The 6 Best 4k Gaming Monitors - Summer 2020
Reviews

The best 4k gaming monitor we've tested so far is the LG 27UK650-W. This is a simple 27 inch monitor that's meant for general office use, but it performs well enough for most casual gamers, especially if you're into atmospheric games or RPGs. The 4k resolution brings out every little detail to provide an immersive gaming experience, and it has a fast response time that results in minimal motion blur. Its input lag is exceptionally low, and it even supports FreeSync variable refresh rate to minimize screen tearing when gaming. Unfortunately, the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz; however, it shouldn't be an issue for most people, as it's still challenging to achieve a high frame rate at a 4k resolution with current hardware.

The monitor's build quality is decent, but the ergonomics are sub-par, as it lacks swivel adjustment and the tilt range is quite narrow. Thankfully, it has great viewing angles, so the image doesn't degrade much if you're viewing from the side. It has an impressive peak brightness that makes it suitable for most lighting conditions, but it isn't the best option for dark rooms, as its low contrast ratio and mediocre black uniformity make blacks look grayish. And although there's HDR support, this monitor can't display a wide color gamut and doesn't get bright enough to make highlights stand out in HDR content.

There's not much in terms of extra features; you only get a Super Resolution feature to upscale lower resolution content, and a black stabilizer feature to make objects more visible in dark scenes. It's worth noting that the VRR support also extends to G-SYNC, so it should work with recent 10- or 20- series NVIDIA graphics cards. Overall, although it isn't the most feature-rich monitor for gaming, it's a great option if the 4k resolution is important to you.

The best 4k G-SYNC gaming monitor we've tested so far is the Acer Predator X27. Although pricey, this monitor is a great choice for anyone who wants a high refresh rate and native G-SYNC support without compromising on resolution. It's well-built and the stand provides sturdy support, but its ergonomics are rather mediocre, as it can't rotate into portrait mode.

As expected of most gaming monitors, it has a fast response time and low input lag, although latency does increase if you play at 60Hz. This monitor uses an IPS panel that provides good viewing angles, so images remain accurate even if you're not seated directly in front of the screen. There are built-in speakers if you need them, and the backlight is flicker-free, which can help reduce eye strain for those long gaming sessions. There are also four USB 3.0 ports to charge your mobile devices, with two of them conveniently placed on the side of the monitor.

Sadly, it has a sub-par contrast ratio and poor black uniformity, making it less ideal for dark rooms, which is typical of most IPS panels. On the upside, it has an impressive wide color gamut and excellent peak brightness to provide a great HDR experience. Overall, this is a no-compromise monitor that should satisfy even the most demanding gamers.

The best budget 4k gaming monitor we've tested so far is the LG 27UD58-B. This monitor follows a very familiar LG design, except that it has much thicker bezels, which is less ideal for multi-monitor setups. Build quality is decent, but unfortunately, the stand has bad ergonomics, as it only allows for tilt adjustments.

With a 4k resolution, images look incredibly sharp on this 27 inch screen. Motion handling is great, input lag is low, and it comes with native FreeSync support, which is good for those with an AMD graphics card or an Xbox One X. The only downside is that the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, but given the difficulty in pushing high frame rates at 4k, this shouldn't be a problem for most people. Also, like most IPS panels, this monitor doesn't look good in dark environments due to its low contrast ratio and bad black uniformity.

Being a budget monitor, there aren't many extra features to speak of. It has a black stabilizer feature that can help see objects in very dark scenes, as well as a super-resolution feature, which is used for upscaling lower resolution content. It may not be the most feature-packed monitor out there, but for the price, it's worthy of consideration.