5 best gaming monitors in 2024

AOC Q27G3XMN 27" Mini LED Gaming Monitor

Best gaming monitor for most people

The Q27G3XMN is a 27-inch monitor with a 2560 x 1440 resolution and a 180 Hz refresh rate. It combines great features, performance, and affordability. Thanks to mini-LED technology, it delivers HDR quality that surpasses edge-lit LCDs, although it falls short of OLED.

With a 1 ms GtG response time, it is fast enough for most games, except for the most demanding esports titles. It stands out for its price, under $300, making it the best choice for users on a budget or with modest technical requirements.

Pros:

• Relatively affordable
• True HDR performance
• Fast enough for most games

Cons:

• Expect some smearing
• No USB ports

AOC Q27G3XMN 27" Mini LED Gaming Monitor (photo: Engadget)

AOC 24G15N 24" Gaming Monitor

Best budget gaming monitor

The AOC 24G15 is an affordable option for those who want to get the most performance at the lowest cost. With a 23.8-inch screen, 1920 x 1080 resolution, and a VA panel, it offers a 180 Hz refresh rate and a 1 ms response time.

Its high contrast and price of around $110 make it a great choice for gaming. With patience, the model can be purchased for as low as $90 during sales.

It’s best to avoid the 27-inch version of this model due to its low pixel density, which reduces image quality.

Pros:

• Affordable
• 180Hz refresh rate
• 1ms response rate

Cons:

• Low resolution
• Expect some smearing

AOC 24G15N 24" Gaming Monitor (photo: Engadget)

Alienware AW2725DF OLED Gaming Monitor

Best OLED gaming monitor for most people

The Alienware AW2725DF is a powerful gaming monitor with a QD-OLED panel, a 360 Hz refresh rate, and an ultra-fast 0.03 ms response time. It is certified with the VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 standard and offers nearly perfect HDR performance.

The monitor features an HDMI 2.1 port, making it compatible with next-gen gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.

The only notable drawback is its inability to display true black in bright ambient lighting, a limitation common to all QD-OLED monitors currently.

Although the Alienware AW2725DF is priced at around $1,000, it can be found on sale for as low as $700, making it more affordable than other OLED displays on the market.

Pros:

• 360Hz refresh rate
• Fantastic HDR performance
• Three-year burn-in coverage

Cons:

• Expensive

Alienware AW2725DF OLED Gaming Monitor (photo: Engadget)

Dell AW3223DWF

Incredible ultrawide OLED display

The Dell AW3423DWF is an ultrawide gaming monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio that offers deeper immersion. It features a QD-OLED panel with a 165 Hz refresh rate and an ultra-fast 0.01 ms response time and supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

Certified with DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400, it is an excellent gaming and movie viewing choice.

The only downside is the lack of an HDMI 2.1 port, though this is a minor issue since the ultrawide gaming format is not widely used in console gaming. The Dell AW3423DWF offers excellent performance for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts.

Pros:

• 21:9 aspect ratio

Cons:

• Only 165Hz
• No HDMI 2.1

Dell AW3223DWF (photo: Engadget)

LG 32GS95UE Ultragear OLED Gaming Monitor

Uncompromising 4K monitor

The LG 32GS95UE-B Ultragear OLED is an uncompromising 4K gaming monitor with unique features. Its 31.46-inch WOLED display supports two modes: 4K with a 240 Hz refresh rate and FHD with a 480 Hz refresh rate, which can be switched with the push of a button.

While 1080p output on a 32-inch screen appears stretched, this is a minor trade-off for the monitor's incredible versatility. With a 0.03 ms (GtG) response time and excellent image quality, the LG 32GS95UE-B is perfect for competitive gaming and immersive visual projects.

This monitor, priced at $1,400, is a logical choice for those who have already invested in a powerful PC for 4K resolution work.

Pros:

• Dual 4K and 1080p modes
• Up to 480Hz refresh rate
• OLED

Cons:

• Very expensive
• Low pixel density at FHD

LG 32GS95UE Ultragear OLED Gaming Monitor (photo: Engadget)