best lcd panel for gaming in stock

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Creating an array of the best LCD Monitors for Stock Traders is one of the many ways you can make money on your PC. Unlike gaming rigs which require high-speed refresh rates and response times, you will only need clarity and a perfectly sized display to cater to your needs. This niche can involve a lot of different software at any given time, so your best bet is probably a multi-display machine.  You want a set up that allows you scan multiple markets at the same time, decreases eye fatigue, offers high resolution, maximizes speed and keeps costs down.  The setups below are more affordable and responsive than your standard Bloomberg terminal monitor.  Users of TradeStation, Thinkorswim, and eSignal will benefit from the expansive real estate of a multi-monitor setup.

Although newer and more efficient apps now use widget-styled interfaces, your best bet could be a singular, large monitor with a QHD or UHD resolution. In any case, the wide market can provide you with a specific solution which should fit your budget and satisfy your meticulous requirements.

If you can only envision two or three monitors, you can follow our guide to affordable accessories here. This guide describes and recommends the best and most affordable mounts and cables you will ever need to start a basic stock trading setup.

The cheapest solution we can find and recommend is the VIVO Hex LCD Monitor Stand, which can hold up to six 24-inch monitors via their 75 x 75 or 100 x 100 VESA mounting holes. This mechanism is made of high-grade steel and aluminum for durability.

Each arm will provide -15 to +15 degrees of tilt, and 360 degrees of swivel and pivot, giving you absolute control over how you would want to position each screen to get the perfect view angle. You also won’t need to worry about messy wires, since the VIVO Hex LCD Monitor Stand also includes an integrated cable management system.

The AOC I2369VM is one of the cheapest 23-inch monitors with IPS panels available in the market today. Despite fitting the budget category of monitors, this model utilizes a slim design with a three-sided bezel-free face making it suitable for side by side placement. Also, the matte silver finish gives it a sophisticated look which further emphasizes on its business-class nature.

The IPS panel in the AOC I2369VM is capable of excellent contrast ratio, gamma, and panel uniformity ensuring your work is visibly clear and precise even if viewed at an off angle. You also get a pixel response time of 5ms, so you need not worry about ghosting or interlacing while your programs continually update their content.

The Asus VC239H is one of the most globally popular IPS monitors around the world for its excellent value and build quality. Asus designed the VC239H with the infinity-edge concept they use on their high-end models, so you won’t see any bezels on the top and of the sides of the screen.

The IPS panel appears crisp and vibrant especially if you use the included sRGB mode in the OSD, which produces a Delta E result of only 1.80. You sacrifice a bit of contrast in this mode, but we can’t argue with correctly saturated images and accurate colors which are often associated with high-end monitors.

Dell is a staple brand when considering professional or business monitors for their outstanding reliability, performance, and sophisticated design. The Dell S2415H is one such model who embodies these qualities, despite having an awesomely affordable price. Clad in the company’s signature matte black and silver cabinets, this borderless display will look fantastic on the mount we specified.

Of course, this model also includes an IPS panel for excellent clarity and viewing angles. Using the Multimedia preset enables lush colors and correct saturation levels. This out of the box performance is excellent for easily building your command center with multiple monitors for stock trading,

If multiple monitors for stock trading isn’t your cup of tea, there are products which are suitable for the job. Having a lone monitor on your desk can be practical in both cost and upkeep, plus you don’t have to deal with messy cabling or assembly.

For this category, we recommend users to get either a large 4K display or a stunning ultra-wide monitor with a UW-QHD resolution so you can maximize your virtual viewing space for your widgets and apps.

The Dell P43127Q is one of the most specialized monitors for stock trading because it is a multi-client display. The massive 43-inch screen with a 4K panel can split into four different sections with 1080p resolutions each, giving users a simulated quad monitor experience for unrivaled efficiency.

You can utilize several host devices to stream multiple sources in the Dell P4317Q, or you can utilize the massive viewing space to open your widgets and designate them to a side or quadrant freely. The gorgeous 10-bit IPS panel can display near perfect coverage of the sRGB gamut, and panel uniformity is excellent for something so big.

Another excellent behemoth is the Philips BDM4350UC, a 43-inch professional monitor with an IPS panel. This model almost looks like your 4K TV in the living room with thin bezels, making it look like a gorgeous centerpiece for your office or workspace. Just like the Del P4317Q above, this screen can also serve as a multi-client device. The 4K resolution of the big screen also enables you to open multiple apps and widgets simultaneously, ensuring your workflow is efficient.

The Philips BDM4350UC carries a high-quality IPS panel with eye-popping color and detail, plus our review unit did not display any severe backlight bleeding or poor uniformity, which is quite rare for big screens. This option is excellent for designing and movies, and we can’t imagine why it shouldn’t be included as one of the best monitors for stock trading.

The LG 34UC97 is an excellent ultra-wide monitor with an IPS panel with 99%  coverage of the sRGB gamut. This color-accurate wonder gently curves with a 3800mm radius giving its users a perceived wrapped-around feeling which can enhance immersion and focus. You can also split the screen into several configurations via LG’s Screen Split software according to your needs.

The LG34UC97 is a work of art, thanks to its borderless face and luxurious furniture clad in chrome and metal textures. You get a mild degree of articulation with the included stand, but we reckon users will rarely need to adjust the whole thing to get a perfect viewing angle. Your modern devices can also benefit from the modernism of this model since it is equipped with a Thunderbolt port for USB-C devices such as the new MacBooks.

If you want something bigger and better than the previous entry, the next best thing is the LG 38UC99 which has a whopping 3840 x 1600 resolution which is enough to display three or four windows side by side. Like most of LG’s high-end monitors, the 38UC99 is able to output 99% sRGB coverage for excellent vibrancy and accuracy.

You can maximize the vast viewing space with the help of LG Screen Split 2.0, plus you can enjoy a bit of gaming with its 75Hz refresh rate which is complemented by AMD Freesync for image stability and tear-free enjoyment. The LG38UC99 is also big on features since it is equipped with a plethora of image-enhancing options and a multitude of connection ports which include the future-proof USB-C for charging and harnessing audio/video signals from a compatible device.

Choosing the best monitors for day trading does not need to be tricky or difficult, since the market is full of several solutions which are suitable for different needs and budgets. The seven recommended products here represent benchmarks according to our rating, tastes, and experience so you can gauge how to build a setup for trading of your own.

You can also select monitors from some of the best the gaming industry has to offer, but in our opinion, their capabilities are wasted and they are usually too expensive for this sort of thing. The goal is to be as practical as much as possible, even if there are high-end offerings which provide utilitarian features in exchange for their price tags.

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The best gaming monitor we"ve tested is the Dell Alienware AW3423DW, which is easiest to buy directly through Dell"s website. It"s an excellent ultrawide gaming monitor that doesn"t have the highest resolution or refresh rate compared to other monitors. However, it"s known for its incredible motion handling and remarkable picture quality. It"s a QD-OLED display, so it combines the perfect black levels of OLEDs with the wide range of colors of quantum dot displays. Content looks amazing in dark rooms, and colors look vivid in HDR, but there are issues when using it in a bright room as the black levels raise, so it"s better to game with it in the dark. There are also some text clarity and color fringing problems; however, it doesn"t affect the overall picture quality in games.

Its OLED panel provides a near-instantaneous response time, resulting in an incredibly smooth motion without any blur trail behind fast-moving objects. It also has a 175Hz refresh rate that you can achieve over a DisplayPort connection from your PC. Lastly, it natively supports G-SYNC variable refresh rate (VRR) technology to reduce screen tearing, which is beneficial if you have an NVIDIA graphics card and want to take full advantage of it. If you don"t need the native G-SYNC support, there"s also a FreeSync variant of this monitor known as the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF that"s a bit cheaper.

Only the best gaming monitor will give you the best visual experience for your games while catering perfectly for your setup, budget, and preferences. We think it"s one of a handful of ways to guarantee an instant enhancement to your setup too - after all, gaming monitors literally shape the way we see and experience all the awesome games we all play.

However, finding the best gaming monitor can prove to be a melon scratcher: it"s a massive market, and it"s constantly changing with new and exciting entries arriving, and old favourites being phased regularly. So, to navigate this, you"ll have to consider big-picture factors like resolution (1080p, 1440p, and 4K), screen techs (FreeSync and G-Sync), screen size, and more. Our guide will help you navigate this exciting minefield by covering all the relevant specs, and types and we"ll also find you the best prices too. An important point to make too is that these monitors are absolutely not just for PC gaming, as more and more console gamers are using them too nowadays.

As a result, we"re really spoilt for choice for the best gaming monitors around. At GamesRadar+ we"ve been working hard for years to pick out the best gaming monitor by constantly reviewing, testing, and comparing the best in the business to build this very list to help you find the best screen going. Our writers and reviewers spend masses of time with each screen we review and really put them through their paces with hard gaming sessions, as well as noting their qualities for every day and work use.

And to help you make the best decision, we strive to lay out all the facts as plainly as possible. After all, the best gaming monitors have more going on behind the scenes than the best gaming TV(opens in new tab) or the best home projectors(opens in new tab). So if you game separately to where you watch your films and TV content, then a monitor is a great idea to optimize your setup. Whatever your needs, our round-up will help you make the right call and get you something with a brilliant picture, and all the performance and features you need.

It’s been an awfully long time coming, but with the new Alienware 34 AW3423DW, OLED technology has finally come to the best gaming monitor. And, boy, does it deliver. This screen has better contrast and a faster response than any LCD panel we’ve ever seen while also looking richer, more convincing, more immersive, andbeing faster, sharper, and clearer. It really does do everything.

We found that it’s not absolutely perfect, though. The supposedly brighter HDR 1000 mode actually results in a duller image most of the time than the more usable HDR 400 setting. You will rarely if ever see the full 1,000 nits. The low pixel density also means this isn’t a great choice for an all-purpose display. It’s likewise not a good fit for console gaming. And strictly speaking, higher refresh panels will offer better latency.

Concerns involving OLED burn-in do linger, a little. If that proves unfounded, OLED could take off on the PC in a big way and for most types of gaming, we think this is an absolute revelation.

Limited to a budget of around $200 / £200? Don’t despair. A high-refresh monitor with a decent IPS panel is within reach and we think could be a top gaming monitor for a lot of folks. Enter the AOC 24G2 and its closely related AOC 24G2U sibling. Inevitably, some compromises have to be made. The 24G2 / 24G2U are mere 24-inch monitors with a modest 1,920 by 1,080 resolution, otherwise known as 1080p. The difference between the two? The 24G2U adds a USB hub.

Good for a seriously zappy 1ms pixel response and with both variable refresh rate support and a low input lag mode, they run at a fulsome 144Hz which was confirmed to us in testing. Of course, that’s a far lower resolution than a 4K panel with just one-quarter the number of pixels. But then fewer pixels means more frames and lower latency which might just give you that critical edge in your Battle Royale or team-based shooter of choice, be that Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, Battlefield 5, or Overwatch.

One obvious omission for us, spec-wise, is HDR capability of any kind. But then very few monitors deliver a true HDR experience from our experience. So, at least AOC doesn’t tease you with the promise of HDR only to ultimately disappoint. What’s more, with slim bezels and both height and tilt adjustment, this panel doesn’t feel or look like a budget option.

The ASUS TUF VG27AQ is not exactly a flashy entry to our best gaming monitor list but it is bursting at the seams with quality. It"s ordinary-looking but that didn"t fool us, as it packs a punch and offers an incredibly speedy monitor for gaming. There"s a 165Hz (featuring Adaptive Sync Support), a 1ms response rate of 1ms, and it is both G-Sync and FreeSync compatible. Add into this ASUS" own Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync technology and the in-game pictures this monitor provides are some of the smoothest and best you can get on a 1440p monitor.

When we tested the monitor, the image quality was excellently crisp, too - it"s not all about the speed. Stir in a rating of HDR10 high dynamic range for colour and brightness levels, too, and they are some of the nicest images we"ve seen on a 1440p. The VG27AQ does a great job of balancing overall picture quality, speeds, and, importantly, the price point. It"s a great do-it-all monitor that we think will serve people well for PC gaming and console gaming.

Dell offers a lotof monitors, from basic 1080p run-of-the-mill office jobs to uber impressive 4K beauties. The S2721DGF slots firmly in the middle, offering gaming performance at 1440p, and while we find that the specs are those you"d expect of a top-notch competitive esports ready screen, when we took it out of the box it certainly doesn"t look like one on the outside.

When any PC gamer is looking for a monitor, two specs are vital; refresh rate and response time. The Dell S2721DGF is almost perfect in this regard, offering 165Hz and 1ms respectively and this was confirmed to us in testing. Another attraction is the IPS panel, which is excellent and contributes to the bang-to-buck value that the monitor offers.The monitor is covered in a matte, all-black finish, with thin, flat bezels around the edge, making it a brilliant choice for anyone looking for a double or triple-monitor set-up.

The only place we think this monitor trips up is in HDR performance, especially in dark areas. The contrast is low, which means it"s often hard to differentiate between subtle blacks and greys, but if you"re using this primarily for gaming and not movie-watching, it"s not too big of a deal. This is one of the best 1440p gaming monitors on the market.

Until now, 4K60fps+ gaming has been a concept only attainable by the hardcore enthusiasts who dedicate everything they have to PC gaming and their best gaming monitors. Not anymore. Thanks to the recent launch of the 30-series cards from Nvidia, and AMD"s RX series equivalents, it"s finally affordable for those who desire it. To reach that level, you need one of the best monitors on the market, but they"re usually more expensive than the graphics cards themselves.

The ASUS XG27UQ changes that entirely, bringing almost the best possible specs on a 4K screen down to a reachable tier for general PC gamers. It"s still not cheap, but for the first time ever a 4K monitor with 1ms response time and a 144Hz refresh rate is below the $1k mark. Quite considerably actually, coming in at around$800/£800. It"s still a hefty price tag, don"t get me wrong, but it"s far cheaper than the other top-tier offerings.

We think that the ASUS XG27UQ is like a gaze into what PC gaming will be like for everyone5 to 10 years down the line. With ray tracing on, Cyberpunk 2077 had my jaw on the floor, with stunning lighting effects and texture detail throughout Night City. As did Assassin"s Creed Valhalla, with the sunrays splitting the treetops. if you have a rig capable of it – seriously, don"t upgrade to 4K if your graphics card is a few years old – then you will not be disappointed with this monitor.

While the viewing angles of its TN panel continue to prove to us in testing that there are better options for viewing, this monitor boasts a shocking wealth of functionality typically found outside a budget monitor"s wheelhouse. If you have an AMD graphics card, the BenQ EL2870U is enhanced with native FreeSync support. Sadly, however, it is not G-Sync Compatible – trust us, we tested it. That said, it does have a utilitarian selection of ports, namely two HDMI 2.0 connections and a single DisplayPort 1.4.

And, should you spend hours on end trying to best your KDR in Apex Legends(opens in new tab) like we did with this monitor in testing, then Ben-Q"s integrated eye-care solution automatically adjusts brightness and blue light to safeguard your eyes from the evils of light-emitting diodes. It"s not perfect, but the fact that this 28-inch 4K HDR screen regularly goes on sale for a fraction of its price is a compelling case for snatching one up no matter what you platform you play on.

We think that the combo of 1440p and 27 inches has been the sweet spot for affordable PC gaming for an age. Does it make sense for consoles, too? The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD likes to think so, in part thanks to a compatibility mode that allows a 4K input from the PS5 to run at 2.5 on this 2,560 by 1,440 pixel panel, which means it offers a different edge in its contention for best gaming monitor.

Even with that quirk aside, this MSI panel still has a lot going for it, we think. For starters, it runs at 165Hz and packs a high-quality IPS panel with colour accuracy that’s well above the norm for a gaming monitor.

Arguably even more important is the fact that this monitor is seriously fast in our testing. Rated officially at 1ms response, it’s one of, if not the, fastest LCD gaming monitors we’ve ever seen. That speed makes it great for all kinds of PC gaming and a particular joy for online shooters which were great to test. It’s also feature-packed, including G-Sync compatibility, plus USB-C connectivity (albeit limited to 15W of charging power).

Looking for one of the best gaming monitors that combines nearly everything that’s best about the latest LCD technology? You just found it in the Samsung Odyssey G7 C27G7. With local dimming, adaptive sync, high refresh, HDR, quantum dot technology, a curved panel, and more, on paper it"s got the works.

More specifically, it comes with a 27-inch diagonal with 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh for what we think nails the sweet spot in terms of balancing detail with speed and response. That"s why it"s our pick for best 240Hz gaming monitor right now.

The main question mark concerns the use of VA panel technology, which is traditionally associated with slow pixel response and generally slightly laggy performance. Not so here. Samsung claims 1ms response times and interesting we found that this monitor feels and looks at least that quick. No question, it’s comparable with the best TN monitors for sheer speed. That it also matches IPS panels for colours and adds excellent contrast into the mix makes for an incredibly compelling package.

As for negatives, they’re limited to a particularly poor HDR implementation given the DisplayHDR 600 certification, plus a niggling doubt that the extreme 1000R curve may be a bit too much of a good thing.

Acer’s beastly 43-inch Predator CG7 has been updated to offer HDMI 2.1 support, and that makes it a shoo-in for our best gaming monitor for Xbox Series X guide now. An early note: as ever, the branding of the new variant is confusing. It’s the Acer Predator CG437KP you want, the additional ‘P’ on the end is the critical indicator of the updated model - the prices you see here are for that and the links will take you to the right place.

Specs-wise, the VA panel is the real 4K deal and good for fully 1,000 nits of brightness and 1ms responses, albeit that 1ms stat is not the usual gray-to-gray, but Acer’s Visual Response Boost mode, which comes at the cost of brightness. Just as important it’ll hit the full 120Hz thanks to that HDMI 2.1 upgrade (connected to a PC it’ll go even faster - 144Hz).

While it"s a massive size, you will get all the support you need for Xbox Series X play. For example, for the record, Acer says it will also run at 120Hz at 1440p on the Xbox Series X, giving you the option to step down the resolution in return for more speed and response. That makes this panel suitable for twitchy online shooters like Fortnite, while the sheer scale and punch of the VA panel is also a good fit for graphics fests like Assassin"s Creed: Valhalla.

As for colour accuracy, Acer reckons the CG7 is good for 90 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut, which isn’t too shabby. The CG7 is also DisplayHDR 1000 certified. However, it only has 14 edge-lit dimming zones rather than full-array local dimming, so it’s not the full HDR deal. That said, the inherent 4,000:1 contrast of the VA panel combined with that powerful 1,000 nits brightness means that this is about as good as it gets with having full-array dimming.

Sony has stepped into the best gaming monitor world with an absolutely beautiful beast. The Inzone M9 is a gorgeous monitor boasting a 27" 4K HDR screen and a sleek PS5-inspired design that looks oh-so-good next to your Sony console.

With some exclusive PS5 features that include autoswapping between cinema and game modes and automatically optimizing HDR settings upon booting up the console. This means you won"t have to fiddle with any settings on your monitor when going between PS5 and PC use, which is a lovely little feature that not a ton of gaming monitors have.

The Acer Predator XB271HU is the Nvidia user’s answer to the Asus MG279Q, and it features many of the same benefits: a vibrant, flicker-free IPS panel with 144Hz refresh, excellent viewing angles and built-in screen tear prevention technology. Like AMD’s FreeSync, Nvidia’s G-Sync lets the GPU and monitor coordinate their efforts, reducing or eliminating screen tearing. Unlike FreeSync, which is part of the DisplayPort 2.1a standard and is free to include in any applicable monitor, G-Sync requires a proprietary Nvidia chipset in the display, which usually incurs a $200 premium over comparable monitors equipped with FreeSync, and even more versus monitors with no adaptive sync support.

True to form, the Predator XB271HU is G-Sync capable between 30 and 144Hz out of the box, up to a maximum of 165Hz if you’re the overclocking type. Most modern computers, even the kind you buy a $700+ monitor for, can’t render a steady 144+ frames-per-second, so right now that much G-Sync headroom isn’t especially useful. As an investment, however, the Predator XB271HU makes a strong argument, as it’ll graciously provide for not only your current GPU, but the next couple of upgrades as well.

Not a fan of curved candidates for best gaming monitor? Then you might want to jog on. Because we think that MSI has definitely doubled down on the notion of bent screens with the MPG Artymis 343CQR. With a mere one metre radius of curvature, this thing is positively twisted.

As it happens, we found that it’s also unbelievably immersive. Partly this comes down to that extreme 1000R curve, but it’s also because MSI has boldly opted for VA rather than IPS panel technology. Combined with a very strong monolithic backlight, the result, confirmed in our testing, is punchy peak brightness of 550cd/m2 and 3,000:1 static contrast. Granted, there’s only entry-level HDR 400 certification. But this monitor delivers the best HDR experience we’ve yet seen from a monitor with no local dimming. CyberPunk 2077 running on this 34-inch, 3,440 by 1,440 pixel beauty is truly something to behold.

Of course, the big worry with any VA panel is pixel response. The 343CQR does need a little time to warm up. But once it’s up to temp, we found the response is nearly good enough to justify the 1ms claim. Add in 165Hz refresh and AMD FreeSync support (for the record, Nvidia G-Sync isn’t officially supported but does work) and you have one heck of an overall gaming package.

Back on the Windows desktop, that extreme curve makes less sense. Likewise, at this price point, the mere 1440p resolution will be disappointing from a productivity perspective. And don’t forget that even the latest consoles don’t support the ultra-wide 21:9. But for the specific job of high-end PC gaming, with the arguable exception of esports, this monitor proved to us that it is absolute madness. And in a very good way.

For most gamers, 1440p and 144Hz is the current sweet spot for best gaming monitor; the best compromise between speed and visual detail. However, for esports aficionados, it’s all about frame rates and response. This is where the Acer Predator XB253QGX comes in.

Resolution-wise, it’s only 1080p from a 25-inch panel. But it clocks in at fully 240Hz refresh and is good for an ultra-low MPRT pixel response time of 0.5ms (GtG response is 1ms claimed). The Predator is also Nvidia G-Sync capable. HDR support is entry-level stuff in the form of DisplayHDR 400 certification. But that at least ensures punchy peak brightness of 400cd/m2.

The IPS panel tech likewise makes for more accurate and vibrant colours than an equivalent TN screen. For online shooters right through from Counter-Strike: Source to Call of Duty: Warzone, this panel is a peach. It’s very quick and blur-free and feels super responsive.

It’s less impressive rendering the latest eye candy in the likes of Cyberpunk 2077. The relatively low res makes for much fuzzier image quality than 1440p or 4K panels. But if speed is what you demand, the Acer Predator XB253QGX does that better than most while not entirely giving up on image quality.

In theory, that’s a huge upgrade. In practice, it’s a bit more complicated. This is a big screen, and so even with that many zones, the granularity of the backlight control is actually quite crude. But when it"s performing at its best, the Neo G9 puts on a spectacular HDR show that few if any monitors can match.

It might be one to skip for console play for now - the likes of LG’s 120Hz C1 and CX OLED TVs are better matched for that from a big-screen perspective - but for pure PC gaming, the Neo G9’s wrap-around immersion is awfully hard to beat so that"s why this is the best ultrawide monitor you can buy right now in the search for your best gaming monitor.

Arguably the current daddy, and best portable gaming monitor money can buy, both in terms of stature and price, the Asus ROG Strix XG17 clocks in at 17 inches and around $600 / £600 depending on the configuration.

As standard, it’s a 1080p IPS display cranking out up to 240Hz refresh and comes with a tablet-style folding stand. For a little extra cash, you can have a folding tripod stand that allows for a full range of adjustability.

It’s pretty beefy at over a kilo for the display, to which you can add another 0.65kg for the optional tripod. But then it is 17 inches and sports a 7800mAh battery. That allows for up to 3.5 hours of mains-free use, though the display can also be powered over USB-C. In terms of video inputs, it’s USB-C or HDMI.

It’s a quality bit of kit with a metal chassis, 3ms response, wide color gamut coverage, a gaming-friendly 1080p native resolution, and a full range of OSD menu options including pixel overdrive settings. Unless you want to go 4K or need HDR support, this is probably as good as portable gaming panels get.

The best gaming monitors - FAQWhat brand is best for gaming monitors?This is a tough question with no real stand out, single answer. Much like other areas of gaming tech, like headsets, for example, the best gaming monitor market is a crowded one, and this means pinning down one brand as the best of them all is nigh on impossible. Big name abound like ASUS, Acer, BenQ, Samsung, and Alienware, but thinking about a brand should always be secondary to the specs that you need and the price that you can spend.Is 144Hz or 240Hz better?In what is increasingly becoming a defining factor among the best gaming monitors, and gamers" approach to buying them, the refresh rate is critical. And the difference between these two numbers, 144 and 240 is increasingly becoming a distinction worth making as, 1) games can be noticeably differnt at these speeds, and, 2) monitors are made and sold at these exact numbers.

144Hz is almost certainly enough and games running at this framerate will be buttery smooth, but 240Hz will always be a bit more future proof and allow extra headroom. If a 240Hz monitor is only a small amount more, then it"s probably worth it - but always consider other specs before committing too!What monitor do pro gamers use?You"ll find pro gamers across esports use a variety of different gaming monitors. There doesn"t seem to be a prevailing brand that provides what is considered to be the best gaming monitor for pros - but they do pick and play on ones to their strengths and needs. Fast refresh rates, fast response times, and 1080p resolutions are often the favoured specs here - there"s no need for ultrawide beasts, of 4K gaming monitors.

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Having said that, there"s always a case for a 2nd gaming monitor - I use two at home depending on what PC game I want to play. Such is the range of the best gaming monitors available, if you had the budget and the setup, you could go for one which is best for competitive play and one that"s best for slower-paced role-playing games, and so on. What might work here is also one larger, curved gaming monitor as these can be had at very aggressive price points now too.

So, even though I would like to approach this much like my attitude in the kitchen, that more is more, it might just not be worth it for most folks. Particularly if you"re on a budget; even if you"re set on having two screens, you could splash out on one and pick up a cheap 2nd one for work or admin.

Speed in the screen having a fast refresh rate (Hz) which dictates the level of frames per second you"ll get from your machine; but also in the screen"s response time, (ms) which measures the amount of time it takes for a pixel to change. You want the former to be as high as possible, and the latter to be as low as possible.

And smoothness rolled into this by the screen having FreeSync or, preferably, G-Sync to ensure the transitions between frames are consistent and buttery is the perfect complement to the speeds. The likes of the best G-Sync monitor and best G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitors will be great shouts here.

The best gaming monitors come in such a wide variety of sizes it can be hard to work which size (by inches) to go for, or what will be best for a particular style of monitor.

Using a broad brush, a good starting point is to look at gaming monitors that are 27-inches. We find this to be quite a good sweet spot, particularly for 1440p resolutions. At 32-inches, you can start to really immerse yourself in games, and this size is fast becoming a go-to for 4K resolution monitors.

If you"re into ultrawides to take your immersion to the next level then we"d recommend a minimum of 34 or 35-inches for that ultrawide experience, though the experiences that 38-inch and 49-inch behemoths offer are something to consider - if your budget can be stretched.

There is also a school of thought from those that play esports that something like a 24-inch gaming monitor is perfect as it"s as close a match for what our eyes can take in and process quickly - so if this is you, then keep an eye on those, smaller sizes.

Most gaming monitors now offer in-plane switching, or IPS, panels. Compared with the twisted nematic, or TN, displays of the past, IPS screens have much better viewing angles and color reproduction. That said, competitive gamers who care more about performance than visual fidelity still find TN monitors enticing because of their faster, often 1ms response times.

Like choosing between IPS and TN panel tech, a similar sentiment applies in the resolution department, where 4K monitors exist alongside those with somewhat lower pixel densities yet higher refresh rates. If you find yourself kicking back exploring the vast open-world of an Assassin’s Creed game more often than sniping your friends in Overwatch, then 4K HDR inhabits the best gaming monitor of your future. Esports athletes, on the other hand, ought to peep the 120Hz or 144Hz, or even higher, speed demons we’ve scouted out.

Best gaming monitor lists like ours try to give you as much information as concisely as possible, however this also means relying on tech speak and acronyms sometimes. Here we have outlined some of the most common terms and what they mean so you can be fully informed.

HDR:High Dynamic Range is a display technology that allows for a broader range of contrast and color, enabling brighter highlights, deeper blacks, and richer color.

VA:Vertical Alignment, an LCD panel technology with the best image depth and highest contrast amongst other competitive LCD techniques (TN and IPS) but often slowest response time.

We spend hours and hours testing each monitor, living with it where possible and using it as our everyday screen for work and play. As a result, we test out work and productivity functionality to give you an idea as to whether you can rely on it for the more mundane things, and then we play and run a big batch of games on the screens to ensure it provides good performance, no matter the price point or feature set. When it comes to games, we test single-player expansive games like RPGs and strategies to examine their detail, colour, and image quality, while also ensuring we test them with online and competitive shooters to see how they hold up when speed is key.

For more information, you can read more on How we test monitors at GamesRadar+ here, and for an overview of our approach to gaming tech then you can check out our full Hardware Policy.

If you"re after something that"s TV-shaped then head over to ourbest TV for PS5and Xbox Series X,best OLED TV, andbest 120Hz 4K TVguides which will all see you right.

Gaming monitors have started to hit their stride. Whether you"re looking for a 4K gaming monitor for the sharpest picture or a 240Hz gaming monitor for the smoothest experience, you"ll be able to find something to cater to your exact style of gaming and loaded with all the latest technology you could want. Aside from those extremes, you"ll also find tons of value in our picks. And, we"re not just talking about budget gaming monitors, we mean the majority of monitors now feature VA or IPS panels for great color depth, while offering up fast response times, and all of them are 60Hz or faster. These monitors can change the way you game.

The plethora of options is a boon and a curse though. There are almost too many good options to churn through, but luckily for you, we"re experts in this field and have reviewed or witnessed the majority of the options in action. We"ll save you the trouble of having to pour through all the specs and compare models by simply serving up the best gaming monitors on the market – and click here to see them in the UK.

46See on AmazonScreen size: 34" 3800R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: Nano IPS Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 600 | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz (180Hz OC) | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4

There’s a new leader of the pack, and that’s the LG UltraGear 34GP950G. You’ll find greatness around every corner on this display. Its big, 34-inch display provides a spacious viewing area for your games with a cinematic, 21:9 aspect ratio. It stays sharp at 3,440 x 1,440 and it keeps your visuals clear with a fast response time and Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate, so you won’t suffer from screen tearing, stutter, coronas, or ghosting. This display is going to keep you immersed in the game no matter what you"re playing.

LG has used a Nano IPS display on this model that comes with impactful color with a 10-bit color depth, and those visuals will really pop thanks to the 600-nit peak brightness and HDR capabilities. It’s enough for the monitor to almost completely cover the expansive DCI-P3 color space. These specs surpass most monitors on the market, so you"re going to be blown away by the picture. And, all of that visual quality can cruise at 144Hz, or you can enable the overclocked mode to boost it up to 180Hz. You"ll be getting some super-smooth gameplay. There’s even content-responsive bias lighting built into the monitor with an RGB light ring on the back. This monitor truly means business, if your business is gaming.

21See on DellScreen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: VA FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible | Brightness: 350cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs:2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x Headphone out

Even if you’ve spent a good deal of your budget on other gaming peripherals, you can still snag a solid monitor on the cheap. The Dell 2721HGF offers up a 1080p display with a 144Hz refresh rate for under $250. These specs, along with the support of both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, give you ample visual and motion fidelity, allowing you to see all the action in your games. A 1080p resolution is also easier for modern graphics cards to drive at high frame rates, making it an excellent pairing for any budget gaming builds.

The Dell 2721HGF has a 27-inch screen with a slight curve to wrap around your field of vision, immersing you further in a game’s action. This isn’t the brightest display out there for features like HDR, but the 350 nit VA panel is easy on the eyes and offers a decent contrast ratio. The color accuracy makes games vibrant, though there is a bit of ghosting behind dark objects. A height and tilt adjustable stand is also included to ensure you get the perfect viewing angle.

23See on AmazonScreen size: 28" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium | HDR compatibility:DisplayHDR 400 | Brightness: 300cd/m2 (400cd/m2 in HDR) | Refresh rate: 144Hz (170Hz overclock) | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB-C

Jumping up to a 4K resolution is one way to improve your gaming experience, as it"ll deliver a crisper picture with more fine detail than lower resolutions. But, that high resolution is only a small piece of the picture. For a monitor that delivers 4K as well as upgrades in just about every other department, the Acer Nitro XV282K is hard to beat. This 28-inch option puts that impressive 4K picture on a shiny IPS display with 400-nit peak brightness, giving you a vibrant and colorful 4K HDR experience, as you find on the best gaming TVs. It’s important to note when using gaming consoles, you can’t switch user modes and are stuck in HDR, which can be a bit taxing on your eyes.

Unlike most gaming TVs, the Acer Nitro XV282K is built for speed. The panel delivers a 144Hz refresh rate, though, you can overclock up to 170Hz for silky-smooth gameplay on your PC. Even if you"re not able to hit 144fps at 4K in some games, the support for AMD FreeSync — G-Sync support is not official, though we tested the monitor and found it works without flaw — ensures you"ve got clean, full frames on display instead of a torn-up picture. The multiple HDMI 2.1 ports and DisplayPort make this monitor great for taking advantage of the latest gaming consoles and high-end PC builds.

41See on AmazonScreen size: 27" 1000R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA QLED G-Sync, FreeSync Premium Pro | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x DisplayPort 1.4

If you don"t think 4K is all it"s cracked up to be, then there"s plenty to be gained by sticking with old faithful: 1440p. This resolution will be able to run your games better. And, the Samsung Odyssey G7 offers up a solid 1440p display with a fairly tight curve. That"s a good start for gaming, but this monitor is ready to take as much graphical horsepower as you can throw at it thanks to a super-fast, 240Hz refresh rate. Those are the kinds of speeds usually reserved for 1080p monitors.

8See on AmazonScreen size: 24.5" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: TN G-Sync compatible |Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 280Hz | Response time: 0.5ms (GtG) | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

People might be clamoring over 4K displays, and 1440p has a home in the hearts of many gamers trying to balance visual quality with value, but 1080p still has its place. The Asus TUF Gaming VG258QM is a prime example where FHD fits in because, for under $300, you get a screen that delivers an overclockable 280Hz refresh rate, 0.5ms response time, and low input lag, which will see your games run as smooth as hot butter. You even get G-Sync compatibility, ensuring your monitor and graphics card play nicely with each other.

The Asus TUF Gaming VG258QM stretches its 1080p picture across a 24.5-inch TN panel, and at 400 nits, it’s plenty bright for easy viewing. The contrast ratio isn’t the best, but a shadow boost feature while gaming helps to expose enemies lurking in the shadows. Some other quality-of-life boxes can get ticked off, too, with a height-adjustable, pivoting stand, two HDMI ports, and one DisplayPort for ample connectivity opportunities

14See on AmazonScreen size: 28" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync |Brightness: 350cd/m2 | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Response time: 5ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

4K doesn"t always mean you have to spend a fortune, and the Asus TUF Gaming is proof. By putting down a little over $300, you"ll be getting that impressive resolution and a whole lot more. First, we’re talking about HDR, as the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q1A supports a 10-bit color depth to show substantially more shades of color than your typical monitor. The IPS panel on this monitor also gets brighter than the typical monitor to let highlights pop. It can boost shadows, too, so you won’t struggle to see what’s going on in darker scenes of your games.

Now, because this monitor only boasts a 60Hz refresh rate, it may not be ideal for competitive gaming where a higher refresh rate can offer a competitive edge. But, the high resolution on a 28-inch panel will offer exceptionally crisp visuals for you to enjoy the detail in story modes. And, thanks to FreeSync support, you won’t have that perfect 4K picture marred by screen tearing.

16See on AmazonScreen size: 31.5" 1800R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA FreeSync Premium | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 400 | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0

Curved monitors sometimes give you leg up against competitors, as the screen pairs perfectly with your field of vision. Our favorite happens to be the Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQR, which offers a little bit of everything, including a slight 1800R curve to keep every bit of the screen facing you. This 31.5-inch display totes a 1440p resolution with a fast 165Hz refresh rate that"s good for delivering super-smooth gaming at a crisp level.

It"s not just the resolution, refresh rate, and slight curve that help you keep track of your enemies, but also the 400-nit brightness and high contrast on the VA panel. That type of performance means the monitor has DisplayHDR 400 certification. You also get support for FreeSync Premium to ensure the picture remains tear-free whether you"re hitting high or low frame rates. However, the best part of ​​Asus TUF Gaming VG32VQR might be the low cost, especially when considering all its features.

7See on AmazonScreen size: 48.8" 1000R | Aspect ratio: 32:9 | Resolution: 5,120 x 1,440 | Panel type: Mini LED QLED VA, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR10, HDR10+, Quantum HDR 2000 | Brightness: 2,000cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4

With the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9, you get a super ultrawide display, and it’s not just “super” because of how wide it is, but also because of how powerful it is. Samsung delivers an insanely stretched-out 48.8-inch display panel that’s effectively two 1440p monitors side by side without a gap in between. The display has an incredibly tight 1000R curvature that keeps it nice and close to your eyes from one side to the other.

Samsung has stuffed this thing to the gills, too. The display is lit with intense Mini LED backlights that deliver a 2,000-nit peak brightness — something you’ll be hard-pressed to find on just about any other screen. That brightness pairs with the strong contrast and broad color of the QLED panel in front of those Mini LEDs. You can take all the gorgeous gaming visuals this monitor can display for a high-speed cruise thanks to the monitor’s 240Hz refresh rate. And, since 5,120 x 1,440 won’t be the easiest resolution for any computer to drive, FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync compatibility will help keep the visuals neat and tidy.

3See on AmazonScreen size: 47.5" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: OLED FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible | HDR: HDR 10 | Brightness: 135cd/m2(typ) | Refresh rate: 120Hz (138Hz overclockable) | Response time: 0.1ms | Inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4

If you’re looking to use your new consoles on a monitor rather than a 4K TV or 8K TV, you’ll want to do it with the LG UltraGear 48GQ900. This monitor brings some high-end gaming chops, like VRR, a 0.1ms response, and a 120Hz refresh rate (overclockable to 138Hz) for some of the smoothest, blur-free action out there. And you won’t need to swap around cables when switching between PS5, Xbox Series X, or a gaming PC thanks to its inclusion of three HDMI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort connection.

The LG UltraGear 48GQ900 offers a massive 47.5-inch OLED panel, so you’ll enjoy all the benefits of true blacks, infinite contrast, and eye-popping color for deep immersion in all of the action. The only area where this display struggles is brightness in certain scenes, but it’s still a brilliant display to enjoy 4K gaming on your next-gen console.

Screen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS G-Sync | Brightness: 350cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

The capabilities of this monitor extend beyond gaming as well. That"s thanks to its colorful display, which supports up to 1.07 billion colors and covers enough of the sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 color spaces to offer an excellent visual experience in whatever you do.

0See on AmazonScreen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR 1000 | Brightness: 120cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 165Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

The Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q is the perfect companion to your AMD graphics, as it’s packing FreeSync Premium to ensure your monitor and GPU are playing nicely. Given how hard it’ll be to run games at the speedy 165Hz/1440p that this monitor is capable of, FreeSync Premium comes into play to keep each frame intact. For more insurance that you’ll enjoy some butter-smooth gameplay, there’s also a 1ms response time.

Using an IPS panel with mini LED technology, the Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q delivers a wild contrast ratio and impressive HDR performance thanks to its 576 local dimming zones. You’ll be immersed in deep blacks and vibrant color with its wide color gamut and 10-bit color support. This 27-inch monitor even pumps out brightness hitting 1200 nits in HDR mode.

Screen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x ,1440 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible |Brightness: 470cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 170Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

G-Sync can be pricy, but it gets a lot more affordable when you just use a quality FreeSync monitor that"s been officially vetted for strong G-Sync compatibility. That"s what the Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A offers. You"ll get a bright, sharp, and fast experience from this monitor thanks to its combination of a 1440p resolution, a 470-nit peak brightness, and a 170Hz refresh rate. However, you"ll be limited to 144Hz when using G-Sync.

This display can handle some HDR gaming, and it even supports 10-bit color, letting you get a great picture in and out of games. This monitor is also a strong option for anyone looking at the Xbox Series S, as it can support that console"s 1440p and 120Hz specs alongside FreeSync.

36See on DellScreen size: 24.5" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible |Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2

When it comes to esports, there are a few things you need to consider beyond speed. The Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor (AW2521HFL) has speed on lock with a 240Hz refresh rate that"ll let you cruise through maps while catching all the visual detail you need to get the drop on your opponents.

The Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor keeps things fairly simple by using a 1080p display panel that will make it easier for your system to push the full 240fps you need to take advantage of the display. And, when you can"t keep a constant frame rate, FreeSync and G-Sync support ensure you won"t run into tearing. A nice extra perk of this monitor is its use of a fast IPS panel, which can help ensure your viewing angle won"t impact your ability to see enemies in games.

We"ve mentioned several brilliant screens on this list, with up to 14 different options to choose from. These range from the most affordable all the way up until the juggernaut sets for those who love to take in every single detail. Thankfully, all of the displays mentioned can be found in UK retailers, and we"ve just so happened to track them down to save you the trouble of a time-consuming Google search.

Below we go over the three essential things you should consider including screen size, resolution, and aspect ratio. We’ve also briefly explained a few of the more technical aspects of computer display such as panel types, refresh rate, and the variable refresh rate technologies available today.

Screen size: “How big?” Will probably be the first thing you’ll ask yourself, and the answer really comes down to your unique situation. Are you in a tiny dorm with barely any room or are you looking to get a 43-inch gaming monitor to replace your TV?

Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio of your monitor is closely related to its size because it determines which form factor your display will have. The majority of monitors fall into the widescreen category with their 16:9 aspect ratio. Ultrawide displays have been rising in popularity recently, and these screens often feature the 21:9 aspect ratio you would typically see at the movie theater. If you can believe it, modern displays have only been getting even wider and there’s a growing crop of 32:9 displays as well.

Screen resolution: This determines how sharp your gaming monitor will be and, for the most part, there are three choices: Full HD (1,920 x 1,080), Quad HD (2,560 x 1,440), and Ultra HD or 4K (3,840 x 2,160). Like screen size, as the numbers go up so does the price, plus they"ll require a higher-end graphics card if you hope to maintain a high frame rate.

Panel type: Although most monitors might look the same on the surface, there are a few different panel types that offer specific benefits and shortcomings. Twisted Nematic (TN) panels are the most basic and common panel you’ll come across as they deliver the fastest response times of 1ms often at the cost of duller colors, grayer black levels, and poor viewing angles.

In-Plane Switching (IPS) is the next most prevalent type of display and it’s basically the opposite of a TN panel. Rather than focusing on speed, IPS panels are known for rendering excellent colors and contrast while offering wider viewing angles in exchange for slightly slower response time, usually hovering around 3-5ms.

If you want a responsive experience, it’s best to pick one with a fast response time, which is a measure of how quickly a pixel can change from the brightest to the darkest (white to black) color.

Response time: Competitive shooters and MoBAs demand the quickest response times, so it’s best to play these types of games on monitors that offer a 1ms response time. Playing Indie games and most single-player experiences shouldn’t be a problem on a display with a response time between 3-5ms – and it"s pretty much impossible to find a monitor that is slower than this.

Refresh rate: This is another important measure of how responsive the display is, and it defines how often your screen can display a completely new image — so it essentially dictates your frame rate. 60Hz is the standard refresh rate for silky smooth PC gaming, but there’s a long list of options that feature even higher refresh rates of 120Hz, 144Hz, and, so far, up to 240Hz.

G-Sync vs FreeSync: Variable refresh rate (VRR) technology is a fairly recent invention and it ensures you have a consistently smooth and responsive gaming experience. Currently, there are two flavors of VRR, Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, and they’ll require a prerequisite that you own a compatible graphics card from the corresponding brand. Nvidia GeForce cards do allow you to enable VRR on any FreeSync monitor, but your results will vary.

Our only other piece of advice when buying a gaming monitor is to make sure your video card can handle the resolution and refresh rate of the display you’re considering. It would be a waste of money to buy a 4K monitor when your GPU can only handle 1080p gaming.

Who this is for: A dual-monitor setup is usually the best option if you want to have a bunch of app windows open at once. But an ultrawide model might be a better choice if you need a ton of unbroken horizontal space, or you don’t want monitor bezels in between windows.

Why we like it: The Dell P3421W has a sturdy adjustable stand, lots of ports (including a USB-C port that can handle power, display, and data over a single cable), and a three-year warranty. And it has a built-in KVM switch that allows you to easily swap your keyboard, mouse, and video between two computers. The 1440p display has a 60 Hz refresh rate, which is great for typical office work, web browsing, and casual gaming.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: If you use your display in direct sunlight, this monitor might not be bright enough for you. It can also provide 65 W of power over USB-C, but some laptops require more. If you have a laptop with an Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU or an Intel Core i7 processor, you might need to keep the laptop plugged in to a separate charger or use a Thunderbolt dock that can provide the extra power.

Most ultrawide monitors are also curved. This design helps minimize viewing-angle problems—when you’re sitting centered, things on the far edges of the screen won’t look as washed out as they would on a flat display of a similar width. But this also makes ultrawide monitors inaccurate for precision tasks requiring straight lines, such as drawing, photo editing, or similar design work.

If you"re in the market for a new gaming monitor, you"re going to brush up against three distinct types of displays that all come with their own pros and cons. We"re here to break down exactly what you need to know about TN, IPS, and VA panels and help you make the right choice for your exact gaming needs.

There are three display panel types that cover most gaming monitors (cutting-edge technology like mini-LED and OLED are coming, but we won"t cover that here). TN (twisted nematic), IPS (in-plane switching), and VA (vertical alignment) all use the same technology at their core--molecules that react according to different voltages to move and produce an image--but their differences and evolutions have made each one good for specific use cases.

TN panels have the worst viewing angles of the three, with colors able to drastically shift from even slight angles off the center of the display. TN also has the worst color coverage, with the inability to show a high color depth and producing noticeable banding due to interpolation. Contrast ratios are also poor, with the overall image looking washed out compared to IPS and VA.

So, if TN is this poor, why is it still on the market? For one, TN panels are incredibly cheap, which is why you"ll often find them in budget gaming monitors that can still deliver a good, if not great, image. TN is also still the fastest panel type on the market, with pixel response times (the time it takes for a pixel to change color) as fast as 1ms. While IPS and VA panels have managed to get there, they often make use of methods that lead to other issues (such as smearing or inverted ghosting), which keeps TN panels relevant for speed.

For that reason, TN panels are ideal for competitive gaming, especially in the realm of esports where response time is much more important than image quality. If you"re primarily playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, or Call of Duty: Warzone, you"ll probably benefit the most from a TN monitor if all you care about is securing those wins. Plus, you"ll save a bunch of money in the process.

In the past, one of the biggest compromises you had to make with IPS displays was pixel response time and refresh rate, but as the technology has evolved it has managed to shake these off. You can now find IPS displays with refresh rates well into the 240Hz range, with response times matching that of the 1ms on TN. You"ll pay a premium for that, with most high-end displays on the market featuring these specs, but it"s also possible to enjoy some of the benefits with cheaper IPS products. You might get a response time closer to 4ms and maybe a limited refresh rate ranging from 60-144Hz, but if you care about what your games look like then it"s a massive step up from TN.

One big disadvantage across the board with IPS panels are their poor contrast ratios, making them worse options for dark rooms than VA. It can make dark areas in games look more milky grey than black, made worse by the uneven backlighting that can be viewed at different angles (also known as IPS glow). The color reproduction is still the best it can be on an IPS display, but if you mostly play games at night or in a dim room, you might want to consider a VA panel.

Speaking of VA (vertical alignment) panels, there"s a reason the majority of LCD TVs use this panel type. It"s the jack-of-all-trades panel, with better color reproduction than TN panels as well as a much better contrast ratio compared to IPS. VA panels, depending on the overall display specs, can also be cheaper than IPS panels in most cases, occupying a good middle ground between performance and price that is difficult to argue against.

One area where VA truly excels is contrast. It"s a night-and-day difference compared to IPS, with VA panels able to produce far inkier blacks and really accentuate dark areas in games, especially when you"re playing in a dim environment. This is one of the strongest reasons for owning a VA panel, especially if the "IPS glow" really bothers you. You do, however, lose out on the wider viewing angles th