While gaming laptops are becoming more powerful, the PC hasn’t been ousted completely just yet. Especially because for many gamers, the bigger the screen, the better. You can pair a dedicated gaming monitor with a laptop or PC for crisp, quick play. And much like flat-screen TVs, quality monitors have become increasingly affordable, with most costing under $1,000.

Check out quick info below of the top five gaming monitors, then scroll deeper for more helpful buying info and full reviews of those models, plus other high-ranking options.

Highest Rated Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ ASUS bestbuy.com $1,999.99 SHOP NOW Total Expert Score: 92/100 For an unbelievably high price, you can get an almost unbelievable monitor. Curved Samsung 49-Inch CHG90 amazon.com $1,099.99 $899.99 (18% off) Shop Now Total Expert Score: 80/100 This wide, curved model does as much as two screens (at a comparable price). Ultra-Wide Dell Alienware 1900R amazon.com Shop Now Total Expert Score: 86/100 Ultra-wide and fast, the Alienware provides precise and detailed graphics. For Pros BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 amazon.com $399.00 Shop Now Total Expert Score: 90/100 With a blazing refresh rate and response time, this monitor can run it all. Best Value ViewSonic XG2402 amazon.com $239.99 Shop Now Total Expert Score: 86/100 This budget model offers fast performance and crisp resolution for a great price.

Features to Consider Before Buying

Because monitors may appear to look the same before you use them, here are the features to look for, besides selecting a suitable size for your available desk space.

Resolution: This is how clear and crisp your images are. Generally, the higher the numbers, the better. While 1920 x 1080 pixels is common among gaming laptops, many of these screens will be much higher, giving you a cleaner image.

Contrast ratio: Determining the difference between white and black, a decent contrast ratio typically ranges from 1,000:1 to 3,000:1, with higher ratios indicating better, more distinct colors.

Refresh rate: Here as well, the higher the number is, the better. Refresh rate indicates how many frames will display per second. 60Hz is the low end and could cause some tearing in the image. On the other end of the spectrum, 144Hz is generally the top end for most monitors, making gameplay seamless.

Aspect ratio: This indicates the width and height of your monitor. The larger the first number is, the wider the screen will be, giving you a more immersive gaming experience. An aspect ratio of 16:9 is considered the average, with 21:9 being ultra-wide.

How We Selected and Rated These Monitors

We researched 10 expert sources such as Tech Radar , Consumer Reports , and PC Magazine , as well as 2,400 consumer reviews to select the top gaming monitors. Our Consumer Score represents the percentage of customers who rated the product at least four out of five stars on retail sites like Amazon, Walmart , and the manufacturers’ pages.

—HIGHEST RATED—

Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ

Total Expert Score: 92/100 | Consumer Score: 86% gave it 4 stars or higher

For an unbelievably high price, you can get an almost unbelievable monitor.

Screen size: 27 inches | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Contrast ratio: 50,000:1 | Refresh rate: 144Hz



Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ ASUS bestbuy.com $1,999.99 SHOP NOW Incredible contrast ratio

Great resolution Expensive for its size

Multiple expert reviews named this the best gaming monitor, possibly ever. But the price is so ridiculously high, it has to be knocked down a peg for affordability. With insane resolution, a contrast ratio of 50,000:1, and refresh rate of 144Hz, the Asus ROG Swift really is unrivaled by any other gaming monitor on the market. So if you’re willing and able to drop $1.5k on a monitor (which, at 27 inches, is honestly kind of small), then go for it. While your financial advisor may not approve, you’ll dominate Fortnite with your blazing fast building skills.

—CURVED—

Samsung CRG9 Curved

Total Expert Score: 80/100 | Consumer Score: 83% gave it 4 stars or higher

This wide, curved model does as much as two screens (at a comparable price).



Screen size: 49 inches | Aspect ratio: 32:9 | Resolution: 3840 x 1080 | Contrast ratio: 3,000:1 | Refresh rate: 144Hz

SAMSUNG Samsung 49-Inch CHG90 Curved Gaming Monitor $1,099.99 $899.99 (18% off) SHOP NOW amazon.com Huge, immersive display

Height adjustable stand Pricey and large

If “big” is your sole buying criteria, look no further. But besides being larger than the average flatscreen, Samsung’s curved monitor is one of the most innovative. Able to support a dual-screen presentation, it may be expensive, but can save you the hassle of purchasing a second monitor if you desire more space. In addition to its curved design, its thin bezel provides players with an impressively immersive experience. If you decide to drop a pretty penny on this monitor, be aware that an equally powerful gaming PC is necessary to get the full performance out of it.

—ULTRA-WIDE—

Dell Alienware 34

Total Expert Score: 86/100 | Consumer Score: 84% gave it 4 stars or higher

Big and with OK speed, the Alienware provides precise and detailed graphics.

Screen size: 34 inches | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3440 x 1440 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Refresh rate: 120Hz

Alienware Alienware 1900R 34.1” Gaming Monitor SHOP NOW amazon.com Ultra-wide immersive screen Fairly large

Expensive

Alienware is consistently at the top when it comes to gaming technology—check out its highly rated laptop here —and this monitor is no exception. It has a decent refresh rate and a crisp display which makes games appear smoother and more detailed. It should be noted however, that the incredible resolution can make game play less smooth. While 120Hz is a fine refresh rate, it may not be able to play without some minor tearing as high resolution requires a fast refresh rate to work properly. “A 21:9 aspect ratio means the screen is a lot wider on the horizontal plane,” wrote Tech Radar. “This extra visual real estate doesn’t just benefit games, as a wider screen can help productivity as well, allowing you to have far more open windows than usual.” While it can serve double-duty for work and games, it’s certainly not a wallet or space saver.

—FOR PROS—

BenQ ZOWIE XL2540

Total Expert Score: 90/100 | Consumer Score: 88% gave it 4 stars or higher

With a blazing refresh rate and response time, this monitor can run it all.

Screen size: 24 inches | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Refresh rate: 240Hz

BenQ BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 25.4” Gaming Monitor $399.00 SHOP NOW amazon.com Extremely fast refresh rate

Shield to block distractions Smaller screen

This BenQ monitor has a 240Hz refresh rate—that’s about 100Hz more than the second best on this list. With such a high speed, it can run any game without issue. If you’re looking for speed and seamless playing, this should be your go-to. However, its 24-inch screen is on the small side, so it may lack the immersive experience you’d get from a larger monitor. It does, however, include a removable shield that can help block out distractions. (But if you’re like most of us and play with the monitor against a wall, this feature may not make a huge difference.)

—BEST VALUE—

ViewSonic XG2402

Total Expert Score: 86/100 | Consumer Score: 85% gave it 4 stars or higher

This budget model offers fast performance and crisp resolution at a great price.

Screen size: 24 inches | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Refresh rate: 144Hz

ViewSonic ViewSonic XG2402 $239.99 SHOP NOW amazon.com Affordable

High refresh rate Lower quality display

For gamers trying to not break the bank, ViewSonic offers an excellent option in the XG2402. While its screen is relatively small, it makes up for it with speedy gameplay at 144Hz—a refresh rate usually seen on costlier models. ViewSonic pairs that with a low resolution to ensure tear-free gameplay. Despite not having the most crisp display, ViewSonic’s image quality is perfectly acceptable for most gamers, especially considering it comes at a fraction of the price of other models.

—BEST VALUE WIDE ANGLE—

Dell Ultra Sharp LED-Lit

Total Expert Score: 77/100 | Consumer Score: 87% gave it 4 stars or higher

Score great wide-angle views without emptying your wallet.

Screen size: 25 inches | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Refresh rate: 60Hz



DELL UltraSharp U2518D 25 Dell walmart.com $448.00 SHOP NOW Great value

Impressive graphics Slow refresh rate

At under $500, this Dell monitor is accessible for new gamers without sacrificing quality. The high resolution gives you a crystal clear image, ensuring you get the most out of detailed games. Unfortunately, high resolution can also mean some tearing—and the 60Hz is not a very fast turnover. Due to its small size and low refresh rate, it won’t need a super powerful processor to function properly. But if you’re looking for a monitor to double for both work and play, this is a great choice. “The thin screen bezel is nice and has that modern day sleek appeal to it, so it adds to the decor of my home office,” wrote an reviewer. “Screen size real estate is nice, so you have the ability to have multiple apps open, which aids in productivity and multitasking.”



—BEST VALUE CURVED—

AOC Agon AG352UCG6 Curved

Total Expert Score: 83/100 | Consumer Score: 76% gave it 4 stars or higher

The blackest blacks get you the most out of your graphics.



Screen size: 49 inches | Aspect ratio: 32:9 | Resolution: 3840 x 1080 | Contrast ratio: 3,000:1 | Refresh rate: 120Hz

AOC Agon AG352UCG6 35” Curved Gaming Monitor $510.04 SHOP NOW amazon.com Good for work and play

Large display Fewer ports

If graphics are your main concern, the AOC Agon could be your monitor. Especially for its price, it has an incredible contrast ratio to bring graphics and tiny details to life. The 120Hz refresh rate is also quick enough to keep the game running smoothly. “It’s a huge monitor that will fill your field of vision, and if you love being fully immersed in your games then it’s well worth considering,” wrote Tech Radar. “It’s also a damn good monitor when you’re not gaming, with the high 3440 x 1440 resolution giving you plenty of space when using your PC for work.”