Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Monitors to Buy Now
Five gaming monitors at different budgets, from a 240Hz 1080p screen to a 4K QD-OLED.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
The best gaming monitor is the one your graphics card can feed. These five cover 1080p, 1440p and 4K at different budgets.
We researched listings for panel, refresh rate, HDR and stand.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best OLED Value
LG UltraGear 27GS93QE OLEDA 240Hz 1440p OLED near $500.
Best for: Most gaming PCs.
Check price for LG UltraGear 27GS93QE OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 4K OLED
Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLEDA 240Hz 4K QD-OLED with a pivot stand.
Best for: High-end PCs.
Check price for Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best IPS 1440p
Alienware AW2723DF240Hz with DisplayHDR 600.
Best for: Bright rooms.
Check price for Alienware AW2723DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 1440p
LG UltraGear 27G61ZB-B200Hz 1440p with a pivot stand near $200.
Best for: Mid-range PCs.
Check price for LG UltraGear 27G61ZB-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 1080p Esports
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM5A240Hz with a three-year warranty.
Best for: Competitive shooters.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 240Hz 1440p OLED near $500. | Most gaming PCs. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27GS93QE OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 240Hz 4K QD-OLED with a pivot stand. | High-end PCs. | Check price for Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 240Hz with DisplayHDR 600. | Bright rooms. | Check price for Alienware AW2723DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 200Hz 1440p with a pivot stand near $200. | Mid-range PCs. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27G61ZB-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 240Hz with a three-year warranty. | Competitive shooters. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best OLED Value1 of 5
LG UltraGear 27GS93QE OLED
LG's 27GS93QE is a 27-inch 1440p OLED at 240Hz with DisplayHDR True Black 400.
Best for
- Most gaming PCs.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
It is a lower-priced LG OLED with a two-year warranty. It is DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified with a 1.5 million to 1 contrast ratio, and the stand adjusts for height, tilt and pivot. Gamer, FPS and RTS modes tune the picture.
Its virtually borderless design saves space on a crowded desk. On refresh rate it ties with the AW2725Q, the AW2723DF and the VG259QM5A at 240Hz. It matches the AW2723DF and the 27G61ZB on screen size (27 inches).
It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the AW2723DF and 27G61ZB; the VG259QM5A goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. You get an OLED panel here, which sets it apart from the VG259QM5A and its a fast IPS panel. It shares a DisplayHDR True Black 400 with the AW2725Q; the 27G61ZB goes with an HDR10. Only the AW2725Q came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium
- Warranty
- 2-year
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the VG259QM5A at the time of writing
Best 4K OLED2 of 5
Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED
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
- High-end PCs.
Skip if
- Pass on it if oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It has one of the most adjustable stands among the OLED models here. On refresh rate it ties with the 27GS93QE, the AW2723DF and the VG259QM5A at 240Hz. Its 26.7 inches screen size ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the 27GS93QE (27 inches) and ahead of the VG259QM5A (24.5 inches).
A 3840x2160 (4K) resolution is unique to it among these picks, while the AW2723DF uses a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. A QD-OLED panel is unique to it among these picks, while the AW2723DF uses an IPS panel. It shares a DisplayHDR True Black 400 with the 27GS93QE; the 27G61ZB goes with an HDR10.
You also get Dolby Vision support, 166 PPI at 4K and USB-C with 15W power delivery. When we checked, only the AW2723DF and cheaper picks cost less, and the 27GS93QE cost more.
Key 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
- Costs more than the VG259QM5A at the time of writing
Best IPS 1440p3 of 5
Alienware AW2723DF
The AW2723DF is an IPS monitor with DisplayHDR 600, 95% DCI-P3 and a 280Hz overclock mode, on a fully adjustable stand.
Best for
- Bright rooms.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the VG259QM5A, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it ties with the 27GS93QE, the AW2725Q and the VG259QM5A at 240Hz. It matches the 27GS93QE and the 27G61ZB on screen size (27 inches). It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the 27GS93QE and 27G61ZB; the VG259QM5A goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
It shares an IPS panel with the 27G61ZB; the VG259QM5A goes with a fast IPS panel. A DisplayHDR 600 is unique to it among these picks, while the AW2725Q uses a DisplayHDR True Black 400. To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower.
G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. When we checked, only the 27G61ZB and cheaper picks cost less, and the AW2725Q cost more.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 600
- Color gamut
- 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible
- Stand
- height, swivel and pivot adjustment
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
Cons
- Costs more than the VG259QM5A at the time of writing
Best Budget 1440p4 of 5
LG UltraGear 27G61ZB-B
LG's 27G61ZB is a 27-inch 1440p IPS screen at 200Hz on a height, tilt, swivel and pivot stand.
Best for
- Mid-range PCs.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification.
Why we like it
That full stand is rare at about $200. Features include Dynamic Action Sync, Black Stabilizer, an FPS counter and a crosshair, and the Switch app splits the screen into up to six sections. The monitor supports HDR10.
Its 200Hz refresh rate is the lowest in this group; the 27GS93QE leads at 240Hz. On screen size it ties with the 27GS93QE and the AW2723DF at 27 inches. Like the 27GS93QE and AW2723DF, it has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution, while the AW2725Q uses a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
Like the AW2723DF, it has an IPS panel, while the 27GS93QE uses an OLED panel. No other pick in this guide offers an HDR10; compare the AW2723DF, which has a DisplayHDR 600. It also offers narrow bezels. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper VG259QM5A and the pricier AW2723DF, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 200Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- HDR10
- Color gamut
- 99% sRGB
- Stand
- height, tilt, swivel and pivot
Pros
- 200Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Refresh rate trails the 27GS93QE (240Hz)
- Costs more than the VG259QM5A at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is refresh rate; for more, the 27GS93QE offers 240Hz.
Best 1080p Esports5 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM5A
The VG259QM5A drops TUF's 24.5-inch panel to 240Hz and keeps 99% sRGB coverage and a three-year warranty.
Best for
- Competitive shooters.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the 27GS93QE offers 27 inches.
Why we like it
It costs less than the 310Hz versions. On refresh rate it ties with the 27GS93QE, the AW2725Q and the AW2723DF at 240Hz. Its 24.5 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the 27GS93QE leads at 27 inches.
You get a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution here, which sets it apart from the 27G61ZB and its a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. You get a fast IPS panel here, which sets it apart from the 27G61ZB and its an IPS panel. It shares a 99% sRGB color gamut with the 27G61ZB; the AW2723DF goes with a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut.
At 1080p, 240Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the 27G61ZB the next step up.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size
- 24.5 inches
- Panel
- Fast IPS
- Color gamut
- 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible
- Warranty
- 3-year
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Screen size trails the 27GS93QE (27 inches)
The catch
It gives ground on screen size, where the 27GS93QE comes in at 27 inches.
How We Chose These Gaming Monitors to Buy Now
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 10 fields compared are stated for every pick, while response and HDR have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the 27GS93QE to the VG259QM5A, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The VG259QM5A gives no response; the VG259QM5A gives no HDR.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the VG259QM5A ($100 to $150) to the 27GS93QE ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a Gaming Monitor to Buy Now
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate
Across these 5 picks refresh rate spans 200Hz (the 27G61ZB) to 240Hz (the 27GS93QE). For less, the AW2725Q is the runner-up at 240Hz.
How much screen size you need
Here screen size runs from 24.5 inches on the VG259QM5A to 27 inches on the 27GS93QE, a 10% spread. The AW2723DF comes second at 27 inches, in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 for the 27GS93QE.
A gaming monitor above a keyboard and mouse on a black desk Panel
The 27GS93QE lists OLED; the AW2725Q lists QD-OLED; the AW2723DF and the 27G61ZB list IPS; the VG259QM5A lists Fast IPS. Sort out panel before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 2, 1, 1 and 1.
Response
The 27GS93QE and the AW2725Q list 0.03ms; the AW2723DF and the 27G61ZB list 1ms. Settling response first narrows 4 picks to 2 or 2.
A gaming desk with a monitor, a racing-style chair and shelves of figures Features beyond the spec table
The AW2723DF: an overclocked 280Hz mode. The 27G61ZB: 1440p at 200Hz. The VG259QM5A: a 3-year warranty.
How to Choose a Gaming Monitor to Buy Now
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most gaming PCs | 27GS93QE | A 240Hz 1440p OLED near $500 |
| High-end PCs | AW2725Q | A 240Hz 4K QD-OLED with a pivot stand |
| Bright rooms | AW2723DF | 240Hz with DisplayHDR 600 |
| Mid-range PCs | 27G61ZB | 200Hz 1440p with a pivot stand near $200 |
| Competitive shooters | VG259QM5A | 240Hz with a three-year warranty |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 27GS93QE leads on refresh rate at 240Hz, ahead of the AW2725Q at 240Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27GS93QE | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | OLED |
| AW2725Q | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 26.7 inches | QD-OLED |
| AW2723DF | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| 27G61ZB | 200Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| VG259QM5A | 240Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | Fast IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the VG259QM5A, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 4 tiers in all up to the 27GS93QE at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | VG259QM5A |
| About $150 to $250 | 27G61ZB |
| About $250 to $500 | AW2723DF |
| About $500 to $1000 | AW2725Q, 27GS93QE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 27GS93QE worth paying more than the VG259QM5A?
The spec sheets show screen size (27 inches against 24.5 inches) in its favour. The VG259QM5A sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the 27GS93QE in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if screen size decides your purchase.
What makes the VG259QM5A the Best 1080p Esports?
It earns the label for 240Hz with a three-year warranty. It suits competitive shooters.
Do the 27GS93QE and the AW2725Q differ on resolution?
The 27GS93QE, the AW2723DF and the 27G61ZB use 2560x1440 (1440p); the AW2725Q uses 3840x2160 (4K); the VG259QM5A uses 1920x1080 (1080p).
Beyond the specs, what sets the 27GS93QE and the AW2725Q apart?
The 27GS93QE: an anti-glare low-reflection OLED coating. The AW2725Q: Dolby Vision support. The AW2723DF: an overclocked 280Hz mode.
Who should choose the 27GS93QE?
The 27GS93QE carries our Best OLED Value label for a 240Hz 1440p OLED near $500. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $500 to $1000 tier at our last price check; it suits most gaming PCs.
Bottom Line
LG's 27GS93QE is the pick for most buyers who can reach OLED. The AW2723DF and 27G61ZB are the IPS alternatives, and ASUS's VG259QM5A covers 1080p esports.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 27-Inch Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best OLED Monitors
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Monitors Under $200
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget Gaming Monitors
- Higher budgetThe Best FreeSync Premium Gaming Monitors
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1080p Monitor
- ExplainerHow to Choose a 1440p Monitor
- Also see: graphics cardsHow to Buy a Used Graphics Card Safely
- Similar guideThe Best HDR1000 Gaming Monitors
- Topic hubAll gaming 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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