X45 specifications:
Screen size | 44.5-inch |
Native resolution | 3,440 x 1,440 |
Refresh rate | 240Hz |
Panel type | OLED (WOLED) |
Reasons to buy
- Huge, wraparound image
- Absorbing high contrast image quality
- Super fast response
Reasons to avoid
- Low pixel density bad for reading text
- Takes up a lot of space
The single biggest appealing feature of this monitor, when it comes to racing and gaming sims, is its huge size and wraparound 800R curve. It can’t quite replace a multi-monitor setup but it’s the next best thing.
Crucially, this size is matched with fantastic image quality thanks to the incredible contrast and color reproduction of this screen’s OLED panel. Its 240Hz refresh rate and ultra-rapid response time also mean it can hold up to the fastest user inputs and still provide an really-responsive feel.
The key downside to consider is that its 3,440 x 1,440 resolution, while plenty for most uses does result in quite a low pixel density on such a huge screen. Sit really close and it doesn’t look amazingly sharp. It’s also particularly not good for reading text so we wouldn’t recommend it for a daily work screen as well as gaming. However, sit back a little with your flight stick, racing wheel, or game controller and this screen looks great.
Read our full Acer Predator X45 review for more.
Also tested
How to choose the best gaming monitor
The first place any of us should start when picking a gaming monitor is to consider what our priorities are for that screen. If money’s no object, some of the top screens available can do everything well but in most instances, there’s some compromise to be made.
As such, perhaps the single best place to start is with the refresh rate of a screen. If you’re into competitive esports FPS games, you’ll want a very high refresh rate to ensure the image onscreen is updated as rapidly as possible affording you peak accuracy. That’s why we recommend 240Hz or higher screens for serious competitive gamers.
If you like to play reasonably fast-paced games but aren’t super into the competitive scene, 120Hz is fine and also ensures you have nice smooth-looking scrolling and other animation on your desktop.
In general, if you’re not at all into any sort of speedy gaming you can get away with a 60Hz screen – 60Hz has, after all, been good enough for consoles for the longest time. However, even if you’re on a really tight budget we’d still recommend looking out for an 85Hz or 100Hz screen to get just that slightly smoother look to your games and desktop scrolling.
Once you’ve decided just how fast a screen you need, it’s then time to look at size and resolution. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be forced to stick to screens with a 1080p resolution, which is fine for most games and just about does the job for most desktop use. On 24-inch screens, that resolution can look reasonably sharp but on 27-inch screens and larger it can look quite blocky, so we recommend moving up to a higher resolution.
Aiming for a 27-inch screen with a 1440p resolution is an ideal balance for most users. You get a screen that’s big enough and high enough resolution for some desktop multitasking but that also looks reasonably sharp.
Meanwhile, if your budget can stretch to it – and your graphics card can handle it – 4K, 32-inch screens or even ultrawide and superwide screens come into play. 4K is great if you’re really into cinematic games and want a pin-sharp image that makes the most of your top-tier graphics card. Likewise, if you’re into video or image editing, the extra resolution can be super useful.
As for ultrawide screens, these are generally 34-inch in size and offer what we consider an ideal balance of size and resolution. The extra width means you can easily fit two or three windows side-by-side plus the wider view (aspect ratio) is an ideal match for widescreen movies and works great for many games too.
Perhaps the ultimate gaming monitor option right now is the 49-inch super wide screen. These are even wider than an ultrawide screen and are big enough to fit three or four desktop windows side-by-side. However, as impressive as they are, they’re too wide for most widescreen movies and many games don’t support the extra width or start to feel a bit strange at such a wide view. However, these displays are fantastic for racing and flight sims, so again it depends on your priorities.
As for whether to go for LCD or OLED, OLED is better in almost every way and well worth getting if you can afford it. However, LCDs can be brighter, OLEDs can suffer from burn-in (permanent marks getting burned into the screen), and they’re not as good for text clarity. As such, we wouldn’t recommend any of the most common OLEDs for a main work/reading screen other than the 32-inch 4K models – they’re best just used for gaming and video.
FAQs
Is 60Hz good for gaming?
While 360Hz monitors like theMSI MPG 271QRXare top-tier when it comes to helping aid quick reaction times in competitive multiplayer games, 60Hz panels can still be brilliant for gaming, especially if you’re not playing at a professional level. That said, prices for faster refresh rate screens have dropped so much these days that you often might as well at least step up to a 120Hz panel for a generally smoother feel to your games. It’s generally only 4k screens where the cost of higher refresh rates is meaningfully higher than for 60Hz models.
Should I use two gaming monitors?
Multi-monitor setups admittedly look a bit like a hacker setup from a cheesy Hollywood action flick, but using more than one display is beneficial. The extrascreen will give you somewhere to pop your Discord window while running games, and it’ll come in handy if you work from home.
Of course, using additional monitors fully depends on your graphics card of choice, as you’ll need appropriate display outputs. The extra screens could also make lower-spec GPUs sweat, which in turn can affect in-game performance.
Should I use Nvidia G-Sync?
Yes. It’s nearly always better to use G-Sync or Freesync, though there are some cases where you might want to experiment with turning it off. It’s possible to use G-Sync on many FreeSync monitors, as the underlying technology is fundamentally the same. Here’s our handy video on how to enable Adaptive Sync with an Nvidia GeForce GPU. PCGamesN also has a full guide onhow to run AMD’s screen tech with a GeForce GPU.
Is a curved or flat screen better for gaming?
This is purely a personal choice, but a lot of people would prefer a curved option because it can help to make games more immersive. This is particularly true for games from a first-person perspective, where it can recreate the feeling of peripheral vision.Curves are particularly beneficial for larger screens. If the curve of a screen is too sharp, however, it runs the risk of damaging the immersion by having both curves visible in your eyeline.
Is IPS, TN, or VA better?
This largely comes down to personal preference and your needs as a gamer. However, for the best balance of image quality and gaming response, we recommend IPS. TN is the fastest to respond – with screens running up to 540Hz – making it a natural choice for competitive gaming. Meanwhile, VA has the best black levels and contrast, so it’s great for atmospheric games and video but it’s generally the slowest to respond so often isn’t the best for competitive gaming. Read our full IPS vs TN vs VA guide for a more detailed breakdown of the differences.
What is ghosting?
Ghosting is wherea screen’s pixels takea whileto fully change from one color to another and as a result, the overall image can look like there are ghostly trails behind moving parts of the image. This is also known as blur or smearing and it can be both distracting in general and downright game-ruining for faster-paced competitive gamers. A monitor’s response time is the measurement to look for to avoid ghosting – the lower the better. OLED is the fastest tech out there (<1ms average), with old CRT screens also being very fast, while LCD screensare the slowest, with TN being the fastest type of LCD (<3ms), IPS being a bit slower (<5ms) and VA generally being the slowest (<10ms).