Ultrawide monitors come in all manner of resolutions but often refresh at 144Hz, so it’s worth keeping them in mind if you value screen real estate. These are typically more expensive and demanding on your hardware than their 16:9 equivalents. 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. Since 4K 144Hz is a premium experience, don’t settle for a compromised monitor that only gives you resolution and refresh but little beyond. Make sure you get a monitor with a good IPS panel for great colors and viewing angles. Insist on excellent HDR delivery that adapts to content and viewing conditions, and also remember to look for monitors with great 2.1-channel audio, which is always good to have. In case there’s any doubt, BenQ MOBIUZ gaming monitors have you covered in those departments. 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.

BenQ Monitors | BenQ UK

Key specs – Screen size: 38in; Resolution: 3,840 x 1,600; Screen technology: IPS; Refresh rate: 144Hz; Response time: 1ms G2G; Curvature: 2300R; Video inputs: 1 x DP, 2 x HDMI, 1 x Thunderbolt USB-C; Other ports: 2 x USB-A, 1 x 3.5mmIf you are running Win 10, follow this: Setting > System > Display > Advanced Display Settings > Display Adapter Properties. Key specs – Screen size: 27in; Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440; Screen technology: VA; Refresh rate: 165Hz; Response time: 1ms; Video inputs: 2 x HDMI 2, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4; Other ports: 2 x USB-A 3.0, 1 x USB-B 3.0, 1 x 3.5mm Technology keeps getting better, and that applies to PC and console gaming. Case in point, in the not so distant past 1080p 144Hz was considered high end. However, frame rate and resolution increases are important. We gradually went to setups with 4K 120K, but now in early 2022 4K 144Hz is fast becoming popular and trending upwards. We don’t mean famously high FPS titles like Rainbow Six Siege, Fortnite, or Counter Strike, but rather stuff such as God of War PC, Dying Light 2, and Forza Horizon 5, as examples. You’ll need at least 12GB of video memory, and if you prefer an AMD graphics card then your best options are RX 6900 XT or RX 6800 XT. If within your budget, then definitely. In mid-2022, 4K 144Hz may not yet be entirely mainstream, but that’s where things are heading for games. Going with such a monitor buys you a lot of headroom and future proofing, so unless you tend to replace monitors every couple of years, this is a good investment.

BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710 27 Inch FHD (1920 x 1080) HDRi 144Hz

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. 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. 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. We’ve tried to include monitors that fit into all of the above categories on our list. How much should I spend?The panel is excellent. It’s remarkably colour-accurate and produces a wide gamut for vivid colours both in and out of HDR. Speaking of which: this monitor has an HDR 600 certification with 16-zone edge-lit local dimming, which means you can expect a slightly higher standard of HDR performance from the 279M1RV than most gaming monitors. This is a vibrant monitor capable of detailed shadows and responsive, fluid gameplay – and believe it or not, it’s usually pretty decent value, too (although the price has shot up recently for reasons unknown).

BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P 24 Inch 144Hz Gaming Monitor, 1080P 1ms BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P 24 Inch 144Hz Gaming Monitor, 1080P 1ms

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.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. 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?