Gaming monitors vary greatly to match different gaming setups and preferences, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. However, when upgrading, some features should take priority over others.
A monitor compatible with the adaptive sync technology of your graphics card, whether it’s Nvidia’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync, offers one of the most impactful upgrades. To make the most of it, ensure your display supports adaptive sync across a wide range of refresh rates. If FreeSync activates at 48Hz and your favorite games only manage 30 frames per second, you won’t achieve the seamless, stutter-free experience you hoped for. Opt for a display with at least a 120Hz refresh rate to significantly enhance image clarity and smoothness.
Gaming at higher resolutions generally enhances visual quality—just compare a “fuzzier” 1080p display to a crisp 4K monitor. However, bigger resolutions don’t automatically guarantee better quality. If a display struggles with color accuracy, ghosting, or lag, a high resolution won’t compensate for these issues. Additionally, if your system can’t maintain high frame rates at the game’s top settings, using a 4K display may require you to reduce settings to ensure playability—a compromise that may not be worthwhile.
IPS panels, OLED screens, and similar OLED-like technologies offer excellent picture quality. To enhance your visual experience without investing in costly calibration equipment, opt for displays that come pre-calibrated from the factory. While this doesn’t ensure perfection, it significantly improves your chances of achieving great visuals.
HDR, or high dynamic range, isn’t essential for a gaming monitor, but it can significantly enhance your viewing experience, especially when watching HDR-supported movies during a gaming break. If you intend to use your monitor for various activities or plan to keep it for several years, consider choosing one with an HDR mode that supports the wide color gamuts you are likely to encounter in the future.
HDR 400 provides limited brightness and a smaller color spectrum, so it’s advisable to aim for at least HDR 600 support. HDR 1000 can offer a significantly enhanced picture quality due to its ability to support more local dimming zones. This means the monitor can create deeper contrasts by making dark scenes truly dark and bright areas very vivid. Opt for a display with an 8-bit color depth; a 10-bit display is superior, though the difference may not be noticeable.
For twitch-based shooters, low response times and minimal input lag are crucial. However, if you’re primarily playing games like Hearthstone or Satisfactory, which don’t demand quick reflexes, these factors become less significant. Fortunately, most quality gaming monitors are fast enough that you likely won’t encounter issues. Instead, you might notice problems like overshoot, where a monitor exceeds its target when shifting between colors, leading to a bothersome blurring or “ghosting” effect in motion. To ensure accurate response time and input lag data, refer to independent reviews, as manufacturers often inflate these numbers or omit them altogether.
Dell Alienware AW2721D
The best 1440p gaming monitor
For gamers who may not own the most high-end systems — which applies to many of us — the 27-inch Alienware monitor provides outstanding performance. It offers an exceptional blend of color accuracy and rapid response time that surpasses any other monitor we evaluated. This makes it an excellent choice for enhancing your gaming experience without needing the latest hardware.
Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX
Asus’ premium 4K monitor offers the best picture quality we tested, with very low input lag. It’s pricey, but it’s the best gaming monitor we’ve found. For serious gamers ready to invest, it’s the top choice.
Dell Alienware AW3423DW
The best ultrawide gaming monitor
Featuring stunning visuals and exceptional speed, this ultrawide OLED from Dell offers the quickest response times we’ve tested, ensuring an immersive experience for any gamer seeking top-tier performance.