The Best HDR Monitors (2026 Reviews)

If you’re in the market for an HDR monitor, you’ve probably come across terms such as ‘fake HDR’ and ‘pseudo-HDR’ — and now you’re worried that you’ll end up buying a bad HDR display.

We don’t blame you!

Monitor manufacturers put HDR labels on just about anything these days, and that’s why in this buying guide, we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about HDR when it comes to monitors.

In truth, these are the only displays worth buying for the sake of HDR. They feature either OLED or LED panels with full-array local dimming (FALD), which is essential for good HDR (High Dynamic Range) picture quality.

We didn’t include any monitors with edge-lit local dimming – while there are some great models out there, they simply cannot do justice to HDR.

Here’s why: the beauty of HDR image lies in the display’s ability to produce incredibly bright and vivid details in highlights of the picture while preserving black depth and details in shadows at the same time, thus creating this ‘high dynamic range.’

Of course, a wide color gamut and a high screen resolution are also very important in making the picture look great! 

On the other hand, LED-backlit HDR monitors without proper local dimming solutions simply cannot deliver a ‘true’ HDR picture as for them to produce specific bright details, for instance, their entire screen has to adapt, which leads to overexposing of dark areas.

You can view our changelogs for this buying guide at the end of this article.

Best Mini LED HDR Monitors

If you don’t want to deal with OLED’s risk of burn-in, limited brightness and uncommon subpixel layouts, mini LED is the way to go for HDR.

About The Monitor

The KTC M27T6 finally makes “budget HDR gaming monitor” a thing.

Sure, $300 is still a lot for a gaming monitor to some users, but you get exceptional value for your money. In fact, unlike some $900+ “HDR monitors”, the KTC M27T6 actually delivers a true HDR experience.

Image Quality

To start with, the KTC M27T6 is one of the cheapest monitors with FALD (full-array local dimming), which is the most important feature if you want good HDR image quality on an LED-backlit display.

It’s actually the most affordable display with VESA’s DisplayHDR 1400 certification.

What’s more, it doesn’t skimp on the number of local dimming zones. With 1152 mini LED dimming zones, you get excellent control over the backlight, resulting in simultaneously bright highlights (up to 1,800-nits) and deep inky blacks.

Apart from the decent full-array local dimming solution that allows for bright highlights without sacrificing black depth, the KTC M27T6 has a wide 96% DCI-P3 color gamut for vibrant colors.

Further, the 1440p resolution results in a decent pixel density of 108 PPI (pixels per inch) on the 27″ viewable screen of the monitor, meaning that you’ll get plenty of screen space with sharp details and text.

While the image won’t be as sharp as that of a 27″ 4K display, it will still look crisp while being significantly less demanding to drive – and you won’t have to use any scaling.

The monitor’s VA panel also ensures 178° wide viewing angles (with minor VA gamma/saturation shift), as well as a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed.

While the KTC M27T6 still has some minor ghosting behind fast-moving objects, it’s not nearly as noticeable as it is with traditional high refresh rate VA panels.

Moving on, the KTC M27T6 supports a variable refresh rate for tear-free gameplay up to 180FPS, though you’ll get the typical VRR brightness flickering (in some scenes) associated with VA and OLED panels.

Other features include Black Equalize (improves visibility in dark scenes by manipulating the gamma curvature), crosshair overlays, various picture presets, on-screen timers and a refresh rate tracker.

Check out our full KTC M27T6 review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 130mm, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 90° pivot, +/- 45° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4, a headphone jack and a USB port for firmware updates.

Alternatives

• AOC Q27G40XMN – tilt-only stand and lower-tier DisplayHDR 1000
• AOC Q27G3XMN – only 336 dimming zones
• AOC Q27G4ZMN – 1152-zone, DisplayHDR 1000, and an ergonomic stand. It has a higher 240Hz refresh rate but not fast enough pixel response time to keep up with it, resulting in more dark level smearing

If you’re looking for an IPS mini LED monitor, check out the KTC M27T6S with a 27″ 1440p 210Hz IPS panel with 1152 dimming zones and the Innocn 25M2S with a 25″ 1440p 240Hz IPS panel and 576 dimming zones.

About The Monitor

The KTC M27P6 provides you with the Dual Mode feature, allowing you to swap between 4K 160Hz and 1080p 320Hz!

Image Quality

The KTC M27P6 has a wide 98% DCI-P3 and 97% Adobe RGB color gamut coverage and a high 1800-nit peak brightness for HDR content.

While the difference between 4K and 1440p is not that noticeable on a 27″ monitor for watching videos and playing games, details and text are a lot sharper when it comes to regular desktop use, office-related work, photo/video editing, etc.

So, if you have a powerful enough GPU for high frame rate gaming at 4K, the KTC M27P6 is worth the investment.

The monitor also has a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed and VRR support up to 320FPS.

Other supported features include crosshair overlays, a refresh rate tracker and Black Equalize (improves visibility in dark scenes).

Check out our full KTC M27P6 review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

The stand is sturdy and offers height adjustment up to 130mm, +/- 45° swivel, 90° pivot, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps bandwidth, DP 1.4 with DSC, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 65W PD, a headphone jack, built-in KVM and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.

Alternatives

• MSI MAG 274UPDF E16M – based on the same panel but with lower-tier DisplayHDR 1000 and lower 15W PD over USB-C

About The Monitor

The LG 27GM950B is a 27″ 5K 165Hz IPS gaming monitor with a 2304-zone mini LED FALD backlight!

Image Quality

The LG 27GM950B doubles the local dimming zone count of a typical 1152-zone mini LED FALD display for even better backlight control, while keeping the stellar 1250-nit peak brightness!

On top of that, it has a wide 99% DCI-P3 gamut coverage for vibrant colors, a fast 1ms GtG pixel response time speed and 5K resolution with 218 PPI (pixels per inch) for exceptional detail clarity.

You can also drop the resolution to 2560×1440 to unlock a higher 330Hz refresh rate for a bump in motion clarity in fast-paced games.

In addition, there’s the AI Upscaling technology and hardware calibration support, as well as typical gaming features, such as VRR support, MBR, crosshair overlays, a refresh rate tracker, Black Stabilizer, etc.

Design & Connectivity

The stand offers tilt, height, swivel and pivot adjustments, and it’s VESA mount compatible via the 100x100mm pattern.

The screen has a matte anti-glare coating that’s efficient at eliminating reflections, but adds a bit of graininess to the image.

Connectivity options include DP 2.1 with UHBR20, two HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB-A 3.0 ports, a headphone jack, dual 7W integrated speakers and USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 90W PD.

Alternatives

More 27″ 5K 165Hz IPS mini LED monitors with 2304-zone FALD are expected in 2026. MSI plans to release a model with a glossy screen surface, the MSI MPG 271KRAW16.

About The Monitor

Update: We now recommend the Innocn 32M2V (2026 model) instead. It has 2304 dimming zones. Alternatively, consider the Acer XV325QK V3 with a 32″ 4K 160Hz IPS panel and 1080p 320Hz Dual Mode, but 1152 dimming zones.

In case you want a flat-screen 32″ 4K high refresh rate HDR gaming monitor, the KTC M32P10 is the best option available.

Image Quality

The KTC M32P10 is a 32″ 4K 144Hz IPS gaming monitor with a 1152-zone mini LED FALD backlight and DisplayHDR 1000 for $550, which makes for exceptional value for the price.

It boasts a wide color gamut with 99% Adobe RGB and 98% DCI-P3 color space coverage, quick response time, 178° wide viewing angles and smooth VRR performance for tear-free gameplay up to 144FPS.

Additionally, the KTC M32P10 offers plenty of features, such as integrated KVM functionality and a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode and 45W Power Delivery, as well as the standard gaming features.

Design & Connectivity

The stand is sturdy and offers height adjustment up to 130mm, +/- 45° swivel, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps bandwidth, DP 1.4 with DSC, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 45W PD, a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.

Best Mini LED UltraWide HDR Monitor

Want an ultrawide monitor with a mini LED backlight for proper HDR support? You’ll find al the best models right here!

About The Monitor

The Samsung Odyssey G95NC is basically a beefed-up version of the G95NA.

Image Quality

While the G95NA is equivalent to two 27″ 2560×1440 displays side by side, the G95NC is comparable to two 32″ 4K monitors sitting next to each other, just without the bezels in between them.

This 57″ super-ultrawide gaming monitor has a screen resolution of 7680×2160, so you will need a powerful PC rig to do it justice.

Keep in mind that the RTX 40-series GPUs don’t support the maximum resolution of this monitor – they’re limited to 120Hz at 7680×2160, whereas RTX 50-series and AMD’s 7000-series or newer cards support 240Hz.

The Samsung Odyssey G9/G95NC S57CG95 has a peak brightness of 1300-nits for <10% white windows and up to 800-nits for 100% white windows. Thanks to its 2392-zone mini LED FALD backlight, blooming is minimal, though still noticeable in demanding scenes.

Finally, you get a respectable 95% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed and the standard gaming feature set, including VRR support up to 240Hz.

Check out our full Samsung G95NC review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 120mm, -5°/12° tilt, +/- 15° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility. The screen has a steep 1000R curvature for added immersion.

Connectivity options include DP 2.1, three HDMI 2.1 ports, a headphone jack, two USB-A 3.0 ports and two USB-B ports for the integrated KVM functionality.

Alternatives

If you’re looking for a cheaper mini LED monitor, check out the Acer X34 X0.

Best UltraWide OLED HDR Monitors

Don’t want to deal with blooming artifacts of mini LED monitors? Want an instantaneous pixel response time speed and an infinite contrast ratio without backlight bleeding? An OLED monitor is for you!

About The Monitor

Update: If you don’t need USB-C or KVM, we recommend the Dell AW3425DW, which can be found on sale for $650. However, this is an older-gen panel with a diamond-shaped subpixel layout. We recommend investing $800 in the MSI MAG 341CQP QD-OLED X28 or the Dell Alienware AW3426DW. These have proper RGB subpixel layouts for sharp text and a notably higher panel.

The MSI MPG 341CQPX is a 34″ 3440×1440 QD-OLED gaming monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate, USB-C and built-in KVM.

Image Quality

A 240Hz refresh rate provides you with a small but noticeable improvement in motion clarity as opposed to 165Hz/175Hz of the previous-generation models.

The MSI MPG 341CQPX also offers a few extra features, including a USB-C port with 98W Power Delivery, HDMI 2.1 with 48 Gbps, built-in KVM switch, advanced OLED care features (Pixel Shift, Logo Brightness Adjustment, etc.) and uses a heatsink for cooling instead of an audible fan.

Be sure to check out our in-depth MSI MPG 341CQPX review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

The monitor’s stand is robust and offers height adjustment up to 100mm, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 30° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

It has the same glossy screen surface and 1800R curvature as the Dell AW3423DWF.

Connectivity options include DP 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 98W PD, a dual-USB 3.0 hub and a headphone jack.

Alternatives

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 white luminance, their W-OLED panel has more noticeable fringing issues, not as high color volume and gamut and a steep 800R screen curvature. They are, however, also available as 39″ 3440×1440 240Hz variants, such as the LG 39GS95QE.

About The Monitor

The MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 offers big improvements over the previous-gen ultrawide panel, making the best 34″ 3440×1440 monitor you can buy!

Image Quality

To start with, the 341CQR X36 offers a new True Black 500 panel, which improves brightness from 250-nits to 300-nits for 100% APL, from 450-nits to 500-nits for 10% APL and from 1000-nits to 1300-nits for 3% APL for a notably brighter image quality.

In addition, it offers MSI’s EOTF Boost HDR mode that improves HDR brightness performance by combining the Peak 1300 nits and True Black 500 modes.

Next, it has a new V-stripe RGB subpixel layout for virtually no fringing on small text and fine details!

On top of that, you get a higher 360Hz refresh rate with all the features found on the previous-gen model, as well as some additional tools, such as MBR up to 180FPS and an AI Care Sensor that can automatically shut down the screen when it detects that no one is in front of the screen, and turn it back on once it detects someone.

Check out our in-depth MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 review for more details.

Design & Connectivity

Another big advantage of the new model is the improved DarkArmor Finish, which increases black depth by 30% by removing the magenta cast and offers 2.5x better scratch resistance.

It has a robust design with -5°/15° tilt, +/- 30° swivel, +/- 10° pivot, up to 110mm height adjustment and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports, DP 2.1 with UHBR13.5, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 98W PD, a dual-USB 3.0 hub, a headphone jack and integrated KVM.

Alternatives

There are a few more models based on the same panel, but we find that the X36 offers the best value for the money.

• ASUS PG34WCDN – similar model but goes for $1,300
• HP HyperX Omen OLED 34, Acer X34 F3, Gigabyte MO34WQC36, ASUS XG34WCDMS (280Hz) – upcoming models

About The Monitor

If you want a larger ultrawide HDR monitor, check out the LG 39GS95QE!

Image Quality

A lot of gamers prefer ultrawide displays larger than the most popular 34″ models, mainly in the 38″ – 39″ form factor range. However, they also prefer the screen resolution to scale up for that high pixel density, in this case, that would be 3840×1600 for the same ~110 PPI of the 34″ 3440×1440 models.

Unfortunately, the LG 39GS95QE has the same 3440×1440 resolution as those 34″ models, so while you get a bigger screen and the same amount of screen real estate, text and fine details won’t be as sharp.

You get a pixel density of roughly 95 PPI, which is the same as that of a 24″ 1080p or a 32″ 2560×1440 display. So, the details are still going to be reasonably sharp. To help illustrate the size of this monitor, you can think of the LG 39GS95QE as a 32″ 2560×1440 display with ~30% extra width.

It uses LG’s MLA+ W-OLED panel with improved brightness of up to 1300-nits peak (for small HDR highlights) and 275-nits for 100% APL (Average Picture Level, white window size). However, its colors aren’t quite as bright and saturated as that of QD-OLED panels, but you still get an excellent 98.5% DCI-P3 gamut coverage.

Further, this LG’s W-OLED panel still uses the older RWBG (instead of their new RGWB) subpixel layout that will cause minor fringing on small text and fine details. This isn’t noticeable in videos and games, but it can be distracting if you plan on doing a lot of work that involves reading and typing.

Finally, the LG 39GS95QE has a high 240Hz refresh rate, which in addition to OLED’s instantaneous pixel response time speed ensures buttery-smooth performance. VRR is supported as well with NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certifications for tear-free gameplay up to 240FPS.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is sturdy and offers a good range of ergonomics, including up to 120mm height adjustment, +/- 10° swivel, -10°/15° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

The screen has a steep 800R curvature for added immersion and a bit heavier matte anti-glare coating that adds some graininess to the image (mainly noticeable on solid colors) but it efficiently prevents reflections.

Connectivity options are abundant and include DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps bandwidth, a headphone jack (with DTS Headphone:X support) and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.

Alternatives

• ASUS ROG Swift PG39WCDM – ASUS’ model based on the same panel with KVM, USB-C (90W Power Delivery, DP Alt Mode), BFI up to 120Hz and a better 3-year burn-in warranty. No word on pricing and availability yet though.

About The Monitor

If you want a 39″ ultrawide monitor with a high resolution, the LG 39GX950B is for you!

Image Quality

The LG 39GX950B features a 5120×2160 screen resolution, which provides you with a high pixel density of 144.34 PPI (pixels per inch). So, you’re basically getting a 32″ 4K display with ~30% extra horizontal screen space!

Additionally, you get improvements in brightness in comparison to previous-gen panels, with up to 1500-nits for 1.5% APL, 600-nits for 10% APL, and 335-nits for 100% APL.

The new Tandem W-OLED panel also offers better color luminance, although it’s not quite as good as on QD-OLED panels, it’s much closer than the older W-OLED panels.

It still has the old RGWB subpixel layout, but thanks to high pixel density, fringing on small text and fine details is basically unnoticeable.

Moving on, it has a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz, but you can drop the resolution to 2560×1080 for 330Hz. You also get typical gaming features, such as VRR, Black Stabilizer, crosshair overlays and a refresh rate tracker. There’s also hardware calibration and PiP/PbP support.

LG also boasts a new AI Upscaling feature, but it only works at 1920×1080 (to 4K UHD) 60Hz and 120Hz for consoles.

Design & Connectivity

The stand offers height, tilt and swivel adjustments, as well as 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include DP 2.1 (UHBR20), two HDMI 2.1 ports, USB-C with 90W PD and DP Alt Mode, two USB-A ports, a headphone jack and dual 7W integrated speakers.

The screen has a more moderate 1500R curvature, which is a welcome change from the previous-gen 800R curvature that most users found too steep.

There’s a matte anti-glare coating that’s efficient at eliminating reflections, but adds a bit of graininess to the image.

Alternatives

• Dell AW3926QW – upcoming 39″ 5K2K 165Hz model with 1080p 330Hz Dual Mode and glossy screen surface. It has a lower brightness than LG’s model (1300-nits 1.5% APL peak), but it has an RGB subpixel layout for sharp text without fringing

About The Monitor

Update: We now recommend the LG 45GX900A instead.

The LG 45GS95QE is also a 45″ 3440×1440 240Hz ultrawide OLED gaming monitor, but it has a fixed 800R screen curvature!

Image Quality

Even though it doesn’t have a cool bendable screen, the LG 45GS95QE still has some advantages over the Corsair Xeneon Flex. To start with, it’s more affordable as you can find it for $1,100, whereas the Flex starts at $1,300.

More importantly, it has a newer MLA+ W-OLED panel with a significantly higher brightness. It can reach up to 1,300-nits for small < 3% APL, 750-nits for 10% APL and 275-nits for 100% APL.

Other than that, the specifications are pretty much the same, including the 98.5% DCI-P3 color gamut, VRR support up to 240Hz and the standard gaming features.

Check out our LG 45GS96QB review for more details – it’s the same monitor but with a different stand, integrated 7W speakers and a USB-C port (65W) for $100 extra.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is sturdy and offers a good range of ergonomics, including up to 120mm height adjustment, +/- 10° swivel, -1°/15° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1 ports, a dual-USB 3.0 hub and a headphone jack with DTS Headphone:X support.

Alternatives

The LG 45GR95QE is the older version of this monitor. It can be found for $1,000, but it has notably lower brightness performance (similar to the Xeneon Flex).

The LG 45GS96QB uses the same panel as the 45GS95QE, but has a different design, dual 7W integrated speakers and a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode and 65W Power Delivery. Usually, it’s $100 more expensive than the 45GS95QE.

About The Monitor

If you want a 45″ OLED monitor with a higher screen resolution, you’re going to love the LG 45GX950A!

Image Quality

The LG 45GX950A has a screen resolution of 5120×2160 (5K2K), which results in a high pixel density of 125 PPI! So, not only do you get a huge screen for an immersive viewing experience, but you also get plenty of screen real estate with sharp details!

Moreover, it has the improved RGWB subpixel layout, so fringing on small text and fine details is completely gone! MLA+ technology is present as well, allowing for the high 1300-nit peak brightness for 1.5% APL and 275-nits for 100% APL.

Other specifications include 98.5% DCI-P3 gamut coverage with an sRGB emulation mode, typical gaming features, such as Black Stabilizer and crosshair overlays, PiP/PbP support and even hardware calibration!

The monitor also has a Dual Mode, allowing you to switch to the 2560×1080 resolution with a higher 330Hz refresh rate. However, pixel density is quite low here, resulting in a blurry image, so this feature is only useful for competitive fast-paced games and if you’re not too sensitive to low PPI.

Check out our full LG 45GX950A review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 120mm, +10°/15° tilt, +/- 10° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

The screen has a steep 800R curvature for added immersion and a bit heavier matte anti-glare coating that’s very efficient at diffusing reflections, but adds some graininess to the image (only slightly noticeable on solid colors).

Connectivity options include DP 2.1 (UHBR 13.5), two HDMI 2.1 ports, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 90W PD, two USB-A ports, a headphone jack and dual 10W integrated speakers.

Alternatives

LG also plans to release a version of this monitor with a bendable screen, the LG 45GX990A, as well as a 240Hz variant, but there’s no information regarding the release date and pricing for these models.

About The Monitor

The MSI MPG 491CQPX is the best super-ultrawide gaming monitor with an OLED panel!

Image Quality

The MSI MPG 491CQPX brings all of the advantages of OLED (infinite contrast and instant response times) to the 49″ super-ultrawide form factor that many gamers love.

It uses Samsung’s QD-OLED panel, which means high peak brightness and vibrant colors. It’s a third-gen panel with a better subpixel layout, so fringing on small text and fine details is barely an issue now.

You’ll also find plenty of useful features, including VRR up to 240Hz (FreeSync Premium Pro certified), Black Equalizer, crosshair overlays and PiP/PbP.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 100mm, +/- 30° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

It uses the same screen coating as other QD-OLED panels, meaning that the image is more vivid, but also more reflective, and it has a moderate 1800R screen curvature for extra immersion.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 98W PD, a dual-USB 3.0 hub and a headphone jack.

Alternatives

• MSI MPG 491CQP – the cheaper model with 144Hz
• Samsung OLED G9 – Samsung’s model that’s usually more expensive yet doesn’t have USB-C or KVM

Best OLED HDR Monitors

Would you rather have an OLED HDR monitor with the standard 16:9 aspect ratio? Here are the best models available!

About The Monitor

If you’re not a fan of the ultrawide format, the MSI MPG 271QRX is available in the popular 27″ form factor with a 1440p 360Hz QD-OLED panel!

Image Quality

The MSI MPG 271QRX uses Samsung’s QD-OLED panel with a high peak brightness (250-nits SDR, 1000-nits HDR) and a wide 99.3% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage with Delta E < 2 factory calibration (for sRGB, Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 modes).

Further, thanks to its higher 360Hz refresh rate, motion is clearer and you get smooth VRR performance.

The MSI MPG 271QRX uses Samsung’s 3rd-gen QD-OLED panel with an improved subpixel layout, so there will be less fringing on small text and fine details.

Supported features include RGB lighting, Night Vision, crosshair overlays, a refresh rate tracker, various picture presets and on-screen timers. It also supports Picture in Picture / Picture by Picture.

Design & Connectivity

The stand offers height adjustment up to 110mm, -5°/15° tilt, +/- 30° swivel, +/- 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

It has a heatsink for cooling and a semi-glossy screen finish for a more vivid image, but it’s reflective and raises the black level when hit with direct lighting.

Connectivity options include DP 1.4, two 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1 ports, USB-C (DP Alt Mode and 90W Power Delivery), a headphone jack, a built-in KVM and a dual-USB 2.0 hub (2 downstream + 1 upstream).

Alternatives

If you’re looking for a cheaper model, check out the MSI MAG 271QP QD-OLED X28 with a 1440p 280Hz QD-OLED panel or the Gigabyte MO27Q28GR with a 1440p 280Hz W-OLED TrueBlack glossy panel.

About The Monitor

If you want an even higher refresh rate, there’s the MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED X50 with 500Hz!

Image Quality

The MSI MAG 272QP X50 is based on Samsung’s QD-OLED panel with the improved DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, resulting in higher brightness performance for 100% and 10% APL!

It also uses the newer more square-shaped subpixel layout, so there are no major issues with text fringing on small text and fine details.

Now, the jump to 500Hz from 360Hz is not that big, but it is noticeable and if you can output 500FPS in games, it’s definitely worth the cost if you play a lot of competitive eSports titles.

For most gamers though, 360Hz will do just fine, in which case we recommend getting the MSI MPG 271QRX or MAG 271QPX models as they offer better value for money.

However, the MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED X50 has one more trick up its sleeve – MPRT. This technology uses BFI (Black Frame Insertion) to add black frames between regular frames to eliminate perceived motion blur behind fast-moving objects.

It can’t work at the same time as VRR or HDR, and it decreases brightness to around 200-nits, but at 250Hz BFI – you get the same motion clarity as 500Hz native, which is perfect for games where you can only maintain 250FPS.

Check out our full MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED X50 review for more details.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is sturdy and offers height adjustment up to 110mm, +/- 30° swivel, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

The screen has a typical QD-OLED semi-glossy finish for more vibrant image quality (but also more reflective screen surface).

Connectivity options include DP 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports with DSC, a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode and 15W PD and a headphone jack.

Alternatives

There’s also the MSI MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50 version with higher Power Delivery over USB-C, built-in KVM and better-tuned EOTF Boost mode for $50 – $100 more.

About The Monitor

The main competitor to the MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED 500Hz is the ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQWP-W with a W-OLED panel and 720p 720Hz Dual Mode.

Image Quality

The PG27AQWP-W uses a newer Tandem W-OLED panel with a high maximum brightness of 1500-nits for 1.5% APL and 335-nits for 100% APL.

This is higher than that of the QD-OLED of MSI’s monitor (1000-nits 3% APL, 250-nits 100% APL), but only refers to white luminance. When it comes to color luminance, they perform similarly, with the QD-OLED being a bit brighter in <10% APL scenes.

Further, the ASUS PG27AQWP-W has an RGWB subpixel layout, which has better text clarity than the previous-gen RWBG panels, but it still has some minor fringing like the triangular subpixel layout of the QD-OLED panels.

So, when it comes to image quality, the viewing experience is similar.

The ASUS PG27AQWP-W has a TrueBlack glossy screen finish, which is more reflective (mirror-like reflections), but it doesn’t raise blacks under direct lighting like the semi-glossy finish of the QD-OLED panels, resulting in a more vivid image.

The main difference between the two panels comes down to performance. While there’s no perceptible difference between 500Hz and 540Hz, the PG27AQWP-W offers a 720p 720Hz mode for an even more responsive gameplay.

Of course, 1280×720 is going to look a bit blurry on a 27″ sized screen with only 54 PPI (pixels per inch), but some gamers are willing to sacrifice image quality for a boost in responsiveness.

In fact, certain competitive players deliberately use lower resolutions and stretched aspect ratios in Esports titles like CS: GO to maximize frame rates and perceived motion clarity. You can also run 720Hz at 1176×664, 1024×768, 960×720 and 800×600.

The ASUS PG27AQWP-W also supports BFI at 120Hz and 270Hz (but not in Dual Mode), and offers typical gaming features, such as crosshair overlays, Shadow Boost, timer, Sniper and a refresh rate tracker.

Design & Connectivity

The stand offers full ergonomic support, including up to 110mm height adjustment, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 30° swivel, +/- 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 2.1 with full UHBR20 bandwidth, two HDMI 2.1 ports, a headphone jack, and a USB hub (3x downstream, 1x type B).

Alternatives

• LG 27GX790B – based on the same panel with DP 2.1 (UHBR13.5), USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 5W PD), matte anti-glare coating and no BFI for $800 – $900

About The Monitor

Update: We now recommend the MSI MAG 272UP QD-OLED X24 instead.

If you’re after a 27″ 4K 240Hz OLED gaming monitor, we recommend the ASUS XG27UCDMG!

Image Quality

Based on a QD-OLED panel, the ASUS XG27UCDMG delivers all the same key specifications, including 99.3% DCI-P3 color gamut, 250-nits peak brightness (1000-nits for 3% APL), 10-bit color depth, 178° viewing angles, etc.

What makes this panel exceptional is the 4K UHD resolution being display on a 26.6″ viewable screen, resulting in the highest pixel density available on any high refresh rate monitor so far! With 166 PPI, you get incredible detail clarity and the previous issues with fringing on small text are now completely gone.

On top of that, you get smooth performance with 240Hz refresh rate, low input lag, VRR support and even BFI up to 120Hz!

The ASUS XG27UCDMG also offers plenty of useful features, such as crosshair overlays, VRR Anti-Flicker, Shadow Boost, factory-calibrated sRGB mode without locked settings and advanced OLED care features, including the Neo Proximity Sensor that shuts down the display when it detects that no one is in front of it.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 120mm, +/- 90° pivot, +/- 45° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility. There’s also a 1/4″ tripod socket, RGB lighting and a phone groove/holder on the stand.

Connectivity options include DP 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports, a headphone jack, three USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode and 90W PD.

The monitor has a semi-glossy finish.

About The Monitor

Update: We recommend waiting for the new MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 variant with a new True Black 500 panel, AI Care Sensor and new coating.

In case you’d rather have a larger screen with a higher resolution and a still rapid 240Hz refresh rate, the MSI MPG 321URX is for you!

Image Quality

The difference between 240Hz and 360Hz is not that noticeable, so a lot of gamers will be interested in the MSI MPG 321URX with a 31.5″ 4K panel.

Just like the 271QRX, the 32″ model uses Samsung’s QD-OLED panel with the same semi-glossy finish, improved subpixel layout, 250-nits/1000-nits peak brightness and wide color gamut. It also has excellent Delta E < 2 factory calibration for both sRGB and DCI-P3.

The MSI MPG 321URX also offers a higher resolution, which results in a higher pixel density with 140 PPI for sharper text and details.

You also get the same gaming features, such as PiP/PbP, crosshair overlays, Night Vision, etc.

Check out our full MSI MPG 321URX review for more details.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is sturdy and offers a good range of ergonomics, including up to 110mm height adjustment, -5°/15° tilt, +/- 30° swivel, +/- 10° pivot for balancing and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

It has a heatsink for cooling and a semi-glossy screen finish for a more vivid image, but it’s reflective and raises the black level when hit with direct lighting.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps and CEC support, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 90W Power Delivery, a dual-USB 2.0 hub (2 downstream + 1 upstream type B), a headphone jack and built-in KVM functionality.

Alternatives

The MSI MPG 321URX is the most affordable 32″ 4K 240Hz QD-OLED model in the US, going for just $900. However, in other regions, the following alternatives might be cheaper. Here’s a comparison of all 32″ 4K 240Hz QD-OLED models available.

	Dell AW3225QF	MSI 321CURX	ASUS PG32UCDM	Samsung G80SD	Gigabyte FO32U2	Gigabyte FO32U2P	MSI 321URX	MSI 321UPX	HP Omen Transcend 32
Screen	Glossy (Curved)	Glossy (Curved)	Glossy	Matte	Glossy	Glossy	Glossy	Glossy	Glossy
Video Ports	DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1	DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 98W	DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 90W	DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1	DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 18W	DP 2.1, mini-DP 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 65W	DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 90W	DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 15W	DP 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 140W
Other Ports	3x USB-A, USB-B, USB-C	2x USB-A, USB-B	3x USB-A USB-B, HP, SPDIF	2x USB-A, USB-B	2x USB-A, USB-B, HP, Mic, 2x5W	2x USB-A, USB-B, HP, Mic, 2x5W	2x USB-A, USB-B, HP	HP	3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, HP, 4x3W
Dolby Vision	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
KVM	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Cooling	Active	Passive	Passive	Passive	Passive	Passive	Passive	Passive	Active
Burn-in warranty	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years	3 years
Price (MSRP)	$1200	$850	$1300	$1300	$1100	$1200	$900	$800	$1,300

MSI also offers the MSI MPG 321URXW with white design and the MSI MPG 322URX with DisplayPort 2.1 (80 Gbps).

Note that there are also cheaper 32″ 4K 165Hz QD-OLED models, such as the MSI MGA 321UP.

In 2024, other manufacturers are going to release various 32″ 4K 240Hz QD-OLED flat-screen models as well. Check out our OLED monitors article for more details.

About The Monitor

Next, here’s the ASUS XG32UCWMG. It uses a 32″ 4K 240Hz W-OLED panel by LG and supports a 1080p 480Hz Dual Mode!

Image Quality

The ASUS XG32UCWMG uses a newer RGWB subpixel layout, so just like with the 32″ 4K QD-OLED panels, text fringing on small details and text is no longer an issue.

You also get an improved brightness performance thanks to the MLA+ panel, with a peak brightness of up to 1,300-nits for < 3% APL, 750-nits for 10% APL and 275-nits for 100% APL. However, keep in mind again, that these measures refer to white luminance and that QD-OLED panels have a higher color luminance as well as a wider color gamut, which results in a higher perceived brightness in the end.

Still, the ASUS XG32UCWMG has a wide 98.5% DCI-P3 color gamut and decent peak brightness, resulting in a vibrant image quality.

The main reason to consider this model is, of course, the 1080p 480Hz Dual Mode. With a press of a button, the monitor can swap between 4K 120Hz and 1080p 480Hz modes for improved motion clarity and reduced latency in competitive games.

Naturally, since the 1920×1080 resolution will be displayed on a large 31.5″ sized screen, the image quality won’t be nearly as good due to the low pixel density, but this won’t be that big of an issue in fast-paced competitive games.

Noteworthy features include VRR up to 240Hz, BFI up to 120Hz, Shadow Boost, crosshair overlays, a refresh rate tracker and more.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 80mm, +/- 15° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

The screen has ASUS’ TrueBlack glossy coating, which offers a more vivid image quality (but it’s also more reflective). Moreover, unlike QD-OLED’s semi-glossy finish, it doesn’t raise blacks when hit by direct lighting.

Connectivity options include DP 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps bandwidth, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 15W PD, three downstream USB-A 3.0 ports, USB-B, built-in KVM and a headphone jack.

Alternatives

• ASUS XG32UCWG – same model with lower 165Hz refresh rate (1080p 330Hz) for $100 less
• LG 32GS95UE – LG’s model based on the same panel, however, it doesn’t have USB-C, KVM or ELMB. Moreover, its burn-in warranty is only 2 years
• ASUS PG32UCDP – ASUS’ model with higher 98W PD over USB-C and a matte anti-glare coating
• KTC G32P5 – KTC’s model, the most affordable option in Europe, but it’s not available in the US

For more alternatives, check out our OLED monitors article.

About The Monitor

Looking for a larger OLED monitor? A lot of gamers absolutely love LG’s 42″ C5 TV and find its size manageable as a desktop monitor.

Image Quality

For most people, a 42″ screen will be too big for regular desktop use. However, if you don’t mind its size, the LG OLED42C5 offers exceptional value for the money as it can be found for as low as $900!

It offers a similar image quality as that of other OLED displays with wide viewing angles, a wide color gamut, an infinite contrast ratio and decent brightness. 4K UHD resolution also results in a similar pixel density of 106 PPI on the 42″ sized screens.

Motion clarity is not as smooth due to the lower 120Hz refresh rate, but you still get instantaneous pixel response time speed and smooth VRR performance.

Since it is a TV, you also get all the smart features and even Dolby Vision support.

Design & Connectivity

The LG OLED42C5 has a design with legs to better fit on a regular PC desk, but there are no ergonomic adjustments apart from VESA mount compatibility. It has a glossy screen finish for a more vibrant image quality, but it’s reflective.

Connectivity options include four HDMI 2.1 ports, RJ45, tuner, composite-in, both analog and digital audio jacks, three USB 2.0 ports, WiFi, Bluetooth and dual 10W built-in speakers (no subwoofer).

Conclusion

Found the best HDR monitor for you?

Feel free to leave us any questions you might have in the comments below!

All in all, we recommend the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 or the LG 39GX950B if you want an ultrawide model or the MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 in case you prefer regular widescreens.

Of course, if you’re too worried about burn-in and/or would prefer a brighter image, the KTC M27P6 and the LG 27GM950B are excellent mini LED alternatives.

As far as budget models go, the Gigabyte MO27Q28GR offers exceptional value for the price. If you can afford something pricier, the MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED X50 with a 500Hz refresh rate or the ASUS PG27AQWP-W with 540Hz and 720p 720Hz are worthy investments.