Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Monitors
Six gaming monitors across 1440p and 4K, OLED and IPS, compared on refresh rate, panel, HDR and the graphics card each one needs.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
The right gaming monitor depends on the graphics card behind it. 1440p suits most gaming PCs, 4K needs a high-end card, and refresh rates above 240Hz reward competitive players.
We compared six monitors on resolution, refresh rate, panel type, HDR and ports. This guide is researched from maker specifications; we have not tested these monitors in person.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best for Most Gamers
LG UltraGear 27GX704A-BA 240Hz OLED panel at 1440p with HDMI 2.1.
Best for: Most gaming PCs with a mid-range or better graphics card.
Check price for LG UltraGear 27GX704A-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
Alienware AW2725DFThe highest refresh rate here (360Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Check price for Alienware AW2725DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best IPS Pick
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR300Hz with DisplayHDR 600 on a Fast IPS panel.
Best for: Players who want high refresh without OLED burn-in risk.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 4K Pick
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K4K at 144Hz with DisplayHDR 400.
Best for: High-end graphics cards and sharp detail.
Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCGThe XG27UCG is a 4K 160Hz monitor that can switch to 1080p at 320Hz for shooters, and adds USB-C for a laptop.
Best for: Buyers who want 160hz for smoother motion than a 60hz office screen.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Pick
KTC H27T22C-31440p at 220Hz with built-in speakers.
Best for: Budget 1440p builds.
Check price for KTC H27T22C-3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 240Hz OLED panel at 1440p with HDMI 2.1. | Most gaming PCs with a mid-range or better graphics card. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27GX704A-B on Amazon (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 Alienware AW2725DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 300Hz with DisplayHDR 600 on a Fast IPS panel. | Players who want high refresh without OLED burn-in risk. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 4K at 144Hz with DisplayHDR 400. | High-end graphics cards and sharp detail. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K 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. | Buyers who want 160hz for smoother motion than a 60hz office screen. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 1440p at 220Hz with built-in speakers. | Budget 1440p builds. | Check price for KTC H27T22C-3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best for Most Gamers1 of 6
LG UltraGear 27GX704A-B
The 27GX704A brings a 240Hz OLED panel to 1440p with near-instant response and True Black 400 HDR.
Best for
- Most gaming PCs with a mid-range or better graphics card.
Skip if
- Pass on it if oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
For most gaming PCs it is the best balance of motion clarity, contrast and price. Its 240Hz refresh rate ranks third of 6 here, behind the AW2725DF (360Hz) and ahead of the Odyssey G7 27 (144Hz). On screen size it ties with the XG27AQMR, the Odyssey G7 27, the XG27UCG and the H27T22C at 27 inches.
It is the only pick here with an OLED panel; the XG27AQMR has a fast IPS panel instead. Like the AW2725DF, it has a DisplayHDR True Black 400, while the Odyssey G7 27 uses a DisplayHDR 400. Like the AW2725DF, it has a swivel and pivot stand, while the Odyssey G7 27 uses a swivel stand.
You also get HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 inputs. To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. Its price falls between the XG27AQMR and the Odyssey G7 27, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium Pro
- Stand
- swivel and pivot
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 H27T22C at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh2 of 6
Alienware AW2725DF
The AW2725DF pushes a QD-OLED panel to 360Hz at 1440p.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
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 suits competitive players with a graphics card that can hold very high frame rates. Its 360Hz refresh rate is the highest here; the XG27AQMR comes next at 300Hz. On screen size it trails the group at 26.7 inches, while the 27GX704A comes in at 27 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers a QD-OLED panel; compare the H27T22C, which has an IPS panel. Like the 27GX704A, it has a DisplayHDR True Black 400, while the H27T22C uses an HDR 400. No other pick in this guide offers a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut; compare the XG27UCG, which has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut.
To see 360Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the XG27UCG and the rest.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 360Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 26.7 inches
- Panel
- QD-OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Color gamut
- 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium Pro
- Stand
- swivel and pivot
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
- Screen size trails the 27GX704A (27 inches)
- Costs more than the H27T22C at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is screen size; for more, the 27GX704A comes in at 27 inches.
Best IPS Pick3 of 6
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR
The XG27AQMR runs a Fast IPS panel at 300Hz with DisplayHDR 600, a strong HDR rating for IPS.
Best for
- Players who want high refresh without OLED burn-in risk.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the H27T22C 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 AW2725DF offers 360Hz, and the Odyssey G7 27 comes in at 144Hz. It matches the 27GX704A, the Odyssey G7 27, the XG27UCG and the H27T22C on screen size (27 inches).
You get a fast IPS panel here, which sets it apart from the Odyssey G7 27 and its an IPS panel. You get a DisplayHDR 600 here, which sets it apart from the H27T22C and its an HDR 400. You also get 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. It was priced above the H27T22C and below the 27GX704A at the time of writing.
Key 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 H27T22C at the time of writing
Best 4K Pick4 of 6
Samsung Odyssey G7 (G70D) 27-inch 4K
The Odyssey G7 gives 4K at 144Hz on a 27-inch IPS panel.
Best for
- High-end graphics cards and sharp detail.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the AW2725DF offers 360Hz.
Why we like it
It suits a high-end graphics card and players who value sharpness over maximum refresh. On refresh rate it trails the group at 144Hz, while the AW2725DF offers 360Hz. It matches the 27GX704A, the XG27AQMR, the XG27UCG and the H27T22C on screen size (27 inches).
It shares a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution with the XG27UCG; the AW2725DF goes with a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. It shares an IPS panel with the XG27UCG and H27T22C; the 27GX704A goes with an OLED panel. A DisplayHDR 400 is unique to it among these picks, while the AW2725DF uses a DisplayHDR True Black 400.
You also get Samsung's smart-monitor features listed alongside gaming modes. 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. When we checked, only the 27GX704A and cheaper picks cost less, and the XG27UCG cost more.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 144Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 400
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium
- Stand
- swivel
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the AW2725DF (360Hz)
- Costs more than the H27T22C at the time of writing
The catch
Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the AW2725DF covers it better at 360Hz.
Solid Alternative5 of 6
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG
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
- Buyers who want 160hz for smoother motion than a 60hz office screen.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the H27T22C was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its 160Hz refresh rate ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the AW2725DF (360Hz) and ahead of the Odyssey G7 27 (144Hz). On screen size it ties with the 27GX704A, the XG27AQMR, the Odyssey G7 27 and the H27T22C at 27 inches. Like the Odyssey G7 27, it has a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution, while the 27GX704A uses a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution.
It is the only pick here with a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut; the AW2725DF has a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut 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. Its price falls between the Odyssey G7 27 and the AW2725DF, based on our last check.
Key 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
- Costs more than the H27T22C at the time of writing
Best Budget Pick6 of 6
KTC H27T22C-3
The KTC H27T22C brings 1440p at 220Hz to a budget price with HDR 400 and speakers.
Best for
- Budget 1440p builds.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when refresh rate of 220Hz, behind the AW2725DF (360Hz) is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the value way to a sharp, fast screen. Its 220Hz refresh rate ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the AW2725DF (360Hz) and ahead of the Odyssey G7 27 (144Hz). On screen size it ties with the 27GX704A, the XG27AQMR, the Odyssey G7 27 and the XG27UCG at 27 inches.
Like the Odyssey G7 27 and XG27UCG, it has an IPS panel, while the 27GX704A uses an OLED panel. It is the only pick here with an HDR 400; the 27GX704A has a DisplayHDR True Black 400 instead. It is the only pick here with a 131% sRGB color gamut; the AW2725DF has a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut instead.
It also offers DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 inputs. 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 XG27AQMR was the next step up.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 220Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- HDR 400
- Color gamut
- 131% sRGB
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync, G-SYNC
Pros
- 220Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 131% sRGB colour coverage
Cons
- Refresh rate of 220Hz, behind the AW2725DF (360Hz)
The catch
The main gap: refresh rate of 220Hz, behind the AW2725DF (360Hz). If that matters, the AW2725DF offers 360Hz.
How We Chose These Gaming Monitors
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 lined up six monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 6 picks leave out HDR.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the 27GX704A to the H27T22C, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The XG27UCG gives no HDR; the 27GX704A, the XG27AQMR and the Odyssey G7 27 give no color gamut.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the H27T22C ($150 to $250) to the AW2725DF ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a Gaming Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate
Here refresh rate runs from 144Hz on the Odyssey G7 27 to 360Hz on the AW2725DF, a 150% spread. The XG27AQMR comes second at 300Hz, in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 for the AW2725DF.
Screen size across these picks
Across these 6 picks screen size spans 26.7 inches (the AW2725DF) to 27 inches (the 27GX704A). For less, the XG27AQMR is the runner-up at 27 inches.
A gaming desk with a monitor, a racing-style chair and shelves of figures Panel
The 27GX704A lists OLED; the AW2725DF lists QD-OLED; the XG27AQMR lists Fast IPS; the Odyssey G7 27, the XG27UCG and the H27T22C list IPS. Sort out panel before price: it splits 6 stated picks into groups of 3, 1, 1 and 1.
Response
The 27GX704A and the AW2725DF list 0.03ms; the XG27AQMR, the Odyssey G7 27, the XG27UCG and the H27T22C list 1ms. Sort out response before price: it splits 6 stated picks into groups of 4 and 2.
A large monitor showing a game on a low media unit Extras that separate them
The Odyssey G7 27: Samsung's smart-monitor features listed alongside gaming modes. The XG27UCG: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 320Hz. The H27T22C: DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 inputs.
How to Choose a Gaming Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most gaming PCs with a mid-range or better graphics card | 27GX704A | A 240Hz OLED panel at 1440p with HDMI 2.1 |
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | AW2725DF | The highest refresh rate here (360Hz) |
| Players who want high refresh without OLED burn-in risk | XG27AQMR | 300Hz with DisplayHDR 600 on a Fast IPS panel |
| High-end graphics cards and sharp detail | Odyssey G7 27 | 4K at 144Hz with DisplayHDR 400 |
| Budget 1440p builds | H27T22C | 1440p at 220Hz with built-in speakers |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The AW2725DF leads on refresh rate at 360Hz, ahead of the XG27AQMR at 300Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27GX704A | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | OLED |
| AW2725DF | 360Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 26.7 inches | QD-OLED |
| XG27AQMR | 300Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| Odyssey G7 27 | 144Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| XG27UCG | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| H27T22C | 220Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The H27T22C was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the AW2725DF the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | H27T22C |
| About $250 to $500 | XG27AQMR, 27GX704A, Odyssey G7 27, XG27UCG |
| About $500 to $1000 | AW2725DF |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest refresh rate: the AW2725DF or the XG27AQMR?
The AW2725DF tops refresh rate at 360Hz; the XG27AQMR follows at 300Hz, 20% apart. The Odyssey G7 27 closes the ranking at 144Hz.
What does the AW2725DF add over the H27T22C?
On paper it adds refresh rate (360Hz against 220Hz). It does not win everywhere: the H27T22C still leads on screen size (27 inches). On our last price check the H27T22C was in the $150 to $250 tier and the AW2725DF in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if refresh rate decides your purchase.
Why is the AW2725DF our Fastest Refresh pick?
It carries the badge for the highest refresh rate here (360Hz). On refresh rate it leads the XG27AQMR, 360Hz against 300Hz, a 20% margin. The price of that: the H27T22C, the cheapest pick, still beats it on screen size (27 inches against 26.7 inches). It suits esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Do the 27GX704A and the Odyssey G7 27 differ on resolution?
The 27GX704A, the AW2725DF, the XG27AQMR and the H27T22C use 2560x1440 (1440p); the Odyssey G7 27 and the XG27UCG use 3840x2160 (4K).
What extras do the 27GX704A and the AW2725DF include?
The 27GX704A: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 inputs. The AW2725DF: a 360Hz QD-OLED panel at 1440p. The XG27AQMR: DCI-P3 wide colour coverage.
Bottom Line
The LG UltraGear 27GX704A-B is the pick for most gamers, the Alienware AW2725DF is the competitive option, and the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR suits players who prefer IPS.
The Samsung Odyssey G7 and ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCG cover 4K, and the KTC H27T22C-3 is the budget choice.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 27-Inch 1440p Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best 1440p 240Hz Gaming Monitors
- Related guideHow to choose a monitor for your PC
- 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 cardsGPU Power Connectors Explained
- Similar guideThe Best 2K 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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