📺 The list in brief
1. Best overall
2. Best 1440p
3. Best ultrawide
4. Best big-screen 4K
5. Best gaming TV
6. Also tested
7. How we tested
8. Find the deals
9. FAQ
10. Jargon buster
OLED gaming displays are finally releasing in droves, and we've rounded up some of the best OLED gaming monitors you can currently buy. OLED screens can deliver massively fast response times, and the per-pixel lighting and deep black rendition means that as gaming monitors, they're highly prized.
The best overall OLED monitor is currently the Alienware 34 AW3423DWF. It's got a fabulous curved glossy OLED panel that makes your games sing, and with ultra-quick response times to boot. For the best 1440p OLED monitor, we recommend you check out the LG UltraGear 27GR95QE-B, as while it might be small, it makes gaming an absolute joy to behold.
OLED technology does come with some drawbacks, including the risk of burn in. Many OLED gaming monitors employ various mitigations to prevent it, and so far seem to be holding up well. There's also some full screen brightness issues in some panels. Still, OLED monitors are a very desirable addition to a high-end gaming setup, and below we've rounded up our top contenders.
Jeremy is our resident panel expert. He's been prodding every kind of monitor for as long as he's had fingers to poke with and eyes to see the terrible backlighting used on the worst displays. Jeremy could tell you within seconds what panel tech your screen is using, and maybe even who manufactured it. And if a gaming monitor impresses our toughest critic, then you know it's a good one.
The Quick List
The best overall
The combination of Samsung's brighter QD-OLED tech with a glossy panel coating at a relatively low price makes this the OLED gaming monitor of choice. Ridiculous pixel speed, outrageous contrast and eye-popping colours, all in a perfectly proportioned 34-inch ultrawide package.
The best 1440p
If 27-inch 1440p remains the resolution and form factor of choice for many gamers, this LG OLED lifts that category to new heights in terms of response and per-pixel lighting control. The only real downside is limited full-screen brightness. Oh and the painful price.
The best ultrawide
Samsung's new 49-inch curved monster delivers a stupendous gaming experience thanks to QD-OLED panel tech on such a massive scale. That said, the extreme 32:9 aspect ratio isn't a great fit for all gaming genres. And it's awfully expensive.
The best big-screen 4K
Slightly faster at 138Hz than the LG C2 4K OLED TV to which it is related, Asus's 42-inch beast is that little bit more PC-optimized, including DisplayPort connectivity. It's still more of a TV than a true PC monitor due to its proportions and relatively low pixel density. But this is a lot of OLED for the money, that's for sure.
The best gaming TV
This auto-flexing gaming TV will switch from flat to curved at the touch of a button and offers a great mix of LG's OLED TV chops and some impressive gaming performance, too. Sure, it's expensive, but if you want the best you have to pay.
Recent updates
This article was updated on February 21 to check over our recommendations, update the intro and review text, and add further information.
Best OLED gaming monitor
✅ You're looking for ultra quick pixel response: The Alienware 34 AW3423DWF is fast. Very, very fast, and that may make all the difference for competitive gaming.
✅ If you want better full-screen brightness: Full screen brightness has often been a sticking point for OLED monitors, but the Alienware has a much less aggressive brightness limiter that lets that nit rating sing.
✅ If you want a glossy monitor: Glossy coatings can be distractingly reflective, but the one used here is very well judged.
✅ If you don't want to overpay: All OLED monitors are expensive, but this is an extremely good display for a not-entirely-ludicrous price, and deals can often be found.
❌ If you're on a tight budget: Yep, we know, we just said it was more affordable than most. Still, it's nowhere near what you'd call cheap, but that's the price you currently pay for a good OLED.
❌ You want great pixel density: While the Alienware's pixel density is good enough, it doesn't make for particularly great font rendering. Those using it primarily for productivity tasks may want to look elsewhere.
It's a simple, low-tech tweak, but it makes all the difference. Alienware has a second 34-inch ultrawide OLED gaming monitor out in the Alienware 34 AW3423DWF, and the addition of a glossy anti-glare coating cements its place at the top of this guide as the best overall OLED gaming monitor.
Adding an "F" to the end of its designation means that, unlike the Alienware 34 QD-OLED AW3423DW that we also reviewed extremely highly, this big 34-inch curved display has a glossy coating that really makes the excellent colours and silly-deep contrast pop. It might sound like a small thing, but this deceptively simple tweak turns a fantastic OLED gaming monitor into a truly stupendous one for gaming.
Other differences? Well, the refresh rate has been dropped down to 165Hz from 175Hz, but in all honesty 99% of gamers would never, ever notice the difference. What really counts here is the sublime pixel response time, which is silly fast thanks to that excellent QD-OLED panel.
We like an LG panel, like the excellent one in the LG UltraGear 27GR95QE-B below, but the Samsung unit used here (and carried over from the previous model) is a real stunner, and not only does it deliver fantastic overall performance but it delivers much more consistent brightness performance with a 1,000 nits peak, although admittedly not over the full screen.
This has always been a bit of an Achille's heel for OLED displays, but at least the Alienware has a better brightness limiter than most, and it's lack of aggression compared to the competition means you can hardly notice it adjusting. That makes a big difference in day-to-day usage, and serves as a real feather in the big Alienware's cap.
Speaking of feathers in caps, let's talk about that curve. While curved displays are always going to split the room, the gentle 1800R curve in combination with the 3,440 by 1,440 resolution used here really makes for an immersive experience, and even if you're not a fan of bendy monitors, once you game on this one we reckon you'll be impressed.
There always drawbacks, especially in OLED displays, and other than the already mentioned full screen brightness issue it is worth pointing out that the pixel density could be better for productivity tasks. While font-rendering is not bad by any means, it's not the sharpest nor the crispest we've seen, so while the AW3423DWF will work fine as an office display, those looking for something more of an all-rounder may wish to consider some of the alternatives below.
It's also pricey. All OLED monitors are, unfortunately, but we've seen some good deals on the Alienware, and in all honesty if you're looking for the best OLED displays you're going to have to open you pocketbook pretty wide. Still, at least here you're getting an OLED gaming monitor that really does deliver image quality and gaming performance that's worth the money.
Yep, the Alienware 34 AW3423DWF takes our top spot as the best overall OLED gaming monitor for a reason, and that reason is visual lushness, with far fewer compromises than most. It's a centerpiece of a display, all wrapped up in a handsome package with a glossy coat that'll make your games simply sing.
Read our full Alienware 34 AW3423DWF review.
Best 1440p OLED gaming monitor
✅ You want stunning visual quality: It's an absolute looker this display, and one of the best gaming screens we've had the fortune to cast our eyes on
✅ If you feel the need for speed: The UltraGear combines a 0.3s pixel response time with a 240Hz refresh rate, making it supremely fast to respond.
❌ You want a very bright display: Those that prefer a dimly lit room will likely not notice the difference, but underneath the bright lights the LG struggles to make itself seen.
❌ You're looking for flash: It's smaller than many, and with a subtle frame design, which means the LG UltraGear doesn't make a huge impact. Game on it though, and it may very well.
The LG UltraGear 27GR95QE-B was one of the first 1440p 240Hz OLED gaming monitors to hit the market, and still takes the crown for the best 1440p OLED gaming monitor we've seen to date.
For a start, let's talk about some numbers. Here's a very small one to kick us off: 0.3ms. That's the pixel response time of the UltraGear, and it is wildly fast, but before you think the refresh rate might lag behind, we're looking here at a 240Hz panel that's plenty fast enough even for competitive gaming. High-refresh rates and OLED panels have not always been the best of friends, but the UltraGear is almightily fast no matter which way you look at it.
Image quality has been sacrificed though, right? Not a bit of it. In fact the LG UltraGear 27GR95QE-B (why do the best ones always have the most unwieldy names?) is one of the best looking displays we've ever tested, with gorgeous visual fidelity that is sure to make your games leap in front of your eyes.
Besides that panel, its not what you'd call an overly-flashy looking display either, which many of you will appreciate. It does have configurable RGB light strips on either side, but turn those off and the LG could quite happily sit on an office desk with no-one taking any particular notice, right until they see the depth and fidelity of the display itself.
Brightness, however, like many OLED monitors, is something of an issue. While it's certainly bright enough and vivid in a dark room, viewing it with the lights on during the day can make some darker areas in games a little hard to make out. A bit of a bummer that, but far from unique to the UltraGear, although even by OLED standards this is low, with a 206 nits peak brightness rating when measure over the full display. In HDR mode the panel is capable of 800 nits but that's on specific areas of the screen only, so be prepared to dim the lights if you want to get the most out of it.
Speaking of HDR, we did find it a little inconsistent, its true. It can have a tendency to oversaturate the colors, which might be fine for some but distracting for others.
Burn-in is always a concern on an OLED monitor, but here LG has leveraged some of the techniques it uses on its fabulous OLED TVs, so while we're not saying the UltraGear is immune, it at the very least makes use of the very latest technology to mitigate the issue, which should help this particular OLED display stand the test of time.
Overall the LG Ultragear 27GR95QE-B overcomes many of the common issues of OLED monitor ownership, and proves you can have fantastic image quality and speed in one package with relatively few compromises. Yes, it could be brighter, but game on this display in a softly lit room and let your eyeballs tell you what a great decision you made. It looks stunning, and that's what a good OLED display is for.
Read our full LG Ultragear 27GR95QE-B review.
Best ultrawide OLED gaming monitor
✅ You want a truly outrageous display: With its 32:9 OLED panel, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 looks like it came straight off the set of a sci-fi film, with huge performance to match.
✅ You want proper HDR: HDR has always been a bit of a pain, but the HDR capabilities of this display actually feel like HDR performing in the way it was always meant to.
❌ You don't want to spend too much: Ah, it's becoming a theme isn't it? Still, it should come at no surprise that for this much display, you're looking at around $2,000 MSRP unless you find an exceptional deal
❌ You want great pixel density: The big Samsung certainly makes a great productivity display, but the pixel density isn't the best we've seen.
Behold the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G93SC, all 49 inches of it. This is gigantic. Huge. Ma-hoosive. It's just about the most impressive thing you could have sitting on your desk, and it takes the prize for the best ultrawide OLED gaming monitor by virtue of...well, just look at it.
What we've got here is an OLED monitor using the same Samsung QD-OLED panel tech that we've seen previously on both Alienware's 34-inch models, including the Alienware 34 AW3423DWF, and the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600. But the panel is even wider at 32:9 aspect rather than 21:9, making this a truly massive and all encompassing display. You get the same pixel density and the same 1,440 vertical pixels, but the horizontal resolution has been broadened out to 5,120 pixels, making for a truly huge pixel canvas on which to see everything.
This new OLED panel is the same size and resolution as Samsung's previous Odyssey G9 monitors based on LCD rather than OLED panels. So, while the form factor is undoubtedly familiar, the 1800R curve is less extreme than the 1000R of previous G9 panels. However, when it comes to image quality, this OLED version of that whole ultra, ultrawide thing totally blows those older G9 panels away.
You get 240Hz refresh rate and a response time of 0.03ms, just like other QD-OLED monitors. Full screen brightness is rated at 250 nits, which again is identical to every other QD-OLED-based monitor we've seen. Samsung doesn't quote maximum HDR brightness, which is slightly annoying, although the panel is DisplayHDR True Black 400.
Connectivity wise you get DisplayPort, HDMI and mini HDMI, along with a USB hub with USB-C a USB-C interface. The USB-C socket is only for the hub, it isn't a display interface and doesn't have power delivery either, which is a bit of a shame and something we'd hope to see on an eventual refresh. Still, can't have everything ey?
Build quality wise, the gigantic Samsung is fantastic. It's got an ultra modern and minimalist look that would suit any desk you could reasonably fit it on (and trust us, you'll need a big one) and feels very nicely put together. The OLED panel tech also means that the panel enclosure is very thin, which adds to that space age and futuristic feel, although if you want to take things even further into science fiction with a display that bends itself (yep), check out the LG OLED Flex 42 below,
Gaming wise, the G9 G93SC is very good indeed. It looks exactly like the magnificent Alienware 34 AW3423DWF and the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600, just on a larger scale. And, yes, that includes the glossy panel coating, which does wonders for contrast.
This display looks punchy all the time, which is not something you can say about OLED monitors with LG WOLED panels. Where LG panels can sometimes dip in brightness when you light up a large proportion of the panel, there's almost no visible automatic brightness limiter nonsense to contend with here. If anything, it looks brighter than its rated 250 nits full screen.
That's a real boon for productivity applications, as anyone who's suffered the brightness bouncing around on the desktop when you open and close browser windows on some other OLED monitors can tell you. But there's none of that here, and the Samsung is all the better for it. Of course, to that you can add exceptional per-pixel lighting control and shiny HDR highlights.
This is HDR the way HDR was always meant to be, and the results are instantly stunning. And with a 240Hz refresh and 0.03ms response, this monitor is silly quick, too. Downsides? Well, it's an OLED, so there's always the possibility of potential burn-in, and really you do have to ask yourself if you want a monitor this exceptionally large.
But still, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G93SC is an absolute winner, and when it comes to the best ultrawides, well, you're looking at it.
Read our full Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G93SC review.
Best big-screen 4K OLED gaming monitor
✅ You're looking for a huge display: 42-inches treads the line between TV and display size, although you can absolutely sit it on your desk and immerse yourself in its gigantic panel.
✅ You want fast response times and high refresh: Given the size of the panel you could be forgiven for expecting it to be relatively slow, but with a 138Hz refresh rate and a 0.1ms response time, it's still a very quick display for its size.
✅ You want ports, ports for days: Two HDMI 2.2, two HDMI 2.0, a DisplayPort 1.4, a USB upstream and four USB 3.2 Type-A downstream. Phew, that's that covered then.
❌ You want great text rendering: Hmm. While the Asus PG42UWQ can certainly be used for office work, the pixel density isn't great, and there is some colour fringing around the displayed text.
❌ You'd like some built-in adjustment: No height or swivel adjustment means unless you mount it to a very substantial arm, you haven't got a whole lot of options for moving it around on its stand.
Asus has unleashed the ROG Swift PG42UQ OLED, a 41.5-inch behemoth that makes for the best big-screen 4K OLED gaming monitor we've tested. Making use of the same panel from the truly fantastic LG C2 OLED TV, the Swift PG42UQ adds a higher refresh rate, some useful anti-glare coating, DisplayPort 1.4 and some extra features that define it as more of a gaming monitor than a TV, in ways you might not expect.
The main question is whether it's worth the full $1,399, as at that price it's a little more expensive than LG's 42-inch C2, but rest assured, it does do a few things better for that extra cash. For starters it works like a proper monitor and not a smart TV, and comes with a full four-port USB hub, putting it ahead in the gaming stakes over the C2.
It also comes with 138Hz refresh versus the C2's 120Hz. That might only be a small improvement, but gamers will appreciate every last bit of speed they can get. There's also a 0.1ms response time, as well as G-Sync compatibility, so gaming monitor credentials are on display here (see what I did there) in spades.
The Swift PG42UQ is a full-fat OLED, which gives it a substantial advantage over the competition in terms of color accuracy, contrast and response. 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio is seriously good, and it makes the 10-bit color pop and sizzle. It might have a matte coating in comparison to the C2's glossy goodness, but it still packs a punch when it comes to zingy colors and deep blacks.
Speaking of colors, right out the box they're already amazing, with a rich saturation, vibrance and deep contrast. There are multiple color profiles to pick from in the OSD including dedicated DCI and sRGB modes. Get deep inside the settings and you can easily calibrate the monitor to your liking. SDR brightness tops out about 450 nits and up to 750 nits in HDR in small sections, while the full-screen brightness is sub 200 nits, which again is not uncommon in an OLED display.
It's not exactly the brightest, I'll give you that, but those exceptional black levels certainly help. HDR is absolutely stunning on the Swift PG42UQ. In horror games like Resident Evil Village or the dismally dark and moody A Plague Tale: Requiem, it can really add something to the experience.
42 inches makes for a hell of a desk-dominator, and is probably at the upper limit of usability, but nevertheless makes for a display that truly fills your eyeballs with all the OLED fidelity it can offer. There are some caveats to its TV/monitor hybrid role however, such as the stand.
It's decently stable and well built, but if you're looking for a lot of adjustment you won't find it here. The Asus likes to sit where it sits, with limited movement in terms of tilt and height, so if you want to move it around a lot be prepared to buy a hefty mount for serious adjustments.
And then there's text rendering. It's not necessarily what you'd call bad, but text can get a little blurry, and there is some noticeable color fringing, meaning that for office work and productivity there are better. Still, at this sort of size you'll likely be wanting this for gaming and media more than anything, but it's still something to bear in mind for every day PC usage.
Oh, but here's something you might want to consider: It's a monitor with decent speakers! Yep, having a bit of the ol' TV magic thrown into the mix does come with some advantages, and the Harmon-Kardon units on offer here are capable of great volume and even some substantial base, which let me tell you is rare when it comes to monitor audio.
It's far more of a gaming monitor than a TV, the Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ, and as a result makes an easy recommendation for a large and in charge big-screen 4K OLED monitor, although if you want to take things even further it might be worth looking at the bend-on-command LG OLED 42 Flex below.
It comes with so many features, so much connectivity, and so much performance that it really does deliver an all-encompassing and maybe even overwhelming gaming and display experience.
Read our full Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ review.
Best OLED gaming TV
✅ You want the best of the best: All the OLED tech LG can muster, built into a panel that curves itself. This is about as far as screen tech goes right now, and is, forgive us, the ultimate gaming flex.
✅ You want a panel that delivers both as a TV and display: The LG OLED Flex is not about compromises. If you want it, its got it, both as a gaming monitor and as a TV watching experience.
❌ You value your money: It's expensive, and we mean, really expensive. You could buy a 43 inch LG C2 and the best overall OLED on this page, the Alienware AW3432DWF, and still have money left over. Ouch.
Can't decide between curved and plain old flat, and got a significant amount of spare cash in your back pocket? Lucky you, because you'll be able to experience our current best OLED gaming TV, the LG OLED Flex 42.
LG has set and MSRP of $2,499 (£2,699, AUD $4,999) for the privilege of owning one of these mighty displays, and we're not going to mess you around, that's as serious amount of cash. But bear with us here, because the LG isn't just a great panel, it's got a party trick that leaves all other OLED displays in the shade. This TV can bend itself into a curved display at the touch of a button, and it even plays an impressive sound effect while it does it. Ridiculous, we know, but in all the best ways.
You're not just paying for the motorised flexibility either. This LG OLED comes with some of the best top TV features from its other displays, including a super bright OLED Evo panel with 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh, 1ms response, wide color gamut, ALLM, VRR, Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync support. You'll also get support for Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, and HLG with Dynamic tone mapping.
There's also an anti-glare coating and a USB hub, although no DisplayPort, so you'll need to make use of the four HDMI 2.1 ports for connectivity.
The motors are hidden, or more accurately, somewhat overtly covered in a chunky stand, but the LG Flex feels solid and well-built as a result, and given that it can bend around its panel in ways that would make other displays cry for mercy, that's a very good thing.
Those of you who might think that this is purely a TV and not really a gaming display will be pleased to find LG's excellent Game Optimiser dashboard, and while this is an addition on many of LG's TVs, it does a great job of helping you get the most out of that sumptuous panel for all your gaming needs. It might not be the fastest at 120Hz, but honestly that's plenty fast enough for most gamers, and buttery smooth by comparison to many TVs.
Back to that bendy panel, and the gubbins that power it. The LG Flex includes the LG Gen 5 AI processor to handle images, and as result this display looks excellent. HDR shines in all the ways you hope it might, and you get perfect contrast and extra brightnest thanks to the OLED Evo tech inside. There's also LG's WebOS system that runs all the usual streaming apps, alongside the tried and tested Magic Remote for TV functionality.
So, back to drawbacks, and here we go again, it's the price. $2,500 shiny dollars. It's a lot of money for just about anybody, but what you're getting here is some of LG's absolute best technology wrapped up in a screen that can do something that others simply cannot. Those looking for an ultrawide should probably take a gander at the gigantic Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, but if you want to stick to good old 16:9, it doesn't get much better than this.
It's big, it's excessive, it's pricey, but it's also truly fantastic, and if you've got the moolah, well, LG has built the display. Now get yourself to curving, you lucky so-and-so you.
Read our full LG OLED Flex 42 review.
PC Gamer OLED gaming monitor reviews
As a first taster of LG's new OLED panels, this was a good indicator of some hopefully great screens to come. The ROG Swift is great in its own right however, and impressed with better full-screen brightness, a 240Hz refresh rate and great HDR performance.
PC Gamer score: 87%
For
- Glossy panel lets OLED tech sing
- Super speedy performance
- Fewer OLED downsides than the competition
Against
- Very expensive
- Pixel density is nothing special
- Some brightness limitations remain
If Alienware's very similar 34-inch model was the OLED monitor we've been waiting for, Philips has just bested it. Thanks to a glossy panel coating, the OLED tech really sings. HDR games? They positively sizzle. A few minor OLED limitations remain. But this is as good as gaming monitors currently get.
PC Gamer score: 95%
For
- Glossy panel lets OLED tech sing
- Super speedy performance
- Fewer OLED downsides than the competition
Against
- Very expensive
- Pixel density is nothing special
- Some brightness limitations remain
It’s been an incredibly long time coming. But OLED awesomeness has finally come to the PC. LCD technology still has the edge for latency, but this quantum dot-enhanced OLED screen is incredible when it comes to contrast, HDR performance, and response. Net result? Simply one of, if not the, best gaming monitors ever.
PC Gamer score: 95%
For
- Fabulous contrast and colours
- Stupendous pixel response
- Genuine HDR capability
Against
- Not a great all-purpose panel
- Latency isn't a strong point
- No HDMI 2.1
The BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ is a solid choice if you want to adopt the large gaming monitor lifestyle. It's got the speed, color, and contrast you want for PC and console gaming. However, its limited ergonomics and high price make it hard to fully recommend over some of its competitors.
PC Gamer score: 79%
For
- Great color and contrast
- Excellent response time
- Good speakers
Against
- Very expensive
- Poor ergonomic design
- Unimpressive HDR
Corsair's take on the 27-inch 1440p OLED is beautifully engineered and all the usual LG-powered OLED upsides appear, including warp-speed responses and lovely per-pixel lighting. But so does the inconsistent brightness. And that's a little tricky to accept at this lofty price point.
PC Gamer score: 80%
For
- Outrageous pixel response
- Per-pixel OLED lighting
- Nicely engineered
Against
- Inconsistent brightness
- Very expensive for a 27-inch panel
Waiting for the big-screen monitor that really delivers on the promise of OLED tech? This isn't it. The Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 suffers from all-too-apparent brightness limitations, while the resolution and pixel density are a very hard sell at this price point.
PC Gamer score: 68%
For
- Ultra-fast response time
- Pretty much perfect black levels
- Good connectivity
Against
- Disappointing full-screen brightness
- Feels fragile when flexing
- Relatively low resolution
- A 42-inch 4K OLED gaming TV is half the price
LG’s smallest OLED is uniquely feature-heavy and offers blistering framerates. For PC gamers looking for a 4K TV, this is the best choice.
PC Gamer score: 89%
For
- Unrivalled blacks
- Offers up 4K@120Hz
- A (semi) desk-friendly form factor
Against
- Expensive for a sub 50-inch TV
- Risk of screen burn-in
- No full-range colour gamut at 4K yet
Best computer speakers | Best gaming headset | Best gaming laptop | Best wireless gaming headset | Best PC controller | Best capture card
How we test gaming monitors
How does PC Gamer test gaming monitors?
Like everything else we test, we live with a gaming monitor in the same way you would at home. We make sure to use it for day-to-day monitor-y tasks on your windows desktop—because your PC likely isn't just for gaming—and we, of course test it while gaming too, because we're all comprehensive like that.
The Windows desktop will highlight any failings in factory calibration, and show up any issues with font scaling, too. Fonts can be a particular problem with OLED panels thanks to typically not using standard RGB subpixels. The Windows desktop is also a good way to test problems with OLED full-screen brightness and auto brightness limiting (ABL) functions.
As for gaming, using fast-paced shooters is a great way to test out the response of a given gaming monitor, and then the neon-dripping world of Cyberpunk 2077 makes for an excellent HDR tester.
We also go through a series of experiential tests to highlight any response and latency issues. We find it too easy to get lost in the weeds of specific panel benchmarks and miss more obvious problems that might crop up during day-to-day gaming use. So, we put more weight on what it's like to actually use a gaming monitor on a daily basis than what the specs might say.
Where to buy a gaming monitor
Where are best gaming monitor deals?
In the US:
- Amazon - Regular discounts on high refresh rate gaming monitors
- Walmart - Save on quick gaming monitors
- B&H Photo - Gaming monitors for as little as $100
- Best Buy - Gaming monitors going for less
- Target - LG, Acer and Asus gaming monitors on sale
- Staples - Regular sales on selected HP gaming monitors
- Newegg - Lots of cheap gaming monitors to choose from
- Dell - Money off Alienware gaming monitors
In the UK:
- Amazon - Save on big-name monitor brands
- Overclockers - 1440p LG gaming monitors from £190
- Scan - AMD FreeSync monitors from as low as £100
- CCL - Regular deals on some of the best screens around
Best OLED gaming monitor FAQ
What's better for gaming, LCD or OLED?
First, let's clarify one thing. Mini-LED monitors are LCD monitors with mini-LED backlights. So, they don't compare to OLED with it comes to per-pixel lighting control and speed. OLED technology is massively faster in terms of pixel response and, currently, the only option for true per-pixel lighting and that means proper HDR performance, with sizzling, pin-point highlights combined with perfect, inky black levels.
That said, LCD still has the edge for latency thanks to offering refresh rates up to and beyond 500Hz, while OLED currently tops out at 240Hz. However, super-high refresh rates really only deliver a benefit in an ultra-competitive online shooter context. For everything else, OLED's refresh rate is more than enough.
LCD's final advantage is pixel density. 4K 32-inch OLED monitors are imminent, but right now OLED monitors offer relatively low pixel density. For gaming, that's probably fine. But for general purpose computing, for things like crisp fonts and lots of desktop space, existing OLED monitors are a little compromised. But overall, OLED clearly gives the better gaming experience.
What's the LG versus Samsung OLED panel tech thing about?
Currently, all OLED gaming monitors are based on either LG or Samsung panels. They both share basic OLED attributes including incredible speed and per-pixel lighting. But they also differ in a few important aspects.
First is subpixel structure. LG's WOLED panels have white, red, green and blue vertical subpixels in that order. Samsung's subpixels are arranged in a triangle, with the red and blue subpixels above the green subpixel and no white subpixel. For gaming, subpixel structure arguably doesn't matter. But it does in Windows, especially for rendering fonts.
Next up, Samsung's QD-OLED panels tend to offer better full-screen brightness, typically hitting about 250 nits. LG panels tend to be nearer 150 nits. That's a very noticeable difference.
Is burn-in really a problem?
One other possible difference when it comes to LG versus Samsung panels is burn-in or image retention. Some early testing has suggested that Samsung's QD-OLED panels may be more prone to burn-in than LG panels. But that has yet to be conclusively established.
More to the point, OLED technology is new enough in PC monitors that the true long-term durability has yet to be determined. All of the OLED monitors we have reviewed come with at least three years warranty, including burn-in cover. So, you needn't have any immediate concerns. What's harder to say is if you can reasonably expect an OLED monitor to resist any kind of burn-in for five years or more.
What aspect ratio should I go for?
Most games are optimised for a widescreen format at a 16:9 aspect ratio. That applies to TV content and video content, though feature films tend to be wider still. So, that's 1080p, 1440p and 4K. All three are 16:9 aspect.
21:9 aspect ultra-wide panels are also popular, just bear in mind that most first-person shooters tend to just stretch the existing image over the wider aspect rather than extending the field of view (FoV). That's especially true of competitive online shooters, where a wider FoV would make for an unfair advantage.
And the very far-out option, if you have a little extra cash to blow, is the extra-ultra-wide aspect ratio of 32:9. That can make for incredibly immersive gaming. But it also stretches the limits of ergonomics, both physical and in terms of things like game UI and menus. For most gamers, most of the time 16:9 and 21:9 are the best choices.
Jargon buster - gaming monitor terminology
Refresh Rate (Hz)
The speed at which the screen refreshes. For example, 144Hz means the display refreshes 144 times a second. The higher the number, the smoother the screen will appear when you play games.
V-Sync
Graphics tech synchronizes a game's framerate with your monitor's refresh rate to help prevent screen tearing by syncing your GPU frame rate to the display's maximum refresh rate. Turn V-Sync on in your games for a smoother experience, but you'll lose information, so turn it off for fast-paced shooters (and live with the tearing). Useful if you have an older model display that can't keep up with a new GPU.
G-Sync
Nvidia's frame synching tech that works with Nvidia GPUs. It basically allows the monitor to sync up with the GPU. It does by showing a new frame as soon as the GPU has one ready.
FreeSync
AMD's take on frame synching uses a similar technique as G-Sync, with the biggest difference being that it uses DisplayPort's Adaptive-Sync technology which doesn't cost monitor manufacturers anything.
Ghosting
When movement on your display leaves behind a trail of pixels when watching a movie or playing a game, this is often a result of a monitor having slow response times. Happily, this doesn't really apply to OLED monitors thanks to their incredible speed.
Response Time
The amount of time it takes a pixel to transition to a new color and back. Often referenced as G2G or Grey-to-Grey. Slow response times can lead to ghosting. Pretty much all OLED monitors are sub 1ms response and super fast.
QD-OLED
This is Samsung's OLED panel tech. It's the brightest currently available, but there are some early signs that it may be prone to burn-in.
WOLED
LG's OLED panels have a WRGB or white-red-green-blue subpixel structure, hence the name WOLED, indicating an additional white subpixel.
HDR
High Dynamic Range. HDR provides a wider color range than normal SDR panels and offers increased brightness. The result is more vivid colors, deeper blacks, and a brighter picture.
Peak Brightness
This refers to the maximum brightness of a monitor or television and is measured in nits. OLED panels have good peak brightness of 1000 nits or more, but it's limited to a small area of the screen.
Full-screen brightness
This is an important metric because full-screen brightness on OLED panels is always much less than peak brightness. Samsung QD-OLED tech can hit about 250 nits full screen, but LG panels are nearer 150 nits.
Ultrawide
Shorthand for monitors with aspect wider aspect ratios like 32:9 or 21:9
Resolution
The number of pixels that make up a monitor's display, measured by height and width. For example: 1920 x 1080 (aka 1080p), 2560 x 1440 (2K), and 3840 x 2160 (4K).
