Best PC Monitor 2023 (1080p, 1440p, 4K)

We take a look at the best computer monitors on the market.

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Monitors have come a long way since the days of the mighty CRT. We now have hundreds of stylish monitors to choose from – all boasting an array of high-performance specs and top-end features. It doesn’t matter whether you’re into gaming or creative workflows, there is a monitor out there that suits your specific needs and budgetary requirements.

With so many monitors to choose from, though, how are you meant to know which is going to be the best one for you? Should you go for a budget monitor with a high refresh rate? Or opt for the fancy ultrawide with a cool curved panel? What panel is best if I’m getting into gaming? What is adaptive sync technology, and do I need it? These are the sorts of questions we get asked regularly by people looking to purchase a new monitor upgrade – and it’s one of the reasons we’ve decided to create this comprehensive guide.

Treat this as your one-stop-shop for everything monitors. Want to know about gaming monitors? No problem! Looking for a sleek panel for video editing? We have you covered! Everything you need to know to purchase a monitor will be explained in the following guide.

Before we jump into the best PC monitor, you may want to check out some of the best monitor deals currently on Amazon. When picking out a monitor, it’s always best to seek out a deal with your purchase! You can also opt to check out Amazon’s wider range of computer components and accessories deals if you wish.

Best PC monitor for gaming: ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279QM

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Editor’s pick

ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279QM

Size

27″

Refresh rate

240Hz

Response time

1ms (GTG)

Resolution

2560 x 1440

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Pros

• Detailed IPS display
• G-Sync technology
• A stylish design
• Rapid 240Hz refresh rate for fluid game play.

Cons

• High-end price tag
• Gamma is a bit dark

The best PC monitor for gaming was a relatively simple selection – and yes, ASUS has topped one of our best of guides yet again.

The PG279QM is up there with the best gaming monitors available right now as it offers every high-end spec a gamer would want to enjoy true immersion and silky-smooth gameplay.

As far as specs go, the PG279QM offers up some of the highest in the market right now. Key features include an (overclocked) 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, G-Sync support, 100% sRGB coverage, and a 1440p resolution – all wrapped up in a 27inch anti-glare IPS panel. For me, that’s the perfect balance for fast-paced FPS shooters and immersive single-player exploration games as well.  The rapid refresh rate and low response time are going to give you the smoothest possible gameplay, especially when paired with G-Sync. The IPS panel offers unrivaled viewing angles and color recreation, and the 27inch panel is the perfect size for both competitive esports and immersive single-players.

Ultimately, this isn’t just another great gaming monitors; it’s one of the best all-round monitors money can buy.

Best PC monitor for content creation: Dell UltraSharp U2723QE

Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27-inch

Size

27″

Panel Type

LCD

Resolution

3840 x 2160

Refresh Rate

75Hz

Bit Depth

10-bit (8-bit + FRC)

Color Gamut

100% sRGB / 98% DCI-P3

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Pros

• Full 4K screen resolution
• Great option for video editing
• 400 nits brightness and wide color gamut
• VESA mount compatible

Cons

• 27″ display can be outclassed by larger screens
• Lower refresh rate than gaming pick

If you instead want to focus on a fantastic display for content creation, with less focus on gaming, we would suggest checking out the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE. This packs in a ton of great features for editors and other content creation tasks. Starting off, it features an UHD 4K resolution, giving you excellent pixel density to make everything you see crystal clear and as readable as possible. You can see why this is an optimal option for editors that want the precision it affords. Aside from that, a higher resolution like this effectively gives you more workspace and content is less cramped.

Moreover, some of the key selling points of this Dell UltraSharp monitor include the excellent color gamut – 100% rRGB and 98% DCI-P3. This adds to up a massively wide range of colors that can be displays, basically meaning everything is as accurate as can be. Since this monitor isn’t gaming-focused, it does drop down in terms of refresh rate, but its 75Hz is more than enough for gamers not playing anything seriously competitive. Nevertheless, the 4K resolution offers immersive gaming, especially if you have the gaming rig to back it up.

Overall, this is a fantastic display for any content creator, video editor, or the like. The 27″ screen size may not be everyone’s preference if you want something even bigger (like a 32-inch display) for content creation, but we think it sits at a great sweetspot.

Best budget PC monitor: ASUS VG278Q

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ASUS VG278Q Gaming Monitor

Size

27″

Refresh Rate

144Hz

Response Time

1ms

Panel Type

TN

Maximum Resolution

1920 x 1080

How We Review

Hands-on Review

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Pros

• 4-way Ergonomic Stand Adjustment
• 144Hz
• Highly responsive
• Slim Bezels
• 5-Way OSD Navigation Joystick

Cons

• TN Panel
• Poor Speaker Quality
• Doesn’t Have a DVI-D Cable

Next up is the best budget PC monitor and it comes in the shape of another ASUS monitor – the VG278/Q to be specific. It comes to the table offering value that far exceeds its price tag. Features like 144Hz, 1ms response time, and a fully ergonomic stand make this monitor great for gaming as well. As a budget option, we’ve dropped down to the familiar 1080p resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio. However, we haven’t gone all the way down to 24-inches – this is still a 27-inch monitor!

Speaking of the stand, it has height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments, which are perfect for trying to achieve the perfect viewing position. To touch on design briefly, ASUS has kitted the VG278Q out with their unique style of branding – consisting of a dark grey them for the most part. The thin bezels work well with the design of the stand to add a stylish feel to the monitor as a whole. They also add an extra layer of immersion to the gaming experience.

Moving on to performance, the 144hz refresh rate and 1ms response time pair together nicely to create a seamless, ultra-smooth gaming experience. The refresh rate ensures that you never experience screen tear and the low response eradicates any form of ghosting. Unlike the VG278Q’s FreeSync counterpart (the VG279Q), this display only offers a TN panel – meaning below par color recreation. Having said that, it certainly makes up for the lack of color accuracy with great gaming performance.

If you’re looking for a cheap monitor that is going to be both reliable and solid in gaming scenarios, this should be right up on your list of considerations.

Another great PC monitor for content creation: LG 32UD99-W

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LG 32UD99-W 32-Inch 4K UHD IPS Monitor

Size

32″

Panel Type

IPS

Resolution

4K

Refresh Rate

120Hz

Bit Depth

8bit

Colour Gamut

95% DCI-P3

How We Review

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Pros

• Great Viewing angles
• Incredibly crisp 4K picture clarity
• Low input lag
• Extremely wide colour gamut range

Cons

• Fairly limited HDR performance

For the creatives out there, LG’s 32UD99-W monitor is a fantastic option for editing workflows and everyday use as well. It offers all the specs you could want to produce realistic edits while hitting shelves at a price tag that isn’t going to break the bank either. First, though, design.

The LG offers a sleek and stylish design that looks superb right out of the box. With a chrome finish, the stand contrasts with the thin bezels nicely to give a luxurious feel. The stand offers height, tilt, and swivel adjustments, allowing you to get the perfect viewing angle at any time. The thin bezels definitely provide a greater feeling of immersion, which certainly helps with concentration levels.

As far as performance goes, this 32-inch monster offers a bunch of premium features, which include; 99.5% sRGB coverage, 10bit color depth, almost zero color bleed, a stunning 4K resolution, and HDR 10 as well. Gamers will also be happy with the FreeSync support and speedy refresh rate (120hz).

Having an IPS panel means this monitor has extremely realistic colors and excellent viewing angles as well. Furthermore, the 32inch offers a huge amount of screen real-estate, allowing you to multi-task with ease.

Overall, when considering the price, color recreation, size, and max resolution, it’s hard to recommend anything that offers such good value for money.

Best Ultrawide PC monitor: Corsair Xeneon Flex

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Corsair Xeneon Flex

Refresh rate

240Hz

Response time

0.03ms GtG

Resolution

3440 x 1440

Screen size

45″

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Pros

• 45″ Bendable monitor
• OLED panel technology
• 240Hz refresh rate
• Near-instantaneous response time

Cons

• Quite expensive

Next up, we have the Corsair Xeneon Flex. Yes, that’s right, the world’s first 45″ bendable monitor. This thing is massive. Don’t let that put you off though, thanks to the size of this monitor; it brings levels of immersion and entertainment viewing to a whole new level.

Looks out the way, the Xeneon Flex offers a speedy 240Hz refresh rate, an impressive 0.1ms response time, and a whole bunch of other premium features all wrapped up in a “best of both worlds” OLED panel. It’s easily one of the market’s best PC monitors and it’s easy to see why. You really get sucked into your virtual world thanks to that huge curved panel.

As for colors, this thing doesn’t disappoint. It offers a wide color gamut and stunning HDR performance when watching movies or playing your favourite games. That means extremely realistic color recreation at both the high and low ends of the color spectrum. Whether you’re looking for a mind-blowing viewing experience or a realistic video editing monitor, this thing is going to provide everything you need and more!

The only downside we could find with this monitor is the price; it is not cheap. At nearly $2,000, you will need to invest a lot of cash in this thing. Having said that, we still feel it offers a good amount of value, even at this price point.

Best 4K PC monitor: Acer Predator X27

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Acer Predator X27 bmiphzx

Size

27”

Refresh Rate

144Hz

Response Time

4ms

Panel Type

IPS

Maximum Resolution

3840 x 2160

How We Review

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Pros

• Supports G-sync technology
• Excellent HDR feature
• Great build quality
• Automatic brightness adjustment

Cons

• VERY expensive
• No pivot adjustment

Lastly, we have our 4K monitor pick. It comes in the shape of the Acer Predator X27; a monitor made popular by its ability to literally do everything. It’s one of the best monitors money can buy right now, but one that has a price tag that matches its long list of premium features.

The X27 offers an extremely gamey aesthetic, laced with angular edges, hard colors, flappy side panels, and RGB across numerous zones. Even though a bit obscure, the flappy panels do offer some functionality. They are custom-designed to block out light and any other outside distraction. Mainly used for competitive esports, the panels can still be used to immerse yourself in work or a movie as well.

From a gaming standpoint, the X27 is utterly superb. If your system has the power to achieve over 144FPS, the 144Hz refresh rate is fast enough to create the smoothest of gameplay. Pair that with the rapid 4ms response time, HDR1000 support, and 99% coverage of the aRGB color gamut, and what you have is a stunning visual experience.

The downside of this monitor, unfortunately, is the price. It comes to the table at well over $1000 – which, for some, is more than their entire PC. Granted, it’s expensive. What you get for the price, however, is unrivaled performance across pretty much every area of a monitor.

Worthy mentions

• ASUS PA32UCG: This creative monitor is easily one of the best in today’s market. Equipped with mini-LED backlight technology and a quick 120Hz refresh rate, this monitor really does excel for editing. Feel free to check out our ASUS PA32UCG review.
• Samsung Odyssey Neo G9: If you’re looking for another high-end ultrawide option, then Samsung’s Neo G9 is definitely worth checking out. You can even opt for the OLED G9 alternative if the very best gaming performance is what you need. We reviewed the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 too.

How we test & choose PC monitors

Our expert team has reviewed hundreds of the market’s best gaming and PC monitors – using the same meticulous methods each and every time. We use purpose-built tools to gauge the speed, responsivenes, and quality of every panel that comes through our doors.

By doing this, it gives us a more detailed understanding of which monitors are “the best” – allowing us to confidently recommend the market’s best PC monitors.

Things to consider when buying a PC monitor

Understanding the key aspects of a monitor is crucial when it comes to the purchasing process. That’s why we always like to explain what those aspects are. That way, if we don’t recommend a monitor that meets your needs and requirements, you’ll have the knowledge to go out and find the right for you.

Consider the following areas of a monitor, and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and money when it comes to your next PC monitor purchase.

Does Refresh Rate matter when buying a PC monitor?

If you’re buying a monitor for everyday usage, you probably won’t worry a great deal when it comes to refresh rate. Refresh rates matter when you’re playing games as they provide a smoother, more fluid visual experience.

For everyday use, you’ll be able to use a 60Hz refresh rate monitor comfortably. That said, people playing games on the side might want to choose a higher refresh rate such as 144Hz and above.

What is FreeSync and G-Sync?

Most of today’s monitors come to the table with support for either AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync. These are adaptive sync technologies that smooth out the motion of your gameplay by synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate and the PC’s (or rather, graphics card’s) frame rate.

As we mentioned, FreeSync and G-Sync are representing software from both AMD and Nvidia respectively. Having said that, you can still make use of the software if you don’t have a matching GPU. What I mean by that is, an AMD GPU will work with G-sync with some tweaks – the same applies for FreeSync.

Adaptive sync technologies are great for gamers and were purpose-designed to encourage a smoother visual experience. If you are looking for a gaming monitor, be sure to select one with either FreeSync or G-Sync – you will see a difference.

What is the best response time for everyday usage?

Response time important spec to consider if you’re looking for a gaming monitor. It refers to how fast your pixels can physically change color. Usually measured in the GTG (grey-to-grey) transition, gamers want to be looking for a minimum of 5ms in modern monitors. Anything higher than 5ms and you will start to see screen defects like ghosting.

For the best experience, go for a 1ms response time. A lot of today’s monitors will be equipped with this spec – with many on sale for very affordable price points.

What budget should I set for a PC monitor?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to purchase the latest ultra-wide curved monitor or a 24inch gaming display, your budget always plays a key role in your final purchasing decision.

If you’re new to PC building, you might not realize the cost difference between low and high-end monitors. It can be pretty exponential.

For example, if you’re a budding gamer who wants to get any competitive edge over your competition, you probably want to go for a high-end gaming monitor. However, a monitor that provides this (144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time) is probably going to cost anywhere from $250 and upwards.

So, to make your life a little easier, we’ve put together some rough guidelines of how much monitors can cost;

• Low-end gaming monitor – $150-250
• Mid-range gaming monitor – $300-450
• High-end gaming monitor – $500+
• Office monitor – $100+
• Entry-level editing monitor – $200
• High-end editing monitor – $400+
• Low-end ultra-wide monitor – $250
• High-end ultra-wide gaming monitor – $700-1,000+
• Low-end 4K monitor – $300
• High-end 4K monitor – $600+

This should give you a better idea of what budget to put aside for your next monitor.

Screen resolution in PC monitors

Screen resolution is a specification that tells us how many pixels the monitor can display vertically and horizontally. One of the most common resolutions used in today’s monitors (especially budget monitors) is 1920 x 1080. This tells us the monitor is made up of 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 vertically.

As you move up the resolution “ladder,” the image quality of the picture will increase with it. A 4k monitor has a much better picture than a 1080p monitor because It can showcase twice the pixels in the same sized display.

However, screen resolution isn’t always a blessing. It’s one of the most taxing properties you can put on your GPU – something gamers should be very much aware of it. Simply going from 1080p to 1440p can see dramatic drops in FPS. I wouldn’t even bother considering a 4K monitor for gaming if you haven’t got at least a 2070 SUPER either.

Best PC monitor FAQs

Is a PC monitor better than a TV?

Generally speaking, PC monitors are far better for PC usage than TVs. They have plenty of built-in features that make using them for PC usage a dream – including low blue light mode, eye-care technology, high refresh rates and more. There really is no substitute for a high-quality PC monitor.

Are PC monitors expensive?

Not really – a lot of the market’s best PC monitors fall well under the $500 mark. You can even get gaming-tailored PC monitors nowadays with high refresh rates and low response times for well under $500.

Final Word

So, there you have our comprehensive guide to the best PC monitors currently available in today’s market. Choosing the right one for your needs can sometimes be a strenuous and time-consuming process. Having said that, we hope this article has made the act of purchasing your next monitor all the easier!

Looking for a monitor that’s going to boost your in-game experience? Then look no further, the ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q is our number one gaming PC monitor pick thanks to high-end features and a “value for money” price tag.

Drop us a comment in the section below, letting us know if you think we’ve missed any monitor recommendations. Better still, you can now head on over to our Community Hub, where you can discuss everything to do with monitors with like-minded individuals!