Buying Guide
The Best Monitors Under $1,500
We weighed three monitors on refresh rate and screen size, and the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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 HDR, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inchUndercutting the PG32UCDP on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the PG32UCDP.
Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch 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)
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 G8 G80SH costs less.
Check price for LG UltraGear 32GS95UE OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the PG32UCDP on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the PG32UCDP. | Check price for Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH) 32-inch on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A WOLED panel. | Buyers who want a WOLED panel. | Check price for ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDP on Amazon (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, since the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH costs less. | Check price for LG UltraGear 32GS95UE OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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 would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the PG32UCDP.
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. A QD-OLED panel is unique to it among these picks, while the 32GS95UE uses an OLED panel. 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. You also get this: a USB-C input for laptops. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the PG32UCDP was closest.
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
WOLED Panel2 of 3
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. No other pick in this guide offers a WOLED panel; compare the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH, 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 second of 3, 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 G8 G80SH at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
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 G8 G80SH costs less.
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. You get an OLED panel here, which sets it apart from the PG32UCDP and its a WOLED panel. 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 3 picks. It gives ground on refresh rate, where the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH offers 240Hz.
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 G8 G80SH at the time of writing
How We Chose These Monitors Under $1,500
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.
- What we compared
- We compared three monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 3 picks leave out HDR.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH to the 32GS95UE, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The PG32UCDP 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.
HDR
The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH lists DisplayHDR True Black 500; the 32GS95UE lists DisplayHDR True Black 400. Settling HDR first narrows 2 picks to 1 or 1.
Extras that separate them
The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH: USB-C with up to 98W. The PG32UCDP: AI Crosshair and AI Sniper functions. The 32GS95UE: an HDMI 2.1 input.
A desk with a monitor showing code next to a laptop How much to spend
All 3 sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked, from the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH at the low end to the 32GS95UE at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the PG32UCDP: the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH. Buyers who want a WOLED panel: the PG32UCDP. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH costs less: the 32GS95UE.
A white desk with two monitors and a laptop 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 would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the PG32UCDP | Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH | Undercutting the PG32UCDP on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want a WOLED panel | PG32UCDP | A WOLED panel |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH costs less | 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, the PG32UCDP and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | QD-OLED |
| PG32UCDP | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | WOLED |
| 32GS95UE | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 32 inches | OLED |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the PG32UCDP our WOLED Panel pick?
It carries the badge for a WOLED panel. It makes sense for anyone who wants a WOLED panel.
Do the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH and the PG32UCDP differ on panel?
The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH uses QD-OLED; the PG32UCDP uses WOLED; the 32GS95UE uses OLED.
What extras do the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH and the PG32UCDP include?
The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH: DisplayHDR True Black 500. The PG32UCDP: a dual mode with 4K at 240Hz or 1080p at 480Hz. The 32GS95UE: a dual mode with 1080p at 480Hz.
Should I pick the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH or the 32GS95UE?
The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the PG32UCDP; the 32GS95UE suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH costs less.
Does a FreeSync monitor work with an NVIDIA card?
Most do as G-SYNC Compatible over DisplayPort. Check the product page or NVIDIA's compatibility list for the model.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Odyssey OLED G8 G80SH, chosen for undercutting the PG32UCDP on price when we checked. Look at the PG32UCDP for a WOLED panel 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.
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 $1,000
- Similar guideThe Best Monitors Under $80
- ExplainerHow to choose a monitor for your PC
- Explainer24 vs 27 vs 32-Inch Monitor
- Also see: monitor arms and accessoriesThe Best Monitor Stand for Desk
- Similar guideThe Best Monitors Under $120
- 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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