There are benefits to gaming at 144Hz, and even if gaming monitors are coming out with high refresh rates, you need a proper PC gaming setup to take full advantage of them with consistently high frame rates. The market for monitors with a native refresh rate of exactly 144Hz is becoming limited, and there are many models coming out with refresh rates slightly higher than 144Hz, like 180Hz. The recommended monitors below reflect that and have refresh rates as high as 180Hz, and you can easily use them at 144Hz instead. Plus, many monitors have a max refresh rate of 144Hz with an HDMI connection.
There are a few factors to consider when looking for a gaming monitor. A fast response time is important for sharp motion so that there isn't much blur behind fast-moving objects. Getting a monitor with low input lag also makes gaming feel responsive, but we've found during our rigorous testing, which includes thousands of measurements, that most monitors have low input lag anyway. If you care about detailed images, you should also consider a monitor's resolution, such as 1440p or 4k, though most entry-level and budget-friendly 144Hz monitors have a 1440p resolution.
We've bought and tested over 360 monitors, and below are our picks for the best monitors with native refresh rates from 144Hz to 180Hz. See our recommendations for the best 1440p 144Hz monitors, the best 4k 144Hz monitors, and, if you want a higher refresh rate, the best 240Hz monitors. You can also learn about high refresh rates on monitors.
Quick Look
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Best 144Hz Monitor
PC Gaming7.9Response Time8.3Native Refresh Rate144 HzMax Refresh Rate144 HzMax Refresh Rate Over HDMI144 HzNative Resolution3840 x 2160Pixel TypeIPSSize32"HDR Picture7.6SDR Picture7.4Brightness9.3See all our test resultsConsole Gaming8.5The best 144Hz monitor that we've tested is the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX. It's an outstanding choice for gaming, as fast-moving objects look quite crisp, and it has low input lag for a responsive feel. It also provides a very immersive gaming experience, as it has a large screen and detailed 4k resolution. Additionally, it looks great, as it has a local dimming system that displays fairly deep blacks next to bright highlights, and it has very vivid colors. It also doesn't have too much haloing.
In addition to this, it's versatile for a wide variety of environments. It gets bright enough for you to see it even if the sun is shining on it, and in bright environments, blacks still look quite deep. As good as the BenQ is, it doesn't have the responsiveness or picture quality of OLEDs like the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM. However, the ASUS has a much higher 240Hz refresh rate, though you can use it at lower refresh rates if you prefer.
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Best Upper Mid-Range 144Hz Monitor
PC Gaming7.4Response Time7.7Native Refresh Rate160 HzMax Refresh Rate160 HzMax Refresh Rate Over HDMI144 HzNative Resolution3840 x 2160Pixel TypeIPSSize27"HDR Picture6.8SDR Picture6.3Brightness8.5See all our test resultsConsole Gaming8.4If you want something slightly less expensive than the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX, the Sony INZONE M9 II is an excellent upper mid-range option that you can get for less when it's on sale. It's similar in many ways to the BenQ, as it also has a sharp 4k screen and gets bright enough for highlights to pop. This lets it overcome glare in most environments, though it's not as bright as the BenQ.
It also has a local dimming system, though it doesn't work quite as well as the BenQ. As a result, its contrast with local dimming on is worse, and deep blacks can look somewhat gray in some situations. However, like the BenQ, it displays fairly deep blacks in a very bright environment. Additionally, it works well for fast-paced gaming, as it has good motion handling, though fast-moving objects don't look quite as crisp as the BenQ.
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Best Budget 144Hz Monitor
PC Gaming8.2Response Time8.5Native Refresh Rate165 HzMax Refresh Rate180 HzMax Refresh Rate Over HDMI144 HzNative Resolution2560 x 1440Pixel TypeVASize27"HDR Picture8.0SDR Picture8.2Brightness8.3See all our test resultsConsole Gaming7.4If you're looking for the best budget 144Hz monitor, the AOC Q27G3XMN is a great lower-cost alternative to the Sony INZONE M9 II. The main difference with the Sony is that it has a lower 1440p resolution; this means it doesn't display the same detailed images. It has a native 165Hz refresh rate that you can overclock to 180Hz with a DisplayPort connection, and it has an even faster response time than the Sony, but there's smearing with fast-moving objects.
Like the Sony, it uses Mini LED backlighting, which makes highlights pop in HDR, and it displays deep blacks without much haloing, contributing to its great picture quality. It also gets bright enough to overcome glare in most environments. If you're looking for a monitor that has a better local dimming system and gets even brighter, check out the AOC Q27G40XMN, which is available only at Best Buy. However, its motion handling isn't quite as good.
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Best Cheap 144Hz Monitor
PC Gaming6.9Response Time7.4Native Refresh Rate165 HzMax Refresh Rate170 HzMax Refresh Rate Over HDMI144 HzNative Resolution2560 x 1440Pixel TypeIPSSize27"HDR Picture4.9SDR Picture5.8Brightness7.1See all our test resultsConsole Gaming6.1If you find the AOC Q27G3XMN too expensive, and you're looking for something cheap, check out the MSI G274QPF-QD. It has the same 1440p resolution as the AOC, with similar brightness in SDR, so it's easy to see in most environments. Additionally, while it has a bit more blur with fast-moving objects than the AOC, it also doesn't have any of the AOC's smearing.
However, the biggest difference between the two monitors is HDR performance. It doesn't have a local dimming system, so deep blacks appear gray, and it doesn't get bright enough for highlights to pop. Additionally, it has less vivid colors in HDR, though it still displays a fairly wide range of colors given its price. So long as HDR performance isn't important to you, the MSI is a great option for a cheap price.
Notable Mentions
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ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS:
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS is an entry-level 27-inch, 1440p gaming monitor that costs a bit less than the AOC Q27G3XMN. It has a few extra features, like a USB-C port, so it's something to consider if you want that. However, it also has worse picture quality than the AOC.
See our review -
Dell Alienware AW3425DWM:
The Dell Alienware AW3425DWM is a budget ultrawide monitor that offers more screen space than the AOC Q27G3XMN. This is useful for playing atmospheric games as you get a more immersive feel, but it has worse picture quality and motion handling than the AOC.
See our review -
Dell Alienware AW3225DM:
The Dell Alienware AW3225DM is a larger alternative to the AOC Q27G3XMN. It has the same 1440p resolution, and like the AOC, it has great contrast with local dimming off. However, it has far worse HDR performance, and fast-moving objects look a bit blurrier.
See our review -
Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx:
The Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx is an excellent alternative to the Sony INZONE M9 II. It has a better local dimming system, more vivid colors, and brighter highlights. However, it's harder to find.
See our review
Recent Updates
Aug 14, 2025:
We replaced the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF with the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX, as the BenQ gets much brighter and has a sharper screen. We also replaced the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx with the Sony INZONE M9 II, as the Acer is hard to find right now. Additionally, we added the MSI G274QPF-QD as 'Best Cheap'. Finally, we added the Dell Alienware AW3225DM and the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx to the Notable Mentions.
Jul 07, 2025:
We removed the AOC 24G15N and replaced the Dell S3422DWG with the Dell Alienware AW3425DWM in the Notable Mentions.
Mar 28, 2025:
We removed the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B because its price went up, and it's hard to find. We also changed the Notable Mentions to reflect changes in the article and the current monitor market by removing the Dell Alienware AW3423DW and adding the Dell S3422DWG and the AOC 24G15N.
Feb 19, 2025:
We replaced the Dell G2724D with the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B, as the Dell is hard to find. We also introduced a new format to the article and updated the text to reflect these changes.
Nov 28, 2024:
We replaced the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8/G85SB S34BG85 and the Gigabyte M27U with the Dell Alienware AW3423DW and the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS in the Notable Mentions because of availability and for consistency with other recommendations.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate or similar, and are currently available. They're adapted to be valid for most people in each price range. The rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here's the list of all of our monitors with a minimum refresh rate of 144Hz and a maximum of 180Hz. 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.