Buying Guide
The Best 165Hz Monitors
Six monitors rated at 165Hz, from 24-inch 1080p budget screens to 4K OLED and a 5K Mini LED, compared on panel and HDR.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read6 products evaluated
165Hz sits just above the classic 144Hz tier. It shows up on budget 1080p monitors and on high-end 4K and 5K screens where bandwidth limits the refresh rate.
We compared listed specifications; we did not test these monitors.
Quick Picks
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Dual-Mode
LG UltraGear 32GX850A-B
4K at 165Hz or 1080p at 330Hz.
Best for: Mixing story games and shooters.
Our take Check price for LG UltraGear 32GX850A-B (opens in a new tab)
Best QD-OLED
MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED
A 32-inch 4K QD-OLED at 165Hz.
Best for: Dark-room gaming.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
Sharpest Screen
LG UltraGear evo 27GM950B-B
5K resolution with DisplayHDR 1000.
Best for: Creative work and gaming on one screen.
Our take Check price for LG UltraGear evo 27GM950B-B (opens in a new tab)
Best Mini LED 4K
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 32-inch
A 32-inch 4K Mini LED screen on a 1000R curve.
Best for: Avoiding OLED burn-in.
Our take Check price for Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 32-inch (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget IPS
Amazon Basics 24-inch 165Hz Gaming Monitor
A 165Hz IPS panel with VESA mounting.
Best for: A first gaming monitor.
Our take Check price for Amazon Basics 24-inch 165Hz Gaming Monitor (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Curved
Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor
A 1500R curved VA panel with a 3000:1 contrast ratio.
Best for: Dark scenes on a budget.
Our take Check price for Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Dual-Mode1 of 6
LG UltraGear 32GX850A-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
LG's 32GX850A runs 4K at 165Hz or switches to 1080p at 330Hz for fast shooters.
Best for
- Mixing story games and shooters.
Skip if
- Pass on it if oLED burn-in risk with static desktop element rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its glossy OLED finish looks punchy in a dim room but reflects more in a bright one. It matches the MAG 321UP and the Odyssey Neo G7 on screen size (32 inches). It shares a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution with the MAG 321UP and Odyssey Neo G7; the 27GM950B goes with a 5120x2880 resolution.
An OLED panel is unique to it among these picks, while the 27GM950B uses an IPS panel. Reaching 165Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk.
G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. When we checked, only the MAG 321UP and cheaper picks cost less, and the 27GM950B cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 32 inches
- Panel: OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the Westinghouse 24 Curved at the time of writing
Best QD-OLED2 of 6
MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MSI MAG 321UP is a 32-inch QD-OLED that stops at 165Hz, which keeps its price below the 240Hz models.
Best for
- Dark-room gaming.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
Its HDMI 2.1 port carries full 48Gbps bandwidth for 4K at 165Hz from a console or PC. It matches the 32GX850A and the Odyssey Neo G7 on screen size (32 inches). It shares a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution with the 32GX850A and Odyssey Neo G7; the Amazon Basics 24 goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
A QD-OLED panel is unique to it among these picks, while the 27GM950B uses an IPS panel. No other pick in this guide offers a FreeSync Premium Pro; compare the Westinghouse 24 Curved, which has a FreeSync. Reaching 165Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K.
Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. When we checked, only the Odyssey Neo G7 and cheaper picks cost less, and the 32GX850A cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 32 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- FreeSync Premium Pro to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the Westinghouse 24 Curved at the time of writing
Sharpest Screen3 of 6
LG UltraGear evo 27GM950B-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
LG's 27GM950B packs 5K resolution into 27 inches with a Mini LED backlight of 9,216 LEDs and a DisplayHDR 1000 certification.
Best for
- Creative work and gaming on one screen.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Westinghouse 24 Curved was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
At 165Hz it trades refresh rate for sharpness and brightness. Its 27 inches screen size ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the 32GX850A (32 inches) and ahead of the Amazon Basics 24 (23.8 inches). A 5120x2880 resolution is unique to it among these picks, while the Westinghouse 24 Curved uses a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
It shares an IPS panel with the Amazon Basics 24; the MAG 321UP goes with a QD-OLED panel. It also offers 5K resolution for very sharp text at 27 inches. At our last price check it topped the group, with the 32GX850A the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 5120x2880
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- HDR: DisplayHDR 1000
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- Mini LED backlight with 9,216 LEDs
Cons
- Costs more than the Westinghouse 24 Curved at the time of writing
Best Mini LED 4K4 of 6
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 32-inch on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's Odyssey Neo G7 uses a Mini LED backlight behind a 32-inch 4K screen at 165Hz.
Best for
- Avoiding OLED burn-in.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Westinghouse 24 Curved, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The 1000R curve is steep for a 16:9 monitor, and its Quantum HDR2000 label is Samsung's own rating rather than a VESA tier. It reaches 2,000 nits peak with Quantum HDR 2000, and CoreSync lighting on the back matches on-screen colours. The 1000R curve fills your view.
It matches the 32GX850A and the MAG 321UP on screen size (32 inches). It shares a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution with the 32GX850A and MAG 321UP; the Westinghouse 24 Curved goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. Reaching 165Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K.
G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. When we checked, only the Amazon Basics 24 and cheaper picks cost less, and the MAG 321UP cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 32 inches
- Response: 1ms
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium Pro to reduce screen tearing
- Mini LED backlight Samsung calls Quantum Matrix
Cons
- Costs more than the Westinghouse 24 Curved at the time of writing
Best Budget IPS5 of 6
Amazon Basics 24-inch 165Hz Gaming Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Amazon Basics 24-inch monitor is a plain 1080p IPS screen at 165Hz with adaptive sync.
Best for
- A first gaming monitor.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the 32GX850A offers 32 inches.
Why we like it
It has little beyond that, which suits a first gaming monitor on a tight budget. Its 23.8 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the 32GX850A leads at 32 inches. It shares a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution with the Westinghouse 24 Curved; the MAG 321UP goes with a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
It shares an IPS panel with the 27GM950B; the 32GX850A goes with an OLED panel. It also offers VESA mounting. At 1080p, 165Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. When we checked, only the Westinghouse 24 Curved cost less, and the Odyssey Neo G7 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 23.8 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- Adaptive sync support
- VESA mounting
Cons
- Screen size trails the 32GX850A (32 inches)
- Costs more than the Westinghouse 24 Curved at the time of writing
Best Budget Curved6 of 6
Westinghouse 24-inch Curved 165Hz Gaming Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Westinghouse's 24-inch curved monitor uses a VA panel with a 3000:1 contrast ratio and a 165Hz refresh rate.
Best for
- Dark scenes on a budget.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: a VA panel that can smear dark transitions.
Why we like it
It adds built-in speakers and FreeSync at one of the lowest prices here. Its 24 inches screen size ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the 32GX850A (32 inches) and ahead of the Amazon Basics 24 (23.8 inches). It shares a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution with the Amazon Basics 24; the Odyssey Neo G7 goes with a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
You get a VA panel here, which sets it apart from the Amazon Basics 24 and its an IPS panel. It is the only pick here with a FreeSync; the MAG 321UP has a FreeSync Premium Pro instead. It also comes with a 1500R curved screen.
At 1080p, 165Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. It cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the Amazon Basics 24 the next step up. It gives ground on refresh rate, where the 32GX850A offers 165Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24 inches
- Panel: VA
- Response: 1ms
- Color gamut: 110% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 110% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
- 3000:1 contrast ratio from its VA panel
Cons
- a VA panel that can smear dark transitions
- Screen size of 24 inches, behind the 32GX850A (32 inches)
How We Chose These 165Hz Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- HDR and colour
- We recorded DisplayHDR certifications and listed colour gamut.
- Resolution and refresh
- We compared listed resolution and refresh rate against the graphics power each needs.
- Panel
- We noted panel type and the trade-offs it brings for motion, contrast and burn-in.
- Connectivity and stand
- We checked ports, USB-C and stand adjustment where the listing states them.
What to Look for in a 165Hz Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Choose a refresh rate you can reach
A higher refresh rate only helps when your PC delivers matching frame rates. 144Hz to 180Hz suits most players; 240Hz and above rewards competitive shooters.
Match resolution to your graphics card
1080p suits entry and mid-range cards and high refresh rates. 1440p is the balance for most gaming PCs. 4K needs a high-end card to hold high frame rates.
Pick the resolution your card can drive before looking at refresh rate.
Pick the panel type
IPS offers wide viewing angles and good colour. VA has higher contrast but slower dark transitions. OLED has perfect blacks and very fast response but carries a burn-in risk with static content.
Size for your desk distance
24 to 25 inches suits 1080p and competitive play at a typical desk. 27 inches pairs well with 1440p and 4K; 32 inches suits 4K at a deeper desk.
Consider the stand
A stand with height, tilt and swivel adjustment saves buying a monitor arm. Check VESA mounting if you plan to use one anyway.
Read HDR labels carefully
HDR10 means the monitor accepts an HDR signal, not that it displays it well. DisplayHDR 600 or True Black 400 certifications say more about real HDR performance.
How to Choose a 165Hz Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing story games and shooters | 32GX850A | 4K at 165Hz or 1080p at 330Hz |
| Dark-room gaming | MAG 321UP | A 32-inch 4K QD-OLED at 165Hz |
| Creative work and gaming on one screen | 27GM950B | 5K resolution with DisplayHDR 1000 |
| Avoiding OLED burn-in | Odyssey Neo G7 | A 32-inch 4K Mini LED screen on a 1000R curve |
| A first gaming monitor | Amazon Basics 24 | A 165Hz IPS panel with VESA mounting |
| Dark scenes on a budget | Westinghouse 24 Curved | A 1500R curved VA panel with a 3000:1 contrast ratio |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32GX850A | 165Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | OLED |
| MAG 321UP | 165Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | QD-OLED |
| 27GM950B | 165Hz | 5120x2880 | 27 inches | IPS |
| Odyssey Neo G7 | 165Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | Not listed |
| Amazon Basics 24 | 165Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 23.8 inches | IPS |
| Westinghouse 24 Curved | 165Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24 inches | VA |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Westinghouse 24 Curved |
| About $100 to $150 | Amazon Basics 24 |
| About $500 to $1000 | Odyssey Neo G7, MAG 321UP, 32GX850A, 27GM950B |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OLED burn-in still a problem?
It is a risk with static elements over many hours. Current OLED monitors use pixel-refresh routines to reduce it; check the maker's warranty for burn-in coverage.
Should I use HDMI or DisplayPort?
On a PC, DisplayPort usually supports the highest refresh rates. HDMI 2.1 is equivalent and needed for consoles.
Do I need a GPU that matches the refresh rate?
To benefit fully, yes. A 240Hz monitor still feels smoother at 150fps than a 144Hz one, but the gains shrink when frame rates are far below the refresh rate.
Does a FreeSync monitor work with an NVIDIA card?
Most do as G-SYNC Compatible over DisplayPort. Check the product page or NVIDIA's compatibility list for the model.
Is 1080p fine on a 27-inch monitor?
It works, but text and detail look softer. 1440p is sharper at 27 inches; 1080p is best at 24 to 25 inches.
Does a 1ms response time rating matter?
Makers measure response time differently, so compare panel type and independent reviews rather than the headline figure.
Bottom Line
LG's 32GX850A is the most flexible 165Hz monitor here, and MSI's MAG 321UP is the value QD-OLED. LG's 27GM950B suits creative work, and the Amazon Basics and Westinghouse screens cover tight budgets.