The 3 Best 144Hz Monitors - Spring 2024 Reviews

The best monitor we've tested with a refresh rate of around 144Hz is the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF. It's a premium gaming monitor that delivers both high-end picture quality and a smooth gaming feel. It has a 165Hz refresh rate, which is a slight advantage over a native 144Hz monitor, but it still performs the same at 144Hz. This is because it has a near-instantaneous response time at any refresh rate, including at 144Hz, so fast-moving objects are crisp without any noticeable blur. It also supports all common VRR formats to reduce screen tearing.

What makes this such a fantastic monitor is that it also delivers outstanding picture quality thanks to its QD-OLED panel. It displays deep and inky blacks in dark rooms, and there isn't any blooming around bright objects either. You'll also be happy to know that it displays bright highlights and vivid colors in HDR, which is ideal if you like playing HDR games. Lastly, its 34-inch, ultrawide screen is great for playing immersive games as you can see more of your game at once.

If you don't need such a high-end display like the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF and you're looking for the best budget 144Hz monitor, there are a few good options you can choose from. One of those is the Dell G2724D, which has a max refresh rate of 165Hz over DisplayPort, but the max refresh rate over HDMI is 144Hz. It's a basic entry-level gaming monitor that doesn't deliver the same picture quality as the AW3423DWF because it doesn't have a QD-OLED panel, so blacks look gray in the dark, but that's what you have to expect for a lower-cost LCD display. You can also consider the AOC Q27G3XMN if you want better picture quality, as it uses Mini LED, but it's harder to find.

The G2724D still has everything you need in a gaming monitor, like a fast enough response time that remains quick at 144Hz, but motion handling isn't as good as on the Dell Alienware AW3225QF. It also supports all common VRR formats to reduce screen tearing. It has a few extra gaming perks, like crosshairs and a dark stabilizer, but it doesn't have many features besides those, as it lacks a USB hub.

If you need a simple and cheap 144Hz monitor, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A is a good alternative to the Dell G2724D. Unlike the Dell, this monitor actually has a native refresh rate of 144Hz, but it has an overclock feature to bring it up to 165Hz, although that only works over DisplayPort. It has a smaller screen and lower 1080p resolution than the Dell, so images aren't as detailed. This is also beneficial if you have an entry-level gaming PC, as it requires less bandwidth to maintain high frame rates with a 1080p resolution.

Regarding gaming, the ASUS is similar to the Dell as it has a fast response time and even a backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur. Unfortunately, the ASUS doesn't support HDR, but this isn't a big loss, considering most entry-level monitors have limited HDR picture quality. If you want an entry-level monitor with HDR support and high contrast, the Gigabyte GS27QC is a good alternative, but it has worse motion handling than the ASUS.