You finally managed to buy all the components for your new gaming rig including a new (and probably overpriced) graphics card. I hope you still have some money left over, because now it's time to complete your rig with one of the best gaming monitors. Luckily, there's no shortage of gaming monitors on the market, so you have the liberty to pick up the one you want based on the GPU you just bought. After all, it's the graphics card that tells you what kind of gaming monitor is worth buying.
There are a few things to consider while shopping for gaming monitors. The one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work here, sadly, because each user has a different preference. While some users want a high-refresh-rate panel, others may want to buy a high-resolution monitor for 4K gaming. And then there are people who give more importance to extra technologies like HDMI 2.1.
These are the best gaming monitors in 2023
Acer Nitro XV272U Vbmiiprx 27" Gaming Monitor
A well balanced monitor that can suit any PC
Acer's Nitro XV272U is a 1440p gaming monitor with a refresh rate of 170Hz and support for AMD FreeSync Premium. It's going to give you an excellent gaming experience in a reasonable price range.
- 1440p, 170Hz IPS display
- FreeSync Premium and G-Sync Compatible
- Affordable price
- Poor contrast and brightness means only support for HDR400
It's hard to choose a gaming monitor that's good for everybody, but you don't really need to spend a ton of money to get a good option, and it doesn't need to have 4K resolution or a super high refresh rate either. Acer's Nitro XV272U strikes a great balance between features and costs and wins my recommendation for the best overall gaming monitor.
The XV272U, although marketed for gamers, has a pretty subdued design. It uses a nearly edge-to-edge bezel at the sides and top, leaving only a modest chin at the bottom, and doesn't have any RGB or colored accents anywhere on the monitor itself. The stand is pretty sleek and has a small, circular red accent at the base of the stand, which represents virtually all the colors in the whole package.
The display on the XV272U is impressive. It's a 1440p IPS model with a 170Hz refresh rate, and it supports AMD FreeSync Premium and G-Sync Compatible, which is pretty much a necessity for any good gaming monitor these days. It also has 100% coverage of the sRGB color space, but its somewhat low brightness of roughly 400 nits is only enough to earn an HDR400 rating, but that's not super relevant for gaming anyway.
At just over $300, Acer's Nitro XV272U is a great deal, offering most of what you get with 1440p gaming monitors for a lower price. The 1440p resolution will probably be the most popular for midrange and high-end gaming for some time thanks to its balance between visual quality and framerate/refresh rate, and the XV272U utilizes that strength very effectively at a relatively low price point.
LG 27GP95R-B
A high-end display best paired with the RTX 4090 and other flagship cards
LG's 27GP95R-B is a 4K gaming monitor with a 160Hz refresh rate and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and is G-Sync compatible, making it perfect for powerful graphics cards.
- 4K resolution with 160Hz refresh rate
- Support for FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatible
- HDR600
- Very expensive
Powerful new graphics cards like the RTX 4090 enable 4K gaming as the norm. If you have one of these powerful GPUs and want to pair it with a high-end 4K display, then I recommend picking up LG's 27GP95R-B. It's expensive but provides a great 4K gaming experience (which typically requires a high-end PC anyway) without compromises.
The 27GP95R-B shines in the design and build quality department thanks to its slim bezels and its good quality stand that keeps this thing nice and sturdy on the desk. This monitor is actually identical to the LG 27GP950-B but lacks RGB lighting behind the monitor, which probably isn't worth the extra money to most people.
The 27GP95R-B sports a 27-inch 4K Nano IPS panel with support for up to 160Hz refresh rate. You also have both Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro adaptive refresh technologies, making it a great all-rounder for whichever graphics card you have. Its peak brightness is roughly 400 nits and has an HDR600 rating, which is pretty good for a gaming monitor.
You'll definitely need a powerful GPU to play high refresh rate games at 4K, but 4K is becoming more the norm at the high-end. LG's 27GP95R-B is a particularly good 4K gaming monitor that should get you through this generation and probably the next thanks to its relatively high 160Hz refresh rate, which will probably be sufficient even for high-end GPUs for some time.
Samsung Odyssey G7 32-inch QLED
A high-end 1440p display for high-end PCs
Samsung's Odyssey G7 uses a 32-inch VA display with a 1440p resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync. if you have a high-end rig and want to push to 1440p, this is the option for you.
- 32-inches
- 1440p QLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate
- FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatible
- Expensive
- Curved display might be unappealing
While 4K gaming is no longer a distant dream for gamers, it's safe to say that the majority are still leaning towards 1440p gaming thanks to its lower price, lower graphical demand, and generally higher refresh rate. Although Acer's Nitro XV272U 1440p display is my pick for the best overall gaming monitor, Samsung's Odyssey G7 is a higher-end option that's great for gamers with powerful rigs that can push high framerates at 1440p.
The overall build quality is among the best around. It sports an LED ring light at the back along with a sturdy stand that's capable of supporting the monitor with minimal wobble. One thing that is worth pointing out about this monitor, however, is the fact that it has a 1000R curved display. This is quite a high curvature which may take a little time to get used to. But it's worth the change, as, for gaming, in particular, you'll find yourself more immersed and more comfortable.
The Odyssey G7 sports a 32-inch curved VA panel with a 240Hz refresh rate and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync, which means guaranteed anti-screen tearing technology whether you go AMD or Nvidia. The display has a peak brightness of roughly 400 nits, which is decent enough for a gaming monitor, and HDR600 support is also a nice bonus though not crucial for the gaming experience.
However, do not that older versions of the Samsung Odyssey G7 have completely different specifications and pricing than this specific model, which uses a 32-inch VA panel, often branded as QLED. The older G7 with a 27-inch VA panel is about $200 cheaper but has worse quality. It's a good alternative if you're on a budget though.
HP X27q QHD Gaming monitor
A cost-effective 1440p gaming monitor
This large 27-inch monitor is affordable, yet comes with a 165Hz refresh rate and Quad HD resolution, resulting in a sharp and smooth image in games. It also has a 1ms response time so your inputs are reflected on screen immediately.
- 1440p IPS display
- 165Hz refresh rate with support for FreeSync
- Very cheap
- Contrast ratio isn't great
These days, 1440p is becoming the new 1080p as the market moves on to higher resolutions and finds ways to offer 1440p for much less than it used to cost. There are lots of 1440p budget displays available, but HP's X27q is one of the best. Do note that this monitor isn't called the X27q on every storefront for some reason. But just be on the lookout for a 27-inch HP monitor that features 1440p, IPS, 165Hz, and AMD FreeSync.
The X27q is very minimalistic when it comes to appearance. It's just a simple, flat display with a somewhat thick chin and very small, black bezels made of plastic. It comes with a fairly basic monitor stand but is also compatible with VESA mounts if you would rather use a third-party mounting mechanism.
These specs would have been pretty high-end not too long ago. The X27q has some highs and lows in other areas. According to Rtings, its contrast ratio is about 1,110:1, which isn't amazing, and isn't very color accurate when dealing with blacks. But it's pretty bright at roughly 400 nits, covers 100% of the sRGB and 76% of the Adobe RGB color gamuts, and has a decent response time.
The X27q isn't perfect, but its weaknesses don't really let it down in gaming since a high refresh rate and low response times are much more important than whether the color black looks truly black. It's less than $300, sometimes on sale for close to $250, and it's hard to find that kind of bang for buck on other models.
Dell Alienware AW2523HF
The best if you need the highest refresh rate possible
Dell's Alienware AW2523HF is a high-end 1080p gaming monitor with a 360Hz refresh rate that's great for esports titles and other competitive games.
- 360Hz refresh rate
- Support for AMD FreeSync
- 25-inch size is a good fit for 1080p
- Extremely expensive for a 1080p monitor
- High refresh rate might not be as important as better resolution
You might think 1080p monitors have been relegated to the low-end, budget part of the market, but that's not entirely true. There's actually a small segment of top-end 1080p gaming monitors that have the highest refresh rates you can get, much higher than the refresh rates on even the best 1440p and 4K panels. Of all the 360Hz monitors you can buy today, Dell's Alienware AW2523HF is the best overall, though will cost you a fairly expensive $400–$450.
The AW2523HF goes for the standard minimalist look many monitors have these days: thin bezels at the sides and top, slightly thicker chin at the bottom, and an all-black plastic theme. It's an unassuming monitor that certainly doesn't look eye-catching, though that's not really a problem when it's the panel that's supposed to look good and not what's around it.
Speaking of the panel, it measures 25 inches across and is rated at 360Hz, the highest refresh rate possible until 500Hz monitors eventually launch. The AW2523HF comes with support for AMD FreeSync and is G-Sync Compatible, which pretty much has to be on a monitor that sells itself on its refresh rate. Its peak brightness of around 400 nits is decent enough, though out-of-the-box reviews indicate that its color accuracy isn't amazing, and it doesn't have any HDR certification either.
Although it's our top pick in this segment, Dell's Alienware AW2523HF is undeniably in a niche within a niche. A 1080p monitor, even with a 360Hz refresh rate, is expensive at $400, but the AW2523HF is really made for games like Valorant and Overwatch, and not so much gaming in general. If you have $400 and don't plan on playing all your games at over 300FPS, you should probably consider HP's X27q or Acer's Nitro XV272U, which are 1440p gaming monitors that cost less.
LG 24GN600-B UltraGear Gaming Monitor
Cheap but still good for gaming
The LG 24GN600-B UltraGearis an entry-level gaming monitor that measures 24 inches, has a resolution of 1080p, and has a refresh rate of 144Hz. It also has FreeSync Premium anti-tearing technology.
- 1080p IPS display
- 144Hz refresh rate
- AMD FreeSync Premium
- No explicit support for G-Sync (though it should still function)
In recent years, entry-level gaming monitors have gotten better while prices remain about as low as they've always been. It's not uncommon to find a 1080p display with a high refresh rate for less than $200, but LG's 24GN600-B UltraGear manages to stand out from the crowd by offering tons of features and impressive specs for just under $200 (with frequent sales bringing it under $150).
From the front, the 24GN600-B is a pretty normal-looking 24-inch monitor. It has a thin, pure black bezel made of plastic decorated only by the LG logo. On the back, however, this monitor can only be described as gamer-y thanks to its purely decorative wheel-like decoration with red accents. The back of the monitor stand is also pure red. It's kind of weird that all the flashy aesthetics are put in the one area where you're the least likely to be looking, but that might work out if you prefer the basic appearance of this monitor from the front anyway.
On a technical level, the 24GN600-B has quite an impressive set of features. 1080p and a 144Hz refresh rate is nothing special these days, but this is also an IPS display with AMD FreeSync Premium. That basically ensures good color accuracy (LG says this monitor hits 99% of the sRGB color space) and good enough latency for gaming. For $150, you're getting a high refresh rate, decent color accuracy, and limited to no screen tearing no matter what GPU you're using, seeing as all three major vendors support FreeSync. It's hard to ask for anything more.
There are other contenders in the sub-$200 segment but LG's 24GN600-B UltraGear checks off the most boxes for the least amount of money. Asus's TUF Gaming VG27VH1B is one such alternative, which bumps up the screen size to 27 inches, the refresh rate up to 165Hz, and it has a curved display. However, the 24GN600-B goes on sale more frequently and for lower prices than the VG27VH1B, which makes it a generally better deal as long as you can wait for LG's monitor to hit that expected $150 price point.
Alienware AW3423DW Gaming Monitor
A top-of-the-line ultrawide display for gaming
The Alienware AW3423DW is an ultrawide gaming monitor with a 1440p resolution and 175Hz refresh rate, plus support for G-Sync and AMD FreeSync
- 1440p and 175Hz refresh rate
- G-Sync and FreeSync support
- Fantastic HDR experience
- Extremely expensive
Ultrawide monitors are the realm for gamers who want to make full use of their peripheral vision. Gaming at an ultrawide resolution can be buggy at times and requires more graphical horsepower than the typical 16:9 aspect ratio, but the visual experience has proven to be worth those issues. Of all the ultrawide monitors out there, Dell's Alienware AW3423DW is certainly one of the best, though at nearly $1,300 it's not exactly affordable.
From the front, the AW3423DW presents its thin bezels and almost pure black design, making it look pretty normal for most monitors. On the back, however, there's quite a bit of visual flair; the black largely gives away to white and there's some RGB around where the monitor stand meets the monitor itself. Though, what a monitor looks like from the back isn't always important, especially if you put this monitor up against a wall or something.
The AW3423DW has a top-end Quantum Dot OLED 1440p panel with a 175Hz refresh rate. This is also an 1800R curved display, which is sometimes not desirable on typical gaming monitors but is often much appreciated on ultrawide models like this one. The AW3423DW supports G-Sync (not G-Sync Compatible but actual G-Sync) and AMD FreeSync, which means no screen tearing in games no matter what GPU you have. One weakness of this monitor is its relatively low brightness of 250 nits, but in HDR content the brightness is allowed to hit values closer to 1000 nits.
Dell's Alienware AW3423DW is undeniably one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors out there, but it's also one of the most expensive monitors overall. Cheaper alternatives include Samsung's SJ55W, which is also 1440p and $300 but is limited to 75Hz, Gigabyte's GG34WQC A which offers 1440p and 144Hz for $400, and Dell's non-Alienware S3422DWG, which is also around $400 and uses a 1440p, 144Hz panel. These displays are all of course inferior in quality to the AW3423DW, which is the best as long as you can afford it.
Gigabyte Aorus FV43U
Great for the living room
Gigabyte's Aorus FV43U is a TV-sized monitor made for gaming, sporting a VA panel, 4K resolution, and 144Hz refresh rate.
- 43 inches
- 4K resolution
- 144Hz refresh rate
- VA panels are a bit outdated
While most people don't lean towards buying monitors bigger than 32 inches, there are people who like huge monitors for their gaming setups. If you are one of them, then you'd be interested in checking out the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U. This monitor is essentially a TV replacement, packing a massive 43-inch panel, though it doesn't have typical TV functions like channel switching and doesn't even come with a remote. But you can sit close and enjoy content or play games. It also has a good amount of height thanks to the 16:9 aspect ratio, so it's a very different experience to using an ultrawide.
The Gigabyte Aorus FV43U comes with a 43-inch 4K VA with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, which means it's great for gaming. In addition to that, the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U also has support for FreeSync, so you can get rid of those nasty tears on AMD Radeon-powered systems, though it should also work with Nvidia GPUs with some manual driver option selections.
In terms of image quality, the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U handles things very well too. It offers 300 nits of brightness typically and a 4000:1 contrast ratio, which makes up for some of the typical weaknesses of a VA display. It also comes with support for DisplayHDR 1000 and HDR10 certification. Those who are looking to use this monitor with the next-generation consoles including Xbox Series X, S, and PS5 will also have a great time as it sports HDMI 2.1 ports.
If you're focused on size or a display that has great gaming features for the living room, then Gigabyte's Aorus FV43U is a great choice. There aren't a ton of TV-sized gaming monitors out there to begin with but the FV43U doesn't necessarily win by default and has lots of things going for it like its decently high 144Hz refresh rate and 4K resolution.
Acer Nitro XV282K
If you need HDMI 2.1 in particular
The Acer Nitro XV282K is a great option to consider if you are looking to buy a 4K gaming monitor with an HDMI 2.1 port. You'll actually get two HDMI 2.1 ports, along with a DisplayPort 1.4.
- Has HDMI 2.1
- 4K IPS panel
- 144Hz refresh rate with FreeSync
- A bit expensive
There aren't too many gaming monitors out there right now that come with HDMI 2.1 ports. Acer, however, does, and it deserves a recommendation. This is the Acer Nitro XV282K, the company's new UHD gaming monitor that has HDMI 2.1.
There's not much to talk about the design of the Acer Nitro XV282K. It's a fairly simple-looking monitor that lacks any kind of "gaming" aesthetics. It doesn't have an edge-to-edge panel, but the bezels around the display are quite minimal. The stand looks very basic too but at least it does a good job of holding the monitor in place. The stand also offers a good amount of adjustment options.
In terms of specs, the Acer Nitro XV282K features a 28-inch 4K UDH monitor. It's an IPS panel with support for up to 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. We're also looking at a peak brightness of 400 nits, and it has a contrast ratio of 1000:1. The primary draw of this monitor is that it comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports along with a DisplayPort 1.4. The fact that it has HDMI 2.1 ports makes it a great option for those who are looking to pair with the next-gen consoles including Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5. HDMI 2.1 will allow you to experience 4K gaming at 120Hz where supported. You also get a 3.5mm audio port along with a USB hub.
At $540, the Acer Nitro XV282K is not a particularly great deal for the hardware, but its key selling point is support for HDMI 2.1. If that's a feature you need, then this monitor will be great for you. Otherwise, I'd recommend LG's 27GP95R-B, which offers a higher refresh rate for not much more money.
Best gaming monitors to buy in 2023: Final thoughts
There are lots of options when it comes to gaming monitors, but my favorite is Acer's Nitro XV272U. It has an almost ironically long name, but comes with great specs for a monitor that costs just over $300. It's a great fit for midrange and high-end PCs and is a great choice for anyone who can't afford or doesn't want to pay for higher-end 1440p and 4K gaming monitors.
Acer Nitro XV272U Vbmiiprx 27" Gaming Monitor
Acer's Nitro XV272U Vbmiiprx is a 1440p gaming monitor with a refresh rate of 170Hz and support for AMD FreeSync Premium.
If you're not particularly looking for just gaming monitors, then you might want to check out our collection of the best monitors. That list has a lot more options to choose including the ones for productivity. And if you are building a new setup from scratch, then we have some other collection articles that you might be interested in including the best webcams and the best mechanical keyboards. Alternatively, you can also join our XDA Computing Forums to discuss your setup or get more product recommendations from the experts in our community.