HomeNotificationsNewslettersNextShare

PC monitors with a high refresh rate for gaming

PC monitors with a high refresh rate for gaming
As gaming has become highly competitive, even a delay of milliseconds can be the difference between victory and defeat. To execute your game plans well, having the best gaming monitor with you is essential. While there are plenty of options in the market, it is important to look at the monitors with high refresh rate, FreeSync technology for variable refresh rate and high response time.
A high refresh rate in combination with a high response time ensures that there is no tear on your screen and you get smoother images throughout the game. Refresh rate is the maximum number of times an image on the screen gets updated in a second.
In the market there are endless options, so to help you we have rounded up some of the best PC monitors with a high refresh rate which you can buy from Amazon.

How we do our research


Our ranking criteria


We consider each PC monitor's features, including screen size, resolution, energy efficiency, design, the technology used, number of ports, sound output, response time and more. Additionally, we also consider other factors such as price and brand.

Things to look for while buying


Screen size and resolution


When it comes to the monitor size, bigger is not always better – you have to take pixel density into account.
Pixel density is a pixel per inch ratio of the monitor’s size and resolution. If a gaming monitor has low pixel density then the image and video will look pixelated, meaning there will be limited screen space and a lack of details.
The ideal resolution of a 27-inch monitor is 2560 x 1440 pixels, which results in a pixel density of ~109 pixels per inch. This means you get the perfect amount of screen space and details without any scaling issues.
Coming to screen size, 24-inch Full HD display (1920 x 1080 pixels). It has a pixel density of ~81 PPI, which means that the picture and video might look a little pixelated.

Refresh rate


When looking for a PC monitor for gaming, check the refresh rate that is measured in hertz (Hz). It reflects how many times the monitor will refresh the screen each second. The higher the refresh rate, the better it is.
60Hz is considered the bare minimum for gaming monitors. You can also go for 240Hz monitors if you want the top-of-the-line gaming experience. Also, make sure you have a powerful graphics card to run games at higher frame rates.

Response time


The other thing to consider is response time. It means how long it takes each pixel to change from one setting to another. It is measured in milliseconds (ms).
In a monitor look for sub-5ms response time, but getting it low to 2ms and 1ms is even better. Response time is important because fast motion in game can lead to ghosting or blur issues, if the response time is not low. Higher refresh rate with fast response time will give you the best gaming experience.
Another feature to look out for is G-Sync/FreeSync. It will synchronize the gaming monitor refresh rate with the FPS (frames per second) of the game you’re playing, giving you a much smoother gaming experience.

Curved and flat monitors


Both curved and flat monitors have their own advantages and disadvantages, but the choice you make will depend on your gaming style and personal preference.
Flat monitors are available in 21:9 and 16:9 sizes. They are budget-friendly when compared to curved monitors. Some of the games do not support the 21:9 ratio which means the edges of your screen can be left blank and unused when playing on a flat monitor.
Coming to curved monitors, they offer a greater field of view, enhancing your gaming experience. They also place less strain on the eyes because the image is closer to the eyes when compared to a flat monitor.

Colour Gamut


The bare minimum should be close to 100% sRGB coverage. This is a solid baseline and will provide good colour reproduction.

Features comparison


MonitorsFeaturesScreen sizeProduct link
Acer Nitro Full HD Gaming MonitorPS Panel, FreeSync, 165Hz23.8- inchBuy On
BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710S165Hz, 1ms, AMD FreeSync Premium27- inchBuy On
ViewSonic Omni Gaming MonitorIPS Panel, Frameless, 144Hz24- inchBuy On
MSI Optix 144Hz, AMD FreeSync, Anti-Flicker24- inchBuy On
LG UltraGearRadeon Freesync, 144Hz24- inchBuy On


Acer Nitro VG240Y 23.8 inch Full HD Gaming Monitor

PC monitors with a high refresh rate for gaming
Acer Nitro is a gaming monitor that comes with a high refresh rate of 165Hz. It claims to give an immersive and fluid gaming experience with its fast response time of 0.5ms. The monitor comes with AMD FreeSync technology that nullifies the tearing and stuttering on the screen. It supports 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio and claims to display clear images with detailed graphics. Acer Nitro VG240Y is equipped with Black Boost technology that generates uniform blacks and makes visibility of darker scenes in a game better. It has a frameless design that makes viewing in a multi-monitor setup seamless. This monitor offers 165Hz refresh rate, which is an overkill for most games available.

ProsCons
Value for moneyBasic design
High refresh rateNo speakers

ViewSonic XG2405 (24 Inch) Full HD Gaming Monitor

PC monitors with a high refresh rate for gaming
ViewSonic XG2405 is a 24-inch Full HD gaming monitor that works on an IPS panel. It is a high-performance monitor with a high 144Hz refresh rate and a super-fast 1ms response time. With the presence of AMD FreeSync technology, the monitor eliminates screen tearing and stuttering. These features make the gaming experience very fluid and smooth. ViewSonic XG2405 has a frameless display that is borderless on three sides and it can also be used in a multi-monitor setup. The ViewSonic XG2405 24-inch monitor is well suited for gamers who need a smaller display size.
ProsCons
Affordable priceLacks durability
High refresh rateNo speakers

BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710S

PC monitors with a high refresh rate for gaming
The BenQ MOBIUZ has a 165Hz refresh rate and a fast IPS panel that gives a blur-free performance. This gaming monitor does not have an aggressive look as it has a matte black finish. The bezel-free display gives a bigger screen impression which gives you a seamless gaming experience.Another feature of BenQ Mobiuz is that it has a sensor that hangs out from the bottom bezel. This sensor detects the ambient lighting and adjusts the screen accordingly. You will also get swivel, tilt, and height adjustments for your convenience.
ProsCons
Good colour and contrastLimited HDR capabilities
Built-in audioLimited port selection

MSI Optix G24C4

PC monitors with a high refresh rate for gaming
With a curved screen and high refresh rate, low input lag, this gaming monitor syncs well with PlayStation 5. The good quality of pictures and fluid motion and a good response time give a responsive gaming experience.The MSI G24C4 doesn’t get very bright as it manages 230 cd/m2 at 100% brightness. However, it still manages higher than TN and IPS monitors which means black luminance is still deep and convincing when compared.
ProsCons
Value for moneyBad ergonomics
Great contrast ratioPoor viewing angles

LG UltraGear

PC monitors with a high refresh rate for gaming
The LG UltraGear is a 24-inch 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor with MBR technology. This gaming monitor encompasses everything which you need for PlayStation 5. The colours in LG UltraGear are not as rich as IPS and VA panel displays, but you will get a quick 1ms response time. The quick response time will give you a smooth gameplay experience. The LG 24GL600F supports 1080p resolution and AMD FreeSync, to give a variable refresh rate (VRR).
ProsCons
High HDR brightness and contrastDurability
Smooth gaming experienceLimited ports

DISCLAIMER: The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.


Best affordable waterproof Bluetooth speakers
Best compact Bluetooth speakers that are easy to carry around
Best truly wireless earbuds that offer long battery life