Is there such a thing as an ‘ergonomic’ gaming monitor? From what we have discovered by searching online, strictly speaking there doesn’t seem to be such a product. But, obviously, the image quality, size, panel technology, and other parameters, all add up to a more enjoyable, responsive and comfortable gaming experience, hence these could be considered as being ergonomically better for gamers.
Whether you’re a serious gamer or a casual player, your monitor can make the difference between winning and losing. To get the maximum experience from the latest fast-action games, you will need a gaming PC with a powerful graphics solution, and a monitor that can display the action without blurred images, flicker, tearing, and other motion problems. You need to choose a display that will deliver a smooth, immersive gaming experience.
Size and resolution
As far as gaming monitors are concerned, bigger is generally better. Providing you have the space, a 27-inch screen offers enough screen space to go beyond full high definition, with a maximum resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels. Many of the latest 27-inch models are Wide Quad High-Definition (WQHD) monitors with maximum resolutions of 2,560 by 1,440 pixels.
Panel technology
There are quite a few monitor-panel technologies used in various gaming monitors, each with its pros and cons.
- Twisted Nematic (TN) panels are affordable and popular among gamers because they offer fast pixel response times and refresh rates
- Vertical Alignment (VA) screens offer high native contrast ratios, robust colors, and the ability to display deep blacks
- In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels provide the best color quality, strong grayscale performance, and wide viewing angles. These are the best general-use panel type, but choosy gamers or competitive e-sports gamers may have a problem with IPS.
Pixel response and refresh rate
Gamers all look for fast pixel response times and a high refresh rate. The most commonly used pixel response criteria is grey-to-grey – measured in milliseconds (ms) – which measures the time it takes for a pixel to change from one shade of grey to another. A low pixel response will prevent the smearing of moving images thus providing a smoother overall picture than a higher pixel response. A grey-to-grey response of 2ms or less is the best, but a 4ms grey-to-grey response is okay for gaming.
As far as refresh rates are concerned, most LCD monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate – meaning the screen is refreshed 60 times per second, but images that move very fast could appear blurry at this refresh rate. To fix this problem, the latest in gaming panels is a number of models from major gaming-LCD makers with refresh rates higher than 60Hz – with the most common refresh-rate increments being in the “high refresh” gaming displays of 75Hz, 120Hz, and 144Hz, with panels even going up to 240Hz.
G-Sync and FreeSync
To help reduce tearing and other motion artifacts, while lowering input lag, the latest gaming monitors use synchronization technology. Displays equipped with Nvidia’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync technology give control of the screen’s refresh rate to the graphics card or chip. This allows the display to operate at a variable refresh rate depending on what the card is capable of pushing. This results in a very smooth gaming experience, with decreased input lag and a lack of tearing. Just remember, G-Sync and FreeSync monitors require a G-Sync-compatible graphics card with a DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0 output (an Nvidia card for G-Sync, an AMD card for FreeSync).
So, let’s get down to our selection of the best gaming monitors of 2018.
BenQ EX3501R
A HDR and Ultra-Wide combination.
Screen size: 35-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 100Hz | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 2,500:1 | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 23 pounds
Vital statistics
- Great screen size
- HDR
- Menu can be tricky
- Needs tweaking out of the box
The BenQ EX3501R takes HDR and optimizes it by offering a curved Ultra-Wide that is really quite beautiful. BenQ promotes this monitor as a ‘video enjoyment monitor’.
Alienware AW3418DW
The fastest ultrawide yet.
Screen size: 34-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 26 pounds
Vital statistics
- Highest refresh rate in an ultrawide
- Alienware design and build quality
- Expensive
- Takes up a lot of space
Offers a beautiful 21:9 display, lightning fast 4ms response time and an impressive 120Hz refresh rate. Though it has a very high price tag, this is one of the best gaming monitors in the market today.
AOC Agon AG352UCG6 Black Edition
A blacker shade of black.
Screen size: 35-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 2,500:1: | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 26 pounds
Vital statistics
- Phenomenal color performance
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Clunky OSD menu
The AOC Agon AG352UCG6 Black Edition – one of the best ways of experiencing ultra-wide gaming.
Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
The king of kings amongst gaming monitors.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 600 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 50,000:1 | Color support: Adobe RGB 99% | Weight: 28 pounds
Vital statistics
- G-Sync and HDR
- Fantastic image quality
- Prohibitively expensive
Right now, the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ could be the most advanced gaming monitor on the planet. With a 4K Ultra-HD resolution and HDR, it also offers G-Sync and a 144Hz refresh rate. In black and white, these specs appear to be the most impressive ever for a gaming monitor – and when you see it, you will believe it!
BenQ PD3200U
A big 4K screen for the desk.
Screen Size: 32-inch | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response Time: 4ms | Viewing Angle: 178/178 | Contrast Ratio: 1,000:1 | Color Support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 19 lbs
Vital statistics
- 4K UHD resolution
- Large Screen
- Relatively Inexpensive
- A rather bland design
- Niche professional tools
- Takes up a lot of space
BenQ PD3200U has a lot to offer as a gaming monitor. With its focus on graphic design, it delivers fantastic viewing angles. And, unlike a lot of 4K monitors, every unit is individually calibrated by BenQ before it’s shipped.
BenQ Zowie XL2540
Custom made for professional gamers.
Screen size: 24-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Brightness: 400 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: NTSC 72% | Weight: 7.5kg
Vital statistics
- High refresh rates
- Easy setup
- Expensive
- Limited appeal for non-pro gamers
The BenQ Zowie XL2540 is every bit a gaming monitor, with a zippy 240Hz refresh rate and near-instantaneous 1ms response time. This monitor supplies you with lots of visual pre-sets, an “S Switch” control pod for managing those pre-sets plus a pair of adjustable light screens. For professional gamers, this is the best gaming monitor.
Samsung CHG90 QLED
The widest ultra-wide.
Screen Size: 49-inch | Aspect Ratio: 32:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 1080 | Viewing Angle: 178/178 | Contrast Ratio: 3,000:1 | Color Support: N/A | Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Weight: 33 lbs
Vital statistics
- Flawless image quality
- Impressive color reproduction
- Smooth 144Hz refresh rate
- Expensive
- Only 1080p vertically
Samsung brings QLED to gaming monitors while also offering the widest ultra-wide monitor on the market. At 49.5 inches, this will take up a lot of desk space. However, it has an impressive 3,840 x 1080 resolution and HDR. The price tag is mind blowing but for this kind of display, the premium is well worth it.
