Looking for the best monitor for FPS games such as Overwatch, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Battlefield and CS: GO? You’ve come to the right place, as in this buying guide you’ll find only the fastest displays.
We included various models allowing you to pick the ideal one for you according to your budget, PC configuration and personal preference — but rest assured that each of our picks offers the best value for the money in its respective category!
Type | Monitor | Size | Panel | Resolution | Refresh Rate | VRR | MBR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best 144Hz Monitors For FPS Games | 24” | IPS | 1920x1080 | 144Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) | Yes | ||
27” | IPS | 2560x1440 | 170Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) | Yes | |||
Best 240Hz Monitors For FPS Games | 24” | IPS | 1920x1080 | 240Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) | Yes | ||
25" | IPS | 1920x1080 | 240Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible) | No | |||
27" | VA | 2560x1440 | 240Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible) | Yes | |||
27" | IPS | 2560x1440 | 240Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible) | Yes | |||
27" | OLED | 2560x1440 | 240Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) | No | |||
Best 360Hz Monitors For FPS Games | 25" | IPS | 1920x1080 | 390Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) | Yes | ||
25" | IPS | 1920x1080 | 360Hz | G-SYNC | Yes | |||
25" | TN | 1920x1080 | 360Hz | FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable) | Yes | |||
27" | IPS | 2560x1440 | 360Hz | G-SYNC | Yes |
We’ll cover everything you need to know about these gaming monitors in the summaries below, but feel free to leave us a comment below if you need more assistance.
Additionally, you may want to visit our how to choose the right gaming monitor guide for more information.
Continue reading to ensure that you’re buying a gaming monitor with the right panel type, screen size, resolution and refresh rate for your gaming habits.
You can view our changelogs for this buying guide at the end of this article.
Best 144Hz Gaming Monitors For FPS Games
While there is a noticeable difference between 144Hz and 240Hz, the jump isn’t nearly as obvious as it is between 60Hz and 144Hz.
So, many gamers still opt for 144Hz models because they are cheaper and more viable at higher resolutions such as 1440p.
LG 24GN650
Cheapest Monitor For FPS Games
Size: 24”
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable)
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- FreeSync and MBR up to 144Hz
- Plenty of gaming features
- Vibrant colors and wide viewing angles
- Ergonomic design
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
- Design lacks swivel option
About The Monitor
The LG 24GN650 is one the cheapest 24″ 1080p 144Hz IPS gaming monitors with a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed, variable refresh rate and backlight strobing support, providing you with everything you need for smooth fast-paced gameplay.
Image Quality
It’s based on BOE’s IPS panel with a 300-nit peak brightness and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio meaning that the monitor can get more than bright enough under normal lighting conditions, while blacks aren’t quite as deep as that of VA technology, but those panels have other disadvantages at this price range, mainly a slower response time speed.
It covers the entire sRGB color space, so you get vivid and accurate colors without over-saturation.
Further, IPS panels also ensure 178° wide viewing angles both horizontally and vertically meaning that the picture won’t degrade in quality regardless of the angle you’re looking at the screen.
The 1ms GtG response time speed ensures that there’s no ghosting behind fast-moving objects, allowing you to play FPS games without any distractions.
Features
The monitor supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-144Hz VRR range for tear-free gameplay, and it works without issues with NVIDIA cards even though it’s not officially certified.
In addition, there’s the 1ms Motion Blur Reduction backlight strobing technology for even smoother motion clarity at the cost of picture brightness.
Other noteworthy features include various pre-calibrated picture presets and Black Stabilizer, which enhances visibility in darker games.
Visit our LG 24GN650 review for more information.
Design & Connectivity
The LG 24GN650 boasts an ergonomic stand with up to 110mm height adjustment, -5°/15° tilt, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports and a headphone jack. All display inputs work up to 144Hz at 1080p.
Alternatives
- LG 24GN600 – same monitor but with a tilt-only stand
- HP x24ih, HP x24i – based on the same panel, offering basically identical performance and image quality, but a different design and feature set
We don’t normally recommend ultrawide monitors for FPS games, as the wider horizontal field of view on a big monitor can be distracting. Moreover, some competitive titles (mostly Blizzard games and Valorant) don’t support the ultrawide aspect ratios.
The MSI MAG301RF is an exception as it’s only as tall as a regular 24″ monitor but 33% wider, so it’s not too big to easily keep track of everything that’s going on the screen. It has a quick 1ms response time speed and a 200Hz refresh rate with VRR and MBR support, going for ~$300.
So, if your favorite games do support 21:9 resolutions, it’s worth considering – be sure to check out our MSI MAG301RF review for more information.
Acer XV272UV
Best Value 1440p 165Hz Gaming Monitor
Size: 27”
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 2560×1440
Refresh Rate: 170Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable)
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- Plenty of gaming features, including VRR and MBR up to 170Hz
- Vibrant colors and wide viewing angles
- High pixel density
- Ergonomic stand
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
The Acer XV272UV features a higher screen resolution as well as a fast 1ms GtG response time speed for both remarkable visuals and smooth motion clarity.
Image Quality
Here’s the kicker: 1440p results in a perfect pixel-per-inch (PPI) ratio on 27″ monitors. You get around 108 PPI meaning that there will be plenty of screen space available while the details are sharp and clear without any scaling necessary.
It’s also more demanding to drive, so make sure your PC configuration will be able to handle it.
Just like with the LG 24GN650, you get wide viewing angles, while the response time is swift and eliminates all visible ghosting and motion blur.
It has a bit wider color gamut (95% DCI-P3 gamut coverage, or ~125% sRGB gamut size), so colors are more vibrant and saturated. The extra shade variety is helpful as it can make enemies stand out more in certain environments.
Features
The Acer XV272UV supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-170Hz range over DisplayPort and 48-144Hz over HDMI, and offers stable G-SYNC compatible performance.
Other features include Black Boost (increases visibility of objects lurking in shadows), customizable crosshair overlays and pre-calibrated picture presets.
Visit our Acer XV272UV review for more information.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor offers full ergonomic support with up to 110mm height adjustment, 360° swivel, -5°/25° tilt, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 ports, dual 2W built-in speakers and a headphone jack.
Alternatives
- MSI G273QF / QPF
- HP X27q
- MSI MAG274QRF-QD – with a wider 100% Adobe RGB color gamut
- LG 27GP850 – overclockable to 180Hz, wide 98% DCI-P3 color gamut
- Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q – 1440p 165Hz gaming monitor with Adobe RGB gamut and 576-zone mini LED FALD backlight if you’re interested in HDR
If you’d want a bigger 32″ gaming monitor, check out the Gigabyte M32Q 1440p 165Hz (170Hz factory-OC) 1ms IPS display with a wide color gamut and FreeSync.
However, for most people 32″ monitors are too big for regular desktop use, let alone competitive FPS gaming as you’d need to sit quite far away from the screen in order to be able to see the whole image without moving your eyes.
Best 240Hz Gaming Monitors For FPS Games
While some 1080p 240Hz gaming monitors are even cheaper than certain 1080p 144Hz displays, keep in mind that you will need a more powerful CPU/GPU system to run games at such high frame rates.
ViewSonic XG2431
Best MBR Performance
Size: 24”
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable)
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- Vibrant colors and wide viewing angles
- Impeccable MBR technology
- Plenty of gaming features
- Fully ergonomic design and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
Do you want it all — a fast response time, 240Hz, Motion Blur Reduction, FreeSync, gorgeous colors and wide viewing angles of IPS?
The ViewSonic XG2431 is currently as close as you’ll get to the perfect monitor for competitive gaming!
Image Quality
We have standard IPS panel specifications, including a 400-nit peak brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 8-bit color depth support, wide viewing angles, 1ms response time and an sRGB color gamut.
So, you get a bright image with vivid colors that don’t degrade at an angle.
Features
Moving on, the ViewSonic Elite XG2431 offers a bunch of useful gaming features, including AMD FreeSync support with a 48-240Hz VRR range with stable G-SYNC performance and excellent PureXP MBR technology that works from 60Hz up to 240Hz.
The ViewSonic XG2431 is the first monitor with the Blur Busters 2.0 Approved certification, which ensures exceptional backlight strobing performance with minimal strobe crosstalk or other visual artifacts.
You will also find plenty of other features, such as various picture presets and Black Stabilization.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is sturdy and versatile with up to 120mm height adjustment, -5°/15° tilt, 90° pivot, +/- 90° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, a headphone jack, dual 3W integrated speakers and a USB 3.0 hub (2 downstream + 1 upstream).
Dell S2522HG
Affordable 240Hz IPS Gaming Monitor
Size: 25″
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible)
MBR: No
The Pros:
- Vibrant colors, wide viewing angles
- FreeSync up to 240Hz
- Plenty of gaming features
- Fully ergonomic stand
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
If you’re not a fan of backlight strobing, you can save some money by going with the Dell S2522HG.
Image Quality
You get the same peak brightness, contrast ratio, color gamut and pixel response time speed that you get with the ViewSonic XG2431. So, you get the same viewing experience and performance, just without MBR.
The best thing about the Dell S2522HG is its price as it can be found on sale for just $150 – $200, making it a much better option than any budget ~144Hz gaming monitor.
Features
Besides AMD FreeSync with a 48-240Hz VRR range and G-SYNC compatibility, the Dell S2522HG also offers standard gaming features such as Dark Stabilizer (improves visibility in dark games) and various picture presets.
Check out our Dell S2522HG review for more information.
Design & Connectivity
At the back of the monitor, you will find two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a headphone jack and a quad-USB 3.0 hub.
You can adjust the height of the monitor up to 130mm, tilt it by -5°/21°, +/- 45° swivel, pivot by 90° and VESA mount it.
Samsung C27G75T
Best 1440p 240Hz Curved Gaming Monitor
Size: 27″
Panel: VA
Resolution: 2560×1440
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Compatible)
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- High contrast ratio and pixel density
- Wide color gamut and strong peak brightness
- Plenty of features including FreeSync and MBR up to 240Hz
- Fully ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- 1000R curve might be too steep for some users
- VRR Control option might cause micro-stuttering on some units
About The Monitor
Samsung’s Odyssey gaming monitors are the first VA-panel displays to deliver a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed allowing you to enjoy both a high 2,500:1 contrast ratio and smooth motion clarity.
Image Quality
Now, even though the Samsung C27G75T has a specified pixel response time of 1ms GtG, it’s still not quite as fast as some IPS or TN panel monitors. Some transitions of dark pixels into brighter shades won’t quite make it in time with the 240Hz refresh rate, which can cause some minor smearing in dark scenes with fast-moving objects.
Regardless, this isn’t really noticeable unless you’re deliberately looking for it, but if you want perfect performance for competitive gaming, you should be getting a 1080p 240Hz display anyway for the highest FPS and lowest input lag.
The Samsung C27G75T is for those who want very good performance for FPS games as well as an immersive picture quality with high contrast ratio for deep and vivid blacks.
On top of that, the Odyssey G7 also offers a wide 95% DCI-P3 gamut for vibrant colors and a strong peak brightness of 600-nits for striking highlights when watching HDR content.
Eight dimming zones can dim parts of the screen for better image quality, though just how well these zones will work depends on how demanding the content is (in terms of what part of the image needs to be dimmed).
In other words, you’re not getting the true HDR picture quality as that of the much more expensive FALD displays, but you’re still getting a notable boost in HDR picture quality as opposed to SDR.
Features
AMD FreeSync Premium Pro is supported with a 60-240Hz VRR range, and the monitor is certified as G-SYNC Compatible by NVIDIA.
Other features include custom crosshairs, Black Equalizer, various picture presets and MBR. For more information, check out our Samsung Odyssey G7 review.
Design & Connectivity
The design of the monitor consists of RGB lighting at the back and front of the monitor while the stand is robust and versatile with up to 120mm height adjustment, -9°/13° tilt, 90° pivot, +/- 15° swivel and VESA mount (100x100mm).
Connectivity options include two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, HDMI 2.0 (max 1440p 144Hz), a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub. For 1440p 240Hz 10-bit color, you’ll need a GPU that supports DisplayPort 1.4 DSC.
With older cards, you’ll be limited to 1440p 240Hz 8-bit color or 1440p 144Hz 10-bit color.
The Samsung G7 has a steep 1000R curvature for added immersion. Not everyone is a fan of curved displays with this aspect ratio, but due to the monitor’s 27″ screen size, the curvature is not as pronounced as it is on the 32″ model.
Alternatives
The Samsung C27G75T is also available as a 32″ variant, the Samsung C32G75T though we recommend the 27″ model for FPS games as its smaller screen makes it easier to see what’s happening in the game; you won’t have to move your eyes/head as much to see the entire screen.
Additionally, the 27″ model is $100 cheaper, and it has a higher pixel density for sharper details.
There’s also the Odyssey G6 series, which are the same monitors but with the integrated Tizen smart OS.
Samsung also offers a 49″ VA panel monitor with 1ms response time and 240Hz, the Odyssey G9, but due to its very demanding 5120×1440 resolution and unconventional 32:9 aspect ratio, we don’t recommend it for competitive gaming.
Gigabyte M27Q-X
Best 27″ 1440p 240Hz IPS Gaming Monitor
Size: 27″
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 2560×1440
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable)
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- Fast response time speed
- MBR and VRR up to 240Hz
- High pixel density, Adobe RGB gamut
- Height-adjustable stand and rich connectivity options
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
- Design lacks swivel and pivot options
About The Monitor
Looking for a 27″ 1440p 240Hz gaming monitor with better colors and viewing angles and with a flat screen instead of a curved one?
The Gigabyte M27Q-X is for you!
Image Quality
Thanks to its IPS panel with a wide color gamut, the Gigabyte M27Q-X offers truly striking colors with a 97% Adobe RGB gamut coverage. It also has an sRGB mode allowing you to clamp the gamut for accurate sRGB color representation.
The monitor has a specified peak brightness of 350-nits (goes up to 450-nits in real use) and a static contrast ratio of 1,000:1, so the HDR picture isn’t anything to write home about, but this is clearly not its main selling point.
Features
The Gigabyte M27Q-X supports AMD FreeSync for tear-free gameplay up to 240FPS and offers flawless G-SYNC Compatible performance despite not having official certification.
It also supports Aim Stabilizer-Sync, which allows you to use backlight strobing at the same time as a variable refresh rate.
Other features include various picture modes, Black Equalizer, on-screen crosshairs and a refresh rate tracker.
Check out our full Gigabyte M27Q-X review for more information.
Design & Connectivity
The stand is sturdy and offers height adjustment up to 130mm, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports (limited to 144Hz), USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 18W PD), a headphone jack, dual 2W built-in speakers and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
The monitor also has a built-in KVM switch and supports PiP/PbP, allowing you to control two PCs connected to the screen via the same keyboard and mouse.
ASUS PG27AQDM
Best HDR Monitor For FPS Games
Size: 27″
Panel: OLED
Resolution: 2560×1440
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable)
MBR: No
The Pros:
- Instantaneous response time speed
- Plenty of features, including VRR up to 240Hz
- High pixel density, wide color gamut
- Ergonomic stand, USB hub
The Cons:
- Risk of burn-in
- No MBR
About The Monitor
In case you want a gaming monitor that’s great for both HDR content consumption and competitive FPS gaming, the ASUS PG27AQDM is for you!
Image Quality
Thanks to its OLED panel, the ASUS PG27AQDM has an infinite contrast ratio as each pixel produces its own light or individually turns off for true blacks. On top of that, there’s no backlight bleeding, IPS/VA glow or haloing caused by local dimming, providing you with an immersive viewing experience, especially in dark rooms.
OLED displays cannot get as bright as some LED-backlit displays, so you’re limited to around 250-nits for SDR, but small HDR highlights get a boost up to ~900-nits, which is enough for exceptional HDR image quality under normal lighting conditions.
Other drawbacks of OLED technology include the risk of burn-in (though it’s manageable with sensible use) and the uncommon subpixel layout that causes minor fringing on small text and fine details, but it’s not noticeable in games and videos.
The main advantage of OLED gaming displays is the instantaneous pixel response time speed, which results in exceptional motion clarity. When paired with the low input lag and a high 240Hz refresh rate of the ASUS PG27AQDM, you get a responsive and buttery-smooth fast-paced gaming experience.
It also supports VRR up to 240Hz and the usual gaming features, such as crosshair overlays, Shadow Boost, a refresh rate tracker and various picture presets.
Check out our ASUS PG27AQDM review for more information.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is sturdy and offers a good range of ergonomics, including up to 110mm height adjustment, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 30° swivel, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility. It also has a light matte anti-glare coating and RGB lighting at the rear.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DP 1.4 with DSC, a dual USB 3.0 hub and a headphone jack.
Alternatives
The LG 27GR95QE is based on the same panel, but has ~30% lower brightness. It offers HDMI 2.1 and hardware calibration support though.
Best 360Hz Gaming Monitors For FPS Games
The jump to 360Hz from 240Hz might not be noticeable enough to an average gamer to justify the higher price, but to a hardcore FPS player, it’s a worthy upgrade.
Acer Aopen 25XV2QF
Best 1080p 360Hz IPS Gaming Monitor
Size: 25″
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh Rate: 360Hz (390Hz OC)
VRR: FreeSync (G-SYNC Stable)
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- Fast response time speed
- Plenty of extra features including FreeSync and MBR up to 390Hz
- Fully ergonomic stand
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
If you want the fastest gaming monitor, you want the Acer Aopen 25XV2QF.
Image Quality
This 360Hz gaming monitor is based on an IPS panel with basically identical specifications to that of the 240Hz models.
What does this mean for you? You’re getting the same viewing experience with a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, a 400-nit peak brightness, 178° viewing angles and ~99% sRGB color gamut.
The main difference, obviously, is the rapid 360Hz refresh rate and appropriately fast pixel response time to back it up. You can even overclock the monitor up to 390Hz!
Features
Additionally, the Acer 25XV2QF supports AMD FreeSync for tear-free gameplay up to 390FPS!
Acer’s Visual Response Boost backlight strobing technology is available as well, and it can operate at up to 390Hz. Other 360Hz gaming monitors with dedicated G-SYNC modules can only use backlight strobing at up to 240Hz.
Other gaming features include custom crosshairs, timers, Black Boost, and various pre-calibrated picture presets.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is sturdy and versatile with up to 120mm height adjustment, +/- 90° pivot, -5°/25° tilt, 360° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 (limited to 240Hz) ports, DisplayPort 1.4, a headphone jack and dual 2W integrated speakers.
Alternatives
- Acer Nitro XV252QF – the same monitor, but with different branding
Dell AW2521H
1080p 360Hz G-SYNC Gaming Monitor
Size: 25″
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh Rate: 360Hz
VRR: G-SYNC
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- Fast response time speed
- Plenty of extra features including G-SYNC up to 360Hz and MBR up to 240Hz
- Fully ergonomic stand, USB hub
The Cons:
- No AMD FreeSync support
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
If the above-mentioned Acer/AOPEN models aren’t available, the Dell AW2521H is your best alternative.
Image Quality
Initially, these 360Hz gaming monitors with dedicated G-SYNC modules went for ~$700, but you can find them on sale for around $400 nowadays.
They’re based on the same panel as the FreeSync models, so you get the same viewing experience and nearly identical performance.
The G-SYNC module provides a bit smoother variable refresh rate performance, especially at lower frame rates (around the LFC threshold). However, variable refresh rate cannot be used with AMD GPUs on this monitor.
Sadly, the G-SYNC models aren’t overclockable and their MBR implementation (ULMB) is limited to 240Hz. However, given that for the smoothest backlight strobing performance your frame rate should match the refresh rate, 240Hz will be plenty for most gamers.
Other features include Dark Stabilizer, on-screen timers and RGB lighting.
It also supports NVIDIA Reflex Analyzer, which allows you to measure input latency in compatible games if you have a supported mouse.
Design & Connectivity
The stand is robust and versatile with up to 130mm height adjustment, -5°/21° tilt, +/- 20° swivel, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, a headphone jack, line-out and a quad-USB 3.0 hub (3 downstream, 1 upstream).
Alternatives
- ASUS PG259QN – based on the same panel, offering nearly identical image quality and performance. It doesn’t have the Reflex Analyzer tool, but it supports AMD FreeSync
- MSI NXG253R – based on the same panel with the Reflex Analyzer tool. It has a few extra features, such as crosshair overlays – but it’s usually more expensive than the AW2521H
BenQ XL2566K
Best 1080p 360Hz Gaming Monitor
Size: 25″
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 1920×1080
Refresh Rate: 360Hz
VRR: FreeSync
MBR: Yes
The Pros:
- Impeccable MBR implementation up to 360Hz
- Plenty of gaming features, including VRR up to 360Hz
- Fully ergonomic stand with a shading hood and hotkey puck
The Cons:
- TN panel with inferior colors and viewing angles
About The Monitor
While the Acer 25XV2QF and the Dell AW2521H offer a buttery-smooth gaming experience, the BenQ XL2566K has next-level motion clarity thanks to its TN panel and DyAc+ MBR implementation. However, it’s significantly more expensive and has worse image quality, so we only recommend it for hardcore competitive players.
Image Quality
First of all, TN panels have narrow viewing angles, so the image will drastically shift in brightness, contrast and color when viewed at skewed angles. As long as you’re sitting directly in front of the screen, this won’t be an issue though.
Secondly, you get an overall worse color quality, so the image won’t be as vibrant.
The BenQ Zowie XL2566K makes up for those drawbacks by having a noticeably faster pixel response time speed for less ghosting behind fast-moving objects.
When paired with BenQ’s impeccable DyAc+ backlight strobing implementation, you get CRT-like motion clarity and while you cannot use MBR and VRR at the same time on this monitor, the brightness penalty is minimal.
Additionally, the monitor has plenty of additional gaming features, such as the shading hood, Black eQualizer, Color Vibrance, XL Setting To Share (easy import/export of settings among users). You also get the S. Switch hotkey puck for quick and easy OSD adjustments and swapping between presets or features.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is robust and versatile with up to 155mm height adjustment, -5°/23° tilt, +/- 45° swivel, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports (limited to 240Hz), DisplayPort 1.4 and a headphone jack.
Alternatives
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 consider waiting for the ASUS PG248QP with a 540Hz TN panel.
ASUS PG27AQN
1440p 360Hz Gaming Monitor
Size: 27″
Panel: IPS
Resolution: 2560×1440
Refresh Rate: 360Hz
VRR: G-SYNC + FreeSync
MBR: No
The Pros:
- ULMB 2
- High pixel density
- Wide color gamut
- Plenty of gaming features, including VRR up to 360Hz and 25″ Mode
- Fully ergonomic stand, USB hub
The Cons:
- IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
About The Monitor
The ASUS PG27AQN provides you with the smoothness of 360Hz as well as the detail clarity of 1440p resolution on a 27″ sized screen!
Image Quality
While most competitive gamers prefer 24″ sized screens as it allows them to be focused on the entire screen without having to move their eyes as they would on larger displays, there are a few advantages to using the ASUS PG27AQN.
To start with, its higher 1440p resolution has a higher pixel density, which means that the details will be noticeably sharper.
Further, it has a wide 98% DCI-P3 gamut coverage, resulting in exceptionally vibrant colors. The wider color gamut can sometimes make your enemies stand out more in certain environments.
On top of that, the ASUS ORG Swift PG27AQN combines the latest Ultrafast IPS panel by AUO with the Dual-Layer Voltage Driver technology for rapid pixel response time speed that rivals that of the BenQ XL2566K.
Variable refresh rate is supported up to 360FPS for tear-free gameplay, but there’s no Motion Blur Reduction, sadly.
Other features include ULMB 2, Dark Boost, crosshair overlays, on-screen timers and the 25″ Mode, which displays the image as a 25″ monitor with black bars around it.
Check out our full PG27AQN review for more information.
Design & Connectivity
The stand is sturdy and offers height adjustment up to 100mm, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 25° swivel, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, three HDMI 2.0 ports (limited to 144Hz), a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.
Alternatives
- Acer Predator XB273UF – based on the same panel with similar features
Conclusion
Have you decided which gaming monitor to go with? If you have any additional questions or you’re having second thoughts, feel free to ask us in the comments below for further advice.
Even if you have a limited budget, the Dell S2522HG will ensure that you’re on the same level as the pros; the rest is up to your skills and reflexes.
In case you want something even better, the ViewSonic XG2431, the Acer 25XV2QF and the Dell AW2521H offer immaculate performance as well as gorgeous image quality and wide viewing angles.
The BenQ XL2566K, the ASUS PG27AQDM and the ASUS PG27AQN offer the best performance, but they’re quite expensive. Generally, we recommend the XL2566 only for professional players, while the PG27AQN is worth the price if you’ve got a PC rig that’ll do it justice.
Finally, for mixed-use, we recommend the Acer XV272UV, the Gigabyte M27Q-X, or the Samsung G7 due to their higher resolution.
Changelog +
- April 26, 2023:
– Replaced the LG 27GR95QE with the ASUS PG27AQDM. - April 5, 2023:
– Added a review summary for the LG 27GR95QE. - December 1, 2022:
– Added review summaries for the BenQ XL2566K and the ASUS PG27AQN. - November 23, 2022:
– Replaced the MSI G273QF with the Acer XV272UV. - October 14, 2022:
– Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. - April 20, 2022:
– Replaced the Acer XV252QF with the Acer Aopen 25XV2QF, the ASUS XG27AQM with the Gigabyte M27Q-X, and the MSI NXG253R with the Dell AW2521H. - February 22, 2022:
– Added the MSI NXG253R. - November 23, 2021:
– Replaced the Acer KG241QP, the AOC G2590FX and the BenQ EX2510 with the LG 24GN650.
– Removed the Acer XF250Q and replaced the BenQ XL2546K and the ViewSonic XG270 with the ViewSonic XG2431.
– Removed the HP Omen X 27. - September 9, 2021:
– Replaced the Acer XV272UX with the ASUS XG27AQM.
– Replaced the LG 27GL83A with the MSI G273QF. - August 4, 2021:
– Removed the Acer XF252Q (no longer available).
– Replaced the Dell AW2521H with the Acer XV252QF. - May 26, 2021:
– Added the LG 27GP850 as an alternative to the LG 27GL83A. - May 7, 2021:
– Replaced the ASUS PG259QN with the Dell AW2521H. - December 24, 2020:
– Replaced the Dell AW2721D with the Acer XV272UX. - December 11, 2020:
– Added the Dell AW2721D (and the Acer XV272UX as an alternative).
– Replaced the BenQ XL2546S with the newer XL2546K model.
– Added the Acer XB323UGP as a 32″ alternative for the LG 27GL83A 1440p 144Hz 1ms IPS monitor.