Best gaming monitor in 2022

The best gaming monitor might offer a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time at 1080p for a great price, or it might boast 4K resolution in an ultrawide format. There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to displays, as it’ll depend on what genre of game you play, how much you’re wanting to spend, and the size of the screen itself.

There are a few questions you need to ask yourself first to narrow down your selection. Do you favour image quality over lightning-fast pixel response? Do you need Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync? Does it even matter now that Nvidia supports FreeSync?

Then there are different panel technologies. TN panels have a high refresh rate but aren’t as colourful as IPS panels, which in turn don’t have as good a contrast as VA panels. And to top it off, you have resolution versus aspect ratio – 16:9 being the norm most movies and TV are filmed at and 21:9 being the extra-long ultrawides that have risen in popularity. Much like resolution, 21:9 increases the pixel count, which will be more demanding on even the best graphics card, which is worth keeping in mind.

And that’s where we come in, with our expert eyes and obsessive hunger for the very best panels picking out the very best gaming monitor from the duds.

Here are the best monitors for gaming:

1. Best gaming monitor

The best gaming monitor is the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD.

This 27-inch panel from MSI perfectly matches the definition of a gaming monitor with a 1ms response time and 165Hz refresh rate. Great image quality and a wide viewing angle come courtesy of the 1440p IPS panel with HDR support to really make those colours pop. While VA panels may traditionally give deeper colours, the Quantum Dot technology helps this IPS screen along.

Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync which is perfect for pairing with letting you stay locked to that 165Hz refresh rate without screen tearing, but without the latency you’ll experience with conventional Vsync. To hit these frame rates in the latest titles, you’ll want to make sure you have the right graphics card to match. In terms of ports, you get two HDMI and one DisplayPort, as well as extra USB inputs allowing your monitor to act as a USB hub for accessories.

Read the PCGamesN MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD review for our full verdict and score.

What we like…

• Vivid colours
• Butter smooth 165Hz refresh rate
• Wide viewing angles

2. Best cheap gaming monitor

The best cheap gaming monitor is the Acer Nitro VG240Y.

This is a bargainous monitor from Acer, but don’t think that makes it unsuitable for gaming. You’re getting a 1080p 24-inch display with a top-class 1ms response time, and its 75Hz refresh rate offers an increase of 25% over a standard 60Hz panel. IPS technology means you’ll get great viewing angles and the best colour reproduction available, which is pretty impressive at this price – not to mention AMD FreeSync support.

Despite its low price tag, there’s no compromise on design, with a near bezel-less edge-to-edge screen and a swanky red and black stand – which can be adjusted for tilt for improved ergonomics.

What we like…

• The price
• Edge-to-edge screen
• IPS viewing angles

3. Best G-Sync monitor

The best G-Sync monitor is the LG 27GL83A-B.

This 27-inch, 1440p edge-to-edge IPS screen from LG is the best choice for a responsive, lag-free monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and LG’s own ‘Dynamic Action Sync’, which reduces input lag when enabled.

Not only has this monitor got a smooth picture – the display has outstanding visuals thanks to its HDR 10 support and a 99% sRGB colour gamut. If you do any kind of photo editing in addition to gaming then this is the perfect choice for you. Great ergonomics come from a fully adjustable stand for height and tilt.

What we like…

• G-sync support
• Colour accuracy
• HDR support

4. Best FreeSync monitor

The best FreeSync monitor is the Asus ROG Strix XG32VQR.

This here Asus Strix screen replaces one of the finest FreeSync gaming monitors we’ve ever tested, the Asus ROG Strix XG32VQ, so you can be damned sure it’s a fine pick by today’s standards. With a superior VA panel to its predecessor, it offers a bright and colourful 1440p, 144Hz picture enhanced by HDR.

With Nvidia giving in to the pressures of adaptive sync, AMD Freesync panels like this one are of even greater value to gamers nowadays – even if HDR is still a big mess on Windows. And not to worry, it’s still got all those lovely RGB LEDs on the rear of the monitor and shining brightly from underneath the stand.

Read the PCGamesN Asus ROG Strix XG32VQR review for our full verdict and score.

What we like…

• Superb VA panel
• Responsive 144Hz refresh rate
• AMD FreeSync 2 HDR

5. Best 4K monitor

The best 4K monitor is the Eve Spectrum 4K 144Hz.

For years, 4K resolution has either remained burdened with a lower refresh rate or stuck with a cost that will make your bank account cry. Eve crowdsourced the funding to develop the Eve Spectrum to change all of this, introducing a monitor that’s ready and willing to show you all the frames your system’s capable of for a more palatable price tag.

One of three models to choose from, the Eve Spectrum 4K 144Hz is packed to the nines with features, including HDMI 2.1 support, VESA Display HDR600 with 700 nits of brightness, and FreeSync Premium Pro with certified G-Sync Compatibility; all hidden behind a 27-inch IPS panel. It might seem small, but we also have to give a special shout-out to the stand, which has the smallest footprint we’ve seen to date, and is entirely optional – saving you money if you simply want to clamp it.

Read the PCGamesN Eve Spectrum 4K 144Hz review for our full verdict and score.

What we like…

• Cinematic visuals
• HDR support
• 4K resolution at a high refresh rate

6. Best HDR monitor

The best HDR monitor is the Alienware AW3423DW.

High dynamic range can be more transformative than resolution when it comes to gaming, and there’s none better at it than the Alienware AW3423DW. Armed with a QD-OLED panel, the ultrawide gaming monitor features 1,000 nits peak brightness, and an infinite contrast ratio. All of this contributes to an unrivalled HDR performance, and it’s much cheaper than its competitors to boot.

Its 21:9 panel boasts a native resolution of 3440×1440, a whopping 175Hz refresh rate, and a 0.1ms response time that all make for a wonderfully responsive gaming experience.

Read the PCGamesN Alienware AW3423DW review for our full verdict and score.

What we like…

• The first QD-OLED monitor to hit the market
• Ultrawide 21:9 1440p resolution with a 175Hz refresh rate
• Infinite contrast ratio and 1,000 nits peak brightness

7. Best 1440p gaming monitor

The best 1440p gaming monitor is the BenQ EX3501R.

BenQ’s EX3501R is the perfect monitor for an immersive 1440p gaming experience, with its 1440p curved VA panel, support for HDR, and a 100Hz refresh rate. AMD FreeSync support for compatible graphics cards reduces screen tearing without any latency hit, and while the response time is not the best here, at 4ms, it’s still decent for the ultrawide market.

A VA panel does have some advantages over IPS, despite the reduced viewing angle. VA gives you a much higher contrast ratio than an IPS panel, with darker blacks. Connections include two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, and a single USB C port that lets you easily hook up your laptop for display and charging with just one cable.

Read the PCGamesN BenQ EX3501R review for our full verdict and score.

What we like…

• Eye-popping colours
• 100Hz refresh rate
• Near bezel-less display

8. Best ultrawide gaming monitor

The best ultrawide monitor is the Samsung CRG9.

This monstrous curved 49-inch panel is great for a highly immersive experience in the latest open world games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2.

It has a 32:9 aspect ratio, and is basically the equivalent of two 27-inch 1440p monitors stuck together with a steep 1000R curve. It comes at a premium price, but it has more features than you can shake a stick at with an unprecedented 240Hz refresh rate, QLED panel, and HDR1000. Combine that with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, and it even gives out top pick a run for its money.

What we like…

• Massive 49-inch panel
• 240Hz refresh rate
• AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync support