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 Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best 4K IPS
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B4K at 180Hz with a 1080p 360Hz dual mode.
Best for: 4K gaming with a fast competitive mode.
Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
GIGABYTE MO27U2The highest refresh rate here (240Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Check price for GIGABYTE MO27U2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Stand
MSI MAG 274UPF E2Height, swivel and pivot adjustment at 4K 160Hz.
Best for: Desks without a monitor arm.
Check price for MSI MAG 274UPF E2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for Laptops
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSRUSB-C with a 3-year warranty.
Best for: Sharing the screen with a laptop.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value
GIGABYTE M27UP4K at 160Hz with DisplayHDR 400 at a lower price.
Best for: 4K high-refresh on a budget.
Check price for GIGABYTE M27UP on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4KThe 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.
Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best 4K IPS1 of 6
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B
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 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
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 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
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 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
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 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
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 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
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.
Key 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
The catch
Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the MO27U2 covers it better at 240Hz.
How We Chose These 4K 144Hz Monitors
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We compared six monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while response and HDR have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the 27G810A to the Odyssey G7 27, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MAG 274UPF gives no response; the MO27U2 and the XG27UCSR give no HDR.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the XG27UCSR ($250 to $500) to the MO27U2 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 4K 144Hz Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate
The MO27U2 tops refresh rate at 240Hz and the Odyssey G7 27 sits lowest at 144Hz. The 27G810A comes second at 180Hz, in the same price tier as the MO27U2.
Response
The 27G810A, the M27UP and the Odyssey G7 27 list 1ms; the MO27U2 lists 0.03ms; the XG27UCSR lists 0.3ms. Settling response first narrows 5 picks to 3 or 1 or 1.
A monitor showing a racing game above a compact keyboard Extras that separate them
The XG27UCSR: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz. The M27UP: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz. The Odyssey G7 27: Samsung's smart-monitor features listed alongside gaming modes.
How much to spend
$250 to $500 buys the XG27UCSR, the M27UP, the Odyssey G7 27 and the MAG 274UPF; $500 to $1000 buys the 27G810A and the MO27U2 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
4K gaming with a fast competitive mode: the 27G810A. Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates: the MO27U2. Desks without a monitor arm: the MAG 274UPF.
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
The MO27U2 leads on refresh rate at 240Hz, ahead of the 27G810A at 180Hz.
| 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
The XG27UCSR was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the MO27U2 the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | XG27UCSR, M27UP, Odyssey G7 27, MAG 274UPF |
| About $500 to $1000 | 27G810A, MO27U2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest refresh rate: the MO27U2 or the 27G810A?
Between the top two, it is 240Hz on the MO27U2 against 180Hz on the 27G810A, a 33% difference. The Odyssey G7 27 is at the other end of this group with 144Hz.
What does the MO27U2 add over the XG27UCSR?
On paper it adds refresh rate (240Hz against 160Hz). On our last price check the XG27UCSR was in the $250 to $500 tier and the MO27U2 in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if refresh rate decides your purchase.
Why is the XG27UCSR our Best for Laptops pick?
It carries the badge for USB-C with a 3-year warranty. It suits sharing the screen with a laptop.
Do the 27G810A and the MO27U2 differ on panel?
The 27G810A, the XG27UCSR and the Odyssey G7 27 use IPS; the MO27U2 uses QD-OLED; the MAG 274UPF uses Rapid IPS; the M27UP uses SuperSpeed IPS.
What extras do the 27G810A and the MO27U2 include?
The 27G810A: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 360Hz. The MO27U2: a 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K. The MAG 274UPF: a 160Hz refresh rate at 4K.
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.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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