A 4K gaming monitor enables users to play their favorite video games in one of the highest resolutions possible—3840 x 2160, which is twice that of a 1080p monitor. This resolution ensures that the monitor has over 8 million pixels working in tandem to produce an enhanced and sharper display for gaming or other entertainment purposes, such as watching movies.

As better and more advanced monitor technology is developed, the cost of producing 4K monitors for gaming drops drastically. This allows gamers to pick up higher quality monitors at a fraction of the price compared to a few years ago. Due to this, gamers are able to invest in a 4K monitor relatively easily, without going over their budget.

The Geekflare monitor review team has determined the best 4K gaming monitors based on factors such as additional features, refresh rate, response time, maximum brightness, and price.

SAMSUNG 32″ Odyssey Neo G7 4K

Best for Immersive HDR Gaming

The curved and compact-sized Odyssey Neo G7 is great for a two or three-monitor 4K setup. Since the horizontal length is relatively modest, you can fit multiple SAMSUNG 32″ Odyssey Neo G7 4K monitors on an average-sized desk, table, or gaming cabinet. The mini LED display allows for a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, excellent image quality, and deep blacks on this curved gaming monitor.

Additionally, the gentle curvature is perfect for multi-monitor gaming, increasing immersion via high-resolution displays. The Odyssey Neo G7 is a G-Sync monitor, but also offers AMD FreeSync Premium functions for faster refresh rates and better frame rates.

SAMSUNG 32″ Odyssey Neo G7 4K Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate165Hz
Response Time1ms
Maximum Brightness2,000 nits

SAMSUNG 32″ Odyssey Neo G7 4K Pros

  • Advantage

    The monitor is sturdily built, so it won’t get damaged easily

  • Advantage

    Doesn’t get as hot as some other small 4K monitors

  • Advantage

    Does not have flashing lights, which can be problematic with epilepsy patients

SAMSUNG 32″ Odyssey Neo G7 4K Cons

  • Advantage

    The stand it comes with is wobbly

  • Advantage

    There is some ghosting and screen tearing at 165Hz (but not when set to 120Hz)

  • Advantage

    Very expensive compared to other monitors of its size

SAMSUNG 32″ Odyssey Neo G7 4K Price

The SAMSUNG 32-inch Odyssey Neo G7 4K monitor costs $1,099.99.

GIGABYTE FreeSync Gaming Monitor

Best for Adaptive Sync

With a wide range of ports, more than most of its competitors, the GIGABYTE FreeSync Gaming Monitor gives you multiple connectivity options with other devices. For instance, in addition to the HDMI 2.1 ports, there are also those for USB Type-C, USB 3.0 Upstream, USB 3.0 Downstream, DisplayPort 1.2, and even a 3.5mm earphone jack. This makes it an ideal monitor for connecting your game streaming gear. This IPS monitor is reliable for color performance and accuracy as well, which eliminates panel-type worries.

GIGABYTE FreeSync Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate144Hz
Response Time1ms
Maximum Brightness350 nits

GIGABYTE FreeSync Pros

  • Advantage

    The large variety of ports makes streaming setups easy

  • Advantage

    Comes in curved and flat variations

  • Advantage

    The stand it comes with is decent quality

GIGABYTE FreeSync Cons

  • Advantage

    Somewhat dark due to low nit

  • Advantage

    The production quality control could be better

  • Advantage

    The longevity of units is fairly short, as glitches and other issues can arise within a year of consistent usage

GIGABYTE FreeSync Price

The 32-inch GIGABYTE FreeSync Gaming Monitor costs $721.77.

ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor

Best for Competitive Gamers

The ASUS TUF gaming monitor comes at an affordable price, and offers some game-specific exclusives for added incentives. The monitor has a gaming feature called “GamePlus”, which integrates hotkeys for various functions—these functions relate to crosshairs, timers, an FPS counter, and more. This couples with HDR10’s high dynamic range and makes the ASUS TUF a solid pick if you need an HDR monitor.

ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate144Hz (Overclockable to 165Hz)
Response Time1ms
Maximum Brightness250 nits

ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor Pros

  • Advantage

    Very cheap compared to other small 4K monitors

  • Advantage

    The colors look great and displayed accurately without needing customization

  • Advantage

    The GamePlus gaming features are helpful during First-Person-Shooter gameplay

ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor Cons

  • Advantage

    After a few months of usage, the screen may randomly—yet temporarily—turn black on occasion

  • Advantage

    There are rare pixel flickers

ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor Price

The ASUS TUF Gaming 28-inch Monitor costs $262.95.

AOC Super-Curved 4K Monitor

Best for Immersive Single-Player Gaming

With a screen curve that’s more concave than many other curved monitors of its size, AOC prioritizes game immersion. The AOC Super-Curved 4K Monitor has a curved frame that allows your eyes to adjust to the contours of the screen, as well as the sharp images and vibrant colors. Conversely, this monitor’s specifications, especially the 60Hz refresh rate, are not meant for fast-paced shooters, so it’s best used for single-player digital adventures.

AOC Super-Curved 4K Monitor Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate60Hz
Response Time4ms
Maximum Brightness250 nits

AOC Super-Curved 4K Monitor Pros

  • Advantage

    Decent build quality

  • Advantage

    Both the display and the monitor’s shape are visually pleasing

  • Advantage

    The LowBlue mode makes viewing displayed images much easier on your eyes

AOC Super-Curved 4K Monitor Cons

  • Advantage

    The low-performance stats make it unsuitable for competitive shooters

  • Advantage

    Although the neck is detachable, you need a screwdriver to remove it

  • Advantage

    There are some issues with screen tearing

AOC Super-Curved 4K Monitor Price

The 32-inch AOC Super-Curved 4K Monitor costs $328.99.

MSI MAG274UPF

Best for Console-Focused Gaming

Thanks to traits designed specifically to elevate your gaming experience, the MSI MAG274UPF has Rapid IPS, which results in a low response time, and the adaptive sync prevents screen tearing, among other features.

Esports professionals prefer this monitor over others for its excellent gaming performance, especially for multiplayer games like Valorant. Unfortunately, there are no built-in speakers. However, the MSI MAG274UPF is about 27 inches long and this makes it a fairly portable monitor.

MSI MAG274UPF Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate144Hz
Response Time1ms
Maximum Brightness500 nits

MSI MAG274UPF Pros

  • Advantage

    Great technical stats for the price

  • Advantage

    The smart port arrangement allows for one more USB-A slot than usual

  • Advantage

    The USB-C port can transfer up to 65 Watts of power—which is more than many other monitors of this size

MSI MAG274UPF Cons

  • Advantage

    No audio output means you need to connect your PC or console to speakers or headphones for sound

  • Advantage

    Some stand assembly is required

MSI MAG274UPF Price

The 27-inch MSI MAG274UPF monitor costs $399.99.

Dell G3223Q Gaming Monitor

Best for Budget-Conscious 144Hz 4K

Necks and stands are important when it comes to choosing a monitor. With the Dell G3223Q Gaming Monitor, you’ll receive a decent monitor and a great stand. You can tilt and rotate the screen to set up your gaming rig more easily; this adds to the overall gaming experience. However, the downside of this Dell monitor’s stand is that most of the ports are positioned directly behind the neck, making it difficult to connect the cables.

Dell G3223Q Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate144Hz
Response Time1ms
Maximum Brightness500 nits

Dell G3223Q Pros

  • Advantage

    The adjustable stand adds flexibility

  • Advantage

    Reliably performs at 4K 144Hz for long periods

  • Advantage

    It can swap between DCI-P3 (native) and sRGB color space modes, making it suitable for video and image editing

Dell G3223Q Cons

  • Advantage

    The ports are poorly placed, behind the monitor

  • Advantage

    This monitor is expensive for its size and specs

Dell G3223Q Price

The 32-inch Dell G3223Q Gaming Monitor is available at $569.99.

SAMSUNG UJ59 Series 32″ 4K UHD

Best for Multitasking

While most games want the users to focus solely on the action, there are others that require planning and research rather than fast reflexes. In these cases, instead of using a secondary device or monitor, the SAMSUNG UJ59 Series monitor can be helpful.

There are built-in PBP (picture-by-picture) and PIP (picture-in-picture) modes that let you have two separate video feeds live at once. In one video feed, you can play your game, and in the other, you can have a web browser or document file open to help you keep track of things.

Nonetheless, the 60Hz refresh rate isn’t good for multiplayer gaming. It’s best to stick with single-player gaming and multitasking with this monitor.

SAMSUNG UJ59 Series 32″ 4K UHD Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate60Hz
Response Time4ms
Maximum Brightness270 nits

SAMSUNG UJ59 Series 32″ 4K UHD Pros

  • Advantage

    A built-in PIP mode helps in multitasking

  • Advantage

    Vibrant color reproduction

  • Advantage

    “Game Mode” optimizes contrast for better visibility

SAMSUNG UJ59 Series 32″ 4K UHD Cons

  • Advantage

    60Hz isn’t the best for competitive gaming

  • Advantage

    Upscaling for lower-resolution video doesn’t work well

SAMSUNG UJ59 Series 32″ 4K UHD Price

You can buy the SAMSUNG UJ59 Series 32-inch 4K UHD for $339.99.

Dell S3221QS 32″ Curved 4K UHD

Best for Adjustable Viewing

Due to a high-quality picture, two built-in speakers, and an adjustable neck, you have plenty of options to fine-tune your viewing experience with the Dell S3221QS 32-inch Curved 4K UHD. Conveniently, there’s a hole in the stand through which you can run a few smaller cables. This is perfect for hiding the HDMI cable and for a more seamless setup. If you want a tidy and moveable monitor, this is a great option for you.

Dell S3221QS 32″ Curved 4K UHD Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate60Hz
Response Time4ms
Maximum Brightness300 nits

Dell S3221QS 32″ Curved 4K UHD Pros

  • Advantage

    Plenty of convenient features for setting up the workspace or gaming rig

  • Advantage

    Has a small hole in the stand for running cables and keeping the space neat

  • Advantage

    Has built-in speakers and well as an audio-out port

Dell S3221QS 32″ Curved 4K UHD Cons

  • Advantage

    Low refresh rate

  • Advantage

    The price is high for a 32-inch 4K monitor with only a 60Hz refresh rate

Dell S3221QS 32″ Curved 4K UHD Price

The Dell S3221QS 32-inch Curved 4K UHD costs $359.99.

SAMSUNG 32” S70A Series 4K UHD

Best for Reducing Eye Strain

The SAMSUNG 32” S70A Series 4K UHD is designed to reduce eye strain for gamers, programmers, and video editors. It has an “Eye Saver” mode, which automatically adjusts the brightness and color temperature to reduce the strain on your eyes.

Moreover, the automatic source switch allows you to plug any device into your monitor and have the picture come up instantly, requiring no extra work with the input channels.

SAMSUNG 32” S70A Series 4K UHD Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate60Hz
Response Time5ms
Maximum Brightness300 nits

SAMSUNG 32” S70A Series 4K UHD Pros

  • Advantage

    Excellent vision protection features

  • Advantage

    The automatic source switcher is convenient for swapping devices

  • Advantage

    Has a picture-in-picture feature, which is useful for multitasking

SAMSUNG 32” S70A Series 4K UHD Cons

  • Advantage

    Refresh rate is too low for multiplayer gaming

  • Advantage

    The sound quality isn’t very good

SAMSUNG 32” S70A Series 4K UHD Price

The SAMSUNG 32-inch S70A Series 4K UHD costs $349.99.

INNOCN 27″ Mini LED 4K 160Hz UHD

Best for High Technical Specifications

The INNOCN 27″ Mini LED 4K 160Hz UHD comes with excellent technical features for a well-rounded product. Firstly, the high refresh rate and short response times are ideal for multiplayer gaming needs.

The longevity of this monitor is also a standout feature, as customers have reported excellent functioning of the monitor, even after 2 years of usage. On top of that, the positions of the ports and power switch are easy to reach and make for a convenient addition to your workspace or gaming setup.

INNOCN 27″ Mini LED 4K 160Hz UHD Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate160Hz
Response Time1ms
Maximum Brightness1,000 nits

INNOCN 27″ Mini LED 4K 160Hz UHD Pros

  • Advantage

    The technical stats ensure excellent performance in fast-paced multiplayer games

  • Advantage

    Access to USB-A, USB-B, and USB-C ports is versatile and convenient

  • Advantage

    Great build quality and longevity

INNOCN 27″ Mini LED 4K 160Hz UHD Cons

  • Advantage

    Exorbitant pricing

  • Advantage

    It can be tricky to set up due to a counterintuitive menu

  • Advantage

    The quality of the included cords is low

INNOCN 27″ Mini LED 4K 160Hz UHD Price

The INNOCN 27-inch Mini LED 4K 160Hz UHD monitor costs $799.99.

Acer Nitro 27″ UHD

Best for Budget-Conscious 4ms Response Time

For those on a tight budget, the Acer Nitro 27″ UHD is a decent option. It has modest technical stats compared to many other 4K monitors; however, they are still usable for single-player gaming and multiplayer gaming that doesn’t require the fastest possible response times.

The Acer Nitro 27″ UHD also has built-in speakers that function as advertised. Additionally, Acer claims that the monitor is FreeSync compatible, which adds another layer of versatility for the latest games. However, it lacks in the number of ports and can only be connected with basic equipment.

Acer Nitro 27″ UHD Specifications

Product DetailsProduct Specifications
Refresh Rate60Hz
Response Time4ms
Maximum Brightness250 nits

Acer Nitro 27″ UHD Pros

  • Advantage

    Very affordable price

  • Advantage

    The response time is decent for most gaming needs

  • Advantage

    Has great longevity

Acer Nitro 27″ UHD Cons

  • Advantage

    Not many ports

  • Advantage

    The sound quality of the speakers isn’t very good

  • Advantage

    Does not come with a wall mount bracket despite the sales page text implying it does

Acer Nitro 27″ UHD Price

The Acer Nitro 27-inch UHD costs $249.99.

Benefits of Gaming on a 4K Monitor

Plenty of modern games are now featuring 4K resolution support. As such, people using a 1440p or 1080p monitor will miss out on some visual elements. Although major visual elements aren’t required in games with non-realistic graphics (like Minecraft and Terraria), for titles that focus on beautiful animation (such as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Stellar Blade), a 4K monitor is an addition that can provide an immersive gaming experience.

These monitors also feature much higher resolutions and better screen real estate than an average 1080p monitor, resulting in better clarity of images and greater color reproduction accuracy.

Some of the high-end 4K gaming monitors, like the SAMSUNG 32″ Odyssey Neo G7 4K, also come with high refresh rates, variable refresh rates for smooth gameplay, fast response times, and high brightness. This makes these monitors ideal for gaming, video editing, or multimedia streaming.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a 4K Gaming Monitor

There are 5 key factors that you should consider when choosing a 4K gaming monitor.

  • Price: Consider your budget for purchasing a 4K gaming monitor. While the higher-end monitors are priced at $900 to $1000, you should be able to find a value-for-money product closer to $500 as well. However, you will have to compromise on features, like higher refresh rates and faster response times.
  • Refresh Rate & Response Time: You need a higher refresh rate and a quicker response time for fast-paced multiplayer games. If you play competitive shooters, opt for a 4K monitor that provides refresh rates of 144Hz or higher, and response times of 1ms.
  • Maximum Brightness: Look at the value mentioned in nit or cd/m2; the higher the number, the brighter the image—which is important for noticing smaller details. If you pair a higher level of brightness with an OLED or LED panel, you’ll have better color reproduction and clarity.
  • Requirements: Consider whether you’re gaming, watching movies, editing videos and images, or using your monitor for other activities. For example, gaming requires better technical stats (refresh rates, response times), whereas watching movies does not.
  • Audio: Some monitors come with built-in speakers, while some don’t. You should check the description to see if your auditory needs will be met.

Refresh Rate vs Response Time in Gaming Monitors

While the maximum refresh rate and response time factors are often discussed together, they are different. Let’s check out the differences between them below.

Refresh Rates

  • The refresh rate of a monitor is how fast it can display each frame of the video
  • Refresh rates are measured in Hertz (Hz), which is a unit of measure for frequency—how often an action happens per unit of time (in this case, the unit of time is seconds), which means 1Hz is once per second
  • When you see the stat for a monitor’s refresh rate—for example, 60Hz—that means frames from the video are displayed on-screen 60 times in one second
  • More frames displayed in a second mean more accurate depictions of moving objects, which lets you visually track and predict the movement of in-game objects
  • For instance, a monitor with a refresh rate of 144Hz will have over twice the number of frames per second—more than twice the visual information—than a monitor with a refresh rate of 60Hz

Response Times

  • Response times for monitors measure how fast one frame changes into the next
  • Specifically, the unit of measure for response times (milliseconds) tracks how quickly every pixel on a monitor changes
  • For example, if every pixel of one frame changes to display the next frame within 4 milliseconds, the response time for that monitor would be 4ms
  • As a frame of reference, it takes the human eyelid somewhere between 100 to 150 milliseconds to blink once, so the monitors with 1ms response times, which are the fastest, change the colors displayed by over 8 million pixels, roughly 100 to 150 times faster than the human eye’s blinking speed

FAQs

Is it worth getting a 4K monitor for gaming?

Yes, it is worth getting a 4K monitor for gaming, but only if you’re playing games that focus heavily on graphics. A monitor with such specifications will enhance the game’s visuals and lead to greater immersion.

Is 4K 144Hz worth it?

Yes, 4K 144Hz is worth it, but only if you play fast-paced multiplayer games. Having a refresh rate of 144Hz gives you more time to react than a monitor with a refresh rate of 60Hz. Conversely, for single-player games, it’s not worth it.

How expensive is a 4K 144Hz monitor?

The average price of a 4K 144Hz monitor is about $750. However, you can get a decent 4K 144Hz monitor for between $300 and $400 as well.

What is the recommended screen size for a 4K gaming monitor?

The recommended screen size for a 4K gaming monitor depends on your gaming setup. If you’re going to be sitting directly in front of your monitor (within 2 feet), a monitor with a screen size between 27 inches and 32 inches would work well. However, if your monitor is going to be 5 or more feet away from where you’re sitting, it would be better to invest in a monitor between 40 and 50 inches in length.

Are there any specific requirements for running games on a 4K monitor?

If you’re playing on a modern gaming console (like a PS5), the only thing you need to keep in mind is if the HDMI cable you’re using to connect your console to your monitor is 4K-capable. For gaming PCs, you need to consider your cable as well as your computer’s graphics card and whether or not it has enough processing power and memory to handle 4K video. If it doesn’t have a powerful graphics card and high memory, you’ll get frame drops and other technical issues.

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