The Best 4K Gaming Monitors To Buy Right Now

As 4K gaming becomes more mainstream, it’s easier than ever to get your hands on a 4K gaming monitor. Brands like ASUS, Dell, and even LG have gaming-specific models packed with features to elevate your experience. With VRR support, incredible color accuracy, and ultra-fast response times, there are plenty of options out there to suit your play style. 

And whether you’re new to PC gaming or are looking to upgrade your current rig, there are a few points to keep in mind while shopping for a new 4K gaming monitor:

  • Price – When you narrow down a budget, you not only keep yourself from overspending, you can also choose a display that gives you the best features for the money. While gaming monitors can get expensive, there are models available that will fit more modest budgets, if you’re willing to forego things like RGB lighting or integrated speakers.
  • Screen Size – While it’s easy to figure out what size TV best fits your living room, it can be more difficult to know when a 4K monitor is too big. The best way to find out is to measure your desk, and take into account if you want one screen or multiple monitors. Ultrawide monitors give you plenty of real estate for gaming and multitasking, but are truly massive. There are also monitors that can be wall mounted, which gives you more options for placement as well as the ability to get a larger display without sacrificing desk space. 
  • Refresh Rate – A display’s refresh rate refers to how many images it can process in a single second. So a monitor that has a 120Hz refresh rate can process up to 120 images per second. Gaming-specific monitors tend to have higher refresh rates, usually 144 or 165Hz, but sometimes they can be as high as 240Hz. Different factors affect refresh rates, such as: HDMI connectivity, in-game frame-rate caps, and hardware frame-rate caps. If you’re a more casual player or prefer slower moving game genres, you don’t need a super high refresh rate. But if you are a FPS enthusiast, you may want to invest in a monitor capable of higher refresh rates to keep up with twitchy aiming and fast-paced action.
  • VRR Support – The latest graphics cards and newest consoles use something called variable refresh rate technology. This means that they have hardware that syncs to your display for more consistent refresh rates across all game genres. This helps to prevent screen tearing and stuttering for a smoother experience. There are two types of VRR: Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. Different GPUs and consoles use different VRR tech, so make sure your new 4K gaming monitor is compatible with what your rig or console uses.

We want to help you find the best 4K gaming monitor for your space, so we’ve gathered up 12 of the best on the market from brands like Dell, ASUS, and LG. We’ve broken down their features and price points so you can easily see which model best fits your budget and your needs. You can keep reading below to find your next 4K gaming monitor.

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1. Dell UltraSharp 40

BEST OVERALL

The Dell UltraSharp 40 is an excellent balance between picture quality, ergonomics, and connectivity. The 40-inch screen is curved to reduce glare and provide a more comfortable viewing experience; and the built-in blue light filter helps to reduce eye strain even more, which is great news for marathon gamers. You’ll actually get a 5K resolution image with this screen as well as 100 percent sRGB and 98 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy for more true-to-life images and incredible detailing. 

While the 60Hz refresh rate isn’t as high as other, gaming-specific monitors, the UltraSharp 40 makes up for it by allowing you to control two PCs at once on a single screen. And if you’re a content creator or streamer, this means you can streamline your workflow if you use separate computers for recording and editing. Thunderbolt 3 connectivity lets you quickly and easily transfer files, charge devices, and even daisy-chain a second monitor. And integrated, dual 9W speakers mean you don’t have to have a headset to enjoy your favorite games’ music, voice acting, and sound.

Dell

  

2. BenQ EL2870U

BEST BUDGET

As 4K gaming has become more mainstream, it’s easier to get a great monitor even if you’re on a tight budget. The BenQ EL2870U features a 28-inch screen with integrated sensors to automatically adjust screen brightness and color temperature to suit any lighting environment and reduce eye strain. It supports AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate technology for a smoother gaming experience and HDR10 for better color and detailing. And while it has just a 60Hz refresh rate, it’s 1ms response time more than makes up for it.

BenQ

  

3. ASUS TUF VG28

BEST MID-RANGE

The ASUS TUF VG28 is an excellent mid-range 4K monitor for both PC and console gaming. It allows for a 144Hz refresh rate for PCs and 120Hz for consoles, giving you buttery smooth action across all platforms. It also supports both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR technologies to reduce screen flicker and image tearing. 

With DisplayHDR 400 compliance, you’ll get 90 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy to bring your games to life; and the 1ms response time gives you near-instant reactions to your inputs. The 28-inch screen can also fit into multi-monitor setups by allowing for both horizontal and vertical orientations. 

ASUS

  

4. ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQX

BEST SPLURGE

If you’re willing to spend big in order to get the best 4K monitor possible for your gaming setup, the ASUS ROG Swift is your best bet. This 32-inch screen supports Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate VRR technology and sports a 144Hz native refresh rate. With DisplayHDR 1400 compliance and Delta E<2 factory calibration, you’ll get 98 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy and 10-bit color in 4K at 120Hz. It also has a peak brightness of 1400 nits and 1152 LED dimming zones for enhanced contrast and optimal viewing in almost any lighting environment. 

The OLED dashboard screen allows you to monitor information like CPU and GPU temperatures, input response times, and refresh rate so you can catch issues before they can cause problems. There is also an integrated tripod mount for content creators and streamers to quickly and easily attach a camera.

ASUS

  

5. Samsung Odyssey Neo G9

BEST ULTRAWIDE

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 gives you the real estate of two 27-inch monitors in one screen. And with picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes, you can arrange windows and programs for more efficient multitasking, which is good news for streamers and content creators. The monitor supports both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR technologies as well as HDR2000 and a refresh rate up to 240Hz. 

Over 2000 dimming zones create enhanced contrast while the 1ms response time gives you near real-time reactions to your inputs. An auto source switch detects your PC or console and switches input sources so you don’t have to mess with memorizing input locations or navigate tricky menus. The screen is also curved for a more immersive gaming experience and to be easier on the eyes.

Samsung

  

6. Samsung Odyssey G7

BEST 144HZ

The G7 from Samsung is one of the best high-refresh rate monitors you can buy. You’ll get a native refresh rate of 144Hz for an ultra smooth experience, and 120Hz if you’re using the HDMI 2.1 ports for your gaming consoles. The 28-inch screen has a 1ms response time as well as support for G-Sync, FreeSync Premium Pro, and HDR400. 

And like its cousin, the Neo G9, it has an auto source switch for detecting connected devices and changing input sources on-the-fly. You can also show off your personal style with the integrated RGB light ring on the rear of the monitor and two LED panels on the front.

Samsung

  

7. Philips Brilliance 279P1

BEST FOR SMALL SPACES

If your gaming space is on the smaller side, the Philips Brilliance 279P1 is a great option. Not only will you get excellent 4K resolution and 122 percent sRGB color accuracy, USB-C docking means you can charge your gaming laptop or mobile devices while simultaneously sending video signals to the monitor. It also has integrated speakers so you don’t have to worry about buying extra peripherals or setting up external speakers you may not have space for. 

This monitor also has built-in light and “people” sensors to automatically change screen brightness to suit your environment and to save power when you aren’t using your PC. It also has a blue light filter to help reduce eye fatigue during marathon gaming sessions.

Philips

  

8. MSI Prestige

BEST FOR CONTENT CREATORS

Whether you stream live on Twitch or produce high-quality videos for YouTube, the MSI Prestige is the monitor of choice to bring out the best in your content. The 34-inch screen can produce up to 5K resolution over DisplayPort or USB-C connections, it can display over 7 billion colors, and has 98 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy. 

With a 21:9 aspect ratio, you’ll get an ultrawide viewing experience, and the picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes let you run multiple programs at once; which is perfect for recording gameplay and importing files to a video editor or streaming a game and monitoring chat. It also features MSI’s Creator OSD program, which allows you to tweak picture settings to suit your needs and provides helpful tools like an image grid and screen ruler for creating the perfect thumbnail for your highlight reel or new channel logo.

MSI

  

9. LG UltraFine 27-Inch

BEST FOR WORK AND PLAY

If your gaming space doubles as a home office, you don’t necessarily want a monitor that looks like it’s for gaming. The LG 27UL650 will fit right into any office space while providing features you’ve come to expect from gaming-specific displays. It works with AMD FreeSync VRR technology for a smoother experience as well as HDR10 for better detailing in 4K. 

While its refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, it does have a 99 percent sRGB color accuracy for more true-to-life images. It also has a quick-access settings menu so you can customize your display with different configurations for split screen, controlling multiple input sources at once, and multiple picture modes to suit both everyday work and gaming.

LG

  

10. ASUS ROG Strix

BEST FOR CONSOLE GAMING

The ASUS ROG Strix is a TV-sized monitor that is perfect for console gaming. It’s HDMI 2.1 inputs support 120Hz refresh rates for native 4K gaming, and up to 144Hz for PC gaming, and when you pair that with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support, you’ll get an ultra smooth experience. 

The dual 10-watt speakers give you clean, crisp sound without a headset, and the included remote lets you change volume on-the-fly as well as easily navigate menus. The screen is treated with an anti-glare coating for better visibility and produces up to 90 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy. It also supports HDR1000 technology for enhanced contrast and detailing.

ASUS

  

11. LG UltraFine Ergo

BEST ERGONOMIC

Marathon gaming sessions can be uncomfortable, but the LG UltraFine Ergo is built from the ground-up to give you a more ergonomic display. The included stand lets you adjust height, tilt, and swivel; it even allows you to pivot the whole screen to a vertical orientation for multi-monitor setups. By letting you place the screen exactly where you need it, the stand can help reduce neck and shoulder strain as well as eye strain. 

It even has a USB-C input for charging devices, transferring files, or connecting another display for better multitasking. You’ll also get 95 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy, HDR10 support for enhanced detailing, and a virtually borderless design for maximum viewing area.

LG

  

12. ASUS ProArt PQ22UC

BEST PORTABLE SCREEN

The ASUS ProArt portable monitor is packed full of awesome features that may convince you to use it as your main screen. The 21.6-inch display uses OLED technology to produce over 1 billion colors, 99 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy, and a 1 million to 1 contrast ratio. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG technology for enhanced detailing, and the mind-blowing 0.1ms response time gives you near-instantaneous reactions to your inputs. 

And though the screen is on the smaller side, it still has PiP and PbP modes for multitasking. You can connect the ProArt to your laptop or tablet via USB-C or micro HDMI, and with the included stand and folding case, it’s super fast and easy to set up for use. You can also save multiple color profiles on the display to suit different game genres.

ASUS

  

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