When it comes to gaming, the right monitor can make or break your gaming set-up. You may have invested in a custom stack or next-gen console, but if you don’t finish your rig with the perfect gaming monitor, you’ll never be able to play and enjoy games in the way that they’re meant to be experienced. Even casual gamers need a decent monitor in order to play today’s immersive games.
Designed specifically to give players of all experience levels the gaming advantage, the best gaming monitors deliver vibrant colours, offer high resolutions, and are packed with game-boosting features. You need help choosing a monitor.
In 2020, there’s a gaming monitor out there for every type of gamer, from those needing 4K res or HRD capabilities, to pro gamers for whom super-fast refresh rates are a major priority. If you want to take your gaming experiences to the next level this winter, get your hands on one of the following newly-released monitors.
Viewsonic Elite XG240R – Immersive gaming on a budget
Easily the best value for money monitor currently available – the Elite XG240R is priced at under $300 – this update on the US firm’s original budget model (XG2402) comes with a number of additions that take it to the next level. Its 1ms response time coupled with the new Adaptic-Sync feature delivers great performance. A 144Hz and 1000:1 contrast ratio ensure that colours are rich and pop off the screen, and with different viewing modes available it’s all set up to play a broad range of games.
The biggest overhaul comes in the XGR240R’s physical design. Gone are the red highlights of the previous model; instead, its chassis is a sleek, all-black (combination of matte black plastic and brushed-effect plastic). Two arrowhead LEDs at the rear of the screen add the finishing touch. The in-built menu has also been given a more intuitive overhaul, making it a breeze to change picture modes to suit different games.
- Screen size: 24 inch
- Aspect ration: 16:9
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q – 4K gaming meets affordability
Another monitor that proves you don’t need to spend a lot to get great quality, the new Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q may have an entry-level price tag, but don’t let that fool you. One of the most affordable 4k monitors on the market, it has a cool feature that allows you to tilt, pivot and swivel it for different viewing positions.
Less “gamer-centric” than some of the other models featured on this list, the VG289Q is a great, wallet-friendly all-rounder. Its crisp display and super sharp image quality lend themselves well to a wide range of gaming activities, from popular entertainment forms such as online slots to the more structured play necessary for RPG gaming.
- Screen size: 28 inch
- Aspect ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Alienware AW3418DW – Superfast ultrawide
If speed is your thing even in an ultrawide monitor, the new Alienware AW3418DW will be right up your street. Offering the highest refresh rate for an ultrawide – 120Hz – this monitor is an absolute beast, but it delivers.
Very view 21:9 aspect ratio monitors are able to deliver a high refresh rate, but that’s a piece of cake for the AW3418DW. It doesn’t come cheap, with prices starting at $840, but it will deliver 4ms response times in a satisfyingly dense 3440 x 1440 resolution. It’s the best of both worlds – complete gaming immersion with a superfast response.
- Screen size: 34 inch
- Aspect ration: 21:9
- Resolution: 3840 x 1440
Alienware AW5520QF – Ultimate gaming for the ultimate price tag
This next monitor is fully in monster territory! Let’s face it, if you’re the type of gamer that needs an OLED panel and 55 inches of screen, you’re going to have to pay a premium for it. Alienware’s AW5520QF may cost upwards of $3000, but it’s the best OLED gaming monitor on the market right now and is set to stay that way for quite some time.
In addition to the impeccable 4K OLED panel, this ultrawide features a 120Hz refresh rate and an incredible 1ms response time. The top-notch speakers allow for immersive sound while you’re gaming – you can surround yourself with them if the game requires – while AMD FreeSync brings an end to broken frames and choppy gameplay.
Combined with its elegant design and masses of ports, for the serious gamer, it’s the ultimate OLED gaming monitor.
- Screen size: 55 inch
- Aspect ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160