It’s easy to get focus on the components of a great gaming rig like the GPU and CPU, but you won’t have a perfect setup without a high-quality display. The best gaming monitors can give you a legitimate advantage, or at least significantly improve your experience.
Are gaming monitors worth it? Yes! It’s not even about having the best combination of things, having a super powerful gaming machine is a bit pointless without a gaming monitor. Your graphics card might be capable of throwing out more than 100fps (frames per second) at a Quad HD resolution but you’ll be throwing that away with a basic screen.
You might not be using a gaming PC, but a gaming laptop instead, but if that’s got a small 13in screen you might want a gaming monitor for when you’re at home with a desk. You might even want a gaming monitor to use with your console like the PS5 or Xbox Series X.
The problem is that like a lot of technology, buying a gaming monitor is very complicated with a lot more than just screen size to decide on. You need to consider resolution, refresh rate and whether to get flat or curved.
Furthermore, there are various technologies that you might want to add to your must-have list like Nivida G-Sync, AMD FreeSync and HDR.
The good news is you’ve landed at the right place to get a critical upgrade. We’ve been testing gaming monitors for years and in 2021 there are so many to choose from – starting at cheap 24in Full HD and going all the way up to 49in Ultrawide 5K curved.
It gets pretty confusing but fear not, below are our current top 10 best gaming monitors with a range of different options to suit all budgets and needs. Below the chart is a full buying guide if you’re unsure what Hz are or what 1900R means.
If you’re picking up a screen for a different purpose, why not take a look at our best monitors chart.
Best Gaming Monitors 2021
MSI Oculux NXG253R – Best Overall
- Pros
- Sensational gaming speed
- Top-notch build quality
- Impressive features
- Cons
- Expensive
- Too fast for mainstream players
- Rivals have better image quality
24.5in | Full HD | Flat
The MSI Oculux NXG253R serves up a 360Hz refresh rate and its performance in high-speed games is sensational: fast, smooth and crisp.
If you’re a high-end eSports gamer then this is the best option for you right now. Elsewhere, the MSI has impressive build quality and adjustment options, decent USB connectivity and reasonable image quality.
It’s not the best image quality you can get for this money, though, and you’ll find features that are better suited to single-player gaming and mainstream eSports situations elsewhere too – and often at a lower price.
This monitor is the best option on the market right now for eSports players, but for mere mortals it’s overkill.
Read our full MSI Oculux NXG253R review
MSI Optix MAG272CQR – Best 27in Curved
- Pros
- Affordable
- Sturdy build
- Colourful
- Variable sync
- Cons
27in | Wide Quad HD | Curved
This latest Optix model from MSI is a rare case of a product getting both better and also cheaper.
It ticks many of the boxes for those after a curved gaming monitor without breaking the bank, starting with solid build quality, lighting and a new USB hub.
More importantly, the display offers a high-quality display with excellent specs and performance. Just be aware that this isn’t proper HDR so don’t buy it on that basis.
Read our full MSI Optix MAG272CQR review
Asus ROG Swift PG259QNR – Speedy 360Hz Refresh Rate
- Pros
- Incredible 360Hz performance
- Solid image quality
- Anti-latency features
- Brilliant build
- Cons
- Limited to 24.5in
- Very expensive
- Misses out on motion blurring
24.5in | Full HD | Flat
If you’re looking for the fastest monitor around then you’ve just found it. The Asus ROG Swift PG259QNR hits a whopping high of 360Hz.
This refresh rate aims to give competitive players every possible advantage and does exactly that combining with Nvidia G-Sync. It’s not just about that figure though, as the monitor offers excellent build quality, stylish design, smart features and decent performance.
At 24.5in and Full HD resolution, this is really aimed at FPS gamers so bear this in mind. You’ll also need a powerful gaming PC or laptop to benefit from the 360Hz. The other factor is whether you can afford it.
Read our full Asus ROG Swift PG259QNR review
Samsung Odyssey G7 – Best Affordable 1000R Curve
- Pros
- Excellent colours
- G-Sync and FreeSync
- Lightweight
- 1000R curve
- Cons
32in | Wide Quad HD | Curved
The Odyssey G7 represents a significant upgrade in image quality and user experience compared to its predecessor, thanks partly to the introduction of Quantum Dot technology.
The 1000R curve of the 32in QLED VA display takes some getting used to, but it is immersive when you sit in the ergonomic sweet spot.
It offers both G-Sync and V-Sync support, a 240Hz refresh rate and a super-fast 1ms response time for those that want to get the most out of their gaming experience, although it’ll take some setup to power 2560 x 1440 at 240fps.
Colour gamut is excellent and this is cheaper than key rivals from the likes of LG and MSI.
Read our full Samsung Odyssey G7 review
MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR – Best Curved HDR
- Pros
- Superb core image quality
- Decent HDR performance
- Widescreen design
- Lots of features
- Cons
- Very expensive
- Not fast enough for eSports
- Some awkward port positioning
34in | Ultra Wide Quad HD | Curved
The MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR is one of the most impressive gaming monitors on the market today.
Its 1000R curve, 34in widescreen design, high resolution and 21:9 aspect ratio deliver an immersive and crisp single-player gaming experience, and the MSI serves up top-notch gaming image quality in SDR and HDR modes, with contrast a highlight.
It’s got plenty of features and great build quality, too, and it has handy software options for easier management.
It’s not well-suited to eSports, though, and similar rivals from Samsung and Philips are cheaper.
Read our full MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR review
HP Omen 25i – Best Flat HDR
- Pros
- 165Hz refresh and HDR
- FreeSync Premium Pro & G-Sync
- Decent colour gamut
- Cons
- Limited adjustment
- Limited to 1080p
- Tad expensive
24.5in | Full HD | Flat
HP really got the stand wong here with almost no adjustment but if you’re happy to plonk it on something to gain height then the Omen 25i has a lot to offer.
If you don’t need a crazy refresh rate then the combination of 165Hz, HDR, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync and Full HD will offer excellent performance – perfect if you don’t have a particularly beefy GPU.
The bright, punchy and colourful panel will bring games to life and also be suitable for other tasks when you’re not playing. It’s a tad expensive but still cheaper than a lot of gaming monitors.
Read our full HP Omen 25i review
MSI Optix MPG341CQR – Best Features
- Pros
- Very wide curve
- Great image quality
- Integrated smart features
- Cons
34in | Ultrawide Quad HD | Curved
With the above specs combined with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time and great contrast and colour gamut, this thing is as pretty to look at as almost any display out there.
The integrated smart features probably aren’t going to be the main selling point at this price, but they do help give this display a unique edge if you’re otherwise torn between some similarly specced set-ups.
It uses a camera and facial recognition to automatically apply profiles for specific users – only useful if you share your gaming rig with someone else – but also to automatically detect ambient light levels and adjust the display accordingly, which is a great little trick for anyone who can’t play in controlled lighting conditions.
Read our full MSI Optix MPG341CQR review
AOC AGON AG493UCX – Best Super Wide Aspect Ratio
- Pros
- Great for racing and simulations
- Includes remote control
- 5K resolution
- Cons
- Difficult to set up
- Not suitable for all titles
- Needs a decent GPU
49in | Ultrawide 5K | Curved
Those looking for a curved ultra-wide gaming monitor should consider the AOC AGON AG493UCX.
Yes it’s expensive but at 49in and 32:9 with a 5K resolution is like buying two 1440p monitors, only you don’t have to bear with the bezels meeting bang in the middle – not ideal for gaming, of course.
It’s bulky and difficult to get set up but once you’re going is amazing for immersive games – like racing and simulation – and has various nice features including lots of ports, a USB hub and remote control.
There’s also excellent image performance including brightness, colour accuracy and refresh rate. Just check you have a powerful enough GPU to run this beast.
Read our full AOC AGON AG493UCX review
Philips 242E1GAJ – Best Budget
- Pros
- Inexpensive
- Wide colour gamut
- Fast decoding
- Cons
- Poor pixel response time
- External power brick
- Clunky OSD
24in | Full HD | Flat
Those looking for a budget gaming monitor that’s still decent will find it in the Philips 242E1GAJ.
Things like a USB hub and better stand are certainly on our wishlist but they are easily forgivable considering the affordable price of this monitor.
You’re getting a 24in IPS panel with surprisingly good colour accuracy – meaning you could easily use it for work – and a 144Hz refresh rate. The main thing to note is the slow pixel response time meaning it’s not ideal for fast-paced titles.
Read our full Philips 242E1GAJ review
LG UltraGear 34GN850 – Best Premium
- Pros
- Excellent colours
- G-Sync and FreeSync
- Lightweight
- Cons
- Expensive
- IPS backlight bloom
- Average contrast
34in | Ultrawide Quad HD | Curved
LG has done a great job with this UltraGear model and if it’s high-end specs you want then this pretty much has it all.
Aside from the usual stuff like a curve and resolution, it supports G-Sync and FreeSync, HDR10 and Vesa DisplayHDR 400. Furthermore, it goes up to 160Hz in overdrive mode.
Importantly, the Nano IPS tech combines that refresh rate with excellent colours and a 1ms response time, even if there are some small backlight and contrast issues.
The monitor is also lightweight and has a lovely design, but the main issue here is the price compared to many rivals.
Read our full LG UltraGear 34GN850 review
How to choose a gaming monitor
Unless you’re an expert in display technology, it can be difficult getting your head around all the jargon relating to gaming monitors. They’re a significant investment though, so it’s worth understanding which features are the most important for playing games.
If you’re not sure what a specific aspect means, or how it will affect your experience, read our detailed buying guide before making a purchase. We also have a dedicated section on what to look for if buying for a student.
Resolution & Refresh Rate
The first thing to consider is resolution. While it’s great to have a super high pixel density on your display to make your games look as crisp and realistic as possible, there’s a sacrifice to be made: extra pixels mean more graphical power is required.
You may be tempted by one of the UHD displays (also known as 4K). They boast a whopping 8.2 million pixels, suggesting they’ll provide the best-quality experience. They will show the most detail – that’s true – but you’ll probably have to sacrifice frames per second.
In fact, many 4K displays are capped at 60Hz (60 frames per second). That may be enough for you – if you have a graphics card that can cope. Even with a higher refresh rate UHD display, the graphics card setup you’d need to get more than 60fps at 4K would set you back thousands.
Lower resolutions mean higher refresh rates are much easier to achieve and you’ll likely be better off with 144Hz or 240Hz. You can even get 360Hz now if you feel the need, but it is diminishing returns.
Our advice is to aim for the sweet spot – 2560 x 1440, or Quad HD as it’s better known. It offers more pixels than a standard 1080p display without having to compromise on refresh rates, and the extra strain on your GPU shouldn’t be too bad either. You can always run it at 1080p if the game in question doesn’t run fast enough for you.
Panel Tech
Panel tech is the second most important consideration when buying a gaming monitor. In theory this is much more straightforward than other areas. Put simply, the best performance for gaming comes from TN panel tech. Twisted Nematic screens tend to have the fastest response times, which is more important for gaming…