The best gaming monitors in 2024

Thanks to its excellent balance between cost and value, this 27-inch LG UltraGear display is our top pick for the best gaming monitor. It's straightforward in design but provides all of the major features PC gamers need while maintaining a great price point. 

The 1440p IPS LCD panel is incredibly responsive, has great color accuracy, delivers around 400 nits of brightness with HDR support, and offers a wide viewing angle. However, it struggles with contrast in comparison to newer monitors using OLED or VA LCD panels.

The display supports variable refresh rates with G-Sync and FreeSync compatible graphics cards, with a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz. While other monitors offer higher refresh rates, 165Hz is plenty for PC gaming and more than enough for consoles.

Just keep in mind that you'll need to use the monitor's DisplayPort connection to get 1440p at 165Hz since its HDMI 2.0 ports can't support that combination. The HDMI ports will support up to 1440p at 120Hz when connected to a PS5 or Xbox Series X, however, which is a nice perk for console gamers. 

The thin bezel and adjustable stand are great for building an affordable set of side-by-side monitors, and the screen can be pivoted into portrait mode. While there are cheaper editions of this monitor, they lack key features (like this version's two USB 3.0 ports) and use dimmer panels that aren't bright enough for proper HDR contrast and color.

AOC's C27G2z is a 27-inch curved monitor with a very affordable price tag while offering a fast refresh rate. It's a great choice for competitive gamers who want to improve their reaction times, as well as casual players on a budget. The 240Hz refresh rate is relatively unheard of at this price point, though the monitor's 1080p resolution is not ideal.

Gamers playing fast-paced titles at high frame rates will benefit the most from the refresh rate and be less impacted by the lower resolution. Console gamers who are used to 4K TVs may be initially disappointed with the 1080p limit, but the monitor can still play PS5 and Xbox games at 120Hz.

The monitor uses a VA LCD panel, helping it deliver deep contrast, but it doesn't support true HDR processing like some of our other picks. Instead, it has modes that can simulate the look of HDR. The curve is graded at 1500R, meaning it's closer to a flat panel than monitors from other brands like Samsung, which may or may not be a pro depending on your preferences

Though the monitor doesn't have speakers or USB ports for extra inputs, it does have a headphone jack for audio out. Considering its price, the AOC C27G2z delivers impressive features for the money and should suit most buyers looking for a reliable gaming monitor that doesn't break the bank.

This Asus Rog Swift display was one of the first OLED gaming monitors to hit the market; OLED display technology is great for gaming thanks to its fast response times and infinite contrast ratio. This translates into sharp HDR color and deeper black levels compared to LCD monitors that can appear washed out or slightly gray.

The Asus Rog Swift checks all the boxes in terms of performance, too, running at 1440p with a 240Hz refresh rate and G-Sync support to minimize screen tearing and stuttering. The display reaches a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, which is well over the minimum recommended spec of 400 for HDR on a monitor. It's also equipped with an anti-glare coating to prevent reflections and protect picture quality.

On the downside, the Asus Rog Swift uses older HDMI 2.0 ports, which cannot support signals beyond 1440p resolution at 144Hz. This is fine for playing PS5 and Xbox Series X at 120Hz, but PCs with support for higher refresh rates will need to use the monitor's sole DisplayPort connection in order to unlock full 1440p/240Hz support.

But all things considered, the Rog Swift is simply gorgeous, with high-end image performance that offers a noticeable upgrade over our less expensive picks. This is the best PC gaming monitor you can buy if you want a premium 1440p experience.

LG's 45-inch UltraGear monitor is an impressive OLED display with a deep 800R curve that makes it easier to see the edges of its large ultrawide screen without turning your head. The 1440p OLED panel provides outstanding color and contrast, and the UltraGear 45GR95QE-B is fully equipped with features to help prevent burn-in too.

The monitor is G-Sync certified and can reach a 240Hz refresh rate whether connected via DisplayPort or its HDMI 2.1 ports. It can also accept a 4K/120Hz signal from a PS5 of Xbox Series X, but it will need to downscale that signal to 1440p. 

Ultrawide monitors provide a wider field of view in compatible games, whether that's more space on the map or more vision behind the wheel of a car. Common PC titles like racing, strategy, and role-playing games support ultrawide aspect ratios, but games designed with consoles in mind, like Elden Ring, might be limited to 16:9. If a game doesn't support the wide ratio, you'll see black bars on the left and right of the image. However, the monitor does feature multiple viewing modes to stretch the image to the width of the screen or crop letterboxed media like films.

The display has a small button for basic controls like power, input, and brightness, but you'll have to use the included remote for more complex settings like picture-in-picture and viewing modes.

Despite its size, the UltraGear OLED doesn't have speakers; it comes with a standard headphone jack, a digital audio out port, and supports DTS Headphone:X surround sound instead. There are two USB 3.0 ports to connect external devices as well.

The monitor includes picture-in-picture support, so you can split the screen between multiple sources while multitasking. This is particularly useful for such a large screen since most computer desks won't have space for a second display alongside this 45-inch behemoth.

If 21:9 isn't wide enough for you, LG also makes a 49-inch LCD alternative with a 32:9 aspect ratio, giving you the same amount of desktop space as two side-by-side monitors, but on a single display.

Alienware's AW3225QF is the first 4K QD-OLED monitor to be released, offering the latest and greatest in display technology. The curved 32-inch screen has a 240Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits in small highlights, which is particularly good for an OLED panel.

QD-OLED displays can dim and brighten individual pixels to create perfect black levels and more accurate colors across the screen. Coupled with the display's Ultra HD 4K resolution, the OLED panel delivers stunning clarity and contrast with an image that bests nearly every other monitor we've seen.

The monitor's high contrast is especially noticeable with HDR enabled. The AW3225QF also supports Dolby Vision, an advanced HDR format that's commonly used for TV and films and has gradually been adopted for gaming. Xbox consoles can use Dolby Vision, while PlayStation can't.

The AW3225QF works perfectly with console VRR and low latency modes and offers G-Sync support for PCs. The HDMI 2.1 ports support video signals up to 4K at 240Hz, including the maximum console output of 4K/120Hz on PS5 and Xbox. The monitor also has four USB ports when connected to a PC, including a USB-C port that can be used for fast-charging phones and other devices. 

The monitor's only real drawback is the lack of sound output. There's no headphone jack, digital audio output, or speakers, but the monitor does offer eARC capability if you have a soundbar or receiver with a compatible HDMI port.

There are plenty of other 4K monitors on the market that use other display technologies, but the AW3225QF's QD-OLED panel has an edge over them all. It's pricey, but this is the best gaming monitor to buy if you want high-end 4K quality.

Read our Alienware AW3225QF monitor review.

We picked the best gaming monitors based on a combination of hands-on testing and extensive research. When we test gaming monitors, we evaluate them for everyday and specific gaming criteria to test the limits of a monitor's features and performance. 

Everyday use includes both gaming and standard work tasks performed in Windows, like photo editing, web browsing, and writing using common applications like Microsoft Office. We also evaluate a monitor's physical build to determine whether it takes up too much space on an average desk, or if it wobbles too much when using the on-board controls.

Gaming-centric evaluations include testing a monitor's variable refresh rate, HDR color and contrast, and brightness using in-game benchmarks from titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Assassin's Creed Valhalla. This helps judge a monitor's accuracy in common settings, and can also help identify issues like ghosting or screen tearing.

Finally, our recommendations also consider the overall value of each monitor based on its price. While the best gaming monitors are made with a wide range of budgets in mind, we highlight monitors that give gamers the most for their money, so we won't recommend cheap monitors that lack essential features, or expensive monitors that are out-performed by more affordable models.

What size is best for a gaming monitor?

The ideal size for your gaming monitor mostly depends on how far you plan to sit from your computer and what types of games you plan to play. For example, competitive gamers should opt for 24 or 27-inch monitors because they tend to sit relatively close to the screen and can benefit from the higher refresh rates that are typically available on monitors of that size. Players who prefer adventure games, immersive sports, and racing simulations can opt for larger monitors that rival TV sizes at 32 inches and above.

We recommend measuring the distance from your usual gaming seat to your screen; if it's two feet or less, we recommend a 27-inch monitor or smaller, but if you're further than two feet away, go for a 32-inch monitor or larger.

Are curved monitors better?

Some of the best gaming monitors are curved to provide a better viewing angle; this can be helpful when sitting close to large screens. However, a curved screen alone won't make the picture appear better. Some people may prefer a standard flat screen for tasks like photo and video editing to ensure the monitor's curve doesn't distort their perception of on-screen images. 

Monitor curves are measured based on their radius; the smaller the radius, the deeper the curve in the monitor. So, a 1000R monitor is more curved than a 1500R monitor.

What resolution is best for a gaming monitor?

The best resolution for your monitor will ultimately depend on your PC or console and what games you like to play. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles are designed to output at 4K resolution, while the Nintendo Switch maxes out at 1080p. For PC gamers, the resolution will depend on the strength of your graphics card. Most computers can run games at 1080p, while the best gaming PCs and best gaming laptops will have the power to run at 1440p and even 4K.

Higher resolution typically means more visual detail, so you'll usually want to run at the highest option possible. Some competitive gamers prefer to limit their resolution to 1080p so that gameplay runs at a higher frame rate, which can reduce delay and improve reaction times.

How does refresh rate impact a gaming monitor?

Refresh rate denotes how many times a display updates the image you see on-screen per second; a 60Hz monitor will display 60 individual frames per second, while a 144Hz monitor will show 144 frames per second, and so on.

Generally, higher refresh rates make animations appear smoother, and you'll experience less delay when trying to react to things on screen, especially if your gaming PC can run games faster than 60 frames per second. 

Refresh rate is also slightly less important with consoles because they're designed to work with TVs with lower refresh rates, and games are often locked to 60 or 30 frames per second. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are capable of playing some games at 120Hz with variable refresh rate, while the Nintendo Switch is limited to 60Hz and has no VRR support.

On the low end, the best gaming monitors tend to start at a refresh rate of 144Hz, while premium models can have refresh rates as high as 360Hz.

How do variable refresh rate (VRR), AdaptiveSync, and G-Sync work?

Variable refresh rate (VRR) is a feature that works to match your PC or console's frame rate with the monitor's refresh rate, which prevents screen tearing or other issues that can arise when the frame rate and refresh rate aren't even.

Adaptive Sync is a general term used to describe VRR compatibility. G-Sync is a version of VRR technology that works specifically with graphics cards from Nvidia, while AMD graphics cards call their VRR tech FreeSync. The Adaptive-Sync feature is still designed to work with graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD, even if the monitor isn't fully G-Sync or FreeSync certified.

Do gaming monitors include speakers?

Some gaming monitors include speakers, which can be convenient if you don't have a separate set of speakers and prefer to game without headphones. However, the quality of most computer monitor speakers usually isn't worth the extra money; you're better off buying an affordable set of PC speakers for $60 or less. With that in mind, none of our picks for the best gaming monitors include built-in speakers.

What are the different types of gaming monitor displays?

Gaming monitors use a range of different display technologies, including four major types of panels: TN, IPS, VA, and OLED.

The first three types — TN, IPS, and VA — are all LCD-based display technologies, and they have big similarities. OLED, meanwhile, uses an entirely different panel technology and offers the most striking improvements.

TN stands for twisted nematic; it's the most common LCD panel type and offers faster refresh rates at a lower cost than the alternatives. IPS stands for in-plane-switching, and these displays offer great color accuracy and wide viewing angles. VA stands for vertical alignment, and LCDs of this type are known for excellent contrast ratios and brightness but can struggle with refresh rates.

OLED, which stands for organic light emitting diode, has the best image quality and viewing angles of the bunch. This is because OLED screens have pixel-level contrast control rather than a backlight. However, OLED gaming monitors are by far the most expensive display type, and there is some risk of burn-in associated with OLED displays under extreme viewing conditions. 

What are the benefits of ultrawide monitors?

Ultrawide monitors can provide you with a more expansive field of view when gaming on a PC, but only if the game you're playing supports an ultrawide aspect ratio, like 21:9 or 32:9. Games on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch are limited to a 16:9 aspect ratio, so you won't get any benefits from an ultrawide monitor on those platforms.

If you play a game on an ultrawide monitor that does not support an ultrawide aspect ratio, you will see vertical black bars to the left and right of the game to fill the extra space. The benefit of having a wider field of view will depend on the genre of game you're playing, whether it's a racing game, first-person shooter, or adventure title.

Some competitive PC games choose to limit ultrawide aspect ratio support due to the potential advantage they could give some players. Other games that support an ultrawide aspect ratio during gameplay, like Resident Evil 4, may still revert to a 16:9 aspect ratio during cutscenes. 

Most ultrawide monitors do offer viewing modes that can stretch a 16:9 game to the width of the screen, but that will cause distortion of the original image. You can find third-party mods that can properly adjust some games to an ultrawide aspect ratio, but the effectiveness can vary greatly.

Before buying an ultrawide monitor, you should check to make sure that your favorite games and genres support ultrawide aspect ratios.