The Best 144Hz QHD Monitors

  • Dani Rosewater

When it comes to high refresh rates and high resolutions, most computer monitors trade off one for the other. But there are still a few QHD monitors out there that offer a refresh rate of 144Hz. Also called 2K monitors, they're preferred among competitive gamers. Still, such marvels of modern tech are also excellent displays for streaming, video editing, and computer work. Here, we've assembled a list of the best monitors with these cutting-edge specs.

What to Look For

We take our tech seriously, so we scoured the market with a keen eye for the best 144Hz QHD monitors. But with so many specs to consider, we simplified the search with a few key questions to guide us: What video inputs does it accept, HDMI, DisplayPort, or both? What size is the screen? What type of display is it? What is the response time? Is the price fair for the quality? Our favorite came from AOC, as their CQ27G2 model has an affordable price, a wicked-fast 1ms response time, and a medium curvature for greater immersion. But if you prefer greater color depth, we recommend checking out the IPS display from Sceptre. There’s a lot to compare and consider, so let’s dive right in.

AOC 27″ Curved 144Hz QHD Gaming Monitor, CQ27G2

The pinnacle of perfection

This monitor is not only affordable, but it also offers excellent specs that can elevate your gaming experience.
Best Overall

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This monitor from AOC is our idea of perfection. It’s ideal for competitive gaming since the 1ms response time, and 144Hz refresh rate can keep up with high frame rates. But even if you don’t need split-second reaction times, it’s still an excellent choice for single-player games since the 1440p resolution adds clarity to digital universes. This option also has a curvature of 1500R, which hits the sweet spot between immersion and multiple viewing angles. Best of all, the price is an absolute bargain.

Pros:

  • Excellent value for the price
  • The tilt and height of the stand are easy to adjust
  • Thin bezels frame the screen
  • High maximum brightness
  • Wall mountable
  • Compatible with both DisplayPort and HDMI

Cons:

  • The display panel is LCD, so it doesn’t deliver the same color depth as an IPS display

KOORUI 27″ 144 Hz QHD Gaming Monitor

High performance, low price

If funds are tight, you can't go wrong with this affordable-yet-powerful gaming monitor.
Best On A Budget

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Only a couple of years ago, a 144Hz QHD monitor with a price this low would have been unheard of. But with innovation comes accessible prices. This gorgeous 27-inch gaming monitor from KOORUI is a budget-friendly option that delivers on all fronts. Compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync compatible, it’s perfect for first-person shooters and other competitive games that require accurate and fast reaction times. It also has DisplayPort and HDMI 2.0 inputs to help deliver a top-notch audio-visual experience.

Pros:

  • Super low price
  • The 27-inch screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio
  • Wide-gamut display capable of 16.7 million colors
  • Well-calibrated presets for switching AV modes on the fly

Cons:

  • No built-in speakers
  • If you use an HDMI cable, you may have to calibrate several settings on both your computer and the monitor to optimize

INNOCN 27″ 144Hz QHD Gaming Monitor, 27G1R

Big and beautiful

With a large display and fast specs, this is another excellent overall option.
Best 27 Inch Screen

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If you prefer flat screens over curved ones, you can still enjoy the immersion of a large display. This 27-inch monitor from INNOCN has the 2K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate that we look for, but it also has a colorful LED display panel with a 99% sRGB color gamut. All that combines together to produce gorgeous visuals during gaming sessions. And because the screen isn’t curved, it has a wider viewing angle, making this a versatile display for streaming, video editing, gaming, and more.

Pros:

  • Thin profile and small bezels
  • The deep color gamut helps the visuals pop
  • Easy to fine-tune the tilt to the perfect angle
  • Low glare, so it remains visible even in sunlit rooms

Cons:

  • The power cable is short, so you may want to replace it with a longer one

Sceptre 27″ QHD 144Hz IPS Monitor, E275B-QPN168

True hues

IPS displays are known for their gorgeous color depth, which is why we recommend this captivating option.
Best IPS Display

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Compared to LCD and LED, IPS displays are capable of greater color depth and wider viewing angles. But because of this superiority, they’re often more expensive. That’s why we were thrilled to find this 27-inch monitor from Sceptre since it offers breathtaking color depth for an affordable price. It has plenty of other awesome features, such as built-in speakers, a height-adjustable stand, and HDR400 for greater contrast. There’s a lot to love about this beauty, so we suggest you check out the specs for yourself.

Pros:

  • Wide viewing angles
  • Large 27-inch screen
  • Budget-friendly price
  • Fast, 1ms response time
  • Excellent choice for color correction and video editing

Cons:

  • The built-in speakers can’t reach very high volumes

CRUA 27″ 2K 144HZ Curved Gaming Monitor

Get your head in the game

This monitor's light curvature, high resolution, and fast refresh rate can add a whole new level of immersion.
Best Curved

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This curved monitor from CRUA may have a narrower viewing angle, but it truly can add exciting immersion to your games. The 1800R curvature is extreme enough to limit eye strain, yet it doesn’t warp or stretch the image. The “three sides frameless” design also adds to the allure. It may be something you have to try for yourself to understand, but if you’re interested in a curved monitor that puts you right in the middle of the action, this is an excellent choice.

Pros:

  • Vesa mountable
  • Speedy 2ms response time
  • Sufficient speeds for competitive gaming
  • Good choice for a dual-monitor setup thanks to the small bezels

Cons:

  • It feels a bit delicate, so treat it with care

Frequently Asked Questions

What are bezels?

They’re essentially the plastic frame around the screen. They serve to protect the delicate display panel from damage, yet some people prefer monitors with minimal bezels since they may find them distracting. Choosing between thick bezels and narrow, bezel-less displays is essentially a choice between durability and aesthetics.

Can HDMI cables display 2K resolutions at 144Hz?

There are different types of HDMI ports, such as HDMI 1.3 and HDMI 2.0. As a general rule of thumb, more recent generations of HDMI can display higher resolutions and higher refresh rates. HDMI 2.0 and above can usually display a 2K resolution at 144Hz. However, this depends on several factors, including the specific capacities of the HDMI cable you use. At the end of the day, we recommend using a DisplayPort cable to ensure you get the highest possible resolution and refresh rate.

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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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.