Buying Guide
The Best HDR600 and Better Gaming Monitors
We weighed five monitors on refresh rate and screen size; the MPG 271QRX has the highest refresh rate, and the AW2723DF costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
DisplayHDR 400 panels rarely look like real HDR; 600 and OLED True Black tiers do. Every pick is certified DisplayHDR 600, True Black or higher, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh refresh rate, resolution and size as the makers state them; we did not test these monitors ourselves, and if a maker skips panel, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Alienware AW2723DF
Undercutting the XG27AQMR on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW2723DF (opens in a new tab)
Fast IPS Panel
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR
A fast IPS panel.
Best for: Buyers who want a fast IPS panel.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED
Dolby Vision support.
Best for: Buyers who want Dolby Vision support.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED
The highest refresh rate here (360Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Our take Check price for MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
Largest Screen Size
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G75F) 40-inch WUHD
The largest screen size here (40 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Our take Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G75F) 40-inch WUHD (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the XG27AQMR on price when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Alienware AW2723DF (opens in a new tab) |
| A fast IPS panel. | Buyers who want a fast IPS panel. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR (opens in a new tab) |
| Dolby Vision support. | Buyers who want Dolby Vision support. | Check price for Alienware AW2725Q 4K QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest refresh rate here (360Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest screen size here (40 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G75F) 40-inch WUHD (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Alienware AW2723DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The AW2723DF is an IPS monitor with DisplayHDR 600, 95% DCI-P3 and a 280Hz overclock mode, on a fully adjustable stand.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the MPG 271QRX (360Hz is a problem.
Why we like it
It matches the AW2725Q on refresh rate (240Hz). On screen size it ties with the XG27AQMR and the MPG 271QRX at 27 inches. Like the XG27AQMR and MPG 271QRX, it has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution, while the AW2725Q uses a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
No other pick in this guide offers an IPS panel; compare the XG27AQMR, which has a fast IPS panel. Like the XG27AQMR and Odyssey G7 40, it has a DisplayHDR 600, 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. It undercut the XG27AQMR and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the MPG 271QRX (360Hz). If that matters, the MPG 271QRX offers 360Hz.
Key dimensions & 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
- Refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the MPG 271QRX (360Hz)
Fast IPS Panel2 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XG27AQMR runs a Fast IPS panel at 300Hz with DisplayHDR 600, a strong HDR rating for IPS.
Best for
- Buyers who want a fast IPS panel.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the AW2723DF was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It avoids OLED's burn-in concerns for desktop-heavy use. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 300Hz: the MPG 271QRX offers 360Hz, and the Odyssey G7 40 comes in at 180Hz. It matches the AW2723DF and the MPG 271QRX on screen size (27 inches).
It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the AW2723DF and MPG 271QRX; the Odyssey G7 40 goes with a 5120x2160 resolution. A fast IPS panel is unique to it among these picks, while the AW2723DF uses an IPS panel. It also comes with DCI-P3 wide colour coverage.
To see 300Hz 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 AW2723DF cost less, and the AW2725Q cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 300Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 600
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- a 300Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
Cons
- Costs more than the AW2723DF at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
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
- Buyers who want Dolby Vision support.
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. It matches the AW2723DF on refresh rate (240Hz). On screen size it trails the group at 26.7 inches, while the Odyssey G7 40 comes in at 40 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution; compare the MPG 271QRX, which has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. Like the MPG 271QRX, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the AW2723DF uses an IPS panel. Like the MPG 271QRX, it has a DisplayHDR True Black 400, while the XG27AQMR uses a DisplayHDR 600.
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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper XG27AQMR and the pricier MPG 271QRX, at the time of writing.
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 Odyssey G7 40 (40 inches)
- Costs more than the AW2723DF at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh4 of 5
MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MPG 271QRX adds a KVM switch to a 360Hz QD-OLED panel with True Black 400.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
Its built-in KVM switches a keyboard and mouse between two computers, and the stand adjusts for ergonomics. On refresh rate it leads this guide at 360Hz, ahead of the XG27AQMR (300Hz). On screen size it ties with the AW2723DF and the XG27AQMR at 27 inches.
Like the AW2723DF and XG27AQMR, it has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution, while the AW2725Q uses a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution. Like the AW2725Q, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the AW2723DF uses an IPS panel. Like the AW2725Q, it has a DisplayHDR True Black 400, while the XG27AQMR uses a DisplayHDR 600.
You also get HDMI 2.1 inputs 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 AW2725Q and the Odyssey G7 40, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 360Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
Pros
- a 360Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- 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 AW2723DF at the time of writing
Largest Screen Size5 of 5
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G75F) 40-inch WUHD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's Odyssey G7 40 is a 40-inch 5120x2160 ultrawide at 180Hz with DisplayHDR 600.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the MPG 271QRX offers 360Hz.
Why we like it
It has the widest 4K-class canvas among these monitors. Its 40-inch WUHD panel is DisplayHDR 600 certified and refreshes at 180Hz with 1ms GtG response. On refresh rate it trails the group at 180Hz, while the MPG 271QRX offers 360Hz.
On screen size it leads this guide at 40 inches, ahead of the AW2723DF (27 inches). You get a 5120x2160 resolution here, which sets it apart from the MPG 271QRX and its a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. It shares a DisplayHDR 600 with the AW2723DF and XG27AQMR; the MPG 271QRX goes with a DisplayHDR True Black 400.
It also comes with a 40-inch 21:9 1000R curve. Only the MPG 271QRX came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
- Resolution: 5120x2160
- Size: 40 inches
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 600
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
- 40-inch 21:9 1000R curve
- Largest screen size of the picks (40 inches)
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the MPG 271QRX (360Hz)
- Costs more than the AW2723DF at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the AW2723DF to the Odyssey G7 40, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Odyssey G7 40 gives no panel; the XG27AQMR, the MPG 271QRX and the Odyssey G7 40 give no color gamut.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the AW2723DF ($250 to $500) to the Odyssey G7 40 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in an HDR600 and Better Gaming Monitors
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
Here refresh rate runs from 180Hz on the Odyssey G7 40 to 360Hz on the MPG 271QRX. The XG27AQMR comes second for less money.
How much screen size you need
Here screen size runs from 26.7 inches on the AW2725Q to 40 inches on the Odyssey G7 40. For less, the AW2723DF is the runner-up at 27 inches.
Panel
The AW2723DF lists IPS; the XG27AQMR lists Fast IPS; the AW2725Q and the MPG 271QRX list QD-OLED.
Response
The AW2723DF, the XG27AQMR and the Odyssey G7 40 list 1ms; the AW2725Q and the MPG 271QRX list 0.03ms.
What to check at home
To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. 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.
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 an HDR600 and Better Gaming Monitors
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | AW2723DF | Undercutting the XG27AQMR on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want a fast IPS panel | XG27AQMR | A fast IPS panel |
| Buyers who want Dolby Vision support | AW2725Q | Dolby Vision support |
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | MPG 271QRX | The highest refresh rate here (360Hz) |
| Buyers who put screen size first | Odyssey G7 40 | The largest screen size here (40 inches) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MPG 271QRX leads on refresh rate at 360Hz, ahead of the XG27AQMR at 300Hz. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW2723DF | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| XG27AQMR | 300Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| AW2725Q | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 26.7 inches | QD-OLED |
| MPG 271QRX | 360Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | QD-OLED |
| Odyssey G7 40 | 180Hz | 5120x2160 | 40 inches | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The AW2723DF was the lowest-priced pick and the Odyssey G7 40 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | AW2723DF, XG27AQMR |
| About $500 to $1000 | AW2725Q, MPG 271QRX, Odyssey G7 40 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MPG 271QRX ahead of the XG27AQMR on refresh rate?
The MPG 271QRX leads at 360Hz, with the XG27AQMR at 300Hz. The Odyssey G7 40 is at the other end of this group with 180Hz.
How does the AW2723DF compare with the Odyssey G7 40 on screen size?
The Odyssey G7 40 leads at 40 inches, with the AW2723DF at 27 inches. The AW2725Q is at the other end of this group with 26.7 inches.
What does the Odyssey G7 40 add over the AW2723DF?
On paper it adds screen size (40 inches against 27 inches). It does not win everywhere: the AW2723DF still leads on refresh rate (240Hz). The AW2723DF was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the MPG 271QRX our Fastest Refresh pick?
It earns the label for the highest refresh rate here (360Hz). It suits esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Do the AW2723DF and the AW2725Q differ on resolution?
The AW2723DF, the XG27AQMR and the MPG 271QRX use 2560x1440 (1440p); the AW2725Q uses 3840x2160 (4K); the Odyssey G7 40 uses 5120x2160.
Will the AW2723DF work with my setup?
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. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AW2723DF, chosen for undercutting the XG27AQMR on price when we checked. Look at the XG27AQMR for a fast IPS panel, the AW2725Q for Dolby Vision support and the Odyssey G7 40 for the largest screen size here (40 inches) if those matter more to you.
Calibrate HDR with the Windows HDR Calibration app.