Best Gaming Monitors

Author: Adam Simmons
Last updated: March 13th 2024

 

Our key up to date recommendations are given in the table below, grouped by size.

 

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~24 inches~27 inches~32 inches~34 inches~42 inches

AOC 24G2SP/24G2SPU (23.8″ 165Hz IPS, 1920 x 1080)

 
AOC 24G2SP(U)

AOC 24G2SP(U)

 
Key aspects:

  • 23.8″ IPS panel (TPV TPM238WF1-LF4F Panda IPS)
  • 1920 x 1080 (Full HD or 1080p)
  • 165Hz (48 – 165Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium + G-SYNC Compatible)
  • 120Hz support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
  • 4ms grey to grey response time


Additional points:

  • Medium matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~92% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 300 cd/m² peak luminance (422 cd/m² measured)
  • 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.2a, VGA, 3.5mm audio line-in, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • ‘SPU’ model includes 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (plus upstream) and 2 x 2W speakers
  • Screen is fully adjustable with 100mm VESA support


Why choose this monitor:

The AOC 24G2SP(U)‘s IPS-type panel offers strong colour consistency, with an extended but not extreme colour gamut providing a dose of extra vibrancy without strong oversaturation. The monitor provides a strong contrast experience for the panel type – it’s still firmly in ‘IPS’ territory and can’t compete with VA or OLED models in that respect, but there’s a bit of extra depth to things compared to many IPS models. The screen surface has less of a grainy appearance to it than many competing models, including those using 24.5″ AUO AHVA panels – but is still medium (‘regular’) matte anti-glare offering effective glare-handling. The monitor provides low input lag and sufficiently rapid pixel responsiveness for a good 165Hz experience. There are slight weaknesses for some pixel responses, but many will find them unbothersome even for a bit of competitive play.

The monitor also offers Adaptive-Sync, working as we’d hope via both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ to get rid of tearing and stuttering from frame and refresh rate mismatches. Without unwanted additions such as unexcepted stuttering, flickering or other artifacts. An MBR (Motion Blur Reduction) strobe backlight setting is offered as an alternative – not the ‘cleanest’ implementation we’ve seen but not the worst either and some will appreciate it to minimise perceived blur. No HDR support is offered, though the screen does go quite bright. The minimum white luminance (108 cd/m² measured) is higher than some sensitive users will like, though fine for most. Effective Low Blue Light (LBL) settings are also included to promote a more relaxing viewing experience. An addition to full ergonomic flexibility and decent build quality for a budget offering, this is a capable and attractively-priced 165Hz Full HD offering.

If you’re heavily into competitive play and particularly value strong pixel responsiveness, consider the Acer XB253Q GP.


Further reading:

Our review

A comparison with the BenQ EX2510(S) and Acer XB253Q GP

A comparison with the Gigabyte G24F and G24F 2

Manufacturer product page

KOORUI GP01 (23.8″ 165Hz IPS, 2560 x 1440)

 
KOORUI GP01

KOORUI GP01

 
Key aspects:

  • 23.8″ IPS panel (BOE MV238QHM-NF0 IPS-ADS)
  • 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p)
  • 165Hz (48 – 165Hz VRR, FreeSync + G-SYNC Compatible)
  • 120Hz 1440p support for the PS5
  • 120Hz 1080p support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
  • 1ms grey to grey response time
  • Basic HDR10 support


Additional points:

  • Light matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~sRGB colour gamut and 350 cd/m² (354 cd/m² measured) peak luminance
  • 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Screen is fully adjustable with 100 x 100mm VESA support


Why choose this monitor:

The KOORUI GP01 offers the rare combination of 23.8″ screen size, QHD resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. This provides a significant boost in pixel density and ‘desktop real estate’ compared to ~24″ FHD screens, with a clarity and sharpness that slightly surpasses 27″ QHD screens. The ~sRGB colour gamut (just a little extension beyond) gives a ‘rich and natural’ appearance, with the IPS-type panel offering strong consistency to ensure richness throughout the screen. The contrast performance is typical for the panel type, with the usual ‘IPS glow’ and static contrast close to the specified 1000:1 (a bit below or a bit above depending on settings). Contrast is never a particular strength of this panel type, unless complex local dimming is there to help out. The light matte anti-glare screen surface offers respectable glare handling without a lot of layering or strong graininess – the clarity and vibrancy is better preserved than on stronger matte screen surfaces.

Pixel responsiveness is at a good level for a solid 165Hz performance, complemented by exceptionally low input lag. VRR provision via Adaptive-Sync allows AMD FreeSync and Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ to be used. The screen responds to HDR10 content in a very basic way, which gives a different look to things and allows 10-bit colour processing to be put to work. The monitor lacks a suitable brightness level, any local dimming or the wide gamut required for a true HDR experience, though. Build quality is respectable for a budget monitor with full ergonomic flexibility. The OSD includes a few gaming additions such as on-screen crosshairs and an useful controls such as sharpness, an sRGB emulation mode (gamut clamp) to strictly reduce saturation and a Low Blue Light (LBL) mode which can provide a more relaxing viewing experience.

If this model’s not available in your region or priced above it, consider the AOC Q24G2A/BK.

Further reading:

Our video review

Further exploration of the 23.8″ QHD experience

Manufacturer product page

ViewSonic XG2431 (23.8″ 240Hz IPS, 1920 x 1080)

 
ViewSonic XG2431

ViewSonic XG2431

 
Key aspects:

  • 23.8″ IPS panel (BOE MV238FHM-NG2 IPS-ADS)
  • 1920 x 1080 (Full HD or 1080p)
  • 240Hz (48 – 240Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium + G-SYNC Compatible)
  • 120Hz 1080p and 60Hz ‘4K’ UHD (downsampling) support for the Xbox Series X and PS5
  • 1ms grey to grey response time
  • VESA DisplayHDR 400


Additional points:

  • Medium matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~sRGB colour gamut and 350 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
  • 400 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
  • 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4, 3.5mm headphone jack, 2 USB 3.2 ports (plus upstream)
  • Screen is fully adjustable with 100mm VESA support
  • 2 x 3W speakers


Why choose this monitor:

The ViewSonic XG2431 provides consistently rich colours throughout the screen with a natural rather than oversaturated appearance, courtesy of its IPS-type panel and close tracking of the sRGB colour space. Contrast is at a fairly typical level for the panel type, whilst an effective matte anti-glare screen surface provides strong glare handling. Responsiveness is a key strength here, with low input lag (exceptionally low signal delay) and rapid overall pixel responses for a fluid and ‘connected’ 240Hz experience. VRR support via Adaptive-Sync allows FreeSync Premium and ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ to be used to remove tearing and stuttering from frame and refresh rate mismatches. The key attraction of this model, though, comes from its carefully tuned ‘PureXP+’ strobe backlight setting with ‘Blur Busters Approved 2.0’ certification. This delivers superior motion clarity with low strobe crosstalk and excellent adjustability – it’s limited to ~200 cd/m² maximum in this mode but that should be sufficient for most users.

Basic HDR10 support is offered with VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, allowing 10-bit colour processing for enhanced shade variety and a maximum brightness reliably measured as just shy of 600 cd/m². With an insufficient colour gamut plus no local dimming to enhance contrast, this is far from a true HDR experience. A ‘Blue Light Filter’ Low Blue Light (LBL) setting is provided to promote a more relaxing viewing experience, useful for longer gaming sessions or during downtime in the evenings. The monitor offers ‘unfussy’ styling for a gaming screen, with excellent ergonomics and VESA 100 support provided. Overall this is a well-priced and capable gaming display, particularly attractive for those wanting a good strobe backlight mode for competitive play.

Further reading:

Manufacturer product page

AOC 24G2SP/24G2SPU (23.8″ 165Hz IPS, 1920 x 1080)

 
AOC 24G2SP(U)

AOC 24G2SP(U)

 
Key aspects:

  • 23.8″ IPS panel (TPV TPM238WF1-LF4F Panda IPS)
  • 1920 x 1080 (Full HD or 1080p)
  • 165Hz (48 – 165Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium + G-SYNC Compatible)
  • 120Hz support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
  • 4ms grey to grey response time


Additional points:

  • Medium matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~92% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 300 cd/m² peak luminance (422 cd/m² measured)
  • 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.2a, VGA, 3.5mm audio line-in, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • ‘SPU’ model includes 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (plus upstream) and 2 x 2W speakers
  • Screen is fully adjustable with 100mm VESA support


Why choose this monitor:

The AOC 24G2SP(U)‘s IPS-type panel offers strong colour consistency, with an extended but not extreme colour gamut providing a dose of extra vibrancy without strong oversaturation. The monitor provides a strong contrast experience for the panel type – it’s still firmly in ‘IPS’ territory and can’t compete with VA or OLED models in that respect, but there’s a bit of extra depth to things compared to many IPS models. The screen surface has less of a grainy appearance to it than many competing models, including those using 24.5″ AUO AHVA panels – but is still medium (‘regular’) matte anti-glare offering effective glare-handling. The monitor provides low input lag and sufficiently rapid pixel responsiveness for a good 165Hz experience. There are slight weaknesses for some pixel responses, but many will find them unbothersome even for a bit of competitive play.

The monitor also offers Adaptive-Sync, working as we’d hope via both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ to get rid of tearing and stuttering from frame and refresh rate mismatches. Without unwanted additions such as unexcepted stuttering, flickering or other artifacts. An MBR (Motion Blur Reduction) strobe backlight setting is offered as an alternative – not the ‘cleanest’ implementation we’ve seen but not the worst either and some will appreciate it to minimise perceived blur. No HDR support is offered, though the screen does go quite bright. The minimum white luminance (108 cd/m² measured) is higher than some sensitive users will like, though fine for most. Effective Low Blue Light (LBL) settings are also included to promote a more relaxing viewing experience. An addition to full ergonomic flexibility and decent build quality for a budget offering, this is a capable and attractively-priced 165Hz Full HD offering.

If you’re heavily into competitive play and particularly value strong pixel responsiveness, consider the Acer XB253Q GP.


Further reading:

Our review

A comparison with the BenQ EX2510(S) and Acer XB253Q GP

A comparison with the Gigabyte G24F and G24F 2

Manufacturer product page

AOC Q27G3XMN(/BK) (27″ 180Hz VA, 2560 x 1440)

 
AOC Q27G3XMN(/BK)

AOC Q27G3XMN(/BK)

 
Key aspects:

  • 27″ VA panel (CSOT SG2701G02-2 with custom backlight)
  • 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p)
  • 120Hz 1440p support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
  • 120Hz 1080p and 60Hz ‘4K’ UHD (downsampling) support for the Xbox Series X and PS5
  • 1ms grey to grey response time
  • VESA DisplayHDR 1000


Additional points:

  • Light to very light matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~96% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 450 cd/m² peak luminance (567 cd/m² measured)
  • 1374 cd/m² HDR peak luminance (measured)
  • 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Screen is fully adjustable with 100 x 100mm VESA support


Why choose this monitor:

The AOC Q27G3XMN(/BK) offers a dynamic HDR experience from its 336-zone ‘Mini LED’ backlight and its high contrast VA panel. It can deliver strong bursts of brightness whilst dimming other areas of the screen significantly. Though not comparable to an OLED with per-pixel illumination or a Mini LED solution with many more dimming zones, the monitor does well with the zones it has which elevates HDR beyond anything else in its price class. The Mini LED solution can also be used alongside customisable brightness under SDR, enriching the contrast experience there. The screen size and resolution combination delivers good clarity and detail levels to game content and can provide decent immersion. The VA panel can’t keep up with IPS or OLED panels when it comes to colour consistency, but is decent for a VA model and is combined with quite a generous gamut for good overall vibrancy. An sRGB emulation mode is offered (non-BK model only, but GPU level alternatives exist either way).

The monitor provides 180Hz with low input lag, alongside reasonable pixel responses for the panel type. It has some of the typical VA pixel response time weaknesses, but they’re not too widespread or extreme in this case. VRR is also supported via Adaptive-Sync, allowing technologies such as Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to be used to combat tearing and stuttering. ‘4K’ UHD downsampling at 60Hz is also included to help bolster console compatibility – the Xbox Series X requires a ‘4K’ UHD signal for HDR. A range of Low Blue Light (LBL) settings are included to potentially aid viewing comfort. The monitor wraps this all up with good ergonomics, reasonable build quality and a fairly comprehensive though not all that intuitively controlled OSD. It’s a very competitively priced monitor which really sets the standard for HDR on a budget.


Further reading:

Our video review

Manufacturer product page

ViewSonic VX2728J-2K (27″ 165Hz+ IPS, 2560 x 1440)

 
ViewSonic VX2728J-2K

ViewSonic VX2728J-2K

 
Key aspects:

  • 27″ IPS panel (BOE ME270QHB-NF0 IPS-ADS)
  • 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p)
  • 165Hz (48 – 165Hz VRR, FreeSync + G-SYNC Compatible), 180Hz OC
  • 120Hz 1440p support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
  • 120Hz 1080p support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
  • 2.5ms grey to grey response time
  • Basic HDR10 support


Additional points:

  • Medium or ‘relatively light’ matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~95% DCI-P3 (measured) and 250 cd/m² (293 cd/m² measured) peak luminance
  • 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Screen is fully adjustable with 100 x 100mm VESA support
  • 2 x 2W speakers


Why choose this monitor:

The ViewSonic VX2728J-2K features a QHD IPS-type panel, providing a good level of detail and clarity to game content. The fairly generous DCI-P3 coverage provides a vibrant look to things, without going to the extremes of some wide gamut models. Colour consistency is pleasing from the IPS-type panel, ensuring consistent saturation levels and vibrancy throughout the screen. The contrast performance is in line with our expectations for the panel, stronger than some IPS models but not up there with the strongest IPS performers. This is never a particular strength of this panel type, unless complex local dimming is there to help out. The ‘relatively light’ matte anti-glare screen surface provides good glare handling and has a fairly smooth finish which avoids an obviously grainy look to the image.

Exceptionally low input lag and competent pixel responsiveness provides a good 165Hz experience, with Adaptive-Sync support working as it should for both AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’. This model also offers a single pixel response time setting (‘Advanced’) which performs well throughout the VRR range. A strobe backlight mode is included, but performance is weak. Perhaps of more interest to competitive gamers wanting a slight edge comes from a 180Hz OC mode, but this is GPU dependent and locks off VRR support. Basic HDR10 support is included, allowing the screen to put its fairly generous gamut to good use alongside the use of 10-bit colour processing. But without local dimming, high brightness or a very wide gamut this is far from a convincing HDR performance. Build quality is decent for a budget monitor, including coated metal for the stand neck. The OSD includes useful controls such as sharpness, ‘Black Stabilization’ to enhance visibility without upsetting contrast and Low Blue Light (LBL) settings which can provide a more relaxing viewing experience.

Further reading:

Our review

A thread exploring competing models

Manufacturer product page

Gigabyte M27U (27″ 150Hz+ IPS, 3840 x 2160)

 
Gigabyte M27U

Gigabyte M27U

 
Key aspects:

  • 27″ IPS panel (AUO M270QAN07.0 AHVA)
  • 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD)
  • 150Hz / 160Hz OC (48 – 160Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro + G-SYNC Compatible + HDMI 2.1 VRR)
  • 120Hz at up to ‘4K’ UHD for the Xbox Series X and PS5
  • 1ms MPRT response time
  • VESA DisplayHDR 600


Additional points:

  • Light to very light matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • 90%+ DCI-P3 colour gamut and 400 cd/m²+ (SDR) peak luminance
  • ~600 cd/m² HDR peak luminance
  • 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, DP 1.4, USB-C (18W PD, DP Alt Mode, upstream data), 3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (plus upstream), 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Tilt and height adjustment. 100 x 100mm VESA mounting supported
  • 2 x 3W speakers


Why choose this monitor:

The Gigabyte M27U features a 27″ IPS-type panel with 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD) resolution and 150Hz (160Hz OC) refresh rate. HDMI 2.1 also features, allowing compatible games consoles such as the Xbox Series X and PS5 to run a 120Hz ‘4K’ UHD signal with VRR also supported. The monitor provides a very tight pixel density, giving excellent detail and clarity to games and other suitably high resolution image content. With a crisp look to text and other fine edges. The IPS-type panel plus fairly generous colour gamut ensure consistent and quite vibrant colour output. There’s a definite edge in saturation, but not to the extremes of models with an even wider gamut. Vibrancy and clarity potential is well-maintained by the light to very light matte screen surface, without obvious layering in front of the image and just a light graininess. The included stand offers tilt and height adjustment, whilst USB-C is included with KVM support. The OSD is comprehensive and includes various easily accessible Low Blue Light (LBL) settings to aid viewing comfort.

The monitor provides quite rapid pixel responses and offers a ‘low overshoot’ experience using optimal settings. This is combined with low input lag, for a fluid 150-160Hz. The monitor works well over its VRR range, with flexible support offered via HDMI 2.1 and Adaptive-Sync (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’). ‘Aim Stabilizer Sync’ is offered, a strobe backlight setting which can work alongside VRR and works to minimise perceived blur, though in our testing this wasn’t the best implementation due to strobe crosstalk and ‘KSF phosphor fringing’. And ‘Aim Stabilizer Sync’ didn’t work reliably using VRR, either. The monitor responds to HDR10 content at an above-average level, with VESA DisplayHDR 600 support. The colour gamut is quite limited by HDR standards, though brightness can pulse to reasonable (though not exceptional) levels. Basic local dimming is included with 8 dimming zones, giving a situational edge in contrast but nothing mind-blowing. The HDR experience is good enough to add a bit of variety to gameplay and supported movie content, but probably isn’t something you’ll want to use all the time by default.

Not available in your region? Consider the Gigabyte M28U.


Further reading:

Our review

Manufacturer product page

LG 27GR95QE (26.5″ 240Hz OLED, 2560 x 1440)

 
LG 27GR95QE

LG 27GR95QE

 
Key aspects:

  • 26.5″ OLED panel (LG Display LW270AHQ-ERG1 WOLED)
  • 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p)
  • 120Hz 1440p support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
  • 120Hz 1080p and ‘4K’ UHD (downsampling) support for the Xbox Series X and PS5
  • 0.03ms grey to grey response time
  • HDR10 support


Additional points:

  • Medium or ‘relatively light’ matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WOLED
  • ~99% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 200 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
  • 910 cd/m² HDR peak luminance (measured)
  • 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, DP 1.4, 2 USB 2.0 ports (plus Type-B upstream), 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack with DTS Headphone:X support
  • Screen is fully adjustable with 100 x 100mm VESA support


Why choose this monitor:

The LG 27GR95QE provides a vibrant experience from its 26.5″ OLED panel. With its per-pixel illumination, the panel can ‘shut off’ some pixels whilst others remain suitably bright, providing exceptional contrast that’s particularly impressive compared to LCDs in dimmer lighting conditions. The screen size and resolution provides good clarity and detail levels to game content, with a size that’s not too overwhelming for competitive play at the desk. The exceptional colour consistency of the OLED panel combined with generous DCI-P3 gamut provides vivid colour throughout the screen, with an effective and fairly flexible sRGB emulation setting to tone things down if you want to. Hardware calibration is also supported if you wish to further fine-tune the experience or improve colour accuracy.

The monitor makes excellent use of its 240Hz refresh rate, with an exceptional (‘visually flawless’) pixel response performance without perceivable weaknesses such as conventional trailing or overshoot. Input lag is also exceptionally low, helping you feel properly ‘connected’ when gaming. VRR support is also included via Adaptive-Sync (‘G-SYNC Compatible’ and AMD FreeSync Premium) and via HDMI 2.1 VRR, with a ‘4K’ UHD downsampling mode at up to 120Hz to improve console compatibility. The per-pixel illumination is also put to good use under HDR, with a well-tuned experience on the colour side for vibrant but not oversaturated output. Some decent bursts of brightness are also provided under HDR, but nothing exceptional in that respect. The brightness under SDR is quite limited on this model, sufficient for most users and typical home lighting environments but not all. Intuitive OSD (On Screen Display) navigation is provided via an IR remote, whilst the screen offers a range of Low Blue Light (LBL) settings and has a shifted peak of blue energy to potentially improve viewing comfort.

Want higher brightness? Consider the ASUS PG27AQDM.

On a tighter budget or want an LCD? Consider the MSI G274QPX.


Further reading:

Our review

A comparison with the ASUS PG27AQDM

Manufacturer product page

BenQ EX2710S (27″ 165Hz IPS, 1920 x 1080)

 
BenQ EX2710S

BenQ EX2710S

 
Key aspects:

  • 27″ IPS panel (AUO M270HAN03.2 AHVA)
  • 1920 x 1080 (Full HD or 1080p)
  • 165Hz (48 – 165Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium + G-SYNC Compatible)
  • 120Hz support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
  • 60Hz ‘4K’ UHD (downsampling) support for the Xbox Series X and PS5
  • 1ms grey to grey response time
  • Basic HDR10 support


Additional points:

  • Light matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~sRGB colour gamut and 400 cd/m² peak luminance
  • 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.2a+ (HDR feature set), 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Screen offers tilt, height and swivel adjustment with 100mm VESA support
  • 2 x 2.5W speakers


Why choose this monitor:

The BenQ EX2710S has an IPS-type panel with colour gamut just a touch beyond sRGB. This provides just a hint of extra vibrancy, whilst retaining quite a faithful look to content created with this colour space in mind. The light matte anti-glare screen surface with relatively smooth finish offers more direct emission of light and a less grainy look than stronger matte surfaces. A solid 165Hz experience is provided, with good pixel responsiveness and well-tuned and flexible pixel overdrive (AMA). Adaptive-Sync works well for both AMD (FreeSync Premium) and Nvidia (‘G-SYNC Compatible Mode’) users, removing tearing and stuttering from frame and refresh rate mismatches. An alternative is also provided – a ‘Blur Reduction’ strobe backlight setting, which is quite effective in performing its core function and better-implemented than some settings of this nature.

The brightness adjustment range is good, the OSD offers a range of innovative features (including well-implemented Low Blue Light settings) and the stand offers good flexibility. The monitor provides basic HDR10 support, but lacks a sufficiently generous colour gamut, backlight dimming precision or the stunning brightness required for a true HDR experience. The screen size and resolution combination won’t be for everyone, but it’s a sacrifice some will be willing to make given the overall price and performance. And indeed the extra immersion or being able to sit a bit further back compared to smaller screens of the resolution.

Further reading:

Our review

Manufacturer product page

MSI MAG 323UPF (32″ 160Hz IPS, 3840 x 2160)

 
MSI MAG 323UPF

MSI MAG 323UPF

 
Key aspects:

  • 32″ IPS panel (AUO AHVA)
  • 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD)
  • 160Hz (48 – 160Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro + G-SYNC Compatible + HDMI 2.1 VRR)
  • 120Hz at up to ‘4K’ UHD for the Xbox Series X and PS5
  • 1ms grey to grey response time
  • VESA DisplayHDR 600


Additional points:

  • Light to very light matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~95% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 440 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
  • 600 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
  • 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, DP 1.4 (with DSC), USB-C (90W PD, DP Alt Mode, upstream data), 3 USB 2.0 ports (plus Type-B upstream), 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Tilt, swivel and height adjustment. 100 x 100mm VESA mounting supported


Why choose this monitor:

The MSI MAG 323UPF features a 32″ IPS-type panel with 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD) resolution and 160Hz refresh rate. HDMI 2.1 is also supported, allowing compatible games consoles such as the Xbox Series X and PS5 to receive a 120Hz ‘4K’ UHD signal. The large screen provides an engrossing experience and facilitates sitting a bit further from the monitor if you wish. It also delivers an excellent pixel density, providing strong clarity and detail for high resolution content. The IPS-type panel offers excellent colour consistency, which when combined with the fairly generous colour gamut offers fairly vibrant shade output throughout the screen. A good dose of extra vibrancy is provided for SDR content, with sRGB emulation included if you wish to have a more toned down look to things. The light to very light matte screen surface aids this vibrancy and clarity, without strong graininess or clear layering in front of the image. The monitor is also ‘Low Blue Light Hardware Solution’ certified by TÜV Rheinland, with shifted and reduced amplitude peak of blue energy to potentially improve viewing comfort. Additional LBL settings are included if you want a warmer look to the image that may be more relaxing in the evening, for example.

Well-tuned pixel overdrive delivers fast overall pixel responses without strong overshoot, whilst input lag is low. Adaptive-Sync removes tearing and stuttering from frame rate and refresh rate mismatches, via both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible Mode’. HDMI 2.1 VRR is also supported. ‘MPRT Sync’ is offered, a strobe backlight setting which can work alongside VRR and works to minimise perceived blur. This isn’t the best implementation due to a locked brightness control (~125 cd/m² reliably recorded) and artifacts such as strobe crosstalk. VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification is included with edge-lit local dimming. The HDR experience is only basic, though it does allow 10-bit colour reproduction to enhance the nuanced shade variety, the decent DCI-P3 coverage can be put to good use and there are some decent bright elements (up to ~700 cd/m² reliably recorded). HDR is not very well calibrated due to raised blacks, though, and the number of dimming zones is very limited. Good ergonomic flexibility is provided by the stand, USB-C with a generous 90W PD plus KVM is included alongside a comprehensive OSD. A strong all-round performer with plenty of features and excellent pricing.

If you require lower minimum brightness (~52 cd/m² rather than ~130 cd/m²), consider the Gigabyte M32U.

Further reading:

Manufacturer product page

Philips 328E1CA (31.5″ 60Hz curved VA, 3840 x 2160)

 
Philips 328E1CA

Philips 328E1CA

 
Key aspects:

  • 31.5″ VA panel (TPV TPM315WR1-FP01.S Samsung SVA or similar)
  • 1500R curve
  • 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD)
  • 60Hz (48 – 60Hz VRR, FreeSync + G-SYNC Compatible)
  • 60Hz ‘4K’ UHD for the Xbox Series X and PS5
  • 4ms grey to grey response time


Additional points:

  • Light matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~122% sRGB colour gamut and 250 cd/m² peak luminance (>300 cd/m² measured)
  • 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.2a, 3.5mm audio input, 3.5mm audio output
  • Screen is tilt-only with 100 x 100mm VESA mounting supported
  • 2 x 3W speakers


Why choose this monitor:

The Philips 328E1CA offers an immersive experience from its curved 31.5″ screen. We found the curve easy to adapt to, drawing into the image a bit without feeling unnatural. Something that is certainly exaggerated in photos and videos of the screen. The 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD) resolution offers a pleasing pixel density, with a screen of this size widely considered the sweet spot for the resolution. The high-contrast VA panel, some extension beyond the sRGB colour space and excellent colour consistency for the panel type help to deliver quite a vibrant image with pleasing shade variety.

The monitor also offers decent pixel responsiveness for the panel type and a low level of input lag. Although not marketed as a ‘gaming monitor’, it can certainly offer an enjoyable 60Hz experience for both PC and console gaming. Adaptive-Sync is also supported (FreeSync and ‘G-SYNC Compatible Mode’) to help smooth out drops in frame rate a bit below 60fps. Additional features of note includes effective Low Blue Light (LBL) settings to aid viewing comfort. This is a competitively priced model which offers a lot of monitor for your money, with a nod towards strong contrast.

Further reading:

Our review

A post summarising our thoughts on this model in the context of some alternatives

Manufacturer product page

Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 (34″ 175Hz curved QD-OLED, 3440 x 1440)

 
Philips Evnia 34M2C8600

Philips Evnia 34M2C8600

 
Key aspects:

  • 34.18″ OLED panel (Samsung Display QD-OLED)
  • 3440 x 1440 (UWQHD – 21:9 ultrawide)
  • 175Hz (48 – 175Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro + G-SYNC Compatible)
  • 120Hz 1440p support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
  • 120Hz 1080p and 60Hz ‘4K’ UHD (downsampling) support for the Xbox Series X and PS5
  • 0.03ms grey to grey response time
  • VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400

Additional points:

  • Glossy screen surface with anti-reflective treatment
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) QD-OLED
  • ~100% DCI-P3, ~94% Adobe RGB colour gamut and 250 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
  • ~1000 cd/m² HDR peak luminance
  • 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4, USB-C (90W PD, DP Alt Mode, upstream data), 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (plus Type-B upstream) and a 3.5mm audio output
  • Screen offers tilt, swivel and height adjustment with 100 x 100mm VESA support
  • 2 x 5W speakers


Why choose this monitor:

The Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 delivers a highly vibrant experience with exceptional contrast, particularly impressive when compared to LCDs in dimmer lighting conditions. The per-pixel illumination of the QD-OLED panel allows some pixels to ‘shut off’, others to remain nice and bright and others in between these extremes – delivering that exceptional contrast. The ~34″ 3440 x 1440 (21:9 aspect ratio) screen provides the usual ultrawide benefits, combined with a 1800R curve to draw you in a bit without feeling unnatural. The exceptional colour consistency of the OLED panel combined with a generous gamut provides vivid colour throughout the screen, with an effective sRGB emulation setting to tone things down if you wish. Customisable ‘Ambiglow’ RGB LEDs at the rear create a fairly strong ‘halo’ of light around the monitor, far superior to most integrated RGB lighting features. USB-C is also included with KVM support and 90W PD.

A 175Hz refresh rate is supported, which is put to exceptionally good use thanks to the ‘visually flawless’ pixel response performance. This is combined with low input lag and VRR support via Adaptive-Sync for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’. The monitor provides an enjoyable HDR experience owing to its per-pixel illumination and ability to provide a brightness of up to ~1000 cd/m² for smaller bright elements. The generous gamut is also put to good use under HDR with 10-bit colour support, for a vibrant and dynamic experience. Unlike competing WOLED technology, the screen can provide strong saturation to very bright elements. The balanced spectrum coupled with Low Blue Light (LBL) settings help promote a more relaxing viewing experience, too. A very capable monitor that delivers a highly dynamic and engrossing entertainment experience.

Further reading:

Our AW3423DW review, based on the same panel with many similarities

A thread exploring some alternatives

Manufacturer product page

LG 34GN850 (34″ 160Hz curved IPS, 3440 x 1440)

 
LG 34GN850

LG 34GN850

 
Key aspects:

  • 34″ IPS panel (LG Display LM340UW6 Nano IPS)
  • 3440 x 1440 (UWQHD – 21:9 ultrawide)
  • 160Hz (48 – 160Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro + G-SYNC Compatible + HDMI 2.1 VRR)
  • 120Hz 1080p support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
  • 1ms grey to grey response time
  • VESA DisplayHDR 400

Additional points:

  • Light matte anti-glare screen surface
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~98% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 350 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
  • 400 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
  • DP 1.4, 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.0 ports (plus Type-B upstream), 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Screen offers tilt and height adjustment with 100 x 100mm VESA support


Why choose this monitor:

The LG 34GN850 (34GN850-B owing to the mainly black stand and rear) provides a vibrant and immersive gaming experience. It uses a 34″ 3440 x 1440 (21:9 aspect ratio) Nano IPS panel with 1900R curve. This combines the numerous advantages of 21:9 with an extended colour gamut, very close to DCI-P3. This offers high levels of vibrancy, whilst the IPS panel keeps colours rich and consistent throughout the screen. The contrast is decent, largely as expected for the panel type, whilst the smooth and light matte screen surface provides a ‘clean’ look to the image without obvious graininess.

A 160Hz refresh rate is supported, a bump up from the 144Hz of the previous generation. Pixel responsiveness is improved as well, allowing the monitor to put the refresh rate to good use without strong overshoot or obvious trailing. Input lag is low and Adaptive-Sync is supported, including certification for both FreeSync Premium and ‘G-SYNC Compatible’. VESA DisplayHDR 400 support allows the colour gamut and 10-bit colour processing to be put to work for HDR10 content. But this is a basic HDR experience, with relatively limited peak luminance and no local dimming. We feel this is a well-rounded ultrawide, offering a good mixture of colour quality and responsiveness with a smart design.

Further reading:

A thread exploring this model and other LG ultrawide

Manufacturer product page

LG C3 OLED (42″ 120Hz OLED, 3840 x 2160)

 
LG C3 OLED

LG C3 OLED

 
Key aspects:

  • 42″ OLED panel (LG Display WRGB OLED)
  • 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD)
  • 120Hz (48 – 120Hz VRR, FreeSync + G-SYNC Compatible + HDMI 2.1 VRR)
  • 120Hz at up to ‘4K’ UHD for the Xbox Series X and PS5
  • 0.1ms grey to grey response time
  • HDR10, Dolby Vision & HLG support


Additional points:

  • Glossy screen surface with anti-reflective treatment
  • PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
  • ~98% DCI-P3 colour gamut and ~215 cd/m² (SDR) peak 100% white luminance
  • ~800 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
  • 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, 3 USB 3.0 ports, optical audio out, ethernet LAN, 2 RF In, CI Slot, S/PDIF plus WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
  • Screen has a fixed (non-adjustable) stand with 300 x 300mm VESA support
  • 2 x 10W speakers


Why choose this monitor:

The LG C3 OLED (OLED42C3PUA with regional variations) features a 42″ OLED panel with 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD) resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. DisplayPort isn’t supported but HDMI 2.1 is, allowing both PCs and compatible games consoles such as the Xbox Series X and PS5 to receive a 120Hz ‘4K’ UHD signal. The screen provides a good level of vibrancy with exceptional contrast, particularly impressive when compared to LCDs in dimmer lighting conditions. The per-pixel illumination allows some pixels to remain brightly lit and others to be ‘shut off’ or between these states, providing vastly superior contrast to LCDs which rely on a backlight and in some cases include local dimming with far fewer dimming zones than pixels. The OLED panel delivers excellent colour consistency overall, coupled with strong DCI-P3 coverage to give good vibrancy potential throughout the screen. The glossy screen surface aids the ‘pop’ in many lighting conditions, too. The screen includes emulation settings for sRGB and Adobe RGB (though the monitor does not come close to fully covering that), in addition to hardware calibration using a compatible calibrator and Calman (LG AutoCal) software.

A 120Hz refresh rate is supported, put to excellent use by a ‘visually flawless’ pixel response performance. This is combined with low input lag, giving a good ‘connected feel’ as well. The screen supports Adaptive-Sync plus HDMI 2.1 VRR to remove tearing and stuttering from frame and refresh rate mismatches with technologies include AMD FreeSync and Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’. The HDR experience is compelling in terms of contrast, due to the per-pixel dimming and ability for the screen to pump out decent brightness for some scenes (up to ~700 cd/m² for smaller bright areas). 10-bit+ colour processing helps enhance the nuanced shade variety, whilst multiple HDR formats are supported including HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG. The screen provides strong DCI-P3 coverage but is less impressive in terms of Rec. 2020 coverage. It can’t sustain strong saturation at high brightness due to the WRGB technology relying on an unfiltered white subpixel for high brightness, but there will still be a vibrant look to many of the less bright shades. This is a very capable and well-priced screen for a highly immersive gaming experience under both SDR and HDR – and as it is a TV rather than monitor, includes various ‘Smart TV’ features as well. Plus a remote for convenient operation of the very comprehensive settings menus.


Further reading:

A comparison between the similar C2 OLED, ASUS PG42UQ and Dell Alienware AW3423DW

Manufacturer product page

This list is heavily condensed; look out for the recommended or approved badge in our reviews as well. You can sort our reviews by badge status and various other features there.

 

As with all things in the wonderful world of displays, subjectivity is key and no monitor is perfect. The sort of experience somebody seeks will depend on the type of games they play, the level they play at, the power and capabilities of the system and of course their own personal preferences. Some will seek vibrant colours, some prefer strong contrast and others will specific features in mind such as HDR (High Dynamic Range) capability. A powerful PC will be able to make good use of high refresh rates and high resolutions at the same time. But if budget is more restricted or you’re gaming on a less powerful system it might be best to compromise on refresh rate, resolution or perhaps both of these. For consoles you’re more restricted when it comes to system capability. The likes of the Sony PS5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S support a 120Hz maximum refresh rate, which is generally considered a welcome upgrade over 60Hz.

 

Confused about the terminology? Check out our dedicated guide on the topic.