The 5 Best Monitor Sizes For Gaming - Black Friday 2023 Reviews

The smallest size you can get now for modern desktop gaming monitors is 24 or 25 inches, and even though there are some smaller displays available, they don't tend to include gaming features. Getting a monitor this size is ideal if you don't have a ton of desk space, and the smaller screen is also helpful if you want to see everything within your field of vision without moving your eyes too much. Gaming options in this size tend to have high refresh rates with a 1080p resolution, which makes them ideal for competitive gaming, and the low resolution isn't too demanding on your graphics card either.

The best 25-inch monitor that we've tested is the Dell Alienware AW2524H. It's impressive for gaming, with a remarkably fast 500Hz refresh rate and incredibly smooth motion handling. It has native G-SYNC variable refresh rate (VRR) support to reduce screen tearing, so it has features that you can only get with NVIDIA graphics cards, like the NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer, which measures the latency of your entire setup. However, it's an expensive monitor, so if you prefer saving money, the 360Hz Dell Alienware AW2523HF and the 240Hz ViewSonic XG2431 are great alternatives, as they're both impressive for gaming and offer excellent motion handling.

Also, check out our recommendations for the best 24-25 inch monitors.

With the next size up, 27-inch monitors are some of the most popular displays, and options are available for nearly any type of gamer. You can find anything from basic 1080p displays to high-resolution 4k screens, although the most common resolution with this size is 1440p. 27-inch monitors are also available with different refresh rates, but there aren't as many high refresh rate options as with 24 or 25-inch monitors. This size is good if you want more screen space than a 24 or 25-inch monitor and find that larger screens are too big, and it's also a good size if you want different options to choose from.

The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM is the best 27-inch gaming monitor we've tested. It has a 1440p resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate, making it great for PC gaming, and it has fantastic motion handling. It also has an OLED screen that delivers perfect blacks, but OLEDs are prone to burn-in when exposed to the same static elements over time. While it isn't a big concern for gamers, other LED-backlit options don't have the same risk, like the Gigabyte M27U, which offers great value as a mid-range option. Even a budget option like the Dell G2724D is still great for gaming, so you can choose a monitor based on your budget.

Also, check out our recommendations for the best 27-inch gaming monitors.

If you want something bigger than a 27-inch monitor for more screen space, a 32-inch display is the best gaming monitor size for your needs. This monitor size is growing in popularity, as there are plenty of options, mainly available with 1440p or 4k resolutions. Those with a 4k resolution tend to be designed with console gamers in mind, as they have HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and these monitors are also beneficial if you have a modern HDMI 2.1 graphics card.

The best 32-inch gaming monitor we've tested is the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85, as it has a high 240Hz refresh rate, and its fast response time results in clear motion. However, you can also save money by getting something with a lower 165Hz refresh rate, like the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75, which has many of the same features as the Neo G8. The Neo G8 and Neo G7 are some of the few monitors on the market that use Mini LED backlighting, providing deep blacks and bright highlights. While the market for 32-inch monitors isn't as widespread as 27-inch monitors, you can still find some good low-cost 32-inch displays, like the LG 32GP850-B.

Also, check out our recommendations for the best 32-inch monitors.

Although there are bigger screens than 32 inches that maintain a 16:9 aspect ratio, these monitors aren't common. Instead, 34-inch displays with a 21:9 aspect ratio, known as ultrawide, are more popular. Most ultrawide displays of this size have a 3440x1440 resolution, and while there are 38-inch monitors available, the market for them is limited. Ultrawide monitors are best suited for immersive games as you can see more at once than on smaller displays.

The best 34-inch gaming monitor we've tested is the Dell Alienware AW3423DW. It's an amazing gaming monitor with a QD-OLED panel that delivers a near-instantaneous response time, resulting in crystal-clear motion with fast-moving objects. It also has native G-SYNC VRR support, which is great if you have an NVIDIA graphics card. If you don't need the native G-SYNC support, there are similar monitors with the same QD-OLED panel and are G-SYNC compatible, like the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF and the MSI MEG 342C QD-OLED. These QD-OLEDs deliver perfect blacks with bright and vivid colors, meaning the picture quality is outstanding. However, OLEDs risk permanent burn-in, so if that's a concern for you, you can get some great, cheaper LED monitors, like the Dell S3422DWG, but it's also a big step down in performance.

Also, check out our recommendations for the best ultrawide gaming monitors.

While most gaming monitors are available with 34-inch screens or smaller, a handful of models are available with larger screen sizes, mainly in the 40 to 49-inch range. Not all large monitors are the same, but they're great if you want an immersive gaming experience or have space for one. The market for bigger displays is more limited than for smaller ones, but it has grown in the last few years.

If you want a 49-inch super ultrawide monitor, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9/G95SC S49CG95 is the best one we've tested, as it has a fast 240Hz refresh rate. It has a 32:9 aspect ratio, providing even more horizontal screen space than the Dell Alienware AW3423DW, and it also features a QD-OLED panel with outstanding picture quality and smooth motion handling. You can even look into the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9/G95NA S49AG95, which has the same screen size and 240Hz refresh rate, and it uses Mini LED backlighting, so it doesn't risk permanent burn-in. There are also some 42 or 48-inch gaming monitors with OLED panels that you can get, like the LG 48GQ900-B and the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U OLED, but because they have a 16:9 aspect ratio, these are essentially small TVs, so only consider them if you want that big of a screen.

Also, check out our recommendations for the best 34-49 inch monitors.