Buying Guide
The Best Monitors Under $1,500
We weighed three monitors on refresh rate and screen size; the Odyssey OLED G9 has the largest screen size, and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Above $1,000, monitors reach flagship OLEDs and super-ultrawides. Every pick sits between $1,000 and $1,500, ordered by size.
We ranked these monitors on refresh rate, resolution and size using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these monitors ourselves, and where a maker leaves out response, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Screen Size
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 (G91SD) 49-inch
The largest screen size here (49 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Our take Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 (G91SD) 49-inch (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch
Undercutting the Odyssey OLED G9 on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
LG UltraGear 32GS95UE OLED
A dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for LG UltraGear 32GS95UE OLED (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest screen size here (49 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 (G91SD) 49-inch (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the Odyssey OLED G9 on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch (opens in a new tab) |
| A dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for LG UltraGear 32GS95UE OLED (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Screen Size1 of 3
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 (G91SD) 49-inch on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's Odyssey OLED G9 is a 49-inch 5120x1440 QD-OLED at 144Hz.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Pass on it if oLED burn-in risk with static desktop element rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It replaces two 27-inch 1440p screens with one curved panel. On refresh rate it trails the group at 144Hz, while the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH offers 240Hz. Nothing else here matches its 49 inches screen size; the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH comes closest at 32 inches.
You get a 5120x1440 resolution here, which sets it apart from the 32GS95UE and its a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution. It shares a QD-OLED panel with the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH; the 32GS95UE goes with an OLED panel. It also comes with a height-adjustable stand.
Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. It was priced above the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH and below the 32GS95UE at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Resolution: 5120x1440
- Size: 49 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
Pros
- 144Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- 49-inch Dual QHD panel
- 110 pixels per inch
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Refresh rate trails the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH (240Hz)
- Costs more than the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 3
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
Its stand adjusts for height, pivot, tilt and swivel. On refresh rate it ties with the 32GS95UE at 240Hz. It matches the 32GS95UE on screen size (32 inches).
It shares a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution with the 32GS95UE; the Odyssey OLED G9 goes with a 5120x1440 resolution. It also offers 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Odyssey OLED G9 was closest. What it gives up: screen size of 32 inches, behind the Odyssey OLED G9 (49 inches); by contrast, the Odyssey OLED G9 comes in at 49 inches.
Key dimensions & 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
- Screen size of 32 inches, behind the Odyssey OLED G9 (49 inches)
Premium Pick3 of 3
LG UltraGear 32GS95UE OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers 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. On refresh rate it ties with the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH at 240Hz. It matches the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH on screen size (32 inches).
It shares a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution with the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH; the Odyssey OLED G9 goes with a 5120x1440 resolution. You get an OLED panel here, which sets it apart from the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH and its a QD-OLED panel. It also comes with a dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz and an HDMI 2.1 input.
Only the Odyssey OLED G9 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks. It gives ground on screen size, where the Odyssey OLED G9 comes in at 49 inches.
Key dimensions & 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
- Screen size trails the Odyssey OLED G9 (49 inches)
- Costs more than the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH at the time of writing
How We Chose These Monitors Under $1,500
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared three monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Odyssey OLED G9 to the 32GS95UE, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH gives no response; the Odyssey OLED G9 gives no HDR.
- Price range
- From the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH to the 32GS95UE, all sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Monitor Under $1,500
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
Here refresh rate runs from 144Hz on the Odyssey OLED G9 to 240Hz on the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH. Start with the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH if refresh rate decides it.
How much screen size you need
Here screen size runs from 32 inches on the 32GS95UE to 49 inches on the Odyssey OLED G9. The Odyssey OLED G9 is the pick for screen size.
Panel
The Odyssey OLED G9 and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH list QD-OLED; the 32GS95UE lists OLED. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Fit and compatibility
Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. 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.
Extras that separate them
The Odyssey OLED G9: 110 pixels per inch. The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH: USB-C with up to 98W. The 32GS95UE: an HDMI 2.1 input.
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.
How to Choose a Monitor Under $1,500
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put screen size first | Odyssey OLED G9 | The largest screen size here (49 inches) |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH | Undercutting the Odyssey OLED G9 on price when we checked |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | 32GS95UE | A dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH leads on refresh rate at 240Hz, ahead of the 32GS95UE at 240Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey OLED G9 | 144Hz | 5120x1440 | 49 inches | QD-OLED |
| Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | QD-OLED |
| 32GS95UE | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | OLED |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH compare with the Odyssey OLED G9 on screen size?
The Odyssey OLED G9 leads at 49 inches, with the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH at 32 inches.
Why is the Odyssey OLED G9 our Largest Screen Size pick?
It earns the label for the largest screen size here (49 inches). It suits anyone who put screen size first.
Do the Odyssey OLED G9 and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH differ on resolution?
The Odyssey OLED G9 uses 5120x1440; the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH and the 32GS95UE use 3840x2160 (4K).
Will the 32GS95UE work with my setup?
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. In this guide it ranks third of 3, as our Premium Pick pick.
What extras do the Odyssey OLED G9 and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH include?
The Odyssey OLED G9: a 49-inch Dual QHD panel. The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH: DisplayHDR True Black 500. The 32GS95UE: a dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Odyssey OLED G9, chosen for the largest screen size here (49 inches). Look at the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH for undercutting the Odyssey OLED G9 on price when we checked and the 32GS95UE for a dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Measure desk depth for large curved screens.