Whether it’s for work or play, there are plenty of reasons to upgrade your setup to include the best 1440p monitor you can.
Often considered the best compromise between the more familiar 1080p resolution and premium 4K displays, 1440p monitors occupy that space in-between, offering an alternative solution that’s steadily gaining more popularity, particularly with gamers.
With improved visual clarity, higher refresh rates, and increased screen space, they provide an upgrade to your old 1080p monitor, without the hefty price tag associated with the best 4K monitors.
For anybody wary of investing in a 4K monitor, opting for a 1440p monitor instead will not only save you money, but will still provide a substantial leap in both image and performance quality. Though be warned, you may still need to invest in the best 1440p graphics card you can afford to get the most out of the upgrade.
In particular, 1440p monitors offer a significantly higher pixel density than their 1080p counterparts (approximately 108 PPI on a 27-inch monitor, for example). This translates into crisper, sharper visuals that lower resolution screens cannot match.
Additionally, with refresh rates of 144Hz or higher, 1440p monitors perform on a par with many more expensive 4K monitors, making them an excellent choice if you’re looking for the best gaming monitor in your price range.
Striking a balance between image quality, performance, and affordability, choosing a 1440p monitor could be the ideal solution for you, whether you’re looking to acquire the best monitor for work, or wanting to build the best gaming PC possible, on a more limited budget.
We’ve compiled a list of the best 1440p monitors available today, to help you sift through the myriad of options, and decide which is the best monitor overall for you.
The best 1440p monitors
The best 1440p monitor in 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar
1. Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Excellent color coverage and all the ports you’ll need are only two of the many reasons why the Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165 is our best all-around pick for a 1440p monitor. This 32-inch panel also delivers great picture quality, good build, and a strong feature set overall while touting a not-cheap-but-not-expensive price tag. Its 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time are great for budding pro-gamers, its DisplayHDR 400 helps with creative workflows and immersive media consumption, and its multi-mount ergonomic stand makes its very versatile for a whole lot of uses. And, there’s more where that came from.
Read the full review: Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165
2. Monoprice Dark Matter 27-inch
Specifications
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Reasons to avoid
At less than $300/£300, the Monoprice Dark Matter 27-inch is a true budget option. But, it’s its solid feature-set that makes it a compelling one. The 240Hz refresh rate and DisplayHDR 400 you’ll get with it are premium features you’ll typically find in pricier 1440p monitors, and already make it a better value than everything else on this list. Of course, being a cheap display, there are compromises like the lack of USB-C and paltry color coverage. However, if getting a cheap gaming monitor that delivers smooth, high-resolution visuals ideal for fast-paced titles is what you want, it’s definitely an ace.
Read the full review: Monoprice Dark Matter 27-inch
3. LG UltraGear Ergo 27GN88A
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Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The LG UltraGear Ergo 27GN88A already ticks off a lot of things on the list – nice brightness levels, great color coverage, decent 144Hz refresh rate, and both AMD and Nvidia’s adaptive sync technologies. Even its HDR10 support gives it a bit more value, especially at that very affordable price. However, don’t think this is the jack-of-all-trades choice. It’s got the best ergonomics we’ve seen on a monitor. It doesn’t just turn and tilt; it swivels 280 degrees in both directions, pivots 90-degrees to portrait, has a height adjustment of 130mm, and even extends and retracts up to 180mm. This is the monitor for those who need a lot of versatility in their setup.
Read the full review: LG UltraGear Ergo 27GN88A
4. Samsung Odyssey G7
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Reasons to buy
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There’s value in the curve, especially in gaming, as it immerses you even more in your game without straining your eyes. So, we had to include a curved 1440p option that doesn’t take up a whole lot of space. The Samsung Odyssey G7 naturally gets our vote, its 1000R curvature on a 27-inch panel is just the right amount to be properly immersive. But, this VA monitor goes even further, giving you HDR600, a super-fast 240Hz refresh rate, and LED backlight for the full immersion. And, you can take home all that without breaking the bank, as it’s also surprisingly affordable for what it offers.
Read the full review: Samsung Odyssey G7
5. Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you want to fully commit and have the space for it, go ultrawide with the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9. This panel will cost you, probably your entire savings too, but its entire 49-inch goodness is worth it if you can afford it. Among its many excellent features are the 240Hz refresh rate, HDR2000, 1000R curvature, and impressive color gamuts. But, its marquee one is its massive 5,120 x 1,440 resolution that gives you not just plenty of screen real estate, but also a one-of-a-kind experience that puts your right in the middle of the action. Just make sure you’ve got a big enough desk.
Read the full review: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9
The best 1440p monitors: FAQs
Is it worth getting a 1440p monitor?
A 1440p monitor is definitely worth considering if you’re looking to upgrade from your old 1080p display, particularly if you’re planning on using it for gaming.
Hitting the sweet spot between improved graphical fidelity and performance, with a more affordable price tag, they offer a means to level up your gameplay experience, without necessarily having to swap out your GPU for a more powerful one.
1440p monitors also offer a solid performance when it comes to office work, too, thanks to their higher pixel density, which allows you to shrink your display without losing its sharpness, giving you more space to work with.
What monitor do you need for 1440p gaming?
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to finding a great monitor for 1440p gaming.
For fast-paced gaming at 1440p resolution, you’ll want to choose a monitor with the highest refresh rate possible, especially if you like to play FPS titles, where fast reaction times are essential.
Less frantic gameplay at 1440p may benefit from a slightly larger display (for instance, a 32-inch screen, instead of a 27-inch one) to maximise your immersion and enjoy the sharpest image possible.
Whatever you like to play, you can get all the information you need from our Best Gaming Monitors guide, which includes some great options for 1440p displays.
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Rob (He/Him) is a UK based tech writer with a BA Hons Degree in English Studies with Media Communications and a Diploma in Proofreading and Copy Editing.
Since becoming a freelance writer in 2022, Rob has built up a considerable portfolio of work, covering everything including buyer’s guides, hardware reviews, features, and game reviews.
In addition to his contributions at TechRadar, Rob’s work has also been featured at MakeUseOf.com, How-To Geek, and IGN.
Currently playing: Dredge, Lords of the Fallen.