Gaming Monitor Buying Guide For 2024

With an array of gaming monitors out there and displays with older technology getting cheaper, it is now the best time for purchasing a gaming monitor. Whether you are looking to move on to a better display or want to take your gaming experience to the next level, this guide will help you make an informed purchasing decision.

Several prominent brands have launched OLED gaming monitors this year and are offering burn-in warranties with their products. Meanwhile, IPS and VA displays have also gone through changes and are much better than they were three years ago. In this article, we have selected X best monitors available in 2024 for various gaming needs.

Understand Your Gaming Needs Before Buying

You don’t want to be stuck with a gaming monitor that you are never going to use to its fullest extent, nor do you want a display that doesn’t meet all your needs. Which is why understanding your gaming behavior is crucial before buying a monitor, as different games require different specifications.

If you are into competitive first-person shooter games like CS2, Call of Duty, or Overwatch 2, then you need to prioritize high refresh rate monitors. Also, you need a display with the fastest response times, which are only available in IPS and OLED panels. VA panels are slightly slower than IPS but offer high contrast and offer accurate black colors. There are some high-end VA monitors that can achieve 3-5 ms response times.

If you don’t play fast-paced action shooters, then you don’t need an expensive, high refresh rate display. Story-oriented games, RPGs, and strategy games focus more on picture quality and don’t need higher refresh rate displays. In this case, you will need to look for sharper displays with 4K resolution.

Other games that function smoothly on budget monitors include browser games such as Wordle, Sqword, and video poker options. These games have exploded in popularity in the post-pandemic era. Video poker, in particular, has seen a significant surge in online players, with many casinos and gaming sites offering a wide variety of options, such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Bonus Poker, which are mostly low-spec, browser-friendly games.

When it comes to video poker games, it’s worthwhile to know that they take advantage of sharper displays for their graphics and gameplay. However, you won’t need to get an expensive monitor to run them at their maximum potential. Hooking up your M series Macbook to a monitor also works with these games. The crisp graphics of modern video poker games can enhance the overall experience, making it easier to read card values and enjoy the visual effects.

Ultimately, while a high-end monitor isn’t necessary, a decent display can make extended video poker sessions more comfortable and enjoyable. Of course, once you understand what type of games you play, selecting a suitable monitor for your needs becomes a much easier process. Some hybrid monitors help with work-related tasks and gaming.

Best Gaming Monitors in 2024

AOC Q27G3XMN

This is the best budget gaming monitor you can get on the market without compromising on features. AOC Q7G3XMN has a VA panel with a max refresh rate of 180 Hz. It comes with a native resolution of 2560 x 1440p (QHD), so you still get better picture quality than the common 1080p monitors. It has HDR and is compatible with both PCs and consoles.

Gigabyte M27U

The Gigabyte M27U features an IPS panel, which means it can get very bright, making it ideal for gaming in rooms with a lot of light. The monitor has a max refresh rate of 160 Hz and boasts a 4K resolution display. This is an ideal monitor if you want to play 4K games at 120 fps on PS5 and Xbox X, and yes, it does have HDMI 2.1.

Acer Nitro XV275K P3

Acer Nitro XV275K P3 is a 27-inch monitor with mini LED backlighting. It features a 4K screen and a max refresh rate of 160 Hz. Since it has an IPS panel, you can expect fast response times and great performance in fast-paced games. It also comes with HDR and VRR capabilities.

Samsung Odyssey Neo G8

Samsung is known for making exceptional TVs, and this monitor by the brand is no different. Not only does it have a very high refresh rate of 240 Hz, it boasts a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 features a curved 32-inch VA screen with VRR support. If you don’t mind spending more for quality experience, then this is the best option.

Dell Alienware AW2725DF

OLED monitors cost a premium but offer the best of everything: they are faster than the fastest IPS panels and have near-infinite contrast. This is what the Dell Alienware AW2725DF does; it comes with a 1440p screen but has a max refresh rate of 360 Hz. It’s a QD-OLED panel, which means it has perfect blacks and incredible color accuracy unmatched by any other panel in the market.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G8

Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G8 is another OLED pixel-type monitor on this list. This Samsung offering comes with a 4K display and offers near-instantaneous response times. The monitor won’t get as bright as IPS panels, but you won’t feel it if you play games in a dark room. It has a max refresh rate of 240 Hz and a 32-inch screen.