This simple guide will allow you to choose the right gaming monitor for you. Choosing the best gaming monitor can be a bit confusing and tedious, and if you aren’t careful, it can get expensive. All gamers are part of one big enthusiast community, but each one fits into a category where needs and most especially budget vary. To identify where your gaming usage fits in, you can check these categories we have created to help you choose the best gaming monitor. First, decide if you are an Average (Casual) Gamer, Competitive Gamer, or Pro Gamer?
This guide was not meant to segregate the community in differing brackets, but to help you manage your expectations according to your needs. System specs like GPU type will also come into play because budget cards won’t be able to push out high FPS. Buying a product that exceeds these considerations can provide some headroom for later upgrades, but an impractical purchase can cause disappointment.
Average Gamer
This class is created with the average gamer in mind, who has a limited budget. We have identified the minimum necessary requirements for an average-good gaming experience. We believe that price is a priority here, but without compromising the performance. Max price: $250
- Max response time: 8ms
- Min refresh rate: 60 Hz
- Max input lag time: 30ms
- screen resolution: Full HD (1920×1080)
The final requirement is our subjective opinion on whether or not it deserves to be called a gaming monitor in the first place. That means that we will be handpicking the monitor for you so that you won’t see 100 monitors per category, but only the ones that we have reviewed and found good enough for gaming purposes.
1. Dell SE2717H
The Dell SE2717H has risen in popularity for its 27-inch 1080p screen and wallet-friendly price. This model already includes FreeSync and a 75Hz refresh rate for a boost in graphic smoothness and eye candy.
2. BenQ GL2580HM
The BenQ GL2580HM is one of the value monitors we love in the market for its bezel-free design and reasonably performing IPS panel. This option was made for home and office use, but its 25-inch screen size and 10ms input lag make it ideal for weekend warriors.
Other monitors we recommend for an average gamer
Competitive Gamers
This category of gamers likes to play games competitively and requires higher demands from their monitor. You set a higher budget and want more to give you an edge in your gaming. You prioritize high performance, but also picture quality, resolution and high contrast to see better the details. We have still set a max price range for this category since price, is still an important aspect. Here we will present the best monitors for you guys. The requirements are as following:
- Max response time: 5ms
- Min refresh rate: 120 Hz
- Max input lag time: 20ms
- screen resolution: Full HD (1920×1080)
Of course, subjective opinions matter here, as well, for the convenience of gamers that don’t want to waste time looking at several monitors. That goes for all the categories; we handpick them in addition to our core requirements.
1. Asus PG278QR
The Asus PG278QR is the overall best gaming monitor for its mix of an upscaled resolution and an E-sports grade performance. This low input lag gaming monitor can reach a 165Hz refresh rate and comes with G-Sync to match your meaty Nvidia GPU for tear-free gaming.
2. ViewSonic XG2402
The ViewSonic XG2402 provides 144Hz and decent imaging qualities for a TN monitor. This FreeSync-equipped device comes with excellent functionalities such as ergonomics and Rampage Response to improve your competitive gaming experience.
Other monitors we recommend for a Competitive Gamer
Professional Gamer
This category will focus on screens that deliver the best performance overall. The requirements here will be very high in regards to performance. In this class, we have not taken price into consideration since we don’t want to compensate for performance in any way. So these monitors are the best of the best but usually have a higher price. These screens are necessary for gamers who are competitive in their gaming and only accept the best hardware. The requirements are as stated:
- Min refresh rate: 144 Hz
- Max Response time: 4 ms
- Max input lag time: 15ms
- Adaptive sync technology
- Small blue light emission feature
- Fully adjustable stand (height, swivel, and tilt)
As previously mentioned, we won’t put every monitor with these specs on our list, as we handpick the ones we find suitable. It means that there also could be a case where a monitor has 20ms of input lag time, but for a professional gamer, it could contain features valuable enough to put on the list as well.
1. Acer XB252Q
The Acer XB252Q combines G-Sync with an extremely fast 240Hz screen for the best blur reduction and responsiveness required by professional gaming. This premium device is designed for prestigious E-Sports events and is in the current top choices of the highly skilled competitors.
2. AOC Agon AG251FZ
The AOC Agon AG251FZ is the best 240Hz FreeSync monitor in both responsiveness and imaging quality. Aside from its nifty features such, by far its exterior design is one of our favorites in the business.
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