When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Complete your rig with one of the best gaming monitors. Curved For Gaming
The list in brief 1. Best Overall 2. Best 500Hz 3. Best OLED 4. Best Widescreen 5. Best 4K 6. Best 165Hz 7. Best for Color 8. Best 1440p 9. Best Budget 10. Best Ultrawide 11. Best Portable 12. Shopping Tips 13. Savings
It's an exciting time to be a PC gamer needing a new gaming monitor. There are many panel sizes, panel types, resolutions, aspect ratios, refresh rates, and features to choose from produced my numerous popular brands. For example, do you need AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync support? Do you prefer a traditional flat monitor or a more immersive experience with a curved monitor? The best thing about having so many available options to the consumer is that you can ideally pick the perfect monitor based on your gaming needs.
When seeking the best gaming monitor for your rig, different panel types are vying for your eyeballs — IPS, TN, VA and even OLED — each with its own pros and cons. Of course, you can't forget about screen size and aspect ratio, which affect your views, desk space and, again, bank account. And we haven't even discussed bonuses, like speakers, RGB or port selection. So many options are available to gamers, so some guidance is necessary to make the best possible pick.
For a deep dive into how to pick the best monitor, check out our PC Monitor Buying Guide. Below is a list of the best gaming monitors currently available based on our own tests.
Best Gaming Monitor The Dell S3222DGM is a true jack of all trades, combining a large screen, excellent performance and a compelling price tag. The monitor features a 2560 x 1440 resolution, boasts refresh rates up to 165Hz and its VA panel generates an incredible contrast ratio of over 4,200:1.
Best Ultra-High Refresh Rate Monitor Regarding high-refresh rate monitors, the Alienware AW2524H is in a class of its own. Topping out at 500Hz, you’ll need a flagship-class graphics card like the GeForce RTX 4090 to hit those frame rates. Remember that the monitor is a bit on the smaller side, measuring 25 inches across with a 1080p resolution.
Best OLED Gaming Monitor One of the best OLED panels out there, the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM measures 26.5 inches, has a 3440 x 1440 resolution, and maxes out at 240Hz. This widescreen monitor scored 5/5 stars in our testing and secured our coveted Editor’s Choice award.
Best Widescreen Gaming Monitor The Alienware AW3423DWF combines two highly coveted qualities in one gaming monitor. It features a QD-OLED panel and the popular 34-inch widescreen form factor. The monitor is dripping with color (equally impressive in SDR and HDR content), has a 165Hz refresh rate, and features Alienware’s typical attention to premium materials and build quality.
For those looking for a great monitor to game at 4K resolution, look no further than the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8. The monitor measures 32 inches across and has a 240Hz refresh rate. It is accurate out-of-the-box, and the Odyssey Neo G8 is G-Sync and FreeSync certified and features 1,196 dimming zones.
The HyperX Armada 27 was lavished with high praise by us for its accurate panel and top-notch video processing. The 27-inch monitor also comes with a nifty mounting arm to free up some space on your desktop that a stand would otherwise take up. Throw in a 165Hz refresh rate and QHD resolution, and you’ve got a real winner here.
Best for Color
Best Gaming Monitor for Color
MSI puts performance at the forefront with the Optix MAG274QRF-QD, which features a 165Hz QHD panel and Nvidia G-Sync support. However, the ace up the MAG274QRF-QD’s sleeve is its impressively wide color gamut and respectable (for an IPS monitor) contrast ratio.
Corsair fully embraces OLED panels with its gaming monitors and has filtered it down to the smaller Xeneon 27QHD240. The panel combined a 240Hz refresh rate with a 2560 x 1440 resolution supporting AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync technology. The monitor retails for around $900, making it a bargain in the gaming monitor segment.
Dell’s S2422HG is on the smaller side for gaming monitors at 24 inches, but it still packs a punch. The curved monitor features a 1080p resolution, excellent contrast thanks to its VA panel, a 165Hz refresh rate, and is regularly found online for under $200.
The Samsung Odyssey G9 comes with its massive 49-inch VA panel and 5120 x 1440 resolution. Even with the huge panel, there’s still a heady 240Hz refresh rate, a tight curve to keep the action on the screen more immersive, and an incredibly accurate picture.
High-refresh rate panels aren’t just limited to desktop gaming monitors. Nexigo’s NG17FGQ delivers an impressive 300Hz refresh rate over USB-C (240Hz over HDMI). The 1080p IPS panel measures 17 inches across and can produce excellent image quality once it’s properly calibrated.
144hz 1ms Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.