Gaming technologies have evolved significantly in recent years and have drastically changed the way you game. They have become one of the key peripherals of your gaming setup.
Varying vastly in features, there isn’t a one-size-that-fits-all monitor to suit everybody’s requirement. For an avid PC Gamer choosing the best monitor is a time-consuming task. Here, we try to help you pick the best monitor available in the market today.
The right monitor can provide you with an upper hand over your competition in multiplayer games. Apart from the budget, several parameters matter when buying a monitor – like refresh rates, response times, and resolutions. On top of it, there are so many brands with a virtually never-ending list of features. Undoubtedly, the choices will overwhelm you.
To make your choice easy, we have put together a list of the best gaming monitors on sale right now.
Dell S3220DGF
Dell S3220DGF comes with a VA (Vertical Alignment) panel which, essentially, is a compromise between IPS and TN panels. It is a 32-inch curved monitor with 165 Hertz and HDR 10 for an effective overdrive. It also has a 4-millisecond response time, which makes it one of the fastest and best suited for gaming.
Besides, it also supports free sync – which is AMD’s version of G sync and works perfectly fine with the NVIDIA Graphics card. It reduces the amount of tearing with minimal ghosting behind fast-moving objects. The display resolution of 1440 pixels looks great. The curved shape makes it much easier to view from all sides without any issues. The VA panel gives it an edge over the competition in terms of response time and color contrast.
The stand is quite stable and allows for panel rotation by 30 degrees to left and right. Its height can be adjusted by up to 14.7 centimetres, and it allows tilt by 5 degrees to 21 degrees, both up and down.
At the bottom of the monitor provides easy access to display port 1.4, two HDMI 2.0, two 3.5 mm audio outputs, and three USB 3.0 ports. The monitor menu control options are managed via six keys (plus one for turning the monitor on and off).
| Dell S3220DGF Specifications | |
| Device Type | LED edge light LCD monitor – 32 Inch |
| Features | USB 3.0 hub |
| Panel Type | Vertical Alignment (VA) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Native Resolution | 2560 x 1440 at 165Hz (native with DP)2560 x 1440 at 144Hz (native with HDMI) |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.2724 mm x 0.2724 mm |
| Brightness | 400 cd/m2 (typical) |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000: 1 (Typical) |
| Response Time | 4ms (grey to grey) |
| Color Support | 1.07 Billion colors |
| Input Connectors | 2 x HDMI (ver 2.0 with HDCP 2.2)1 x DP 1.41 x USB 3.0 upstream port1 x USB 3.0 Downstream port with BC1.2 charging3 x USB 3.0 Downstream port1 x Headphone-out jack1 x Audio Line-out jack |
| Display Position Adjustments | Height adjustable (150 mm)Tilt (-5° to 21°)Swivel (-30° to 30°)Built-in cable management |
| Screen Coating | Antiglare with 3H hardness |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) – with stand | 27.92″9.83″18.45 inches ~ 24.34 inches |
| Weight | 15.53 kg34.24 lb |
Acer Nitro XV272U
Acer Nitro XV272U monitor promises efficiency and comfort for professional gamers. At 27 inches, it comes with a high definition resolution of 2560 x 1440 and a 144 Hz frequency display refresh rate. It’s also equipped with AMD FreeSync, 1ms MBR, and professional-grade color calibration out of the box.
For connectivity, you get 2 X HDMI inputs, 1 Display Port, and 4 USB ports. With its default settings, the picture is impressive and of high quality. You get 4 millisecond response time and then drops to 1 millisecond when you turn on overdrive. One can opt for FreeSync 2 smoothness overdrive which does away with tearing completely. It also provides adaptive contrast management. We also noticed that there is no unpleasant smearing. The colors are rich and the pixels are very deep. Overall, it makes gaming enjoyable and a positive experience.
This monitor also has internal speakers and with even the maximum volume level the sound quality is pretty good.
The build quality is almost perfect. There are no large panels and the monitor can be adjusted any way you want, even vertically!
Overall, it’s a near-perfect monitor with good ergonomics, great display, color saturation, and response, at the best price. Do check out this gaming display on Amazon.
| Acer Nitro XV272U Specifications | |
| Screen Size | 27″ |
| Maximum Resolution | (WQHD)2560 x 1440@144 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,000:1 |
| Response Time | 1 ms VRB |
| Color Supported | 1.07 Billion |
| Adaptive Contrast Management (ACM) | 100,000,000:1 |
| Brightness | 350 cd/m² – Native, 400 cd/m² – Peak (HDR Mode) |
| Backlight | LED |
| Viewing Angles | 178° Horizontal178° Vertical |
| Panel Type | IPS (In-plane Switching) |
| Stand | Tilt (-5°~20°)Swivel (360°)Height adj (120 mm) |
| Speakers | 2 x 2 W |
| Ports & Connectors | 2x HDMI®-in1x DisplayPort1x USB 3.0 Upstream4x USB 3.0 Downstream |
| Power | 32.50 W (Power On) |
| Environmental Certification | MPR II |
| Colors | Black |
| Tearing Prevention Technology | AMD Free-Sync |
| VESA Compatible | (Yes)100 x 100mm |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 614 mm x 367 mm x 66 mm614 mm x 521 mm x 233 mm (with stand) |
LG 27UL500
This 4K Monitor comes with a 27-inch IPS display. VESA HDR 400 makes for a clear display and quality HDR pictures.
A refresh rate of 60Hertz ensures you play your favorite video games and enjoy the best resolution. It also has a response time of 5 milliseconds for after graphics. With AMD Radeon, it does support free-sync for a smooth and jitter-free gaming experience.
One thing we like about this monitor is that the thin bezels on the side. So, you can put two monitors together for a larger seamless combined display.
For control settings, this LG monitor has a joystick at the bottom. On pressing it, a settings menu pops up on the screen with a variety of options. There is also an option to fix the monitor in portrait mode too. It does not have inbuilt speakers, but there is an option for you to connect with external speakers. Another missing feature is the tilt option on its stand. Even without it you can move up and down and tilt backward by an angle with a range of 17.5° to 2.5°.
| LG 27UL500 Specifications | |
| Screen Size | 27-inch |
| Resolution | 3840×2160 (Ultra HD) |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (Widescreen) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Response Time | 5ms (GtG) |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync (40Hz-60Hz) |
| Ports | DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0 |
| Other Ports | Headphone Jack |
| Brightness | 300 cd/m2 |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 (static) |
| Colors | 1.07 billion (8-bit + FRC) |
| HDR | HDR10 |
| VESA | Yes (100x100mm) |
Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ
This one is an excellent example of the TUF Gaming range from ASUS. It comes with ELMB Sync technology. ELMB, in case you are wondering, stands for Extreme Low Motion Blur that fits right with Nvidia G Sync technologies. With it, you turn on G Sync and Low Motion Blur.
Specifications include a 144 Hz panel, which you can overclock to 165Hz. It has great viewing angles and great color quality which is an add-on with IPS. You also get HDR10 compatibility. Notably, it still just has a one millisecond response time. The ASUS Eye Care technology keeps your eyes are from straining even if you game for long hours.
The joystick on the back is intuitive to use. You will find 2 HDMI ports and 1.2 Display Port.
In terms of ergonomics, the stand works magic – one of the most flexible ones around offering an array of adjustments.
| Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ Specifications | |
| Panel Size: | Wide Screen 27.0″(68.47cm) 16:9 |
| Color Saturation : | 99%(sRGB) |
| Panel Type : | IPS |
| True Resolution : | 2560×1440 |
| Display Viewing Area(HxV) : | 596.74 x 335.66 mm |
| Display Surface : | Non-glare |
| Pixel Pitch : | 0.233 mm |
| Brightness(Max) : | 350 cd/㎡ |
| Contrast Ratio (Max) : | 1000:1 |
| Viewing Angle (CR≧10) : | 178°(H)/178°(V) |
| Response Time : | 1ms MPRT |
| Display Colors : | 16.7M |
| Flicker-free | Yes |
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support : | HDR-10 |
| Refresh Rate(max) : | 165Hz |
| Trace Free Technology : | Yes |
| Color Temperature Selection : | 4 Modes |
| GamePlus(modes) : | Yes (Crosshair/Timer/FPS Counter/Display Alignment/Sniper) |
| Low Blue Light : | Yes |
| HDCP support : | Yes |
| GameVisual : | 7 Modes(Scenery/Racing/Cinema/RTS/RPG/FPS/sRGB Modes/MOBA Mode) |
| G-Sync compatible | Yes |
| Adaptive-Sync supported : | Yes |
| GameFast Input technology | Yes |
| Multiple HDR Mode : | Yes |
| Shadow Boost | ELMB SYNC |
| Tilt : | +33°~-5° |
| Swivel : | +90°~-90° |
| Pivot : | +90°~-90° |
| Height Adjustment : | 0~130 mm |
| VESA Wall Mounting : | 100x100mm |
BenQ EL2870U
BenQ offers a 28-inch 4K monitor with 3840×2160 resolution. It has a TN (Twisted Nematic)panel with AMD Free-Sync for smooth gameplay. You will have 1 millisecond response time and HDR technology offers great color contrast.
It does not support variable refresh rates, so no G-Sync. The downside of this monitor is that it is capped with 60Hz refresh rates. This monitor comes with 2 HDMI ports and one Display Port 1.4. When gaming the monitor is a TN panel with a viewing angle of 170 to 160 which works well for gamers. Overall BenQ Monitor is a mixed bag in terms of performance, but the average user wouldn’t complain.
| BenQ EL2870U Specifications | |
| Screen Size | 27.9 |
| Resolution (max.) | 3840×2160 |
| Screen Size | 27.9 |
| Panel Type | TN |
| Backlight Technology | LED backlight |
| Resolution (max.) | 3840×2160 |
| Brightness | 300 |
| Native Contrast(typ.) | 1000:1 |
| Viewing Angle (L/R; U/D) (CR>=10) | 170/160 |
| Response Time | 1ms (GtG) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Display Colors | 1.07 billion colors |
| Color Gamut | 72% NTSC |
| Display Area(mm) | 620.9 x 341.3 |
| PPI | 158 |
| DCR (Dynamic Contrast Ratio) (typ.) | 12,000,000:1 |
| Product Color | Metallic grey |
| Color Temperature | Reddish/Normal/Bluish/User mode |
| K Locker | Yes |
| Flicker-free Technology | Yes |
| Low Blue Light | Yes |
| Brightness Intelligence Plus (B.I.+) | Yes |
| HDMI | HDMI (v2.0)x2 |
| DisplayPort | DisplayPort (v1.4)x1 |
| Dimensions (HxWxD mm) | 476.27×657.9×194.6 |
| Net Weight (kg) | 5.7 |
| Gross Weight (kg) | 7.2 |
| Tilt (down/up) | -5˚ – 15˚ |
Conclusion
No matter which monitor you choose three things you need to mind are
- Frequency – the higher the better
- VA panels are better but expensive. If you are on a tight budget TN panels may just serve you well
- Always prefer monitors that come with NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology, helps avoid tearing, stuttering and juddering that can ruin your gaming experience.
Finally, there exists no perfect monitor. But there’s always one for the price, any price.
