Buying Guide
The Best 4K 144Hz Gaming Monitors
Six 4K gaming monitors from 144Hz to 240Hz compared on panel, dual modes, HDR and ports, for high-end graphics cards.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read6 products evaluated
A 4K monitor at 144Hz or more gives sharp detail and smooth motion, but only with a high-end graphics card behind it. Several now switch to 1080p at double the refresh rate for shooters.
We compared six 4K monitors on refresh, panel, dual modes, HDR and ports, working from each maker's listing.
Quick Picks
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best 4K IPS
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B
4K at 180Hz with a 1080p 360Hz dual mode.
Best for: 4K gaming with a fast competitive mode.
Our take Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
GIGABYTE MO27U2
The highest refresh rate here (240Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE MO27U2 (opens in a new tab)
Best Stand
MSI MAG 274UPF E2
Height, swivel and pivot adjustment at 4K 160Hz.
Best for: Desks without a monitor arm.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG 274UPF E2 (opens in a new tab)
Best for Laptops
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR
USB-C with a 3-year warranty.
Best for: Sharing the screen with a laptop.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR (opens in a new tab)
Best Value
GIGABYTE M27UP
4K at 160Hz with DisplayHDR 400 at a lower price.
Best for: 4K high-refresh on a budget.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE M27UP (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K
The Odyssey G7 runs 4K at 144Hz with DisplayHDR 400 and Samsung's smart features.
Best for: Buyers who want 144hz for smoother motion than a 60hz office screen.
Our take Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4K at 180Hz with a 1080p 360Hz dual mode. | 4K gaming with a fast competitive mode. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest refresh rate here (240Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for GIGABYTE MO27U2 (opens in a new tab) |
| Height, swivel and pivot adjustment at 4K 160Hz. | Desks without a monitor arm. | Check price for MSI MAG 274UPF E2 (opens in a new tab) |
| USB-C with a 3-year warranty. | Sharing the screen with a laptop. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR (opens in a new tab) |
| 4K at 160Hz with DisplayHDR 400 at a lower price. | 4K high-refresh on a budget. | Check price for GIGABYTE M27UP (opens in a new tab) |
| The Odyssey G7 runs 4K at 144Hz with DisplayHDR 400 and Samsung's smart features. | Buyers who want 144hz for smoother motion than a 60hz office screen. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best 4K IPS1 of 6
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 27G810A runs 4K at 180Hz and switches to 1080p at 360Hz for shooters, with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayHDR 400.
Best for
- 4K gaming with a fast competitive mode.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the XG27UCSR was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It covers both uses on one screen. Its 180Hz refresh rate ranks second of 6 here, behind the MO27U2 (240Hz) and ahead of the Odyssey G7 27 (144Hz). Like the XG27UCSR and Odyssey G7 27, it has an IPS panel, while the MO27U2 uses a QD-OLED panel.
Like the M27UP and Odyssey G7 27, it has a DisplayHDR 400, while the MAG 274UPF uses an HDR 400. Like the XG27UCSR, it has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, while the MO27U2 uses a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut. Reaching 180Hz 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. On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper MAG 274UPF and the pricier MO27U2, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 400
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium
- Stand: swivel and pivot
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the XG27UCSR at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh2 of 6
GIGABYTE MO27U2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MO27U2 uses a QD-OLED panel at 4K and 240Hz, the fastest here, with 99% DCI-P3.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
It needs a top-end card to use it fully. Nothing else here matches its 240Hz refresh rate; the 27G810A comes closest at 180Hz. No other pick in this guide offers a QD-OLED panel; compare the MAG 274UPF, which has a rapid IPS panel.
No other pick in this guide offers a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut; compare the M27UP, which has a 125% sRGB color gamut. Reaching 240Hz 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. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the 27G810A and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the XG27UCSR at the time of writing
Best Stand3 of 6
MSI MAG 274UPF E2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MAG 274UPF gives 4K at 160Hz with a fully adjustable stand.
Best for
- Desks without a monitor arm.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the XG27UCSR was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is a straightforward, well-equipped IPS choice. On refresh rate it ties with the XG27UCSR and the M27UP at 160Hz. You get a rapid IPS panel here, which sets it apart from the Odyssey G7 27 and its an IPS panel.
You get an HDR 400 here, which sets it apart from the M27UP and its a DisplayHDR 400. Reaching 160Hz 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. It was priced above the Odyssey G7 27 and below the 27G810A at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Rapid IPS
- HDR: HDR 400
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync, G-SYNC Compatible
- Stand: height, swivel and pivot adjustment
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a Rapid IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- FreeSync, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the XG27UCSR at the time of writing
Best for Laptops4 of 6
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XG27UCSR adds USB-C and a dual mode at 1080p 324Hz, with ASUS's 3-year warranty.
Best for
- Sharing the screen with a laptop.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: refresh rate of 160Hz, behind the MO27U2 (240Hz).
Why we like it
It matches the MAG 274UPF and the M27UP on refresh rate (160Hz). Like the 27G810A and Odyssey G7 27, it has an IPS panel, while the M27UP uses a SuperSpeed IPS panel. Like the 27G810A, it has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, while the MO27U2 uses a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut.
Reaching 160Hz 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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the M27UP was the next step up. The main gap: refresh rate of 160Hz, behind the MO27U2 (240Hz). If that matters, the MO27U2 offers 240Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 0.3ms
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- USB-C: Yes
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Refresh rate of 160Hz, behind the MO27U2 (240Hz)
Best Value5 of 6
GIGABYTE M27UP on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The M27UP offers 4K at 160Hz with DisplayHDR 400 and a 1080p 320Hz mode at a lower price.
Best for
- 4K high-refresh on a budget.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the XG27UCSR, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it ties with the MAG 274UPF and the XG27UCSR at 160Hz. A SuperSpeed IPS panel is unique to it among these picks, while the MO27U2 uses a QD-OLED panel. It shares a DisplayHDR 400 with the 27G810A and Odyssey G7 27; the MAG 274UPF goes with an HDR 400.
A 125% sRGB color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the MO27U2 uses a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut. Reaching 160Hz 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. When we checked, only the XG27UCSR cost less, and the Odyssey G7 27 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: SuperSpeed IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 400
- Color gamut: 125% sRGB
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a SuperSpeed IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 125% sRGB colour coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the XG27UCSR at the time of writing
Worth Considering6 of 6
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Odyssey G7 runs 4K at 144Hz with DisplayHDR 400 and Samsung's smart features.
Best for
- Buyers who want 144hz for smoother motion than a 60hz office screen.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the MO27U2 offers 240Hz.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it trails the group at 144Hz, while the MO27U2 offers 240Hz. It shares an IPS panel with the 27G810A and XG27UCSR; the MAG 274UPF goes with a rapid IPS panel. You get a swivel stand here, which sets it apart from the 27G810A and its a swivel and pivot stand.
It also comes with Samsung's smart-monitor features listed alongside gaming modes. Reaching 144Hz 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 M27UP and cheaper picks cost less, and the MAG 274UPF cost more. Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the MO27U2 covers it better at 240Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 400
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium
- Stand: swivel
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the MO27U2 (240Hz)
- Costs more than the XG27UCSR at the time of writing
How We Chose These 4K 144Hz 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 4K 144Hz Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Check ports and cables
High refresh rates at 1440p and 4K need DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1. Consoles need HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120Hz.
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.
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.
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.
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 4K 144Hz Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 4K gaming with a fast competitive mode | 27G810A | 4K at 180Hz with a 1080p 360Hz dual mode |
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | MO27U2 | The highest refresh rate here (240Hz) |
| Desks without a monitor arm | MAG 274UPF | Height, swivel and pivot adjustment at 4K 160Hz |
| Sharing the screen with a laptop | XG27UCSR | USB-C with a 3-year warranty |
| 4K high-refresh on a budget | M27UP | 4K at 160Hz with DisplayHDR 400 at a lower price |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27G810A | 180Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| MO27U2 | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | QD-OLED |
| MAG 274UPF | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Rapid IPS |
| XG27UCSR | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| M27UP | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | SuperSpeed IPS |
| Odyssey G7 27 | 144Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
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 $250 to $500 | XG27UCSR, M27UP, Odyssey G7 27, MAG 274UPF |
| About $500 to $1000 | 27G810A, MO27U2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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 1ms response time rating matter?
Makers measure response time differently, so compare panel type and independent reviews rather than the headline figure.
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 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.
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.
Is HDR worth it on a budget monitor?
Rarely. Budget HDR10 monitors accept HDR but lack the brightness and contrast to show it well. OLED or DisplayHDR 600 models do it better.
Bottom Line
The LG UltraGear 27G810A-B is the pick, the GIGABYTE MO27U2 is the OLED option, and the GIGABYTE M27UP is the value choice.
The MSI MAG 274UPF E2 has the best stand, the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR suits laptops, and the Samsung Odyssey G7 is a smart-feature alternative.