The 7 Best Gaming Monitors - Summer 2019
Reviews

No gaming monitor is perfect for everyone. The best monitor for you depends on your needs, from the equipment you'll be playing on to even the specific games you'll be playing. The best gaming monitors have fast response times that produce very little motion blur, as well as extremely low input lag to make sure every key press matches what's going on on the screen. In recent years, new gaming technologies have emerged that have drastically changed the way we game. AMD's FreeSync and NVIDIA's G-SYNC deliver fast, tear-free motion. Ever faster response times have become the norm. There are so many models out there with such a wide variety of features that it can be hard to choose.

We've reviewed over 75 monitors, and below you'll find our recommendations for the best gaming monitors for a variety of needs and budgets. For the best console gaming monitors, see our articles about the best gaming monitors for PS4 and the best gaming monitors for Xbox One. See also our recommendations for the best curved gaming monitors.

1. Best FreeSync Gaming Monitor: ASUS VG279Q

   

   ASUS VG279Q

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   8.6

   Gaming
   Size : 27 "

   Resolution : 1920x1080

   Refresh Rate : 144 Hz

   LCD Type

   : IPS

   Variable Refresh Rate

   : FreeSync

   The ASUS VG279Q is the best FreeSync gaming monitor that we've tested so far. It delivers outstanding gaming performance thanks to the excellent response time, flicker-free backlight, and low input lag. It has an extremely fast 144Hz refresh rate, and it supports FreeSync, even when connected to a recent NVIDIA graphics card.

   This monitor has a native resolution of 1920x1080, which may disappoint some more serious gamers as you can't see as many fine details in your games as you can with a higher resolution screen. Despite that, this monitor delivers decent overall picture quality. It can get bright enough that glare shouldn't be an issue in any room, and like most IPS monitors it has wide viewing angles, which is great for a quick co-op game with a friend.

   Despite the budget price, this monitor has a decent selection of additional features, including the ability to add a crosshair to games that don't have one. Overall, it's a great gaming monitor that should please the majority of gamers.

   See our review

2. Higher Resolution Alternative: Gigabyte AD27QD

   

   Gigabyte AD27QD

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Size : 27 "

   Resolution : 2560x1440

   Refresh Rate : 144 Hz

   LCD Type

   : IPS

   Variable Refresh Rate

   : FreeSync

   If you like the gaming performance of the ASUS VG279Q but want something with a sharper, higher-resolution screen, check out the Gigabyte Aorus AD27QD. Although it has worse ergonomics and worse black uniformity than the ASUS, it delivers an impressive gaming experience and is feature-rich with tons of unique gaming features, including a unique active noise cancelling system.

   Overall, the ASUS VG279Q is the best FreeSync gaming monitor, but the 1080p resolution isn't ideal for everyone. If you want something with a higher native resolution, the Gigabyte Aorus AD27QD is a better choice.

   See our review

3. Best G-SYNC Gaming Monitor: ASUS PG279QZ

   

   ASUS PG279QZ

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   8.6

   Gaming
   Size : 27 "

   Resolution : 2560x1440

   Refresh Rate : 144 Hz

   LCD Type

   : IPS

   Variable Refresh Rate

   : G-Sync

   The ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ is the best G-SYNC gaming monitor we've tested so far. It delivers an outstanding gaming experience with an extremely fast response time, so motion looks clear in fast-paced games. It has a flicker-free backlight, but it supports NVIDIA's ultra-low motion blur (ULMB) technology for even clearer motion. It also has extremely low input lag, so you can respond instantly to the action on-screen.

   This monitor delivers decent picture quality overall, with decent peak brightness, good viewing angles, and excellent gradients. It has excellent gray uniformity, but like most IPS monitors, it doesn't look quite as good in a dark room, as there is noticeable backlight bleed which might be distracting in dark scenes.

   The ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ replaces the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q. These two monitors are nearly identical, so you should get whichever one is cheaper. Overall, this is an excellent gaming monitor, and a versatile desktop monitor when you're not gaming.

   See our review

4. Cheaper Alternative: Dell S2716DG

   

   Dell S2716DG

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Size : 27 "

   Resolution : 2560x1440

   Refresh Rate : 144 Hz

   LCD Type

   : TN

   Variable Refresh Rate

   : G-Sync

   If the ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ is too expensive, check out the Dell S2716DGR/S2716DG instead. This 27 inch, 1440p monitor is almost as good as the ASUS for gaming, but is a lot less versatile, as it has poor viewing angles and worse uniformity. For gaming, though, it has an outstanding response time, resulting in exceptionally clear motion with almost no noticeable blur behind fast-moving objects.

   Overall, the ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ is the best G-SYNC gaming monitor, but if you want something cheaper and don't need the versatility, the Dell S2716DGR/S2716DG is a better choice and is almost as good for gaming.

   See our review

5. Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor: LG 34GK950F

   

   LG 34GK950F

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   8.4

   Gaming
   Size : 34 "

   Resolution : 3440x1440

   Refresh Rate : 144 Hz

   LCD Type

   : IPS

   Variable Refresh Rate

   : FreeSync

   The LG 34GK950F-B is the best ultrawide gaming monitor that we've tested so far. It's a great gaming monitor overall, with an excellent response time, outstanding low input lag, and an optional black frame insertion feature to further improve the appearance of motion. It delivers decent picture quality, with outstanding gradients, excellent uniformity, and wide viewing angles.

   This monitor supports AMD's FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) technology, for a nearly tear-free gaming experience. It also works with NVIDIA's Adaptive Sync mode, but only when connected over DisplayPort, and it has to be enabled manually, as it isn't officially supported.

   Unfortunately, like most IPS monitors, it doesn't look as good in a dark room, especially in dark scenes, as there is noticeable backlight bleed, and blacks appear gray. Overall, though, it's a great gaming monitor that should please most gamers.

   See our review

6. Super Ultrawide Alternative: Samsung C49RG9

   

   Samsung C49RG9

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Size : 49 "

   Resolution : 5120x1440

   Refresh Rate : 120 Hz

   LCD Type

   : VA

   Variable Refresh Rate

   : FreeSync

   If you like the more immersive gaming experience provided by the ultrawide LG 34GK950F-B but want something even more immersive, check out the Samsung C49RG9/CRG9 instead. This massive 49 inch monitor delivers an incredibly immersive gaming experience. It's a great gaming monitor overall, with an outstanding response time, low input lag, and FreeSync support. This huge monitor isn't for everyone, though, as it requires a large desk, and not all games support the super ultrawide aspect ratio.

   Overall, the LG 34GK950F-B is the best ultrawide gaming monitor, but if you want something even wider and have the desk space, the Samsung C49RG9/CRG9 is the best super ultrawide alternative.

   See our review

7. Best Budget Gaming Monitor: ViewSonic XG2402

   

   ViewSonic XG2402

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   8.3

   Gaming
   Size : 24 "

   Resolution : 1920x1080

   Refresh Rate : 144 Hz

   LCD Type

   : TN

   Variable Refresh Rate

   : FreeSync

   The best gaming monitor in the budget category that we've tested so far is the ViewSonic XG2402. This 24 inch monitor delivers a great gaming experience, with outstanding motion handling, extremely low input lag, and a fast refresh rate. It also supports FreeSync variable refresh rate technology, even when connected to a recent NVIDIA graphics card over DisplayPort.

   On the other hand, this monitor can get very bright and it has great reflection handling, so there shouldn't be any issues using it in a bright room. This monitor also has good ergonomics, so you can easily place it in the perfect position, or even turn it to portrait orientation for a multi-monitor setup.

   Unfortunately, this isn't the most versatile monitor, as it has a limited contrast ratio, disappointing viewing angles, and the 1080p resolution might be too limiting for some users. Despite these flaws, it's a great gaming monitor at a very low price (for more options, see our recommendations for the best budget gaming monitors).

   See our review