The Best Monitors For Gaming

  • Dani Rosewater

The importance of a gaming monitor often gets overshadowed by the hoopla surrounding graphics cards and processors. But what's the point of extreme graphics if they end up getting projected on some clunky old screen? For gamers, a quick refresh rate, bright colors, and a high-res screen can mean the difference between a win and a loss. Those on the hunt for a top-tier gaming monitor have come to the right place. We've scoured the market for the best of the best. Here, we list our favorites.

What to Look For

When it comes to gaming hardware, we compare all the specs and prices before we’d consider recommending something. For gaming monitors, we looked at the refresh rate, response time, screen size, color depth, and overall build quality. Our favorite came from ASUS, as their 27-inch HDR model boasts some of the best specs in the game, and it comes at a bargain price. But if your budget is truly tight, we recommend checking out the G2490VX from AOC. It’s affordable, super fast, and built to last. There’s a lot to consider, so read on.

ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QL1A 27” HDR Monitor

The gold standard

With a wide screen, pro-level refresh rate, and lighting-fast response time, this beauty easily scores the top spot on our list.
Best Overall

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The ASUS VG279QL1A is ahead of the curve in every way possible. Its specs are insane, the design is sleek and practical, and the price is astonishingly affordable. With a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, this monitor can help you gain a competitive advantage. Even the software is the best of the best. With its FreeSync compatibility, eye care technology, and DisplayHDR 400 settings, this monitor delivers a gaming experience like no other.

Pros

  • The stand is sturdy and easy to adjust. And, unlike many other monitors, the height can also be adjusted.
  • The IPS display delivers gorgeous, rich colors with fantastic depth.
  • Due to the super refresh rate and response time, this monitor is ideal for competitive games that require quick reaction times, such as first-person shooters.

Cons

  • The built-in speakers aren’t very loud.

AOC G2490VX 24″ Class Frameless Gaming Monitor

Amazing and affordable

For those with tight budgets, we recommend this ultra-thin screen, which offers competitive specs for a bargain price.
Best On A Budget

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For those strapped for cash and in need of a monitor that’ll get the job done, we recommend this pick from Acer. It’s inexpensive, but the G2490VX may surprise you. For starters, the bright display is full HD and delivers crisp, vibrant colors. Better yet, the response time is 1ms. And with a 144Hz refresh rate, your budget battle station will still be able to achieve those high frame rates that every gamer craves. This monitor even looks awesome, punching high above its price point.

Pros

  • The low price is incredible for the high-level specs that this option boasts.
  • This is also an excellent choice for console gamers since you can adjust the display settings to match your console of choice.
  • It looks beautiful thanks to the “frameless” design and compact base.

Cons

  • You’ll likely have to tweak the stock settings to optimize the screen for gaming.

AOC CU34G2X 34″ Curved Frameless Gaming Monitor

Surround yourself with the action

With a curved shape, this option is another great overall pick and sports all the best specs that we look for in a monitor.
Best Curved Monitor

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Curved monitors are a great way to get your head in the game since they allow your eyes to focus more quickly as they shift around the screen. That’s why we recommend this option from AOC. Besides the gorgeous curved screen, this pick sports killer specs. This thing is fierce and fast with a 144Hz refresh rate, a Quad HD resolution, and a 1ms response time. For gamers that want to maximize the immersion, you can’t lose with AOC.

Pros

  • The resolution is 3440×1440, so it’s considered “QHD.” It isn’t quite as high-def as 4K, but it’s pretty close.
  • The curvature isn’t super dramatic, so you can still view it from a range of angles and distances without losing sight.

Cons

  • Fans of HDR may feel underwhelmed by this option’s HDR settings.

SAMSUNG Odyssey G7 Series 32-Inch WQHD Gaming Monitor

Greatness isn't cheap

For competitive gaming, we recommend this premium monitor for its professional specs.
Best Premium

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For those that truly want to up the ante, you’ll have to pay up. The Odyssey G7 Series from Samsung isn’t cheap, but it’s fast. With a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, this pick is a professional-grade machine that can handle wicked-high frame rates. It also sports visual-enhancement technology, such as G-Sync and HDR support. Best of all, the massive 32-inch screen has a slight curve to it to help immerse you into the game. You probably won’t be able to find such an advanced machine at this price range for years to come, so we suggest grabbing one while you can.

Pros

  • The specs are truly pro-level, so competitive gamers will feel right at home with the image response and quality.
  • The stand offers smooth adjustments and strong stability. You can even orient the screen vertically.

Cons

  • It’s a QLED display, so the colors aren’t quite as dynamic when compared to those from IPS screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refresh rate, and why does it matter?

Refresh rate is the speed at which a display “refreshes” the image on the screen. In other words, it is the rate at which one displayed image is replaced by the next. Comparable to old-timey projectors, computer screens display a series of still images. These still images flash by so quickly that they generate the illusion of stillness and motion. Were you to film a computer monitor using a slow-motion camera, you would see the screen flickering still images, one after the other, in a steady pulse.

The refresh rate is measured in refreshes-per-second. Thus, a 144Hz monitor refreshes its displayed image 144 times in a single second. Gamers prefer higher refresh rates since they don’t want to miss a single frame. After all, what’s the point of having a fancy graphics card if your frame rate is bottlenecked by your monitor?

What is response time?

The response time of a screen is the time it takes a pixel to switch from one color to another. This is usually tested by manufacturers by measuring how long it takes the screen to flash from black to white. Response time may seem arbitrary since it’s measured in thousandths-of-a-second. However, a few milliseconds can be noticeable in games that require lightning-fast reflexes, such as first-person shooters.

About the Author

If you're a console gamer, Dani won't hold that against you. Although he plays on the PC, he grew up with an Xbox controller in his hand. He's also a filmmaker and musician, so he's figured out the importance of quality gear. He hopes to use his expertise to help people make informed decisions in their search for tech that works.

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