Nowadays, the best 144Hz monitors aren’t what you might expect. It used to be the case that 1440p at 144Hz was widely recognised as the so-called “sweet spot” for PC gaming, the optimum output for the average gaming rig. As a result, 144Hz and 1440p walked hand-in-hand incredibly often. We don’t mean famously high FPS titles like Rainbow Six Siege, Fortnite, or Counter Strike, but rather stuff such as God of War PC, Dying Light 2, and Forza Horizon 5, as examples. You’ll need at least 12GB of video memory, and if you prefer an AMD graphics card then your best options are RX 6900 XT or RX 6800 XT. Although the LG UltraWide 38WN95C isn’t a gaming monitor per se, it has all the necessary credentials, including a 144Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time and support for both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. It’s a 38in curved ultrawide monitor with a high resolution and a price tag to match, but that’s okay: this monitor earns its keep. With Thunderbolt USB-C support, a two-port USB-A hub and a versatile stand with height adjustment and swivel, there’s very little the 38WN95C can’t do. Technology keeps getting better, and that applies to PC and console gaming. Case in point, in the not so distant past 1080p 144Hz was considered high end. However, frame rate and resolution increases are important. We gradually went to setups with 4K 120K, but now in early 2022 4K 144Hz is fast becoming popular and trending upwards. Key specs – Screen size: 32in; Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160; Screen technology: IPS; Refresh rate: 144Hz; Response time: 1ms; Video inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4; Other ports: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB-B 3.0

BenQ MOBIUZ Gaming Monitors | BenQ UK

The G27QC is 27in across the diagonal with a moderate 1500R curve that mitigates the poor viewing angles caused by the VA panel. It’s bright and colourful, with excellent contrast (3,100:1 out of the box) and decent colour accuracy for the price. This is a gaming monitor for casual players who enjoy a good RPG, rather than esports professionals looking for the most responsive panel around. This depends on the resolution you choose. Assuming you’re after a 1440p monitor to enjoy the “sweet spot”, anything from 24in-27in is ideal, although this is applicable to 1080p monitors too. 4K monitors usually sit in the 27in-32in range. Think about how close you sit and how much screen real estate you need (if for example, you’re going to work on the same monitor). What other specifications should I look out for? It’s also supremely practical, with a two-port USB-A hub joining that remarkable stand to strengthen this monitor’s productivity credentials. Only a USB-C port would have sweetened the deal. This is not an overwhelming level of brightness like with some monitors that push out 1000 nits or more at desktop viewing distances. That can be quite a strain on the eyes for many people.

The panel is excellent. It’s remarkably colour-accurate and produces a wide gamut for vivid colours both in and out of HDR. Speaking of which: this monitor has an HDR 600 certification with 16-zone edge-lit local dimming, which means you can expect a slightly higher standard of HDR performance from the 279M1RV than most gaming monitors. This is a vibrant monitor capable of detailed shadows and responsive, fluid gameplay – and believe it or not, it’s usually pretty decent value, too (although the price has shot up recently for reasons unknown).

BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P 24 Inch 144Hz Gaming Monitor, 1080P 1ms BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P 24 Inch 144Hz Gaming Monitor, 1080P 1ms

Much simpler situation here. Xbox Series X and PS5 work great via HDMI 2.1 and support 4K 120Hz. At this time most games on the two run at 4K 60Hz tops, but we expect the situation to improve over the next two years, with more titles reaching 4K 120Hz. Ultrawide monitors come in all manner of resolutions but often refresh at 144Hz, so it’s worth keeping them in mind if you value screen real estate. These are typically more expensive and demanding on your hardware than their 16:9 equivalents. If you are running Win 10, follow this: Setting > System > Display > Advanced Display Settings > Display Adapter Properties. The average PC gamer might want to consider a 165Hz monitor over a 144Hz one, at least at 1440p. The difference isn’t particularly noticeable but you’ll have much more choice, because many manufacturers are opting for 165Hz these days.

Don’t limit your search to a single panel type: we include this information simply so you know what to expect from the monitor you choose. Connectivity: Additional ports beyond the usual HDMI/DP/3.5mm are useful if you have a lot of wired peripherals. Gaming PCs are usually well-equipped in this regard which makes connectivity a secondary concern for most PC gamers. If you’re on a laptop, however, you may want to consider spending extra on a monitor with a USB-A hub or even USB-C connectivity.

BenQ ZOWIE XL2411 24 Inch 144 Hz e-Sports Gaming Monitor with BenQ ZOWIE XL2411 24 Inch 144 Hz e-Sports Gaming Monitor with

You caught us: this isn’t a 144Hz monitor. The Gigabyte G27QC is instead a 1440p gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate, which to us is the current sweet spot for PC gaming and the best choice for most people. If within your budget, then definitely. In mid-2022, 4K 144Hz may not yet be entirely mainstream, but that’s where things are heading for games. Going with such a monitor buys you a lot of headroom and future proofing, so unless you tend to replace monitors every couple of years, this is a good investment.

It also covers the more mundane stuff, with a versatile stand and two USB-A ports for peripherals. But we all know that’s not why you’re eyeing up this beast of a display. Key specs – Screen size: 27in; Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440; Screen technology: VA; Refresh rate: 165Hz; Response time: 1ms; Video inputs: 2 x HDMI 2, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4; Other ports: 2 x USB-A 3.0, 1 x USB-B 3.0, 1 x 3.5mm We’ve tried to include monitors that fit into all of the above categories on our list. How much should I spend? The BenQ Mobiuz EX2710 is a well-equipped 1080p monitor that will suit anyone with a low-to-mid-range gaming PC, a fairly tight budget and a desire to hit 144Hz. At 27in, this is as big as you’d want a 1080p monitor to be. It’s bold, bright and colourful, with low response times and good motion handling and viewing angles courtesy of its IPS panel. It nailed our in-house colour accuracy tests and proved enjoyable to use both in work and on the virtual battlefield. x 2,160) is the high-end option. Only buy a 4K monitor if you have a top-of-the-line gaming PC or next-gen console, or you’ll be wasting the 144Hz refresh rate.

BenQ Monitors | BenQ UK

This is the first time HDMI has been able to work in such a high refresh. You can also opt for 1440p on HDMI 2.1. HDR: High dynamic range isn’t a huge consideration unless you have a big budget – most gaming monitors struggle to deliver anything resembling true HDR. If you want that, however, start by looking for monitors with a DisplayHDR 600 certification and some kind of local dimming. At 27in, the Philips Momentum 279M1RV is a nice compromise for gamers who are cash rich but space poor. It’s another gorgeous 4K monitor built for Xbox Series X/S and PS5, with HDMI 2.1 support alongside the usual DP 1.4 port for PC. It’s ridiculously well-connected, with four USB-A ports and even a USB-C port for power delivery and video transmission, and it sits on a stand with height adjustment and swivel. It’s even got Philips Ambiglow lighting on the rear, so the wall behind the monitor is illuminated while you play. This is another sensationally vibrant monitor that produces 94% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut with great accuracy. It’s responsive and bright, with the hallmarks of an IPS panel visible in its good viewing angles (made even better by the curvature) and great motion handling. Sure, the contrast could be better, but when there’s so much else going for this monitor it’s hard to complain too much – especially as there’s no HDR certification here.This is the most important consideration here, as it will inform your budget and your choice of screen size. For the unaware, these are your options: