Buying Guide
The Best HDR Monitors
Five monitors ranked on refresh rate and screen size, where the XG27AQMR has the highest refresh rate; the AW2723DF is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Real HDR needs high brightness or OLED blacks; DisplayHDR 600, 1000 or True Black ratings show it. Every pick carries one, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh refresh rate, resolution and size as the makers state them; if a maker skips color gamut, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Alienware AW2723DFUndercutting the XG27AQMR on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $500.
Check price for Alienware AW2723DF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Refresh
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMRThe highest refresh rate here (300Hz).
Best for: Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Alienware AW2725QF Dual-ResolutionA dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz.
Best for: Buyers who want dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz.
Check price for Alienware AW2725QF Dual-Resolution on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
OLED Panel
LG UltraGear 27GS93QE OLEDAn OLED panel.
Best for: Buyers who want an OLED panel.
Check price for LG UltraGear 27GS93QE OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS ROG XG27AQDMGRA glossy TrueBlack panel at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the AW2723DF costs less.
Check price for ASUS ROG XG27AQDMGR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Alienware AW2723DF
The AW2723DF is an IPS monitor with DisplayHDR 600, 95% DCI-P3 and a 280Hz overclock mode, on a fully adjustable stand.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $500.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the XG27AQMR (300Hz).
Why we like it
It matches the 27GS93QE and the XG27AQDMGR on refresh rate (240Hz). On screen size it ties with the XG27AQMR, the AW2725QF and the 27GS93QE at 27 inches. Like the AW2725QF, it has an IPS panel, while the XG27AQDMGR uses a WOLED panel.
Like the XG27AQMR and AW2725QF, it has a DisplayHDR 600, while the 27GS93QE uses a DisplayHDR True Black 400. Like the AW2725QF, it has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, while the XG27AQDMGR uses a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut. To see 240Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower.
G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. It undercut the XG27AQMR and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 600
- Color gamut
- 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible
- Stand
- height, swivel and pivot adjustment
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
Cons
- Refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the XG27AQMR (300Hz)
The catch
The main gap: refresh rate of 240Hz, behind the XG27AQMR (300Hz). If that matters, the XG27AQMR offers 300Hz.
Fastest Refresh2 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR
The XG27AQMR runs a Fast IPS panel at 300Hz with DisplayHDR 600, a strong HDR rating for IPS.
Best for
- Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the AW2723DF was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It avoids OLED's burn-in concerns for desktop-heavy use. Its 300Hz refresh rate is the highest here; the AW2723DF comes next at 240Hz. It matches the AW2723DF, the AW2725QF and the 27GS93QE on screen size (27 inches).
A fast IPS panel is unique to it among these picks, while the AW2725QF uses an IPS panel. It shares a DisplayHDR 600 with the AW2723DF and AW2725QF; the XG27AQDMGR goes with a DisplayHDR 400 True Black. It also offers DCI-P3 wide colour coverage.
To see 300Hz at 1440p, connect over DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1; older HDMI 2.0 ports cap the refresh rate lower. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. When we checked, only the AW2723DF cost less, and the AW2725QF cost more.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 300Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- Fast IPS
- Response
- 1ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 600
- Adaptive sync
- G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- a 300Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
Cons
- Costs more than the AW2723DF at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
Alienware AW2725QF Dual-Resolution
Alienware's AW2725QF is a 27-inch 4K IPS screen at 180Hz with DisplayHDR 600.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the XG27AQMR offers 300Hz.
Why we like it
It avoids OLED burn-in concerns while keeping 4K sharpness. Its 180Hz refresh rate is the lowest in this group; the XG27AQMR leads at 300Hz. On screen size it ties with the AW2723DF, the XG27AQMR and the 27GS93QE at 27 inches.
It is the only pick here with a 3840x2160 (4K) resolution; the AW2723DF has a 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution instead. Like the AW2723DF, it has an IPS panel, while the XG27AQDMGR uses a WOLED panel. Like the AW2723DF and XG27AQMR, it has a DisplayHDR 600, while the 27GS93QE uses a DisplayHDR True Black 400.
It also offers a dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz and Dolby Vision support. 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. Its price falls between the XG27AQMR and the 27GS93QE, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 180Hz
- Resolution
- 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- IPS
- Response
- 0.5ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 600
- Color gamut
- 95% DCI-P3
Pros
- 180Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- DisplayHDR 600 certification
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the XG27AQMR (300Hz)
- Costs more than the AW2723DF at the time of writing
The catch
If refresh rate is your priority, the XG27AQMR (300Hz) is the stronger choice.
OLED Panel4 of 5
LG UltraGear 27GS93QE OLED
LG's 27GS93QE is a 27-inch 1440p OLED at 240Hz with DisplayHDR True Black 400.
Best for
- Buyers who want an OLED panel.
Skip if
- Pass on it if oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is a lower-priced LG OLED with a two-year warranty. It is DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified with a 1.5 million to 1 contrast ratio, and the stand adjusts for height, tilt and pivot. Gamer, FPS and RTS modes tune the picture.
Its virtually borderless design saves space on a crowded desk. It matches the AW2723DF and the XG27AQDMGR on refresh rate (240Hz). On screen size it ties with the AW2723DF, the XG27AQMR and the AW2725QF at 27 inches.
It is the only pick here with an OLED panel; the AW2723DF has an IPS panel instead. A FreeSync Premium is unique to it among these picks, while the AW2723DF uses a G-SYNC Compatible. It also comes with an anti-glare low-reflection OLED coating and an HDMI 2.1 input. Its price falls between the AW2725QF and the XG27AQDMGR, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 27 inches
- Panel
- OLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Adaptive sync
- FreeSync Premium
- Warranty
- 2-year
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- 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 AW2723DF at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASUS ROG XG27AQDMGR
What the XG27AQDMGR brings to the table is a glossy TrueBlack panel, plus OLED Care Pro with a proximity sensor that blanks the screen when you leave.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the AW2723DF 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 also offers a 240Hz refresh rate and offers a 26.5 inches screen size. On refresh rate it ties with the AW2723DF and the 27GS93QE at 240Hz. Its 26.5 inches screen size is the smallest in this group; the AW2723DF leads at 27 inches.
A WOLED panel is unique to it among these picks, while the XG27AQMR uses a fast IPS panel. A DisplayHDR 400 True Black is unique to it among these picks, while the XG27AQMR uses a DisplayHDR 600. A 99% DCI-P3 color gamut is unique to it among these picks, while the AW2725QF uses a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut.
To see 240Hz 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the 27GS93QE the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Refresh rate
- 240Hz
- Resolution
- 2560x1440 (1440p)
- Size
- 26.5 inches
- Panel
- WOLED
- Response
- 0.03ms
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 400 True Black
- Color gamut
- 99% DCI-P3
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 1440p resolution, sharper than 1080p at 27 inches
- a WOLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR 400 True Black certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Screen size trails the AW2723DF (27 inches)
- Costs more than the AW2723DF at the time of writing
The catch
Screen size is its weakest area, and the AW2723DF covers it better at 27 inches.
How We Chose These HDR 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.
- What we compared
- We compared five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out color gamut.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the AW2723DF to the XG27AQDMGR, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The XG27AQMR and the 27GS93QE give no color gamut; the AW2725QF and the XG27AQDMGR give no adaptive sync.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the AW2723DF ($250 to $500) to the XG27AQDMGR ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in an HDR Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much refresh rate you need
The XG27AQMR tops refresh rate at 300Hz and the AW2725QF sits lowest at 180Hz. The AW2723DF comes second at 240Hz, in the same price tier as the XG27AQMR.
Screen size
Here screen size runs from 26.5 inches on the XG27AQDMGR to 27 inches on the AW2723DF, a 2% spread. If screen size is your first filter, the AW2723DF sets the ceiling at 27 inches.
A monitor showing a desktop app in a dim room Panel
The AW2723DF and the AW2725QF list IPS; the XG27AQMR lists Fast IPS; the 27GS93QE lists OLED; the XG27AQDMGR lists WOLED.
Response
The AW2723DF and the XG27AQMR list 1ms; the AW2725QF lists 0.5ms; the 27GS93QE and the XG27AQDMGR list 0.03ms. Sort out response before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 2, 2 and 1.
A three-monitor work desk beside a laptop Extras that separate them
The AW2725QF: Dolby Vision support. The 27GS93QE: a 2-year OLED warranty. The XG27AQDMGR: OLED Care Pro with a proximity sensor that blanks the screen when you leave.
How to Choose an HDR Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $500 | AW2723DF | Undercutting the XG27AQMR on price when we checked |
| Esports players with a GPU that can feed high frame rates | XG27AQMR | The highest refresh rate here (300Hz) |
| Buyers who want dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz | AW2725QF | A dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz |
| Buyers who want an OLED panel | 27GS93QE | An OLED panel |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the AW2723DF costs less | XG27AQDMGR | A glossy TrueBlack panel at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The XG27AQMR leads on refresh rate at 300Hz, ahead of the AW2723DF at 240Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW2723DF | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | IPS |
| XG27AQMR | 300Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| AW2725QF | 180Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| 27GS93QE | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 27 inches | OLED |
| XG27AQDMGR | 240Hz | 2560x1440 (1440p) | 26.5 inches | WOLED |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The AW2723DF was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the XG27AQDMGR the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | AW2723DF, XG27AQMR, AW2725QF |
| About $500 to $1000 | 27GS93QE, XG27AQDMGR |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the AW2723DF compare with the XG27AQMR on refresh rate?
The XG27AQMR leads at 300Hz, with the AW2723DF at 240Hz. The spread runs down to the AW2725QF at 180Hz.
What does the XG27AQDMGR add over the AW2723DF?
The XG27AQDMGR matches or trails the AW2723DF on refresh rate and screen size, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The AW2723DF leads on screen size (27 inches). On our last price check the AW2723DF was in the $250 to $500 tier and the XG27AQDMGR in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them.
Why is the 27GS93QE our OLED Panel pick?
It earns the label for an OLED panel. The AW2723DF, the cheapest pick, sat in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who wants an OLED panel.
Do the AW2723DF and the AW2725QF differ on resolution?
The AW2723DF, the XG27AQMR, the 27GS93QE and the XG27AQDMGR use 2560x1440 (1440p); the AW2725QF uses 3840x2160 (4K).
What extras do the AW2723DF and the XG27AQMR include?
The AW2723DF: an overclocked 280Hz mode. The XG27AQMR: DCI-P3 wide colour coverage. The AW2725QF: a dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AW2723DF, chosen for undercutting the XG27AQMR on price when we checked. Look at the AW2725QF for a dual mode with 1080p at 360Hz, the 27GS93QE for an OLED panel and the XG27AQDMGR for a glossy TrueBlack panel at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Enable HDR in Windows and calibrate with the Windows HDR app.
Related Guides
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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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