Buying Guide
The Best 4K Gaming PC Monitors
Six 4K IPS monitors between 160Hz and 180Hz, compared on HDR, color and stand.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
A 4K monitor asks a lot of a graphics card, so these six stay with IPS panels between 160Hz and 180Hz rather than OLED prices.
We researched each listing for HDR, color coverage and stand adjustment.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Stand
MSI MAG 274UPF E2Height, swivel and pivot adjustment.
Best for: Desks without a monitor arm.
Check price for MSI MAG 274UPF E2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best HDR Rating
Alienware AW2725QF Dual-ResolutionDisplayHDR 600 at 180Hz.
Best for: HDR games.
Check price for Alienware AW2725QF Dual-Resolution on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for PC and Console
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B180Hz with an HDMI 2.1 input.
Best for: Shared PC and console desks.
Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Warranty
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1AA three-year warranty.
Best for: Long-term owners.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Color Coverage
GIGABYTE M27UP125% sRGB on a SuperSpeed IPS panel.
Best for: Creative work between games.
Check price for GIGABYTE M27UP on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 4K
CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz4K at 160Hz near $210.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Check price for CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height, swivel and pivot adjustment. | Desks without a monitor arm. | Check price for MSI MAG 274UPF E2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| DisplayHDR 600 at 180Hz. | HDR games. | Check price for Alienware AW2725QF Dual-Resolution on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 180Hz with an HDMI 2.1 input. | Shared PC and console desks. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A three-year warranty. | Long-term owners. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 125% sRGB on a SuperSpeed IPS panel. | Creative work between games. | Check price for GIGABYTE M27UP on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 4K at 160Hz near $210. | Tight budgets. | Check price for CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Stand1 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
- Skip it if price comes first: the CUNPU 4K cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is a straightforward, well-equipped IPS choice. It matches the VG27UQ1A, the M27UP and the CUNPU 4K on refresh rate (160Hz). No other pick in this guide offers a rapid IPS panel; compare the CUNPU 4K, which has a fast IPS panel.
No other pick in this guide offers an HDR 400; compare the VG27UQ1A, which has an HDR. 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. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper M27UP and the pricier AW2725QF, 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 CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
Best HDR Rating2 of 6
Alienware AW2725QF Dual-Resolution
Alienware's AW2725QF is a 27-inch 4K IPS screen at 180Hz with DisplayHDR 600.
Best for
- HDR games.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the CUNPU 4K, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It avoids OLED burn-in concerns while keeping 4K sharpness. On refresh rate it ties with the 27G810A at 180Hz. It shares an IPS panel with the 27G810A; the CUNPU 4K goes with a fast IPS panel.
You get a DisplayHDR 600 here, which sets it apart from the MAG 274UPF and its an HDR 400. It shares a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut with the 27G810A and VG27UQ1A; the CUNPU 4K goes with a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut. It also comes with a dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz and Dolby Vision support.
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. It was priced above the MAG 274UPF and below the 27G810A at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 180Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 0.5ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 600
- Color gamut
- 95% DCI-P3
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
Cons
- Costs more than the CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
Best for PC and Console3 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
- Shared PC and console desks.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the CUNPU 4K, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It covers both uses on one screen. On refresh rate it ties with the AW2725QF at 180Hz. It shares an IPS panel with the AW2725QF; the CUNPU 4K goes with a fast IPS panel.
It shares a DisplayHDR 400 with the M27UP; the CUNPU 4K goes with an HDR400. It shares a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut with the AW2725QF and VG27UQ1A; the CUNPU 4K goes with a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut. You also get an HDMI 2.1 input for consoles.
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. Only the AW2725QF came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.
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 CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
Best Warranty4 of 6
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A
The VG27UQ1A brings TUF to 4K at 160Hz with 95% DCI-P3 coverage and a three-year warranty.
Best for
- Long-term owners.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the CUNPU 4K cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It needs a strong graphics card to use its refresh rate at 4K. It matches the MAG 274UPF, the M27UP and the CUNPU 4K on refresh rate (160Hz). Like the CUNPU 4K, it has a fast IPS panel, while the MAG 274UPF uses a rapid IPS panel.
Like the AW2725QF and 27G810A, it has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, while the M27UP uses a 125% sRGB color gamut. It also offers 4K at 120Hz for consoles over HDMI. 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. Its price falls between the CUNPU 4K and the M27UP, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 160Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- Fast IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- HDR
- Color gamut
- 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium
- Warranty
- 3-year
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
Best Color Coverage5 of 6
GIGABYTE M27UP
The M27UP offers 4K at 160Hz with DisplayHDR 400 and a 1080p 320Hz mode at a lower price.
Best for
- Creative work between games.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the CUNPU 4K, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It matches the MAG 274UPF, the VG27UQ1A and the CUNPU 4K on refresh rate (160Hz). It is the only pick here with a SuperSpeed IPS panel; the AW2725QF has an IPS panel instead. Like the 27G810A, it has a DisplayHDR 400, while the MAG 274UPF uses an HDR 400.
It is the only pick here with a 125% sRGB color gamut; the AW2725QF has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut instead. 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. Its price falls between the VG27UQ1A and the MAG 274UPF, based on our last check.
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 CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
Best Budget 4K6 of 6
CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz
CUNPU's 27-inch 4K screen runs at 160Hz with an HDMI 2.1 input and 99% DCI-P3 coverage.
Best for
- Tight budgets.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the AW2725QF offers 180Hz.
Why we like it
It is one of the cheapest 4K high-refresh monitors here. On refresh rate it ties with the MAG 274UPF, the VG27UQ1A and the M27UP at 160Hz. It shares a fast IPS panel with the VG27UQ1A; the AW2725QF goes with an IPS panel.
An HDR400 is unique to it among these picks, while the MAG 274UPF uses an HDR 400. A 99% DCI-P3 color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the 27G810A uses a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. It also offers 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles, a factory calibration of Delta E under 2 and 4K at a budget price tier.
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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the VG27UQ1A was closest.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 160Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- Fast IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- HDR400
- Color gamut
- 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the AW2725QF (180Hz)
The catch
Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the AW2725QF covers it better at 180Hz.
How We Chose These 4K Gaming PC 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side six monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and response and color gamut are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the MAG 274UPF to the CUNPU 4K, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MAG 274UPF gives no response; the MAG 274UPF gives no color gamut.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the CUNPU 4K ($150 to $250) to the 27G810A ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 4K Gaming PC Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
Across these 6 picks refresh rate spans 160Hz (the CUNPU 4K) to 180Hz (the AW2725QF). If refresh rate is your first filter, the AW2725QF sets the ceiling at 180Hz.
Response
The AW2725QF lists 0.5ms; the 27G810A, the VG27UQ1A, the M27UP and the CUNPU 4K list 1ms. Settling response first narrows 5 picks to 4 or 1.
A 4K monitor showing a detailed landscape wallpaper Features beyond the spec table
The VG27UQ1A: a 3-year warranty with advance replacement. The M27UP: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz. The CUNPU 4K: a factory calibration of Delta E under 2.
Where your budget lands
$150 to $250 buys the CUNPU 4K; $250 to $500 buys the VG27UQ1A, the M27UP, the MAG 274UPF and the AW2725QF; $500 to $1000 buys the 27G810A at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Desks without a monitor arm: the MAG 274UPF. HDR games: the AW2725QF. Shared PC and console desks: the 27G810A.
How to Choose a 4K Gaming PC Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Desks without a monitor arm | MAG 274UPF | Height, swivel and pivot adjustment |
| HDR games | AW2725QF | DisplayHDR 600 at 180Hz |
| Shared PC and console desks | 27G810A | 180Hz with an HDMI 2.1 input |
| Long-term owners | VG27UQ1A | A three-year warranty |
| Creative work between games | M27UP | 125% sRGB on a SuperSpeed IPS panel |
| Tight budgets | CUNPU 4K | 4K at 160Hz near $210 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The AW2725QF leads on refresh rate at 180Hz, ahead of the 27G810A at 180Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAG 274UPF | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Rapid IPS |
| AW2725QF | 180Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| 27G810A | 180Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| VG27UQ1A | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| M27UP | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | SuperSpeed IPS |
| CUNPU 4K | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the CUNPU 4K, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the 27G810A at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | CUNPU 4K |
| About $250 to $500 | VG27UQ1A, M27UP, MAG 274UPF, AW2725QF |
| About $500 to $1000 | 27G810A |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 27G810A worth paying more than the CUNPU 4K?
What it brings is refresh rate (180Hz against 160Hz). The CUNPU 4K sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the 27G810A in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if refresh rate decides your purchase.
What makes the MAG 274UPF the Best Stand?
The label rests on height, swivel and pivot adjustment. The CUNPU 4K, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at desks without a monitor arm.
Do the MAG 274UPF and the AW2725QF differ on panel?
The MAG 274UPF uses Rapid IPS; the AW2725QF and the 27G810A use IPS; the VG27UQ1A and the CUNPU 4K use Fast IPS; the M27UP uses SuperSpeed IPS.
Beyond the specs, what sets the MAG 274UPF and the AW2725QF apart?
The MAG 274UPF: a 160Hz refresh rate at 4K. The AW2725QF: a dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz. The 27G810A: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 360Hz.
Who should choose the AW2725QF?
The AW2725QF carries our Best HDR Rating label for DisplayHDR 600 at 180Hz. It ranks second of 6 here and sat in the $250 to $500 tier at our last price check; it suits HDR games.
Bottom Line
MSI's MAG 274UPF has the most adjustable stand. Alienware's AW2725QF has the strongest HDR rating, and CUNPU's screen is the budget route to 4K at 160Hz.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best OLED Monitors
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Monitors Under $200
- Lower budgetThe Best 4K Gaming Monitors Under $500
- Similar guideThe Best 4K 144Hz Gaming Monitors
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 4K Monitor
- Explainer1080p vs 1440p vs 4K Monitor
- Also see: graphics cardsHow to Buy a Used Graphics Card Safely
- Similar guideThe Best 4K Gaming Monitors Under $600
- Topic hubAll 4k monitors guides
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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