The best gaming monitors in 2024

Sony Inzone M9 gaming monitor sitting on desk next to PS5 with display on
(Image credit: Future)

Buying one of the best gaming monitors can take your gameplay experiences to another level. Those of you lucky enough to own one of the best gaming PCs will want one of the finest gaming displays to make the best PC games look as good as they can. If you're splurging all the money on a top of the line rig, a similarly top-tier gaming monitor is a must-buy purchase your battered bank account will just have to endure. 

The best gaming panels produce punchy colors at high resolutions, while many premium models also offer up ludicrously speedy refresh rates should you fancy yourself a future eSports champ in the making.  

We assembled our list of the best gaming monitors below by thoroughly testing some of the finest models on the market. So whether you want to hook one of these displays up to a high-end gaming PC, a PS5 or Xbox Series X, you’ll find a gaming monitor to suit your needs on this page.  

The best gaming monitors you can buy today

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Razer Raptor 27 on white background

(Image credit: Razer)
The best gaming monitor overall

Specifications

Dimensions: 24.2 x 15.3 x 7.5 inches
Screen Size: 27 inches
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
Inputs: DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C
Response Time: 1ms
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Panel Type: IPS
Weight: 20.9 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Gorgeous display
+
Smart design
+
Straightforward menus

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive compared to others on this list
-
Requires USB-C for customization

The Razer Raptor 27 is currently our pick for the best gaming monitor overall. This 27-inch screen displays gorgeous colors with stunning accuracy, at crisp quad-HD resolutions. You can run games at more than 100 frames per second, thanks to the Raptor 27’s fast 144 Hz refresh rate. At 2560 x 1440 pixels, the screen is high-res enough to display gorgeous images, but not so high-res that you’ll need an incredibly powerful PC to make the most of it. In other words, it’s a nearly perfect midpoint of performance and accessibility.

The only real downside to the Raptor 27 is that it’s expensive, especially compared to other quad HD monitors. But you’re also paying for the monitor’s excellent physical design, which makes the ports extremely easy to access, and the cables very simple to manage.

Read our full Razer Raptor 27 review.

Best gaming monitors: Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best budget gaming monitor

Specifications

Screen Size: 28 inches
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
Inputs: DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-A, USB-B, 3.5 mm audio

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful color palette
+
Sharp resolution and fast refresh rate
+
Ideal for both PCs and consoles

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly dark console HDR
-
No USB-C connectivity

Calling the Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A a 'budget' monitor when it often ranges between $530 to $750 depending on sales might sound strange. Yet in our book, a top-tier 4K monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and two HDMI 2.1 ports is damn good value for money.

Apart from its reasonable price, the VG28UQL1A is simply a gorgeous unit, with some of the richest and most accurate colors of any gaming display we've tested. The screen's HDR capabilities are almost unmatched, especially the way it handles reds, oranges and pinks. This panel even boasts good speakers, which not many gaming monitors can claim.

Read our full Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A review.

Best gaming monitors: Dell 32 4K UHD Gaming Monitor G3223Q

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best 4K gaming monitor

Specifications

Screen Size: 32 inches
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
Inputs: DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-A, USB-B, 3.5 mm audio

Reasons to buy

+
Great display
+
Vibrant HDR mode
+
Lots of ports

Reasons to avoid

-
No USB-C connections
-
High price compared to similar monitors

The Dell 32 4K UHD Gaming Monitor G3223Q is a brilliant screen that's also easy to setup. One of the most straightforward monitors we reviewed, this baby is a joy to game on. This 32-inch monitor isn’t showy or complicated. It’s just a plain-looking monitor with a large, sturdy stand that boasts absolutely gorgeous picture quality. While a 32-inch monitor won’t fit every desk, and an $800 monitor won’t fit every budget, the G3223Q gets just about everything right from a technical perspective.

One big advantage of the G3223Q is that it renders vivid colors in either standard or HDR modes. As such, you can experiment with Windows 11's HDR options if you're playing on one of the best gaming PCs. There are plenty of picture mode presets to choose from, too. 

Read our full Dell 32 4K UHD Gaming Monitor G3223Q review.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G8

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best for gaming and productivity

Specifications

Dimensions: 32.3 x 7.3 x 18.0 inches
Screen Size: 34 inches
Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
Refresh Rate: 175Hz
Inputs: 1x Mini DP 2, 1x Micro HDMI, 2x USB-C
Response Time: 0.03ms
Aspect Ratio: 21:9
Panel Type: OLED
Weight: 16.5 lbs with stand

Reasons to buy

+
Immersive 34-inch curved display
+
Vivid, sharp picture quality
+
Elegant design

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricier than competition
-
Poor speaker quality

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is a stylish OLED curved gaming monitor that’s a serious rival for the Alienware AW3423DWF. Like that monitor, the Odyssey OLED G8 features an immersive 34-inch curved display with stunning picture quality. Its fast 175Hz refresh rate and low 0.03ms response time deliver solid performance, especially for games that require quick reflexes. Add Samsung’s smart TV and gaming hub apps, and you have one of the best curved monitors and best gaming monitors we’ve reviewed.

While pricey at $1,799, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is an overall brilliant gaming monitor.

Read our full Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 review.

LG Ultra Gear 27GR95QE

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best low-latency gaming monitor

Specifications

Dimensions: 23.8 x 22.6 x 10.2 inches (w/ stand)
Screen Size: 27 inches
Resolution: 2,560 x 1440
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Inputs: 2 HDMI 2.1, 1 DisplayPort, 2 USB-A, 1 SPDIF, 1 headphone jack
Response Time: 0.03ms
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Panel Type: OLED
Weight: 16.2 lbs with stand

Reasons to buy

+
Stunning picture quality
+
Fast refresh rate and low latency
+
Elegant, nondescript design

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't get very bright
-
Lose the remote and you lose some features

The LG UltraGear 27GR95QE-B ($999) is one of the most gorgeous gaming monitors we’ve seen yet. That’s good news considering we’ve been eager to test this OLED monitor since LG first announced it late in 2022.

But what makes the LG UltraGear 27GR95QE-B so great? It has a fairly subdued design for a gaming monitor. And at 27 inches, it’s not exactly huge. What sets it apart is its jaw-dropping visual fidelity provided by the 2.5K OLED display. Games look phenomenal on this monitor, as does streaming content. The super fast 0.03ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate also deliver an enjoyable gaming experience. The fact it’s less than $1,000 is also a big deal.

The monitor isn't perfect, however. It's considerably dimmer than some of its competitors, and the fact you can't access all menu options without a remote is also troubling. The astonishing picture quality and speedy performance mostly help you overlook these deficiencies, but they're still worth pointing out.

Read our full LG UltraGear 27 review.

Alienware 34 AW3423DWF

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best curved QD-OLED gaming monitor

Specifications

Dimensions: 16.36 / 20.69 x 32.10 x 12.04 inches (with stand)
Screen Size: 34 inches
Resolution: 3440 x 1440
Refresh Rate: 165Hz (DisplayPort), 120Hz (HDMI)
Inputs: 1 HDMI, 2 DisplayPort, 4 USB-A, audio line-out, headphone
Response Time: 1ms
Aspect Ratio: 21:9
Panel Type: Quantum Dot
Weight: 21 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent image quality
+
Cheaper than original model
+
Thinner, lighter design
+
Fast refresh rate and low latency

Reasons to avoid

-
A minor update at best

The Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED addresses some of the issues we had with the original model. The lower price is solid, as is the inclusion of HDMI 2.1 support. Even if it’s only an overall minor upgrade, the improvements objectively make it a stronger product.

With that said, it’s difficult to recommend this monitor to those who already bought the original version. HDMI 2.1 support is nice, but it’s not worth upgrading — especially if you primarily play PC games. And as we said, few console games even support 120Hz. If you own the AW3423DW then you’re not missing out on much.

But given how the AW3423DWF costs $1,099, it’s now an easier device to recommend to newcomers.

Read our full review of the Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED.

Sony Inzone M9 on a desk with hands in frame holding controller, a PS5 game onscreen

(Image credit: Future)
The best gaming monitor if you also own a PS5

Specifications

Dimensions:
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Screen Size: 27 inches
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Inputs: 1 headphone jack, 3 USB-A, 1 USB-B, 1 USB-C, 1 Display port, 2 HDMI 2.1
Response Time: 1ms
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Panel Type: IPS
Weight: 15 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Sharp and vibrant display
+
Buttery smooth 144Hz refresh rate
+
Stylish and minimal design
+
Great for PC and PS5 games
+
Competitively priced

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't rotate monitor 90 degrees
-
Weak bass on built-in speakers

The Sony Inzone M9 gaming monitor is a fantastic device for both PC and PS5 games. At $899, this striking 27-inch 4K 144Hz gaming monitor is a great buy for anyone who plays games on PC or PlayStation 5. If you happen to do both, and want to do them on the same display, the M9 is for you.

It's also something of an oddity. It’s a Sony-manufactured gaming device from a hardware division called Inzone that’s independent of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony's games division. And while Inzone isn’t specifically producing hardware for the PS5, you wouldn't guess it by looking at the M9, which sports the same aesthetic as Sony's latest console. However, Sony is clearly targeting PC gamers (along with PS5 users) with this device, with its plethora of ports and 1ms response time. The built-in speakers can't offer much in the bass department, but that's a pretty minor ding on an otherwise excellent monitor. 

Read our full Sony Inzone M9 review.

Acer Predator XB323QK NV gaming monitor w/ Death sTranding running onscreen

(Image credit: Future)
The best 32-inch 4K 144Hz gaming monitor

Specifications

Dimensions: 28.18 x 12.16 x 21 inches
Screen Size: 31.5 inches
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
Inputs: DisplayPort, HDMI 2.1, USB Type-A/B/C
Response Time: 1ms
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Panel Type: IPS
Weight: 31.8 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Bright, beautiful 4K 144Hz display
+
Simple, well-designed stand
+
LED backlighting helps it look good on a desk
+
HDMI 2.1 ports support PS5/Xbox Series X display features

Reasons to avoid

-
Inconvenient port placement
-
Poor speakers

The Acer Predator XB323QK is a great 32-inch 4K gaming monitor that also supports Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. If you can afford it, this 144Hz display is well-suited for work and play, though having most of the ports located on the bottom lip makes swapping out consoles or cables a real pain in the neck.

This big, beautiful display also comes with some neat features, like a customizable LED backlight and a slew of modes and display options you can use to finetune the performance when playing your favorite games. There are even a pair of built-in speakers, though the tinny sound quality will motivate you to invest in a pair of headphones or the best computer speakers.  

Read our full Acer Predator XB323QK review.

Acer Predator X32 FP

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The best mini-LED gaming monitor

Specifications

Dimensions: 28.6 x 22.5 x 10.3 inches
Screen Size: 32 inches
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160)
Refresh rates: 160Hz
Input: 4x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort, 1x USB-C, 4x USB-A, 1x USB-B, 1x headphone jack
Response time: 1ms
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Panel type: Mini LED
Weight: 22.6 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Aggressive design
+
Bold colors
+
Sharp 4K fidelity
+
Fast performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricier than the competition

The Acer Predator X32 FP ($1,499) gaming monitor balances stunning visual fidelity and rock-solid performance. This 32-inch behemoth features a gorgeous 4K mini-LED 160Hz display that’s both crisp and colorful. On top of that, the monitor comes with a ton of ports and an aggressive design that demands attention.

This is one of best gaming monitors out there thanks to its blazing-fast performance, smooth refresh rate and vibrant visuals. It takes up a lot of space on one’s desk, but the monitor’s large display helps draw you into the games you’re playing.

While more affordable options exist, the Predator X32 FP is still a great gaming monitor. It just might be a good idea to wait for a price drop before buying this premium device.

Read our full Acer Predator X32 FP gaming monitor review.

Alienware 500Hz gaming monitor

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
The fastest gaming monitor ever

Specifications

Dimensions: 15.37 / 19.71 x 21.86 x 9.60 inches
Screen Size: 24.5 inches
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Refresh rates: 500Hz (OC) / 480Hz (native)
Input: 2 HDMI 2.1, 1 DisplayPort, 4 USB-A, 1 USB-B, 1 headphone jack, 1 line-out port
Response time: 0.5ms
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Panel type: Fast IPS
Weight: 14.9 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Fast gaming performance
+
Sleek, nondescript design
+
Handy retractable headset hanger
+
Small footprint on desk

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive compared to other 24-inch monitors
-
No speakers
-
Lacks bigger size options

The Alienware 500Hz gaming monitor wants to be the ultimate monitor for Esports professionals. If you need the highest possible refresh rate and a super-low response time, the AW2524H delivers the goods. With support for up to 500 frames per second (if you overclock it) and a low 0.5ms response time, this is one of the fastest gaming monitors on the market.

If you mainly play single-player games or if you’re content playing Call of Duty with your friends, you don’t need the Alienware 500Hz gaming monitor. But if you’re super serious about framerates or an Esports professional, then this is arguably the monitor for you.

Read our full Alienware 500Hz (AW2524H) review.

How to choose the best gaming monitor for you

The criteria for picking a gaming monitor is a bit different from choosing the best monitors overall. Determining the best gaming monitor for your needs comes down to three major factors: resolution, refresh rate and price.

Resolution: How much resolution you need depends on how powerful your PC is. Extremely powerful machines can run games at 4K resolutions (3840 x 2160 pixels), which means you'll probably want to pony up for a more elaborate monitor. Cheaper machines pair better with 1080p monitors, while those in-between can run at quad-HD resolutions.

Refresh rate: Refresh rate is similar, in that more powerful machines will need monitors with higher refresh rates. While refresh rate and frames per second are not exactly the same thing, it's useful to think of them in the same terms when choosing a monitor. Is your PC powerful enough to get 60 frames per second during gameplay? 120 frames per second? More? The higher the refresh rate, the higher number of frames per second the monitor can support.

Price: Price is pretty self-explanatory. Just remember that more expensive monitors will be useful for longer periods of time. A good screen can last for a decade or more, and if you decide to buy or build a new machine in the future, you may not need to replace a monitor that's sufficiently advanced.

How we test gaming monitors

To test our best gaming monitors, we employ a colorimeter and benchmarking software to measure a monitor's color accuracy, contrast and brightness. A monitor's brightness refers to how many nits of luminosity it can output; its color accuracy (or Delta-E) measures how lifelike its colors are; its color gamut represents how great a variety of the spectrum it can display. We can also measure a monitor's latency, and try to push it to its limits in terms of game frame rates.

Qualitatively, we run each monitor through both productivity and gaming tests. You’re not going to switch monitors each time you need to open a word processor, watch a video or send an e-mail, so every monitor on this list must be sharp and responsive for everyday use. As far as gaming goes, we run each monitor through games in a variety of genres, including FPS, RTS, MOBA, RPG and MMO, in order to ensure that it doesn’t favor one genre at another’s expense.

Dave Meikleham
UK Computing Editor

Dave is a computing editor at Tom’s Guide and covers everything from cutting edge laptops to ultrawide monitors. When he’s not worrying about dead pixels, Dave enjoys regularly rebuilding his PC for absolutely no reason at all. In a previous life, he worked as a video game journalist for 15 years, with bylines across GamesRadar+, PC Gamer and TechRadar. Despite owning a graphics card that costs roughly the same as your average used car, he still enjoys gaming on the go and is regularly glued to his Switch. Away from tech, most of Dave’s time is taken up by walking his husky, buying new TVs at an embarrassing rate and obsessing over his beloved Arsenal.