Why Is It So Hard To Find True OLED Gaming Monitors?

As PC gaming has become more mainstream, and native 4K resolution is more accessible than ever, you’d think that OLED gaming monitors would be easy to find. However, there are just a handful of models on the market, and they are exceptionally expensive. Some OLED monitors are made specifically for gamers, while others are geared more towards creative professionals; though these models have enough features that overlap with what gamers need that they can easily fit into just about any gaming PC setup.

As you browse around for an OLED gaming monitor, you may have a few questions. And we’re here with answers to the two most frequently asked by customers.

What is OLED?

An OLED panel uses individually lit LEDs as well as organic substrates ( the “O” in “OLED”) to create the image you see on the screen. This configuration allows for deeper blacks as pixels can be “shut off,” resulting in better contrast. The organic compounds also create richer colors for better color accuracy, giving you more true-to-life images. 

Why are there so few OLED gaming monitors?

Short Answer: Money.

Long Answer: It’s more lucrative for companies to make OLED TVs because the cost of producing OLED panels for them is offset by demand. There are far more people willing to buy a new TV than a niche-market PC monitor. OLED panels are expensive to produce, and since OLED monitors would really only be suited for creative professionals and very high-end gaming setups, the demand is very low. This means that the cost of producing OLED monitors wouldn’t be justified, as sales would be very low. However, as technology advances, OLED panels will become more cost-effective for companies to produce, meaning that probably in the next few years, you’ll see more brands offering OLED monitors.

We’ve rounded up seven of the best OLED monitors and monitor alternatives you can buy from brands like Alienware, ASUS, and LG. We’ve broken down their features and price points to help you decide which best fits your needs and budget. Keep reading below to find the perfect OLED monitor for your gaming PC.

1. Alienware 5520QF

BEST OVERALL

The 55-inch OLED monitor from Alienware is the best on the market. It has a 120Hz refresh rate for both PC and console gaming, support for both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync VRR, a 0.5ms response time, and produces 98.5 percent sRGB color accuracy. You can connect your PC or console to the monitor via DisplayPort or HDMI inputs, and the included remote lets you change volume levels and navigate menus more easily. 

The rear of the monitor features RGB lighting that you can customize to add ambiance to your gaming space without being distracting during high-stakes matches. The 55-inch screen features an anti-glare coating and can produce up to 400 nits of brightness, letting you enjoy your games in almost any lighting environment.

2. AORUS FO48U

RUNNER-UP BEST OVERALL

The AORUS 48-inch OLED monitor is a very close second for the top spot on our list. It has a native refresh rate of 120Hz but doesn’t appear to support either G-Sync or FreeSync. It makes up for this, though, by having five preset spatial audio settings to create virtual surround sound without any extra equipment. 

It has a 1ms response time and produces 98 percent DCI-P3 and 130 percent sRGB color accuracy for more true-to-life images. It also has different control modules for aim assist and black equalizers for pixel-precise aiming in FPS games and enhanced contrast.

3. LG UltraFine OLED Pro

BEST FOR CONTENT CREATORS

If you’re a Twitch streamer or create gameplay videos for YouTube, the LG UltraFine OLED Pro is the best monitor for you. Its 32-inch screen produces up to 99 percent DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color accuracy for ultra-realistic images; which is perfect for editing thumbnails or highlight reels. It also has HDR400 and HDR10 support for enhanced contrast and detailing. 

The 1ms response time gives you near-instant reactions to your inputs, and the 60Hz refresh rate gives you smoother action across multiple game genres. You can also choose between preset, professional color modes that allow you to get the most out of your content while editing images and videos.

4. ASUS ProArt PQ22UC

BEST PORTABLE

The ASUS ProArt portable OLED monitor is meant for gaming on the go, but it has plenty of features that will make you want to use it as your main display. The OLED panel produces up to 99.5 percent Adobe RGB, 99 percent DCI-P3, and 100 percent sRGB color accuracy and is factory calibrated for Delta E<2 color for incredibly true-to-life images. 

It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG for enhanced detailing, and the 1 million to 1 contrast ratio gives you ultra-deep blacks and brighter whites to make colors pop. The 0.1ms response time gives you near-instantaneous reactions to your inputs, and picture-in-picture or picture-by-picture modes let you run multiple programs at the same time, letting you record or stream while you play.

5. Innocn Portable OLED Monitor

RUNNER-UP BEST PORTABLE

The Innocn portable OLED monitor is a more affordable option if you want high-quality gaming on the go. The 15.6-inch screen uses an OLED panel to produce 100 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy for better-looking games and deeper blacks for enhanced contrast. 

The 1ms response time gives you incredibly fast reactions to your inputs, and the 60Hz refresh rate gives you a smoother experience during fast-paced action games. The integrated battery gives you up to 4 hours of play on a full charge and connects to your laptop via USB-C or micro HDMI.

6. LG C1

BEST MONITOR ALTERNATIVE

A TV might not be your first choice for a gaming monitor, but the 65-inch LG C1 is a great alternative if you want OLED technology in your gaming space. You’ll get a native refresh rate of 120Hz as well as support for G-Sync and FreeSync VRR for a smoother experience across PC and console gaming. It also supports Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, and HLG for enhanced detailing, and with Dolby Atmos, you’ll get virtual surround sound without having to set up extra audio equipment. 

The Game Optimizer feature lets you switch between VRR technologies and adjust black and white stabilizers for clearer images and enhanced contrast which will fix issues before they can ruin your game. This 65-inch TV also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, giving you hands-free voice controls over your connected consoles and PC.

7. Sony A90J

ALSO CONSIDER

The Sony A90J is another great choice if you want to use an OLED TV as a gaming monitor. The 55-inch screen gives you plenty of real estate to see every incredible detail of your games, and the native refresh rate of 120Hz gives you super-smooth action. This TV is also optimized for gaming on the new PlayStation 5, syncing refresh rates, and lowering input lag for a better gaming experience. 

If you use other consoles or your PC to game, Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced mode give you exceptional detailing and contrast. This TV also uses Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology to turn the entire screen into a speaker for near-perfect audio and video syncing. You’ll also get Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls for hands-free commands to your consoles, TV, and PC.

Best Gaming Monitors