With the Alienware 25 now included, these are the best gaming monitors of the year.
It should go without saying that video games are nothing without video. It’s for that reason that you should secure the best gaming monitor for your needs without going as far as to bottleneck your GPU. That means finding the best monitor for your budget, complete with a screen resolution and refresh rate that don’t go overboard, all while meeting your demands.
That said, if you’re into competitive, high-speed games (i.e., first-person shooters), you’ll want to prioritize monitors sporting high refresh rates and low response times. On the other hand, if you want see just how beautifully your rig can run a game, resolution, panel type, color support and contrast ratio should take precedence.
With the most powerful graphics card (s) slapped into your computer or one of the best gaming PCs on-hand, you’ll want the best gaming monitor to go along with it, pushing the limits of your rig’s capabilities. From 4K monitors and ultra-wide screen to blazing fast monitors with high refresh rates and negligible input lag, we’ve spotted the best of the best.
If you’re on the hunt for what the best gaming monitor 2017 has to offer, then you should first make sure you know what to look for before you buy.
By looking at the following terms and specifications, you can make sure you buy the best gaming monitor for your needs – which also means you’re not paying extra for additional features that you won’t use.
Now that you know what to look for, here’s our list of the best gaming monitors in 2017. This list is constantly being updated and reviewed, so you can rest assured that we’re recommending only the very best gaming monitors for your needs.
A curvy ultrawide that even has G-Sync
The Agon AG352UCG from AOC is a 21:9 IPS panel that prides itself on its stately 3,440 x 1,440 resolution and G-Sync capabilities, making it our top choice for the best gaming monitor in 2017. This means when paired with an Nvidia graphics card, this monitor uses G-Sync to eliminate screen tearing without adding stress to your PC hardware. What’s more, you can expect better response times from the AOC Agon than with its closest competitors, meaning lower latency in games like Overwatch or Lawbreakers that rely on faster pacing. The only downsides are that the AOC Agon is rather bulky and quite pricey as well. Weighing in at 26 pounds (11.8kg) total, you’ll want to be sure your desk can support it.
A budget monitor with 144Hz and Adaptive Sync
If you’re looking for a budget gaming monitor, and don’t mind making a few compromises (it features a 1080p resolution and twisted-nematic, or TN, panel rather than IPS), then you’ll be very pleased with the Asus MG248Q. It makes up for any shortcomings with lightning fast response times and Adaptive Sync, making this the best budget gaming monitor in 2017. Adaptive Sync is of interest to gamers, as it reduces screen tearing if you have an AMD graphics card, a clear demonstration that the MG248Q tailors to the budget gamer. On the other hand, even Nvidia fans can rejoice at the 144Hz refresh rate. But, without the right GPU equipped, you might be better off saving for the G-Sync equivalent Asus ROG Swift PG248Q.
A monitor tailored to the needs of professional gamers
You might not believe it at first glance, but the BenQ Zowie XL2540 is every bit the gaming monitor that the other monitors on this list are. And though it may not seem it from the outside looking in, it does its job remarkably well too, sacrificing dazzling lighting effects for a zippy 240Hz refresh rate and nigh-instantaneous 1ms response time. There’s no G-Sync or FreeSync, as this monitor assumes you already have a rig that’s plenty capable of eliminating screen tears on its own. Instead, this monitor keeps it simple by supplying you with lots of visual presets, an “S Switch” control pod for managing those presets and even a pair of adjustable light screens. If you’re a professional gamer, then this is the best gaming monitor for you.
A gaming monitor with attitude
Cinematic gaming monitors are a great alternative to their 4K counterparts when it comes to playing games. In fact, you might say they’re even better due to their ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio. The Acer Predator X34 certainly looks the part, featuring an eye-catching aluminum bezel and angular, crow’s foot-shape stand. It comes with a number of gaming mod cons in tow, including Nvidia’s G-Sync frame-smoothing tech, an immersion-boosting curved shape and fantastic color reproduction that brings games to life. Short of strapping on a virtual reality headset, the Predator X34 is about as immersive as gaming gets.
FreeSync, G-Sync and everything in between
The coolest thing you can say about the Alienware 25 gaming monitor is that it won’t discriminate against your PC. Although it’s often the case that gaming monitors support Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync, not both, to eliminate screen tearing, the Alienware 25 can be configured either way. That comes in handy, even if it’s more expensive for the Nvidia model. Still, the Alienware 25 isn’t entirely function over form. Instead, it boasts a strikingly exotic design, complete with the AlienFX RGB lighting we’ve all come to expect from the Dell subsidiary. And if that’s not enough to sell you on the Alienware 25, it wields a buttery smooth 240Hz refresh rate that will push any stout rig to its limits.
Faster than you can say G-Sync
If you care more about frame rate than graphics or resolution, this one’s for you. Because of its very impressive 180Hz refresh rate, the Asus ROG Swift PG248Q takes the 60fps gold standard for gaming and triples it – provided you’re equipped with a rig that can handle the extra stress. While you’re unlikely to enjoy Forza Horizon 3 at 180fps on Ultra settings given its high demand, a higher refresh rate is more than welcome in fast-paced, competitive games that don’t necessarily depend on a wealth of resources. Plus, as one of the most affordable G-Sync displays on the market, it helps that you can rely on the monitor to prevent screen tearing, too.
A reasonable entryway to ultra wide and FreeSync
If you’re running games using AMD- or Intel-based graphics and want to get into ultra wide displays without spending a fortune, this is the gaming monitor to look out for. At 34 inches diagonally, the LG 34UC79G-B is equipped with AMD FreeSync for screen tear elimination and a 21:9 aspect ratio best suited for games and cinema. Despite the resolution being lower than a lot of other widescreen displays on the market, there’s no denying that the LG 34UC79G-B pulls off a crisp image nonetheless – and with stunning color accuracy at that.
