When it comes to first-person shooters, racing, or even MMOs (massively multiplayer online games), the difference between victory and defeat is a game of pixels -- it's all about gaming performance. That's why having a gaming monitor that can match your desire to win is key to climbing up any leaderboard.

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But what if you don't have a gaming monitor? Buying one can be a quest on its own. There are numerous options available on the market, and many variables that you should consider when deciding on the monitor that's right for you. So to help, let the list below serve as your world map, guiding you through a culmination of the very best gaming monitors of the year.

Also:

• The best gaming TVs
• The best game consoles
• The best gaming laptops
• The best budget gaming laptops
• The best gaming CPUs
• The best gaming GPUs

Samsung Odyssey G7 Series

Best gaming monitor

Samsung Pros & Cons Pros

• Support for FreeSync and G-SYNC
• Color-accurate VA panel with deep blacks in dark lighting
• Reliable response time for fast-paced gaming

Cons

• Curved display is not for everyone
• Brightness with HDR can be higher

More Details

Samsung Odyssey G7 Series features:

• Crisp, poppy, and color-accurate visuals
• 27-inch curved monitor
• 240Hz refresh rate
• Pixel-sharp 1440p content
• G-SYNC and FreeSync compatible
• Suitable for graphics-intensive games

Samsung makes some darn good displays, as its TVs and smartphones can attest to. So when the company ventured into the gaming world with its Odyssey line of monitors, it was no surprise that the panels produced crisp, poppy, and color-accurate visuals.

The Odyssey G7 is a testament to that claim and so much more. It sports a 27-inch monitor that's curved just enough to differentiate itself from flatter, traditional monitors, without forcing you to stay centered for a practical viewing experience. The Odyssey G7 can also ramp up to 240Hz (if your graphics card can power it) and produce pixel-sharp 1440p content. That duo of features alone means that you can make the most out of any graphics-intensive game. Speaking of graphics, the G7 is G-SYNC and FreeSync compatible, meaning it plays well with NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards

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Dell 27 S2721DGF

Best monitor for heat dispersion

Dell Pros & Cons Pros

• Industrial design with excellent heat dispersion
• Super sharp visuals at 1440p, yet little to no stutters
• Ample amount of ports (2x HDMI, DisplayPort, 3.5mm)

Cons

• Blacks can appear uneven
• Contrast is mid-tier at best

More Details

Dell 27 S2721DGF features:

• 1440p IPS panel
• 144Hz refresh rate
• Curved and flat configurations available
• Impressive motion handling
• Vents for even and effective dispersion of heat
• Wide and heavy base for stability and adjustability

Though not the flashiest or most glamorous, the Dell 27 S2721DGF is a textbook gaming monitor. It houses a 1440p IPS panel that can ramp up to 144Hz (the sweet spot for refresh rates) and comes in curved and flat configurations to satisfy both worlds.

While I could spend all day telling you about the impressive motion handling that this monitor delivers, I think the unsung hero that uplifts this entry is its body design. Flanking the back are vents that allow for an even and effective dispersion of heat, which is vital for long periods of gaming. The base is also fairly wide and heavy, keeping the monitor sturdy and stationed, even if you decide to adjust the height and angle. The monitor also supports AMD FreeSync.

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AOC CU34G2X

Best ultrawide gaming monitor, best curved gaming monitor

AOC Pros & Cons Pros

• Large 34-inch VA panel makes for a productivity machine
• Generous connectivity options
• Competitively priced for competitive gaming

Cons

• Monitor can be a little wobbly with the included stand
• Blacks aren't as inky as higher end panels

More Details

AOC CU34G2X features:

• 34-inch ultra-wide panel
• 144Hz refresh rate
• 1440p VA panel
• Adaptive-Sync support for FreeSync and G-SYNC
• Sharp and freshly calibrated display
• Suitable for widescreen gaming, movie watching, and day-to-day multitasking

When you think of gaming monitors, you probably envision something like the AOC CU34G2X -- a 34-inch ultra-wide panel that curves from left to right. While most ultra-wide gaming monitors can cost upwards of$2,000, AOC's offering is only a fraction of the cost. Still, the monitor covers a generous spectrum of gaming-tailored specs, including a 144Hz refresh rate, a 1440p VA panel, and Adaptive-Sync (support for FreeSync and G-SYNC).

The main reason you'd want to buy this monitor, though, is for the sharp and freshly calibrated 34-inch display. The CU34G2X is perfect for widescreen gaming, watching movies, and day-to-day multitasking. It's a productivity beast.

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Razer Raptor 27

Best 144 Hz gaming monitor, best RGB gaming monitor

Razer Pros & Cons Pros

• True-to-life visuals thanks to THX certification
• Clean and futuristic design that's unlike any other gaming monitor
• Plethora of Razer-designed cables included in the box

Cons

• Cable management is a bit impractical and difficult to setup
• Height and pivot adjustability is limited

More Details

Razer Raptor 27 features:

• THX-certified 1440p IPS panel
• Accurate color production and consistent image quality
• 27-inch panel with up to 165Hz refresh rate
• Variable refresh rate that supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync
• Clean, futuristic design with RGB base
• Cable management system on the back of the stand

Razer is best known for its catalog of gaming mice and keyboards, but the Irvine-based company also has a solid monitor offering in the Razer Raptor 27. Released more than two years ago, the Raptor 27 was the first of its kind to sport a THX-certified, 1440p IPS panel. The certification ensures that the monitor produces accurate colors and follows a gamma curve to deliver consistent image quality. In addition, the 27-inch panel offers up to 165Hz, with a variable refresh rate that supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync.

What you're probably eyeing this monitor for, however, is the design and RGB base. When powered on, the Raptor 27 looks clean, futuristic, and should work well with any gaming setup. Razer also incorporated a cable management system on the back of the stand, though it will take some fidgeting to fit everything properly.

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ASUS TUF 23.8 inch

Best budget gaming monitor, best RGB gaming monitor, best 1080p Monitor

ASUS Pros & Cons Pros

• No-frills gaming experience with up to 165Hz refresh rate
• Priced to compete
• Requires little to no color calibration during initial setup

Cons

• Menu control buttons can be confusing to navigate with
• Poor contrast ratio, with a lack of HDR support

More Details

ASUS TUF 23.8 inch features:

• No-frills, affordable monitor from the ASUS TUF series
• 23.8-inch IPS 1080p (FHD) panel
• 165Hz refresh rate
• AMD FreeSync support for excellent responsiveness
• Ample amount of ports in the back
• Rotatable mount for flexibility in adjusting the monitor position

The ASUS TUF series accounts for no-frills monitors at affordable prices. Case in point, this 23.8-inch model delivers on the necessities of a gaming monitor and can be bought for less than$220. It has an IPS, 1080p (FHD) panel that refreshes up to 165Hz and supports AMD FreeSync for excellent responsiveness.

Standing out from the competition isn't necessarily the ASUS TUF's forte, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a similarly priced alternative that offers the same feature set. With an ample amount of ports in the back and a rotatable mount, this monitor gives you nothing more and nothing less--and for many, that's exactly what's desired.

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What is the best gaming monitor?

The Samsung Odyssey G7 Series is the best gaming monitor on the list due to its high-resolution screen and refresh rate, as well as its design and price. The other options are fierce contenders with high refresh rates and resolutions as well. The list includes the best 144 Hz gaming monitor, best 240 Hz gaming monitor, best RGB gaming monitor, best budget gaming monitor, best ultrawide gaming monitor, best 1080p monitor, best 4k monitor, and best-curved gaming monitor. The options available are the Dell 27 S2721DGF, the AOC CU34G2X, the Razer Raptor 27, the Asus TUF VG-9Q, and the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9.

Best gaming monitor	Resolution	Refresh rate	Screen size	Ports	Response time	Price
Samsung Odyssey G7 Series	2560 x 1440	Max 240 Hz	43 inches	1 HDMI port 1 Headphone jack  2 display ports 2 USB ports	1 ms	$499.99
Dell 27 S2721DGF	2560 x 1440	DisplayPort: 165 Hz HDMI: 144 Hz	27 inches	2 HDMI ports 1 display port 1 audio line-out (mini-jack)	1 ms	$329.99
AOC CU34G2X	3440 x 1440	144 Hz	34 inches	1 HDMI port 1 display port 1 USB port 1 headphone jack	1 ms	$459.99
Razer Raptor 27	2560 x 1440	144 Hz	27 inches	1 HDMI port 1 display port 1 USB Type-C	1 ms	$699.99
Asus TUF VG-9Q	1920 x 1080	144 Hz	23.8 Inches	1 display port  1 HDMI port  1 audio jack	1 ms	$269

 

Which gaming monitor is right for you?

The first thing to look for is resolution, which basically refers to the visual ability of a game - how many pixels a display can show you. If a resolution consists of more pixels, you'll enjoy a clearer picture.

The refresh rate measures how many times per second a display draws a new image. For example, if the refresh rate is 60 Hz, the display refreshes the image 60 times per second.

Screen size is also important because it can impact your gaming experience. Do you want the largest screen possible? Do you prefer a curved screen? These are prime considerations.

The ports that a monitor has, whether HDMI, headphone jack, USB, or all three, have an impact on what you can use with your monitor.

Gaming monitors come in one of three panel types: TN, or Twisted Nematic panels, which support refresh rates of up to 240 Hz; IPS, or In-Plane Switching panels, with refresh rates of 200 to 240 Hz; and VA, or Vertical Alignment panels, which also go up to 240 Hz.

TN panels offer the fastest response time at 3 to 4 ms, IPS panels are a bit slower at 4 to 6 ms, and VA panels average 8-12 ms.

Choose this gaming monitor...	If you want...
Samsung Odyssey G7 Series	The best gaming monitor for its support for FreeSync and G-SYNC, a color-accurate VA panel with deep blacks in dark lighting, and reliable response time for fast-paced gaming. It has a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a maximum 240 Hz refresh rate, a 43-inch screen size, and multiple ports, including 1 HDMI port, 2 display ports, 2 USB ports, and 1 headphone jack. It costs$499.99 and is available at Samsung, Amazon, and Best Buy.
Dell 27 S2721DGF	The best monitor for heat dispersion with its industrial design and excellent heat dispersion, super sharp visuals at 1440p with little to no stutters, and ample amount of ports. It has a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 165 Hz DisplayPort, a 144 Hz HDMI, a 27-inch screen size, and multiple ports, including 2 HDMI ports, 1 display port, and 1 audio line-out. It costs$329.99 and is available at Dell, Amazon, and Best Buy.
AOC CU34G2X	The best ultrawide and curved gaming monitor, offering a large 34-inch VA panel that makes for a productivity machine, generous connectivity options, and competitive pricing. It has a 3440 x 1440 resolution, a 144 Hz refresh rate, and multiple ports, including 1 HDMI port, 1 display port, 1 USB port, and 1 headphone jack. It costs$459.99 and is available at Amazon and Walmart.
Razer Raptor 27	The best 144 Hz and RGB gaming monitor, offering true-to-life visuals with THX certification, a clean and futuristic design, and a plethora of Razer-designed cables included in the box. It has a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 144 Hz refresh rate that can ramp up to 165 Hz, and multiple ports, including 1 HDMI port, 1 display port, and 1 USB Type-C. It costs$699.99 and is available at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.
Asus TUF VG-9Q	The best budget, RGB, and 1080p gaming monitor with a no-frills gaming experience, priced to compete, and requires little to no color calibration during initial setup. It has a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 144 Hz refresh rate, and multiple ports, including 1 display port, 1 HDMI port, and 1 audio jack. It costs$269 and is available at Amazon, Staples, and Best Buy.

How did I choose these gaming monitors?

There's a large variety of gaming monitors on the market and your preference for display size, refresh rate, and overall viewing experience is the ultimate decider of what's best. When compiling the list, I took into account the following:

• Longevity: When scouting for the best gaming monitors, longevity is important. What we mean by longevity is how the monitors fare with time and also how well the viewing experience is over long periods of gaming. The ideal display should provide excellent viewing angles and fast response times.
• Display quality: From refresh rate to the type of panel (TN, VA, IPS), gaming monitors are built with an arsenal of technology to give you the advantage when queuing up. A high refresh rate offers ultra-smooth gameplay so we definitely favor monitors that boast at least 120Hz.
• Price:Not everyone has the money to splurge on an expensive gaming monitor. Or, perhaps you'd rather save some of the money to buy a gaming keyboard or mouse. Whatever the case may be, we scour the internet for the best for less and more.

Why do you need a gaming monitor?

Having a gaming monitor is as important as it is to have a capable graphics card when gaming. Even if you managed to snag an RTX3080 GPU, all the processing power is rendered useless if you're missing a monitor that can properly display the graphics. Gaming monitors have high refresh rates, meaning they update the frames of your game more frequently for a smoother experience. Response time -- the cadence in which a pixel changes color -- is another advantage, with many gaming monitors boasting a one-millisecond rating.

What happens if you're using a standard monitor for gaming? You'll likely experience tearing, blurred images, flickering, and other visual bugs that will hinder your gaming overall.

What monitor do top streamers use?

Each gaming monitor on this list is a potential monitor for streaming. The monitors have exceptional picture quality, high refresh rates, and more. These features make them ideal for streaming. If you're serious about streaming, the higher-powered monitors on this list will better serve your needs. 

Is a curved monitor better for gaming?

Curved monitors can be immersive, with an ultrawide screen that places you right in the middle of the action. They tend to have higher resolutions and better picture quality. If you're playing for a while, curved monitors could be easier on your eyes and reduce eye strain. 

However, curved monitors tend to be heavier and take up a lot of room -- both on your desk, and on your graphics card. The curved shape can work against you when you're working on non-gaming tasks by making it harder to look at things visually. 

What's the difference between TN, VA, and IPS panels?

When shopping for a gaming monitor, you'll come across three types of panels:

• Twisted nematic (TN): TN panels are among the oldest types of panels and paved the way for flat-screen monitors and LCD displays. While viewing angles are not the best, gaming monitors with TN panels offer less input lag and are often cheaper as they don't cost as much to produce.
  
• In-plane switching (IPS): Coined by LG and later adapted by other manufacturers, IPS panels bring excellent viewing angles and color reproduction. One thing to look out for is "IPS glow" which is when the backlighting of the display peaks through it at certain angles.
  
• Vertical alignment (VA): VA panels are widely used in the TV industry due to their stellar contrast ratio and color reproduction, and bring similar benefits to gaming monitors. A VA panel is a safe and reliable choice when shopping for a gaming monitor.
  

What's the difference between G-SYNC and FreeSync?

Games render graphics differently and your refresh rate can increase or decrease depending on the resolution that you're playing in. That's why GPU-makers like NVIDIA and AMD have developed Adaptive-Sync technology in the forms of G-SYNC and FreeSync, respectively. The difference between the two is miniscule, so you can't go wrong with a monitor that supports either or both.  

Adaptive-Sync technology connects the refresh rate of your gaming monitor to your graphics card, so the latter can control the cadence of which the display refreshes. That way, you can play your favorite games with the most optimal refresh rate. 

Are there alternatives to consider?

Here is one more pick that might interest you:

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Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 - Best 240 Hz gaming monitor, best 4k monitor

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 costs$2,499 and spans 49 inches wide with a 1000R curve radius, so it may not be for everyone. But, if you want to experience the visual apex, then it's unbeatable. It features Samsung's Mini LED technology, producing industry-leading contrast and true-to-life colors. With up to 240Hz and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, it adapts to your game or task, making it the best gaming monitor on the market. It's an immersive wonder that will change your definition of the word 'monitor'.

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