Introduction
You need more than a high refresh rate to earn a spot among the best gaming monitors. There's no shortage of displays that want to hop on the gaming monitor bandwagon, but you shouldn't pick up any display that slaps "gaming" on its product packaging. From budget showstoppers to the latest high-end OLED options, we're here to help you navigate the sometimes murky waters of gaming monitors.
We didn't just look at a couple of displays and throw them into a list. Testing gaming displays involves dozens of hours of testing, validation, and comparison to other options, and that's before digging into additional features. Not only have we reviewed countless gaming monitors over the years, we've also used them day in and day out to see if they hold up over time.
Investing in one of the best gaming monitors will not only level up your PC or console gaming experience; it'll also set you up for years of upgrades in the future. Your gaming monitor is the last line of defense for a fantastic gaming experience, so carefully consider the options here before making a decision.
HP Omen Transcend 32
Review: [HP Omen Transcend 32 Review](https://monitorcritic.com
Pros
- Fantastic color quality
- Multi-purpose KVM switch
- Up to 140W of power delivery
- Robust on-screen display
- High peak HDR brightness
Cons
- Massive power brick
- Poor cable management solution
There's no monitor that does it all quite like the HP Omen Transcend 32, and that's why it's the gaming display I recommend most. It's not inexpensive, but HP goes out of its way to pack the Omen Transcend 32 with so many features that the price is easily justified. I've reviewed dozens of monitors packing this same panel, and the fact that this monitor manages to stand out at all is a feat.
For the panel itself, it's just about perfect. The monitor produces the widest color coverage I've ever measured, and flew just short of 1,000 nits for the brightest highlights. I was a bit disappointed in the out-of-box color performance, where I measured a color error of just over 1. Still, that's totally usable for most situations, and if you perform some basic calibration, the Omen Transcend 32 can even put extremely color accurate displays like the Alienware 32 QD-OLED to shame.
But really, it's everything outside of the panel that makes this monitor stand out. A massive 480-watt power brick offers up 140W through the USB-C input, as well as power to the five additional USB ports available as a hub. This USB hub is incredible. With it, you can use Omen Gear Switch, which allows you to transfer your peripherals between inputs instantly. You can even transfer files between two PCs, which is handled entirely inside the monitor.
My favorite feature of the monitor is actually the menu. Seriously. HP gives you a gaming menu and a creator menu, and it allows you essentially store two separate presets on the display. Moreover, it offers some specific settings for each of these use cases, such as the HDR clipping level in creator mode.
Gigabyte M27Q X
Pros
- Excellent price
- Speedy 240Hz refresh rate
- 1440p is the sweet spot for PC gaming
Cons
- HDR isn't great
- Edge-lit lighting can cause some inconsistency
Prior to upgrading to an OLED display, I used the Gigabyte M27Q, and even now, it remains a secondary monitor that I constantly use. The newer M27Q X takes what made Gigabyte's value-focused 1440p and makes it much better with a speedy 240Hz refresh rate and a Super Speed IPS panel. You really can't ask for much more at this price.
The colors and contrast won't blow you away, but the M27Q X goes beyond being just a reasonably-priced monitor. My favorite feature is the KVM switch, which allows you to switch between your PC and the included USB-C input without changing over your peripherals. If you have something like a Steam Deck, the inclusion of a KVM is huge for managing your handheld.
My only reservation with the M27Q X is its HDR performance. The monitor comes with a DisplayHDR 400 certification, but it just doesn't get bright enough for proper HDR. You're getting highlights around 400 nits, and a fairly weak contrast ratio. However, if you're willing to sacrifice HDR in games, you're getting an inexpensive monitor that crushes the competition.
Alienware 34 QD-OLED
Review: [Alienware 34 QD-OLED Review](https://monitorcritic.com
Pros
- QD-OLED contrast is unbeatable
- Fantastic HDR performance
- Excellent color saturation
- Attractive, minimalist design
- Surprisingly affordable
Cons
- SDR brightness is a bit low
- Color accuracy isn't perfect
The Alienware 34 QD-OLED is a certified legend. Monitor Critic was blown away when we first reviewed the monitor, writing that it represented the "final frontier" for gaming displays. And even close to two years after the monitor hit store shelves, and even after plenty of alternatives have cropped up, the Alienware 34 QD-OLED remains one of the best gaming displays on the market.
It shouldn't come as a surprise, but our testing results were basically perfect. Contrast was infinite, and our tools measured peak brightness well above 1,000 nits. But for me, it really comes down to the color. A glossy coating combined fantastic out-of-the-box color makes for one of the most immersive gaming experiences money can buy, even today. That's why I personally used an Alienware 34 QD-OLED display for so long. It's just tough to beat.
Now, it's not perfect. Our testing revealed rather weak brightness in SDR, as well as a bit of a color shift toward green, though those are relatively minor issues in the grand scheme of things. The biggest issue with buying the Alienware 34 QD-OLED today is text clarity. It's not bad, but we spotted a touch of color fringing around text when viewed with a microscope. You may not notice it at all, but if you're highly sensitive to those details and plan on viewing a lot of text documents, one of the other options here is a better fit for you.
Even with those downsides, the Alienware 34 QD-OLED has managed to maintain a spot here over newer OLED displays like the Sony InZone M10S. A big reason for that is that the Alienware 34 QD-OLED is fairly affordable. You can snag it for about $650 on sale, which is unheard of for an OLED gaming display.
What to Consider
What type of monitor is best for gaming?
This very much depends on the type of games you want to play. If you play competitive, fast-paced games, high-refresh-rate monitors are a must as they can reduce input lag and give you a smoother gaming experience. Higher resolutions and HDR are great for more cinematic, AAA experiences, while larger, curved screens add immersion for all sorts of titles.
What is a good size monitor for gaming?
The size of your monitor largely depends on what resolution it is. As the screen size gets larger, lower resolutions will become more pronounced. For gaming, we recommend a 24-inch monitor for 1080p, a 27-inch monitor for 1440p, and a 27-inch or larger monitor for 4K.
Keep in mind the aspect ratio, as well. Ultrawide monitors are wider, and the screen size isn't comparable to a standard 16:9 display. A 34-inch ultrawide monitor isn't as large as a 34-inch 16:9 one.
Does response time matter for gaming monitors?
Yes, but not in the way you might assume. Response time on a monitor measures how long it takes from one pixel to transition to a different color, not the input lag. Faster response times provide clearer motion, so a low response time is ideal for gaming.
Can I use my TV as a gaming monitor?
Yes, you can use a TV as a gaming monitor. TVs have similar options for refresh rates, resolutions, HDR support, and connections like HDMI — plus, HDMI 2.1 added support for the open Adaptive Sync technology, and some TV brands, like Samsung, support FreeSync as well.
However, TVs are generally much more expensive than monitors, so you will likely end up paying a lot more for similar specifications. TVs may also lack certain modes, menu options, and customization features that monitors have for gaming.