Best Gaming Monitors for Every Budget
Picking a gaming monitor is honestly one of the most confusing parts of building a setup. Panel type, refresh rate, resolution, response time — it's a lot. And manufacturers love slapping marketing terms on everything, which doesn't help. Here's the thing: you don't need a $1,200 OLED panel to have a great gaming experience. A solid 1440p 165Hz IPS monitor will blow your mind if you're coming from a basic 60Hz screen. But if you've got the cash and you play a lot of single-player games, the jump to OLED is something else entirely. We've tested monitors across price ranges and game types to find the ones actually worth buying. One thing we keep coming back to: buy for the games you actually play. Competitive FPS? Prioritize refresh rate. Story-driven RPGs? Go for color and contrast. Don't let internet strangers convince you that you need 360Hz when you mostly play Stardew Valley.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Key Pros | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Swift 27-Inch 1440p Gaming Monitor | Gaming-Monitor | 240Hz refresh rate with near-instant response time | Buy on Amazon |
| Samsung Odyssey G4 27-Inch 240Hz IPS 1ms FHD FreeSync G-Sync Thin Bezel Gaming Monitor | Gaming-Monitor | 240Hz IPS panel eliminates blur without sacrificing color quality | Buy on Amazon |
| ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP 27-Inch Gaming Monitor | Gaming-Monitor | OLED with 240Hz for stunning and fast gaming | Buy on Amazon |
| BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710Q 27-Inch 1440p 165Hz Gaming Monitor | Monitor | Excellent color accuracy IPS panel | Buy on Amazon |
| ASUS TUF Gaming 27-Inch 1440P HDR Monitor | Gaming-Monitor | 1440p resolution noticeably sharper than 1080p gaming | Buy on Amazon |
| ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q 23.8-Inch 144Hz IPS Monitor | Gaming-Monitor | IPS panel with excellent color accuracy | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Look at Each Product
ASUS ROG Swift 27-Inch 1440p Gaming Monitor
The ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM delivers a 27-inch 1440p IPS display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time for ultra-smooth competitive gaming. G-Sync compatibility eliminates screen tearing on both NVIDIA and AMD systems. ELMB Sync combines motion blur reduction with variable refresh rate simultaneously.
- 240Hz refresh rate with near-instant response time
- IPS panel delivers accurate colors and wide viewing angles
- G-Sync and FreeSync compatible for broad GPU support
- Premium price places it above mid-range monitor budgets
- Tall stand base occupies significant desk depth
Samsung Odyssey G4 27-Inch 240Hz IPS 1ms FHD FreeSync G-Sync Thin Bezel Gaming Monitor
The Samsung Odyssey G4 is a 27-inch IPS gaming monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms GTG response time for ultra-smooth competitive gameplay. G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium certification ensure tear-free rendering across compatible NVIDIA and AMD GPUs. The thin 0.2-inch bezel and tilting stand suit multi-monitor setups where edge-to-edge image continuity matters.
- 240Hz IPS panel eliminates blur without sacrificing color quality
- G-Sync and FreeSync compatible for GPU flexibility
- Thin bezels ideal for multi-monitor configurations
- 1080p resolution on a 27-inch panel produces lower pixel density
- Stand offers tilt only, no height or swivel adjustment
ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP 27-Inch Gaming Monitor
The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP delivers a 1440p OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time for the ultimate combination of color, contrast, and speed in competitive gaming. ASUS-exclusive OLED Care technology mitigates burn-in risk with pixel refresh and logo detection. DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification means near-infinite contrast ratios.
- OLED with 240Hz for stunning and fast gaming
- 0.03ms response time
- OLED burn-in protection built in
- Very premium price
- OLED requires care to avoid burn-in
BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710Q 27-Inch 1440p 165Hz Gaming Monitor
IPS gaming monitor with 1440p resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time. Built-in treVolo speakers with subwoofer and HDRi for immersive gaming without external audio.
- Excellent color accuracy IPS panel
- Built-in 2.1 channel speakers
- HDRi intelligent brightness
- USB-C connectivity
- HDR performance is entry-level
- Stand is large and not height adjustable
ASUS TUF Gaming 27-Inch 1440P HDR Monitor
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ delivers WQHD 2560x1440 resolution at 165Hz refresh rate with 1ms MPRT response time for a competitive gaming experience that outperforms standard 1080p displays at a reasonable price. ELMB-Sync technology combines motion blur reduction with G-Sync compatible adaptive sync for smooth visuals in fast-paced games. The ergonomic stand adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot to find your perfect viewing angle.
- 1440p resolution noticeably sharper than 1080p gaming
- 165Hz combined with 1ms creates butter-smooth gameplay
- Full ergonomic adjustability for comfortable long sessions
- IPS panel has slightly worse black levels than VA panels
- HDR performance is considered entry-level only
ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q 23.8-Inch 144Hz IPS Monitor
23.8-inch IPS gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms MPRT response time, and FreeSync Premium support for tear-free gameplay. ELMB Sync technology combines motion blur reduction and adaptive sync simultaneously. The ergonomic stand tilts, swivels, pivots, and adjusts in height.
- IPS panel with excellent color accuracy
- 144Hz and ELMB Sync simultaneously
- Full ergonomic stand included
- Only 1080p at 24 inches
- Bezels thicker than some competitors
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1440p or 4K better for gaming?
For most people, 1440p at 144Hz+ is the sweet spot right now. It looks sharp, it's not nearly as demanding on your GPU as 4K, and monitors at this spec have gotten really affordable. 4K gaming monitors are great if you have a beefy graphics card, but you're paying more for the monitor AND you need a more expensive GPU to push those pixels. Stick with 1440p unless money isn't a concern.
What refresh rate do I actually need?
144Hz is the baseline you should aim for. The jump from 60Hz to 144Hz is massive — everything feels smoother and more responsive. Going from 144 to 240 is noticeable but less dramatic. And 360Hz? That's really only for competitive esports players who can tell the difference. Don't spend extra on refresh rate you won't notice.
Are OLED gaming monitors worth the price?
If you care about image quality and play a lot of dark atmospheric games, absolutely. The contrast on OLED is unmatched — true blacks that no IPS or VA panel can touch. But they cost significantly more and there's still the burn-in question for static UI elements. For pure competitive play, a fast IPS panel gives you everything you need for less money.
What size gaming monitor should I get?
27 inches at 1440p is the most popular combo and it's popular for a reason — pixel density is great, it fits on most desks, and you don't have to move your head around. 32 inches works if you sit a bit further back. Honestly, 24-inch 1080p monitors are still perfectly fine for competitive FPS if that's your thing. Don't overthink it.