Buying Guide
The Best High Refresh Rate Gaming Monitors
Five monitors at 310Hz and above, including a 480Hz WOLED.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Fastest Refresh
ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDPThe highest refresh rate here (480Hz).
Best for: Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most.
Check price for ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 360Hz Warranty
ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG360Hz QD-OLED with a three-year warranty.
Best for: Long-term owners.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 360Hz Stand
Alienware AW2725DF360Hz with a swivel and pivot stand.
Best for: Adjustable setups.
Check price for Alienware AW2725DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 1080p IPS
Alienware AW2525HM320Hz with 99% sRGB.
Best for: Mid-range PCs.
Check price for Alienware AW2525HM on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 310Hz
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMRL5A310Hz with a height stand near $200.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMRL5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest refresh rate here (480Hz). | Competitive shooters where motion clarity matters most. | Check price for ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 360Hz QD-OLED with a three-year warranty. | Long-term owners. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 360Hz with a swivel and pivot stand. | Adjustable setups. | Check price for Alienware AW2725DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 320Hz with 99% sRGB. | Mid-range PCs. | Check price for Alienware AW2525HM on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 310Hz with a height stand near $200. | Tight budgets. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QMRL5A on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Refresh1 of 5
ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP
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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the XG27ACDNG the nearest cheaper option.
Key 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
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 elements 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. It was priced above the AW2725DF and below the PG27AQDP at the time of writing.
Key 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
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 XG27ACDNG cost more.
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
- Costs more than the VG259QMRL5A at the time of writing
Best 1080p IPS4 of 5
Alienware AW2525HM
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 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
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 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)
The catch
The trade-off is refresh rate; for more, the PG27AQDP offers 480Hz.
How We Chose These High Refresh 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 five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and response and HDR are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the PG27AQDP to the VG259QMRL5A, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The VG259QMRL5A gives no response; the AW2525HM gives no HDR.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the VG259QMRL5A ($150 to $250) to the PG27AQDP ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a High Refresh Gaming Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
Across these 5 picks refresh rate spans 310Hz (the VG259QMRL5A) to 480Hz (the PG27AQDP). For less, the XG27ACDNG is the runner-up at 360Hz.
Screen size
Here screen size runs from 24.5 inches on the VG259QMRL5A to 26.7 inches on the AW2725DF, a 9% spread. Start with the AW2725DF if screen size decides it.
A large monitor showing a game on a low media unit Panel
The PG27AQDP lists WOLED; the XG27ACDNG and the AW2725DF list QD-OLED; the AW2525HM lists IPS; the VG259QMRL5A lists Fast IPS. Sort out panel before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 2, 1, 1 and 1.
Response
The PG27AQDP, the XG27ACDNG and the AW2725DF list 0.03ms; the AW2525HM lists 0.5ms. Settling response first narrows 4 picks to 3 or 1.
A gaming monitor on a desk with purple bias lighting Features beyond the spec table
The AW2725DF: a 360Hz QD-OLED panel at 1440p. The AW2525HM: a 0.5ms response time. The VG259QMRL5A: DisplayHDR 400 certification.
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
The PG27AQDP leads on refresh rate at 480Hz, ahead of the XG27ACDNG at 360Hz.
| 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
At our last check the cheapest pick, the VG259QMRL5A, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the PG27AQDP at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | VG259QMRL5A, AW2525HM |
| About $500 to $1000 | AW2725DF, XG27ACDNG, PG27AQDP |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest refresh rate: the PG27AQDP or the XG27ACDNG?
Between the top two, it is 480Hz on the PG27AQDP against 360Hz on the XG27ACDNG, a 33% difference. The VG259QMRL5A closes the ranking at 310Hz.
How does the PG27AQDP compare with the AW2725DF on screen size?
The AW2725DF leads at 26.7 inches, with the PG27AQDP at 26.5 inches. The spread runs down to the VG259QMRL5A at 24.5 inches.
Is the PG27AQDP worth paying more than the VG259QMRL5A?
On paper it adds refresh rate (480Hz against 310Hz) and screen size (26.5 inches against 24.5 inches). The VG259QMRL5A sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the PG27AQDP in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if refresh rate and screen size decide your purchase.
What makes the XG27ACDNG the Best 360Hz Warranty?
The label rests on 360Hz QD-OLED with a three-year warranty. The VG259QMRL5A, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits long-term owners.
Do the PG27AQDP and the AW2525HM differ on resolution?
The PG27AQDP, the XG27ACDNG and the AW2725DF use 2560x1440 (1440p); the AW2525HM and the VG259QMRL5A use 1920x1080 (1080p).
Beyond the specs, what sets the PG27AQDP and the XG27ACDNG apart?
The PG27AQDP: a 480Hz refresh rate at 1440p. The XG27ACDNG: a 3-year warranty on an OLED panel. The AW2725DF: a 360Hz QD-OLED panel at 1440p.
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.
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 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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