From Budget to High-End Picks
If you’re in the market for the best gaming monitors, you’ll find that options vary widely across different price ranges, offering a variety of features for gamers of all types. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or a high-end gaming monitor with the latest technology, there’s something for everyone. Below, we’ve rounded up five of the best gaming monitors, starting from the most affordable and working up to premium models.
5. Z-Edge Gaming Monitor – 24″ Curved, 180Hz FHD (under $150)
The Z-Edge 24-inch Curved Gaming Monitor is a budget-friendly option that delivers excellent gaming performance with a sleek, immersive design. Featuring a 1650R curved screen and a 1920×1080 Full HD resolution, this monitor offers a captivating viewing experience, perfect for gaming and media consumption. With a 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT response time, it ensures smooth and responsive gameplay, making it ideal for fast-paced competitive games. Its FreeSync technology eliminates screen tearing and stuttering, while FPS and RTS modes enhance specific game genres for an optimized experience.
Key Specifications:
- Screen Size: 24 inches
- Resolution: Full HD 1920×1080 for crisp and clear visuals
- Display Technology: VA panel with a curved 1650R design for immersive viewing
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz for ultra-smooth gameplay
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT for reduced motion blur
- HDR Support: HDR10 for enhanced brightness and contrast
- Color Depth: 8-bit color with 99% sRGB for vibrant color reproduction
- Adaptive Sync: FreeSync for tear-free gaming
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4
- Price: €139.99 (with 7% discount)
The Z-Edge 24-inch Curved Gaming Monitor is an excellent entry-level choice for gamers seeking a balance between price and performance. Its fast refresh rate, immersive curve, and ergonomic design make it a great addition to any gaming setup.
4. Gigabyte G27Q 27-Inch IPS QHD Gaming Monitor (under $200)
The Gigabyte G27Q is one of the best gaming monitors for gamers seeking top-tier performance at an affordable price. This 27-inch IPS QHD display offers stunning visuals with a 2560×1440 resolution, providing crystal-clear detail and wide viewing angles. With a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, the monitor delivers smooth, responsive gameplay, perfect for fast-paced titles. The AMD FreeSync Premium compatibility eliminates screen tearing and stuttering for a seamless gaming experience.
Key Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27 inches
- Resolution: QHD 2560×1440
- Display Technology: IPS panel for accurate colors and wide viewing angles
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- HDR Support: VESA Display HDR400
- Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync Premium
- Price: €199
The Gigabyte G27Q offers an excellent combination of features and value, making it one of the best gaming monitors in the QHD category. Its smooth performance and vibrant visuals ensure a premium gaming experience without the premium price tag.
3. AOC Gaming CQ27G2SE – 27-Inch QHD Monitor (under $300)
The AOC Gaming CQ27G2SE is a fantastic option for gamers seeking a high-performance, immersive experience at a competitive price point. This 27-inch QHD monitor features a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, delivering ultra-smooth visuals and fast, responsive gameplay. The VA panel provides excellent contrast, with deeper blacks and vibrant colors, making it perfect for a wide range of games. FreeSync Premium support ensures tear-free and stutter-free performance, even during fast-paced action.
Key Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27 inches
- Resolution: QHD 2560×1440 for sharp, detailed visuals
- Display Technology: VA panel with high contrast and deep color reproduction
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz for smooth gameplay
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Curvature: 1500R for an immersive experience
- Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync Premium
- Connectivity: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2
- Price: €249
For its price, the AOC CQ27G2SE stands out as one of the best gaming monitors. It offers a balance of immersive features like a curved screen, high refresh rate, and FreeSync technology, ideal for gamers looking for smooth gameplay without overspending.
2. ROG Strix XG27AQ HDR Gaming Monitor – 27-Inch WQHD (under $500)
The ROG Strix XG27AQ HDR Gaming Monitor is a top contender for the best gaming monitor in its price range. Featuring a 27-inch WQHD resolution (2560×1440) and Fast IPS technology, this monitor offers razor-sharp image clarity and a fast 170Hz refresh rate, ideal for immersive and competitive gaming. Its 1ms response time minimizes motion blur, ensuring that fast-paced action remains crisp. The G-SYNC compatibility and ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB SYNC) technology eliminate ghosting and screen tearing for a flawless gaming experience.
Key Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27 inches
- Resolution: WQHD 2560×1440
- Display Technology: Fast IPS for superior response times
- Refresh Rate: 170Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (gray-to-gray)
- HDR Support: DisplayHDR 400
- Adaptive Sync: G-SYNC compatible
- Price: €472 (with 14% discount)
The ROG Strix XG27AQ strikes the perfect balance between speed, color accuracy, and adaptive sync technology, making it an excellent choice for gamers who want high performance in a mid-range price point.
1. LG 27GS95QE UltraGear Gaming Monitor – 27″ QHD OLED (under $800)
The LG 27GS95QE UltraGear Gaming Monitor is a top-of-the-line choice for gamers looking for an unparalleled gaming experience. This 27-inch QHD OLED display delivers stunning visuals with its 2560×1440 resolution and self-lighting pixels, offering True Black with a 5000000:1 contrast ratio. With a 240Hz refresh rate and an ultra-fast 0.03ms response time, this monitor is designed for competitive gamers who demand lightning-fast, tear-free performance. The G-Sync compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support ensure smooth gameplay without stuttering or screen tearing.
Key Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27 inches
- Resolution: QHD 2560×1440
- Display Technology: OLED
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms
- HDR Support: HDR 400 True Black
- Adaptive Sync: G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium Pro
- Price: €799
The LG 27GS95QE stands out as one of the best gaming monitors on the market. With OLED technology, lightning-fast response times, and adaptive sync features, it caters to both competitive and casual gamers looking for a premium gaming experience.
In conclusion, finding the best gaming monitor depends on your specific needs and budget. From the budget-friendly Z-Edge 24-inch to the premium LG 27GS95QE OLED, each of these monitors offers excellent performance at different price points, ensuring that every gamer can find the perfect fit for their setup.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Gaming Monitor
When choosing a gaming monitor, several key factors are important to consider to ensure the best gaming experience possible. Below, we’ll explore the most critical elements to keep in mind when making your decision.
1. Refresh Rate for Smooth Gameplay
The refresh rate is one of the most important features to look for in a gaming monitor. Measured in Hz, this determines how many times per second your monitor refreshes the image. A higher refresh rate like 144Hz, 165Hz, or 240Hz results in smoother motion, reducing lag and screen tearing. For competitive gamers, especially in fast-paced games like shooters or racing, a high refresh rate is essential for fluid gameplay.
2. Response Time for Fast, Clear Visuals
Response time is another crucial factor that directly impacts how clear and crisp fast-moving objects appear on screen. Measured in milliseconds (ms), the lower the number, the better. A 1ms response time or lower is ideal as it minimizes motion blur and ghosting, allowing for sharper visuals during high-speed gaming.
3. Resolution for Detailed Image Quality
Resolution determines the sharpness and clarity of the image. While Full HD (1920×1080) is still popular, more gamers are opting for higher resolutions like QHD (2560×1440) or 4K (3840×2160), which provide more detailed and immersive visuals. Keep in mind that higher resolutions require more powerful hardware to maintain smooth frame rates, so ensure your PC or console can handle it.
4. Panel Type for Color Accuracy and Viewing Angles
Panel type affects the quality of colors and viewing angles. The most common types are:
- IPS (In-Plane Switching): Offers excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles, making it ideal for gamers who prioritize color fidelity and visual quality.
- VA (Vertical Alignment): Known for its superior contrast ratios and deeper blacks, VA panels provide more vibrant visuals, especially in darker scenes.
- TN (Twisted Nematic): Typically offers the fastest response times but sacrifices color accuracy and viewing angles.
5. Adaptive Sync for Tear-Free Gaming
To eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, adaptive sync technologies like G-Sync and FreeSync are essential. These technologies synchronize the monitor’s refresh rate with your graphics card’s output, ensuring smoother gameplay without visual glitches, especially in demanding, fast-action games.
6. HDR Support for Enhanced Visuals
High Dynamic Range (HDR) provides better contrast and a broader range of colors, delivering more lifelike visuals. HDR-compatible monitors can bring out the subtle details in dark and bright scenes, offering a more cinematic gaming experience. Look for monitors with VESA DisplayHDR certification for true HDR performance.
7. Connectivity and Ergonomics
Finally, consider the connectivity options and ergonomic design of the monitor. HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 are preferred for higher refresh rates and resolutions. USB ports and headphone jacks are additional conveniences. For comfort, an adjustable stand with height, tilt, and swivel features will help you find the perfect viewing angle and reduce neck strain during long gaming sessions.
By evaluating these features—refresh rate, response time, resolution, panel type, adaptive sync, HDR support, and connectivity—you’ll be able to choose the best gaming monitor that fits both your gaming style and budget.