A good gaming monitor is crucial to your gaming experience and given the plethora of options available in the market, this can result in considerable confusion for end users looking to make a purchase that gives them value and meets their needs at the same time.
When considering a gaming monitor, one needs to consider multiple things, including but not limited to:
- Screen Size
- The Underlying Display Tech
- Color Accuracy
- Refresh Rates
- Input Lag
- Support for VRR Tech (GSync, FreeSync)
- Relevant Ports (HDMI 2.1, USB-C, DisplayPort)
- HDR Performance
- Console Compatibility
- OSD/Customizability Options
The team at GameRant makes this easier for you by listing our favorite picks for monitors in different niches for 2023 so that you can make an informed decision.
GIGABYTE M32U 32 144Hz 4K FreeSync Gaming Monitor
Affordable High-Refresh 4K Gaming
The GIGABYTE M32U 32' is a 4K IPS-based gaming monitor that offers a 144Hz refresh rate coupled with support for FreeSync out of the box and plenty of connectivity options in town including a USB-C display out of the box. It comes at a reasonable price and offers excellent PC and console gaming experiences in tow.
- Brand
- Gigabyte
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160 (4K)
- Refresh Rate
- 144Hz
- Screen Size
- 31.5'
- Ports
- 1x Display Port 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, 3 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB-C (display)
- Display Technology
- SuperSpeed IPS LCD
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:9
- Surface Technology
- Non-glare surface
- Screen Brightness
- 350 Nits typical
- Display Weight
- 22.8 lb
- Mounting Options
- 100 x 100 VESA Mount compatible
- Sound
- 3W x 2 Speakers
- HDR
- Yes, VESA HDR400
- Variable Refresh
- Yes
- Response Time
- 1ms MPRT
- Packs 4K resolution with 144Hz refresh rates in a well-designed 32' package
- Has excellent viewing angles and vibrant colors
- Excellent value for money; Cheaper than most HDMI 2.1 supporting 4K 120Hz TVs and 144Hz monitors in the market
- Skips a decent local dimming zone offering that affects HDR performance
- HDMI 2.1 ports are capped to 24GBPS, making it work at 4K 120FPS on consoles but with 4:2:0 chroma subsampling
The GIGABYTE M32U 32 144Hz 4K FreeSync Gaming Monitor isn't the fastest monitor on the block or the one with the best display tech built in, but it offers a nice 4K resolution coupled with an acceptable 144Hz refresh rate and decent viewing angles and color in addition to an assortment of display options that allow it to be used with both PCs and consoles with basic speakers thrown into the mix to get some audio going without needing to wire in mandatory headphones like some of its competitors.
With FreeSync Premium Pro and 1ms response timings in play, the M32U is an excellent product that trades at an excellent value, and we can recommend it despite its minor HDMI and somewhat concerning HDR shortfalls that keep it from being a perfect monitor for gamers in 2023.
It also comes in an arm edition which is essentially the M32U with a monitor arm pre-attached for those of us looking to build a multi-monitor setup, saving us the time and expense of buying and setting up the M32U with a monitor arm.
SAMSUNG Odyssey Neo G9 G95NA Gaming Monitor
High Refresh Rate Super Ultrawide Glory
This Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 G96NA is the highest-end gaming monitor one might ever need. It comes with a massive 49-inch curved Mini LED display panel, which features a 4K resolution. While it is sized like a TV, it is perfect for gaming since it supports up to 240 Hz refresh rate and a fast 1-millisecond response time.
Even with lower frame rates, it delivers smooth gameplay on both AMD and Nvidia GPUs thanks to support for both G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro. The aspect ratio on the screen is unique, wider than ultrawide 32:9, which is essentially like two regular monitors side-by-side.
- Screen Size
- 49'
- Resolution
- 5,120 x 1,440
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 240Hz
- Brand
- Samsung
- Response Time
- 1ms (GTG)
- Easily one of the best-looking Monitors in the market
- Offers a massive amount of screen real estate to users that need it
- Offers the highest refresh rate for a super ultrawide monitor
- Extremely expensive compared to the competition
- Does seem to have serious QC issues for some early adopters, but seems smoother of late
For those following the monitor industry with interest, the SAMSUNG Odyssey Neo G9 G95NA Gaming Monitor needs no introduction. The Neo, at release, was the pinnacle of the best tech Samsung could possibly pack into a single monitor before shipping it to enthusiasts looking for a display that would outshine all the competition considerably. Nearly 2 years later, the G9 Neo holds its own against most, if not all of its competitors with ease.
Offering an impressive 1ms response time for a gargantuan-sized monitor that also has one of the sharpest resolutions available in the market coupled with an impressive 240Hz refresh rate, there's not much that the Samsung G9 Odyssey doesn't do for enthusiasts. Thanks to the Mini-LED display tech it comes with, it can offer a mind-boggling 2000 Nits in terms of brightness to end users.
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 has no direct competition currently and until its recently revealed OLED version shows up, is set to rule the roost when it comes to ultrawide monitors, even if it seems to be pushing the definition with a larger-than-normal aspect ratio.
MSI MAG2732, 27" Gaming Monitor
Inexpensive eSports Play
The MSI Optix MAG2732, 27" Gaming Monitor is an excellent contender for a budget monitor as it checks all the right boxes that gamers are looking for in a gaming screen in 2023. It offers 1ms response times, 165Hz refresh rates, and an IPS panel coupled with all the requisite ports you would need to hook it up to your PC or console.
- Brand
- MSI
- Resolution
- 1920 x1080
- Refresh Rate
- 165Hz
- Screen Size
- 27'
- Ports
- 1 x DP 1.2a, 2 x HDMI 2.0
- Display Technology
- IPS
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:9
- Screen Brightness
- 250 nits
- Display Weight
- 11.35 lb
- Sound
- no speakers; 1x headphone out
- Variable Refresh
- Yes, GSync compatible
- Response Time
- 1ms
- Comes at an excellent price while offering an IPS panel at 165Hz with 1ms response times
- Has excellent viewing angles thanks to its IPS tech
- Has small bezels and a no-frills design as part of its offerings which makes it look like more premium monitors on offer
- Pixel density is somewhat lower than expected for a 27' screen
- Lacks a basic speaker as part of its offerings
- HDR is offered, but is quite underwhelming
The MSI Mag Optix MAG2732 is an excellent budget gaming monitor that offers 165Hz refresh rates and low response time as part of its 27-inch Full HD monitor that concentrates on the bare essentials: Offering an esports-centric screen that is designed for competitive multiplayer gaming on a budget while pushing a bit past the industry standard of 144Hz. It offers dual HDMI ports along with a single DisplayPort port meaning that both PC gamers and console gamers are covered.
There is the lack of a speaker which would possibly be a concern for those used to having audio as part of their monitors in older systems (gaming monitors generally tend to not offer this) or TVs and while console gamers would be fine with the image quality, PC gamers, and creators might notice the lower pixel density which limits the appeal of what is otherwise an excellent gaming monitor sans mediocre HDR performance. That being said, most smaller monitors do not handle HDR well given the lack of dimming zones which are crucial for a good HDR experience.
The MSI Optix MAG2732 rounds off its offerings with built-in anti-flicker tech and is an excellent, well-rounded FHD gaming monitor. If you feel you need a higher resolution, its more expensive sibling offers an identical tech stack but with a QHD panel that would quell one of our gripes with its low pixel density making it a better purchase in that case.
LG 27" Ultragear™ OLED (27GR95QE-B)
Once You Go OLED You Can Never Go Back
The LG 27' Ultragear OLED 27GR95QE-B is part of LG's latest and greatest OLED offerings and targets enthusiast gamers with its 240Hz refresh rate and bleeding edge 0.03ms response times on a QHD OLED panel that delivers the goods on gaming and then some. With excellent color reproduction and HDR support out of the box, the LG 27GR95QE-B OLED monitor is worth a look if you are looking for a premium display option in 2023
- Brand
- LG
- Resolution
- 2560 x 1440
- Refresh Rate
- 240Hz
- Screen Size
- 26.5'
- Ports
- HDMI x 2, DP x 1
- Display Technology
- OLED
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:9
- Screen Brightness
- 1000 Nits
- Display Weight
- 16.2 lb
- Sound
- No built-in speaker, headphone out available
- HDR
- Yes, HDR10
- Variable Refresh
- Yes
- Response Time
- 0.03ms
- The LG 27' Ultragear OLED monitor has a 2K resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate that rivals some of the best in the business
- Excellent build quality; the monitor feels premium thanks to its narrow bezels and RGB lighting
- Has an anti-glare screen coating, something that is a near-prerequisite for using an OLED screen as a monitor
- Excellent HDR performance thanks to its OLED panel
- Expensive compared to LCD-based alternatives
- Text can still have rendering issues and requires software fixes to improve your experience
The LG 27" Ultragear™ OLED Monitor (27GR95QE-B) is essentially a state-of-the-art offering of what an OLED monitor looks like and what an LED/LCD monitor should aspire to be. It is however prohibitively expensive compared to the competition. In all fairness, all OLED monitors start at about the sub-$1000 mark and the 27' Ultragear that showed up at this year's CES is no exception in its pricing, clocking it at exactly $1k.
The LG 27GR95QE-B offers plenty of features to offset this, however. It looks and feels premium. It also packs some of the latest tech that money can buy; its OLED panel offers extremely low latency at 0.03ms with 240Hz refresh rates on a 2K resolution. This makes it a top-tier purchase for users looking for the best of the best monitors with money not being an object.
Samsung 34-Inch Odyssey G85SB QD-OLED Monitor
A Pricey But Appealing Choice
The Samsung G8 34' Odyssey QD-OLED Monitor packs quite a few new features along with Samsung's take on OLED tech that rivals LG's more mainstream OLED panels currently. It has multiple TV-like features and offers a full-blown version of Samsung's Tizen OS along with smart features such as compatibility with the Alexa smart assistant. With support for both GSync and AMD's FreeSync Premium Pro, this is a well-rounded ultrawide QD-OLED that can hold its own against LG's more established OLED panels while throwing better performance in bright scenes in the mix.
- Brand
- Sasmung
- Resolution
- 3440 x 1440
- Refresh Rate
- 175Hz
- Screen Size
- 34'
- Ports
- USB-C Display, Micro HDMI 2.1, Mini DP 1.4
- Display Technology
- QD-OLED
- Aspect Ratio
- 21:9
- Screen Brightness
- 1,000 Nits Peak
- Display Weight
- 16.5 lb
- Mounting Options
- VESA 100x100 Mount
- Sound
- Yes
- HDR
- Yes, HDR10, HDR10+
- Response Time
- 0.03ms
- Has the best response time you can ask for from a normal or ultrawide monitor to date
- Is considerably brighter than its other OLED monitor contemporaries
- Has excellent HDR support thanks to Samsung's take on OLED display tech
- Comes with plenty of smart tv features and functionality thanks to its built-in Tizen OS
- Quite pricey for what it offers, especially in a smaller-than-competition 34' size
Samsung's QD-OLED Monitors are expected to show up in numbers this year and the 34-inch G85SB QD-OLED Monitor is a great indicator of what to expect from the electronics giant. While it showcases all of what to expect from QD-OLED tech in 2023, it does also so at a considerably expensive price. With excellent peak brightness and HDR performance and the lowest response time you can expect from a monitor, the G85SB is a treat to watch in action, even if it is limited to 175Hz vs some of the higher refresh rate alternatives it has from competitors such as LG.
It offers smart TV features thanks to the integrated Tizen OS as part of its value proposition but at $1500 cheap, that might not be enough on its own especially when you consider that there is a very identical Alienware monitor that shares the same display tech from Samsung; even if it doesn't have the same performance as Samsung's higher-end offering, the price at which the Alienware AW3423DW trades at makes it hard to cough up $1500 for what is otherwise a splendid monitor to kick off 2023's QD-OLED monitor offerings.
Asus Rog Swift PG259QNR FHD 360Hz Monitor
eSports goes ROG
The Asus ROG Swift PG259QNR FHD 360Hz Monitor is an excellent monitor that is one of the top eSports recommendations for many gamers. With an excellent IPS panel that can do 360Hz at Full HD resolutions with 1ms GTG response time, it is built purely to game in competitive multiplayer titles and delivers the goods and then some to its audience
- Brand
- ASUS
- Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Refresh Rate
- 360Hz
- Screen Size
- 24.5'
- Ports
- Displayport 1.4, HDMI 2.1, USB ports
- Display Technology
- Fast IPS
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:9
- Screen Brightness
- 400 Nits
- Display Weight
- 15.7 lb
- Mounting Options
- VESA 100x100mm
- Sound
- No Speaker
- HDR
- Yes
- Variable Refresh
- Yes
- Response Time
- 1 ms (GTG)
- Has one of the highest refresh rates in the industry
- Slightly cheaper than some of the higher refresh rate monitors in the market
- Has excellent image quality
- Offers decent response time
- Has 10-bit color support
- Has excellent build quality
- Limited to an FHD resolution
- At 400 nits peak brightness, this is not ideal for HDR due to limited brightness
- no built-in speakers
The Asus ROG Swift PG259QNR FHD 360Hz Monitor is an excellent gaming monitor targeting competitive gamers and eSports professionals looking for an advantage during multiplayer sessions where even the smallest edge makes the difference between winning and losing games. While FPS and MOBA users will swear by the monitor's specs and overall experience, people playing single-player games primarily or going for productivity should skip this one altogether; it is unapologetically gamer-centric.
The PG259QNR is not without flaws either. It is pretty expensive for a 25' monitor. It also pushes a Full HD resolution, which you can discount somewhat given its target market is gamers. It is, however, something that will be noticeable in productivity tasks where you have traded screen real estate and resolution to get a better refresh rate. It lacks the ability to deliver a good HDR experience due to a lack of dimming zones and skips on speakers altogether as many gaming monitors do, making for a package that is a great gaming monitor, but a limited one for productivity-based tasks.
LG C2 Series 48-Inch Class OLED EVO TV
A Large Monitor Replacement With A Significant Pricing Edge
The LG C2 Series TV features 8 million self-lit OLED pixels, providing incredible picture quality with infinite contrast, deep blacks, and over a billion vibrant colors, now even brighter. Powered by the α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K, exclusive to LG, it automatically adjusts the TV's settings for enhanced picture and sound quality based on the content being watched.
Filmmaker Mode eliminates unnecessary processing for movies, preserving the director's vision, while Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos** enhance the overall viewing experience.
- Dimensions
- 42.2" x 25.6" x 9.9"
- Display Technology
- Self-Lighting OLED Evo Display
- Connectivity Technology
- Wi-Fi 5 (AC), Bluetooth 5.0
- What's Included
- TV Remote, Batteries, Quick Start Guide, E-Manual
- Brand
- LG
- Refresh Rate
- 120Hz Native
- Resolution
- 4K Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160)
- HDR?
- Yes, Cinema HDR (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG) Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro
- Ports
- 4 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Ethernet, 1 x RF, Optical, Headphone, 3 x USB 2.0
- Weight
- 39.7lbs
- FreeSync
- Yes, Premium
- G-SYNC
- Yes, Compatible
- VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
- Yes
- ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
- Yes
- Has exceptionally low response time and input lag compared to most modern TVs, making it a viable alternate choice for a gaming monitor
- Reasonably priced versus some premium OLED monitor options
- Has much better speakers than most other monitor options we examined
- Offers excellent picture quality, infinite contrast and complete console compatibility with multiple HDMI 2.1 ports in play
- Is in essence a TV and the OSD requires a TV remote to be effectively navigated
- a 48' 16:9 TV might be a bit too large for some users as a monitor
- Has some issues with text clarity on certain fonts
The LG OLED EVO C2 makes another appearance in a 48' size thanks to its excellent value coupled with features that make it go neck and neck with some of the best monitors commercially available. While some might be tempted to go for the 42' version of the C2 OLED TV given space constraints or comfort-related concerns over viewing angles, the 48-inch version is simply better value if you can make it work, offering significantly more screen real estate than its smaller sibling for only $100 in cost.
Like most OLED TV offerings, the C2 also happens to come with low input lag and decent response time while offering 120Hz refresh rates natively on a 4K resolution and multiple HDMI 2.1 ports to boot. It does have some issues with text clarity at times thanks to its RGBW subpixel layout it employs, making it marginally worse than the IPS displays it competes with for desktop gamers and productivity users. That being said, there are workarounds that do limit this issue considerably.
All in all, the C2 48' is a solid TV that also doubles as a capable gaming monitor with the added advantage of a TV tuner, plenty of HDMI ports, and the ability to play video content via USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet without the need for a dedicated PC to render it.
Things You Might Want To Pair With Your New Gaming Monitor:
While gaming monitors are a huge visual upgrade, you can always spend more to beautify your working and gaming space and add more color or audio upgrades to your space to complete your setup.
Aesthetic Upgrades
Some of the most admired and yet overlooked aspects of a gaming PC's looks when it comes to budgeting for a new PC or a gaming room is lighting, both within and without the PC. The plethora of RGB lighting options within your PC are easy enough to take advantage of thanks to them being available at marginally higher prices than their non-RGB counterparts. In-room lighting, however, is another story altogether with less information available to people potentially looking to upgrade their setup's visual appeal. The team at Gamerant has you covered here, with a solid guide (including reviews of some products) on what the best lighting for your gaming room looks like.
Audio Upgrades
Most gaming monitors sadly do not focus on gaming audio enough (with repurposed OLED TVs being an exception) and require you to either use a dedicated headset for audio or turn to speakers to get the most out of your gaming experience. You can choose to go wire-free thanks to the multitude of options when it comes to wireless headsets which have seen multiple upgrades through the years with low-latency, high-fidelity audio available at multiple price points for PC gamers.
FAQ:
Q: Should I get an ultrawide monitor for my PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series S/X?
A: In principle, an ultrawide monitor will work fine for both modern console lineups but given that games on consoles are optimized for only certain resolutions, it means being forced to play at a 16:9 aspect ratio irrespective of which screen you may connect, making it a moot point thanks to the wasted screen real estate if you go that route.
Q: How Important is a monitor's refresh rate for gamers?
A: Refresh rates used to center around the 60Hz mark as a target refresh rate. Since then a burgeoning esports industry fueled by FPS games has pushed repeatedly for better refresh rates in a bid to offer a better experience to gamers. This has resulted in 144Hz/165Hz being used as industry standards for gaming monitors with higher refresh rates (240Hz, 360Hz and even 500Hz) available at higher price points for competitive gamers, making it an essential purchase in a bid to secure an advantage while multiplayer gaming.