- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Best Monitor
- Best Ultrawide
- Best Budget
- All Reviews
- Discussions
The 5 Best G-SYNC Monitors - Spring 2019
Reviews
- Store-bought monitors; no cherry-picked units
- Retest after major updates
- Easily comparable results
- No ads; unbiased reviews
Gaming monitors have evolved over recent years. The advent of variable refresh rate technologies has drastically improved the gaming experience. There are two main competing VRR technologies: AMD's FreeSync, and NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology. For the best VRR experience, your monitor should match the capabilities of your graphics card. Even though NVIDIA now supports Adaptive Sync with FreeSync monitors, they don't perform as well as native G-SYNC monitors. Learn more about NVIDIA's new G-SYNC compatible monitors here.
We've reviewed 67 monitors and below are our recommendations for the best G-SYNC monitors to buy in 2019. Check also our recommendations for the best gaming monitors, the best curved gaming monitors, and the best monitors for PC gaming.
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Best G-SYNC Monitor: ASUS PG279QZ
Usage Ratings - Version 1.08.6GamingScore components:- 23% Input Lag
- 14% Resolution and Size
- 13% Motion Blur
- 12% Refresh Rate
- 9% Ergonomics
- 8% Image Flicker
- 6% Reflections
- 3% SDR Peak Brightness
- 2% Contrast
- 2% Gray Uniformity
- 2% Black Uniformity
- 2% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 1% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 1% Local Dimming
- 1% SDR Color Gamut
- 1% SDR Color Volume
Score distribution:LCD Type: IPSWhat it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.Variable Refresh Rate: G-SyncWhat it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.The ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ is the best G-SYNC monitor that we've tested so far. It delivers an outstanding gaming experience, thanks to the incredibly fast response time, low input lag, and G-SYNC support for a tear-free gaming experience, even when your graphics card can't keep up in graphically demanding scenes. It also has some great additional features for gamers, including the ability to add virtual crosshairs, great for games that don't have them.
This monitor has decent picture quality, with wide viewing angles and an excellent SDR color gamut, but like most IPS monitors, it doesn't look as good in a dark room. It can get decently bright and has good reflection handling, so glare shouldn't be an issue unless you have a lot of windows.
The PG279QZ is the updated version of the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q. There is very little difference between the two, and both deliver an outstanding gaming experience that should please even the most demanding gamers.
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Best Ultrawide G-SYNC Monitor: Dell AW3418DW
Usage Ratings - Version 1.08.2GamingScore components:- 23% Input Lag
- 14% Resolution and Size
- 13% Motion Blur
- 12% Refresh Rate
- 9% Ergonomics
- 8% Image Flicker
- 6% Reflections
- 3% SDR Peak Brightness
- 2% Contrast
- 2% Gray Uniformity
- 2% Black Uniformity
- 2% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 1% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 1% Local Dimming
- 1% SDR Color Gamut
- 1% SDR Color Volume
Score distribution:LCD Type: IPSWhat it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.Variable Refresh Rate: G-SyncWhat it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.If you want a more immersive gaming experience, the Dell Alienware AW3418DW is the best ultrawide G-SYNC monitor that we have reviewed so far. It is a good monitor for mixed usage and a great gaming monitor. It has a great design, and looks nice in any setting, including an office.
It has an excellent 100Hz refresh rate that can easily be overclocked to 120Hz. It has an excellent, fast response time that delivers smooth motion with very little blur. The 3440x1440, curved screen delivers a truly immersive gaming and multimedia experience, and G-SYNC support means every frame is tear-free.
Like most IPS monitors, the Dell AW3418DW isn't great for a dark room. The contrast ratio is insufficient, and blacks look gray in a dark room. It also has poor black uniformity, with noticeable flashlighting and clouding all over the screen. Overall, though, it is a good monitor for almost any usage and should please most people.
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Different Stand Alternative: ASUS PG348Q
LCD Type: IPSWhat it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.Variable Refresh Rate: G-SyncWhat it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.If you like the Dell Alienware AW3418DW but don't like the curve very much, the ASUS ROG Swift PG348Q delivers nearly identical performance but with a less aggressive curve. Both monitors perform very similarly, but the ASUS defaults to a simple 60Hz refresh rate, compared to the Dell's 100Hz default. This isn't a big issue, though, as the ASUS can be overclocked to 100Hz from the monitor itself. There are also a few other minor design differences - the ASUS has a better swivel range, but smaller height adjustments, for example. Other than that, these two monitors perform very similarly and either one is a great choice.
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Best Budget G-SYNC Monitor: Dell S2417DG
Usage Ratings - Version 1.08.5GamingScore components:- 23% Input Lag
- 14% Resolution and Size
- 13% Motion Blur
- 12% Refresh Rate
- 9% Ergonomics
- 8% Image Flicker
- 6% Reflections
- 3% SDR Peak Brightness
- 2% Contrast
- 2% Gray Uniformity
- 2% Black Uniformity
- 2% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 1% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 1% Local Dimming
- 1% SDR Color Gamut
- 1% SDR Color Volume
Score distribution:LCD Type: TNWhat it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.Variable Refresh Rate: G-SyncWhat it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.If you want a great gaming monitor with G-SYNC support but don't want to spend too much, the Dell S2417DG is the best G-SYNC monitor in the budget category. It is a great monitor, with an extremely fast 144Hz refresh rate. The 24", 1440p screen delivers a crystal clear image that looks great.
It has an excellent response time, extremely low input lag, and an adjustable backlight flicker that can improve motion blur. Like most Dells, it has an excellent stand and simple design that looks great in any situation.
Unfortunately, this monitor is limited by the TN panel which, like other IPS gaming monitors, isn't great in a dark room. Unlike IPS monitors, though, it doesn't have great viewing angles and is best enjoyed from directly in front. Because of these issues, it isn't as versatile as the Dell AW3418DW or the ASUS ROG PG279QZ.
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Larger Alternative: Dell S2716DG
LCD Type: TNWhat it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.Variable Refresh Rate: G-SyncWhat it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.If you like the Dell S2417DG but want a larger monitor, check out the Dell S2716DG. It is a very similar model, but isn't as bright and has slightly worse black uniformity. It is an equally good gaming monitor, with the same excellent fast response time, 144Hz refresh rate, and wide G-SYNC range. The larger screen means the pixel density is a bit lower, so the image isn't quite as sharp, but it still delivers a great experience that pretty much everyone should enjoy.
Notable Mentions
- Acer Predator X27: Very good G-SYNC monitor with HDR, but extremely expensive. See our review
- Acer Predator XB271HU: Excellent G-SYNC gaming monitor, but the Asus PG279Q is better. See our review
- HP OMEN 27: Very good gaming monitor, but the Asus PG279Q is better and more versatile. See our review
- Acer Predator Z35P: Great gaming monitor, but the similar Dell AW3418DW is a bit more versatile. See our review
- ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q: Older version of the PG279QZ. Slightly better, but much more expensive. See our review
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best G-SYNC 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.
