The Best Gaming Monitors (Editor’s Picks For 2024)

Nowadays, choosing a gaming monitor that’s most suited for you can be overwhelming due to the sheer amount and variety of available models.

That’s why we made this buyer’s guide! Here, you’ll only find our favorite monitors for gaming – sorted by budget!

Now, while we already have a comprehensive best gaming buyer’s guide with over 25 recommended models, this guide is more compact with a focus on the best value for money models that are highly regarded and have proven to be reliable.

So, you can just pick according to your budget and preferences with ease of mind.

Of course, we’ll also explain exactly why we picked these models and how they compare to their alternatives in the review summaries below.

About The Monitor

The BenQ EX240 is the best budget gaming monitor you can get for under $150.

Image Quality

If you’re interested in buying a monitor for gaming, the BenQ EX240 is the cheapest model you should consider. It’s only $20 – $40 more expensive than the budget ~22″ – 24″ models with 60/75Hz, so it’s really worth the investment for 165Hz.

The monitor is based on an IPS panel, which boasts a strong 350-nit peak brightness and a static contrast ratio of ~1,000:1.

Further, the BenQ EX240 has a bit wider color gamut with 80% DCI-P3 color space (~115% sRGB gamut size) for more saturated and rich colors.

The 1080p Full HD resolution results in a decent pixel density of roughly 92 PPI (pixels per inch) on the 24″ screen of the BenQ EX240, which means you’ll get a fair amount of screen space and reasonably crisp details and text.

On the 27″ 1080p model, you get a considerably lower pixel density, resulting in more pixelated details, which is why recommend the 24″ model.

Also, the 1080p resolution will allow you to take advantage of 180Hz even with budget gaming rigs as it’s not very demanding on the GPU.

Features

Moving on, the BenQ EX240 has a fast pixel response time speed, so there’s no prominent ghosting behind fast-moving objects, making for a smooth and responsive gaming experience.

Variable refresh rate (VRR) is supported for smooth and tear-free gameplay up to 180FPS.

Alternatively, you can use Motion Blur Reduction, which uses backlight strobing to reduce perceived motion blur at the cost of picture brightness.

Other useful features include Black eQualizer for better visibility in dark scenes, Color Vibrance for adjusting color saturation and various picture presets.

Check out our BenQ EX240 review for more information.

We also recommend the BenQ EX240 as the best budget 1080p 120Hz monitor for the PS5 and the Xbox consoles.

Design & Connectivity

The monitor also has a sturdy and ergonomic stand with up to 100mm height adjustment, +/- 15° swivel, -5°/15° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a headphone jack, dual 2.5W integrated speakers and a dual-USB 3.0 hub. The 1080p 120Hz mode is supported for the PS5 and Xbox consoles.

Alternatives

• LG 24GN600 / 24GN650, HP X24i / X24ih – no wide color gamut
• Gigabyte G24F-2, AOC 24G2SP – wide color gamut, but slower response time
• KTC H24T09P – wide color gamut and fast response time, but it has a fragile tilt-only stand

About The Monitor

The AOC Q27G3XMN is the most affordable gaming monitor with proper HDR support.

Image Quality

Thanks to its 336-zone mini LED FALD (full-array local dimming) backlight, the Q27G3XMN offers a similar HDR viewing experience to that of $500+ displays!

These zones can dim parts of the image that are supposed to be dark without greatly affecting the areas that are supposed to remain bright, thus significantly increasing the contrast ratio.

Naturally, when viewing particularly demanding scenes (fireworks, stars in the night sky, subtitles, etc.), some light from small illuminated objects will bleed into the surrounding dimmed zones and create blooming.

This is an expected drawback of this technology, and most users will find it tolerable given the image quality you get in return.

What’s more, the AOC Q27G3XMN has an impressive 1200-nit peak brightness for punchy highlights and a wide color gamut, covering 96% of the DCI-P3 color space and around 90% Adobe RGB.

When it comes to pixel response time speed, it’s faster than the typical VA panels, but some minor ghosting behind fast-moving objects is still noticeable (mainly in dark scenes). Most gamers won’t mind it though.

Check out our full AOC Q27G3XMN review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 130mm, +/- 30° swivel, -5°/23° tilt, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports (limited to 144Hz), DisplayPort 1.4 and a headphone jack.

Alternatives

• KTC M27T20 – another 27″ 1440p 165Hz flat-screen VA model. It has a bit faster response time speed, 576-zone mini LED FALD, USB-C 90W PD and KVM, but goes for up to ~$150 more

About The Monitor

In case your budget is around $300 and you’re looking for the best monitor for competitive gaming, we recommend the ViewSonic XG2431, but we’ll also include a few excellent alternatives below.

Image Quality

Keep in mind that thanks to its fast response time speed, low input lag and high refresh rate, even the Acer XV272UV can be great for competitive gaming if you can maintain a high frame rate at 1440p.

In fact, some gamers prefer having a higher resolution as it makes all details sharper. However, if you have a weaker system or just want the clearest motion and the lowest input lag you can get, we recommend the XG2431.

To start with, this gaming monitor has a maximum refresh rate of 240Hz, which doesn’t provide quite as a big jump in responsiveness as going from 60Hz to over 120Hz, but you can definitely feel the difference!

In terms of image quality, you’re getting an IPS panel with wide viewing angles and full sRGB gamut coverage for accurate and vivid colors without over-saturation, as well as a decent 350-nit peak brightness and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio.

The 1080p resolution provides you with a respectable pixel density and allows you to easily maintain high frame rates as it’s not very demanding to drive.

Features

The ViewSonic XG2431 monitor supports a variable refresh rate up to 240Hz for tear-free gameplay and has a rapid pixel response time speed for virtually no trailing behind fast-moving objects.

Its main feature, however, is the PureXP Motion Blur Reduction technology with Blur Busters 2.0 certification, ensuring impeccable backlight strobing performance and customization.

Using this monitor at 120Hz with strobing and steady 120 frame rate results in truly CRT-like motion clarity with zero motion blur or other unwelcome visual artifacts.

You can use MBR all the way up to 240Hz for lower input lag, but the image won’t be quite as clear, though you can fine-tune it to your personal liking.

So, the XG2431 provides you with excellent gaming performance regardless of your preferred playing style. You can use it at a fixed 240Hz for minimal input lag, with a variable refresh rate for no tearing, or with MBR for no blur.

Check out our ViewSonic XG2431 review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is robust and versatile with up to 120mm height adjustment, +/- 90° swivel, 90° pivot, -5°/15° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a headphone jack, two 3W built-in speakers and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.

Alternatives

You can also find a 360Hz gaming monitor for around $300 – 400$. We recommend the Acer Aopen 25XV2QF or the Acer XV252QF – both with 390Hz OC and MBR support.

Its higher refresh rate provides you with lower input lag, provided you can achieve 390FPS, but its backlight strobing is not as well-implemented as that of the XG2431. Also, note that the difference between 360Hz and 240Hz is less noticeable than 240Hz vs 144Hz.

Serious eSports players should also consider the BenQ XL2566K with a 360Hz TN panel. It has incredibly fast response times and an excellent MBR implementation, but has inferior image quality to IPS versions and goes for $600.

There’s also the ASUS PG27AQN with a 27″ 1440p 360Hz IPS panel with exceptional response time performance for ~$1000.

There’s also a 24.5″ 1080p 500Hz G-SYNC IPS gaming monitor, the Dell AW2524H, but we don’t recommend it as it’s expensive and doesn’t have a very fast pixel response time speed. Instead, you should get the ASUS PG248Q with a 540Hz panel – though it goes for $900, so it’s mainly intended for professional players.

About The Monitor

If your budget is ~$350 and you’re not interested in ultrawide displays or HDR, the HP Omen 27qs offers amazing value for the price.

Image Quality

Just like the $250 Acer XV272UV, the HP Omen 27qs is a 27″ 1440p IPS gaming monitor with a wide color gamut and a fast response time speed, but it has a higher 240Hz refresh rate!

So, if you cannot get above 170FPS in competitive titles or you mostly play games in which that’s unfeasible, the 170Hz XV272UV will suit you better for less money, that is, unless you plan on upgrading your rig.

Other panel-related specifications include a 400-nit peak brightness, a wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut and a 1,000:1 static contrast ratio.

Variable refresh rate is supported with a 48-240Hz dynamic range, and the monitor supports Motion Blur Reduction.

You also get the standard set of gaming features, such as Black Stretch, crosshair overlays, on-screen timers, various picture presets, etc.

Check out our HP Omen 27qs review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

The design of the monitor includes a height-adjustable stand up to 130mm, tilt, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a dual-USB 3.0 hub, a headphone jack and two 2W built-in speakers.

Alternatives

• LG 27GR83Q – no MBR
• ASUS VG27AQML1A – MBR
• MSI G274QPX – with USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 65W Power Delivery)
• Gigabyte M27Q-X – with KVM switch

There are 300Hz models available too, such as the ASUS XG27AQMR, but we find that the extra 60Hz is not worth $200+ more.

About The Monitor

Want an ultrawide gaming monitor with an OLED panel, you’re going to love the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF!

Image Quality

The Dell AW3423DWF uses Samsung’s QD-OLED panel, which improves upon LG’s OLED panel mentioned above.

First of all, you get even wider viewing angles and higher peak brightness. Not only can the AW3423DWF reach 1,000-nits for small highlights, but it can also sustain ~250-nits for a 100% white window, making it more suited for desktop use.

It also has a wider 99.3% color gamut, which results in more saturated colors as well as higher perceived brightness.

Just like any OLED display, it has an instantaneous response time speed and an infinite contrast ratio.

Further, the AW3423DWF has a high 165Hz refresh rate and smooth variable refresh rate performance. You’ll also find other standard gaming features, such as crosshair overlays and Dark Stabilizer.

Next, the 34″ 3440×1440 ultrawide panel provides you with a higher pixel density of 110 PPI, resulting in sharper text and a reasonable screen size for any setup. It’s not a good option for consoles though as they lack native ultrawide support, but you can play with black bars at the sides of the screen.

Lastly, QD-OLED panels are more resistant to burn-in. Dell even offers a 3-year warranty that covers burn-in for the AW3423DWF.

Note that QD-OLED panels use a triangular RGB subpixel layout, which can cause minor fringing on small text, but most users won’t be bothered by this.

Be sure to check out our full Dell AW3423DWF review for more details.

Design & Connectivity

The monitor’s stand is robust and versatile with up to 110mm height adjustment, +/- 20° swivel, -5°/21° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

The screen has a semi-glossy finish, which raises blacks under direct lighting, so it’s best to use in a dark room (true for any OLED).

Connectivity options include two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, HDMI 2.0, a headphone jack, a line-out and a quad-USB 3.0 hub.

Alternatives

There’s also the Dell AW3423DW, which is the same monitor as the AW3423DWF but with a G-SYNC module and a higher 175Hz refresh rate; however, it’s up to $200 more expensive and has fewer features.

There are 6 monitors that use the same QD-OLED panel, offering a similar image quality and performance. However, they still have some differences in features, warranty, connectivity options, price, HDR accuracy, etc. Here’s how they compare:

	Dell AW3423DWF	Dell AW3423DW	MSI MEG342C	MSI 341CQP	Samsung OLED G85SB / G85SD	Philips Evnia 34M2C8600
Max. Refresh Rate	165Hz (120Hz 10-bit)	175Hz (144Hz 10-bit)	175Hz 10-bit	175Hz 10-bit	175Hz 10-bit	175Hz 10-bit
Ports	2x DP 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0, 4x USB	1x DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0, 4x USB	1x DP 1.4 2x HDMI 2.1 1x USB-C (65W PD) 4x USB	1x DP 1.4 2x HDMI 2.1 1x USB-C, 2x USB	1x Mini-DP 1.4, 1x micro HDMI 2.1 1x USB-C (65W PD) 1x USB-C	1x DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x USB-C (90W PD), 4x USB
Cooling fans	1	2	1	None	None	1
HDR (AMD GPUs)	Good	Good	Good	Good	Bad*	Bad**
HDR (NVIDIA GPUs)	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Bad**
PiP/PbP	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Ambient Light Sensor	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Updatable Firmware	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other Notable Features	N/A	G-SYNC module	KVM switch	KVM Switch	Tizen OS	KVM Switch Ambiglow RGB
Price (MSRP)	$1,100	$1,300	$1,100	$900	$1,500	$800
Burn-in Warranty (in the US)	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years	N/A	N/A

The pricing and warranty can vary by region. Generally, we recommend going with the Dell AW3423DWF due to its price and warranty that covers burn-in.

There are also 34″ 3440×1440 240Hz W-OLED gaming monitors available, such as the ASUS PG34WCDM and the LG 34GS95QE.

While they offer a higher refresh rate and higher white luminance, their W-OLED panel has more noticeable fringing issues, not as high color volume or as wide color gamut and a steep 800R screen curvature. These are available as 39″ 3440×1440 240Hz variants too, such as the LG 39GS95QE.

Check out our OLED monitors article for more information.

You should also consider the MSI MPG 341CQPX with a 34″ 3440×1440 QD-OLED panel with a higher 240Hz refresh rate and USB-C / KVM for ~$850.

If you’re really worried about burn-in or don’t like the AW3423DWF for any reason, the Dell AW3821DW with an IPS panel is a decent ultrawide alternative at this price range.

In case you’d like something in the super-ultrawide format, check out the Samsung Odyssey G9 or the LG 49WQ95C. Keep in mind that these three displays don’t offer nearly as good HDR image quality as the AW3423DWF.

About The Monitor

If you want a super-ultrawide gaming monitor, the Samsung OLED G9 offers exceptional value for the money.

It is available in two versions: G95SC with built-in Smart features and G93SC without Smart features for ~$100 less.

Image Quality

The Samsung OLED G9 has a 49″ 5120×1440 240Hz panel, which is basically equivalent to two 27″ 2560×1440 displays side by side without the bezels in between them. As you can imagine, it delivers quite an immersive gaming experience.

Further, it uses a QD-OLED panel with a strong peak brightness performance (1000-nits peak for small HDR highlights and 250-nits for a full white field) and a wide 99% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage.

It has a second-gen QD-OLED panel with an improved subpixel layout, so fringing on small text and details is minimal and won’t bother most users at all.

Be sure to check out our full OLED G9 review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 120mm, -2°/15° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include DP 1.4 with DSC, HDMI 2.1, micro-HDMI 2.1, dual 5W integrated speakers, a headphone jack, an upstream USB-C port and two downstream USB-C ports. The G95SC model also has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth.

Alternatives

Another monitor worth considering at this price range is the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 with a 49″ 5120×1440 240Hz 1ms curved VA panel and a 2048-zone mini LED FALD backlight. It offers a higher brightness but has blooming artifacts.

If you want something even more extravagant is the Samsung G95NC with a 57″ 7680×2160 240Hz mini LED panel, though it’s quite expensive and demanding.

Conclusion

These are the best gaming monitors we recommend!

If you’re on a tight budget, you can’t go wrong with the MSI G244F E2. However, if you have a bit better PC, you should invest in the AOC Q27G3XMN or the Xiaomi G Pro 27i.

For competitive PC gaming, both the ViewSonic XG2431 offer exceptional performance. For professional players, we’ve included the best models as alternatives for the XG2431.

Finally, for the best HDR viewing experience, all of the OLED and mini LED models recommended offer excellent image quality and performance for the price, so you can just pick according to your budget and personal preference; our favorite is the MSI MPG 341CQP thanks to its excellent value for the money.