Best Gaming Monitors of 2026: Every Resolution Tested

Gaming monitors have never been this good. OLED panels deliver perfect blacks and instant response times, while high-refresh IPS screens push past 300Hz for competitive play. We tested 14 monitors across every major resolution.

What Gamers Need

Response time and refresh rate matter most for competitive gaming. Color accuracy and contrast ratio matter for immersive single-player games. HDR support with local dimming or OLED makes supported games look spectacular.

Top Picks

Best Overall: LG 27GS95QE (27” 1440p OLED 240Hz)

This is the monitor we would buy with our own money. The WOLED panel delivers infinite contrast, true blacks, and 0.03ms response time. 240Hz at 1440p hits the sweet spot between resolution and performance. Colors are vivid out of the box with near-perfect sRGB coverage.

Best 4K: Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (32” 4K 240Hz)

If your GPU can push 4K frames, the G8 rewards you with stunning clarity on an OLED panel. 240Hz at 4K requires a top-tier card, but even at lower frame rates the OLED picture quality is breathtaking.

Best Budget: Gigabyte M27Q X (27” 1440p IPS 240Hz)

Under 300 dollars, the M27Q X delivers fast IPS performance with excellent color accuracy. The 240Hz refresh rate is plenty for competitive gaming, and the KVM switch lets you share the monitor between PC and console.

Panel Technology

OLED offers the best image quality with perfect blacks and instant response. IPS provides good colors and wide viewing angles at lower prices. VA panels offer higher contrast than IPS but slower response times.

Sizing Guide

24 to 25 inches at 1080p for competitive gaming desks. 27 inches at 1440p for the best all-around experience. 32 inches at 4K for immersive play and productivity. Ultrawide 34 inches for cinematic gaming and multitasking.