Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Displays
Five gaming displays, each a different shape or panel: OLED, ultrawide, 43-inch and 4K IPS.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
The right display depends on the games and the desk. These five cover a fast OLED, an OLED ultrawide, a 43-inch 4K screen and two IPS options.
We compared figures from each listing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Refresh
Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SD)
The highest refresh rate here (360Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SD) (opens in a new tab)
Best Ultrawide
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED
A 165Hz QD-OLED ultrawide with a slant stand.
Best for: Immersive games.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
Best Big Screen
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch Smart
A 43-inch 4K Mini LED screen with Smart TV apps.
Best for: Couch-distance play.
Our take Check price for Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch Smart (opens in a new tab)
Best OLED Value
MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2
A 240Hz 1440p QD-OLED with a height stand.
Best for: OLED for less.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 (opens in a new tab)
Best 4K IPS
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG
4K at 160Hz with USB-C.
Best for: Sharp detail without OLED.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest refresh rate here (360Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SD) (opens in a new tab) |
| A 165Hz QD-OLED ultrawide with a slant stand. | Immersive games. | Check price for Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
| A 43-inch 4K Mini LED screen with Smart TV apps. | Couch-distance play. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch Smart (opens in a new tab) |
| A 240Hz 1440p QD-OLED with a height stand. | OLED for less. | Check price for MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 (opens in a new tab) |
| 4K at 160Hz with USB-C. | Sharp detail without OLED. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Refresh1 of 5
Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SD) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Odyssey OLED G6 is Samsung's 360Hz QD-OLED with HDMI 2.1 inputs.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when oLED burn-in risk with static desktop element is a problem.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it leads this guide at 360Hz, ahead of the MAG 271QPX (240Hz). On screen size it ties with the MAG 271QPX and the XG27UCG at 27 inches. Like the MAG 271QPX, it has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution, while the Odyssey Neo G7 43 uses a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
Like the AW3423DWF and MAG 271QPX, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the XG27UCG uses an IPS panel. It also comes with an anti-glare finish and a built-in cooling system and an HDMI 2.1 input for consoles. To see 360Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower.
Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. Its price falls between the MAG 271QPX and the AW3423DWF, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 360Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium Pro
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- a 360Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- FreeSync Premium Pro to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the XG27UCG at the time of writing
Best Ultrawide2 of 5
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Alienware's AW3423DWF is a 34-inch QD-OLED ultrawide at 165Hz with 99.3% DCI-P3 coverage.
Best for
- Immersive games.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
Its stand adjusts for height, tilt, swivel and slant. Its 165Hz refresh rate ranks third of 5 here, behind the Odyssey OLED G6 (360Hz) and ahead of the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (144Hz). On screen size it sits mid-pack at 34 inches: the Odyssey Neo G7 43 comes in at 43 inches, and the XG27UCG comes in at 27 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers a 3440x1440 resolution; compare the MAG 271QPX, which has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. Like the Odyssey OLED G6 and MAG 271QPX, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the XG27UCG uses an IPS panel. You also get an 1800R QD-OLED curve and switchable DCI-P3 and sRGB modes.
Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Odyssey OLED G6 and the pricier Odyssey Neo G7 43, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 3440x1440
- Size: 34 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.1ms
- Color gamut: 99.3% DCI-P3
- Stand: height, tilt, swivel and slant
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- 99.3% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- a stand with height, tilt, swivel and slant
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the XG27UCG at the time of writing
Best Big Screen3 of 5
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43-inch Smart on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's Odyssey Neo G7 43 is a 43-inch 4K Mini LED screen at 144Hz with built-in Smart TV apps.
Best for
- Couch-distance play.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the Odyssey OLED G6 offers 360Hz.
Why we like it
The maker says the picture can shrink to a smaller on-screen size. On refresh rate it trails the group at 144Hz, while the Odyssey OLED G6 offers 360Hz. Its 43 inches screen size is the largest here; the AW3423DWF comes next at 34 inches.
It shares a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution with the XG27UCG; the MAG 271QPX goes with a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. It also offers Quantum Mini LED backlighting and an adjustable on-screen size from 43 down to 20 inches. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the AW3423DWF the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 43 inches
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 600
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
- Built-in Smart TV apps
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the Odyssey OLED G6 (360Hz)
- Costs more than the XG27UCG at the time of writing
Best OLED Value4 of 5
MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MAG 271QPX pairs a 240Hz QD-OLED panel with a height-adjustable stand.
Best for
- OLED for less.
Skip if
- Pass on it if oLED burn-in risk with static desktop element rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the complete OLED option at this refresh rate. Its 240Hz refresh rate ranks second of 5 here, behind the Odyssey OLED G6 (360Hz) and ahead of the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (144Hz). On screen size it ties with the Odyssey OLED G6 and the XG27UCG at 27 inches.
Like the Odyssey OLED G6, it has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution, while the XG27UCG uses a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution. To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper XG27UCG and the pricier Odyssey OLED G6, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: HDR 400
- Stand: height adjustment
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- a stand with height adjustment
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the XG27UCG at the time of writing
Best 4K IPS5 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XG27UCG is a 4K 160Hz monitor that can switch to 1080p at 320Hz for shooters, and adds USB-C for a laptop.
Best for
- Sharp detail without OLED.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the Odyssey Neo G7 43 offers 43 inches.
Why we like it
Its 160Hz refresh rate ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Odyssey OLED G6 (360Hz) and ahead of the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (144Hz). On screen size it ties with the Odyssey OLED G6 and the MAG 271QPX at 27 inches. Like the Odyssey Neo G7 43, it has a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution, while the AW3423DWF uses a 3440x1440 resolution.
It is the only pick here with an IPS panel; the MAG 271QPX has a QD-OLED panel 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. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards.
It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MAG 271QPX was the next step up. If screen size is your priority, the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (43 inches) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible
- 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
- Screen size trails the Odyssey Neo G7 43 (43 inches)
How We Chose These Gaming Displays
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 Gaming Display
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Pick the panel type
IPS offers wide viewing angles and good colour. VA has higher contrast but slower dark transitions. OLED has perfect blacks and very fast response but carries a burn-in risk with static content.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Gaming Display
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | Odyssey OLED G6 | The highest refresh rate here (360Hz) |
| Immersive games | AW3423DWF | A 165Hz QD-OLED ultrawide with a slant stand |
| Couch-distance play | Odyssey Neo G7 43 | A 43-inch 4K Mini LED screen with Smart TV apps |
| OLED for less | MAG 271QPX | A 240Hz 1440p QD-OLED with a height stand |
| Sharp detail without OLED | XG27UCG | 4K at 160Hz with USB-C |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey OLED G6 | 360Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | QD-OLED |
| AW3423DWF | 165Hz | 3440x1440 | 34 inches | QD-OLED |
| Odyssey Neo G7 43 | 144Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 43 inches | Not listed |
| MAG 271QPX | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | QD-OLED |
| XG27UCG | 160Hz | 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 | XG27UCG, MAG 271QPX |
| About $500 to $1000 | Odyssey OLED G6, AW3423DWF, Odyssey Neo G7 43 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Should I use HDMI or DisplayPort?
On a PC, DisplayPort usually supports the highest refresh rates. HDMI 2.1 is equivalent and needed for consoles.
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.
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.
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.
Does a 1ms response time rating matter?
Makers measure response time differently, so compare panel type and independent reviews rather than the headline figure.
Bottom Line
Samsung's Odyssey OLED G6 is the fast OLED. Alienware's AW3423DWF is the ultrawide, and Samsung's Neo G7 43 is the big-screen option.