Buying Guide
The Best 40-Inch Gaming Monitors
Four monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, where the Odyssey G7 40 has the highest refresh rate; the Samsung M70H is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A 38-45 inch screen gives an immersive view without a super-ultrawide's width. Every pick sits in that size range, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh refresh rate, resolution and size as the makers state them; if a maker skips response, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Samsung 43-inch M70H Mini LED Smart TV
The lowest price among these monitors at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Samsung 43-inch M70H Mini LED Smart TV (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor
Built-in streaming TV apps.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in streaming TV apps.
Our take Check price for Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
INNOCN 43-inch 4K 144Hz
Built-in stereo speakers.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in stereo speakers.
Our take Check price for INNOCN 43-inch 4K 144Hz (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G75F) 40-inch WUHD
The highest refresh rate here (180Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these monitors at the time of writing. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Samsung 43-inch M70H Mini LED Smart TV (opens in a new tab) |
| Built-in streaming TV apps. | Buyers who want built-in streaming TV apps. | Check price for Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor (opens in a new tab) |
| Built-in stereo speakers. | Buyers who want built-in stereo speakers. | Check price for INNOCN 43-inch 4K 144Hz (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest refresh rate here (180Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G75F) 40-inch WUHD (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Samsung 43-inch M70H Mini LED Smart TV on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's M70H is a 43-inch 4K Mini LED TV with a 120Hz mode through Motion Xcelerator.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: refresh rate of 120Hz, behind the Odyssey G7 40 (180Hz).
Why we like it
Its gaming hub covers consoles and cloud services. Its 120Hz refresh rate ranks third of 4 here, behind the Odyssey G7 40 (180Hz) and ahead of the M70B 43 (60Hz). On screen size it ties with the M70B 43 and the INNOCN 43 at 43 inches.
Like the M70B 43 and INNOCN 43, it has a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution, while the Odyssey G7 40 uses a 5120x2160 resolution. It is the only pick here with a mini LED HDR; the M70B 43 has an HDR10 instead. It also comes with Samsung TV Plus channels.
At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the M70B 43 was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 43 inches
- HDR: Mini LED HDR
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- Motion Xcelerator with DLG 120Hz
- Gaming hub for consoles and cloud services
- Samsung TV Plus channels
Cons
- Refresh rate of 120Hz, behind the Odyssey G7 40 (180Hz)
Also Consider2 of 4
Samsung M70B 43-inch Smart Monitor on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's M70B is a 43-inch 4K smart monitor with built-in TV apps, wireless display and USB-C.
Best for
- Buyers who want built-in streaming TV apps.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games.
Why we like it
It runs at 60Hz, so it suits streaming and casual play. On refresh rate it trails the group at 60Hz, while the Odyssey G7 40 offers 180Hz. It matches the Samsung M70H and the INNOCN 43 on screen size (43 inches).
It shares a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution with the Samsung M70H and INNOCN 43; the Odyssey G7 40 goes with a 5120x2160 resolution. An HDR10 is unique to it among these picks, while the Samsung M70H uses a mini LED HDR. You also get wireless display from phones and laptops and SmartThings IoT hub.
At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. When we checked, only the Samsung M70H cost less, and the INNOCN 43 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 43 inches
- Response: 4ms
- HDR: HDR10
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a USB-C input for laptops
- Built-in streaming TV apps
- Wireless display from phones and laptops
Cons
- a 60Hz refresh rate that suits work more than fast games
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- Refresh rate trails the Odyssey G7 40 (180Hz)
Strong Alternative3 of 4
INNOCN 43-inch 4K 144Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
INNOCN's 43-inch 4K monitor runs at 144Hz with built-in speakers, USB-C and a height-adjustable stand.
Best for
- Buyers who want built-in stereo speakers.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Samsung M70H, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is a lower-cost way to a TV-sized desktop screen. Its 144Hz refresh rate ranks second of 4 here, behind the Odyssey G7 40 (180Hz) and ahead of the M70B 43 (60Hz). On screen size it ties with the Samsung M70H and the M70B 43 at 43 inches.
Like the Samsung M70H and M70B 43, it has a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution, while the Odyssey G7 40 uses a 5120x2160 resolution. No other pick in this guide offers an HDR400; compare the Odyssey G7 40, which has a DisplayHDR 600. It also offers USB-C input.
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. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper M70B 43 and the pricier Odyssey G7 40, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 43 inches
- HDR: HDR400
- Stand: height adjustment
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a stand with height adjustment
- a USB-C input for laptops
Cons
- Costs more than the Samsung M70H at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh4 of 4
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
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the Samsung M70H offers 43 inches.
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 leads this guide at 180Hz, ahead of the INNOCN 43 (144Hz).
Its 40 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the Samsung M70H leads at 43 inches. You get a 5120x2160 resolution here, which sets it apart from the Samsung M70H and its a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution. You get a DisplayHDR 600 here, which sets it apart from the INNOCN 43 and its an HDR400.
It also comes with a 40-inch 21:9 1000R curve. Only the INNOCN 43 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 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
- 5120x2160 resolution, the only one here
Cons
- Screen size trails the Samsung M70H (43 inches)
- Costs more than the Samsung M70H at the time of writing
How We Chose These 40-Inch 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 response, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Samsung M70H to the Odyssey G7 40, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Samsung M70H and the INNOCN 43 give no response; the Samsung M70H and the Odyssey G7 40 give no USB-C.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Samsung M70H ($250 to $500) to the Odyssey G7 40 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 40-Inch Gaming Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate
Here refresh rate runs from 60Hz on the M70B 43 to 180Hz on the Odyssey G7 40. The INNOCN 43 comes second for less money.
Screen size across these picks
Here screen size runs from 40 inches on the Odyssey G7 40 to 43 inches on the Samsung M70H. The Samsung M70H is the pick for screen size.
Response
The M70B 43 lists 4ms; the Odyssey G7 40 lists 1ms.
HDR
The Samsung M70H lists Mini LED HDR; the M70B 43 lists HDR10; the INNOCN 43 lists HDR400; the Odyssey G7 40 lists DisplayHDR 600.
Setup checks
At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. 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.
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 40-Inch Gaming Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | Samsung M70H | The lowest price among these monitors at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want built-in streaming TV apps | M70B 43 | Built-in streaming TV apps |
| Buyers who want built-in stereo speakers | INNOCN 43 | Built-in stereo speakers |
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | Odyssey G7 40 | The highest refresh rate here (180Hz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Odyssey G7 40 leads on refresh rate at 180Hz, ahead of the INNOCN 43 at 144Hz. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung M70H | 120Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 43 inches | Not listed |
| M70B 43 | 60Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 43 inches | 4ms |
| INNOCN 43 | 144Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 43 inches | Not listed |
| Odyssey G7 40 | 180Hz | 5120x2160 | 40 inches | 1ms |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Samsung M70H 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 | Samsung M70H, M70B 43, INNOCN 43 |
| About $500 to $1000 | Odyssey G7 40 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest refresh rate: the Odyssey G7 40 or the INNOCN 43?
The Odyssey G7 40 leads at 180Hz, with the INNOCN 43 at 144Hz. The M70B 43 is at the other end of this group with 60Hz.
What does the Odyssey G7 40 add over the Samsung M70H?
On paper it adds refresh rate (180Hz against 120Hz). It does not win everywhere: the Samsung M70H still leads on screen size (43 inches). The Samsung M70H was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Odyssey G7 40 our Fastest Refresh pick?
It earns the label for the highest refresh rate here (180Hz). It suits esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Do the Samsung M70H and the Odyssey G7 40 differ on resolution?
The Samsung M70H, the M70B 43 and the INNOCN 43 use 3840x2160 (4K); the Odyssey G7 40 uses 5120x2160.
Will the Samsung M70H work with my setup?
At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. In this guide it ranks first of 4, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the Samsung M70H and the M70B 43 include?
The Samsung M70H: Motion Xcelerator with DLG 120Hz. The M70B 43: built-in streaming TV apps. The INNOCN 43: built-in stereo speakers.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Samsung M70H, chosen for the lowest price among these monitors at the time of writing. Look at the M70B 43 for built-in streaming TV apps and the INNOCN 43 for built-in stereo speakers if those matter more to you.
Check desk depth; big screens need distance.