If you're on the hunt for the best HDR monitor, we're here to point you in the right direction.
HDR, or high dynamic range, is arguably slowly becoming a must-have feature on monitors these days, especially if you're using it for gaming or watching content.
High Dynamic Range comes in a few different levels, and with monitors you'll commonly see DisplayHDR followed by a number. A rule of thumb is that the higher the number, the brighter, higher contrast, and wider colour range there will be.
We've selected these monitors based on specs, general reviews, and features they offer that made them standout from the crowd. We've also earmarked a few upcoming HDR monitors for you to keep an eye out for in the future, plus, answered some of your most frequently asked questions too.
So let's get to it, these are what we think are the best HDR monitors you can get right now.
Best HDR Monitor
Best HDR Monitor Samsung - Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
Screen size: 49 Inches | Resolution: 5120x1440 | Display technology: Mini-LED | Aspect ratio: 32:9 | Hardware interface: DisplayPort, HDMI | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Response time: 1 ms | Display resolution maximum: 5120 x 1440 pixels
Samsung is noted for making some of the best gaming monitors in recent times, and the Odyssey Neo G9 is no exception.
What you're getting first and foremost is a 49" display with a 5120x1440 refresh rate which can allow you to get fully immersed within your game, and with True HDR support, colours should look absolutely immense, especially thanks to the 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and Mini-LED backlight this monitor features.
For the PC gamers out there, this Samsung monitor also features some convenient VRR support with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, as well as also being compatible with Nvidia G-Sync. A 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time will also mean output should be incredibly smooth and sharp.
Best HDR Monitor Asus - ASUS ROG Swift PG35VQ
Screen size: 35 Inches | Resolution: 3440x1440 | Display technology: VA | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Hardware interface: DisplayPort, HDMI | Refresh rate: 200 Hz | Response time: 2 ms | Display resolution maximum: 3440 x 1440 pixels
The ASUS ROG Swift PG35VQ looks like quite a beastly HDR monitor with an amazing spec sheet to match.
Right off the bat, you'll note this ASUS monitor features DisplayHDR 1000 compatibility, which means it should offer up true 10-bit colour with a peak brightness of 1000 nits so colours should look incredibly bright with some amazing contrast.
There's also a shallow 1800R curve present alongside a 34-inch panel that should be a great size for gaming and productivity, and to back this up, there's also a 2ms response time for practically zero-latency inputs.
An overclocked 200Hz refresh rate also means it is quite the powerhouse. There are some decent connectivity options with DisplayPort 1.4 support, alongside an HDMI and two USB 3.0 offerings round the back.
In addition, whilst this is strictly a gaming monitor, the PG35VQ also looks fantastic with some cool looking RGB present on the back of the panel that can be controlled with ASUS' Aura Sync software and some rather aggressive looks too.
Best HDR Monitor LG - LG UltraGear 38GN950
Screen size: 38 Inches | Resolution: 3840x1600 | Display technology: VA | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Hardware interface: DisplayPort, HDMI | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Response time: 1 ms | Display resolution maximum: 3840 x 1600 pixels
The LG UltraGear 38GN950 offers up one of the larger panels on this list, but also one of the beefier feature sets.
It features a 38-inch display with DisplayHDR600 certification which should allow for some great colours and a peak brightness of 600 nits, alongside support for local dimming, 10-bit image processing and real-time contrast ratio.
You're also getting a nano IPS panel alongside a 144Hz refresh rate that can be overclocked to 160Hz. The LG UltraGear 38GN950 also offers up an impressive 98% DCI-P3 colour gamut and a practically bezel-free design so it also looks modern.
In addition, there's also support for LG's Sphere Lighting 2.0 lighting engine which means this monitor's RGB lighting can be synced to any media you've got playing, and so can bounce along to music, which sounds rather fun.
Best HDR Monitor Gigabyte - Gigabyte AORUS FV43U
Screen size: 43 Inches | Resolution: 4K, 3840x2160p | Display technology: QLED | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Hardware interface: DisplayPort, HDMI | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Response time: 1 ms | Display resolution maximum: 3840 x 2160 pixels
For those on the lookout for quite an impressive TV-like display, the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U should definitely fit the bill.
Firstly, it looks fantastic with a marvellous space-age and quite futuristic design that should look brilliant within your setup.
Moreover, expect to find the powers of a 144Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 with 4K at 120Hz supported, making this a great choice for both console and PC gaming.
In addition, support for DisplayHDR1000 means colours will be sharp and vivid, as well as making sure the actual panel will be incredibly bright too. A 97% DCI-P3 colour gamut also looks to back this up, as well as the AORUS FV43U being a QLED display, too.
Best HDR Monitor BenQ - BenQ EW3270U
Screen size: 32 Inches | Resolution: 4K | Display technology: IPS | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Hardware interface: DisplayPort, HDMI | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time:52 ms | Display resolution maximum: 3840 x 2160 pixels
If you're on the lookout for more of an affordable choice, then the BenQ EW3270U may just be a brilliant pick.
It features a handy 4K panel alongside support for HDR 10 which should allow for images to look pretty sharp, even with a peak brightness of 300 nits. There's a great contrast ratio of 3,000:1 alongside a wide native colour gamut and great colour accuracy that will help it along to portraying some detailed images at a good brightness level.
This is a 60Hz monitor, meaning it's more of a multi-purpose choice than being designed specifically for gaming, but it's worth noting the BenQ EW3270U does feature support for AMD FreeSync, meaning you can use it for PC gaming if you wish.
It also looks great with a suave silver colouring and relatively thin bezels around the sides and there's also a good port selection with DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, USB-C and a 3.5mm audio jack all present.
Upcoming HDR Monitors
Whilst we do have a selection above of some of the best monitors you can pick up right now, there's also a handful arriving later on this year that we think look incredible. You can check them out below:
LG UltraGear 32GQ950
LG's upcoming UltraGear 32CQ950 looks like an amazing HDR monitor, largely thanks to its support for DisplayHDR1000and a wide range of colours.
Moreover, expect to find a 144Hz refresh rate end a 1ms response time, which could well make this one of the best 144Hz monitors out there upon its release.
Acer Predator X32 FP
The Acer Predator X32 FP is also a monitor that's worth checking out when it launches and certainly looks like one of the best upcoming HDR monitors out there.
You can expect to find a 4K resolution alongside a 160Hz refresh rate for smooth and sharp output alongside brightness of up to 1000 nits with support for DisplayHDR1000, and a Mini LED backlight with 576 zones.
Cooler Master GP27-FUS
Cooler Master looks to be adding an incredible HDR monitor to their lineup with the upcoming GP27 FUS.
It offers up quite the powerful panel with a 576 zone Mini LED backlight that should allow for some immense contrast, as this display has a peak brightness of 1200 nits thanks to Display HDR 1000 certification.
In addition, it should be able to output at 4K with 120Hz due to being an HDMI 2.1 monitor, which is handy for both consoles and PC gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with a lot of tech, there are plenty of questions that can pop up time and time again, and here we're going to break down some of the most important questions about HDR monitors for you so you can make the best decision possible.
What Is HDR?
Whilst our friends at Gfinity Tech have a handy guide as to what HDR is, we'll break things down a little here.
HDR, or high dynamic range to give its full title, essentially relates to the monitor's contrast ratio and can enhance it to make colours increasingly vivid and life-like, as opposed to perhaps appearing a little flatter on non-HDR panels.
Having HDR usually means your picture will look brighter and your blacks will be more inky and deep.
Do I need an HDR monitor?
Having HDR can be useful if you're a fan of increasingly immersive gaming - that's why a fair amount of the best HDR monitors are also curved so you can increase your immersion in more ways than one.
Higher contrast makes graphics look more realistic in many ways, so if you're all about getting the most out of a game, it's worth going for an HDR monitor. The same goes for watching movies or streaming.
Non-HDR monitors tend to look a little 'flat' in comparison, and from our experience can make gamer look older than they are.
Is HDR just a gimmick?
No, not by a long way. It's well worth investing in an HDR monitor. Even at a 'low' level, like DisplayHDR 400, it still packs a punch that'll give your games and content a new lease of life.