Gaming monitors take our gaming experiences to the next level. Selecting the best gaming monitor for you is an important part of building the best PC gaming setup. While some components in the setup might be swapped out every year or so, a good gaming monitor is an investment that should still be in use for far longer than that.
The gaming monitor market is ever-expanding with an influx of new vendors, models, and features. This makes it an exciting time to be a gamer and also makes it a complicated choice when picking out a gaming monitor.
There are so many options out there, from screen-smoothing technologies to visually staggering refresh rates. For the gamers that like extra clarity, there are 4K screens that are taxing on the bank account as well as on the graphics cards. There is also a large array of different panel types all with their merits and demerits.
Then all gaming monitors have different screen sizes and aspect ratios which will in turn affect your desk space, viewing pleasure, and bank account. All these different options will have you feeling like a kid in a toy store that has been told to pick only one.
It is so important to make the right choice as a good gaming monitor will stand its ground for a long period of time. Below is a list of the best gaming monitors right now in a variety of different price points to give you the most chance of finding the best gaming monitor for your setup.
Quick Considerations
When attempting to get the best gaming monitor, here are some things to consider;
G-Sync or FreeSync?
G-Sync monitors only work with PCs with Nvidia graphics cards, while FreeSync monitors only work with systems with AMD graphics cards.
Image Quality
TN displays are the fastest but also the cheapest. IPS displays have slower response times than the TN displays but have better color than VA. The monitors with VA displays are the best monitors for contrast although, they are slower in responding.
Refresh Rates
Refresh rates tell you the number of times any monitor updates information per second. It is measured in hertz (Hz) which is how many frames per second (fps) the monitor is able to display. The refresh rate is a critical deal-breaker for gamers.
You will need at least a monitor with its refresh rate at 75Hz (although most monitors give more than that) and the lowest response time possible.
Best Gaming Monitors for 2020
Dell S3220DGF
The Best Gaming Monitor
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 32 inches, 16:9 | Panel Type: VA / W-LED, edge array | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 @ 165 Hz | Refresh Rate: 165 Hz | Response Time (GTG): 4ms
Pros: High brightness and contrast, 165Hz refresh rate, Good build quality, Color-accurate
Cons: No sRGB Mode and gamma presets
The Dell S3220DGF comes in as the best gaming monitor for most gamers. It comes with a fast refresh rate, low response time, and FreeSync 2 HDR for both standard and HD content. Its 32-inch monitor gives a very large vertical screen with 1440p resolution, which is the current sweet spot between image quality and gaming performance.
It has a 1880R curve that gives a sense of immersion and it has G-Sync compatibility despite not being certified for it. It’s an amazing monitor for mid to high budget gamers. Plus it is also good for general productivity.
Acer Nitro XV273K
Our selection for the best 4K gaming monitor
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 27 inches, 16:9 | Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 4K @ 144 Hz | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz | Response Time (GTG): 4ms
Pros: It is very bright at 500 nits, 144Hz refresh rate, AccurateDCI-P3 color gamut, Solid build
Cons: Lack of dynamic contrast means that HDR looks just slightly better than SDR, Inaccurate white point in sRGB mode
The Acer Nitro XV273K is the best gaming monitor for sharp detail 4K resolution. It has both FreeSync and G-Sync which means that you can use Adaptive-Sync with AMD or Nvidia graphics cards. It keeps up with its other 144Hz counterparts with only a slight input lag in the keenest competitive gaming.
It has great image quality with its high pixel density, which is at 163 pixels per inch (PPI). It gets an extra boost of color from its DCI-P3 native color space which adds to the monitors already great image depth.
Acer XFA240
Our pick for the best gaming budget monitor
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 24 inches, 16:9 |Panel Type: TN | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz | Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Pros: Smooth tear-free gameplay, Good build quality, FreeSync and G-Sync compatible, Out-of-box color accuracy
Cons: Low pixel density, Gamma is slightly off the mark
If you are on a budget and looking for a good, affordable monitor with which you can immediately jump into gaming straight out of the box, then, look no further than the Acer XFA240. A 24-inch monitor, it is the smallest on this list but delivers very good color accuracy.
It comes along with Adaptive-Sync that can be used on both Nvidia and AMD graphics cards. Its input lag and response time competes very well with its 27-inch 144Hz rivals.
MSI Optix G27C4
A speedy budget gaming monitor
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 27 inches, 16:9 |Panel Type: VA | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Refresh Rate: 165 Hz | Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Pros: 165Hz refresh rate and blur reduction, FreeSync but can run G-Sync unofficially, Excellent contrast and very rich saturated color
Cons: No speakers or USB ports, Not very bright, No sRGB mode or standard gamma options
It is most times sold under $300, which makes it the best budget gaming laptop in the 27-inch category. It doesn’t fall far behind its rivals in an input lag test. The monitor has a 1080p resolution. It is also specced for a max brightness of just 250nits, which just about falls below the 300nits optimum value.
It has high contrast and vibrant color from its native DCI-P3 color gamut with which it delivers lush, vivacious color. Its gaming performance makes it a truly good gaming monitor.
Viotek GNV34DBE
The best-curved gaming monitor
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 34 inches, 21:9 | Panel Type: VA | Resolution: 3440 x 1440 | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz | Response Time (GTG): 4ms
Pros: Good contrast, Effective Overdrive, HDR
Cons: Requires calibration for optimum result, Wobbly stand that’s low with no height adjustment
With a 1550R curve and a reasonable price, the Viotek GNV34DBE becomes our pick for the best-curved gaming monitor. Despite its tight curve, the monitor is fit for working and has no distortion. It also has a 144Hz refresh rate and its input lag and response time can keep up with its counterparts.
It has a high pixel density in a 1440p screen and permits smooth gaming without any screen tearing thanks to its AMD FreeSync. It also comes with an edge-lit backlight that makes for a good HDR display.
With a low price, its stand has a wobbly build quality. But it is a solid deal for a speedy gaming monitor with an immersive curve.
Asus ROG Strix XG279Q
The best 1440p gaming monitor
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 27 inches, 16:9 |Panel Type: IPS | Resolution: 2560 X 1440 | Refresh Rate: 170 Hz with overclock, 144 Hz native | Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Pros: FreeSync and G-Sync support, High brightness, Excellent HDR, Blur-reduction that works with Adaptive-Sync
Cons: Needs adjustment with its default gamma and grayscale, Slight ghosting in ELMB mode
Upgrading up from 1080p to 1440p without sacrificing speed in your gaming monitor is made possible with the Asus ROG Strix XG279Q. It is the priciest of the 27-inch 1440p monitors but it definitely offers more in gaming performance. The monitor has a faster response time than the Aorus CV27Q by 1ms and has a better input lag.
A typical gamer might not notice all these, but the keenest gamers do and that’s why you won’t overlook this monitor even with its high price.
However, there is slight ghosting that will be noticed with motion blur on and blur when in overdrive mode. Plus a bit of tweaking is required for it to match your gaming setup
Aorus CV27Q
The best high-contrast 1440p gaming monitor
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 27 inches, 16:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Panel Type: VA | Refresh Rate: 165 Hz | Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Pros: Good color accuracy, Speed and responsiveness, FreeSync with HDR, It has G-Sync compatibility unofficially, Good contrast
Cons: Inaccurate sRGB mode, No image control for HDR
The Aorus CV27Q is the best 1440p gaming monitor with high-speed gaming performance. It shines in input lag and response time tests when pit against its 144Hz rivals. The image quality is also top-notch.
It has 400nits brightness and has an active noise cancellation (ANC) feature. The ANC feature uses two mics on the front bezel to reduce the noise anyone else would hear from your gaming headset.
Other Monitors, You Can Look at
- Razer Raptor 27 ( The best 144Hz gaming monitor)
- Aorus FI27Q (Best 27-inch gaming monitor)
- Samsung 27-inch CRG5 (Best 240Hz gaming monitor)
- Acer Predator CG437K (Best Big Screen gaming monitor)
