Playing is about a lot more than just sitting on your butt. It’s about sophisticated skill, top-notch graphics and total immersion. And it’s all about having the right hardware. Specifically, it is a first-class gaming monitor.
Monitors are getting better as technology advances. And it’s possible to get a solid gaming monitor at a great price. On the other hand, serious gamers want all the bells and whistles that more expensive monitors offer. Prepare yourself. Things can get expensive.
We’ve done our part to help you by researching and selecting some of the best monitors available in a variety of price ranges, so there’s something to suit every budget. But first, here is some useful information to help you choose a monitor.
What type of gaming monitor do you need?
This depends on what type of gaming you will be doing. For some, the graphics are the most important part of a gaming monitor. These buyers may be looking to upgrade to a large screen and want something particularly immersive, such as a curved screen. High resolution will be key here. Some gamers prefer an ultra-wide monitor, but we believe that great sound is important in addition to a beautiful display. What’s cooler than a monitor that allows you to hear different in-game sounds from different locations?
E-sports players, professional gamers, or those looking for something that allows for multiplayer gaming should choose a monitor that supports high-speed gaming. While all the monitors we have included in this list operate at high speeds, the ViewSonic Elite is perhaps the best for this type of player as it does not compromise on speed or graphics.
How big are gaming monitors?
Size is important from the start. What display size do you want? How much desk space do you have? What is your budget? Typically the larger displays are more expensive. Plus, bigger isn’t always better. Most monitors on this list are around 27 inches, but it is possible to go larger.
What resolution do gaming monitors have?
The higher the resolution your display can produce, the higher the pixel count, resulting in better visual detail and clarity. You want something that offers at least 1080p Full HD, but if you want the very best quality, aim for 4K. For something in between, there’s 1440p, also known as Quad HD.
What is the refresh rate in gaming monitors?
This measures how often your monitor can refresh an image per second. If your PC has a good GPU, you should be able to handle a smooth frame rate and can opt for a high Hertz number. 144 Hz is a good middle ground.
What does response time mean?
Response time is a measure of how long it takes a pixel to go from black to white. When gaming, this primarily affects camera movement – the shorter the reaction time, the less motion blur occurs during the game. The response time is measured in milliseconds. Aim for a monitor with a response time of around 1 millisecond.
Do you need Adaptive Sync?
Adaptive Sync is available on most monitors at no additional cost. So make sure the display you choose includes it. AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync are among the most common versions and prevent screen tearing while gaming.
What are the best gaming monitors?
All of the monitors we offer are spectacular, but we wanted to include monitors at all price points as well as monitors for different types of gamers. So there is something in this list for everyone and every budget. With each selection, we kept resolution, refresh rate, and key features in mind.
These are the best gaming monitors in 2024.