Buying Guide
The Best High Refresh Rate Gaming Monitors
Five monitors at 310Hz and above, including a 480Hz WOLED.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Above 300Hz, only a fast PC in light competitive games reaches the refresh rate. These five run between 310Hz and 480Hz.
We compared panel, resolution and response time.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Refresh
ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP
The highest refresh rate here (480Hz).
Best for: Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP (opens in a new tab)
Best 360Hz Warranty
ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG
360Hz QD-OLED with a three-year warranty.
Best for: Long-term owners.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG (opens in a new tab)
Best 360Hz Stand
Alienware AW2725DF
360Hz with a swivel and pivot stand.
Best for: Adjustable setups.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW2725DF (opens in a new tab)
Best 1080p IPS
Alienware AW2525HM
320Hz with 99% sRGB.
Best for: Mid-range PCs.
Our take Check price for Alienware AW2525HM (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 310Hz
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMRL5A
310Hz with a height stand near $200.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMRL5A (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest refresh rate here (480Hz). | Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most. | Check price for ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP (opens in a new tab) |
| 360Hz QD-OLED with a three-year warranty. | Long-term owners. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG (opens in a new tab) |
| 360Hz with a swivel and pivot stand. | Adjustable setups. | Check price for Alienware AW2725DF (opens in a new tab) |
| 320Hz with 99% sRGB. | Mid-range PCs. | Check price for Alienware AW2525HM (opens in a new tab) |
| 310Hz with a height stand near $200. | Tight budgets. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMRL5A (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Refresh1 of 5
ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PG27AQDP goes further to 480Hz on a WOLED panel, the fastest here, for players whose PCs can feed it.
Best for
- Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
On refresh rate it leads this guide at 480Hz, ahead of the XG27ACDNG (360Hz). It matches the XG27ACDNG on screen size (26.5 inches). It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the XG27ACDNG and AW2725DF; the VG259QMRL5A goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution.
A WOLED panel is unique to it among these picks, while the AW2725DF uses a QD-OLED panel. It shares a DisplayHDR True Black 400 with the XG27ACDNG and AW2725DF; the VG259QMRL5A goes with a DisplayHDR 400. To see 480Hz 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. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. When we checked, only the AW2725DF and cheaper picks cost less, and the XG27ACDNG cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 480Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 26.5 inches
- Panel: WOLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- a 480Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a WOLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the VG259QMRL5A at the time of writing
Best 360Hz Warranty2 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XG27ACDNG runs a QD-OLED panel at 360Hz with True Black 400 HDR and a 3-year warranty.
Best for
- Long-term owners.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when oLED burn-in risk with static desktop element is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the balanced pick for competitive play. On refresh rate it ties with the AW2725DF at 360Hz. It matches the PG27AQDP on screen size (26.5 inches).
It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the PG27AQDP and AW2725DF; the VG259QMRL5A goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. It shares a QD-OLED panel with the AW2725DF; the AW2525HM goes with an IPS panel. It shares a DisplayHDR True Black 400 with the PG27AQDP and AW2725DF; the VG259QMRL5A goes with a DisplayHDR 400.
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. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 360Hz
- Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size: 26.5 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible
- Warranty: 3-year
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 VG259QMRL5A at the time of writing
Best 360Hz Stand3 of 5
Alienware AW2725DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The AW2725DF pushes a QD-OLED panel to 360Hz at 1440p.
Best for
- Adjustable setups.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
It suits competitive players with a graphics card that can hold very high frame rates. On refresh rate it ties with the XG27ACDNG at 360Hz. Nothing else here matches its 26.7 inches screen size; the PG27AQDP comes closest at 26.5 inches.
It shares a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution with the PG27AQDP and XG27ACDNG; the VG259QMRL5A goes with a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution. It shares a QD-OLED panel with the XG27ACDNG; the AW2525HM goes with an IPS panel. 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. When we checked, only the AW2525HM and cheaper picks cost less, and the PG27AQDP cost more.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the VG259QMRL5A at the time of writing
Best 1080p IPS4 of 5
Alienware AW2525HM on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Alienware's AW2525HM runs a 24.5-inch 1080p IPS panel at 320Hz with 99% sRGB coverage.
Best for
- Mid-range PCs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the VG259QMRL5A cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It targets competitive shooters on a mid-range PC. On refresh rate it sits mid-pack at 320Hz: the PG27AQDP offers 480Hz, and the VG259QMRL5A comes in at 310Hz. It matches the VG259QMRL5A on screen size (24.5 inches).
It shares a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution with the VG259QMRL5A; the XG27ACDNG goes with a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. An IPS panel is unique to it among these picks, while the XG27ACDNG uses a QD-OLED panel. It shares a 99% sRGB color gamut with the VG259QMRL5A; the XG27ACDNG goes with a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut.
It also comes with a 0.5ms response time and Alienware styling at a mid price tier. At 1080p, 320Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. When we checked, only the VG259QMRL5A cost less, and the AW2725DF cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 320Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24.5 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 0.5ms
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible
Pros
- a 320Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Costs more than the VG259QMRL5A at the time of writing
Best Budget 310Hz5 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMRL5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASUS's VG259QMRL5A runs a 24.5-inch 1080p Fast IPS panel at 310Hz and adds DisplayHDR 400 and a height-adjustable stand.
Best for
- Tight budgets.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the PG27AQDP offers 480Hz.
Why we like it
It is the esports model in the TUF line. Its 310Hz refresh rate is the lowest in this group; the PG27AQDP leads at 480Hz. On screen size it ties with the AW2525HM at 24.5 inches.
Like the AW2525HM, it has a 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution, while the XG27ACDNG uses a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution. No other pick in this guide offers a fast IPS panel; compare the AW2725DF, which has a QD-OLED panel. No other pick in this guide offers a DisplayHDR 400; compare the XG27ACDNG, which has a DisplayHDR True Black 400.
At 1080p, 310Hz is within reach of mid-range graphics cards in esports titles; use DisplayPort if your card's HDMI port is older. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. It undercut the AW2525HM and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 310Hz
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
- Size: 24.5 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- HDR: DisplayHDR 400
- Color gamut: 99% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible
- Stand: height adjustment
Pros
- a 310Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the PG27AQDP (480Hz)
- Screen size trails the AW2725DF (26.7 inches)
How We Chose These High Refresh Gaming Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Resolution and refresh
- We compared listed resolution and refresh rate against the graphics power each needs.
- Connectivity and stand
- We checked ports, USB-C and stand adjustment where the listing states them.
- Panel
- We noted panel type and the trade-offs it brings for motion, contrast and burn-in.
- HDR and colour
- We recorded DisplayHDR certifications and listed colour gamut.
What to Look for in a High Refresh Gaming Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Choose a refresh rate you can reach
A higher refresh rate only helps when your PC delivers matching frame rates. 144Hz to 180Hz suits most players; 240Hz and above rewards competitive shooters.
Pick the panel type
IPS offers wide viewing angles and good colour. VA has higher contrast but slower dark transitions. OLED has perfect blacks and very fast response but carries a burn-in risk with static content.
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.
Size for your desk distance
24 to 25 inches suits 1080p and competitive play at a typical desk. 27 inches pairs well with 1440p and 4K; 32 inches suits 4K at a deeper desk.
Consider the stand
A stand with height, tilt and swivel adjustment saves buying a monitor arm. Check VESA mounting if you plan to use one anyway.
Read HDR labels carefully
HDR10 means the monitor accepts an HDR signal, not that it displays it well. DisplayHDR 600 or True Black 400 certifications say more about real HDR performance.
How to Choose a High Refresh Gaming Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most | PG27AQDP | The highest refresh rate here (480Hz) |
| Long-term owners | XG27ACDNG | 360Hz QD-OLED with a three-year warranty |
| Adjustable setups | AW2725DF | 360Hz with a swivel and pivot stand |
| Mid-range PCs | AW2525HM | 320Hz with 99% sRGB |
| Tight budgets | VG259QMRL5A | 310Hz with a height stand near $200 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG27AQDP | 480Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 26.5 inches | WOLED |
| XG27ACDNG | 360Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 26.5 inches | QD-OLED |
| AW2725DF | 360Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 26.7 inches | QD-OLED |
| AW2525HM | 320Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | IPS |
| VG259QMRL5A | 310Hz | 1920x1080 (1080p) | 24.5 inches | Fast IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | VG259QMRL5A, AW2525HM |
| About $500 to $1000 | AW2725DF, PG27AQDP, XG27ACDNG |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1080p fine on a 27-inch monitor?
It works, but text and detail look softer. 1440p is sharper at 27 inches; 1080p is best at 24 to 25 inches.
Is HDR worth it on a budget monitor?
Rarely. Budget HDR10 monitors accept HDR but lack the brightness and contrast to show it well. OLED or DisplayHDR 600 models do it better.
Does a 1ms response time rating matter?
Makers measure response time differently, so compare panel type and independent reviews rather than the headline figure.
Is OLED burn-in still a problem?
It is a risk with static elements over many hours. Current OLED monitors use pixel-refresh routines to reduce it; check the maker's warranty for burn-in coverage.
Should I use HDMI or DisplayPort?
On a PC, DisplayPort usually supports the highest refresh rates. HDMI 2.1 is equivalent and needed for consoles.
Do I need a GPU that matches the refresh rate?
To benefit fully, yes. A 240Hz monitor still feels smoother at 150fps than a 144Hz one, but the gains shrink when frame rates are far below the refresh rate.
Bottom Line
ASUS's PG27AQDP leads at 480Hz. The XG27ACDNG and AW2725DF are the 360Hz QD-OLEDs, and the two 1080p IPS screens cost far less.