best lcd panel for gaming manufacturer

Based in South Korea, Samsung has become one of the world"s leading electronic brands. Like many companies in this list, their monitors mainly focus on gaming. Their models are unique since they don"t primarily use IPS panels, as many have VA panels with a high contrast ratio and curved screen. Although VA panels look great in dark rooms, the main downside is that they have narrow viewing angles, which isn"t ideal for sharing your screen with others. They"ve even started including Mini LED backlighting on some models, which further improves the picture quality, peak brightness, and dark room performance. It helps that Samsung already produces TVs with this Mini LED technology, so they"ve become an industry leader for monitors with it.

Like with their TV lineup, Samsung offers the best features and performance with their high-end models like the Samsung LS32BG852NNXGO, and lower-end models tend to sacrifice features and performance for a lower cost. For example, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75 is a step down from the Neo G8 and costs less, but it has a lower 165Hz refresh rate compared to 240Hz on the Neo G8. It means that Samsung"s best options are their high-end ones, as their budget displays, like the Samsung Odyssey G3 S24AG30, have limited performance.

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So, why would anyone ever buy a TN panel? For starters, they’re cheap. They don’t cost a lot to produce, so they’re often used in the most budget-friendly options. If you don’t value color reproduction or need excellent viewing angles, a TN panel might be fine for your office or study.

TN panels also have the lowest input lag—typically around one millisecond. They can also handle high refresh rates of up to 240 Hz. This makes them an attractive option for competitive multiplayer games—especially eSports, where every split-second counts.

IPS technology was developed to improve upon the limitations of TN panels—most notably, the poor color reproduction and limited viewing angles. As a result, IPS panels are much better than TNs in both of these areas.

In particular, IPS panels have vastly superior viewing angles than TNs. This means you can view IPS panels from extreme angles and still get accurate color reproduction. Unlike TNs, you’ll notice very little shift in color when you view one from a less-than-ideal perspective.

IPS panels are also known for their relatively good black reproduction, which helps eliminate the “washed out” look you get with TN panels. However, IPS panels fall short of the excellent contrast ratios you’ll find on VAs.

While high refresh rates were typically reserved for TNs, more manufacturers are producing IPS panels with refresh rates of 240 Hz. For example, the 27-inch 1080p ASUS VG279QM uses an IPS panel and supports 280 Hz.

Previously, TNs exhibited less input lag than any other panel, but IPS technology has finally caught up. In June 2019, LG announced its new Nano IPS UltraGear monitors with a response time of one millisecond.

Despite the gap being closed, you’ll still pay more for an IPS panel with such a low response time than you would for a TN with similar specs. If you’re on a budget, expect a response time of around four milliseconds for a good IPS monitor.

One last thing to be aware of with IPS panels is a phenomenon called “IPS glow.” It’s when you see the display’s backlight shining through it at more extreme viewing angles. It’s not a huge problem unless you view the panel from the side, but it’s something to keep in mind.

VA panels are something of a compromise between TN and IPS. They offer the best contrast ratios, which is why TV manufacturers use them extensively. While an IPS monitor typically has a contrast ratio of 1000:1, it’s not unusual to see 3000:1 or 6000:1 in a comparable VA panel.

In terms of viewing angles, VAs can’t quite match the performance of IPS panels. Screen brightness, in particular, can vary based on the angle from which you’re viewing, but you won’t get the “IPS glow.”

VAs have slower response times than TNs and the newer Nano IPS panels with their one-millisecond response rates. You can find VA monitors with high refresh rates (240 Hz), but the latency can result in more ghosting and motion blur. For this reason, competitive gamers should avoid VA.

Compared to TNs, VA panels do offer much better color reproduction and typically hit the full sRGB spectrum, even on lower-end models. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, Samsung’s Quantum Dot SVA panels can hit 125 percent sRGB coverage.

For these reasons, VA panels are seen as the jack of all trades. They’re ideal for general use, but they either match or fall short in most other areas except contrast ratio. VAs are good for gamers who enjoy single-player or casual experiences.

When compared to CRT monitors, all LCD panels suffer from some form of latency issue. This was a real problem when TN panels first appeared, and it’s plagued IPS and VA monitors for years. But technology has moved on, and while many of these issues have been improved, they haven’t been eliminated entirely.

Uneven backlighting is another issue you’ll find on all panel types. Often this comes down to overall build quality—cheaper models slack on quality control to save on production costs. So, if you’re looking for a cheap monitor, be prepared for some uneven backlighting. However, you’ll mostly only notice it on solid or very dark backgrounds.

LCD panels are also susceptible to dead or stuck pixels. Different manufacturers and jurisdictions have different policies and consumer laws covering dead pixels. If you’re a perfectionist, check the manufacturer’s dead-pixel policy before you buy. Some will replace a monitor with a single dead pixel for free, while others require a minimum number.

Office or study use: Your budget should be your primary concern here. VA is the do-it-all panel, with superior viewing angles to TN, but either would do the trick. You can save some money because you don’t need high refresh rates or ultra-low latency. They’re still nice, though. You’ll see a noticeable difference in smoothness just when moving the Windows cursor on a monitor with a 144 versus 60 Hz refresh rate.

Photo and video editors/Digital artists: IPS panels are still generally favored for their ability to display a wide gamut of colors. It’s not unusual to find VA panels that also cover a wide gamut (125 percent sRGB, and over 90 percent DCI-P3), but they tend to exhibit more motion blur during fast-paced action than IPS panels. If you’re serious about color accuracy, you’ll need to properly calibrate your monitor.

Programmers who mount monitors vertically: You might think TN panels are great for programmers, but that’s not necessarily the case. TN panels have particularly bad viewing angles on the vertical axis. If you mount your monitor in portrait mode (as many programmers and mobile developers do), you’ll get the worst possible viewing angles from a TN panel. For the best possible viewing angles in this scenario, invest in an IPS display.

Competitive online gamers: There’s no question TN panels are still favored in the eSports world. Even the cheapest models have fast response times and support for high refresh rates. For 1080p gaming, a 24-inch will do just fine, or you could opt for a 1440p, 27-inch model without breaking the bank. You might want to go for an IPS panel as more low-latency models hit the market, but expect to pay more.

Non-competitive, high-end PC gamers: For a rich, immersive image that pops, a VA panel will provide a higher contrast ratio than IPS or TN. For deep blacks and a sharp, contrasting image, VA is the winner. If you’re okay with sacrificing some contrast, you can go the IPS route. However, we’d recommend avoiding TN altogether unless you play competitively.

Best all-rounder: VA is the winner here, but IPS is better in all areas except contrast ratio. If you can sacrifice contrast, an IPS panel will provide fairly low latency, decent blacks, and satisfactory color coverage.

As you probably know, you can usually get a monitor cheaper online than at a brick-and-mortar store. Unfortunately, buying online also usually means buying blind. And with a TV or monitor, that can lead to disappointment.

If you can, check out the monitor you’re interested in in-person before you buy it. You can perform some simple ghosting and motion blur tests by grabbing a window with the mouse and moving it rapidly around the screen. You can also test the brightness, watch some videos, and play with the onscreen display to get a feel for it.

As we head into CES 2023, we"re anticipating a host of new gaming monitors to be released, including high-refresh 4K displays and even some new 5K and 8K monitors now that AMD and Nvidia"s latest flagship graphics cards are on the market. We"re expecting a good deal of shake up on this list in the coming months, but all of the gaming monitors on this list are still some of the top displays you"re going to find – and they"ll likely see some price cuts to boot.

The best gaming monitors are optimized for PC and console gamers alike. When looking for a great option for your gaming needs, don"t just simply look a display with impressive picture quality. There are other things to consider as well, like refresh rates, adaptive sync, HDRM support, and even the presence of an HDMI 2.1 (if you"re looking for something for your current-gen console).

That also gets a little more in-depth as you go down the list. Some gaming monitors are better than others depending on the type of games you play. Gamers who appreciated single-player RPGs and open-world titles might find that the best monitor for them is the one with a higher resolution or true HDR capabilities to make the beautiful environments pop. And, for that, the best 4K monitors might be ideal to really get immersed in another world.

Those who love competitive online games such as first-person shooters or the best battle royale games will appreciate one of the best high refresh rate monitors with low latency, both of which can give you an edge over your opponents with split-second improvements.

Others will find that the best gaming monitor for them is the one that gives them options for how to connect several devices, not just their gaming PC, but also a PS5 or an Xbox Series X. Support for HDMI 2.1 allows consoles to get frame rates usually reserved for the best gaming PCs, offering some versatility regarding which leaderboards you decide to climb up today, whether on console or PC.

Narrowing down the best gaming monitor can be tricky, though, so that’s why we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve gathered a variety of gaming monitors to fit any and all gaming PC needs. Buying a gaming monitor can sometimes be an investment, but we’ll also help you keep that price down with the best gaming monitor deals.

With the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q, you’re getting a lot of value for your money – especially considering the small price of entry. One of the most affordable 4K gaming monitors right now, this 28-incher can swivel, pivot and tilt practically however which way you need it (within reason, naturally) to serve your purpose.

Multiplatform gamers looking for a high-performance 32-inch gaming monitor for 4K @ 144Hz gaming will find a lot to appreciate here with the M32UC from Gigabyte.

The HDR400 support is alright, but nothing special, but with a respectable amount of ports and other useful features, along with snappy pixel response time and great color gamut coverage, this is a great looking monitor with satifying performance that recommend it on its own.

An epic gaming experience awaits you with Acer Predator CG7’s 43-inch screen, 4000:1 contrast ratio, 1ms response time and 120Hz refresh rate. To be fair, there are bigger and badder gaming monitors out there, but for some people – particularly, those looking for a TV with gaming-level specs, this one’s a winner.

It’s got some extra features as well – namely, a remote control, icons on that stand to encourage game controller storage, and RGB lighting that can sync to your music and games – so you’re getting your money’s worth, even if you are paying for a lot.

How to choose the best gaming monitor for youHow to choose the best gaming monitor for youIf you"re in the market for the best gaming monitor, know that there are a few things to keep in mind before choosing which display should grace your desk.

You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the following terms and specifications to help guarantee that you’re getting the best gaming monitor that’s most ideal for you. It also means you won’t have to pay extra for additional features that you might not actually care about.

Screen size:When looking for a gaming monitor, one of the most important things to consider is the screen size. Larger display sizes can lead to more immersive gaming experiences as the game fills more of your field of vision, but you"ll also have to make sure that you have the space to keep a large monitor. And, it goes without saying that the larger the monitor, the higher the price as well.

Aspect ratio:The aspect ratio of a gaming monitor helps determine the width and height of the display. Most widescreen monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9, while older monitors have closer to a square format of 4:3 that might feel pretty out of date in 2022. Ultra-wide monitors with aspect ratios of 21:9 are rapidly growing in popularity, as they offer a wider view of your games, which is why many ultra-wides have made our list of the best gaming monitors 2022.

Resolution:One other critical factor to consider when searching for the ideal monitor for your needs is the resolution. The higher the number, the sharper the picture. You will, however, require a more powerful graphics card for anything over Full HD (1,920 x 1,080), even if many gaming monitors feature resolutions as high as 2,560 x 1,400 (WQHD) and 3,840 x 2,160 (4K).

Refresh rate:When you’re mostly looking to play Counter-Strike and other first-person shooters like it, refresh rate is even more vital. The higher the refresh rate, the more frames per second (fps) the monitor can support, leading to a considerably smoother gaming experience. A 60Hz refresh rate is still the most common in 2022, and there are some 120Hz 4K monitors as well. However, refresh rates of 144Hz and even 200Hz are becoming more prominent – not to mention, more and more necessary.

Response time: An excellent gaming monitor offers low response times, which means you’re getting fast and fluid actions, with little to no input lag. The lowest response time for TN monitors (we’ll get to this in the next section) is 1 millisecond, whereas the newer IPS monitors typically have slower 4ms response times. When you’re playing games competitively, it’s vital to keep this number as low as you can in order to avoid latency.

Panel type:This is where things get a little technical. The type of panel a gaming monitor uses will largely contribute to its response time and image clarity. TN (twisted nematic) panels, which are often more affordable, have the lowest response times but usually don’t come with great viewing angles. IPS (in-plane switching) panels, on the other hand, have fantastic viewing angles and color reproduction, but usually have higher response times. Meanwhile, VA (vertical alignment) panels are between the two, although its slow response times makes these panels rare in the gaming world.

Viewing Angle:While most people play games right in front of their gaming monitor, this isn’t always be the case, particularly when there is an audience. A monitor’s viewing angles tell you what angle you can look at the monitor from and still make out a clear image. The closer these numbers are to 180, the better your viewing experience will be when standing further to either side of the monitor or looking at it from above or below.

G-Sync and FreeSync:You"ve probably noticed that many of the best gaming monitors in 2022 come with either G-Sync or FreeSync technology – sometimes even both. These help keep frames per second (fps) smooth, combat screen tearing and minimize input lag. G-Sync is developed by Nvidia, so it requires an Nvidia GPU. And, the tech is built into the monitor, which can bump up their price tag. FreeSync, on the other hand, was made by AMD. Since it is free to use by manufacturers, the monitors that have them are usually more economical.What kind of monitor is best for gaming?Depending on how you game, the answer can be very different. The best monitors, period, will have more crisp visuals with higher HDR (high dynamic range) rating while standard monitors will have less than dazzling (but still acceptable) graphics. The best gaming monitors, therefore, have higher contrast, brightness, and depth of color so your games look as vibrant and realistic as possible.

Gaming monitors can range anywhere from 24-50 inches so it’s important to pick one that not only fits your budget but your space limitations as well. Ultra-wide gaming monitors can be a great pick but definitely won’t fit everyone’s needs, so you’ll need to consider your ideal gaming monitor size and make a selection from there.

Ultra-wide gaming monitors have a screen aspect ratio of 21:9 while standard monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9, so ultra-wide monitors focus on horizontal display. The extra wide display allows for better immersion while gaming because it allows you to see more of the in-game environment than a standard monitor allows.

Some gaming monitors will be equipped with G-Sync, but this tech is only available when paired with a compatible Nvidia graphics card. There are different levels of G-Sync, but its ultimate goal is to prevent screen tearing when gaming - a common occurrence when the framerate of a game doesn’t match the monitor’s refresh rate.

Other gaming monitors will have FreeSync, which is the AMD version of G-Sync. While both help balance the framerate of games versus monitor refresh rate, FreeSync works over DisplayPort and HDMI cable. G-Sync, however, only works with DisplayPort.

When picking a gaming monitor, you want a monitor with an incredibly fast response time and refresh rate. Mere seconds can mean the difference between winning or losing a round of games like Fortnite or Apex Legends. In that case, you may want a 1440p option with a 240Hz or 360Hz refresh rate to reduce lag and blow the competition away.Is 240hz better than 144Hz?Generally, the faster the monitor"s refresh rate, the smoother the visuals on the screen. Most standard displays are limited to 60Hz, but 144Hz is quickly becoming a popular feature since they are generally cheaper. A 240Hz display isgoing to look smoother than the best 144hz 4K monitor, but as the resolutions increase, you"re going to need a one of the best graphics cards around to run a modern AAA game at 144 fps at 4K.

Where it will really be noticeable is at lower resolutions, like 1080p or even 1440p, where the best 1440p graphics card can easily get up to 144 fps on any number of games. Assuming you have V-Sync turned on to eliminate screen tearing, your graphics card might be putting out more frames a second than your 144Hz monitor can refresh, but you"ll only ever get 144 fps.

A 240Hz gaming monitor will definitely give your graphics card a lot more room to run at higher fps, but if you"re graphics card can"t blow past 144 fps while gaming, that higher refresh rate on a 240Hz gaming monitor will likely be wasted. And since these monitors are generally more expensive, you"re better off getting a better 144Hz gaming monitor with better features for the same price.What size computer monitor is best for gaming?While this is a very subjective question, there are some rules of thumb to go by when considering the size of your gaming monitor.

If you"ve invested heavily in a high-end gaming rig though powered by one of the best graphics cards around, then you might be looking to enjoy some of the eye candy that these kinds of cards can pump out, especially at 4K on ultra settings. In this case, it can"t hurt to go big, especially if you have the money to drop on a high-end gaming monitor, but 32-inch monitors or larger will let you see more detail while gaming. Don"t go too large though, because the key metric to use here is pixels-per-inch, so if you have a 32-inch 4K display, you are going to get more pixels packed together than you would on a 48-inch 4K monitor. And since denser pixels means sharper resolution, 42-inches is really the max you should be going for on a 4K, graphics-quality-focused monitor.

Surprisingly, testing gaming monitors is a bit more involved than you might think. It’s more than just watching movies and playing a few games on them – though admittedly, we do quite a bit of that as well. After all, we do have to see how each monitor performs in real world scenarios. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

More than that, however, put every gaming monitor’s basic features like resolution, refresh rate, response time, color reproduction, and viewing angles through their paces, testing each accordingly. To test faster refresh rates, for example, we frantic, fast-paced titles. We also test extra features like HDR support, G-Sync and AMD FreeSync support, and blue light filter.

Naturally, we take a good look at its design aspects, from its aesthetic down to its stand, mount, and availability of ports, as those are just as important. Then, we take everything we’ve learned about the gaming monitor and compare it to its price – whether or not it’s performance and features are worth the price, and if it offers the best value for consumers.

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.

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.

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, y