The best gaming monitor is a much-forgotten but essential way to boost how great your gaming PC looks. We all go for good PC components and peripherals, like an amazing gaming keyboard, early on, which means the monitor can be left behind as an afterthought. We believe it shouldn't be though, hence putting together this guide.
There are plenty of things to consider when grabbing one of the best gaming monitors, like resolution, refresh rate, and response time. On top of that, there are also things like variable refresh rate, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and AMD FreeSync to consider for the smoothest gameplay possible. Thankfully, however, these things are becoming commonplace, making it far easier to find a great gaming monitor than perhaps it has been in the past.
To help you out even further, we've gone ahead and made all of the monitors in the world fight to the death in a battle royale (we haven't, but you know what we mean), resulting in a comprehensive and detailed guide to some of the best monitors around. So, if you're setup is in dire need of a new screen, read on to uncover some more than worthy upgrades...
Best gaming monitors - Quick list
- Alienware AW3423DW QD-OLED - best overall option
- KOORUI 24E3 - a great budget-friendly display
- Sony Inzone M9 - best for next-gen gaming
- Gigabyte AORUS FI32U - an excellent 4K screen
- Samsung Odyssey G9 - ultrawide excellence
Alienware AW3423DW QD-OLED
Best gaming monitor overall
* prices are accurate as of the latest update, but may change over time
Why we chose the Alienware AW3423DW
The Alienware AW3423DW is a pretty special, well-rounded screen that we have no doubt can seriously improve your current setup. To begin with, it’s a QD-OLED monitor, which Alienware boasts can deliver higher peak luminance and a wider color gamut when compared to white OLED displays.
The display itself measures 34 inches and features a 1440p resolution too. It also has an 1800R curve, so you can immerse yourself in all the action with a screen that engulfs you. Furthermore, the monitor has a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and HDR support to give a more dynamic, atmospheric picture.
On top of all this, this monitor features up to a 175Hz rate, which is more than suitable for competitive gaming, and is teamed with an impressive 0.1ms GTG response time, meaning any inputs you make essentially happen almost instantaneously on screen. And, with NVIDIA G-SYNC, you can pretty much bid adieu to screen tearing.
Design-wise, this IPS-paneled monitor has a slim frame, and, with built-in cable management, you shouldn't have to worry about overcrowding your desk space either. So, if you’re looking for a powerful 1440p monitor for those immersive RPGs and competitive Battle Royales, we'd suggest checking out this Alienware device.
TL;DR - Reasons to buy
- QD-OLED Technology: Higher peak luminance and a wider color gamut compared to traditional white OLED displays for stunning visuals.
- 175Hz Refresh Rate & 0.1ms Response Time: Perfect for competitive gaming with ultra-fast input response and smooth performance.
- 34-inch Curved Display: Immersive 1440p resolution with an 1800R curve and 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for dynamic, atmospheric visuals.
KOORUI 24E3
Best budget gaming monitor
* prices are accurate as of the latest update, but may change over time
Why we chose the KOORUI 24E3
With a 24-inch 1080p screen, and a price tag under 200 quid most places you look, the KOORUI 24E3 is an excellent choice for those who want to keep their spending low, yet still upgrade their setup in a pretty significant way.
Even at its budget-friendly price, you'll still be getting an impressive 165Hz refresh rate, and a low 1ms response time too, which means you'll have no issues with speed and fluidity in your gameplay. That makes it suitable for more reaction-reliant games like Valorant and Call of Duty Warzone, but also pretty enough for most RPGs too.
Adding to the above, this monitor also comes with AdaptiveSync, which is designed to help minimize many of the issues that can occur with monitors, including things like screen tearing and input lag, helping you stay one step ahead of your competition.
Ultimately, this makes for a good monitor whether you're just buying your first one, you want a handy second monitor, or you're just looking for a modern upgrade to an older screen.
TL;DR - Reasons to buy
- Affordable Price: 24-inch 1080p screen with a price under 200, offering a budget-friendly upgrade.
- 165Hz Refresh Rate & 1ms Response Time: Smooth, fast performance suitable for competitive games like Valorant and Warzone.
- AdaptiveSync Technology: Reduces screen tearing and input lag for a more seamless gaming experience.
Sony Inzone M9
Best gaming monitor for the PS5 or Xbox Series X
* prices are accurate as of the latest update, but may change over time
Why we chose the Sony Inzone M9
The Sony Inzone M9 sports a stunning 4K resolution and HDMI 2.1 connectivity, making it a seriously great contender for next-gen gameplay where you'll no doubt want to play your favorite titles in 4K at 120Hz. However, there's so much more to this monitor than just a fancy screen and great connectivity.
Firstly, you also get ‘Full Array Local Dimming’, which is designed to light up the right parts of the screen during gameplay to give better tone depth and highlights. Furthermore, the 4K resolution is complemented by a 95% DCI-P3 color spectrum, HDR600, as well as 600 nits of brightness, ensuring every inch of detail is illuminated.
As far as gaming performance is concerned, you get a 144Hz refresh rate, which is particularly well-suited for competitive gameplay as mentioned above. It also features a 1ms GrG response time and NVIDIA G-SYNC to essentially eliminate screen-tearing and ghosting.
Finally, Sony’s monitor has the INZONE Hub PC software, which lets you configure the monitor settings to your personal preference. You can also assign specific picture modes to different applications to make changing settings quick and simple. So, if you’re looking for one of the best monitors for PS5 or Xbox Series X, then make sure you check out this Inzone bit of kit from Sony.
TL;DR - Reasons to buy
- 4K Resolution & HDMI 2.1: Ideal for next-gen gaming at 120Hz with stunning visual clarity and fast connectivity.
- Full Array Local Dimming & HDR600: Enhanced tone depth, highlights, and brightness with 95% DCI-P3 color accuracy for immersive visuals.
- 144Hz Refresh Rate & 1ms Response Time: Smooth, responsive performance for competitive gaming with NVIDIA G-SYNC to prevent screen tearing.
Gigabyte AORUS FI32U
Best 4K gaming monitor
- Amazon - $669.00 / £625.00
- Walmart - $1,205.10
- B&H Photo Video - $669.99
* prices are accurate as of the latest update, but may change over time
Why we chose the Gigabyte AORUS FI32U
Gigabyte's AORUS FI32U gaming monitor is kind of a beast, but doesn't break the bank as hard as you might expect. With a 31.5" display and 4K visuals, this monitor will have your games looking incredibly good, even on its larger screen.
Don't let the higher resolution lead you to believe it suffers performance-wise either, as it even has a 144Hz refresh rate, which means you'll be able to enjoy a high frame rate no matter what you play, providing your PC can keep up.
It has beautiful colors as well, so if you're using it to watch something instead of playing something, you'll still benefit fully from the beautiful 4K visuals. It's a worthwhile investment for anyone who really wants to enjoy the power of their GPU.
We haven't even touched on its connections either, which isn't all that exciting, but functionality is the kind of thing that can be easily overlooked. USB-C, USB 3.0, and HDMI 2.1 all feature on this great 4K gaming monitor.
TL;DR - Reasons to buy
- 31.5-inch 4K Display: Large screen with stunning 4K visuals for an immersive gaming and viewing experience.
- 144Hz Refresh Rate: High-performance gaming with smooth frame rates, perfect for fast-paced titles.
- Versatile Connectivity: Features USB-C, USB 3.0, and HDMI 2.1 for modern, flexible connections.
Samsung Odyssey G9
Best ultrawide gaming monitor
* prices are accurate as of the latest update, but may change over time
Why we chose the Samsung Odyssey G9
If it's an ultrawide display you're after, this Samsung Odyssey G9 could be the ideal monitor for you. It features a massive 49-inch display with a 1000R curve which, according to Samsung, keeps the monitor in line with the human eye for a more immersive experience. Moreover, it features a Dual QHD display, which essentially means the 49-inch screen is as wide as two QHD monitors side-by-side. Pretty impressive stuff so far...
Coming to performance, you get a hugely fast 240Hz refresh rate, which you should find gives you a significant competitive advantage when trying to top online leaderboards. Plus, you get a 1ms GTG response time to ensure any inputs you make happen almost instantaneously. To add to that, the monitor supports both NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync, thus helping the display keep the screen tearing and ghosting to a minimum.
Finally, Samsung has considered comfort. You can adjust the height, swivel it around, or tilt it to ensure you find a position that's comfortable for you. It’s also VESA-compatible to keep the setup simple. With Infinity Core Lighting as well, you can illuminate your display to match the rest of your gaming setup.
So, if an ultrawide display is what you're looking for, don't hesitate to check out this 49-inch monitor from Samsung.
TL;DR - Reasons to buy
- 49-inch Ultrawide Dual QHD Display: Massive 1000R curved screen, providing an immersive experience equivalent to two QHD monitors side-by-side.
- 240Hz Refresh Rate & 1ms Response Time: Fast, competitive performance with NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync to reduce screen tearing and ghosting.
- Ergonomic Design: Adjustable height, tilt, and swivel with VESA compatibility, plus Infinity Core Lighting for a personalized setup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While you're searching for the best gaming monitor, you might encounter these questions...
What refresh rate do you need for gaming?
For most video games, you need at least 60Hz. However, if you want to experience smoother visuals, then we'd suggest considering something with a 144Hz refresh rate as a minimum.
For more competitive gameplay, you may even want to push toward the 240Hz mark as, the higher the refresh rate, the 'smoother' the gameplay in theory. That said, while the difference between 60Hz and 144Hz is immediately noticeable, the difference between 144Hz and 240Hz is not necessarily as easily distinguishable.
Generally speaking, you also have to sacrifice the resolution when you push for a higher refresh rate as few monitors out there are capable of delivering 4K beyond the 144Hz mark. However, with HDMI 2.1 and a next-gen console, you're able to play titles in 4K at 120Hz if desired, which is worth keeping in mind if you're searching for a new display.
What resolution do you need for gaming?
This essentially comes down to personal preference and the type of game you're playing.
Graphical masterpieces, for instance, are perhaps best experienced on a 4K display or above. However, for fast-paced competitive action, having the most detailed graphics possible isn't exactly the most important factor in improving your gameplay. This is why there's some debate over whether a 1080p or a 1440p resolution is best for gaming, although it can be tricky at times to notice a huge difference.
What is important, though, is to match your monitor with the resolution settings on your console. If you don't match it, you'll find that the image quality will be affected, and you may lose some detail, especially on larger screens.