Best Gaming Monitors 2026: Budget, Curved, G-Sync and More

We have you covered on every possible front, with the best 4K gaming monitors, the best ultrawide gaming monitors, and even the best portable monitors. While those guides focus on specific segments of the monitor market, we'll try to pick the best from each here. Think of it as the "best of the best."

The best thing about having numerous options for consumers is that you can choose the ideal monitor for your specific gaming needs. When seeking the best gaming monitor for your rig, different panel types are vying for your eyeballs — IPS, TN, VA, and even OLED — each with pros and cons.

Of course, you can't forget about screen size and aspect ratio, which affect your views, desk space, and, again, bank account. And we haven't even discussed bonuses, like speakers, RGB, or port selection. With so many options available to gamers, some helpful guidance is necessary to make the best possible choice.

On a positive note, the segment is quickly becoming inundated with OLED panel technology, which is definitely encouraging. Not only do OLED panels offer the best possible color output, responsiveness, and black levels, but prices are quickly falling, making them a more attractive purchase for discerning gamers. As OLEDs become more affordable, even more people will be able ot take advantage of these benefits. If you'd like more detailed information on the panel technology, be sure to check out our best OLED gaming monitor guide.

Based on all these criteria, our top pick is the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP. This 27-inch QHD monitor offers a compelling balance of resolution, performance, and price — it's also among the best OLED gaming monitors on the market. In addition to the ROG Swift PG27AQDP, below is a list of the best gaming monitors currently available based on our in-house tests.

The Quick List

Best Gaming Monitors in 2026

Best Overall / Best OLED Gaming Monitor

The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP is the new king of the hill when it comes to high-performance OLED gaming monitors. The ROG Swift PG27AQDP has the same 2560 x 1440 resolution as our previous favorite, the Alienware AW2725DF, but boasts a maximum refresh rate of 480 Hz (instead of 360 Hz).

Our instrumented testing showed a brightness of 400 nits in SDR content and 1,300 nits in HDR content. Calibration was also stellar straight out of the box, while contrast and overall color reproduction were excellent (as expected from a modern OLED panel). Excellent video processing and tons of gaming-centric features make the ROG Swift PG27AQDP a must-have for discerning gamers.

Among the OLED competition, the PG27AQDP was tied for first place in response time (just two milliseconds), while it registered just 15 ms for the input lag test. That put it in second place behind its larger brother, the PG32UCDP. However, it's hard to live up to the PG32UCDP's 11-millisecond showing, and 15 ms is nothing to scoff at (and the PG32UCDP also had an advantage by running the test at FHD instead of QHD).

We had no trouble playing games like Doom Eternal at 340 fps at QHD resolution with a GeForce RTX 4090 on the PG27AQDP. However, we didn't have enough computing muscle to reach the monitor's upper 480 fps limit, although perhaps a GeForce RTX 5090 could get the job done.

Just be aware that the ROG Swift PG27AQDP has an MSRP of $999, which is a few hundred bucks pricier than its closest competition, the $600 Alienware AW2524HF. However, that price premium is warranted, given its performance and features.

More: Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP Gaming Monitor Review

Best Ultra-High Refresh Rate Monitor

The Alienware AW2524HF plants its flag in the ground as the successor to the world's first 500Hz gaming monitor, the AW2524H. The AW2524HF includes most of the superlatives that made its predecessor such a standout monitor, but comes with a lower price tag due to the lack of the Nvidia G-Sync module and a backlight strobe. However, while the AW2524H hit the market with an $800+ price tag, the AW2524HF debuted at $650.

Though 360 Hz displays are commonplace today, Dell's new entry ensures no frame tears or motion blur when using flagship graphics cards capable of pushing 400+ frames per second. In addition to its outright speed, the AW2524HF commands a 2ms advantage in control lag over its 360 Hz peers. It was only surpassed by the AW2524H. While casual gamers won't notice the difference in gameplay, it immediately impacted our hands-on testing. Competitive gamers will also notice the difference when online matches become intense.

Just remember that if you want to realize the full potential of the AW2524HF, you'll need something like one of the best CPUs for gaming along with one of the best graphics cards for gaming. However, street pricing hovering around the $600 mark is a remarkable bargain for gamers with the central processing and graphics horsepower to back it up. If you want an OLED panel and don't mind spending a few dollars more, the 480 Hz Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP should also be under consideration.

Read: Alienware AW2524HF 500 Hz Gaming Monitor Review

Best Value Gaming Monitor

One of the greatest benefits of the exploding popularity of OLED gaming monitors is that prices are steadily dropping. There was once a time when a decent OLED monitor would set you back $1,000 or more; you can now find models for $500 or less. Or in the case of the Alienware, the AW2726DM is priced at an enticing $350.

Despite its low price tag, the AW2726DM doesn’t skimp on the features that matter. The monitor starts with a 27-inch QD-OLED panel, a 2560 x 1440 resolution, and a 240 Hz refresh rate. AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility is standard, and you’ll find two HDMI 2.1 ports and a single DisplayPort 1.4 connection.

Where it counts, the AW2726DM delivers. Image quality is excellent, and the picture is accurate once fully calibrated. Input lag is generally low and competitive with peers, and Dell still offers a three-year burn-in warranty.

Given its $350 price tag, some things had to be left behind. There are no USB ports, internal speakers, or RGB lighting to spruce things up. But let’s be honest here – none of those features are going to improve the performance of the monitor, and you can get your fix for each of those features from other places/peripherals.

“During both tests and gameplay, I noted very low input lag, and panel response quick enough to eliminate motion blur above 200 FPS,” wrote our Christian Eberle. “Since the AW2726DM is QHD, it isn’t difficult to drive to its 240 Hz maximum. When playing games, I experienced the same feel as I do with displays costing twice as much. At best, you’re looking at around $500 for a comparable screen from another brand.”

The AW2726DM represents a fantastic value, and we gladly welcome our new low-priced QD-OLED overlords.

More: Alienware AW2726DM 27-inch QHD 240 Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor Review

Best Curved Gaming Monitor

Desktop-class OLEDs used to be a rarity in the gaming monitor segment, but over the years, prices have come down, and more entries have entered the fray. The latest comes from Alienware, the jaw-dropping AW3423DFW.

This is a 34-inch ultra-wide monitor with an 1800R curve and a resolution of 3440 x 1440. However, the most important spec is its use of a Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) panel, which offers an extremely wide color gamut and the blackest blacks you’ll find in a gaming monitor.

The AW3423DFW's QD-OLED “heart” provided excellent contrast and color saturation, so we felt no need to calibrate the panel further out of the box. Throw in premium build quality—as we expect from Alienware—along with top-notch video processing, and the AW3423DFW hits all the high notes without any demerits worth mentioning for enthusiast gamers.

If you want pro-level accuracy for color-critical work, the AW3423DFW has you covered. We measured 107.94% coverage of DCI-P3. We noticed nicely balanced colors, but you can tweak the calibration if you're an absolute stickler. However, any of the adjustments we made only resulted in a minuscule improvement in accuracy and color, so you'd probably be better off sticking with the defaults.

While the AW3423DFW has an MSRP of $1,100, it can easily be found online for just $800, making it a good value for a large-ish monitor if you have the desk space to accommodate it. If you'd like an even cheaper alternative, consider something like the BenQ Mobiuz EX3410R, which retails for around $430.

Read: Alienware AW3423DW Gaming Monitor Review

Best 4K Gaming Monitor

We can’t stress this enough: OLED panels are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore in the gaming monitor space. The panels provide excellent color performance, fast response times, and infinite contrast. It’s hard to come across a bad OLED gaming monitor, but some offer more compelling features that make them stand out from the crowd. That’s where the Asus ROG Strix XG32UCWMG comes into the picture.

This is a 32-inch 4K gaming monitor with an OLED panel. However, the ROG Strix XG32UCWMG has two personalities for gaming enthusiasts. You can operate in 4K mode, which provides the full 3840 x 2160 resolution with a maximum refresh rate of 240 Hz. Or, you can switch to Full HD mode, where you can game at FHD (1920 x 1080) at up to 480 Hz.

Thanks to its infinite contrast, the ROG Strix XG32UCWMG excels in HDR content (HDR10 is supported), and it also supports DisplayHDR 400. The ROG Strix XG32UCWMG actually has a WOLED panel, which is capable of boosting ot a maximum of 1,300 nits in HDR mode. In SDR mode, the ROG Strix XG32UCWMG topped the charts among its competitors, reaching a maximum of 451 nits.

When it comes to the port allotment, you’ll find two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one USB-C port. There's also a 3.5mm headphone jack and three downstream USB ports.

With a street price of $850, the Asus ROG Strix XG32UCWMG isn’t cheap, but it’s a well-rounded gaming monitor that should be on your shopping list.

More: Asus ROG Strix XG32UCWMG Gaming Monitor Review

Best 3D Gaming Monitor

There was once tremendous promise in the area of 3D TVs and monitors, but those early ambitions have not yet truly come to fruition. However, Acer has been at the forefront of keeping the 3D gaming monitor dream alive, and its latest product is the SpatialLabs View 27 PSV27-2.

At first glance, the specs for the View 27 PSV27-2 seem unassuming. It has a 27-inch 4K VA panel with a refresh rate of 160 Hz. Maximum brightness ticks in at 400 nits (447.5852 nits in our testing), and it supports AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync technologies.

However, the real intrigue comes with the eye-tracking sensors that are built into the bezel of the monitor. These sensors track your head and eye position to create a convincing, glasses-free 3D experience.

This SpatialLabs technology allows for a more immersive gaming experience, and there are even plugins to add 3D viewing to popular game engines like Unreal and Unity. There's even Steam integration, allowing you to play games like Baldur's Gate 3 in glorious 3D. Over 180 games are currently supported by the SpatialLabs View 27 PSV27-2.

While the View 27 PSV27-2 is more than capable of delivering when it comes to 3D content, it is also a solid choice for standard 2D games. We had no issue pushing up against the 160 Hz maximum for the monitor at 4K in Doom Eternal when using a GeForce RTX 4090

Acer even provides the SpatialLabs Go utility that allows you to convert 2D video into 3D. If you have concerns about headaches or potential vertigo when viewing 3D content, consider finding a demo to try before investing in this impressive piece of kit.

More: Acer Predator SpatialLabs View 27 PSV27-2 3D Gaming Monitor Review

Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor

With OLED panels invading every facet of the gaming monitor sector, it should be no surprise that they proliferate in even the largest offerings. That’s definitely the case with the LG Ultra Gear 45GX950A, which features an enormous OLED panel stretching an impressive 45 inches. So what do you get with your $1,000 investment into widescreen gaming bliss?

The monitor can operate at 165 Hz at WUHD resolution (5120 x 2160) or 330 Hz at WFD resolution (2560x1080). You'll need almost 4 feet of desk width and plenty of depth to accommodate it, but if you do, you’ll enjoy an 800R curve without image distortion.

The response time is an OLED-typical 0.03 ms, and you get a maximum brightness of 275 nits in SDR mode, but a high 1,300 nits in HDR mode (we measured 475 nits in HDR mode).

Regarding connectivity, you'll find two HDMI 2.1 ports, two DisplayPort 2.1, and one USB-C. There's also a 3.5mm headphone jack (DTS: Headphone X support), two 10-watt speakers, and two downstream USB ports.

The end result is a bright and colorful image with no need for calibration and excellent video processing. And of course, you'll get top-notch build quality, which is expected given its $1,500 price tag.

More: LG Ultra Gear 45GX950A Gaming Monitor Review

Best Portable Gaming Monitor

When you think of displays with a 300Hz refresh rate, you typically picture desktop monitors with a Full HD resolution. However, Nexigo offers something on a smaller scale in the form of the NG17FGQ. This is a 17.3-inch portable monitor that offers a 300Hz refresh rate and connects to a laptop or desktop via HDMI or USB-C (DisplayPort Alt-Mode).

To take advantage of that fast 300Hz refresh rate, you'll need to connect over USB-C with a computer that supports full bandwidth capabilities. If you decide to connect via HDMI, you're limited to 240Hz, which is still heady for a portable monitor. Response times were also low, coming in at just 3ms, making it competitive with desktop-class 360Hz monitors.

Gaming performance across the board is excellent with the NG17FGQ, and it can produce some amazing colors once the panel is calibrated. Its overall good build quality also means that it should stand up to the rigors of behind tossed around in a bag while traveling.

Nexigo even includes a handy remote that can be used to navigate the on-screen display (OSD). Toss in stereo speakers to blast some tunes on the go, and the NG17FGQ makes a great travel companion for gamers and productivity-minded folks alike.

More: Nexigo NG17FGQ Review

Best Console Gaming Monitor

There are plenty of gaming monitors out there that work incredibly well with desktop PCs, but Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5 consoles also need some love. The Alienware AW3225QF rings all the right bells for anyone looking for a large monitor to pair with a current-generation console. It measures 32 inches across, has a 4K resolution, and its refresh rate tops out at 240 Hz. Best of all, it uses a QD-OLED panel to give you unmatched contrast and luscious colors.

The monitor even supports Dolby Vision, which makes it a perfect fit for the Xbox Series X. What’s amazing about the AW3225QF is that it does everything remarkably well. It’s not perfect, but it is near the top of its class in most categories and does so with excellent motion resolution and low input lag. HDR brightness was also class-competitive at 453 nits.

Throw in the always-excellent quality we expect from Alienware, and you have a monitor equally adept at handling your Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 play sessions. Just be prepared to fork over $999 to purchase this gaming monitor gem. For more restrictive budgets, the Sony Inzone M9 has a street price of around $700.

Read: Alienware AW3225QF Review

FAQs for Gaming Monitors

Shopping Tips for Gaming Monitors

When trying to buy the best gaming monitor for your PC, consider the following:

Savings on Best Gaming Monitors

When shopping for any gaming monitor, including those above, you may save some money by checking out our lists of best computer monitor deals, Dell Coupon Codes, Lenovo coupon codes, LG coupon codes or Newegg coupon codes.

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