It’s an exhilarating moment for PC gamers in need of a new gaming monitor, given the plethora of choices in panel sizes, types, resolutions, aspect ratios, refresh rates, and features offered by various popular brands. Whether you prioritize AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync support, prefer a traditional flat monitor, or crave the immersive feel of a curved one, the abundance of options allows you to tailor your choice based on your specific gaming requirements.
When searching for the optimal gaming monitor for your setup, you’ll encounter various panel types competing for your attention — IPS, TN, VA, and even OLED — each carrying its advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, factors like screen size and aspect ratio play a crucial role, in influencing your field of view, desk space, and, naturally, your budget. Furthermore, considerations such as built-in speakers, RGB lighting, and port selection add to the array of choices available to gamers. Given the multitude of options, some helpful guidance is essential for making the best possible selection.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of the finest gaming monitors currently on the market.
Best Gaming Monitors in 2024
1. Dell S3222DGM
Best Gaming Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 32 inches / 21:9
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
Panel Type: VA
Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 0.2ms
Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync & G-Sync Compatible
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Sharp image with vivid and accurate color
Premium level contrast
Solid video processing
Excellent build quality
REASONS TO AVOID
No HDR
The Dell S3222DGM is just a great, all-around pick as the top gaming monitor thanks to its excellent image quality, plentiful features, and typical solid build quality. At the heart of this display is a 2560 x 1440, curved VA panel that supports both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync at up to 165 Hz.
The S3222DGM delivers an enviable contrast ratio thanks to its 1800R curved VA panel. While the IPS competition often struggles to break much past 1,000:1, the S3222DGM’s VA panels shot to 4209:1 in our tests. The display also reproduced 122 percent of the sRGB color gamut and 85 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut on our tests along with an incredibly accurate gamut error rate of 2.07dE.
On the connectivity front, the S3222DGM features two HDMI 2.0 connectors and one DisplayPort 1.2 port.
For anyone looking for an excellent gaming monitor that won’t break the bank, it’s hard to argue against the Dell S3222DGM.
2. Alienware AW2524H 500 Hz
Best Ultra-High Refresh Rate Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 25 inches, 16:9
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Panel Type: IPS / W-LED
Refresh Rate: 500 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 0.5ms
Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync & G-Sync Compatible
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Next level speed and responsiveness+
Class-leading color saturation and contrast+
Solid build quality
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive-
Requires premium hardware to maximize its potential
As the world’s first 500Hz gaming monitor, the Alienware AW2524H plants its flag in the ground for all to see. While 360Hz displays are commonplace today, Dell’s new entry ensures no frame tears or motion blur with flagship graphics cards capable of pushing 400+ frames per second.
In addition to its outright speed, the AW2524H commands a 2ms advantage in control lag over its 360Hz peers. Regarding competitive gaming, the AW2524H is an excellent tool for your arsenal. Throw in Alienware’s usual excellent build quality and color performance, the AW2524H is among the best gaming monitors available on the market.
The AW2524H has no real flaws or consequences, but you will need high-end hardware to utilize its performance fully. You’ll need a performant Alder Lake or Raptor Lake processor with a GeForce RTX 4090 graphics processor. The other thing to consider is pricing; the AW2524H is way more expensive than its 360Hz peers. For example, the Asus ROG Swift PG259QN is priced at around $450, while the AW2524H costs $829.99.
But for gamers with the budget and the hardware to pull it fully utilize it, the Alienware AW2524H is hard to beat.
3. Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM
Best OLED Gaming Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 26.5 inches / 16:9
Resolution: 3440 x 1440
Panel Type: OLED
Refresh Rate: 240 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 0.03ms
Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync & G-Sync Compatible
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Best image I’ve seen on a flat panel display
Wide and accurate color gamut+
Stellar gaming performance with super quick response
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive but not tremendously
There are many great gaming monitors out there, but only an elite few are good enough to earn our Editor’s Choice award and a five-star rating. However, the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM is one of the monitors for a good reason.
For starters, Asus has endowed the ROG Swift PG27AQDM with a 26.5-inch OLED panel. While Mini LED panels have become very good in recent years, OLED panels are still superior when it comes to contrast. Not only does the panel offer a wide and accurate color gamut, but the overall image quality is simply stunning.
For eSports performance enthusiasts, the ROG Swift PG27AQDM has an impressively low 0.03ms response time and a 240Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync support. While Nvidia has not certified the monitor for G-Sync compatibility, we found that it works just fine with the standard in our testing. In addition, the total lag time was comparable to faster 360Hz gaming monitors.
Given that this is a gaming monitor, Asus includes all the usual frills like an aggressive design, RGB lighting elements, and a lighting system that projects a ROG logo onto your desk.
The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM is costly, as witnessed by its $1,000 price tag, but this monitor’s overall image quality and performance are tough to beat in this class.
4. Alienware AW3423DWF
Best Widescreen Gaming Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 34 inches / 21:9
Resolution: 3440 x 1440
Panel Type: QD-OLED
Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 0.5ms
Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync & G-Sync Compatible
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Stunning SDR and HDR images
Deep contrast and color saturation
Large color gamut
Super smooth motion processing
No need for calibration
Premium styling and build quality
REASONS TO AVOID
No flaws of consequence
Desktop-class OLEDs used to be a rarity in the gaming monitor segment, but over the years, prices have come down, and more entries have entered the fray. The latest comes to us from Alienware, and it’s the jaw-dropping AW3423DFW.
This is a 34-inch ultra-wide monitor with an 1800R curve and a resolution of 3440 x 1440. However, the most important spec is its use of a Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) panel, which offers an extremely wide color gamut and the blackest blacks you’ll find in a gaming monitor.
The QD-OLED “heart” of the AW3423DFW gives it unmatched contrast and excellent color saturation and we felt no need to calibrate the panel further out of the box. Throw in premium build quality – as we expect from Alienware – and top-notch video processing and the AW3423DFW hit all the high notes without any demerits worth mentioning for enthusiast gamers.
If you can get past the $1,100 price of entry, the AW3423DFW would make a perfect companion for Nvidia’s newest graphics cards, like the GeForce RTX 4090 and RTX 4080.
5. MSI G272QPF
Best 170Hz Gaming Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 27 inches / 16:9
Panel Type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 170 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync & G-Sync Compatible
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Higher than average IPS contrast +Very colorful for both SDR and HDR content
No calibration is required for accurate color
Premium-level gaming performance
Excellent overdrive with low input lag
Solid build quality
REASONS TO AVOID
Light gamma with no options for change-
Slightly less red than other wide-gamut screens
We love good value when it comes to gaming monitors, and the MSI G272QPF is a true standout in this category. The G272QPF features a 27-inch QHD panel, which is the sweet spot for gamers who don’t have a super-powerful flagship graphics card to drive FPS. And while 165Hz is the standard for a monitor of this class, MSI ekes out just a bit more at 170Hz, which is accessible from the OSD.
In addition to nailing the fundamentals, the G272QPF has excellent SDR and HDR color performance, and you don’t need to go through an exhaustive calibration process to achieve those results. In addition, input lag is low and MSI’s usual good build quality shines through here.
We should mention that the contrast ratio is a bit on the lower side (1,000:1) compared to typical IPS panels, and gamma is a bit on the light side. However, there’s very little to complain about here for a monitor that’s retailing for around $240.
6. Samsung Odyssey Neo G8
Best 32-inch Gaming Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 32 inches / 16:9
Panel Type: VA
Refresh Rate: 240 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync & G-Sync Certified
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Stunning SDR and HDR images
Color accurate out of the box
Next-level gaming performance
Smooth motion processing and low input lag
Excellent value
REASONS TO AVOID
Color gamut volume is just average
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 is just a great overall gaming monitor that gets all the basics right, then goes above and beyond for discerning gamers (like its maximum 240 Hz refresh rate).
Samsung also equipped this 32-inch monitor with a 1000R VA panel that features Mini-LED lighting with 1,196 dimming zones. We measured contrast at 25,000:1 versus the 3,000:1 typical of VA panels. The excellent contrast should come in handy as you’re lurking in the shadows looking to cap opponents in your favorite first-person shooters.
When the Odyssey Neo G8 debuted, it had a street price of around $1,400. Now, however, the monitor can easily be found for around $1,200 or lower.
Read More: Top 10 Must-Play PS4 Games That Defined a Generation
7. HyperX Armada 27
Best 165Hz Gaming Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 27 inches / 16:9
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
Panel Type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync & G-Sync Compatible
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Wide and accurate color gamut
Premium video processing
Independent mode calibration ability
Excellent build quality
Super useful mounting arm included
REASONS TO AVOID
No speakers, audio, or USB
The HyperX Armada 27 is one of those standout monitors that offer the whole package. This is a 27-inch QHD display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate HDR, and premium build quality that we expect from HyperX.
One thing that makes the Armada 27 stand out (along with its smaller Armada 25 sibling) is the inclusion of a gaming mount for attaching the monitor to your desk instead of a traditional stand. This gives customers greater flexibility in positioning the Armada 27 for height, swivel, and tilt.
Video processing on the Armada 27 is solid, with an excellent overdrive implementation, low input lag, and minimal motion blur from the backlight strobe. Throw in handy calibration tools and good image quality, and the Armada 27 is a definite winner. We had only a few minor quibbles with the monitor, like the lack of speakers, but that doesn’t detract from HyperX’s rock-solid entry into the gaming monitor field.
8. MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD
Best Gaming Monitor for Color
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 27 inches / 16:9
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
Panel Type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Adaptive-Sync: G-Sync Compatible
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Huge color gamut
Fast response
REASONS TO AVOID
No sRGB mode-
The Backlight strobe creates artifacts
If you like your games to look extra colorful, the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is the best gaming monitor for your rig. This monitor posted the widest color gamut we’ve ever recorded: 112.19% of DCI-P3 after our recommended calibration. 90% of DCI-P3 would be impressive, so this is one color-saturated screen.
Contrast is also strong for an IPS panel, hitting 1,129.1:1 after our calibration. And for those concerned about speed, this 165 Hz screen kept up with the 170 Hz Gigabyte M27Q in our testing
Color purists, however, will lament the lack of an sRGB mode, considering the MAG274QRF-QD’s sRGB coverage is at 166.33%. Its backlight strobe for fighting motion blur is also a disappointment. You can’t use Adaptive-Sync with it, the brightness goes down by about 50% and it creates ghosting that results in a parallax effect with fast motion. In addition, this is yet another gaming monitor to offer HDR but without any noticeable image boost over SDR.
But if you can get past those caveats, you’ll enjoy the most colorful monitor to ever hit our lab.
9. HP Omen 27qs
Best 1440p Gaming Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 27 inches, 16:9
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
Panel Type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 240 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 0.03ms
Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync & G-Sync Compatible
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Bright and saturated image
Pro-level accuracy for sRGB and wide-gamut color
Premium video processing with super low input lag
Well-tuned backlight strobe for reduced motion blur
Excellent audio from built-in speakers
Rugged build quality
REASONS TO AVOID
ust average color gamut volume
The HP Omen 27qs is a standout gaming monitor for the sheer number of features and performance it delivers at a reasonable price. You get a QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS panel with a fast 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and an (IPS typical) contrast ratio of 1,000:1. The 27-inch panel is both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatible.
While having impressive specs on paper is important, the Omen 27qs also delivers where it counts. Input lag is incredibly low, which is essential for competitive gaming, while color accuracy is top-notch for sRGB. Images look bright and well-saturated, while the backlight strobe is dialed in to reduce motion blur.
Despite its reasonable price tag of around $400, HP even managed to throw in a pair of decent speakers into the package, making the Omen 27qs a must-buy for gamers on a budget.
10. Dell S2422HG
Best Budget Curved Gaming Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 23.6 inches / 16:9
Resolution: 1080p
Panel Type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 4ms
Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync & G-Sync Compatible
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Saturated and accurate color
Excellent contrast
Low input lag
Superb value
REASONS TO AVOID
Weak overdrive
No sRGB mode
No speakers or USB
The Dell S2422HG might be small in stature at just 23.6 inches across, but it packs quite a punch at a very attractive price point. Not everyone has the cash to drop $400 or $500 on a gaming monitor, so it’s nice to see Dell providing a value-conscious entry here.
The S2422HG has a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a relatively fast refresh rate at 165 MHz. Dell uses a VA panel here, so you get excellent contrast at 3,000:1 (we measured better at 3,261.8:1) and a factory-rated brightness of 350 nits (although we only measured 324 nits). We also commend Dell for including both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility in this budget-oriented monitor.
Video processing for the S2422HG was good in our testing, and the low input lag was appreciated. However, we did have to knock the motor for its lack of sRGB mode, no integrated speakers, and a lack of USB hub functionality.
But with an MSRP of $199, the Dell S2422HG represents an excellent value in this gaming monitor space. In addition, we’ve seen the S2422HG fall to as low as $170 in recent months, which makes it an easy-to-recommend gaming monitor.
11. Samsung 49-Inch Odyssey G9
Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 49 inches / 32:9
Resolution: 5120 x 1440
Panel Type: SVA (VA)
Refresh Rate: 240 Hz
Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Adaptive-Sync : G-Sync Compatible, FreeSync
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Accurate color out of the box+
Tight curve delivers maximum immersion
REASONS TO AVOID
No motion blur reduction-
No speakers
The Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 is one of the most extreme monitors on this page. Not only is it a massive 49 inches diagonally, but it also carries a 1000R curve, the most dramatic curve offered on a gaming monitor today. From a 2-3-feet distance, this panel will fill your view. It’s like having two 27-inch, 1440p monitors in one. You’ll need nearly 4 feet of desk width and 17 inches of depth to accommodate it, but if you do, you’ll enjoy a wraparound gaming environment without image distortion. Are you looking for a smaller ultrawide? The Acer Predator X38 is also excellent.
Testing of the 49-inch Odyssey G9 revealed excellent contrast (2,152.9:1 after calibration), which climbed to 58,881.7:1 when it came to HDR testing. This is a bright monitor with a sharp picture and accurate DCI-P3 and sRGB color.
At this price, though, we’d expect a little more. For example, the monitor doesn’t offer any blur reduction. However, we typically opt for Adaptive-Sync over motion blur reduction, and motion blur shouldn’t be an issue if you have a powerful enough graphics card. You also don’t get any speakers or, oddly, a framerate counter. But with solid image quality and a whole lot of speed for an ultrawide, some sacrifices are worth making.
12. Nexigo NG17FGQ
Best Portable Gaming Monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
Panel Type / Backlight: IPS / W-LED, edge array
Screen Size / Aspect Ratio: 17.3 inches / 16:9
Max Resolution & Refresh Rate: 1920×1080 @ 300 Hz
Color Depth: 8-bit
Max Brightness: 300 nits
Response Time: 3ms
Contrast: 1,000:1
Ports: 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI
Touch: None
Dimensions: 15.5W x 9.9H inches
Weight: 2.1 pounds
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
Impressive video processing and game performance
Accurate color with calibration
Solid build quality
REASONS TO AVOID
No extended color or dynamic contrast for HDR-
Can be tricky to run at 300 Hz
When you think of displays with a 300Hz refresh rate, you typically picture desktop monitors with a Full HD resolution. However, Nexigo offers something on a smaller scale in the form of the NG17FGQ. This is a 17.3-inch portable monitor that offers a 300Hz refresh rate and connects to a laptop or desktop via HDMI or USB-C (DisplayPort Alt-Mode).
To take advantage of that fast 300Hz refresh rate, you’ll need to connect over USB-C with a computer that supports full bandwidth capabilities. If you decide to connect via HDMI, you’re limited to 240Hz, which is still heady for a portable monitor.
Gaming performance across the board is excellent with the NG17FGQ, and it can produce some amazing colors once the panel is calibrated. Its overall good build quality also means that it should stand up to the rigors of being tossed around in a bag while traveling.
Nexigo even includes a handy remote that can be used to navigate the on-screen display (OSD). Toss in stereo speakers to blast some tunes on the go, and the NG17FGQ makes a great travel companion for gamers and productivity-minded folks alike.
Read More: Intel Meteor Lake CPUs’ Integrated Graphics Performance Test
SHOPPING TIPS FOR GAMING MONITORS
When trying to buy the best gaming monitor for your PC, consider the following:
- G-Sync or FreeSync? G-Sync only works with PCs with Nvidia graphics cards, while FreeSync only works with systems using AMD ones. So you can technically run G-Sync on a FreeSync-only monitor, but performance isn’t guaranteed. FreeSync monitors tend to be cheaper, and performance is comparable. For a detailed comparison of the two technologies’ performance, see our Nvidia G-Sync vs. AMD FreeSync comparison article.
- For image quality, TN < IPS < VA < OLED. Typically, TN monitors are the fastest and cheapest but have weaker viewing angles. IPS displays have slightly slower response times but better color than VA monitors. The best gaming monitors for contrast are VA, but VA also has slower response times. Displays with OLED panels are expensive but the most colorful by far.
- Refresh rates: bigger is better. This number explains the number of times your monitor updates with new information per second — stated in hertz (Hz) — and, therefore, how many frames per second (fps) the monitor can display. Bigger numbers mean smoother images. Refresh rate is especially important for gamers, so you’ll want to shoot for a monitor with at least 120 Hz (most gaming monitors offer at least 144 Hz), combined with the lowest response time you can find.
- Resolution: Full HD, QHD, 4K. The most popular screen resolutions for gaming monitors are Full HD (1920 x 1080), QHD (2560 x 1440), and 4K (3840 x 2160). The more pixels a screen has, the sharper its image should look. So a 4K monitor will show a more crisp image and more detail than a lower resolution Full HD monitor. Generally speaking, the lowest resolution monitors push the fastest refresh rates, reaching upwards of 500 Hz. Because they have to push many more pixels, 4K monitors usually top out at a 144 Hz refresh rate, although some can hit 240 Hz.