Best Gaming Monitors 2026

The right gaming monitor makes a bigger difference than most people expect. I've been testing panels all year, and the gap between a mediocre monitor and a good one is night and day, even on the same GPU.

Here are the monitors I'd actually spend my own money on in 2026.

Our top picks at a glance

Best overall: ASUS ROG Swift PG32UCDM

The PG32UCDM is the best gaming monitor you can buy right now. The 32-inch 4K QD-OLED panel delivers perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and colors that pop without looking oversaturated. At 240Hz with a 0.03ms response time, it's fast enough for competitive play too.

HDR on this thing is on another level. Per-pixel dimming means you get true HDR that no LCD can touch. Playing Cyberpunk 2077 or Alan Wake 2 on this display is something else entirely.

Best value: LG 27GR95QE-B

If you want OLED gaming without cracking $1,000, this is the one. You get the same incredible contrast and response times as pricier options, just at 1440p instead of 4K. Honestly, 1440p at 27 inches is the sweet spot anyway for most people — sharp enough that pixels disappear and your GPU doesn't have to work as hard.

Best budget: Samsung Odyssey G7 (2026)

You don't need to spend a fortune to have a good time. The VA panel offers deep blacks and high contrast that IPS panels at this price can't match. At $349, it's the monitor I'd recommend to anyone who wants quality gaming on a budget.

Best ultra-budget: AOC 24G2SP

For under $150, the AOC 24G2SP has no right being this good. It's a 1080p 165Hz IPS panel with decent colors and low input lag. If you play competitive games and want high frame rates without spending much, this gets the job done.

How we test

We evaluate gaming monitors on:

• Response time — measured with an oscilloscope, not manufacturer claims
• Input lag — total click-to-photon latency
• Color accuracy — Delta E measurements out of box and calibrated
• HDR performance — peak brightness, local dimming, tone mapping
• Build quality — stand adjustability, materials, cable management
• Value — performance per dollar compared to alternatives

Buying guide

Resolution

• 1080p: Fine for 24-inch monitors, best for competitive gaming on a budget
• 1440p: The sweet spot for 27-inch monitors, good balance of sharpness and performance
• 4K: Best for 32-inch+ monitors, needs a powerful GPU

Panel type

• OLED/QD-OLED: Best image quality, perfect blacks, fastest response times. Burn-in risk
• IPS: Good colors and viewing angles, decent response times. Weaker contrast
• VA: Best contrast among LCDs, deep blacks. Slower response times, limited viewing angles

Refresh rate

For most gamers, 144-165Hz is where you want to be. The jump from 60Hz is immediately obvious. Going above 165Hz has diminishing returns unless you're playing competitive esports.

The bottom line

For most gamers in 2026, I'd go with the LG 27GR95QE-B — OLED quality at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage. If budget is tight, the Samsung Odyssey G7 is a lot of monitor for $349.

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