Introduction
Complete your rig with one of the best gaming monitors.
We have you covered on every possible front, with the best 4K gaming monitors, the best ultrawide gaming monitors, and even the best portable monitors. While those guides focus on a specific segment of the monitor market, we'll try to pick the best from each segment here. Think of it as the "best of the best."
Quick List
- Best Overall / Best OLED: Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP
- Best Ultra-High Refresh Rate: Alienware AW2524HF 500 Hz
- Best Value: Titan Army P2712V
- Best Curved: Alienware AW3423DWF
- Best 4K: Asus ROG Strix XG32UCWMG
- Best 3D: Acer Predator SpatialLabs View 27 PSV27-2
- Best Ultrawide: LG Ultra Gear 45GX950A
- Best Portable: Nexigo NG17FGQ
- Best Console: Alienware AW3225QF
1. Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP - Best Overall / Best OLED
Expert Review: [Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP Gaming Monitor Review](https://monitorcritic.com
Reasons to Buy
✅ You want the ultimate in OLED goodness: From rich colors to fast response to infinite contrast, the ROG Swift PG27AQDP has you covered.
✅ Refresh rate is essential: Although it can't match the 500 Hz of the AW2524HF, 480 Hz from an OLED panel is impressive.
Reasons to Avoid
❌ You're looking to keep costs in check: With a street price of around $900, this is by no means an impulse purchase.
The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP is the new king of the hill when it comes to high-performance OLED gaming monitors. The ROG Swift PG27AQDP has the same 2560 x 1440 resolution as our previous favorite, the Alienware AW2725DF, but boasts a maximum refresh rate of 480 Hz (instead of 360 Hz).
Our instrumented testing showed a brightness of 400 nits in SDR content and 1,300 nits in HDR content. Calibration was also stellar straight out of the box, while contrast and overall color reproduction were excellent (as expected from a modern OLED panel). Excellent video processing and tons of gaming-centric features make the ROG Swift PG27AQDP a must-have for discerning gamers.
Among the OLED competition, the PG27AQDP was tied for first place in response time (just two milliseconds), while it registered just 15 ms for the input lag test. That put it in second place behind its larger brother, the PG32UCDP. However, it's hard to live up to the PG32UCDP's 11-millisecond showing, and 15 ms is nothing to scoff at (and the PG32UCDP also had an advantage by running the test at FHD instead of QHD).
We had no trouble playing games like Doom Eternal at 340 fps at QHD resolution with a GeForce RTX 4090 on the PG27AQDP. However, we didn't have enough computing muscle to reach the monitor's upper 480 fps limit, although perhaps a GeForce RTX 5090 could get the job done.
Just be aware that the ROG Swift PG27AQDP has an MSRP of $999, which is a few hundred bucks pricier than its closest competition, the $600 Alienware AW2524HF. However, that price premium is warranted, given its performance and features.
Shopping Tips for Gaming Monitors
G-Sync or FreeSync?
Adaptive sync is a generic term for any technology that allows the monitor to adjust its refresh rate to match the GPU's output. G-Sync is Nvidia's proprietary version, while FreeSync is AMD's open standard. Both technologies eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, but G-Sync typically requires a hardware module in the monitor, while FreeSync is software-based.
For image quality: TN < IPS < VA < OLED?
Panel technology significantly impacts image quality:
- TN (Twisted Nematic): Fastest response times but poorest color and viewing angles
- IPS (In-Plane Switching): Good color and viewing angles, moderate response times
- VA (Vertical Alignment): Best contrast of LCD panels, good color, slower response
- OLED: Perfect contrast, fastest response, best color, but potential burn-in risk
Refresh rates: Is bigger better?
Higher refresh rates (144Hz, 240Hz, 360Hz+) provide smoother motion and reduced input lag, which is crucial for competitive gaming. However, you'll need a powerful GPU to take advantage of higher refresh rates, especially at higher resolutions.
Resolution: Full HD, QHD, or 4K?
- 1080p (Full HD): Best for competitive gaming, easiest to drive high frame rates
- 1440p (QHD): The sweet spot for most gamers - good balance of detail and performance
- 4K (UHD): Stunning visuals but requires top-tier GPU hardware
Why should I even bother with a gaming monitor?
Gaming monitors offer features specifically tailored for gaming:
- High refresh rates for smooth motion
- Low input lag for responsive gameplay
- Adaptive sync technologies to eliminate tearing
- Gaming modes and features (crosshairs, timers, etc.)
- Better color accuracy and contrast for immersive visuals