On the subject of PC gaming, 4K is wave of the longer term. You not want an ultra-powerful PC to get pleasure from it because of options like Nvidia DLSS and AMD Fluid Movement Frames. Monitors just like the ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDM, our primary choose, can show extraordinarily detailed pictures, unbelievable colours, and excessive body charges, and all whereas nonetheless providing glorious responsiveness. And for those who look and discover that the value or PC necessities are too excessive, there are a ton of nice gaming displays on the market.
TL;DR – These Are the Best 4K Gaming Monitors:
A 4K gaming monitor is the last word approach to expertise your favourite PC video games, offering unbelievable sharpness with 4 occasions the decision of a 1080p gaming monitor. Increasingly shows are that includes this excessive decision, and extra graphics playing cards are in a position to run it properly, making it extra accessible than ever. To assist slender your search, we’ve examined and researched dozens of choices, bringing you our high ten 4K gaming displays – and click here to find them in the UK.
Extra contributions by Danielle Abraham and Matthew S. Smith.
On the lookout for financial savings? These are the finest gaming monitor offers occurring now.
1. Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDP
Best 4k Gaming Monitor
Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDP
1
WOLED gaming monitor with 480HBz refresh charge and 4K@240Hz
Decision
3,840 x 2,160 / 1,920 x 1080
HDR compatibility
DisplayHDR 400 True Black
Refresh charge
240Hz / 480 Hz
Inputs
2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB-C (DisplayPort mode), 3 x USB-A, 1 x USB-B
In case you’re on the lookout for one of the best of he finest and do not thoughts paying for it, the Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDP is the monitor for you. At 32-inches, it is the proper dimension to soak up the entire particulars of its crisp 4K decision. Its WOLED – that is white OLED, to not be confused with QD, or Quantum Dot OLED – panel is exceptionally vivid and gives unbelievable colours which might be manufacturing facility calibrated, making it an excellent alternative for inventive work in addition to top-tier gaming. And since it has a devoted white LED, it is extra energy environment friendly and may last more than competing QD-OLED displays.
What really units this monitor aside is its versatility. You are in a position to recreation in 4K in beautiful element as much as 240Hz, but it surely additionally gives a particular 480Hz mode for subsequent stage readability and responsiveness. This mode drops the decision to 1080p, permitting extra graphics playing cards to realize that body charge and revel in its advantages. It additionally gives Excessive Low Movement Blur (ELMB) that improves movement blur even additional. It is one of many solely displays on this listing that gives a measureable enchancment to movement blur and readability a lot that you’ll inform the distinction straight away even for those who’re an off-the-cuff gamer.
There’s additionally a large suite of gaming options that may additionally provide a bonus in aggressive matches. Some even push the road on what’s moral to make use of, just like the Sniper Mode, which provides you a reticle and a zoomed in window, proper within the heart of your display. We’ll depart that as much as you, however the Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDP is well one of the best monitor of 2024 thus far.
IGN Evaluate: 9 out of 10 – Amazing
2. LG UltraGear 27GN95B-B
Best Mid-Vary 4K Gaming Monitor
LG UltraGear 27GN95B-B
0
Sport in 4K at 144Hz on this 27-inch monitor with an IPS panel that gives strong viewing angles, respectable distinction, and glorious colour efficiency.
Panel sort
IPS FreeSync Premium Professional, G-Sync suitable
Brightness
450 nits, 750 nits (peak)
Inputs
2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort, 2x USB
It’s onerous to not fall for the LG UltraGear 27GN95B-B. This monitor helps you to recreation in 4K at 144Hz with out breaking a sweat or the financial institution. You’ll get pleasure from these tremendous clean, stutter-free frames because of each G-Sync compatibility and FreeSync Premium Professional assist, whereas a 1ms response time additional improves movement constancy. To benefit from this monitor, you’ll be able to hook up your PC or next-gen console to the DisplayPort 1.4, as the 2 HDMI inputs solely assist 4K/60Hz.
Whereas gaming, you’ll get pleasure from watching the motion on the superbly sized 27-inch monitor with an IPS panel that gives strong viewing angles. The LG UltraGear 27GN95B-B isn’t the brightest monitor round, however with DisplayHDR 600 and a 750 nit peak brightness, you’ll get respectable distinction and deep blacks to uncover enemies hiding within the shadows. The show’s colour efficiency and readability are additionally top-notch, making certain you’ll be able to benefit from your video games.
3. Gigabyte M27U
Best Funds 4K Gaming Monitor
Gigabyte M27U
0
HDR compatibility
DisplayHDR 400 True Black
Brightness
400 cd/m2 (~700 cd/m2 peak)
Inputs
2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB Kind-C, 3x USB 3.2 Downstream ports, 1x USB 3.2 Upstream port, 1x Earphone Jack
The Gigabyte M27U might stretch the definition of “finances” however not by a lot and we suggest you save up the additional $30 or so to select it up for your self. In comparison with most 4K gaming displays round this worth, it gives a greater image and nice HDR expertise because of its excessive peak brightness and edge-lit native dimming.
Image high quality is what you are after with a 4K gaming monitor and the Gigabyte M27U is finest at school at this worth level. In SDR, it tops out proper round 400 nits, however activate HDR and that jumps to simply below 700 nits. Which means brighter highlights and colours that bounce off the display for a extra pleasurable gaming expertise. It additionally options an array of native dimming zones which assist enhance distinction past what typical IPS panels are able to.
The monitor additionally has a pleasant array of gaming options. You’ll be able to activate an on-screen reticle for video games that lack them, peek into the shadows with Shadow Enhance, and extra. It is impressively straightforward to entry these options, and all of its image settings, utilizing Gigabyte’s OSD Sidekick software program, saving you from fumbling via menus with its bodily controls. It is also an excellent alternative for those who plan to make use of it with a couple of system or get pleasure from swapping to a console, as a built-in KVM permits you to change inputs and take your mouse and keyboard with you with a push of a button.
The one draw back is that you will have to decide on between these native dimming zones and peak brightness. With the native dimming function enabled, full display brightness is diminished and you will solely see these excessive figures in highlights. Turning off native dimming unlocks it for the entire display. In our opinion, it is a truthful trade-off however you’ll be able to rely on an excellent gaming expertise both approach.
4. LG UltraGear 48GQ900
Best Massive Display 4K Gaming Monitor
LG UltraGear 48GQ900-B
14
VRR, a 0.1ms response, a 120Hz/4K refresh charge, and ample connectivity make this huge OLED monitor with vivid colours and deep blacks shine in console gaming.
Panel sort
OLED, G-Sync Suitable, AMD FreeSync
Brightness
450 cd/m2 (~600 cd/m2 peak)
Inputs
3x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0
The LG UltraGear 48GQ900 is basically every thing we love concerning the newest LG C3, among the finest gaming TVs, however become an outsized gaming monitor. After all, with an OLED panel, you get all the advantages of true blacks, infinite distinction, and eye-popping colour. That OLED panel additionally lends you loads of gaming advantages together with an extremely low 0.1ms response time whereas displaying extremely clean movement.
In case you’ve been on the fence between a giant display pc monitor and TV, there are good causes to decide on the 48GQ900 as an alternative. For starters, it gives DisplayPort connectivity, which the LG C3 and different TVs lack. It additionally gives standby mode, so that you need not fear about reaching for the distant each time you sit down at your pc (although it features a distant too!). It additionally comes with a desk-friendly stand and may overclock as much as 138Hz for extremely clean gameplay.
The draw back to a monitor this dimension is that it is just too huge to comfortably use at a desk with out turning your head. Which means you may have to look right into a monitor arm to set it again just some extra inches or discover one other approach to place it additional again than a smaller monitor. One other sacrifice is its peak brightness in HDR, which is round 600 nits, and is a byproduct of the older OLED tech utilized in its design. Nonetheless, this can be a nice alternative for those who crave that huge display gaming expertise. And consider us after we say, for those who use it at a desk, it is extremely immersive.
IGN Evaluate: 8 out of 10 – Nice
5. Dell Alienware AW3225QF
Best OLED Monitor for Sequence X/S
Alienware AW3225QF
1
A big 32” curved show with seems to be and specs to match its dimension. 4k UHD, super-powered 0.3ms response occasions, and 240hz; that is what a premium gaming monitor seems to be like.
Panel sort
QD-OLED, Adaptive-Sync, G-Sync Suitable
HDR compatibility
DisplayHDR 400, HDR10, Dolby Imaginative and prescient
Brightness
250 cd/m2 (1,000 cd/m2 peak)
Inputs
2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
Flat panels have been in vogue for 2024, however the Alienware AW3225QF steps in as the only option for avid gamers that may’t dwell with out the curve. Its 32-inch dimension and 240Hz decision guarantee a gameplay expertise that’s immersive and clean. With its quantum dot panel, colours are as wealthy as they’re correct. Its curve is mild however works to attract you into your recreation with out distorting textual content like deeper curves may. It is well-rounded and glorious.
The monitor includes a 240Hz refresh charge which, when paired with its 0.3ms response time, makes it an excellent alternative for aggressive avid gamers. You will not want to fret about ghosting as you frag enemies right here. And due to its extensive VRR assist and body charge vary, you’ll be able to confidently bounce into video games understanding that your expertise shall be clean and tear-free.
The above is true for many new flagship OLEDs, however what units the AW3225QF is its HDR expertise. In SDR, brightness often hovers round 250 nits, however highlights can pop all the way in which to 1,000 nits in HDR. In contrast to most competing displays, it additionally helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient for streaming films and TV exhibits, and likewise helps eARC for connecting a soundbar.
Whether or not you are a devoted PC gamer or a console gamer seeking to stage up your expertise with a mild however noticeable curve, the Alienware AW3225QF is a killer alternative.
What to Search for in a 4K Gaming Monitor
In case you’re out there for a brand new 4K gaming monitor, contemplate the options and kind of picture you hope to get pleasure from and examine that along with your finances. During the last couple of years, 4K gaming displays have actually come into their very own. Extremely HD shows with excessive refresh charges are straightforward to search out after they was once rarities. In the present day, you will discover choices properly beneath $400 and nonetheless get pleasure from refresh charges as much as 144Hz with assist for gaming options like Nvidia G-Sync and HDR assist. Whereas all respectable 4K gaming displays ought to ship a crisp picture, for those who’re prepared to pay extra, you’ll be able to anticipate higher picture high quality, brightness, options and settings, and panel varieties. Relying on what you are on the lookout for, it may be clever to attend and save just a bit longer than you deliberate to amass one of the best monitor on your explicit wants.
Aside from price, there are a selection of different essential issues to make, beginning with dimension. Typically talking, something beneath 27-inches will see much less of a profit from leaping to 4K for many customers. Whereas it is true that smaller sizes end in larger pixel densities, keep in mind that 4K decision equates to greater than eight million pixels and past a sure level, enhancements to image readability develop into a lot much less perceptible. As a rule, 27 to 32 inches is a candy spot for Extremely HD, however there are alternatives as much as 48 inches for those who favor a “huge display” gaming expertise. The bigger the display, the softer the picture, nevertheless, so preserve that in thoughts for those who’re the type to go huge or go residence.
The opposite factor to think about is the kind of panel the show makes use of. Many use IPS panels, that are identified for his or her correct colours and extensive viewing angles however comparatively low distinction. VA panels are an alternative choice, which supply higher distinction however can present ghosts (picture trails) if they are not quick sufficient. OLED panels are an more and more in style alternative, as are Mini-LED backlights, and each have their execs and cons.
OLED (natural light-emitting diode) panels provide infinite distinction and wealthy colours. They’re additionally extremely quick, providing response occasions as little as 0.03ms, in comparison with the 1ms typical of IPS or VA panels. They will provide a shocking image but additionally run the danger of picture retention, in any other case referred to as burn-in. Whereas many shows provide security options to forestall this and warranties that cowl burn-in ought to the worst occur, it is an ever-present threat and one thing you may have to take care to keep away from.
Mini-LED is not a panel sort by itself and is as an alternative a backlight know-how. Players typically discuss with gaming displays utilizing this tech as “Mini-LED displays,” nevertheless, so it is value understanding what it has to supply. In contrast to conventional backlights, that are positioned across the edges of the show or instantly behind it, Mini-LED backlights are tiny LEDs positioned in an array behind your complete viewing space. The monitor can flip these on or off in set zones, permitting them to supply a lot better distinction and brightness on the expense of “blooming” or a glow round gentle objects on darkish backgrounds. The quantity of zones could make an amazing distinction in how noticeable that is however past 1,100, it tends to be a lot much less noticeable. As an added bonus, Mini-LED shows often provide higher sustained brightness than OLED panels and do not carry the identical threat of burn-in.
Refresh charge is one other consideration. For gaming, we suggest a minimal of 120Hz with 144Hz or extra being most popular. Increased refresh charges enable the monitor to show extra frames per second (FPS) and decrease its enter latency and movement blur. That is particularly helpful for aggressive shooters the place milliseconds could make the distinction between a win and a loss. For aggressive shooters, 240Hz displays are a good selection, although there are alternatives that go even larger than that.
You must also be aware of any monitor’s connectivity choices and supporting options. In case you plan to recreation on a console, you may want to make sure that the monitor helps at the very least HDMI 2.1 for full 4K 144Hz decision. Different options, like Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist, Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync assist, built-in KVMs, USB hubs, audio system, and gaming options are all issues to think about earlier than pulling the set off.
4K Gaming Monitor FAQ
Are 4K Gaming Monitors Value It?
Whereas 4K gaming displays can ship beautiful visuals and shall be a good selection for a lot of avid gamers, they are not the only option for everybody by default. In case your PC is ageing and has an entry-level graphics card, upgrading to 4K will probably end in video games with unplayably low body charges. There is no approach across the larger demand such a excessive decision locations in your PC.
In case your system is working a mid-range GPU from this technology, or a high-end GPU from final technology, there is a good probability that upgrading to 4K might make a considerable distinction for the higher in your gaming expertise. Upscaling know-how has superior an excellent deal over the past a number of years, permitting a a lot wider vary of {hardware} to play properly with it. You not want one of the best system on the block simply to hit 60 FPS. In case you’re utilizing an AMD or Nvidia graphics card that falls into the vary described above, it is positively value contemplating.
Is 1440p Higher Than 4K?
1440p is usually a better option for those who favor larger body charges over crisp visuals. As a result of it’s a lot much less demanding to run, it is potential to push video games to larger body charges on larger settings than is feasible with 4K. Nonetheless, with upscaling applied sciences like Nvidia DLSS and AMD Fluid Movement Frames, you not want a powerhouse PC to play many video games at 4K. Those self same applied sciences can push 1440p body charges even larger, nevertheless, so it is clever to think about what you worth most and what sort of body charge you hope to realize.
Do You Want an Costly Graphics Card to Run a 4K Gaming Monitor?
Not essentially. Due to superior upscaling options like Nvidia DLSS and AMD Fluid Movement Frames, it is simpler than ever to play video games at 4K with out having a high of the road graphics card. If you wish to play video games in native 4K on extremely settings, you’ll nonetheless want a top-tier GPU. However, for those who reap the benefits of both of the 2 applied sciences above, you’ll be able to get pleasure from nice visuals and body charges with solely a midrange GPU, just like the AMD Radeon 7700 XT or Nvidia RTX 4070.
Christopher Coke has been a daily contributor to IGN since 2019 and has been protecting video games and know-how since 2013. He has coated tech starting from gaming controllers to graphics playing cards, gaming chairs and gaming displays, headphones, IEMs, and extra for websites akin to MMORPG.com, Tom’s {Hardware}, In style Science, USA In the present day’s Reviewed, and In style Mechanics. Discover Chris on Twitter @gamebynight.