Best Gaming Monitors: 12 Displays for Immersive Gaming

There are countless gaming monitors available on the market, ranging from massive curved widescreen displays to tiny models that provide smooth and fluid gameplay. Unless you understand what you need from a monitor, however, it can be difficult to pick out the best screen for your gaming needs.

For example, would it be best to invest in an extra-large bright and colorful 4K OLED monitor, or a compact Full HD model with a high frame rate for online gaming? What is the best resolution and size for your setup? Which is the best pick for your budget? Since it’s disappointing to bring home a subpar monitor, or a screen that’s a poor fit for how you play, I’ve researched, tested, and evaluated an array of gaming monitors to find the best model for your preferred resolution, size, and more.

Whether you’re searching for a huge ultrawide for gaming and productivity on the side, a screen with above-average specs at an affordable price, or a display with a blisteringly fast refresh rate for staying competitive online, these are the best gaming monitors of the year.

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How we selected the best gaming monitors

With countless gaming monitors on the market this year ranging from gigantic ultrawide screens to tiny 24.5-inch models, there was a massive collection of screens to thoroughly research, compare, and enjoy playing personal favorite games like Killer Instinct to see which models stood out from the competition.

Between my in-depth investigation into this year’s greatest monitors and decades of gaming experience, I selected the top gaming screens by the following criteria:

Size and resolution

If its size enhanced a monitor’s gameplay, such as a smaller model with a lightning-fast refresh rate or a gigantic monitor with a gorgeous display, it helped the display to stand apart from the competition. That line of thinking applies to a monitor’s resolution as well; I personally prefer a gaming monitor with a higher resolution for all-around prettier games, but I understand why some players value a lower FHD resolution and the snappier refresh rates associated with 1080p monitors for smoother online gameplay.

Refresh rates & response times

Faster is better when comparing refresh rates and lower for response times between computer monitors. A monitor’s refresh rate refers to how many times a second the display updates with new visual information, so a speedier refresh rate translates to significantly smoother in-game movement and minimal motion blur. A fast refresh rate is helpful for making those critical split-second decisions that win or lose competitive online games.

On the other hand, a monitor’s response time refers to how quickly the display’s pixels are able to transition from one color to another. Response times are measured in milliseconds, and a shorter response time translates to smoother and faster on-screen movements.

Features

I generally appreciate gaming monitors that are loaded with additional features, but at the end of the day, the best lineup of features are the ones that you will get the most use from. While feature lists vary wildly between displays, some of my favorite key features include “High Dynamic Range,” or HDR, which gives monitors a wider range of color and a deeper contrast between light and dark tones, a deeply curved design for a more immersive gaming experience, and a huge ultrawide display.

Price

Everyone’s gaming budget is different, so I set out to find a range of gaming monitors that deliver the most value for your investment. Some players will be satisfied with a small display with a speedy refresh rate for under $300, while others want a gorgeous “no expense spared” enormous gaming monitor with a massive list of features to match, so one of my goals was to list something for everyone.

What to consider when buying gaming monitor

Resolution

Although a higher resolution will make games look sharper and allow for more detail, vibrant colors, and a higher contrast between bright and dark tones, it’s important to consider whether or not the games you want to play— like my current favorite Stellaris—are best-suited for higher resolutions and whether your PC is capable of running high-resolution titles at a reliably smooth frame rate.

The most common resolutions offered in modern gaming monitors are Full HD (FHD) at 1080p, Quad HD (QHD) at 1440p, and UHD at 4K.

Refresh rate

A gaming monitor’s refresh rate refers to how many times a second the screen updates in relation to in-game movement, represented in Hertz (Hz). A refresh rate of at least 144Hz accommodates the fast and fluid movement needed to display fast motions and allow smooth and responsive gameplay.

Ports

At least one HDMI and DisplayPort are the bare minimum number of ports you should accept, but when it comes to gaming monitors, the more ports, the better. Several HDMI ports will allow you to connect multiple consoles to your display for easily swapping between platforms without the inconvenience of moving HDMI cables around, and it’s always convenient to have more USB ports and a headphone jack.

Size

While that 55-inch behemoth looks awesome in the store, it’s important to consider the best sized gaming monitor to match your space. Many consider a 27-inch monitor to be the perfect size for gaming because of the size and resolution, but there are benefits and drawbacks to compact and ultrawide models as well.

Price

Gaming monitors vary wildly in price from as little as $200, to well over $1,000. Although there are some rock-solid displays available in the $200-$400 range, dedicated gamers may want to save up for a premium edition with a faster frame rate, higher resolution, and more robust list of features.

How to maintain and clean a gaming monitor

It is easy for dust, smudgy fingerprints, and other bits of grime to accumulate on your gaming monitor over time—especially if yours is a touchscreen.

But the good news is that it is just as easy to tidy up your display:

Gently wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust. If you encounter resilient, stuck-on smudges, moisten your microfiber cloth and lightly rub away the lingering residue.

Never use a paper towel or a regular cloth rag to wipe down your monitor. Although they may be gentle on our skin, these cleaning tools are far too abrasive to be used on a gaming monitor and may result in unsightly scratches.

If you’ve owned a gaming monitor for a while, consider removing some of the dust that’s settled inside its case with a blast of compressed air in its rear heating vents once in a while. Do not use compressed air directly on the monitor’s screen, as this may damage it.

Immersion for a premium gaming experience

When people like myself say that a curved or ultrawide gaming monitor is “immersive,” it refers to how its curvature extends around your natural peripheral vision; this allows the entire screen to be in your vision at the same time, so you will see everything displayed on screen all at once without your eyes darting around to take in the game world unfolding all around you.

A monitor designed with a deep curvature naturally minimizes the movement of a player’s eyes and neck, an ergonomic effect that helps to immerse your mind into the game as it envelops your vision from all sides.

In addition, ultrawide monitors are excellent for multitasking, as the extra-large display allows plenty of space for multiple applications to be open and comfortably fit on-screen at once.

Although they provide a far more engaging experience, there are a few downsides of curved and ultrawide gaming monitors, as these displays tend to be pricier, take up more desktop space than the average monitor, and the unfortunate fact that not every game (especially older titles) was made to be properly displayed on curved or ultrawide screens.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What monitor is best for 4K gaming?

My current favorite 4K gaming monitor is the MSI 34-Inch MPG 321URX QD-OLED. Here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping around for alternate 4K displays:

HDR

High Dynamic Range, or HDR, refers to a type of display capable of rendering darker black tones, more vibrant colors, and showcasing a range of brightness levels that standard dynamic range (SDR) screens cannot. Games that support HDR really “pop” with a dynamic array of color, light, and shadow when presented on a gaming monitor that supports the technology, and it’s a feature that is absolutely worth seeking out.

Refresh Rate

4K monitors may look much better than a FHD display, but the tradeoff is that 1080p monitors tend to have much higher refresh rates. A quality 4K gaming monitor should sport a refresh rate of at least 144Hz or higher.

Price

One of the things I appreciated about the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED is that it is cheaper than most 4K gaming monitors out there, while still looking great. Shop around, and you may find another excellent 4K display at a discount too.

What monitor do pro gamers use?

The exact models used by esports athletes vary from player to player, however there are a few aspects tying together their most popular gaming monitors. These include a particularly high frame rate of at least 240Hz, a smaller 25-inch monitor, and a 1080p resolution.

While the blazing-fast frame rates and microscopic input lag may be great to help climb the leaderboards, it’s much more important to consider the types of games you enjoy the most before investing in a gaming monitor.

What is the best screen type for gaming?

Just as there isn’t a single universally approved best gaming headset or gaming desk, there is no one-size-fits all gaming monitor panel type that best suits all players. Each of these screen types has its benefits, and it’s up to you to consider which display is the right choice for your gaming needs. Here are some things to consider:

IPS

In-plane switching, or IPS, screens are commonly used for gaming monitors and comprise a majority of this list. These monitors are prized for their fast refresh times, vibrant color ranges, and wide viewing angles.

OLED

Organic light-emitting diode, or OLED screens are best known for their lifelike color palettes, fluid motion, and high-contrast imagery with rich black tones. OLED monitors deliver a beautiful gaming experience, however because of how they are designed, these displays are more prone to “screen burn in” than other monitor types.

VA

Although vertical alignment (VA) panels are similar to IPS displays, VA monitors are notable for having a deeper contrast between light and dark tones. This translates to smoother motion in darker in-game environments and richer black tones than IPS screens can produce.

What size computer monitor is best for gaming?

There is no one-size-fits-all best monitor size, just the best monitor for enjoying from your gaming chair. But some things I consider are:

Compact

Anything under 27 inches is considered a small monitor. Perfect for cramped spaces, these affordable displays are often equipped with notably high refresh rates, a 1080p resolution. and a low price tag. It is common to see a row of 24-inch monitors used for esports tournaments, where teams meet and compete head-to-head.

Midrange

Many consider a 27-inch monitor to be the perfect combination of size when seated directly in front of it, and an attractive 1440p or 1080p resolution.

Large

Gaming monitors start being considered large after 30 inches, and while the best of these sport an immersive curvature and a 4K resolution, players will need extra space to both place it on a desktop, as well as more room to be comfortably seated in front of it.

Ultrawide

These extra-large, rectangular monitors are built with a unique 21:9 screen ratio, allowing for a much wider field of view when compared to the average display. While a great ultrawide monitor delivers a more immersive gaming experience by placing more visual information on screen at once than the average monitor, the additional screen space is excellent for multitasking and watching movies too. Note that ultrawide gaming monitors tend to be fairly expensive and take up a substantial amount of desktop real estate. If you are ready to invest in a monitor, you might want to also research what is a gaming chair to find the most comfortable accessories for your set up, like a budget gaming chair and wireless gaming headset.

Is 144 Hz good for gaming?

Unless you are a professional esports player, a gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate is more than good enough for the fast and fluid gameplay needed to compete in online games.

Since every moment matters in shooting, racing, fighting, and other online games, the higher the refresh rate, the faster the on-screen movements will appear for you, allowing you to make those important split-second game-winning decisions.

Note that a 60Hz monitor is considered the standard, but most of the gaming monitors on this list feature a refresh rate of 165Hz or higher for even smoother gaming.