You finally managed to buy all the components for your new gaming rig including a new (and probably overpriced) graphics card. We hope you still have some money left over, because now it's time to complete your rig with one of the best gaming monitors. Luckily, there's no shortage of gaming monitors on the market, so you have the liberty to pick up the one you want based on the GPU you just bought. After all, it's the graphics card that tells you what kind of gaming monitor is worth buying.

There are a few things to consider while shopping for gaming monitors. The one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work here, sadly, because each user has a different preference. While some users want a high-refresh-rate panel, others may want to buy a high-resolution monitor for 4K gaming. And then there are people who give more importance to extra technologies like HDMI 2.1. Keeping all that in mind, here's our list of the best gaming monitors you can buy right now. It doesn't include all the available options on the market but these are the ones that are worth considering in 2023.

Best overall gaming monitor: Samsung Odyssey G7

While 4K gaming is no longer a distant dream for gamers, it's safe to say that the majority are still leaning towards 1440p gaming. There are a ton of great 1440p gaming monitors out there that'll serve you well without costing too much money. The Samsung Odyssey G7 curved gaming monitor is one of those and it's our pick for the best overall gaming monitor you can buy in 2023.

In terms of specifications, the Samsung Odyssey G7 sports a 27-inch curved VA panel with a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,440. It supports up to a 240Hz refresh rate and has a 1ms response time, which is among the fastest you'll find. The panel peaks at 350 nits brightness and has a 2,500:1 contrast ratio. One thing that is worth pointing out about this monitor, however, is the fact that it has a 1000R curved display. This is quite a high curvature which may take a little time to get used to. But it's worth the change, as, for gaming, in particular, you'll find yourself more immersed and more comfortable.

The overall build quality of the Samsung Odyssey G7 is also among the best around. It sports an LED ring light at the back along with a sturdy stand that's capable of supporting the monitor with minimal wobble. As for the ports, you get an HDMI 2.0 port, two DisplayPort, a single 3.5mm headphone jack output, and three USB 2.0 ports. Some other noteworthy features of the Odyssey G7 curved gaming monitor include HDR, adaptive sync, and compatibility with both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync for a tear-free gaming experience.

One side note: newer versions of the Samsung Odyssey G7 have completely different specifications and pricing than this specific model we're recommending here. Double-check the specifications and make sure what you're buying is a 27-inch, 1440p, curved monitor. Other G7 models are fine but have different specifications and don't quite deliver the bang for buck the 1440p Odyssey G7 does.

Best 1440p gaming monitor: ViewSonic Elite XG270QG

While the Samsung Odyssey G7 curved gaming monitor has a great 1440p panel, if you'd prefer a flat panel you'll enjoy the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG. This one has a 27-inch 1440p display with support for up to a 165Hz refresh rate. It's a great 1440p panel that also has quite a bit of personality to it.

The ViewSonic Elite XG270QG features a 27-inch IPS display with a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,440. It has what Viewsonic calls a "borderless" design but it's not technically edge-to-edge as there is a tiny bit of side bezel. This monitor has received rave reviews from enthusiasts for both its color accuracy and response time. This monitor covers 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color space and up to 89 percent of the Adobe RGB space.

The ViewSonic Elite XG270QG also happens to be one of the fastest displays around with support for up to 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. This is a great option to consider if you're into multiplayer FPS titles like Apex Legends, Valorant, CS:GO, and more. The overall build quality of the Elite XG270QG is great. It's got an all-black body accented with RGB lighting. There's lighting at the back of the display that throws a shade of light on the wall behind the monitor. You'll also find more lights at the bottom of the panel next to the buttons. These lights can be programmed to show either static or other effects based on your mood. As for the port selection, the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG is equipped with one HDMI 2.0 port and one DisplayPort 1.4b port. Additionally, you also get three USB 3.0 ports and a single USB Type-B upstream port for connecting the monitor to your PC.

Best 4K gaming monitor: LG UltraGear 27GN950

Powerful new graphics cards like the RTX 4090 have enabled 4K gaming as the norm. If you have one of these powerful GPUs which you are looking to pair with a high-end 4K display, then we recommend picking up the LG ULtraGear 27GN950 monitor. It sports a 27-inch UHD panel with support for up to 144Hz refresh rate. That means a maximum resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 for this NanoIPS panel and a 1ms response time, too. It peaks at 400 nits of brightness and has a 1000:1 contrast ratio.

It also supports HDR which will really make some of the latest titles pop. You also have both Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync adaptive refresh, making it a great all-rounder whichever graphics card you have. The LG UltraGear 27GN950 shines in the design and build quality department too. There are slim bezels around the panel, giving it a very modern look. You also get a good quality stand that keeps this thing nice and sturdy on the desk. LG has also added some customizable lighting at the rear, but it isn't too obnoxious.

In terms of the port selection, you get two HDMI 2.0 ports along with a single DisplayPort 1.4 as part of the essentials. The gaming experience is also going to be just as good thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate support. You'll definitely need a powerful GPU to play high refresh rate games at 4K, though. But 4K is becoming more the norm, and there's absolutely no problem with being ready for the future.

Best budget 1080p gaming monitor: LG 24GN600-B UltraGear

In recent years, entry-level gaming monitors have gotten better and better while prices remain about as low as they've always been. It's not uncommon to find a 1080p display with a high refresh rate for less than $200, but LG's 24GN600-B UltraGear manages to stand out from the crowd by offering tons of features and impressive specs for just under $150.

From the front, the 24GN600-B is a pretty normal-looking 24-inch monitor. It has a thin, pure black bezel made of plastic decorated only by the LG logo. On the back, however, this monitor can only be described as gamery thanks to its purely decorative wheel-like decoration with red accents. The back of the monitor stand is also pure red. It's kind of weird that all the flashy aesthetics are put in the one area where you're the least likely to be looking, but that might work out if you prefer the basic appearance of this monitor from the front anyways.

On a technical level, the 24GN600-B has quite an impressive set of features. 1080p and a 144Hz refresh rate is nothing special these days, but this is also an IPS display with AMD FreeSync Premium. That basically ensures good color accuracy (LG says this monitor hits 99% of the sRGB color space) and good enough latency for gaming. For $150, you're getting a high refresh rate, acceptable color accuracy, and limited to no screen tearing no matter what GPU you're using, seeing as all three major vendors support FreeSync. It's hard to ask for anything more.

There are other contenders in the sub $200 segment but LG's 24GN600-B UltraGear checks off the most boxes for the least amount of money. For $50 more, you could opt for Asus's TUF Gaming VG27VH1B, which bumps up the screen size to 27 inches, the refresh rate up to 165Hz, and has a curved display. However, LG is the clear winner when it comes to value, and the 24GN600-B gets our ultimate recommendation in this category.

Best budget 1440p gaming monitor: HP X27q

These days, 1440p is becoming the new 1080p as the market moves on to higher resolutions and finds ways to offer 1440p for much less than it used to cost. There are lots of 1440p budget displays available, but HP's X27q is one of the best since it costs $260 normally but often goes on sale for less than that.

The X27q is very minimalistic when it comes to appearances. It's just a simple, flat display with a somewhat thick chin and very small, black bezels made of plastic. It comes with a fairly basic monitor stand but is also compatible with Vesa mounts in case you would rather use a third party mounting mechanism.

By the way, this monitor isn't called the X27q on every storefront for some reason, but if you're looking at a 27-inch HP monitor that features 1440p, IPS, 165Hz, and AMD FreeSync then it's the X27q we're talking about. And speaking of those specs, they're quite good for the price range and would have been pretty high-end a few short years ago. A size of 27 inches isn't large by any means but 1440p at that size is going to look really sharp. That 165Hz refresh rate is also pretty good and with AMD's FreeSync technology (which is supported on basically every GPU), you won't have to see any screen tearing.

The X27q has some highs and lows in other areas. According to Rtings, its contrast ratio is about 1,110:1, which isn't amazing, and isn't very color accurate when dealing with blacks. But it's pretty bright at roughly 400 nits, covers 100% of the sRGB and 76% of the Adobe RGB color gamuts, and has decent response time. The X27q isn't perfect, but its weaknesses don't really let it down in gaming since a high refresh rate and low response times are much more important than whether the color black looks truly black.

Best high refresh-rate Esports gaming monitor: MSI Oculux NXG253R

There are plenty of high refresh rate gaming monitors on the market but the MSI Oculux NXG253R holds a special spot. That's because this gaming monitor sports a 360Hz IPS display. It's also a G-Sync-compatible panel with rapid response times. This monitor is preferred by a lot of pro gamers who prefer high refresh-rate monitors for competitive play.

The MSI Oculux NXG253R has a 24.5-inch 1080p monitor so it's not as sharp as many other monitors mentioned in this collection. It manages to get attention, though, with its 360Hz fast IPS panel. Playing multiplayer Esports games like CS:GO and Valorant will be a treat on this monitor. This isn't the only monitor with such a high refresh rate panel, but MSI has managed to deliver a good overall experience thanks to good build quality and a decent set of features.

You can use the MSI Oculux NXG253R in both portrait and landscape orientations which also makes it a pretty versatile option. It also offers good tile adjustment for those who need it. There's very little in the name of RGB lighting on this monitor as we only have a small strip of light between the text G-Sync 360 and MSI, separating the two. In terms of the ports, the MSI Oculux NXG253R features two HDMI 2.0 ports and a DisplayPort 1.4b input. This is in addition to the 3.5mm audio port and the USB-A 3.2 upstream port.

Best ultra-wide gaming monitor: Asus ROG Strix XG49VQ

There are plenty of ultrawide monitors on the market but the Asus ROG Strix XG49VQ is the place to start for those who are moving from a standard monitor. It's not as expensive as many other ultrawide monitors on the market but still packs features that are important for gaming. The Asus ROG Strix XG49VQ sports a 49-inch panel with a maximum resolution of 3840x1080. It's a 144Hz VA panel with a 4ms response time. It has a 32:9 aspect ratio with a gentle curve to immerse you into your games.

The Asus ROG Strix XG49VQ also has pretty good image quality. It has DisplayHDR 400 and features like Shadow Boost for enhancing details in darker areas. For gaming enthusiasts, the Strix XG49VQ offers 144Hz refresh rate support with FreeSync.

In terms of the ports, we're looking at one DisplayPort and two HDMI ports along with a 3.5mm audio port. Additionally, you also get three USB ports for connecting other stuff. This monitor has a built-in speaker, so you don't have to rely on providing your own or using headphones. More pixels does mean more GPU power to push them, though, so do bear this in mind before committing. This monitor also supports the next-generation consoles. However, you will only be able to push them at the standard 16:9 aspect ratio, as neither PS5 or Xbox supports true ultrawide gaming.

Best large gaming monitor: Gigabyte Aorus FV43U

While most people don't lean towards buying monitors bigger than 32-inch, we know there are people who like to have a big-sized monitor in their gaming setups. If you are one of them, then you'd be interested in checking out the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U. This monitor is essentially a TV replacement for many as it packs a massive 43-inch panel. This one is large enough to sit close to it and enjoy content or play games. It also has a good amount of height thanks to the 16:9 aspect ratio, so it's a very different experience to using an ultrawide.

The Gigabyte Aorus FV43U comes with a 43-inch VA panel with edge array lighting and a maximum resolution of 3840x2160. This panel also supports a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, which means it's great for gaming. In addition to that, the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U also has support for FreeSync, so you can get rid of those nasty tears on AMD Radeon-powered systems.

In terms of image quality, the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U handles things very well too. It offers 1,000 nits of brightness and a 4000:1 contrast ratio. This makes it better than a lot of options mentioned in this collection. It also comes with support for DisplayHDR 1000 and HDR10 certification. Those who are looking to use this monitor with the next-generation consoles including Xbox Series X, S, and PS5 will also have a great time as it sports HDMI 2.1 ports. The Gigabyte Aorus FV43U monitor has in total a single DisplayPort 1.4 port, two HDMI 2.1 ports, a USB-C port a couple of USB 3.0 ports, and a 3.5mm jack. You also get an IR remote which makes it great for couch gaming.

Best gaming monitor with HDMI 2.1: Acer Nitro XV282K

There aren't too many gaming monitors out there right now that come with HDMI 2.1 ports. Acer, however, is one of the manufacturers to have launched a gaming monitor with an HDMI 2.1 port and it deserves a spot in our collection. This is the Acer Nitro XV282K, the company's new UHD gaming monitor.

In terms of specs, the Acer Nitro XV282K features a 27-inch 4K UDH monitor with a maximum resolution of 3840 x 2160. It's an IPS panel with support for up to 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. We're also looking at a peak brightness of 400 nits and it has a contrast ratio of 1000:1. One of the best things about this monitor is that it comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports along with a DisplayPort 1.4. You also get a 3.5mm audio port along with a USB hub. The fact that it has HDMI 2.1 ports, makes it a great option for those who are looking to pair with the next-gen consoles including Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5. HDMI 2.1 will allow you experience 4K @ 120Hz where supported.

We're looking at a 4K display with support for a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response, so it's very similar in specs to the LG UltraGear monitor that we've added as our pick for the best 4K gaming monitor. There's not much to talk about the design of the Acer Nitro XV282K, though. It's a fairly simple-looking monitor that lacks any kind of "gaming" aesthetics. It doesn't have an edge-to-edge panel but the bezels around the display are quite minimal. The stand looks very basic too but at least it does a good job of holding the monitor in place. The stand also offers a good amount of adjustment options, so that's good.

Best gaming monitors to buy in 2023: Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a lot of options to consider in the gaming monitor space. The Samsung Odyssey G7 is the best overall gaming monitor you can buy right now. It's got a curved screen though and that's not for everyone, so you may have to look at other options like the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG. If you're looking to buy a 4K gaming monitor then you should consider either the LG UltraGear 27GN950 or the Acer Nitro XV282K which comes with HDMI 2.1 ports. Additionally, we've also added some other options including the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U and the ASUS ROG Strix XG49VQ too, so be sure to check them out.

If you're not particularly looking for just gaming monitors, then you might want to check out our collection of the best monitors. That list has a lot more options to choose including the ones for productivity. And if you are building a new setup from scratch, then we have some other collection articles that you might be interested in including the best webcams and the best mechanical keyboards. Alternatively, you can also join our XDA Computing Forums to discuss your setup or get more product recommendations from the experts in our community.