We're halfway through 2022 and PC and console gaming is having a rather exciting moment right now thanks to all the new 144Hz 4K monitors hitting the market. We've all known for a while now that refresh is king when it comes to high-performance gaming (or even just decent performance while gaming), and many of us have even held off 4K entirely and stuck with 1440p just to have a quicker screen. Well now, we don't have to compromise anymore, since 4K visuals with buttery smooth gameplay is now very much possible. It's what sold us on this month's addition to the list, the Gigabyte M32UC. A curved 4K gaming monitor running at 144Hz, with 160Hz OC, the M32UC is the perfect 4K gaming monitor for those who don't want to spend a fortune. Just don't put much stock in its speakers, and stick with one of the best PC gaming headsets instead.
- John Loeffler, US Computing Editor
The best gaming monitor on the market isn't simply going to be an amazing-looking display, it'll be optimized for PC and console gamers alike thanks to the wide range of features on offer.
Those of you who love competitive online games such as first-person shooters or the best battle royale games will appreciate a high refresh rate and low latency, both of which can give you an edge over your opponents with split-second improvements. Others will find that the best monitor for them is the one that gives them options for how to connect several devices, not just their gaming PC, but also a PS5 or an Xbox Series X.
Those who appreciated single-player RPGs and open-world titles might prefer to increase resolution or turn on HDR to make the beautiful environments pop, so the best 4K monitors might be what you're after to really get immersed in another world.
This isn't nearly as important for esports though. For the competitive set, many might want to check out monitors that have support for HDMI 2.1, which allows consoles to get frame rates usually reserved for the best gaming PCs, offering some versatility regarding which leaderboards you decide to climb up today, whether on console or PC.
With a lot of the most popular monitors now supporting these standards, video games in the next several years are going to look outstanding, but only if you have the right monitor for the job. The very best 144hz 4K monitors are going to offer fantastic performance across the board, while the best 120Hz 4K monitors are definitely the place to go for monitors that will work with your new consoles, since they're optimized for the PS5 and Xbox Series X's 120Hz capability.
High-quality gaming monitors don’t always have to be the most expensive models either. Budget 4K monitors can work just as well as other high-end gaming monitors depending on what your gaming needs are, and there are many features such as Nvidia G-sync and AMD FreeSync that can be found on displays in both pricey and affordable categories.
Narrowing down the best gaming monitor can be tricky, though, so that’s why we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve gathered a variety of gaming monitors to fit any and all gaming PC needs. Buying a gaming monitor can sometimes be an investment, but we’ll also help you keep that price down with the best gaming monitor deals.
Best gaming monitors 2022 - Chosen by our experts
It’s hard not to be impressed by the LG UltraGear 38GN950. If you’re looking for the ultimate gaming monitor, this is certainly the one to beat, with a 144Hz refresh rate that can be easily overclocked to 160Hz, 1ms response time, spectacular image quality, and many other gaming features like G-Sync, an ultra-wide aspect ratio and DisplayHDR 600. If you’re serious about gaming and want lots of screen real estate, then this is the best gaming monitor to get – if you can afford it, that is.
Read the full review: LG UltraGear 38GN950
The best gaming monitors typically fall into two camps: fast refresh rate or high resolution. But, they almost never do both. With the Samsung Odyssey, that’s not the case. It manages to pack 1440p resolution in the same display as a 240Hz refresh rate as well as excellent HDR, making this an ideal choice for any gamer that likes to play Esports one day and jump into an immersive open-world game the next. It’s not perfect as it does take some work getting it up and running, but the Samsung Odyssey G7 is an ideal choice for gamers who have some variety in their gaming libraries.
Read the full review: Samsung Odyssey G7
A 43-inch display may be too big for many users, but it might just be what you need if you’re a competitive gamer. That 4K QD goodness offers better technical performance than a big-screen TV, and it comes with everything you need from a gaming monitor. That fast refresh rate, matte screen and gaming-optimized settings, as well as that 1,000 nits of brightness, makes it among the best gaming monitors right now. Unlike other monitors, it comes with a great set of speakers too. Plus, it can moonlight as a TV set too if you don’t have enough space for two displays.
Read the full review: Gigabyte Aorus FV43U
It may be very expensive and requires a killer gaming PC setup to run, but the Samsung CRG9 is completely worth it if you’ve got the extra cash laying around. This bigger-than-average 49-incher boasts bezels thinner than most gaming monitors and a picture by picture mode feature that lets you use two different inputs, simulating a dual monitor setup in a single monitor. And, that’s without mentioning that the Samsung CRG9 produces an out-of-this-world image right out of the box.
Read the full review: Samsung CRG9
If 1440p is the sweet spot for PC gaming, is the new Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165 one of the tastiest monitors yet? It certainly has extremely palatable image quality thanks to a quality 32-inch IPS panel with great image quality. It’s pretty quick too, with 1ms MPRT pixel response and 165Hz refresh. Corsair has also engineered the 32QHD165 very nicely with a cast aluminium stand and an excellent OSD menu. Put simply, every kind of game looks and feels great on the Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165. Our only reservation is that it’s so very expensive for this class of gaming monitor.
Read the full review: Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165
Multiplatform gamers looking for a high-performance 32-inch gaming monitor for 4K @ 144Hz gaming will find a lot to appreciate here with the M32UC from Gigabyte.
The HDR400 support is alright, but nothing special, but with a respectable amount of ports and other useful features, along with snappy pixel response time and great color gamut coverage, this is a great looking monitor with satifying performance that recommend it on its own.
When you factor in the excellent price for this kind of curved display, you get one of the best gaming monitors by value on the market. Just don't expect much from the built-in speakers here, they barely get the job done.
Read the full Gigabyte M32UC review
Ergonomics and extended color coverage meet gaming in LG’s newest offering. The UltraGear Ergo 27GN88A may target a niche market, but it ticks all the right boxes for many, especially those that want to enjoy fast 1440p gaming without getting something that’s heavy and takes up a lot of space. Plus, having something that clamps on to a wide range of surfaces as well as offers both extensive adjustability and clever cable management will ensure you can game for hours on end.
Read the full LG UltraGear Ergo 27GN88A review
While all of its extra frills make the MSI Optix MPG341CQR an even more appealing selection for potential buyers, it does an outstanding job of standing out on its own. The use of VA rather than IPS panel technology, for one, is a welcome advantage, offering punchier colors and better contrast. Plus, its super-wide 1440p resolution and 144Hz refresh certainly give gamers an edge. The best part might be that this display is also reasonably priced, making it one of the best gaming monitors to consider in 2022.
Read the full MSI Optix MPG341CQR review
With the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q, you’re getting a lot of value for your money – especially considering the small price of entry. One of the most affordable 4K gaming monitors right now, this 28-incher can swivel, pivot and tilt practically however which way you need it (within reason, naturally) to serve your purpose. It also has deliciously thin bezels and a nifty cable management solution, as well as a few display settings to boost your viewing experience. Thanks to its rich vibrant colors, super sharp image quality and a design that is only subtly gaming-centric, this is among the best 4K monitors not only for gamers but for regular users who consume a lot of visual media as well.
Read the full Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q review
An epic gaming experience awaits you with Acer Predator CG7’s 43-inch screen, 4000:1 contrast ratio, 1ms response time and 120Hz refresh rate. To be fair, there are bigger and badder gaming monitors out there, but for some people – particularly, those looking for a TV with gaming-level specs, this one’s a winner. It’s got some extra features as well – namely, a remote control, icons on that stand to encourage game controller storage, and RGB lighting that can sync to your music and games – so you’re getting your money’s worth, even if you are paying for a lot.
Read the full Acer Predator CG7 review
How do you buy the best gaming monitor for you?
How do we test the best gaming monitors?
Surprisingly, testing gaming monitors is a bit more involved than you might think. It’s more than just watching movies and playing a few games on them – though admittedly, we do quite a bit of that as well. After all, we do have to see how each monitor performs in real world scenarios. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
More than that, however, put every gaming monitor’s basic features like resolution, refresh rate, response time, color reproduction, and viewing angles through their paces, testing each accordingly. To test faster refresh rates, for example, we frantic, fast-paced titles. We also test extra features like HDR support, G-Sync and AMD FreeSync support, and blue light filter.
Naturally, we take a good look at its design aspects, from its aesthetic down to its stand, mount, and availability of ports, as those are just as important. Then, we take everything we’ve learned about the gaming monitor and compare it to its price – whether or not it’s performance and features are worth the price, and if it offers the best value for consumers.
Check out our HDR Explained video below.
How to buy the best gaming monitor in 2022
If in the market for the best gaming monitor 2022 has to offer, know that there are a few things to keep in mind before choosing which display should grace your desk.
You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the following terms and specifications to help guarantee that you’re getting the best gaming monitor that’s most ideal for you. It also means you won’t have to pay extra for additional features that you might not actually care about.
Screen size: When looking for a gaming monitor, one of the most important things to consider is the screen size. Larger display sizes can lead to more immersive gaming experiences as the game fills more of your field of vision, but you'll also have to make sure that you have the space to keep a large monitor. And, it goes without saying that the larger the monitor, the higher the price as well.
Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio of a gaming monitor helps determine the width and height of the display. Most widescreen monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9, while older monitors have closer to a square format of 4:3 that might feel pretty out of date in 2022. Ultra-wide monitors with aspect ratios of 21:9 are rapidly growing in popularity, as they offer a wider view of your games, which is why many ultra-wides have made our list of the best gaming monitors 2022.
Resolution: One other critical factor to consider when searching for the ideal monitor for your needs is the resolution. The higher the number, the sharper the picture. You will, however, require a more powerful graphics card for anything over Full HD (1,920 x 1,080), even if many gaming monitors feature resolutions as high as 2,560 x 1,400 (WQHD) and 3,840 x 2,160 (4K).
Refresh rate: When you’re mostly looking to play Counter-Strike and other first-person shooters like it, refresh rate is even more vital. The higher the refresh rate, the more frames per second (fps) the monitor can support, leading to a considerably smoother gaming experience. A 60Hz refresh rate is still the most common in 2022, but refresh rates of 144Hz and even 200Hz are becoming more prominent – not to mention, more and more necessary.
Response time: An excellent gaming monitor offers low response times, which means you’re getting fast and fluid actions, with little to no input lag. The lowest response time for TN monitors (we’ll get to this in the next section) is 1 millisecond, whereas the newer IPS monitors typically have slower 4ms response times. When you’re playing games competitively, it’s vital to keep this number as low as you can in order to avoid latency.
Panel type: This is where things get a little technical. The type of panel a gaming monitor uses will largely contribute to its response time and image clarity. TN (twisted nematic) panels, which are often more affordable, have the lowest response times but usually don’t come with great viewing angles. IPS (in-plane switching) panels, on the other hand, have fantastic viewing angles and color reproduction, but usually have higher response times. Meanwhile, VA (vertical alignment) panels are between the two, although its slow response times makes these panels rare in the gaming world.
Viewing Angle: While most people play games right in front of their gaming monitor, this isn’t always be the case, particularly when there is an audience. A monitor’s viewing angles tell you what angle you can look at the monitor from and still make out a clear image. The closer these numbers are to 180, the better your viewing experience will be when standing further to either side of the monitor or looking at it from above or below.
G-Sync and FreeSync: You've probably noticed that many of the best gaming monitors in 2022 come with either G-Sync or FreeSync technology – sometimes even both. These help keep frames per second (fps) smooth, combat screen tearing and minimize input lag. G-Sync is developed by Nvidia, so it requires an Nvidia GPU. And, the tech is built into the monitor, which can bump up their price tag. FreeSync, on the other hand, was made by AMD. Since it is free to use by manufacturers, the monitors that have them are usually more economical.
What kind of monitor is best for gaming?
Depending on how you game, the answer can be very different. The best monitors, period, will have more crisp visuals with higher HDR (high dynamic range) rating while standard monitors will have less than dazzling (but still acceptable) graphics. The best gaming monitors, therefore, have higher contrast, brightness, and depth of color so your games look as vibrant and realistic as possible.
Gaming monitors can range anywhere from 24-50 inches so it’s important to pick one that not only fits your budget but your space limitations as well. Ultra-wide gaming monitors can be a great pick but definitely won’t fit everyone’s needs, so you’ll need to consider your ideal gaming monitor size and make a selection from there.
Ultra-wide gaming monitors have a screen aspect ratio of 21:9 while standard monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9, so ultra-wide monitors focus on horizontal display. The extra wide display allows for better immersion while gaming because it allows you to see more of the in-game environment than a standard monitor allows.
Some gaming monitors will be equipped with G-Sync, but this tech is only available when paired with a compatible Nvidia graphics card. There are different levels of G-Sync, but its ultimate goal is to prevent screen tearing when gaming - a common occurrence when the framerate of a game doesn’t match the monitor’s refresh rate.
Other gaming monitors will have FreeSync, which is the AMD version of G-Sync. While both help balance the framerate of games versus monitor refresh rate, FreeSync works over DisplayPort and HDMI cable. G-Sync, however, only works with DisplayPort.
When picking a gaming monitor, you want a monitor with an incredibly fast response time and refresh rate. Mere seconds can mean the difference between winning or losing a round of games like Fortnite or Apex Legends. In that case, you may want a 1440p option with a 240Hz or 360Hz refresh rate to reduce lag and blow the competition away.
