Buying Guide
The Best High-Performance Monitors
We weighed five monitors on refresh rate and screen size, and the Odyssey OLED G80SH costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
OLED panels at 240Hz and above combine near-instant response with deep contrast. Every pick is OLED at 240Hz or more, from the premium end down.
The order reflects refresh rate, resolution and size from maker specifications; we did not test these monitors ourselves, and a missing response is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Premium Pick
LG UltraGear 32GS95UE OLEDA dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Odyssey OLED G80SH costs less.
Check price for LG UltraGear 32GS95UE OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
WOLED Panel
ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDPA WOLED panel.
Best for: Buyers who want a WOLED panel.
Check price for ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDP on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inchDisplayHDR True Black 500.
Best for: Buyers who want DisplayHDR True Black 500.
Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDMA fourth-generation QD-OLED panel.
Best for: Buyers who want fourth-generation QD-OLED panel.
Check price for ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 4KThe cheapest way into this group, below the PG27UCDM.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $1500.
Check price for Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 4K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
LG UltraGear 32GS95UE OLED
LG's 32GS95UE is a 32-inch 4K OLED at 240Hz with FreeSync Premium Pro.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Odyssey OLED G80SH costs less.
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 the most expensive 4K OLED here at the time of writing. It matches the PG32UCDP and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH on screen size (32 inches). You get an OLED panel here, which sets it apart from the Odyssey OLED G80SH and its a QD-OLED panel.
It shares a DisplayHDR True Black 400 with the Odyssey OLED G80SH; the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH goes with a DisplayHDR True Black 500. It also comes with a dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz and an HDMI 2.1 input. 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.
Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. Only the PG32UCDP 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
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 32 inches
- Panel
- OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- 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 Odyssey OLED G80SH at the time of writing
WOLED Panel2 of 5
ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDP
The PG32UCDP is built around a dual mode with 4K at 240Hz or 1080p at 480Hz, with AI Crosshair and AI Sniper functions on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want a WOLED panel.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements is a problem.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 240Hz refresh rate and offers a 32 inches screen size. On screen size it ties with the 32GS95UE and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH at 32 inches. No other pick in this guide offers a WOLED panel; compare the PG27UCDM, which has a QD-OLED panel.
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. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH and the pricier 32GS95UE, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 32 inches
- Panel
- WOLED
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a WOLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- Dual mode with 4K at 240Hz or 1080p at 480Hz
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the Odyssey OLED G80SH at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch
Samsung's G80SH is a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED at 240Hz with DisplayHDR True Black 500, USB-C and a three-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who want DisplayHDR True Black 500.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
Its stand adjusts for height, pivot, tilt and swivel. It matches the 32GS95UE and the PG32UCDP on screen size (32 inches). It shares a QD-OLED panel with the PG27UCDM and Odyssey OLED G80SH; the PG32UCDP goes with a WOLED panel.
You also get OLED Safeguard+ burn-in protection. 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. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. When we checked, only the PG27UCDM and cheaper picks cost less, and the PG32UCDP cost more.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 32 inches
- Panel
- QD-OLED
- HDR
- DisplayHDR True Black 500
- Stand
- height, pivot, tilt and swivel
- USB-C
- Yes
- Warranty
- 3-year
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 500 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the Odyssey OLED G80SH at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM
The PG27UCDM stands out for a fourth-generation QD-OLED panel, and it adds OLED Anti-Flicker 2.0.
Best for
- Buyers who want fourth-generation QD-OLED panel.
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 also offers a 240Hz refresh rate and offers a 26.5 inches screen size. On screen size it trails the group at 26.5 inches, while the 32GS95UE comes in at 32 inches. Like the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH and Odyssey OLED G80SH, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the 32GS95UE uses an OLED panel.
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. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Odyssey OLED G80SH and the pricier Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 26.5 inches
- Panel
- QD-OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- Fourth-generation QD-OLED panel
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Screen size trails the 32GS95UE (32 inches)
- Costs more than the Odyssey OLED G80SH at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is screen size; for more, the 32GS95UE comes in at 32 inches.
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 4K
The Odyssey OLED G80SH is built around a 96W USB-C port and DisplayPort 2.1, with a 166 PPI pixel density on top.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $1500.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements is a problem.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 240Hz refresh rate and offers a 27 inches screen size. On screen size it sits mid-pack at 27 inches: the 32GS95UE comes in at 32 inches, and the PG27UCDM comes in at 26.5 inches. Like the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH and PG27UCDM, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the 32GS95UE uses an OLED panel.
Like the 32GS95UE, it has a DisplayHDR True Black 400, while the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH uses a DisplayHDR True Black 500. 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. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the PG27UCDM was the next step up.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- QD-OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Stand
- height, tilt, swivel and pivot
- USB-C
- Yes
- Warranty
- 3-year
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 of 27 inches, behind the 32GS95UE (32 inches)
The catch
If refresh rate is your priority, the 32GS95UE (240Hz) is the stronger choice.
How We Chose These High-Performance 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- 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, and response and HDR are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the 32GS95UE to the Odyssey OLED G80SH, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The PG32UCDP and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH give no response; the PG32UCDP and the PG27UCDM give no HDR.
- Price range
- From the Odyssey OLED G80SH to the 32GS95UE, all sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a High-Performance Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Screen size
Here screen size runs from 26.5 inches on the PG27UCDM to 32 inches on the 32GS95UE, a 21% spread. The PG32UCDP comes second at 32 inches, in the same price tier as the 32GS95UE.
Extras that separate them
The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH: USB-C with up to 98W. The PG27UCDM: OLED Anti-Flicker 2.0. The Odyssey OLED G80SH: a 166 PPI pixel density.
A desk with a monitor showing code next to a laptop How much to spend
All 5 sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked, from the Odyssey OLED G80SH at the low end to the 32GS95UE at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Odyssey OLED G80SH costs less: the 32GS95UE. Buyers who want a WOLED panel: the PG32UCDP. Keeping the cost under $1500: the Odyssey OLED G80SH.
A white desk with two monitors and a laptop Check ports and cables
High refresh rates at 1440p and 4K need DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1. Consoles need HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120Hz.
How to Choose a High-Performance Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Odyssey OLED G80SH costs less | 32GS95UE | A dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want a WOLED panel | PG32UCDP | A WOLED panel |
| Buyers who want DisplayHDR True Black 500 | Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH | DisplayHDR True Black 500 |
| Buyers who want fourth-generation QD-OLED panel | PG27UCDM | A fourth-generation QD-OLED panel |
| Keeping the cost under $1500 | Odyssey OLED G80SH | The cheapest way into this group, below the PG27UCDM |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 32GS95UE leads on screen size at 32 inches, ahead of the PG32UCDP at 32 inches.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32GS95UE | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | OLED |
| PG32UCDP | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | WOLED |
| Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | QD-OLED |
| PG27UCDM | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 26.5 inches | QD-OLED |
| Odyssey OLED G80SH | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | QD-OLED |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 32GS95UE add over the Odyssey OLED G80SH?
What it brings is screen size (32 inches against 27 inches). Both sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked, so the gains in screen size cost little extra by tier.
Why is the Odyssey OLED G80SH our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the PG27UCDM. It suits keeping the cost under $1500.
Do the 32GS95UE and the PG32UCDP differ on panel?
The 32GS95UE uses OLED; the PG32UCDP uses WOLED; the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH, the PG27UCDM and the Odyssey OLED G80SH use QD-OLED.
What extras do the 32GS95UE and the PG32UCDP include?
The 32GS95UE: a dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz. The PG32UCDP: a dual mode with 4K at 240Hz or 1080p at 480Hz. The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH: DisplayHDR True Black 500.
Who should choose the PG32UCDP?
The PG32UCDP carries our WOLED Panel label for a WOLED panel. It ranks second of 5 here and sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants a WOLED panel.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the 32GS95UE, chosen for a dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz at the highest price in the group. Look at the PG32UCDP for a WOLED panel, the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH for DisplayHDR True Black 500 and the PG27UCDM for a fourth-generation QD-OLED panel if those matter more to you.
Enable burn-in protection features and vary your desktop.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Monitors to Buy Now
- Related guideThe Best 1440p Gaming Monitors to Buy
- Related guideThe Best OLED Gaming Monitors
- Lower budgetThe Best Monitors Under $80
- Similar guideThe Best High Refresh Rate Monitors
- ExplainerHow to choose a monitor for your PC
- Explainer24 vs 27 vs 32-Inch Monitor
- Also see: monitor arms and accessoriesThe Best Monitor Mount for Desk
- Similar guideThe Best VA Monitors
- Topic hubAll monitors for work and everyday use 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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