Despite the popularity of 4k with TVs, not everyone wants a 4k monitor. That doesn't necessarily mean you should be stuck with a low-resolution 1080p screen. A resolution of 1440p (also known as Quad-HD), strikes a great balance between 1080p and 4k. For medium-sized screens, 1440p delivers enough pixel density to see more details, but it doesn't require a significantly more powerful computer for decent gaming performance.
We've reviewed 20 monitors with a 2560x1440 or 3440x1440 resolution, and below are our recommendations for the best 1440p monitors available to purchase in 2019.
The ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279QZ is the best 1440p monitor that we have tested so far. It is a versatile 27" monitor with excellent gaming performance that should please even the most demanding users. It has excellent motion handling with an extremely fast response time. The backlight is flicker-free which is great, but it can also introduce flicker to reduce persistence blur.
Office users will love the wide viewing angles, great peak brightness, and the easy-to-adjust ergonomics that ensure the monitor is always in the perfect viewing position, great if multiple people are using the same monitor. Unfortunately, it isn't the best monitor for a dark room, as it has disappointing black uniformity and can't produce true blacks.
Overall, it is a great monitor for most uses and gamers especially should be very pleased. The PG279QZ is the updated version of the ASUS ROG PG279Q. Both models perform almost the same.
If you like the gaming features of the ASUS ROG PG279QZ, but would prefer to have a monitor that is compatible with the FreeSync feature of your AMD graphics card or Xbox One S/X, check out the Samsung CHG70. The CHG70 is the best FreeSync 1440p monitor that we have tested so far. It supports FreeSync, which is great for gaming, and it also supports HDR. Unfortunately, the VA panel doesn't have the wide viewing angles of the PG279QZ and the stand is a little less versatile.
If you want a 1440p monitor with a wide aspect ratio, check out the Dell Alienware AW3418DW. It is a 34" monitor with a 3440x1440 resolution. This wide format offers more flexibility for multitasking, and it provides for a more immersive multimedia experience. The unique design looks great in any setting, and although it can't switch to a portrait orientation, the stand can be easily placed in a comfortable viewing position.
The AW3418DW delivers decent overall picture quality, and it has excellent motion handling and low input lag, great for gaming. It has great wide viewing angles, perfect for sharing work with a nearby colleague or a quick co-op gaming session, and it supports NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology.
Unfortunately, it can't get very bright, so it might not look as good if you have a lot of natural light, and it also doesn't look as good in a very dark room. Overall though, the Alienware AW3418DW is a very good monitor that should please most people.
If the Dell Alienware AW3418DW is too expensive, get the Dell U3417W. For office use, the Dell is just as good as the AW3418DW. It is a little bit brighter and has better reflection handling. Like the ASUS, the large, high-resolution screen is wonderful for multitasking. Unfortunately, the U3417W doesn't handle motion as well, as it has a slower response time, lower refresh rate, and it doesn't support G-Sync or any other VRR technology, so gamers might not be as pleased.
The Dell U2518D is the best budget 1440p monitor that we've tested so far. This versatile 25" 1440p monitor has wide viewing angles, and delivers good overall picture quality. It has a simple, elegant design that looks great in any setting, and the excellent stand makes it a great choice if you are looking to equip an entire office.
It is a versatile monitor, but it lacks some of the more advanced features typically found on higher-end monitors. It has a maximum 60 Hz refresh rate, which may disappoint more serious gamers, and it doesn't support any VRR technologies like FreeSync or G-Sync. It has a good selection of inputs, including a built-in USB hub.
Unfortunately, although the U2518D supports HDR, there isn't much benefit to using it, as it can't get very bright in HDR, and can't display a wide color gamut. Overall though, the U2518D is a very good monitor for a variety of uses, and it should please most budget shoppers.
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best 1440p monitors currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people, in each price range. 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.