Why Your Monitor Choice Determines Your Gaming Experience
Most gamers spend thousands on GPUs and CPUs but settle for budget monitors that bottleneck their entire setup. A slow response time creates motion blur that makes tracking enemies harder. Poor refresh rates turn smooth 200 FPS gameplay into stuttery 60Hz output. Low contrast and washed-out colors hide enemies in shadows and make games look flat. The monitor is the final link between your hardware and your eyesand a bad one ruins everything that comes before it.
The right gaming monitor eliminates motion blurdisplays every frame your GPU rendersand shows games the way developers intended. We tested the best gaming monitors across budgets and use casesso you get performance that matches your hardware without overpaying.
How We Tested
We tested gaming monitors using professional equipment including a Leo Bodnar input lag tester and X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter. We were surprised to find that some budget monitors matched premium displays in response time measurementswhile several expensive monitors showed disappointing motion clarity. Each monitor was evaluated for input lagresponse timecolor accuracyHDR performanceand real-world gaming across competitive shooters and single-player titles.
Our Top Picks
Best Gaming Monitors 2025
LG 27GS95QE OLED
The gold standard for gaming monitors with perfect response time and stunning OLED visuals.
Bottom Line
The LG 27GS95QE delivers the best overall gaming experience we've tested. OLED technology provides perfect blacksinfinite contrastand 0.03ms response time that eliminates motion blur entirely. The 240Hz refresh rate handles competitive shooters flawlesslywhile the panel's color accuracy makes single-player games look stunning. Combined with near-instant pixel responsethis is as close to perfect as gaming monitors get.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Perfect 0.03ms response time eliminates all motion blur and ghosting
- OLED panel delivers infinite contrast ratio with true blacks
- 240Hz refresh rate keeps competitive games smooth and responsive
- 99% DCI-P3 color gamut provides stunningaccurate colors out of the box
Cons
- Premium price makes it the most expensive monitor on our list
- OLED burn-in risk requires rotating content and using screensavers
- No built-in speakersrequires external audio solution
Full Specifications
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms (GtG)
- Panel Type: OLED
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.1DisplayPort 1.4
ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDM
The ultimate 4K OLED monitor for gamers who want maximum detail.
Bottom Line
The ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDM combines 4K resolution with OLED's perfect motion clarity and colors. The QD-OLED panel delivers wider color gamut than traditional OLEDand the 32-inch size provides immersive detail without requiring extreme GPU power for high frame rates. For games where visual fidelity matters as much as performancethis is the best choice.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- 4K resolution delivers exceptional detail in games and content creation
- QD-OLED panel produces wider color gamut than standard OLED displays
- 240Hz refresh rate at 4K is future-proof for next-gen GPUs
- 32-inch size hits the sweet spot for desktop viewing distance
Cons
- Requires high-end GPU (RTX 4080/4090) to drive 4K at high frame rates
- Premium pricing puts it out of reach for most budget-conscious gamers
- OLED burn-in risk remains with static UI elements
Full Specifications
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD)
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms (GtG)
- Panel Type: QD-OLED
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 (2x)DisplayPort 1.4USB-C
Samsung Odyssey G9
Immersive ultrawide gaming with class-leading curve and performance.
Bottom Line
The Samsung Odyssey G9 delivers the most immersive gaming experience available. The 49-inch ultrawide with 1000R curve wraps around your field of viewcreating peripheral vision coverage that flat monitors can't match. The 5120x1440 resolution is equivalent to two 27-inch 1440p monitors side-by-sideand the Quantum Mini-LED backlight delivers genuine HDR 1000 brightness that makes highlights pop.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Extreme 1000R curve creates genuinely immersive wraparound experience
- Quantum Mini-LED delivers true HDR 1000 brightness with 2048 dimming zones
- 240Hz refresh rate keeps competitive games smooth despite the high resolution
- Dual QHD resolution provides more screen space than dual monitor setups
Cons
- Massive 49-inch width requires large desk and significant space
- Some games lack 32:9 ultrawide supportshowing black bars or stretched images
- VA panel response time shows slight ghosting compared to OLED monitors
Full Specifications
- Resolution: 5120 x 1440 (Dual QHD)
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (GtG)
- Panel Type: VA (Quantum Mini-LED)
- HDR: DisplayHDR 1000
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 (2x)DisplayPort 1.4USB 3.0 Hub
Dell S2722DGM
Excellent 1440p 165Hz gaming without the premium price tag.
Bottom Line
The Dell S2722DGM delivers the best value in gaming monitors today. It significantly undercuts premium options while including features that were flagship-exclusive just two years ago. 1440p resolution165Hz refresh rateand 1ms response time are genuinely impressive at this price point. For gamers on a budget who still want great performancethis is the monitor to get.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Exceptional value with specs that rival monitors costing twice as much
- 1440p resolution provides sharp visuals without requiring high-end GPU
- 165Hz refresh rate keeps competitive shooters smooth and responsive
- VA panel delivers better contrast than IPS at this price point
Cons
- VA panel shows slight ghosting in fast motion compared to premium monitors
- HDR 400 lacks the brightness and zone count for true HDR experience
- Color accuracy out of box requires manual calibration
Full Specifications
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (GtG)
- Panel Type: VA
- HDR: HDR 400
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 (2x)DisplayPort 1.2
BenQ Mobiuz EX2710Q
Purpose-built for PS5 and Xbox Series X with optimized features.
Bottom Line
The BenQ Mobiuz EX2710Q is designed specifically for console gaming. Two HDMI 2.1 ports support PS5 and Xbox Series X at full 1440p 120Hzand the 27-inch size fits perfectly on entertainment centers. Built-in 2.1 channel speakers with subwoofer are surprisingly goodeliminating the need for external audio. The combination of console-optimized features and compact size makes this the best monitor for living room gaming setups.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Dual HDMI 2.1 ports support PS5 and Xbox Series X at full 1440p 120Hz
- Built-in 2.1 speakers with subwoofer sound genuinely good for monitor audio
- Console-specific picture modes optimize settings for PlayStation and Xbox
- 27-inch size fits entertainment centers better than larger gaming monitors
Cons
- IPS panel shows IPS glow in dark scenes compared to VA monitors
- 165Hz refresh rate limited to PCconsoles max out at 120Hz
- HDR 400 provides minimal HDR impact without local dimming
Full Specifications
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (GtG)
- Panel Type: IPS
- HDR: HDR 400
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 (2x)DisplayPort 1.4USB-C
Compare All Models
| Monitor | Score | Best For | Resolution | Refresh | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Editor's Choice  LG 27GS95QE OLED | 9.6 IMPRESSIVE | Best Overall | 1440 | 240Hz | Buy |
 ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDM | 9.3 IMPRESSIVE | Best 4K | 2160 | 240Hz | Buy |
 Samsung Odyssey G9 | 9 IMPRESSIVE | Best Ultrawide | 1440 | 240Hz | Buy |
 Dell S2722DGM | 8.7 GOOD | Best Value | 1440 | 165Hz | Buy |
 BenQ Mobiuz EX2710Q | 8.4 GOOD | Best for Consoles | 1440 | 165Hz | Buy |
Our Top Pick
LG 27GS95QE OLED
- Perfect 0.03ms OLED response time eliminates motion blur
- Infinite contrast ratio with true blacks
- 240Hz refresh rate for competitive gaming
- 99% DCI-P3 color accuracy out of the box
- Built-in burn-in protection features
