Selecting a screen suitable for gaming requires you to take a number of criteria into account. Faced with a wide range of products on offer, it’s not always easy to make the right choice. Depending on the application, certain features may be essential for gaming, such as a high refresh rate or image definition adapted to consoles or PCs. To help you make the right choice, we’ve selected the best gaming displays available today.
Which monitors are the best for video games?
For gaming PCs, the screen must be matched to the power of the graphics card. Recent GPUs, such as Nvidia RTX or AMD Radeon RX models, can also handle resolutions up to 4K or frequencies well in excess of 120Hz. It is therefore essential to choose your monitor according to the capabilities of your computer’s graphics card. In addition, compatibility with synchronization technologies such as G-Sync or FreeSync is recommended to avoid image tearing. For competitive titles, it’s best to opt for a gaming monitor that can achieve very high refresh rates for maximum responsiveness. Depending on your budget, it is also possible to opt for lower resolutions, such as 2K QHD (1440p) or Full HD (1080p).
The latest-generation consoles, such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, are designed to work with 4K definitions and refresh rates of up to 120Hz. To take full advantage of this performance, it’s advisable to choose a screen compatible with these specifications. In addition, technologies such as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), available on consoles, help avoid image tearing. Consoles also support 2K QHD (1440p) and Full HD (1080p) resolutions and a refresh rate of 60Hz, so it’s also possible to make a few compromises, depending on budget.
High-end gaming displays, with 4K definition and very high refresh rates, offer flexibility to meet different needs. For games rich in visual details, they enable you to enjoy 4K with a stable refresh rate at 60Hz, for example. Their versatility also offers the possibility of lowering the definition to 1080p or 1440p to benefit from a much higher refresh rate, particularly suited to competitive games and esports. He who can do more, can do less!
Full HD gaming monitors
LG UltraGear 27GS60F-B – 27” (68.5cm) – 180Hz
The LG UltraGear 27GS60F-B gaming monitor is a 27-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) monitor designed for serious gamers and content creators. It features an IPS panel offering wide viewing angles (178°) and excellent color accuracy with 99% sRGB coverage. Its high refresh rate of 180Hz, combined with a response time of 1ms (GtG), ensures optimal fluidity and reduces motion blur, which is particularly noticeable in competitive games. Compatible with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, it eliminates image tearing and latency. The monitor also supports HDR10 for improved contrast. In terms of ergonomics, it offers adjustable tilt, a three-sided borderless design, and advanced gaming features such as Black Stabilizer, Crosshair, and FPS counter. Ports include HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and a headphone output.
AOC Gaming 27G4X – 27″ (68cm) – 180Hz
The AOC Gaming 27G4X is a 27″ (1920×1080 pixels) gaming monitor with an IPS panel offering wide viewing angles and natural colors. It features a high refresh rate of 180Hz and an ultra-fast response time of 0.5 ms, guaranteeing optimum smoothness and responsiveness for both consoles and PCs. Adaptive Sync and G-Sync technologies reduce image tearing and judder. The panel covers 93.4% of the DCI-P3 color space and 93% of DCI-P3, making it versatile for gaming and some multimedia uses. In terms of ergonomics, the screen is very comprehensive with height, tilt, rotation, vertical pivot, and VESA compatibility adjustments. Connectivity includes two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, built-in speakers, and a headphone output. At this price point, it is clearly aimed at competitive gamers.
2K QHD gaming monitors
AOC Gaming Q27G2E/BK – 27″ (68.6cm) – 155Hz
The AOC Gaming Q27G2E/BK gaming monitor features a 27″ (68.6cm) VA panel offering 2K QHD (2560 x 1440 pixels) resolution in 16:9 format. It has a refresh rate of 155Hz and a response time of 1 ms (MPRT), ensuring excellent smoothness and responsiveness for fast-paced gaming. AMD FreeSync Premium technology ensures optimum synchronization between the display and graphics card, eliminating image tearing. With a brightness of 250 nits, 3,000:1 static contrast and 178° viewing angles, it delivers realistic, uniform colors. Features such as Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free reduce eyestrain. The screen also includes tools like AOC Shadow Control and Game Color to adjust grayscale and dark areas, tailored to the needs of gamers.
LG UltraGear 27GS85Q-B – 27″ (68.4cm) – 180Hz
The LG UltraGear 27GS85Q-B gaming monitor is a 27-inch (68.4cm) model with a Nano IPS panel offering 2K QHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels) and a 16:9 aspect ratio. It offers a refresh rate of 180Hz, overclockable to 200Hz, and a response time of 1 ms (GtG), making it a relevant choice for competitive gaming. VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification and 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space guarantee accurate colors and dynamic images, suitable also for content creators. It’s also compatible with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, eliminating screen tearing and optimizing game fluidity. It integrates gaming features such as Dynamic Action Sync, Black Stabilizer and Crosshair, for a competitive edge.
4K UHD gaming monitors
LG UltraGear 27GR93U-B – 27″ (68.5cm) – 144Hz
The 27-inch (68.5cm) LG UltraGear 27GR93U-B gaming monitor features 4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) and a responsive IPS panel with a response time of 1 ms (GtG). It supports a 144Hz refresh rate, ideal for fast, competitive gaming. Its compatibility with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium guarantees optimum fluidity, reducing tearing and judder. Its IPS panel covers 95% of the DCI-P3 color space, with a VESA DisplayHDR 400-certified maximum brightness of 500 cd/m², offering vivid colors and striking contrast.
Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM – 27″ (67.3cm) – 240Hz
The Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM is a high-end 26.5″ gaming monitor equipped with a fourth-generation QD-OLED UHD 4K panel that provides an ultra-precise display with rich colors (99% DCI-P3, 145% sRGB), a refresh rate of 240Hz and a response time of 0.03ms. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync compatible, it ensures perfect smoothness for competitive gaming. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats, has an HDR brightness of 1000 cd/m², and benefits from advanced OLED protection technologies (OLED Care Pro). This ergonomic screen features numerous settings, a wide range of connectors (DisplayPort 2.1a, HDMI 2.1, USB-C, KVM), and is suitable for both discerning gamers and content creators.
The choice of a gaming monitor depends on your needs and the hardware you use. Full HD models offer great fluidity for competitive gaming, while 2K QHD screens provide a good compromise between quality and performance. For optimum immersion, 4K and OLED monitors offer a detailed picture, but require suitable hardware.
Frequently asked questions about gaming monitors
The best screen resolution depends on the power of the hardware, and expectations in terms of image smoothness and quality. 1080p (Full HD) is suitable for modest configurations and competitive games requiring a high refresh rate. 1440p (2K) offers a good compromise, improving sharpness without straining the hardware. 2160p (4K) offers a more detailed image, but requires a high-end graphics card or a latest-generation console to ensure a good level of fluidity.
A high refresh rate ensures better fluidity and reduces blurring effects during rapid movements. For general-purpose use, 60Hz is sufficient, but competitive games will benefit from 144Hz or 240Hz, depending on the hardware’s ability to maintain a stable frame rate. Higher frequencies are available, but require a suitable configuration and are mainly used by competitive gamers and for esports.
Each type of panel has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on use. TN panels offer very low response times, but at the expense of color quality and viewing angles. IPS panels deliver better color reproduction and visual comfort, with a slightly higher response time. VA screens offer greater contrast, which improves immersion, but can also cause more visible blurring effects. Finally, OLED offers virtually infinite contrast and ultra-fast response times.
Compatibility between a monitor and a PC depends on the ability of the graphics card and processor to generate a sufficient number of frames per second to exploit the display’s resolution and refresh rate. A modest configuration will suit a 60Hz Full HD (1080p) screen, while a 2K (1440p) or 4K (2160p) display will require a more powerful graphics card, especially if the refresh rate exceeds 60Hz.
A gaming monitor must offer connectors adapted to the PC configuration and display frequency requirements. DisplayPort is preferred for high-frequency monitors, as it supports very high refresh rates on PCs. HDMI is more widespread and is equally suited to consoles and PCs, but not all versions offer the same performance. USB-C is generally used to power a laptop, while displaying the image on the monitor.
Choosing a screen size depends on the resolution and viewing distance. A 24″ (60cm) screen is well suited to 1080p (Full HD), while 27″ (68cm) is often recommended for 1440p (2K). 32-inch (80cm) and larger screens are suitable for high-definition displays such as 2160p (4K), but need to be set back far enough to avoid excessive eyestrain.
A curved screen brings an immersive effect by enveloping the field of vision, which is particularly appreciated in simulation or exploration games. It reduces edge distortion on wide screens, but might not be suitable for competitive games where the perception of straight lines is essential. A curved slab also reduces eyestrain for long gaming sessions or work.
The response time affects the speed with which pixels change color, which can reduce streaking during fast movement. A very low response time, such as 1 ms, is useful for competitive games where responsiveness is paramount. For more conventional use, a screen with a slightly higher response time is perfectly acceptable.
These technologies synchronize the screen refresh rate with the number of frames per second generated by the graphics card, eliminating tearing. FreeSync is developed by AMD and is compatible with most graphics cards. G-Sync, on the other hand, is optimized for NVIDIA cards. VRR, or variable refresh rate, is a broader technology that improves fluidity on different types of hardware, including recent consoles.
HDR enhances color rendering and contrast management, which can enrich the visual experience in certain games. However, not all HDR displays offer the same picture quality, as this depends on maximum brightness and support for different standards. A good HDR display provides a perceptible improvement, but an entry-level model will not necessarily deliver outstanding results.
OLED gaming displays feature high contrast, vivid colors and very low response times, making them an attractive choice for video games. However, their price is higher than that of conventional monitors.
Recent consoles are compatible with many gaming monitors, especially those equipped with HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K definition up to 120Hz. Some models even offer VRR and HDR functions, enhancing the console gaming experience. The PS5 and Xbox Series also support Full HD (1080p), 2K (1440p) and 4K (2160p) resolutions, and refresh rates of 60 and 120Hz.
A 4K TV offers a large display area and is well suited to console gaming, especially for remote use. A PC monitor, on the other hand, generally offers a faster response time and higher refresh rate, which is an advantage for competitive gaming. The choice depends on usage and the preference between an immersive experience and greater responsiveness.
Gaming monitors incorporate specific technologies such as high refresh rates, reduced response times and image synchronization features. Their design focuses on improving smoothness and responsiveness, making them more expensive than conventional screens, which are often limited to standard display for office and multimedia applications.
A gaming monitor can also be used for office applications, but certain features, such as a high refresh rate, aren’t always necessary in this context. An IPS or OLED screen will offer good visual comfort for work, while a TN model will be less pleasant due to its smaller viewing angles. Many gaming screens incorporate anti-blue-light filters and flicker-free screens, improving visual comfort for work.
