In this buyer’s guide, you will find the best and most cost-efficient 1440p monitors.
Since we already have dedicated 1440p 144Hz and 1440p 240Hz gaming monitor buying guides, we will focus on low refresh rate (60Hz – 75Hz) models in this article.
Whether you’re looking for a 1440p display for everyday use, color-critical work, gaming, or something in-between, we got you covered!
Monitor | Size | Panel | Refresh Rate | VRR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
23.8” | IPS | 75Hz | FreeSync | ||
25” | IPS | 60Hz | N/A | ||
27” | IPS | 75Hz | FreeSync | ||
27” | VA | 75Hz | FreeSync | ||
31.5” | IPS | 75Hz | FreeSync |
Now, because the difference between the low and high refresh rate 1440p monitors is not that big, we highly recommend investing in a 144Hz+ model if you play a lot of games and can squeeze out a frame rate over 60-75FPS.
Even if you can’t get a high frame rate with your current rig, a new monitor should last you at least a few GPU upgrades, so it’s not a bad idea to future-proof your display a bit.
You won’t lose anything by running games at lower frame rates on a high refresh rate monitor. In fact, you can still benefit from lower input lag and less noticeable tearing.
Be sure to check out the ‘Alternatives’ sections in the monitor reviews below as we’ll mention similarly priced models you might want to consider, with higher refresh rates and/or other features.
If you want to view our changelogs for this particular buying guide, you can do so at the end of this article.
LG 24QP500
Budget 24″ 1440p Monitor For Everyday Use
Size: 23.8″
Panel: IPS
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
VRR: FreeSync
The Pros:
- Accurate colors, wide viewing angles
- High pixel density
- Plenty of features, including FreeSync up to 75Hz
The Cons:
- Tilt-only stand
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
There is only a handful of 24″ 1440p monitors out there, which is a shame given that a lot of people love this combination of screen size and resolution.
Luckily, the LG 24QP500 is an excellent yet affordable model that offers everything you need for an enjoyable gaming and viewing experience.
Image Quality
The Quad HD resolution results in a high 123 PPI (pixels per inch) pixel density on the 23.8″ viewable screen of the LG 24QP500 monitor.
This means that you’ll get plenty of screen space for your spreadsheets and whatnot, as well as crisp and sharp details; from a normal viewing distance (~70cm or 2.3 ft), you won’t be able to distinguish individual pixels at all!
Further, the IPS panel of the monitor ensures accurate, consistent and vivid colors, while the image remains perfect regardless of the angle you’re looking at the screen thanks to the wide 178° viewing angles.
Factory calibration varies across different units, but you will also be able to do some basic content creation without any issues. For more serious colorists though, we recommend getting a monitor with a more precise (Delta E < 3 or less) factory calibration or pairing the 24QP500 with a colorimeter and calibrating it yourself.
Other specifications include a 300-nit peak brightness, which is more than bright enough under normal lighting conditions, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio and true 8-bit color depth support, as expected from an IPS display at this price range.
Features
Moving on, the LG 24QP500 has a fast pixel response time speed, so there’s no prominent trailing behind fast-moving objects. This makes it great for fast-paced games, though a 1440p 144Hz or even 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor would still be a much better choice if you play a lot of first-person shooters.
Additionally, the monitor supports AMD FreeSync for tear-free gameplay between the supported 48-75Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) range. Using CRU (Custom Resolution Utility), you might even be able to extend that range to ~40-75Hz depending on the unit.
FreeSync is supported over both HDMI and DisplayPort, so you can use it with both AMD and NVIDIA (GTX 10-series or newer) FreeSync-compatible graphics cards.
Other noteworthy features include Black Equalizer (improves visibility in darker scenes of games), various picture modes and advanced image adjustment tools, such as gamma and 6-axis hue/saturation.
Design & Connectivity
The LG 24QP500 has a tilt-only stand, but you can detach it and mount the screen on a third-party stand via the 100x100mm VESA pattern.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2 and a headphone jack.
Alternatives
At $230, the LG 24QP500 is one of the cheapest 24″ 1440p IPS monitors available. However, depending on your region and pricing, you might want to give these models a look too:
If you have a laptop with a USB-C input that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and Power Delivery, consider the following:
- Lenovo Q24H-10 – 65W PD, FreeSync up to 75Hz
- ViewSonic VG2455-2K – 65W PD, USB hub, ergonomic stand
- Samsung S24H850 – 45W PD, USB hub, an ergonomic stand, DP-out for daisy-chaining
Lastly, note that for ~$20 extra, you can get a 27″ 1440p 144Hz gaming monitor with a curved VA panel, such as the AOC CQ27G2 – or a 27″ 1440p 144Hz IPS gaming display for ~$50 extra, the HP X27q.
Dell U2520D
25″ 1440p Monitor For Professional Use With USB-C
Size: 25″
Panel: IPS
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
VRR: N/A
The Pros:
- Accurate colors, wide viewing angles
- High pixel density, wide color gamut
- Factory-calibrated
- Fully ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options, including USB-C with 90W PD
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
- No AMD FreeSync
About The Monitor
If you want something a bit better but in the same ~24″ screen size, check out the Dell UltraSharp U2520D!
Image Quality
This 25″ sized monitor is only slightly larger than the LG 24QP500, so you get to keep the high pixel density of 117 PPI for sharp details and plenty of screen space.
The Dell U2520D, however, is factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2, so it’s accurate straight out of the box and ready for work!
Additionally, it covers a wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut for more saturated and vibrant colors resulting in a more immersive viewing experience and more colors to work with if your projects can benefit from the DCI-P3 color space.
Other panel-related specifications include a 350-nit peak brightness and a static contrast ratio of 1,000:1, which is standard.
The monitor also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), but without significantly higher brightness and contrast as well as an expensive full-array local dimming (FALD) implementation, the HDR picture won’t look much better.
So, you can basically ignore its HDR support. Thanks to the wide color gamut, some scenes might look a bit better, but it’s far from the true HDR viewing experience, which is only possible on more expensive monitors anyway.
Features
Further, the Dell U2520D has a fast response time speed, so there’s no ghosting in fast-paced scenes. However, it doesn’t support FreeSync or 75Hz, which will disappoint gamers.
Due to its great image quality, fast response time and low input lag, you can still enjoy video games up to 60FPS without any issues, but you will need to use V-Sync if you wish to prevent tearing. In this case, we recommend using this trick to minimize the V-Sync input lag penalty.
You might also want to try manually overclocking the monitor as this panel is usually pushed to 75Hz on other monitors, but your mileage may vary here.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is quite versatile with up to 130mm height adjustment, 90° pivot, -5°/21° tilt, +/- 45° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options are extensive and include DisplayPort 1.4, DisplayPort-out 1.4 for daisy-chaining, HDMI 2.0, a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode and 90W PD, a USB hub (three downstream USB 3.0 and one upstream USB-C) and an audio line-out port for external speakers.
LG 27QN600
Best Value 27″ 1440p Monitor For Everyday Use
Size: 27″
Panel: IPS
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
VRR: FreeSync
The Pros:
- Accurate colors, wide viewing angles
- High pixel density
- Plenty of features, including FreeSync up to 75Hz
The Cons:
- Tilt-only stand
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
Most people find 27″ monitors to be the ideal size: not too big, not too small. Plus, the 1440p resolution complements it perfectly as you get a lot of screen space with sharp details and text while scaling is not necessary.
The LG 27QN600 is the most cost-efficient 27″ 1440p 75Hz IPS monitor available.
Image Quality
Thanks to its IPS panel, you get accurate and rich colors covering the sRGB color space, as well as wide viewing angles and quick pixel response time speed.
Further, it offers true 8-bit color depth, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio and a 350-nit peak brightness.
HDR is supported as well, but again, it’s only entry-level and shouldn’t be paid any attention.
Features
The LG 27QN600 supports AMD FreeSync over both HDMI and DisplayPort with a 48-75Hz VRR range for tear-free gameplay.
Other features include Black Stabilizer (improves visibility in darker scenes of games), advanced image adjustment tools (6-axis hue/saturation, 4 gamma preset, and sharpness) and various picture presets.
Overall, it’s a great 27″ 1440p monitor for everyday use, content consumption, basic content creation and casual gaming.
Visit our LG 27QN600 review for more information.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is tilt-only, but the monitor is VESA mount compatible via the 100x100mm VESA pattern.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 1.4 inputs and a headphone jack. All three ports can display 2560×1440 up to 75Hz.
Alternatives
If the LG 27QN600 is not available, check out the Dell S2721D with the same specifications, which can go for as low as $200 when on sale.
As we already mentioned, you can buy a 27″ 1440p 144Hz IPS gaming monitor for ~$300, so if you play a lot of games and can maintain a high frame rate, you should check out the HP X27q or the AOC CQ27G2 with a curved VA panel (~$250).
If you’re looking for something with better color accuracy, we recommend the ASUS PA278QV. It offers a fully ergonomic design, Delta E < 2 and a USB hub for $300.
Need something with a wider color gamut for professional use? There’s the ViewSonic VP2785-2K with 99% Adobe RGB gamut, USB-C (65W PD) and 14-bit 3D LUT.
In case you just need USB-C with Power Delivery, check out the Lenovo Q27H-10.
Finally, if you’re interested in a premium 27″ 1440p IPS monitor for everyday use, check out the Dell S2719DC (USB-C 45W PD, 600-nits, 90% DCI-P3, 4 dimming zones).
There’s also the older model, the Dell S2719DM, but it doesn’t have as wide color gamut (85% DCI-P3) or USB-C.
These models offer a better HDR image quality, but it’s still far from the ‘true’ HDR viewing experience due to the low contrast ratio and only 4 dimming zones.
At that price range ($400+), there are excellent 4K, 1440p 144Hz and ultrawide monitors worth considering as well though.
ViewSonic VA2715-2K-MHD
27″ 1440p VA Monitor For Everyday Use
Size: 27″
Panel: VA
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
VRR: FreeSync
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio
- High pixel density
- Plenty of features, including FreeSync up to 75Hz
The Cons:
- Tilt-only stand
About The Monitor
Nowadays, you can even find a 27″ 1440p low refresh rate monitor with a VA panel!
Image Quality
The ViewSonic VA2715-2K-MHD is the first 27″ 1440p VA monitor with a 60Hz-75Hz refresh rate, and it’s often available for under $200.
So, if you prefer a high contrast ratio of VA technology to wider viewing angles and better color consistency of IPS panels, the VA2715 is for you!
It has a high static contrast ratio of 4,000:1 for deep blacks, and it covers the entire sRGB gamut for vivid colors. The peak brightness amounts to 250-nits, which is enough under normal lighting conditions, but not ideal for particularly bright rooms.
The ViewSonic VA2715-2K-MHD also supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-75Hz range.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is tilt-only (-5°/20°), but the screen is VESA mount compatible via the 100x100mm pattern.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 1.4 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a headphone jack and dual 2W built-in speakers.
LG 32QN600
32″ 1440p IPS Monitor For Everyday Use
Size: 31.5″
Panel: IPS
Refresh Rate: 75Hz
VRR: FreeSync
The Pros:
- Accurate colors, wide viewing angles
- Plenty of features including FreeSync and MBR up to 75Hz
The Cons:
- Tilt-only stand
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
The LG 32QN600 is essentially the 32″ version of the 27QN600, and as far as 32″ 1440p 75Hz IPS monitors go, it offers the best value for money.
Image Quality
QHD resolution looks excellent even on 32″ displays. You get a pixel density of 93 PPI, which is the same pixel-per-inch as that of a 24″ 1080p monitor.
So, you won’t have quite as sharp details as you would on a 27″ 1440p monitor, but since you’ll be sitting a bit further from the 32″ larger screen, individual pixels won’t be as noticeable as they are on 24″ 1080p.
In short, the image quality overall won’t be as sharp as that of the LG 27QN600, but the larger 32″ screen does offer a more immersive viewing experience for some users, while others might find 32″ too big for regular desktop use.
Features, ergonomics and connectivity options are identical to the 27QN600.
Alternatives
If you’re interested in a better 32″ 1440p IPS monitor, there’s the Dell P3221D with an ergonomic stand and a USB hub (including USB-C with 65W PD), but it goes for ~$500, at which point you can get a 165Hz model with wide color gamut, the Gigabyte M32Q.
In case you want a 32″ 1440p monitor with a VA panel, the 75Hz models actually cost the same as the 144Hz/165Hz versions or are even more expensive yet don’t provide anything useful in return. So, we recommend checking out the LG 32GN650 with a flat screen or the Gigabyte G32QCA with a curved panel.
Conclusion
Found the best 1440p monitor for you? Feel free to leave us a comment below if you’re still not sure which one to buy!
Overall, most people will be perfectly happy with the LG 27QN600/32QN600 and the ViewSonic VA2715-2K-MHD depending on your panel preference – or the LG 24QP500 if you prefer smaller screens.
Those who want a premium 1440p display should get the Dell U2520D or the Dell S2719DC – but as we already mentioned, at that price range, you should also check out our best monitors under $400 guide for more options.
Changelog +
- March 31, 2023:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. - November 22, 2022:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. - September 30, 2022:
– Added the ViewSonic VA2715-2K-MHD. - April 27, 2022:
– Replaced the Acer VG240Y with the LG 24QP500. - February 22, 2022:
– Removed the Philips 325E1C. - November 22, 2021:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. - June 18, 2021:
– Updated the guide to only include the best 1440p monitors with a low 60Hz – 75Hz refresh rate since we now have dedicated 1440p 144Hz and 1440p 240Hz guides. - April 22, 2021:
– Improved readability and other related things. - February 24, 2021:
– Removed the AOPEN 27ML1U, AOC Q3279VWFD8 and the Samsung CHG70.
– Added the Gigabyte G27Q. - February 9, 2021:
– Added the LG 32GN650 as an alternative to the LG 32GK650F. - December 24, 2020:
– Replaced the Dell AW2721D with the Acer XV272UX. - December 10, 2020:
– Added the Dell AW2721D and the Acer XV272UX (as an alternative) 1440p 240Hz IPS monitors.
– Added the Dell S2721DGF as an alternative for the LG 27GL850.