- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Best
- Best G-SYNC
- Best Dark Room
- All Reviews
- Discussions
- Store-bought monitors; no cherry-picked units
- Retest after major updates
- Easily comparable results
- No ads; unbiased reviews
Gaming has evolved in recent years, with new 4k screens delivering a more detailed gaming experience. Console and PC gamers alike have embraced this new format, with upgraded consoles released mid-cycle that can take advantage of the greater levels of detail provided by these new screens. This doesn't come without trade-offs, though, as most 4k screens have slower refresh rate and, by extension, slower response times than their lower-resolution counterparts.
We've reviewed over 75 monitors, and below are our picks for the best 4k gaming monitors to buy in 2019. See also our recommendations for the best monitors for Xbox One, the best monitors for PS4, and the best monitors for PC gaming.
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Best 4k Gaming Monitor: LG 27UK650-W
Usage Ratings - Version 1.08.1GamingThe LG 27UK650-W is the best 4k gaming monitor that we've tested so far. It's a great gaming monitor, with great motion handling and excellent low input lag. It has an excellent response time, but as it's limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, there is a bit more noticeable motion blur than monitors with a faster refresh rate.
It doesn't have much in the way of extra gaming features, but it does have a black stabilizer feature that makes it easier to see dark objects in shadows without affecting bright areas. This monitor also supports FreeSync, for a nearly tear-free gaming experience whether you are gaming on an Xbox One or a PC with an AMD graphics card. It's also compatible with NVIDIA's new Adaptive Sync drivers, as long as you have a recent 10- or 20- series graphics card.
This monitor also supports HDR, but unfortunately, it has very limited HDR performance. It can't get bright enough to show off specular highlights, and it can't display a wide color gamut. Overall, it's a very good monitor for most uses.
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Larger Alternative: LG 32UD99-W
If you like the LG 27UK650-W but want a larger monitor, check out the LG 32UD99-W. The two monitors have almost identical performance, although the latter does perform slightly better with HDR content and can display a wide color gamut. The response time and input lag are excellent, just like the smaller LG and, of course, the monitor supports FreeSync to ensure tear-free gaming. It also has a USB-C port and a USB hub, which is great if your computer has limited connectivity.
Overall, although the LG 27UK650-W is the best 4k gaming monitor for most people, if you want a larger screen, the LG 32UD99-W is the best choice.
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Dark Room Alternative: LG 32UD59-B
If you enjoy gaming in a dark room, the LG 32UD59-B is a better choice than the LG 27UK650. It has a great response time, but there is more noticeable blur behind fast-moving objects than the other LG. This monitor has much better contrast than the other model and displays much deeper blacks, which is especially noticeable in a dark room.
Overall, although the LG 27UK650-W delivers a better gaming experience, the LG 32UD59-B is a better choice for gaming in a dark room.
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Best G-SYNC 4k Monitor: Acer Predator X27
Usage Ratings - Version 1.08.1GamingThe best 4k gaming monitor with G-SYNC support we've tested so far is the Acer Predator X27. It's a great IPS monitor overall with good picture quality, wide viewing angles, and good peak brightness, making it suitable for a bright room.
As a gamer, you will appreciate the fast response time that displays fast-moving objects with almost no blur trail, and the 120Hz fast refresh rate. This monitor supports NVIDIA's G-SYNC for a very wide range of refresh rates, ensuring a tear-free gaming experience. Also, if you play a lot of HDR games, you should note that it offers the best HDR experience of the monitors we've tested thus far, mainly due to the excellent HDR peak brightness. The remarkable color gamut is also the best we've tested so far.
Unfortunately, the monitor, just like most IPS monitors, does not deliver good dark room performance; blacks look gray due to the lacking contrast ratio and poor black uniformity, despite the existence of a local dimming feature that cannot help much. Overall, this is an expensive monitor that delivers great performance in most uses and will satisfy those who choose it.
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Cheaper Alternative: Acer Predator XB273K
Although the Acer Predator X27 is a great gaming monitor, if you want something cheaper, the Acer Predator XB273K is a great alternative. This monitor has an excellent response time, outstanding low input lag, and it also supports G-SYNC. It's a bit less versatile than the other monitor, though, as it doesn't have the full array local dimming feature, has worse gradient performance, and is significantly less bright in HDR.
Overall, although the Acer Predator X27 is a more versatile monitor, the Acer Predator XB273K is a much cheaper alternative with very similar gaming performance.
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Best Budget 4k Gaming Monitor: LG 27UD58-B
Usage Ratings - Version 1.07.6GamingIf you don't want to spend a lot on a new monitor, the LG 27UD58-B is the best budget 4k gaming monitor that we've tested so far. This monitor is very similar to the LG 27UK650-W, delivering a good overall gaming experience. It has a very similar design, but with a simpler stand that has limited ergonomic adjustments and a black finish.
In terms of gaming performance, this monitor is very similar to the other LG. It has a slightly slower response time, so fast-moving objects have a bit more blur behind them, but it still supports FreeSync and has nearly identical low input lag, which is great.
Unlike the other LG, this monitor doesn't support HDR, but this doesn't add much anyway. Overall, this is a good 4k gaming monitor, great for casual gaming.
Notable Mentions
- Dell U2718Q: Very good 4k gaming monitor, but slightly worse than the LG 27UK650 and no VRR. See our review
- LG 32UL950: Good FreeSync gaming monitor, but extremely expensive for the performance. See our review
- Dell U3219Q: Good gaming performance, but no VRR support. See our review
- BenQ EW3270U: Good overall gaming monitor, but the LG 27UK650 does more for less. See our review
- Samsung C27HG70: Although it accepts a 4k input, the CHG70 is a 1440p monitor. See our review
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best 4k gaming 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 4k 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.
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