Author: Adam Simmons
Last updated: January 19th 2023
Our key up to date recommendations are given in the table below, grouped by size.
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ViewSonic XG2431 (23.8″ 240Hz IPS, 1920 x 1080)
ViewSonic XG2431
- 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:
AOC 24G2SP/24G2SPU (23.8″ 165Hz IPS, 1920 x 1080)
AOC 24G2SP(U)
- 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:
A thread looking at some competing models with a 24.5″ AUO AHVA panel
Gigabyte M27Q X (27″ 240Hz IPS, 2560 x 1440)
Gigabyte M27Q X
- 27″ IPS panel (Sharp LQ270T1JG29)
- 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p)
- 240Hz (48 – 240Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium + 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
- 1ms grey to grey response time
- VESA DisplayHDR 400
Additional points:
- Light to very light matte anti-glare screen surface
- PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
- ~93% DCI-P3, ~96% Adobe RGB colour gamut and 350 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
- 400 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
- DP 1.4 (HBR3), 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, USB-C (18W PD, DP Alt Mode and upstream data), 2 USB 3.0 ports (plus Type-B upstream), 3.5mm headphone jack
- Screen includes tilt and height adjustment with 100 x 100mm VESA support
Why choose this monitor:
The Gigabyte M27Q X features a QHD resolution (2560 x 1440), providing decent detail and clarity. The monitor offers good coverage of both the Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 colour spaces, providing a rather vibrant look to things. An effective sRGB emulation setting with adjustable brightness is included for those who like a more toned-down look. The IPS-type panel offers strong consistency, ensuring this extra ‘pop’ is maintained throughout the screen. The light to very light matte anti-glare screen surface, meanwhile, prevents a layered appearance in front of the image. Whilst keeping brighter elements free from obvious graininess. The monitor provides respectable 240Hz performance as well, with low input lag and a good amount of acceleration in addition to good flexibility with its overdrive control. Furthermore, Adaptive-Sync is supported and works well with both AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia’s ‘G-SYNC Compatible Mode’ to get rid of tearing and stuttering from frame and refresh rate mismatches. ‘Aim Stabilizer Sync’ is offered as a strobe backlight setting which works alongside VRR if you wish – not the ‘cleanest’ performance for such a setting but some will find it quite usable.
The monitor also offers basic HDR support (VESA DisplayHDR 400), putting the colour gamut to good use alongside the use of 10-bit colour processing for a more natural look, vibrancy where intended and a nuanced shade variety. It does not boost contrast by using local dimming, whilst peak brightness is quite restrictive by HDR standards. The monitor also includes a very comprehensive OSD, controllable using a joystick or OSD Sidekick Software. KVM functionality is included, allowing easy sharing of USB peripherals connected to the monitor between systems. Effective Low Blue Light (LBL) settings are also included. The monitor has a simple design without flashy design elements or RGB LED lighting, but offers tilt and height adjustment. This model provides a solid all-round performance and some attractive features, for a highly competitive price.
Further reading:
Some more thoughts on this model
A comparison with the MSI MAG274QRX
Gigabyte M28U (28″ 144Hz IPS, 3840 x 2160)
Gigabyte M28U
- 28″ IPS panel (Innolux M315DCA-K7B AAS IPS-type)
- 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD)
- 144Hz (48 – 144Hz 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 400
Additional points:
- Light to very light matte anti-glare screen surface
- PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
- ~90% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 350 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
- 400 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
- 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, DP 1.4, USB-C (18W PD, DP Alt Mode, upstream data), 3 USB 3.0 ports (plus upstream), 3.5mm headphone jack
- Tilt, swivel and height adjustment. 100 x 100mm VESA mounting supported
- 2 x 3W speakers
Why choose this monitor:
The Gigabyte M28U features a 28″ IPS-type panel with 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD) resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. HDMI 2.1 is also supported, 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 fairly 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 ‘misty’ graininess. The included stand offers good ergonomic flexibility, USB-C is included with KVM support. The monitor is ‘Eyesafe’ certified by TÜV Rheinland, too, reducing output of energetic blue light and potentially aiding viewing comfort.
The monitor provides good rapid pixel responses, which when combined with low input lag make good use of the 144Hz refresh rate. Or high refresh rates such as 120Hz. VRR is also supported via Adaptive-Sync (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible Mode’ can both be used) and natively via HDMI 2.1 VRR. Whilst the pixel response times are well-tuned for high refresh rates, the tuning is a bit aggressive for lower refresh rates. Leading to moderately strong overshoot as refresh rate dips, particularly as it falls below ~80Hz. Sensitivity to this varies and this doesn’t apply at higher refresh rates or if VRR is disabled and the monitor is run at a static 120Hz or 144Hz, either. ‘Aim Stabilizer 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 strobe crosstalk and ‘KSF phosphor fringing’. The monitor responds to HDR10 content in a basic way, with VESA DisplayHDR 400 support. The colour gamut and brightness capability is quite limited by HDR standards – rudimentary local dimming is included with 8 dimming zones, giving a slight situational edge in contrast but nothing mind-blowing.
Further reading:
MSI MAG274QRF-QD (27″ 165Hz IPS, 2560 x 1440)
MSI MAG274QRF-QD
- 27″ IPS panel (AUO M270DAN08.2 AHVA)
- 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p)
- 165Hz (48 – 165Hz VRR, FreeSync + 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
- 1ms grey to grey response time
- Basic HDR10 support
Additional points:
- Light to very light matte anti-glare screen surface
- PWM-free (flicker-free) QD LED (Quantum Dot + blue LED) backlight
- ~97% DCI-P3, 100% Adobe RGB colour gamut and 300 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
- 400 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
- DP 1.4, 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, USB-C (15W PD, DP Alt Mode), 2 USB 2.0 ports (plus Type-B upstream), 3.5mm headphone jack
- Screen is fully adjustable with 100 x 100mm VESA support
Why choose this monitor:
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD features an IPS-type panel with QHD resolution, giving an edge in detail and clarity compared to the Full HD resolution. The QD LED backlight provides a very generous colour gamut, extending well beyond sRGB – ~97% DCI-P3 and 100% Adobe RGB, with extension beyond both in some regions. This provides strong vibrancy and saturation, though the monitor also provides sRGB, DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB emulation which will clamp the gamut closer to the chosen target colour space. A great flexibility to have in terms of setting your preferred vibrancy level. Meanwhile, the IPS-type panel ensures this saturation is maintained in a consistent way throughout the screen. This is complemented by a light to very light matte anti-glare screen surface, keeping brighter elements free from strong graininess and allowing relatively direct emission for a matte surface without obvious layering in front of the image. The contrast edges out competing models with Nano IPS panels, but is not the main strength of this model.
The monitor offers rapid pixel responses and low input lag for a solid 165Hz experience. Adaptive-Sync is supported, including AMD FreeSync and Nvidia’s ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ – with both technologies working as intended to remove tearing and stuttering from frame and refresh rate mismatches. An alternative is also provided in the form of AMB (‘Anti Motion Blur’), a decent strobe backlight implementation which works particularly well at 120Hz. Basic HDR10 support is included, putting the colour gamut to good use alongside the use of 10-bit colour processing for a more natural look, vibrancy where intended and a nuanced shade variety. This is only basic HDR support, though, without any contrast advantage or local dimming and limited brightness by HDR standards. The monitor provides good ergonomic flexibility, has a solid plastic construction and lacks an overtly ‘gamery’ look which helps it blend with most setups. There are some programmable ‘Mystic Light’ RGB LEDs at the rear if you wish to add a little visual flair from behind, but these can be disabled if you prefer and aren’t visible from the front. Low Blue Light (LBL) settings are included to enhance viewing comfort, whilst the balanced spectral output from the backlight can further enhance viewing comfort.
Further reading:
A thread exploring this model in the context of alternatives
Samsung C27G7xT Odyssey G7 (26.9″ 240Hz curved VA, 2560 x 1440)
Samsung C27G7xT Odyssey G7
- 26.9″ VA panel (Samsung CY-PT270PLLV1H SVA or similar)
- 1000R curve
- 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p)
- 240Hz (60 – 240Hz 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
- 1ms grey to grey response time
- VESA DisplayHDR 600
Additional points:
- Light matte anti-glare screen surface
- PWM-free (flicker-free) QD LED (Quantum Dot + blue LED) backlight
- ~95% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 350 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
- 600 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
- 2 DP 1.4 ports, HDMI 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Screen is fully adjustable with 100 x 100mm VESA support
Why choose this monitor:
The Samsung C27G7xT Odyssey G7 features a VA panel and QHD resolution, providing good detail with an emphasis on strong contrast. With a specified 2500:1 static contrast ratio, the monitor may not be the strongest VA performer when it comes to contrast – but it handily outperforms other LCD panel types. Providing a more atmospheric look and extra depth to darker scenes, whilst helping brighter shades ‘pop’ against darker surroundings. With a fairly generous colour gamut (95% DCI-P3 specified) providing some extra vibrancy to the game environments. The monitor provides a strong 240Hz performance, leaving other VA panels in the dust. Whilst there are slight weaknesses for some transitions involving very dark shades, there is nothing like the traditional ‘smeary trailing’ seen on most VA models. Many transitions are performed even faster than competing IPS models. This is combined with low input lag and Adaptive-Sync support via both FreeSync Premium Pro and ‘G-SYNC Compatible Mode’. An MBR (Motion Blur Reduction) strobe backlight setting is also included as an alternative to VRR, though it doesn’t offer the clarity you’d expect from such a setting.
The includes VESA DisplayHDR 600 support, with pulses of brightness of 600 cd/m²+ and 8-zone local dimming. Quite a limited number of dimming zones, but enough to provide a situational edge in contrast. With this and the colour gamut put to use alongside 10-bit colour processing, the HDR experience is more dynamic than most models provide. The 1000R curve is a definite feature of this monitor, too, helping draw you into your favourite titles for a more immersive feel. Such a steep curvature isn’t for everyone, but some love it and others might find they can adapt to it just fine. An effective Low Blue Light (LBL) setting is included in the form of the ‘Warm2’ colour temperature setting. The monitor has quite ‘gamery’ styling, including customisable LED lighting elements that can be set to 5 different colours. Overall this is a truly unique product, delivering an experience some users will really enjoy.
Further reading:
A balanced look at this unique model
A comparison with the Dell Alienware AW2721D
BenQ EX2710S (27″ 165Hz IPS, 1920 x 1080)
BenQ EX2710S
- 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:
Gigabyte M32U (31.5″ 144Hz IPS, 3840 x 2160)
Gigabyte M32U
- 31.5″ IPS panel (Innolux M315DCA-K7B AAS IPS-type)
- 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD)
- 144Hz (48 – 144Hz 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 400
Additional points:
- Light to very light matte anti-glare screen surface
- PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
- ~90% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 350 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
- 400 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
- 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, DP 1.4, USB-C (18W PD, DP Alt Mode, upstream data), 3 USB 3.0 ports (plus Type-B upstream), 3.5mm headphone jack
- Tilt, swivel and height adjustment. 100 x 100mm VESA mounting supported
- 2 x 3W speakers
Why choose this monitor:
The Gigabyte M32U features a 31.5″ IPS-type panel with 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD) resolution and 144Hz 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, without things being taken to the oversaturated extremes of models with a significantly wider gamut. The light to very light matte screen surface aids this vibrancy and clarity, without strong graininess or clear layering in front of the image.
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. ‘Aim Stabilizer 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 strobe crosstalk and ‘KSF phosphor fringing’. VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification is included with 16-zone local dimming. The HDR experience is only basic, though it does allow 10-bit colour reproduction to enhance the nuanced shade variety. The dimming zones aren’t particularly dynamic and the peak luminance and colour gamut is quite limited by HDR standards. Good ergonomic flexibility is provided by the stand, USB-C with KVM is included and a comprehensive OSD is provided. A ‘Warm’ setting which acts as a well-balanced Low Blue Light (LBL) mode. The monitor is also ‘Eyesafe’ certified by TÜV Rheinland, with shifted and reduced amplitude peak of blue energy to potentially improve viewing comfort.
Further reading:
Acer XB323U GP/GX (32″ 170Hz/270Hz IPS, 2560 x 1440)
Acer XB323U GP/GX
- 32″ IPS panel (AUO M320DAN02.2 AHVA)
- 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p)
- 170Hz (GP) or 270Hz (GX) – with VRR (G-SYNC Compatible + FreeSync support)
- 120Hz 1440p support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
- 120Hz 1080p support for the Xbox Series X/S
- 60Hz ‘4K’ UHD (downsampling) support for the Xbox Series X and PS5
- 1ms grey to grey response time
- VESA DisplayHDR 600
Additional points:
- Very light matte anti-glare screen surface
- PWM-free (flicker-free) QD LED (Quantum Dot + blue LED) backlight
- ~95% DCI-P3, 100% Adobe RGB colour gamut and 400 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
- 600 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
- 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4, 4 USB 2.0 ports, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Screen includes tilt, height and swivel adjustment with 100 x 100mm VESA support
- 2 x 2W speakers
Why choose this monitor:
The Acer XB323U GP/GX offers a 32″ IPS-type panel and 2560 x 1440 (QHD) resolution. This provides good immersion and a reasonable pixel density. Whilst not as tight as a 27″ QHD model in terms of pixel density, it’s similar to 24″ 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) model in that respect which many users are happy with. The IPS-type panel includes a Quantum Dot backlight solution, offering an exceptional gamut that expands even beyond the generous Adobe RGB space. Strong vibrancy is delivered, alongside excellent consistency from the IPS-type panel. The monitor is well tuned for a highly fluid 170Hz (GP) or 270Hz (GX) experience, delivering low input lag and surprisingly rapid pixel responses without strong overshoot. The monitor also supports Adaptive-Sync via DP only, including both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia’s ‘G-SYNC Compatible Mode’ to combat tearing and stuttering.
The monitor offers a more compelling HDR experience than most, with VESA DisplayHDR 600 support alongside 16 reactive dimming zones and high brightness exceeding 730 cd/m² in our testing. This delivers a definite situational contrast advantage, whilst the generous colour gamut is put to excellent use for the display of natural-looking shades alongside highly vibrant elements. The monitor has a solid and, due to the metal base, quite premium feel to it with excellent ergonomic flexibility. The OSD (On Screen Display) is quite feature-rich, but we wouldn’t recommend relying on the integrated speakers as they’re very much bottom of the pile in terms of sound quality. The balanced spectral output from the backlight can enhance viewing comfort, with Low Blue Light (LBL) settings offering further assistance in that respect.
Further reading:
User feedback and further discussion
Philips 328E1CA (31.5″ 60Hz curved VA, 3840 x 2160)
Philips 328E1CA
- 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:
A post summarising our thoughts on this model in the context of some alternatives
Gigabyte M32Q (31.5″ 170Hz IPS, 2560 x 1440)
Gigabyte M32Q
- 31.5″ IPS panel (Innolux M315KCA-E7B AAS)
- 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p)
- 170Hz (48 – 170Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium + 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
- 1ms grey to grey (0.8ms MPRT) response time
- VESA DisplayHDR 400
Additional points:
- Light to very light matte anti-glare screen surface
- PWM-free (flicker-free) WLED backlight
- ~90% DCI-P3 colour gamut and 350 cd/m² (SDR) peak luminance
- 400 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
- 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4, 2 USB 3.0 ports (plus upstream), USB-C (~10W-15W PD assumed, DP Alt Mode, upstream data), 3 USB 3.0 ports (plus Type-B upstream), 3.5mm headphone jack
- Screen includes tilt, height and swivel adjustment with 100 x 100mm VESA support
- 2 x 3W speakers
Why choose this monitor:
The Gigabyte M32Q adopts a 31.5″ IPS-type panel with 2560 x 1440 (QHD) resolution. This combination provides a reasonable pixel density and strong immersion – similar to a 24″ Full HD screen but not as tight as a 27″ QHD screen. The IPS-type panel offers strong colour and gamma consistency, allowing detail levels and colour saturation to be better maintained across the screen. The wide gamut backlight offers a good dose of extra vibrancy without the degree of oversaturation that some wide gamut offerings provide. Measurements using a SpyderX ELITE (as we use in our reviews) put this ~90% DCI-P3. The monitor provides good 170Hz fluidity, with fast and well-tuned pixel responses and low input lag. VRR support is delivered via Adaptive-Sync (AMD FreeSync Premium plus ‘G-SYNC Compatible’) to combat tearing and stuttering. ‘Aim Stabilizer Sync’ is offered, a strobe backlight setting which can work alongside VRR and works to minimise perceived blur. This doesn’t offer the ‘cleanest’ performance for such a setting, though, with moderately high strobe crosstalk and ‘KSF phosphor fringing’.
The monitor delivers a basic HDR experience, responding to HDR10 content at the VESA DisplayHDR 400 level. The luminance levels are limited by HDR standards, there’s no local dimming and the colour gamut is really on the lower end of acceptability for HDR. So a far cry from the Acer XB323U models for HDR. The build quality is also more basic and ‘plasticky’. But the Gigabyte provides a solid SDR performance at a significantly lower price. The extra dose of saturation without going to the extremes of the QD backlight solution may appeal to some, too. The monitor also includes flexible Low Blue Light (LBL) settings including a well-tuned ‘Warm’ colour temperature setting. In addition, the screen is ‘Eyesafe’ certified by TÜV Rheinland which includes a blue peak shifted to less energetic wavelengths and a reduced amplitude to the blue peak. Enhancing viewing comfort throughout the day without the colour balance being affected as it is with the LBL settings.
Further reading:
Dell Alienware AW3423DW (34″ 175Hz curved QD-OLED, 3440 x 1440)
Dell Alienware AW3423DW
- 34.18″ OLED panel (Samsung Display QD-OLED)
- 3440 x 1440 (UWQHD – 21:9 ultrawide)
- 175Hz (1 – 175Hz VRR, G-SYNC + FreeSync)
- 120Hz 1440p support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
- 120Hz 1080p support for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5
- 0.1ms 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, 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (plus Type-B upstream), 3.5mm audio output, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Screen offers tilt, swivel, slant and height adjustment with 100 x 100mm VESA support
Why choose this monitor:
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW 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.
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 fairly low input lag and a G-SYNC module which provides a ‘1 – 175Hz’ experience for compatible Nvidia GPUs. The module can also be accessed via Adaptive-Sync for ‘AMD FreeSync’ on AMD graphics hardware, with the same VRR range and other benefits of the module. The monitor provides an exceptional 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 DCI-P3 coverage is also put to good use under HDR alongside 10-bit colour support for a vibrant and dynamic experience. 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:
LG 34GN850 (34″ 160Hz curved IPS, 3440 x 1440)
LG 34GN850
- 34″ IPS panel (LG Display LM340UW6 Nano IPS)
- 3440 x 1440 (UWQHD – 21:9 ultrawide)
- 160Hz (48 – 160Hz VRR, FreeSync Premium + G-SYNC Compatible)
- 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 ‘G-SYNC Compatible Mode’. 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
LG C2 OLED (42″ 120Hz OLED, 3840 x 2160)
LG C2 OLED
- 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 ~180 cd/m² (SDR) peak 100% white luminance
- ~700 cd/m²+ HDR peak luminance
- 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, 3 USB 3.0 ports, 3.5mm headphone jack, 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 C2 OLED (OLED42C2PUA 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 with the ASUS PG42UQ and Dell Alienware AW3423DW
This list is heavily condensed; look out for the recommended 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.