Choosing the right monitor is a pivotal decision for anyone building a work or entertainment setup. After all, humans perceive most impressions through the eyes, and the monitor serves as a window into the virtual world. A great monitor offers smooth visuals, accurate colors, and responsiveness that gives an edge when it counts. But when one hasn't decided which monitor to buy yet, sifting through the ocean of brands and models can be overwhelming.
Of course, like any other equipment, budget and individual needs are determining factors. Still, even with full knowledge of what to buy, monitor brands provide different lineups that cater to various budgets and applications. This guide dives into the titans of the monitor industry, exploring each brand and providing the necessary info to make an informed decision.
Readers who have already decided on a brand should check out The Best War Games's other in-depth monitor guides, such as the best Samsung monitors, for a thorough look at what their favorite monitor brand offers.
Samsung
Samsung is a true jack-of-all-trades, and its monitor offerings reflect that. The South Korean tech giant is dominant in the big screen market and provides some of the best TVs for movies and entertainment. With a brilliant history of manufacturing displays, Samsung offers a diverse monitor lineup, catering to gamers, professionals, and everyday users.
Samsung's Odyssey series boldly targets gamers. Cutting-edge technologies like Quantum Dot displays and ultra-wide curved panels are trademarks of the Odyssey line. All these combined make Samsung one of the best options for OLED gaming monitors. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G7, for instance, comes with an incredibly immersive 32-inch curved screen, Quantum Mini LED backlighting, and a refresh rate of 165 Hz.
Samsung also excels in monitors suitable for creative work. Their Smart Monitor series often sport built-in speakers, streaming app support, and even remote desktop capabilities, making them more than simple displays.
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75
- Screen Size
- 32 inches
- Resolution
- 3,840 x 2,160 pixels
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 165 Hz
- Brand
- Samsung
- Response Time
- 1 ms
The Samsung Odyssey G7 is a powerhouse gaming monitor that redefines immersion. Its 32-inch 4K display delivers breathtaking visuals, fueled by Samsung's Quantum Mini-LED technology for unparalleled vibrancy. Gamers won't miss a beat with its 165Hz refresh rate and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, ensuring ultra-smooth gameplay.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra infoAsus
Asus is a Taiwanese giant and an absolute force in the monitor market. Renowned for their ROG (Republic of Gamers) brand, Asus delivers some of the most advanced and feature-rich gaming monitors available.
The ROG Swift lineup embodies its dedication to performance. Models like the ROG Swift PG27AQDM boast stunning 1440p visuals with blazing-fast 250Hz refresh rates and cutting-edge features for incredible contrast and HDR performance. Asus also frequently partners with NVIDIA to offer G-SYNC compatibility.
But the bleeding-edge tech from Asus ROG Swift often comes with a hefty price tag. The Asus ROG Strix and TUF lineups provide more budget-friendly alternatives, with TUF being the budget Asus brand. The smaller price tag doesn't mean lower quality though. Despite the affordable price, the Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM is one of the best 1080p gaming monitors.
Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM
- Screen Size
- 27
- Resolution
- 2560x1440
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 240 Hz
- Connectivity
- 1 DisplayPort 1.4 DSC, 2 HDMI (v2.0), 1 earphone jack, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- Brand
- Asus
- Response Time
- 0.03
The ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDM redefines gaming brilliance. This 27-inch OLED powerhouse delivers stunning 2560x1440 visuals, enhanced with vibrant HDR10 support and a dazzling 1000 nits peak brightness. True to the ROG legacy, the PG27AQDM flaunts the iconic ROG logo and even projects the emblem from its stand, a testament to its gaming pedigree.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra infoAcer
Acer, another Taiwanese tech giant, has been a major player in the computer industry for decades. Their monitors cover a wide range, from no-frills budget options to high-end beasts packed with features. Acer's strength lies in balancing value with performance. Any buyer is likely to find solid specs at competitive prices within their lineup.
One of their popular series is the Predator line, aimed squarely at gamers. These monitors boast high refresh rates, fast response times, and technologies like AMD FreeSync Premium, minimizing screen tearing and offering buttery-smooth visuals. The Acer Predator X27U, for example, is a powerhouse with a QHD display, a blazing 240Hz refresh rate, and HDR support.
Acer's Nitro series is also geared towards gamers but with budget in mind. If a Predator monitor seems tempting, a similar one with a few compromises and a better price probably exists in the Nitro lineup. The Acer Nitro XV320QU is one of the best monitors for photo editing with its crisp and clear visuals.
Acer Predator X27U
- Screen Size
- 27 inches
- Resolution
- 2560 x 1440
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 240 Hz
- Connectivity
- HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB Type-C, Built-in KVM Switch
- Brand
- Acer
- Response Time
- 0.01 ms
The Acer Predator X27U offers a high-performance gaming experience with its 240Hz OLED display, delivering breathtaking visuals with minimal latency. The Predator X27U also features built-in speakers and versatile height adjustments for added user convenience.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra infoLG
LG, a South Korean electronics powerhouse, is a name synonymous with quality displays in a variety of categories, and they make some of the best smart TVs. LG monitors bring that expertise to the gaming market, focusing on image quality and innovation.
LG's UltraGear series consists of gaming-oriented monitors that often use high-speed IPS panels known for excellent color reproduction combined with fast response times. LG's Nano IPS technology, which enhances color vibrancy and HDR support, makes LG UltraGear a serious option for gamers seeking immersive visuals. Models like the LG Ultragear 27GR83Q-B showcase their tech prowess with QHD resolution, 250 Hz refresh rates, and HDR capabilities.
LG also caters to creative professionals with their UltraFine series, emphasizing accurate color reproduction and connectivity options suitable for demanding workflows. While their monitors can sometimes be pricier than the competition, LG often makes up for it in pure visual fidelity.
LG Ultragear 27GR83Q-B
- Screen Size
- 27"
- Resolution
- 2560x1440
- Refresh Rate
- 240Hz
- Brand
- LG
- Display Technology
- IPS
- HDR
- DisplayHDR 400
The LG Ultragear 27GR83Q-B is a performance-focused gaming display, delivering a highly responsive experience with its 240Hz refresh rate. It boasts a 2560x1440 resolution on a fast IPS display. LG's focus on visual quality shines through, with the monitor offering an impressive color gamut and HDR support for vibrant colors and lifelike details.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra infoDell
Dell, the only non-Asian brand on this list, might be famous for their laptops and desktops, but their monitor lineup is impressive in its own right. Dell offers a wide variety of displays catering to general productivity, gaming, and professional users. Their strength lies in reliability, well-rounded performance, and sleek, functional designs.
Dell's S series has garnered well-deserved praise. These monitors prioritize color accuracy and affordability, making them a great option for photographers, video editors, and designers who need dependable visuals. A model like the Dell S2722Q offers superb color reproduction and is one of the best budget monitors for video editing.
Dell's gaming monitors under the Alienware brand also pack a punch. While they may not always have the same cutting-edge specs as some ROG competitors, they deliver solid all-around gaming performance and often feature striking, futuristic designs. Dell monitors aren't necessarily the most budget-friendly, but they offer a dependable mix of features, design, and warranty support for the price.
Dell S2722QC
- Screen Size
- 27"
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160
- Refresh Rate
- 60Hz
- Brand
- DELL
- Display Technology
- IPS
The Dell S2722QC's IPS panel covers 99% of the sRGB color space, ensuring exceptional color accuracy from a wide range of viewing angles. It also simplifies the workspace with USB-C connectivity, seamlessly supporting data, video, audio, and up to 65W of power delivery for connected laptops.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra infoAOC
AOC is a brand known for bringing solid gaming hardware to budget-conscious gamers. While they might not have the brand recognition of some heavyweights, AOC offers competitive monitors with features that often punch above their price point.
The AOC Agon series targets gamers specifically. Expect to find high refresh rates, support for adaptive sync technologies like FreeSync and G-SYNC, and responsive panels in many of their offerings. For example, the AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD offers a 1440p OLED display paired with a speedy 240 Hz refresh rate for super-smooth gameplay, making it one of the best budget OLED monitors for gaming.
AOC doesn't always prioritize premium features like HDR or exceptional build quality. Some of their monitors can have less-than-stellar color accuracy compared to options focused on professionals. Still, if the computer can deliver high frame rates, AOC is definitely worth considering for a responsive monitor without the eye-watering prices of top-tier options.
AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD Gaming Monitor
- Screen Size
- 27
- Resolution
- 2560x1440
- Refresh Rate
- 240 Hz
- Brand
- AOC
- Display Technology
- OLED
The AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD's 27-inch OLED panel delivers lightning-fast 0.03ms response times and a 240Hz refresh rate for incredibly fluid visuals. AOC's commitment to visual fidelity is evident in the monitor's wide color gamut support. Furthermore, features like the adjustable stand and built-in speakers illustrate AOC's attention to non-flashy user-centric design.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra infoMSI
MSI is heavily entrenched in the gaming hardware scene. MSI's monitors often strike a balance between features, performance, and design, making them popular among gamers.
The Optix series demonstrates MSI's dedication to gaming. These monitors often include high refresh rates, low response times, and adaptive sync support for smooth, tear-free gaming. MSI’s naming conventions such as MAG and MPG, familiar from their gaming motherboards, stand for their monitors too. The MSI MAG2732 is an affordable 27-inch display with a 165 Hz refresh rate, one of the best budget-friendly monitors for programming.
MSI's designs sometimes have a characteristic gamer aesthetic, which might not be everyone's cup of tea. Additionally, some monitors can be pricier than the competition for similar specifications.
MSI MAG2732, 27" Gaming Monitor
- Screen Size
- 27"
- Resolution
- 1920 x1080
- Refresh Rate
- 165Hz
- Brand
- MSI
- Display Technology
- IPS
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:9
The MSI Optix MAG2732, 27" Gaming Monitor delivers a strong balance of features and affordability, a core principle of the MSI's MAG lineup. Its 1ms response time and 165Hz refresh rate ensure smooth, responsive gameplay. The IPS panel provides good viewing angles, and its range of ports demonstrates MSI's focus on compatibility and user convenience for connecting various gaming devices.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra infoBenQ
BenQ is a less flashy name but delivers surprisingly well-rounded monitors across varied use cases. They put a strong emphasis on image quality and features tailored to both serious gamers and creative professionals.
The BenQ Mobiuz series offers high refresh rates and low response times, all aimed to make them suitable for gamers. Their Professional lineup, the BenQ PhotoVue and DesignVue monitors, caters to photographers and designers looking for accurate color reproduction and convenient features. These monitors often have hardware calibration capabilities and features like specialized color modes to ensure the colors are displayed faithfully. The BenQ PD2725U is a great example of this lineup: a 4k display with stunning color accuracy, perfected with Thunderbolt connectivity.
While BenQ might not be as widely known as some other brands, their monitors offer good value for their quality and feature set. However, BenQ's designs tend to be more functional than flashy, which might not appeal to everyone aesthetically.
BenQ PD2725U Thunderbolt 3 Monitor
- Screen Size
- 27 Inches
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160 Pixels
- Refresh Rate
- 60 Hz
- Brand
- BenQ
- Display Technology
- 4K
The BenQ PD2725U is a testament to BenQ's commitment to professional-grade visual accuracy. Its 27-inch 4K display delivers stunning detail, and its wide color gamut support ensures images remain true to life, a priority for photographers, designers, and other creative users. BenQ's focus on precision is evident in the factory calibration and hardware calibration support.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info