Buying Guide
The Best Fast 4K Monitors
Three monitors compared, from the AW2725Q to the MPG 321URX, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A 4K panel quadruples the pixels of 1080p, so plan for upscaling in demanding games. Every monitor here is 4K and refreshes at 240Hz or more, ordered by refresh rate.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: refresh rate, resolution and size come from each maker's published specs; a missing HDR is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 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)
Largest Screen Size
MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED
The largest screen size here (31.5 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Our take Check price for MSI MPG 321URX 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 largest screen size here (31.5 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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
- Worth skipping when oLED burn-in risk with static desktop element is a problem.
Why we like it
It has one of the most adjustable stands among the OLED models here. Its 26.7 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the MPG 321URX leads at 31.5 inches. You also get 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 3 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 MPG 321URX (31.5 inches)
Also Consider2 of 3
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
- 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. Its 27 inches screen size ranks second of 3 here, behind the MPG 321URX (31.5 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. Another plus is a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion. Worth noting too: 4K resolution for sharp text and detail. When we checked, only the AW2725Q cost less, and the MPG 321URX 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
Largest Screen Size3 of 3
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
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
USB-C input rounds out the ports. On screen size it leads this guide at 31.5 inches, ahead of the MO27U2 (27 inches). You also get 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 MO27U2 the nearest cheaper option. Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the AW2725Q covers it better at 240Hz.
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
How We Chose These Fast 4K Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side three monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the AW2725Q to the MPG 321URX, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution and QD-OLED panel.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MO27U2 gives no HDR; the MPG 321URX gives 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 Fast 4K Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much screen size you need
Here screen size runs from 26.7 inches on the AW2725Q to 31.5 inches on the MPG 321URX. For less, the MO27U2 is the runner-up at 27 inches.
Features beyond the spec table
The AW2725Q: 166 PPI at 4K. The MO27U2: a 240Hz QD-OLED panel at 4K. The MPG 321URX: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a inputs.
Budget
All 3 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. Buyers who put screen size first: the MPG 321URX.
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.
How to Choose a Fast 4K 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 |
| Buyers who put screen size first | MPG 321URX | The largest screen size here (31.5 inches) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MPG 321URX leads on screen size at 31.5 inches, ahead of the MO27U2 at 27 inches.
| 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 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MPG 321URX ahead of the MO27U2 on screen size?
The MPG 321URX leads at 31.5 inches, with the MO27U2 at 27 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 MPG 321URX the Largest Screen Size?
It earns the label for the largest screen size here (31.5 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 maker of the MO27U2 doesn'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 and the MPG 321URX for the largest screen size here (31.5 inches) if those matter more to you.
Check that your GPU has the port the monitor needs for its full refresh rate.