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Choosing the Best 2023 Gaming Monitor

Variety of gaming monitors displayed against a gray background
  1. LG 27GN950-B
  2. MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD
  3. Dell S3222DGM
  4. Dell Alienware AW3423DW
  5. Viotek GNV34DBE
  6. Buyer's Guide

Your gaming monitor is your window to another world, so it might as well be the best one possible. If you’re looking for a stellar gaming monitor that takes your gaming experience to the next level, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we're taking a detailed look at some of the top PC monitors for gaming on the market. Looking over each model's high and low points, we'll arm you with the information and specs you need to make an informed decision when it comes time to purchase. Whether you’re looking for the highest resolution, the best response time, or the most immersive visuals, we’ve got you covered.

The Top PC Monitors for Gaming Reviewed

LG 27GN950-B Gaming monitor

LG 27GN950-B - Best Overall

For gamers on the hunt for the elusive 4K monitor with a fast response time, this model is a good match. High refresh rates with the ability to overclock offer crisp frame rates for a more immersive experience. Though the sRGB mode is a bit oversaturated, and some gamers have noticed a slight glow on the edge of the screen during darker games, the overall smooth gameplay, vivid colors, and HDR makes this monitor a strong contender.

  • Response times are impressive for a 4K monitor
  • Compatible with both G-Sync and FreeSync
  • Colors are bright and vivid
  • sRGB mode is a bit oversaturated
  • Slight glow on the edge of the screen during darker games

Size and Aspect Ratio: 27 inches, 16:9
Pixel Type: Nano IPS
Refresh Rate: 144Hz (160Hz Overclock)
Response Time: 1ms
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 600
Panel Type: IPS
Sync Type: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, G-SYNC Compatible

MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD gaming monitor

MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD - Wide Color Gamut

A fast refresh rate and one of widest color gamuts available on the market make this a great choice for gaming. However, it may suffer from backlight strobe artifacting, and its HDR support does not offer as stunning of contrast as it could. While it can offer a great gaming experience, it might not be the best choice for those who are sticklers for color accuracy.

  • One of the widest color gamuts available
  • Fast response time
  • Fairly priced
  • Occasional artifacting from backlight strobe
  • No sRGB mode
  • Has HDR, but not as stunning as it could be

Size and Aspect Ratio: 27 inches, 16:9
Pixel Type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Response Time: 1ms
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
HDR: HDR Ready
Panel Type: IPS
Sync Type: G-Sync

Dell S3222DGM gaming monitor

Dell S3222DGM - Best Value

With a great price point for the average gamer, this 32-inch monitor has an overall decent image quality. However, keep in mind with 1440p at this size, you'll have lower pixel density than some other models, giving way to slight blurring for finer details. If you're hoping for ultra-crisp imagery and HDR contrast, you may need to look in a different price range. All things considered, though, this model packs a nice punch for its smaller price tag.

  • High value for price
  • Good image quality, though not the best around
  • No HDR Support
  • Low pixel density for its size

Size and Aspect Ratio: 23.8 Inch / 16:9
Pixel Type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 165Hz
Response Time: 1ms
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
HDR: No
Panel Type: VA
Sync Type: FreeSync (AMD Adaptive Sync)

Dell Alienware AW3423DW curved gaming monitor

Dell Alienware AW3423DW - Best Curved Gaming Monitor

A great choice for PC gamers in particular, this curved, ultra-wide monitor offers an impressive refresh rate and pixel response time. It also has beautiful color contrast and HDR to give crisp, clean images and slick motion. One potential downside, however, is that this monitor does not have HDMI 2.1, so it may not be the best choice for console gamers.

  • Great color contrast and HDR
  • Ultra-wide, curved monitor
  • Very fast pixel response time
  • No HDMI 2.1, better suited to PC gamers than for consoles
  • Large overall footprint

Size and Aspect Ratio: 34 Inches/ 21:9
Pixel Type: IPS
Refresh Rate: 179 Hz
Response Time: 0.1ms
Resolution: 3440 x 1440
HDR: HDR10
Panel Type: Curved
Sync Type: G-SYNC Compatible

Viotek GNV34DBE

Viotek GNV34DBE - Also Consider

The fast response time and FreeSync compatibility on this wide, curved monitor provide smooth gameplay and an immersive gaming experience. The HDR panel offers high contrast and vibrant colors, making the imagery sharper and more true-to-life. The only downsides to this monitor are that it requires calibration for the best results, and the stand is slightly unstable and not adjustable.

  • High Contrast
  • Extra-wide curved design
  • Requires calibration for the best results
  • Stand is slightly unstable and not adjustable

Size and Aspect Ratio: 34-inch, 21:9
Pixel Type: VA
Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
Response Time: 4ms
Resolution: 3440x1440
HDR: HDR Ready
Panel Type: VA
Sync Type: FreeSync

Buyer's Guide

Bestcovery’s Metrics for Ranking

Know Your Refresh Rates

Refresh rate measures the number of times each second that a monitor refreshes the displayed image. This number is usually measured in Hertz (Hz). The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the gaming experience. Higher refresh rates will reduce "input lag," or the amount of time it takes for a monitor to display a frame of a game after it has been sent from the graphics card. A monitor that has a higher refresh rate will also reduce motion blur. For gamers, a higher refresh rate can provide a more immersive and responsive gaming experience.

Know Your Syncing Tech

Sync type is the type of synchronization used between the graphics card and the monitor, which allows the screen to accurately translate the graphical data the computer gives it into the completed image. This synchronization helps reduce screen tearing and stuttering, which occurs when the monitor and graphics card fall out of sync.

A computer monitor's sync type is either “FreeSync” or “G-Sync.” G-Sync typically provides a smoother gaming experience but can be more expensive. Having a monitor with the correct sync type for a gaming computer monitor ensures that the monitor and graphics card are in sync, providing a smooth gaming experience without any screen tearing or stuttering.

Look for Ghosting

Ghosting occurs when fast-moving objects appear to have a trail or “ghost” behind them. This usually happens on monitors with slow response times, which is the amount of time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another. When it's particularly pronounced, ghosting can be very distracting and can ruin the gaming experience.

Learn About HDR

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, and it is a feature found on some gaming computer monitors. Monitors and graphics cards with HDR allow you to see a wider range of colors and provide a sharper contrast between light and dark areas on the screen, which ultimately results in a more vivid and realistic image. This can be especially helpful for games that feature dark environments, as HDR allows for more details to be visible, even in shadows and other dark areas.

What Size Fits Your Needs?

For gaming monitors, size refers to the physical dimensions of the monitor, usually measured diagonally across the screen. While the monitor size you get for your gaming setup is ultimately down to preference, you'll want to consider a few things before deciding on a particular monitor size.

First off, you'll want to decide on your budget. Larger monitors tend to cost more, so if you want to stay below a certain price, there may be an upper ceiling to the monitor size you can afford, especially if you’re also wanting peripherals like a nice keyboard or gamepad. Next, consider the size of your desk. While it's great to have a bigger monitor, if it doesn't fit on your desk, you're going to have to make considerations about your furniture as well as your gaming setup. Finally, consider the size of monitor you need for the type of gaming you prefer. For more competitive gaming, a larger size can show you more detail for higher precision when it counts.

Bestcovery Gaming Monitor FAQ

How Did We Compare These Gaming Monitors?

We compared these gaming monitors based on a handful of different specs:

- Size and Aspect Ratio
- Pixel Type
- Refresh Rate
- Response Time
- Resolution
- HDR
- Panel Type
- Sync Type

Is an IPS, TN, or VA Panel Better for Gaming?

The panel type of a gaming monitor will dictate several things about its capabilities, influencing things like image quality, viewing angles, refresh rates, response times, and more.

The most common panel types used in gaming monitors are TN (Twisted Nematic), IPS (In-Plane Switching), and VA (Vertical Alignment). TN panels typically offer the fastest response times and refresh rates, but the image quality and viewing angles are not as good as those of IPS and VA panels.

Conversely, IPS panels offer the best image quality and viewing angles, but the response times and refresh rates are not as good as TN panels. Finally, VA panels offer good image quality, viewing angles, and refresh rates, but the response times are not as good as TN panels.

Is a FreeSync or G-Sync Monitor Better?

This will depend on the type of gaming you are doing. For more competitive games, a monitor with G-Sync is generally considered a better choice, as the gameplay will be smoother overall, and it will reduce screen tearing. If you are playing more casual games, then a gaming monitor with FreeSync is usually a more affordable option.

Should I Buy a HDR Monitor?

Whether or not you should use a gaming monitor with HDR depends on your preferences and the particular types of games you like to play. If you enjoy playing games with vibrant visuals, then a gaming monitor with HDR can add a wider range of colors and make the visuals feel more true-to-life. However, if visual fidelity isn't a priority for you, or you prefer less graphically intensive games, HDR won't be as crucial of a feature for your purposes.

What Aspect Ratio Is Best for PC Gaming Monitors?

The aspect ratio of a screen is the ratio of the screen's width to its height, most often expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., W:H). The most common aspect ratio for gaming monitors is 16:9, which is also the standard aspect ratio for HDTVs and most modern computer displays. Like the human field of vision itself, this aspect ratio provides a wide field of view for gaming, allowing for a more immersive experience. However, some gamers prefer an even wider aspect ratio, at 21:9. These wider monitors can be a bit pricier, but they can add an even greater sense of dimension to a game. If you’d like to take your immersion to the next level, consider pairing one of these wider monitors with one of these recommended gaming headsets.

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