Buying Guide
The Best 1440p Gaming Monitors
Five 1440p monitors from a 210Hz TUF screen to a 360Hz QD-OLED.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
1440p is the balance point for most gaming PCs. These five step from a budget IPS screen to a 360Hz QD-OLED.
Every figure comes from the manufacturer listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Fastest Refresh
MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLEDThe highest refresh rate here (360Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Check price for MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best OLED Stand
LG UltraGear 27GS95QE OLEDA height, tilt and swivel stand on a 240Hz OLED.
Best for: Desks without an arm.
Check price for LG UltraGear 27GS95QE OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 280Hz Value
Alienware AW2726DL280Hz 1440p IPS near $200.
Best for: Fast games on a budget.
Check price for Alienware AW2726DL on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 240Hz
AOC Q27G41ZE240Hz IPS near $160.
Best for: Mid-range PCs.
Check price for AOC Q27G41ZE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Height Stand
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A210Hz with a height-adjustable stand.
Best for: Ergonomic setups.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A height, tilt and swivel stand on a 240Hz OLED. | Desks without an arm. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27GS95QE OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 280Hz 1440p IPS near $200. | Fast games on a budget. | Check price for Alienware AW2726DL on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 240Hz IPS near $160. | Mid-range PCs. | Check price for AOC Q27G41ZE on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 210Hz with a height-adjustable stand. | Ergonomic setups. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Refresh1 of 5
MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED
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
- Pass on it if oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its built-in KVM switches a keyboard and mouse between two computers, and the stand adjusts for ergonomics. Its QD-OLED panel refreshes at 360Hz with a 0.03ms GtG response time. MSI rates its colour at Delta E 2 or below.
On refresh rate it leads this guide at 360Hz, ahead of the AW2726DL (280Hz). It is the only pick here with a QD-OLED panel; the 27GS95QE has an OLED panel instead. It also comes with 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 VG27AQL5A and the 27GS95QE, based on our last check.
Key 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 Q27G41ZE at the time of writing
Best OLED Stand2 of 5
LG UltraGear 27GS95QE OLED
LG's 27GS95QE is a 27-inch 1440p OLED at 240Hz on a height, tilt and swivel stand.
Best for
- Desks without an arm.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
It costs more than the 27GS93QE for the better stand. On refresh rate it ties with the Q27G41ZE at 240Hz. You get an OLED panel here, which sets it apart from the VG27AQL5A and its a fast IPS panel.
Like the VG27AQL5A, it has a FreeSync Premium, while the Q27G41ZE uses a G-SYNC Compatible. It also comes with a 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio and an HDMI 2.1 input. 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. Only the MPG 271QRX 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
- Stand
- height, tilt and swivel
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 Q27G41ZE at the time of writing
Best 280Hz Value3 of 5
Alienware AW2726DL
The AW2726DL runs a 1440p IPS panel at 280Hz.
Best for
- Fast games on a budget.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Q27G41ZE was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The maker publishes few details, so check the stand and ports on Dell's spec page. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 280Hz: the MPG 271QRX offers 360Hz, and the VG27AQL5A comes in at 210Hz. It shares an IPS panel with the Q27G41ZE; the VG27AQL5A goes with a fast IPS panel.
To see 280Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. Worth noting: 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches. Worth noting: an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. It was priced above the Q27G41ZE and below the VG27AQL5A at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 280Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 1ms
Pros
- a 280Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 280Hz 1440p IPS panel
Cons
- Costs more than the Q27G41ZE at the time of writing
Best Budget 240Hz4 of 5
AOC Q27G41ZE
The Q27G41ZE runs 1440p at 240Hz natively, with an overclocked 260Hz mode, on an IPS panel.
Best for
- Mid-range PCs.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the MPG 271QRX (360Hz).
Why we like it
It is rare to see that combination at this price. It matches the 27GS95QE on refresh rate (240Hz). Like the AW2726DL, it has an IPS panel, while the VG27AQL5A uses a fast IPS panel.
A G-SYNC Compatible is unique to it among these picks, while the VG27AQL5A uses a FreeSync Premium. It also offers DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 inputs. 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the AW2726DL was the next step up. The main gap: refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the MPG 271QRX (360Hz). If that matters, the MPG 271QRX offers 360Hz.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 0.3ms
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the MPG 271QRX (360Hz)
Best Height Stand5 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL5A
ASUS's VG27AQL5A runs a 27-inch 1440p Fast IPS panel at 210Hz on a height-adjustable stand.
Best for
- Ergonomic setups.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the MPG 271QRX offers 360Hz.
Why we like it
It is the TUF model to pick for a balanced 1440p setup. A DisplayPort cable comes in the box, the stand adjusts for height, and DisplayWidget Center changes settings with a mouse. On refresh rate it trails the group at 210Hz, while the MPG 271QRX offers 360Hz.
A fast IPS panel is unique to it among these picks, while the 27GS95QE uses an OLED panel. Like the 27GS95QE, it has a FreeSync Premium, while the Q27G41ZE uses a G-SYNC Compatible. It also offers a mid price tier for 1440p. When we checked, only the AW2726DL and cheaper picks cost less, and the MPG 271QRX cost more.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 210Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- Fast IPS
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium
- Stand
- height adjustment
Pros
- 210Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- FreeSync Premium to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the MPG 271QRX (360Hz)
- Costs more than the Q27G41ZE at the time of writing
How We Chose These 1440p 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.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 8 fields compared are stated for every pick, while response and HDR have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the MPG 271QRX to the VG27AQL5A, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The VG27AQL5A gives no response; the AW2726DL, the Q27G41ZE and the VG27AQL5A give no HDR.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Q27G41ZE ($150 to $250) to the 27GS95QE ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 1440p Gaming Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate
Here refresh rate runs from 210Hz on the VG27AQL5A to 360Hz on the MPG 271QRX, a 71% spread. The AW2726DL comes second at 280Hz, in the $150 to $250 tier against $500 to $1000 for the MPG 271QRX.
Response
The MPG 271QRX and the 27GS95QE list 0.03ms; the AW2726DL lists 1ms; the Q27G41ZE lists 0.3ms. Sort out response before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2, 1 and 1.
A gaming desk with a monitor, a racing-style chair and shelves of figures Extras that separate them
The AW2726DL: a 280Hz 1440p IPS panel. The Q27G41ZE: DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 inputs. The VG27AQL5A: a height-adjustable stand.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the Q27G41ZE, the AW2726DL and the VG27AQL5A; $500 to $1000 buys the MPG 271QRX and the 27GS95QE at our last check.
A large monitor showing a game on a low media unit Start from what matters most
Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates: the MPG 271QRX. Desks without an arm: the 27GS95QE. Fast games on a budget: the AW2726DL.
How to Choose a 1440p Gaming Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | MPG 271QRX | The highest refresh rate here (360Hz) |
| Desks without an arm | 27GS95QE | A height, tilt and swivel stand on a 240Hz OLED |
| Fast games on a budget | AW2726DL | 280Hz 1440p IPS near $200 |
| Mid-range PCs | Q27G41ZE | 240Hz IPS near $160 |
| Ergonomic setups | VG27AQL5A | 210Hz with a height-adjustable stand |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MPG 271QRX leads on refresh rate at 360Hz, ahead of the AW2726DL at 280Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPG 271QRX | 360Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | QD-OLED |
| 27GS95QE | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | OLED |
| AW2726DL | 280Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| Q27G41ZE | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| VG27AQL5A | 210Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Q27G41ZE was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the 27GS95QE the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Q27G41ZE, AW2726DL, VG27AQL5A |
| About $500 to $1000 | MPG 271QRX, 27GS95QE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MPG 271QRX ahead of the AW2726DL on refresh rate?
The MPG 271QRX tops refresh rate at 360Hz; the AW2726DL follows at 280Hz, 29% apart. The VG27AQL5A closes the ranking at 210Hz.
Why is the VG27AQL5A our Best Height Stand pick?
It carries the badge for 210Hz with a height-adjustable stand. The price of that: the Q27G41ZE, the cheapest pick, still beats it on refresh rate (240Hz against 210Hz). It makes sense for ergonomic setups.
Do the MPG 271QRX and the 27GS95QE differ on panel?
The MPG 271QRX uses QD-OLED; the 27GS95QE uses OLED; the AW2726DL and the Q27G41ZE use IPS; the VG27AQL5A uses Fast IPS.
What extras do the MPG 271QRX and the 27GS95QE include?
The MPG 271QRX: a built-in KVM switch. The 27GS95QE: a 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio. The AW2726DL: a 280Hz 1440p IPS panel.
Who should choose the MPG 271QRX?
The MPG 271QRX carries our Fastest Refresh label for the highest refresh rate here (360Hz). It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $500 to $1000 tier at our last price check; it suits esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Bottom Line
MSI's MPG 271QRX is the fastest here. LG's 27GS95QE is the OLED with the better stand, and AOC's Q27G41ZE is the budget 240Hz pick.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best 27-Inch Gaming Monitors
- Related guideThe Best OLED Monitors
- 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 Choose a Graphics Card for 1080p Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best 27-Inch 1440p 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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