But what if you don’t have a gaming monitor? Buying one can be a quest on its own. There are numerous options available on the market, and many variables that you should consider when deciding on the monitor that’s right for you. So to help, let the list below serve as your world map, guiding you through a culmination of the very best gaming monitors of the year. Also:
The best gaming TVsThe best game consolesThe best gaming laptopsThe best budget gaming laptopsThe best gaming CPUsThe best gaming GPUs
Crisp, poppy, and color-accurate visuals27-inch curved monitor240Hz refresh ratePixel-sharp 1440p contentG-SYNC and FreeSync compatibleSuitable for graphics-intensive games
Samsung makes some darn good displays, as its TVs and smartphones can attest to. So when the company ventured into the gaming world with its Odyssey line of monitors, it was no surprise that the panels produced crisp, poppy, and color-accurate visuals. The Odyssey G7 is a testament to that claim and so much more. It sports a 27-inch monitor that’s curved just enough to differentiate itself from flatter, traditional monitors, without forcing you to stay centered for a practical viewing experience. The Odyssey G7 can also ramp up to 240Hz (if your graphics card can power it) and produce pixel-sharp 1440p content. That duo of features alone means that you can make the most out of any graphics-intensive game. Speaking of graphics, the G7 is G-SYNC and FreeSync compatible, meaning it plays well with NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards
1440p IPS panel144Hz refresh rateCurved and flat configurations availableImpressive motion handlingVents for even and effective dispersion of heatWide and heavy base for stability and adjustability
Though not the flashiest or most glamorous, the Dell 27 S2721DGF is a textbook gaming monitor. It houses a 1440p IPS panel that can ramp up to 144Hz (the sweet spot for refresh rates) and comes in curved and flat configurations to satisfy both worlds. While I could spend all day telling you about the impressive motion handling that this monitor delivers, I think the unsung hero that uplifts this entry is its body design. Flanking the back are vents that allow for an even and effective dispersion of heat, which is vital for long periods of gaming. The base is also fairly wide and heavy, keeping the monitor sturdy and stationed, even if you decide to adjust the height and angle. The monitor also supports AMD FreeSync.
34-inch ultra-wide panel144Hz refresh rate1440p VA panelAdaptive-Sync support for FreeSync and G-SYNCSharp and freshly calibrated displaySuitable for widescreen gaming, movie watching, and day-to-day multitasking
When you think of gaming monitors, you probably envision something like the AOC CU34G2X – a 34-inch ultra-wide panel that curves from left to right. While most ultra-wide gaming monitors can cost upwards of $2,000, AOC’s offering is only a fraction of the cost. Still, the monitor covers a generous spectrum of gaming-tailored specs, including a 144Hz refresh rate, a 1440p VA panel, and Adaptive-Sync (support for FreeSync and G-SYNC). The main reason you’d want to buy this monitor, though, is for the sharp and freshly calibrated 34-inch display. The CU34G2X is perfect for widescreen gaming, watching movies, and day-to-day multitasking. It’s a productivity beast.
THX-certified 1440p IPS panelAccurate color production and consistent image quality27-inch panel with up to 165Hz refresh rateVariable refresh rate that supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSyncClean, futuristic design with RGB baseCable management system on the back of the stand
Razer is best known for its catalog of gaming mice and keyboards, but the Irvine-based company also has a solid monitor offering in the Razer Raptor 27. Released more than two years ago, the Raptor 27 was the first of its kind to sport a THX-certified, 1440p IPS panel. The certification ensures that the monitor produces accurate colors and follows a gamma curve to deliver consistent image quality. In addition, the 27-inch panel offers up to 165Hz, with a variable refresh rate that supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync. What you’re probably eyeing this monitor for, however, is the design and RGB base. When powered on, the Raptor 27 looks clean, futuristic, and should work well with any gaming setup. Razer also incorporated a cable management system on the back of the stand, though it will take some fidgeting to fit everything properly.
No-frills, affordable monitor from the ASUS TUF series23.8-inch IPS 1080p (FHD) panel165Hz refresh rateAMD FreeSync support for excellent responsivenessAmple amount of ports in the backRotatable mount for flexibility in adjusting the monitor position
The ASUS TUF series accounts for no-frills monitors at affordable prices. Case in point, this 23.8-inch model delivers on the necessities of a gaming monitor and can be bought for less than $220. It has an IPS, 1080p (FHD) panel that refreshes up to 165Hz and supports AMD FreeSync for excellent responsiveness. Standing out from the competition isn’t necessarily the ASUS TUF’s forte, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a similarly priced alternative that offers the same feature set. With an ample amount of ports in the back and a rotatable mount, this monitor gives you nothing more and nothing less–and for many, that’s exactly what’s desired.
The refresh rate measures how many times per second a display draws a new image. For example, if the refresh rate is 60 Hz, the display refreshes the image 60 times per second. Screen size is also important because it can impact your gaming experience. Do you want the largest screen possible? Do you prefer a curved screen? These are prime considerations. The ports that a monitor has, whether HDMI, headphone jack, USB, or all three, have an impact on what you can use with your monitor. Gaming monitors come in one of three panel types: TN, or Twisted Nematic panels, which support refresh rates of up to 240 Hz; IPS, or In-Plane Switching panels, with refresh rates of 200 to 240 Hz; and VA, or Vertical Alignment panels, which also go up to 240 Hz. TN panels offer the fastest response time at 3 to 4 ms, IPS panels are a bit slower at 4 to 6 ms, and VA panels average 8-12 ms.
Longevity: When scouting for the best gaming monitors, longevity is important. What we mean by longevity is how the monitors fare with time and also how well the viewing experience is over long periods of gaming. The ideal display should provide excellent viewing angles and fast response times.Display quality: From refresh rate to the type of panel (TN, VA, IPS), gaming monitors are built with an arsenal of technology to give you the advantage when queuing up. A high refresh rate offers ultra-smooth gameplay so we definitely favor monitors that boast at least 120Hz.Price: Not everyone has the money to splurge on an expensive gaming monitor. Or, perhaps you’d rather save some of the money to buy a gaming keyboard or mouse. Whatever the case may be, we scour the internet for the best for less and more.
What happens if you’re using a standard monitor for gaming? You’ll likely experience tearing, blurred images, flickering, and other visual bugs that will hinder your gaming overall. However, curved monitors tend to be heavier and take up a lot of room – both on your desk, and on your graphics card. The curved shape can work against you when you’re working on non-gaming tasks by making it harder to look at things visually.
Twisted nematic (TN): TN panels are among the oldest types of panels and paved the way for flat-screen monitors and LCD displays. While viewing angles are not the best, gaming monitors with TN panels offer less input lag and are often cheaper as they don’t cost as much to produce. In-plane switching (IPS): Coined by LG and later adapted by other manufacturers, IPS panels bring excellent viewing angles and color reproduction. One thing to look out for is “IPS glow” which is when the backlighting of the display peaks through it at certain angles. Vertical alignment (VA): VA panels are widely used in the TV industry due to their stellar contrast ratio and color reproduction, and bring similar benefits to gaming monitors. A VA panel is a safe and reliable choice when shopping for a gaming monitor.
Adaptive-Sync technology connects the refresh rate of your gaming monitor to your graphics card, so the latter can control the cadence of which the display refreshes. That way, you can play your favorite games with the most optimal refresh rate.
