Buying Guide
The Best 4K Monitors for PS5
Four monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, where the 27G810A has the highest refresh rate; the CUNPU 4K is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
The PS5 outputs 4K at 120Hz over HDMI 2.1 only. Every pick lists HDMI 2.1, 4K and 120Hz or more, and cost $800 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these monitors on refresh rate, resolution and size using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out panel, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz
A lower price than the CRUA 32 4K and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz (opens in a new tab)
FreeSync Adaptive Sync
CRUA 32-inch 4K 160Hz Curved
A freeSync.
Best for: Buyers who want a freeSync.
Our take Check price for CRUA 32-inch 4K 160Hz Curved (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B
The highest refresh rate here (180Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Our take Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an HDMI 2.1 input with full 48Gbps bandwidth for 4K at 165Hz.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the CRUA 32 4K and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz (opens in a new tab) |
| A freeSync. | Buyers who want a freeSync. | Check price for CRUA 32-inch 4K 160Hz Curved (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest refresh rate here (180Hz). | Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates. | Check price for LG UltraGear 27G810A-B (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an HDMI 2.1 input with full 48Gbps bandwidth for 4K at 165Hz. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
CUNPU's 27-inch 4K screen runs at 160Hz with an HDMI 2.1 input and 99% DCI-P3 coverage.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: refresh rate of 160Hz, behind the 27G810A (180Hz).
Why we like it
It is one of the cheapest 4K high-refresh monitors here. It matches the CRUA 32 4K on refresh rate (160Hz). On screen size it ties with the 27G810A at 27 inches.
No other pick in this guide offers a fast IPS panel; compare the 27G810A, which has an IPS panel. No other pick in this guide offers a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut; compare the CRUA 32 4K, which has a 120% sRGB color gamut. You also get 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles, a factory calibration of Delta E under 2 and 4K at a budget price tier.
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. It undercut the CRUA 32 4K and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: refresh rate of 160Hz, behind the 27G810A (180Hz). If that matters, the 27G810A offers 180Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: HDR400
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Refresh rate of 160Hz, behind the 27G810A (180Hz)
FreeSync Adaptive Sync2 of 4
CRUA 32-inch 4K 160Hz Curved on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
CRUA's 32-inch 4K screen curves at 1500R and runs at 160Hz with built-in speakers.
Best for
- Buyers who want a freeSync.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the 27G810A offers 180Hz.
Why we like it
The maker specifies an HDMI 2.1 input. On refresh rate it ties with the CUNPU 4K at 160Hz. It matches the MAG 321UP on screen size (32 inches).
A 120% sRGB color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the 27G810A uses a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. No other pick in this guide offers a FreeSync; compare the MAG 321UP, which has a FreeSync Premium Pro. 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.
When we checked, only the CUNPU 4K cost less, and the 27G810A cost more. Refresh rate is its weakest area, and the 27G810A covers it better at 180Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 32 inches
- Color gamut: 120% sRGB
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- 120% sRGB colour coverage
- FreeSync to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the 27G810A (180Hz)
- Costs more than the CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
Fastest Refresh3 of 4
LG UltraGear 27G810A-B on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 27G810A runs 4K at 180Hz and switches to 1080p at 360Hz for shooters, with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayHDR 400.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- Skip it if screen size matters most to you; the CRUA 32 4K offers 32 inches.
Why we like it
It covers both uses on one screen. Nothing else here matches its 180Hz refresh rate; the MAG 321UP comes closest at 165Hz. On screen size it ties with the CUNPU 4K at 27 inches.
It is the only pick here with an IPS panel; the CUNPU 4K has a fast IPS panel instead. It is the only pick here with a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut; the CUNPU 4K has a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut instead. It also offers an HDMI 2.1 input for consoles.
Reaching 180Hz 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 CRUA 32 4K and the MAG 321UP, based on our last check. If screen size is your priority, the CRUA 32 4K (32 inches) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR 400
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium
- Stand: swivel and pivot
Pros
- 180Hz 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
- Screen size trails the CRUA 32 4K (32 inches)
- Costs more than the CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MSI MAG 321UP is a 32-inch QD-OLED that stops at 165Hz, which keeps its price below the 240Hz models.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
Its HDMI 2.1 port carries full 48Gbps bandwidth for 4K at 165Hz from a console or PC. Its 165Hz refresh rate ranks second of 4 here, behind the 27G810A (180Hz) and ahead of the CRUA 32 4K (160Hz). On screen size it ties with the CRUA 32 4K at 32 inches.
It is the only pick here with a QD-OLED panel; the CUNPU 4K has a fast IPS panel instead. A FreeSync Premium Pro is unique to it among these picks, while the CRUA 32 4K uses a FreeSync. You also get an HDMI 2.1 input for consoles.
Reaching 165Hz 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 most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the 27G810A.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 32 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- 165Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- FreeSync Premium Pro to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the CUNPU 4K at the time of writing
How We Chose These 4K Monitors for PS5
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up four monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the CUNPU 4K to the MAG 321UP, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The CRUA 32 4K gives no panel; the CRUA 32 4K gives no response.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the CUNPU 4K ($150 to $250) to the MAG 321UP ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 4K Monitor for PS5
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
Here refresh rate runs from 160Hz on the CRUA 32 4K to 180Hz on the 27G810A. Start with the 27G810A if refresh rate decides it.
Screen size
Here screen size runs from 27 inches on the 27G810A to 32 inches on the CRUA 32 4K. The CRUA 32 4K is the pick for screen size.
Response
The CUNPU 4K and the 27G810A list 1ms; the MAG 321UP lists 0.03ms.
Extras that separate them
The CRUA 32 4K: built-in speakers. The 27G810A: HDMI 2.1 inputs. The MAG 321UP: a console mode.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the CUNPU 4K; $250 to $500 buys the CRUA 32 4K; $500 to $1000 buys the 27G810A and the MAG 321UP at our last check.
How to Choose a 4K Monitor for PS5
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | CUNPU 4K | A lower price than the CRUA 32 4K and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want a freeSync | CRUA 32 4K | A freeSync |
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | 27G810A | The highest refresh rate here (180Hz) |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | MAG 321UP | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an HDMI 2.1 input with full 48Gbps bandwidth for 4K at 165Hz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 27G810A leads on refresh rate at 180Hz, ahead of the MAG 321UP at 165Hz. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNPU 4K | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| CRUA 32 4K | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | Not listed |
| 27G810A | 180Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| MAG 321UP | 165Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | QD-OLED |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The CUNPU 4K was the lowest-priced pick and the MAG 321UP the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | CUNPU 4K |
| About $250 to $500 | CRUA 32 4K |
| About $500 to $1000 | 27G810A, MAG 321UP |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the MAG 321UP compare with the 27G810A on refresh rate?
The 27G810A leads at 180Hz, with the MAG 321UP at 165Hz. The CRUA 32 4K is at the other end of this group with 160Hz.
What does the MAG 321UP add over the CUNPU 4K?
On paper it adds refresh rate (165Hz against 160Hz) and screen size (32 inches against 27 inches). The CUNPU 4K was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the 27G810A our Fastest Refresh pick?
It earns the label for the highest refresh rate here (180Hz). It suits esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Do the CUNPU 4K and the 27G810A differ on panel?
The CUNPU 4K uses Fast IPS; the 27G810A uses IPS; the MAG 321UP uses QD-OLED. The maker of the CRUA 32 4K doesn't say.
What extras do the CUNPU 4K and the CRUA 32 4K include?
The CUNPU 4K: 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles. The CRUA 32 4K: a 1500R curve. The 27G810A: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 360Hz.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the CUNPU 4K, chosen for a lower price than the CRUA 32 4K and the rest when we checked. Look at the CRUA 32 4K for a freeSync and the MAG 321UP for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an HDMI 2.1 input with full 48Gbps bandwidth for 4K at 165Hz if those matter more to you.
Enable 120Hz output in the PS5 video settings.