Buying Guide
The Best 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitors
Four monitors compared, from the AW2725Q to the MPG 321URX, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A 4K panel quadruples the pixels of 1080p, so plan for upscaling in demanding games. Every monitor here is 4K, uses a QD-OLED panel and refreshes at 120Hz or more, ordered by refresh rate.
We sorted these picks by refresh rate, resolution and size, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips HDR, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
GIGABYTE MO27U2
A 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K.
Best for: Buyers who want 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE MO27U2 (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED
The top of this price range, adding a built-in KVM with picture-in-picture.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
Largest Screen Size
MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED
The largest screen size here (32 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
| A 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K. | Buyers who want 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K. | Check price for GIGABYTE MO27U2 (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a built-in KVM with picture-in-picture. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest screen size here (32 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Alienware's AW2725Q is a 26.7-inch 4K QD-OLED at 240Hz with USB-C and a height, tilt, swivel and pivot stand.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
It has one of the most adjustable stands among the OLED models here. On refresh rate it ties with the MO27U2 and the MPG 321URX at 240Hz. Its 26.7 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the MAG 321UP leads at 32 inches.
It also offers Dolby Vision support, 166 PPI at 4K and USB-C with 15W power delivery. 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 cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the MO27U2 the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 26.7 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Stand: height, tilt, swivel and pivot
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Screen size trails the MAG 321UP (32 inches)
Also Consider2 of 4
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
- Buyers who want 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when oLED burn-in risk with static desktop element is a problem.
Why we like it
It needs a top-end card to use it fully. On refresh rate it ties with the AW2725Q and the MPG 321URX at 240Hz. Its 27 inches screen size ranks third of 4 here, behind the MAG 321UP (32 inches) and ahead of the AW2725Q (26.7 inches).
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. When we checked, only the AW2725Q cost less, and the MAG 321UP cost more.
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 AW2725Q at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 4
MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's MPG 321URX is a 31.5-inch 4K QD-OLED at 240Hz with a built-in KVM, so one keyboard and mouse can switch between a desktop and a laptop.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
USB-C input rounds out the ports. On refresh rate it ties with the AW2725Q and the MO27U2 at 240Hz. Its 31.5 inches screen size ranks second of 4 here, behind the MAG 321UP (32 inches) and ahead of the AW2725Q (26.7 inches).
It also comes with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a inputs and an HDMI 2.1 input for consoles. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the MAG 321UP the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 31.5 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the AW2725Q at the time of writing
Largest Screen Size4 of 4
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
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 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. On refresh rate it trails the group at 165Hz, while the AW2725Q offers 240Hz. Nothing else here matches its 32 inches screen size; the MPG 321URX comes closest at 31.5 inches.
You also get an HDMI 2.1 input for consoles. 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 MO27U2 and cheaper picks cost less, and the MPG 321URX cost more. Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the AW2725Q covers it better at 240Hz.
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
- Refresh rate trails the AW2725Q (240Hz)
- Costs more than the AW2725Q at the time of writing
How We Chose These 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up four monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the AW2725Q to the MAG 321UP, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution and QD-OLED panel.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MO27U2 and the MAG 321UP give no HDR; the MPG 321URX and the MAG 321UP give no color gamut.
- Price range
- From the AW2725Q to the MPG 321URX, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
Here refresh rate runs from 165Hz on the MAG 321UP to 240Hz on the AW2725Q. The AW2725Q is the pick for refresh rate.
Screen size across these picks
Here screen size runs from 26.7 inches on the AW2725Q to 32 inches on the MAG 321UP. Start with the MAG 321UP if screen size decides it.
Features beyond the spec table
The MO27U2: a 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K. The MPG 321URX: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a inputs. The MAG 321UP: a console mode.
Where your budget lands
All 4 sat in one tier when we checked, from the AW2725Q at the low end to the MPG 321URX at the top, so decide on features first.
Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the budget tight: the AW2725Q. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the MPG 321URX. Buyers who put screen size first: the MAG 321UP.
How to Choose a 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | AW2725Q | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K | MO27U2 | A 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | MPG 321URX | The top of this price range, adding a built-in KVM with picture-in-picture |
| Buyers who put screen size first | MAG 321UP | The largest screen size here (32 inches) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The AW2725Q leads on refresh rate at 240Hz, ahead of the MO27U2 at 240Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW2725Q | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 26.7 inches | QD-OLED |
| MO27U2 | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | QD-OLED |
| MPG 321URX | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 31.5 inches | QD-OLED |
| MAG 321UP | 165Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | QD-OLED |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MAG 321UP ahead of the MPG 321URX on screen size?
The MAG 321UP leads at 32 inches, with the MPG 321URX at 31.5 inches. The AW2725Q is at the other end of this group with 26.7 inches.
Is the MPG 321URX worth paying more than the AW2725Q?
On paper it adds screen size (31.5 inches against 26.7 inches). The AW2725Q was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the MAG 321UP the Largest Screen Size?
It earns the label for the largest screen size here (32 inches). It suits anyone who put screen size first.
Which of these monitors have USB-C?
The AW2725Q and the MPG 321URX have it. The makers of the MO27U2 and the MAG 321UP don't say.
Beyond the specs, what sets the AW2725Q and the MO27U2 apart?
The AW2725Q: Dolby Vision support. The MO27U2: a 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K. The MPG 321URX: a built-in KVM with picture-in-picture.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AW2725Q, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the MO27U2 for a 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K, the MPG 321URX for the top of this price range, adding a built-in KVM with picture-in-picture and the MAG 321UP for the largest screen size here (32 inches) if those matter more to you.
Check that your GPU has the port the monitor needs for its full refresh rate.