There’s been quite a lot of upheaval on this planet of finest gaming monitors over the past twelve months. Not solely have we began to see extra 4K displays arrive on the scene at ever decrease costs, however HDR (or excessive dynamic vary) additionally lastly made its solution to PC in 2018, setting new benchmarks for brightness and color accuracy within the course of. It’s nonetheless early days for HDR on PC in the mean time, however with increasingly more of right now’s best graphics cards coming with inbuilt help for it, it’s solely going to get higher over the course of 2019.
To aid you make sense of all of the altering requirements and discover the most effective gaming monitor for you and your finances, I’ve put collectively this useful information. Below, you’ll discover all of my prime suggestions for quite a lot of completely different display screen sizes and resolutions, and I’ve additionally put collectively an in-depth shopping for information on the second web page of this text for the whole lot else it’s good to find out about shopping for a brand new gaming monitor, together with in-depth explainers of all of the completely different panel sorts, excessive refresh charges and adaptive body price applied sciences like Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. If you’re in want of a brand new gaming monitor, you’re in the proper place.
Best gaming monitor information
The solely gaming displays you’ll discover listed below are those I’ve had in entrance of my very own eyeballs and examined with my trusty X-Rite Display i1 Pro calibrator. I measure every gaming monitor’s default color accuracy (how a lot of the usual sRGB color gamut it covers and, if relevant for HDR-enabled displays, the broader DCI-P3 color gamut), in addition to brightness, black ranges and distinction. I then go about tweaking every monitor’s varied settings choices to see if I could make them any higher via calibration. Of course, that is an evolving listing of finest gaming monitor, and I’ll be updating this text as and after I discover new gaming displays that deserve a spot on it. For now, although, these are the most effective gaming displays you should buy right now.
Best gaming monitor (24in FreeSync): AOC G2460PF
The AOC G2460PF is without doubt one of the most fully-featured 24in displays you should buy right now. It’s infinitely higher than its successor, the AOC G2590FX, each when it comes to color accuracy and general distinction, however inventory ranges appear to be relatively low in the mean time (not less than within the UK), so it could be on its method out or simply experiencing a short lived scarcity after the gross sales frenzy of Black Friday.
Either method, supplied you possibly can nonetheless discover one in inventory, this 24in display screen will get you a wonderful TN panel that covers 95% of the usual sRGB color gamut (which is fairly good going for this kind of panel know-how), a 1920×1080 decision, a beneficiant 144Hz refresh price, AMD FreeSync help for slicing down on tearing and stutter once you’ve received a suitable AMD graphics card, a full suite of inputs (VGA, DVI-D, HDMI and DisplayPort), a four-port USB hub and a top adjustable stand.
That’s lots for a monitor of this dimension and worth, and is definitely higher worth for cash than among the bigger screens additional down on this listing. You’ll want a reasonably first rate graphics card to reap the benefits of its excessive 144Hz refresh price (see our rankings for more information should you’re available in the market for a type of as properly), however even when your graphics card isn’t fairly as much as the duty of tremendous excessive body price gaming, its AMD FreeSync help ought to not less than give AMD graphics card house owners a little bit of a leg up in the case of general smoothness. It’s a unbelievable all-round 24in gaming display screen, so seize one when you nonetheless can.
Read our AOC G2460PF review for more information.
Best gaming monitor (24in G-Sync): Acer Predator XB241H
The Acer Predator XB241H is much more costly than the AOC G2460PF (thanks, G-Sync tax), however that is by far the most effective 24in, 1920×1080 monitor for these with Nvidia graphics playing cards I’ve seen thus far. Colour accuracy is simply as excessive because the AOC out of the field, and even goes a bit larger should you tweak the color temperature settings barely.
What’s extra, the XB241H has a brilliant excessive refresh price of 144Hz that may be overclocked all the way in which up to an enormous 180Hz via the monitor’s onboard menu system. It doesn’t have fairly as many ports because the AOC (simply DisplayPort and HDMI), but it surely does have a really versatile stand that offers you loads of top adjustment, swivel, tilt and rotation, making it simple to get it into the proper place.
By all means go for the AOC in case your finances doesn’t stretch this far (you’ll nonetheless get the good thing about the excessive refresh price, in spite of everything – simply ensure you’ve received a adequate graphics card to utilize it), however should you’ve received cash to spare and need the most effective of the most effective 24in displays have to supply for Nvidia graphics playing cards, then that is undoubtedly the one to go for proper now.
Read our Acer Predator XB241H review for more information.
Best gaming monitor (27in 1080p): BenQ EW277HDR
For these after one thing barely greater than the AOC G2460PF and Acer Predator XB241H with out breaking the financial institution, the BenQ EW277HDR is the following neatest thing. This doesn’t include as many options as its smaller rivals (or certainly as many ports or any sort of top adjustment), however it’s a heck of lots cheaper – not less than for these shopping for within the UK.
The EW277HDR might not have a excessive refresh price or any sort of variable body price know-how integrated into its 27in 1920×1080 VA panel, but it surely does include HDR (or excessive dynamic vary) help. This basically permits the monitor to show brighter whites, darker blacks and extra of each color in between in comparison with a non-HDR monitor, that means extra vibrant, vivid and life-like photos and games, in addition to extra element within the mild and darkish areas of the display screen.
There are, admittedly, higher displays on the market for these after ‘proper’ HDR, which actually go to city on the brightness facet of issues in addition to the prolonged color gamut, however you’re actually not going to search out any of these going for much less £200 / $200 just like the EW277HDR. It might not have the identical brightness capabilities as these higher-end displays, however what the EW277HDR does rather well is the color gamut a part of HDR, displaying 99.8% of the usual sRGB color gamut and a formidable 91.9% of the broader DCI-P3 gamut. For comparability, the AOC above can solely present round 70% of this gamut.
That’s fairly rattling good for such an affordable monitor, and whereas its 1920×1080 decision isn’t precisely splendid for a display screen of this dimension (issues begin to get a teensy bit fuzzy once you begin stretching that many pixels throughout a 27in panel), it’s nonetheless a wonderful solution to get an enormous display screen with out spending an arm and a leg on one thing with the next decision just like the MSI Optix MPG27CQ under. If even the BenQ is past your worth vary, nevertheless, then the Philips 276E9QJAB is one other nice 27in 1080p monitor that delivers HDR-like colors on a finances.
Read our BenQ EW277HDR review for more information.
Best gaming monitor (27in 1440p): MSI Optix MPG27CQ
If you actually wish to go all out on a 27in monitor with a 2560×1440 decision, the curved MSI Optix MPG27CQ is actually one of many higher methods to do it. With a curved VA panel, height-adjustable stand and Steelseries RGB integration (those that aren’t firmly embedded within the RGB camp will likely be glad to know it’s also possible to flip all of it off), that is one monitor that basically instructions your consideration.
Picture high quality is excellent, too. Covering 100% of the sRGB color gamut and a good 87.6% of the DCI-P3 gamut (which is fairly good going for a non-HDR monitor), footage look wealthy and punchy always on its default User mode, and its intuitive onboard menu system means it’s simple to make any final minute changes or play about with its black tuner management.
If all that wasn’t sufficient, it’s additionally received a 144Hz refresh price for prime body price gaming (supplied you’ve received a beefy sufficient graphics card, that’s – which you’ll want in case your goal is 144fps at 2560×1440) and AMD FreeSync help to assist remove tearing and judder for AMD graphics card house owners. Round that off with two HDMI 2.zero inputs, one DisplayPort 1.2 and a two-port USB3 hub and also you’ve received your self top-of-the-line 27in displays round.
Read our MSI Optix MPG27CQ review for more information.
Best ultrawide gaming monitor (FreeSync): Philips 349X7FJEW
When I heard Square Enix had been including 21:9 facet ratio help to Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, I knew what needed to be finished. No one wants to play Final Fantasy XII in 21:9, however hey, should you’re going to do it, you would possibly as properly do it on the Philips 349X7FJEW. Out of all of the ultrawide displays I’ve examined thus far, that is the one which ticks essentially the most containers for me.
I’m not the largest fan of its white chassis, all informed, but it surely’s far by one of many least expensive 21:9 displays on the market as of late, and its picture high quality is simply pretty much as good because the significantly costlier AOC AG352UCG and Acer Predator Z35p. Of course, a part of the explanation why AOC and Acer’s displays are so dear is as a result of they arrive with Nvidia G-Sync help. The Philips, alternatively, solely has AMD FreeSync help, which gained’t be a lot good to anybody with an Nvidia graphics card, however not less than you’re saving your self a number of hundred kilos / {dollars} within the course of.
If you are after an ultrawide Nvidia G-Sync monitor, nevertheless, then it’s best to try the AOC AG352UCG, which you’ll find out extra under. For those that’d relatively save themselves from the dreaded G-Sync tax, nevertheless, the Philips is unquestionably the higher worth for cash selection.
Read our Philips 349X7FJEW review for more information.
Best ultrawide gaming monitor (G-Sync): Acer Predator Z35p
As talked about above, the Acer Predator Z35p is much more costly than the Philips 349X7FJEW, but it surely does have the added benefit of Nvidia G-Sync help for these with suitable Nvidia graphics playing cards. Why have I picked this one over the AOC Agon AG352UCG, although? Well, that’s primarily as a result of the AOC is now a lot tougher to come back by than after I first reviewed it, and its worth is now roughly the identical because the extra fully-featured Acer – should you may even discover it on sale anyplace.
Both displays are equally glorious in their very own proper, however the Acer has just a few extra methods up its sleeve that make it higher worth for cash general. For occasion, you possibly can overclock its 100Hz refresh price as much as 120Hz should you’ve received a beefy sufficient graphics card to reap the benefits of it, and it additionally with 4 USB3 ports as a substitute simply two just like the AOC.
The Predator Z35p’s display screen can be lots brighter, making it extra versatile in a wider vary of lighting circumstances, and its picture high quality is top-notch, protecting 99% of the sRGB color gamut. What’s extra, I a lot choose Acer’s onboard menu system, because the AOC’s is, frankly, a little bit of a catastrophe. It’s costly, sure, but it surely actually doesn’t get significantly better than this within the ultrawide class.
Read our Acer Predator Z35p review for more information.
Best 4K HDR gaming monitor below £500 / $500: BenQ EL2870U
The BenQ EL2870U is not at all the most effective 4K HDR gaming monitor on the market, but it surely is without doubt one of the least expensive, which makes its barely underwhelming HDR a bit extra forgivable. Indeed, getting your fingers on any sort of 4K monitor as of late is a little bit of a problem, however should you actually can’t await one thing higher to come back alongside or don’t have the money to splash out on one thing a bit fancier, then the EL2870U is at the moment your finest guess.
Picture high quality continues to be fairly cheap, however with an sRGB gamut protection of 83% (and 62% DCI-P3), it’s not precisely sensible both. Still, in case your main purpose is having quite a lot of pixels at your disposal, the EL2870U has that in spades. With its 3840×2160 decision unfold throughout its 28in TN panel, the EL2870’s sharp pixel density of 157 pixels-per-inch (PPI) is considerably larger than another display screen on this listing. A 27in 1080p monitor can solely ever have 81 PPI, for instance, whereas a 27in 1440p monitor is just a fraction higher at 108 PPI. You’ll most likely nonetheless must make use of a few of Windows’ scaling settings to make issues like textual content and desktop icons even remotely legible, however not less than the whole lot will look pretty and crisp within the course of.
Admittedly, should you’re shopping for a 4K monitor to max out your 4K-capable graphics card, then there are most likely higher screens to spend your cash on than this one. Really, I’d solely suggest this as a 4K monitor for working functions, and 4K gaming provided that you’re on a very tight finances. Otherwise, I’d really helpful looking on the displays under.
Read our BenQ EL2870U review for more information.
Best 4K HDR gaming monitor below £1000 / $1000: Philips 436M6VBPAB
This jumbo TV-sized monitor is much too massive to stay in your desk, however should you’re after an HDR monitor to switch your TV in your lounge, it merely doesn’t get significantly better than the Philips 436M6VBPAB. Not solely does it help HDR for each Nvidia and AMD graphics playing cards (an actual rarity in the mean time), however its image high quality can be completely sensible straight out of the field. It’s some of the user-friendly HDR gaming displays I’ve ever examined, and you may just about begin utilizing it immediately with none additional time tweaking the settings to be able to get the most effective out of it.
It’s additionally licensed as an Ultra HD Premium and VESA DisplayHDR 1000 show, which implies it’s received all the identical brightness and color accuracy chops as Nvidia’s two grand plus G-Sync HDR gaming displays. That’s glorious contemplating the 436M6VBPAB prices a fraction of these shows, though you do must make do with only a common 60Hz refresh price as a substitute of a loopy excessive 144Hz one. There’s additionally the small situation that its adaptive sync know-how solely works with AMD graphics playing cards (because it’s basically simply an unbranded model of FreeSync), so Nvidia card house owners might must put up with the odd little bit of display screen tearing at instances. Still, for me, it’s a small worth to pay for such a wonderful display screen, and one that provides loads of flexibility in addition.
Read our Philips 436M6VBPAB review for more information.
Best 4K HDR gaming monitor: Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
It’s loopy costly, however should you’re after the most effective that 4K HDR at the moment has to supply, the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ is the monitor to get – till I get my fingers on Acer’s Predator X27, that’s. With a loopy excessive peak brightness stage of round 1000cd/m2, that is the best implementation of HDR I’ve ever seen. It actually brings HDR games like Final Fantasy XV and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to life, however you’ll need a graphics card that helps Nvidia G-Sync HDR to be able to reap the benefits of it – i.e.: an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or larger. For extra data about what graphics cards support HDR and what PC games support it, click on the hyperlink.
Admittedly, I used to be a bit cool on the standard of its panel in my preliminary overview, however Asus have since informed me that you need to allow its vast color gamut help manually in a relatively unobvious menu setting, which I didn’t find out about after I first examined it. I’ll be getting it again in for an additional check very quickly to present it a correct wanting over, however as I point out in my HDR guide, it’s actually the brightness a part of HDR that makes essentially the most affect, which it did in spades because of its phenomenal 384 dynamic backlight zones.
You additionally get a completely adjustable stand (with LEDs burning a ROG brand into your desk and your ceiling) with top, swivel, tilt and rotation choices obtainable in your bother, and a bevy of ports, game modes and varied show choices.
Read our Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ review for more information.
