Best 4K gaming monitors: the ultra hi-res panels I highly recommend

Two of the best 4K gaming monitors, the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED and the LG UltraGear 27GR93U on a grey background with the PC Gamer recommended logo in the top right corner
(Image credit: MSI, LG)

The best 4K gaming monitor can make way more than games look great. It's a big upgrade to any system that can showcase its potential. Games in particular make the best argument for the swap to 4K, highlighting just how vivid modern graphics can look at high resolution, but a good one should deliver on all fronts. No matter what you're viewing, a 4K display should look fantastic.

Right now, the best 4K gaming monitor is the MSI MPG321URX. With a gorgeous OLED panel delivering a crisp 4K resolution for less than the competition—it just makes so much sense to a PC gamer. The LG UltraGear 27GR93U is my favorite non-OLED 4K gaming monitor. It's got the best IPS panel, is supremely well-calibrated, and easily stands out above the rest of the pack.

You'll want a high-end GPU like the RTX 4080 Super to get the most from a 4K monitor. However, with tweaked settings and the use of upscaling tech, even cards lower down the stack like the RTX 4070 can output reasonable results at 4K.

Curated by...
Dave James
Curated by...
Dave James

Dave's been testing monitors for so long, he can spot a good one from a mile away. He's reviewed all types and sorts, shapes and sizes, and as a result he's the person best qualified to guide you into your next 4K monitor purchase. Whether you're looking for a huge TV replacement, a console players dream, or simply something fantastic looking to take pride of place on your desk, Dave's got you covered.

The quick list

Recent updates

Updated 22 January 2025 to check over our recommendations (all of which remain the same) and to fix some navigation issues and freshen up the copy for 2025.

The best 4K gaming monitor

The best 4K gaming monitor

Specifications

Screen size: 32-inch
Panel type: QD-OLED
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Response time: 0.03 ms
Refresh rate: 240 Hz
Weight: 12.30 lbs (9.6 kg)
Refresh rate technology: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro

Reasons to buy

+
Stunning QD-OLED panel
+
4K pixel density
+
240Hz refresh

Reasons to avoid

-
Usual HDR complications
-
ABL is not configurable
Buy if...

You want one of the best 4K OLED panels, for less: This Samsung-sourced panel features in some of my favorite OLED gaming monitors, but here you can get hold of one for much less than the competition.

Don't buy if...

You don't want to pay OLED prices: While it might be cheaper than its competition, that's in the OLED space. If you're prepared to go for something lesser, the savings will follow.

Sometimes, very rarely in fact, a monitor comes along that does almost everything the really expensive displays do, but cheaper. The MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED does just that, and as a result, it's the best 4K monitor I can recommend right now.

Simply put: There's not much point paying over the odds for any other monitor using a Samsung-sourced panel when this one exists. It's an absolutely phenomenal gaming monitor, for significantly less than the competition. Pretty easy when you look at it like that, isn't it?

So, let's run through why you want one of these: 32-inch, which is plenty large. 240 Hz refresh rate with a 0.03ms response time, which is fabulously fast. 250 nits full-screen brightness, which isn't that bright, but not bad for an OLED.

Oh, did I forget to mention that? It's an OLED, which means it's not just blazingly fast, but absolutely stunning to look at. All the OLED rumors you heard were true: It really is the most fabulous-looking monitor display tech you can get right now. The color reproduction here is immense, with games, media, and just about anything else you can throw at it looking the best you've ever seen them.

Unlike a lot of OLEDs though, it's the pixel density that really stands out. Text can suffer slightly on a lot of OLED displays, but here, blurriness and color fringing is simply a non-issue. That's a big OLED caveat right there, negated.

Of course, it's still got a couple of drawbacks. The lack of full-screen brightness compared to other screen tech is here, of course, but it still goes plenty bright enough for most uses. And there's still OLED burn-in to consider, although like all good monitors of this type, it's got plenty of tech to prevent it—and a three-year burn-in warranty to give you peace of mind.

That doesn't set it apart from other, brilliant displays using this panel. What does is the price. With an $899 MSRP compared to the $1,100 to $1,300 you'd pay for others, you're getting one of the best displays I've ever had the fortune of casting my eyes across for considerably less than the competition.

Unsurprisingly, this has led to the MSI MPG 321URX selling in huge numbers, and as a result, it can be a little hard to get hold of one. Grab it when it's available though, and you really won't be disappointed.

The LG Ultragear 27GR93U is absolutely worth a look if you can't find the MSI and don't want to pay out for an OLED, or if you're feeling particularly flush with cash, then the LG UltraGear 32GS95UE is the best high-end OLED 4K monitor I've tested to date. It really depends on how much money you're prepared to drop on your display, and if price isn't a concern, the LG is the one I'd go for. Just.

But thanks to a much more reasonable MSRP, the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED is still the best 4K monitor overall. Price matters to most, and here you're getting some serious bang for your buck.

Read our full MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED review.

The best non-OLED 4K gaming monitor

The best non-OLED 4K gaming monitor

Specifications

Screen size: 27-inch
Panel type: IPS
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Response time: 1 ms
Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Weight: 14.1 lbs | 6.4 kg
Refresh rate technology: FreeSync Premium | G-SYNC Compatible

Reasons to buy

+
Gorgeous 4K IPS Panel
+
Excellent calibration
+
Very, very fast

Reasons to avoid

-
A bit too expensive
-
Not a proper HDR panel
-
Build quality is a bit cheap
Buy if...

You want a fast and vivid 4K screen: LG makes some of the best IPS panels for monitors, and this one is absolutely top-notch.

Don't buy if...

You expect a bit of luxury for this kind of money: It's not super expensive but even so, it's not packed with features or premium materials.

The LG UltraGear 27GR93U is the best non-OLED 4K gaming monitor, thanks to its stunning IPS panel that's beautifully calibrated right out of the box. The combination of 4K and 27 inches results in a perfect pixel density, making it great for productivity tasks and the colour accuracy is ideal for content creation.

Its greatest strength, though, is in gaming. The pixel response time and 144 Hz G-SYNC Compatible variable refresh rate will suit almost all genres. The LG offers excellent clarity, even under very fast motion, which makes it a great pick for competitive shooters or anything that requires twitchy mouse movements.

In terms of connection options, you get two 48Gbps HMDI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort 1.4 connection, which makes it ideal for consoles and gaming PCs. Its HDR capabilities are limited to DisplayHDR 400, but the panel still does a great job of displaying SDR content in HDR mode.

The downsides are the high MSRP (around $630), though it's often on sale for a lot less, the relative lack of additional features, and the overall level of quality. Not the panel, as that's outstanding, but things like the stand and the plastics used for the body. Even the rear RGB lighting is nothing special.

However, LG sensibly chose to focus all its efforts on ensuring the panel itself is second to none in the 4K monitor sector, at least until you get to the majesty of a fantastic OLED like the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED or the LG UltraGear 32GS95UE. If you can't quite stretch to these prices, however, this really is a stunning display, with rich colours, great contrast, and superb pixel accuracy.

The LG Ultragear 27GR93U could well be the best non-OLED 4K gaming monitor for a good while, as it will take an awful lot to beat this. While it might be pricey for an IPS panel, it's easily as good as you'll get right now, and it'll likely be a while before we start seeing high-quality OLEDs for this sort of cash.

Read our full LG UltraGear 27GR93U review.

The best budget 4K gaming monitor

The best budget 4K gaming monitor

Specifications

Screen size: 28-inch
Panel type: IPS
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Response time: 2 ms
Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Weight: 15.3 lbs | 6.9 kg
Refresh rate technology: FreeSync Premium

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable 4K
+
144Hz refresh rate
+
Stunning IPS panel
+
Great for 4K gaming

Reasons to avoid

-
Cheap stand
-
Overdrive often overdoes it
Buy if...

You want high resolution, not a high price: 4K monitors used to be very expensive but not any more. The M28U is very reasonably priced.

Don't buy if...

You want an ultra-fast screen: It's not slow, but activating the pixel overdrive to get even higher response times adds image artefacts.

The best budget 4K gaming monitor is the Gigabyte M28U for one very simple reason: it's a great display and doesn't cost a small fortune, like 4K monitors used to just a few years ago.

Its 28-inch IPS panel has exceptional colour depth and clarity. Black levels are very impressive, despite having a fairly low contrast ratio. As with many IPS gaming monitors these days, the M28U is rated to DisplayHDR 400 but it isn't a display you'd pick for HDR content. Certain games, like Cyberpunk 2077 will look fine, but that's about it.

Really cheap 4K monitors typically have fixed refresh rates of 60 Hz, but here you're getting 144 Hz with support for AMD's FreeSync Premium. Thanks to the presence of two HDMI 2.1 ports, it's a great option for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X owners, though PC gamers will want to stick with the DisplayPort 1.4 connection.

The pixel response is more than fast enough for most users, at 1 ms grey-to-grey (GtG), but the overdrive function isn't worth using, as it adds image artefacts as it tries to reduce ghosting.

Gigabyte obviously had to cut some corners in the M28U to get the price down, and the quality of the plastics and limited adjustability of the stand are the clearest examples of this. And you could argue that it would be a better monitor if the panel was 27 inches in size, as it would help to improve the pixel density.

But these are very minor issues when you take the monitor as a whole. You're getting an awful lot of fast, high-resolution screen, for a price that's very affordable for this segment. That makes it the best budget 4K monitor by far, and while it's not perfect, it's seriously good for the cash.

Read our full Gigabyte M28U review.

The best mid-range 4K gaming monitor

The best mid-range 4K gaming monitor

Specifications

Screen size: 32-inch
Panel type: IPS
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Response time: 2 ms
Refresh rate: 144 Hz (160 Hz overclocked)
Weight: 15.3 lbs | 6.9 kg
Refresh rate technology: FreeSync Premium

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable 4K
+
Up to 160Hz refresh overclocked
+
Great panel performance
+
No frills approach
+
Handy USB hub

Reasons to avoid

-
Stand is pretty basic
-
DisplayHDR 400 isn't much
Buy if...

You want a large 4K screen: While most 4K monitors tend to be 27-inch, sometimes that's just not quite big enough. No worries on that front here.

Don't buy if...

You want a proper HDR experience: As with all IPS panels, the dark colours and peak brightness just aren't good enough to get a proper HDR image.

Sometimes, all you want is a really big screen to give you lots of real estate to work and play on, at the right price, with great specs. And the best mid-range 4K monitor for this role is the Gigabyte M32UC.

Just like that in its smaller cousin, the M28U, the IPS panel is luscious and vibrant, with a fast pixel response and a high 144 Hz refresh rate. It's not ideal for HDR content, as its DisplayHDR 400 rating is the lowest level of certification, but it's more than good enough for everything else.

The extra size helps make room for additional connectivity and there's no shortage here: a DisplayPort 1.4 connection, two HDMI 2.1, one USB Type-C, three USB 3.2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Upstream, and a 3.5 mm jack for your headphones. All this makes it a great all-rounder for anyone wanting a monitor that's ideal for gaming and working from home.

In the case of the latter, the panel's size means the pixel density isn't very high, so you'll need to use a bit of desktop scaling to keep icons and text clear. And the 1500R curvature won't be to everyone's taste, especially for those who do a lot of productivity tasks.

Other than the chassis being very bland to look, there's little to complain about here and even the stand is a decent affair. Best of all, it's priced very reasonably, and most monitors this size are either way more expensive or just aren't suitable for gaming.

While I'd still recommend the M28U for most users, those of you wanting an impressively big screen to fill your vision without spending too much should head for the Gigabyte M32UC, the best mid-range 4K gaming monitor by far.

Read our full Gigabyte M32UC review.

The best 4K TV replacement

The best 4K TV replacement

Specifications

Screen size: 48-inch
Panel type: OLED
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Response time: 1 ms GtG
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Refresh rate: 138 Hz
Weight: 33 lbs | 15 kg
Refresh rate technology: FreeSync | G-SYNC Compatible

Reasons to buy

+
OLED for deep blacks
+
Fast response and high refresh
+
42-inch is the best large desktop size
+
Impressive array of ports and features
+
G-Sync compatible

Reasons to avoid

-
Low pixel density & text color fringing
-
OLED = risk of burn in
-
No height or swivel adjustment
-
42-inch LG C2 is cheaper with similar performance
Buy if...

You want a massive monitor for your gaming rig: At 42 inches in size, the Asus PG42UQ is sure to put you right in the middle of the action. If you like to sit back from your desk, this monitor is made for lounging in front of.

Don't buy if...

You're hoping to use it for more than gaming and media: Low pixel density, text fringing, and the risk of OLED burn-in doesn't make this ideal for desktop work.

Not everyone hunkers down in front of a small monitor to enjoy a spot of PC gaming, as there are plenty of folks who hook their rigs up to a TV, so they can sit back and relax. And the best 4K TV replacement monitor is the Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ.

As TVs go, it's a long way off being the largest you can get, at 'just' 42 inches in size, but as a monitor, it's mind-bogglingly big. But why would you pick this over a normal TV? Very few offer the combination of 4K, variable 144 Hz refresh rate, and ultra-low pixel response times.

And none will offer a DisplayPort 1.4 connection, let alone two 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 and two HDMI 2.0 ports, along with four 10Gbps USB Type-A sockets. It's as gaming-focused as you could possibly want, being ideal for PC and consoles.

The OLED panel produces wonderfully deep blacks and vividly rich colours, and while it's not the brightest you can get, HDR gaming is a sublime experience on the RG42UQ.

Just don't sit too close to it, as the huge size means the pixel density is very low and there's a fair amount of colour fringing around text. There's no height or swivel adjustment to the stand, of course, though there is a small degree of tilt available. But this is designed to be set down in a room and never to be moved again, just like any TV.

And that's because it essentially is a TV, as it uses the same panel as in LG's C9 range, and even includes a decent set of speakers and sub-woofer. Unfortunately, all the extra PC-related features add to the price, and it's very expensive for a monitor, with an MSRP of $1,400/AU$2,199.

But if you want a seriously huge monitor and you're willing to accept the drawbacks of OLED, then there's little to touch it in this segment.

Read our full Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ review.

The best ultrawide 4K gaming monitor

The best ultrawide 4K gaming monitor

Specifications

Screen size: 57-inch
Panel type: VA (mini-LED)
Aspect ratio: 32:9
Resolution: 7680 x 2160
Response time: 1 ms GtG
Refresh rate: 240 Hz
Weight: 42 lbs | 19 kg
Refresh rate technology: FreeSync