Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.

The 5 Best Monitor Sizes For Gaming - Winter 2024 Reviews

Updated
Best Monitor Sizes For Gaming

Gaming monitors are available in many sizes, so deciding which size you want to get can be difficult. Ultimately, size is a personal choice, so you should get something you feel comfortable gaming with. That said, the monitor market for each size is different, meaning the specs you tend to find on smaller 24 and 25-inch monitors are different from ultrawide gaming monitors. So besides the size, you should also think about what type of features you want, like if you want a high refresh rate or a high resolution, so the size you get can depend on which features you want.

Below is a list of some of the best monitor sizes for gaming, from smallest to largest, with info about each size and the monitors available. This list doesn't cover all the sizes available for gaming monitors, but simply the most common ones. See the links at the bottom of each size category for our recommendations for each size. You can also learn more about different sizes, aspect ratios, and resolutions on monitors and how they affect you.

We've bought and tested more than 300 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best monitor size for gaming. See our recommendations for the best gaming monitors, the best 1440p gaming monitors, and the best 4k gaming monitors.


  1. 24-25 Inch Gaming Monitor

    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, like portable monitors, they don't tend to include premium 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 we've tested is the Dell Alienware AW2524H, which you can buy directly through Dell's website. It's impressive for gaming, with a remarkably fast 500Hz refresh rate and incredibly crisp 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 different sources in your 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 both offer excellent motion handling.

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

    See our review

  2. 27-Inch Gaming Monitor

    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; it also 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.

    See our review

  3. 32-Inch Gaming Monitor

    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 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. As with 27-inch monitors, you can also find lower-cost 32-inch displays, but these don't tend to provide the best performance.

    If you want the best 32-inch gaming monitor, check out the Dell Alienware AW3225QF. It's a premium display that's the first 4k, 240Hz QD-OLED available in North America, and you can get it directly through Dell's website. It's ideal both for PC and console gaming thanks to its high refresh rate and resolution. It also delivers outstanding picture quality due to its QD-OLED panel and the fact that it displays bright and vivid colors alongside deep blacks. However, QD-OLEDs like this are prone to burn-in with constant exposure to the same static elements over time, so if that's a concern for you, you can also check out the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85. It's also a 4k, 240Hz monitor and uses Mini LED backlighting, but its picture quality isn't as good as the Dell.

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

    See our review

  4. 34-Inch Gaming Monitor

    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 38-inch monitors are 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 AW3423DWF. It's an amazing gaming monitor with a QD-OLED panel, like the Dell Alienware AW3225QF, that delivers a near-instantaneous response time, resulting in crystal-clear motion with fast-moving objects. It also supports FreeSync Premium Pro, which helps reduce screen tearing. If you want a monitor with native G-SYNC support, consider the Dell Alienware AW3423DW, which has G-SYNC Ultimate. These QD-OLEDs deliver perfect blacks with bright and vivid colors, meaning the picture quality is outstanding. However, QD-OLEDs like this are prone to burn-in with constant exposure to the same static elements over time. Additionally, these monitors are costly, so if you're on a limited budget, you can get some great, cheaper LED monitors, like the Dell S3422DWG, but they're also a big step down in performance.

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

    See our review

  5. 49-Inch Gaming Monitor

    While most gaming monitors are available with 34-inch screens or smaller, a handful of models have 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 and have space for such a large screen. 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 super ultrawide 32:9 aspect ratio, providing even more horizontal screen space than the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF, and it also features a QD-OLED panel with outstanding picture quality and crisp motion handling. It also has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which is beneficial if you have an HDMI 2.1 graphics card, as you can reach the monitor's max refresh rate with it. It isn't the only super ultrawide monitor available, as you can even look into the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9/G95NA S49AG95, which has the same 240Hz refresh rate, and it uses Mini LED backlighting, so it doesn't risk permanent burn-in.

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

    See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Mar 12, 2024: Replaced the Dell Alienware AW3423DW with the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF as 'Best 34-Inch Gaming Monitor,' as it has better performance.

  2. Feb 09, 2024: Replaced the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85 with the Dell Alienware AW3225QF because the Dell is better and for consistency with other articles.

  3. Nov 30, 2023: Updated text for accuracy and ensured the recommended monitors are still available to purchase.

  4. Oct 06, 2023: Verified that the monitors are still available to purchase and updated text for clarity throughout.

  5. Aug 10, 2023: Replaced the LG 27GR95QE-B and the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 with the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM and the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9/G95SC S49CG95 for consistency with other articles.

All Reviews

Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best gaming monitor size options. They're adapted to be valid for most people. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.

If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all of our monitor reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.