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. On test, the PG32UQ performed very well indeed, producing a very wide gamut of colours with good accuracy. It’s a great monitor for gaming, with strong motion handling and good viewing angles. Vibrant to the point of excess and obnoxiously large, the PG32UQ is one of the best monitors we’ve tested for sheer immersion.

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

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In terms of sheer bandwidth, HDMI 2.1 48Gbps easily handles 4K 120Hz with full HDR and no compromises on color. It is also capable of 4K 144Hz with tweaked settings if you prefer a higher framerate.

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. 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. 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. 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’ve tried to include monitors that fit into all of the above categories on our list. How much should I spend?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.

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. 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? 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. 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.

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. In terms of sheer bandwidth, HDMI 2.1 48Gbps easily handles 4K 120Hz with full HDR and no compromises on color. It is also capable of 4K 144Hz with tweaked settings if you prefer a higher framerate. 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. There’s an entry-level HDR 400 certification here, but it doesn’t mean much: this is a great-value monitor, but it’s not a miracle worker, and as such HDR is largely just for show. But you’re getting a decent stand with tilt, swivel and height adjustment (130mm of it), and a panel that delivers the goods in most ways, and that’s more than enough at this price.