Gaming Monitors

Gaming Monitors Buying Guide

Gaming monitors are built for smooth play. Fast refresh rates, quick response, and adaptive sync that matches the screen to the game's frame rate keep motion fluid and help games feel responsive. Shop gaming monitors from MSI, ASUS, ViewSonic, Acer, Lenovo, Samsung, and LG in 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, with flat, curved, and ultrawide screens.

Choosing a Refresh Rate

Refresh rate is the number of times per second the screen draws a new image. 120Hz matches the top frame rate of PS5 and Xbox Series X games. 144Hz to 165Hz adds headroom for PC games that run past 120 frames per second, and 180Hz to 240Hz keeps fast shooters fluid on a strong PC. 360Hz and beyond pays off in competitive games that run at very high frame rates on a powerful PC. Your PC or console sets the frame rate that reaches the screen. Compare 120Hz gaming monitors, 144Hz gaming monitors, and 240Hz gaming monitors.

Choosing a Resolution

1080p is the easiest resolution to drive at high refresh rates. 1440p balances sharper detail with high frame rates on a midrange or better graphics card. 4K is the sharpest of the three and calls for a powerful graphics card or a current console. Browse 1440p monitors and 4K gaming monitors.

IPS, VA, or OLED

IPS panels give rich color and wide viewing angles. VA panels deliver deep contrast for dark scenes. OLED lights each pixel on its own for true blacks and very fast response. Mini-LED models add bright HDR with local dimming.

Screen Size and Shape

A 24 inch screen lets you take in the whole picture with less eye movement. 27 inch sits in the middle, with room for 1440p and 4K detail, and 32 inch gives 4K and 1440p a bigger picture. Ultrawide screens show more of the game world in games that support the wider format, and a curved screen keeps the edges at a more even distance from your eyes. Shop curved gaming monitors and ultrawide gaming monitors.

Gaming Monitors for PC, PS5, and Xbox

On a PC, your graphics card and its DisplayPort or HDMI output set the ceiling for resolution and refresh rate. PS5 and Xbox Series X play at up to 120Hz, and 4K at 120Hz needs an HDMI 2.1 input and an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. Find HDMI 2.1 monitors for console play, or browse all computer monitors.

Gaming Monitor FAQs

What makes a gaming monitor different from a regular monitor?

Gaming monitors focus on motion. A higher refresh rate draws more frames each second than a standard 60Hz screen, quick response cuts blur in fast movement, and adaptive sync such as FreeSync or G-SYNC Compatible cuts tearing and stutter by matching the screen to the frame rate.

What refresh rate do I need for gaming?

It depends on your games and hardware. 120Hz covers PS5 and Xbox Series X, 144Hz to 165Hz adds headroom for PC players, and 240Hz and above pay off in fast competitive games when your PC keeps up.

Is 1080p, 1440p, or 4K better for gaming?

Each trades sharpness against frame rate. 1080p reaches the highest frame rates on modest hardware, 1440p is sharper and still reaches high frame rates on a midrange or better graphics card, and 4K looks sharpest but asks more of your graphics card than lower resolutions.

Is a 27 or 32 inch monitor better for gaming?

It comes down to preference, desk depth, and resolution. A 27 inch screen is easier to take in at a glance on a shallow desk, while a 32 inch screen gives 4K and 1440p a larger image that fills more of your view.

Is an OLED monitor good for gaming?

For contrast and speed, yes. OLED gives true blacks, high contrast, and very fast response. Burn-in is the trade-off, so ASUS and MSI build in care features such as pixel shift and cover burn-in under their 3 year warranties.

Is a gaming monitor or a TV better for PS5 and Xbox?

It comes down to where you play. A gaming monitor fits a desk and is made for close viewing, while a TV gives a bigger picture for the couch. For 4K at 120Hz on either one, look for an HDMI 2.1 input and use an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.