Best Gaming Monitor Overall: LG Ultragear 32GS95UE
It's expensive, but the 4K OLED Ultragear 32GS95UE has a great balance of features, design and performance. It's got excellent display quality -- all the benefits of an OLED monitor, including true blacks for high contrast, full P3 gamut coverage, good color accuracy and fast pixel refresh.
LG throws in a ton of panel features, such as:
- 240Hz/480Hz dual-refresh rate support (480Hz only in 1080p)
- Built-in color profiles that are updateable via LG's software
- Optional color calibrator
- Almost over-granular control over display settings
Pros
- Excellent display quality for gaming, including 4K/240Hz and 1080p/480Hz modes
- Great speakers
- Free LG Calibration Studio software (to create/update built-in profiles)
- A ton of settings
Cons
- Controller utility doesn't have many of the settings that are in the OSD
- No DisplayPort 2.1 or USB-C, which you'd expect for the price and class
- So many settings it's hard to keep track of them
- Some artifacts on small text
Price: $1,216 at Amazon
Best HDR Gaming Monitor Under $1,000: Sony InZone M9 2
Sony's second-generation InZone M9 delivers excellent HDR performance at a more accessible price point.
Key Features
- 27-inch 4K display
- Full array local dimming
- Excellent HDR performance for the price
- PlayStation 5 optimized features
Best Nonreflective QD-OLED Gaming Monitor: Alienware AW3225QF
The Alienware AW3225QF addresses one of QD-OLED's biggest weaknesses: reflectivity. This monitor features a nonreflective coating that makes it more usable in bright rooms.
Key Features
- 32-inch 4K QD-OLED
- Nonreflective coating
- 240Hz refresh rate
- Excellent for bright room gaming
Best Cheap Gaming Monitor: Lenovo Legion R25f-30
For budget-conscious gamers, the Lenovo Legion R25f-30 offers excellent value with solid gaming performance.
Key Features
- 25-inch Full HD
- High refresh rate
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Good entry-level option
Factors to Consider When Buying a Gaming Monitor
Size
24-25 inches:
- Good for competitive gaming
- Fits smaller desks
- Lower cost
27 inches:
- The sweet spot for most gamers
- Good balance of size and performance
- Ideal for 1440p resolution
32+ inches:
- More immersive for single-player
- Requires more desk space
- Better for 4K resolution
Resolution
1080p (Full HD):
- Good for competitive gaming
- Easier to drive high frame rates
- Lower cost
1440p (QHD):
- Sweet spot for visual quality vs. performance
- 27-inch ideal size
- Good balance for most gamers
4K (UHD):
- Best visual fidelity
- Requires powerful GPU
- More expensive
Screen Type
IPS:
- Best color accuracy
- Good viewing angles
- Fast enough for most gaming
VA:
- Best contrast ratios
- Good for dark room gaming
- Can have smearing
OLED/QD-OLED:
- Perfect blacks
- Infinite contrast
- Fastest response times
- Risk of burn-in
Refresh Rate
60Hz: Minimum for gaming 144Hz: Good for casual/competitive 240Hz: Excellent for competitive 360Hz+: Professional esports standard
Color
Look for:
- sRGB coverage (100% ideal)
- DCI-P3 coverage (90%+ for HDR)
- Adobe RGB (for content creation)
HDR
HDR400: Entry-level, minimal impact HDR600: Good HDR performance HDR1000+: Excellent HDR experience
Price
Budget: Under $300 Mid-range: $300-600 Premium: $600-1000 Enthusiast: $1000+
Gaming Monitor FAQs
Is burn-in really an issue for OLED and QD-OLED monitors?
Burn-in is a potential issue with OLED panels when static images are displayed for extended periods. However:
- Modern OLEDs have burn-in mitigation features
- Varied usage patterns reduce risk
- Warranty coverage often includes burn-in protection
- Not a major concern for varied gaming usage
For heavy desktop/productivity use: Consider Mini-LED instead For primarily gaming: OLED burn-in risk is low
Is curved or flat better?
Curved advantages:
- More immersive for gaming
- Better for ultrawide monitors
- Reduces eye strain for some users
- Wraps around field of view
Flat advantages:
- Better for productivity/work
- No distortion at edges
- Easier to share screen with others
- More versatile placement
Recommendation:
- 24-27 inch: Flat preferred
- 32+ inch: Curved can be beneficial
- Ultrawide: Curved highly recommended
Should I get two (or more) small screens or one ultrawide?
Dual/Triple Monitors:
- Better for productivity
- Can have different content on each
- More flexible arrangement
- Bezel gap between screens
Ultrawide:
- Better for gaming immersion
- No bezel gap
- More cohesive experience
- Less desk clutter
Recommendation:
- Primarily gaming: Ultrawide
- Mixed use: Dual monitors
- Productivity focus: Dual or triple
What connections do I need?
Essential:
- DisplayPort 1.4 (for high refresh 1440p/4K)
- HDMI 2.1 (for console gaming)
Nice to have:
- USB-C (for laptops, charging)
- USB hub (for peripherals)
- Audio out
Do I want HDR?
HDR Benefits:
- Better contrast
- Brighter highlights
- More vivid colors
- More immersive experience
Considerations:
- Increases monitor cost
- Requires HDR-capable games
- Needs proper calibration
- Windows HDR implementation can be finicky
Recommendation:
- HDR600+ for noticeable improvement
- HDR1000+ for excellent experience
- Not essential for competitive gaming
What is the best refresh rate for a gaming monitor?
By Use Case:
Casual Gaming: 144Hz sufficient Competitive Gaming: 240Hz recommended Professional Esports: 360Hz+ Single-Player AAA: 60-144Hz fine, prioritize resolution
Note: Match refresh rate to your GPU capabilities. A 360Hz monitor is wasted if your GPU can't push 360 FPS.
How Monitor Critic Tests Gaming Monitors
Monitor Critic's testing methodology includes:
- Technical Measurements:
- Color accuracy (Delta-E)
- Brightness and contrast
- Response time testing
- Input lag measurements
- Uniformity analysis
- Real-World Gaming:
- Extended gaming sessions
- Multiple game genres tested
- Different graphics settings
- Various lighting conditions
- Feature Evaluation:
- OSD functionality and ease of use
- Build quality assessment
- Ergonomic adjustments
- Port selection
- Comparative Analysis:
- Side-by-side comparisons
- Price-to-performance evaluation
- Feature comparison
About the Author
Lori Grunin is a senior editor at Monitor Critic, covering computing and monitors. With years of experience testing displays, Lori provides expert insights into gaming monitor technology and helps readers make informed purchasing decisions.
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