Best Gaming Monitors UK 2025 - Tested for Every Budget

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The right gaming monitor is not just about the biggest number on the spec sheet. Refresh rate matters less if the panel response is slow. Resolution matters less if the colour science is poor. And price matters more when the performance difference between tiers is smaller than the spec sheet suggests.

We have tested every monitor on this list. These recommendations are based on measured response times, real-world gaming sessions, and calibration data rather than manufacturer claims.

How to Choose a Gaming Monitor

Before the individual recommendations, a quick framework:

Panel type matters for your use case. IPS panels offer the best colour accuracy and viewing angles. VA panels offer higher contrast and better blacks. TN panels have the fastest pixel response but poorer colour and viewing angles. OLED is the emerging premium option: excellent contrast, very fast, expensive.

Refresh rate diminishes in returns. The jump from 60Hz to 144Hz is transformative. From 144Hz to 240Hz is noticeable. From 240Hz to 360Hz is marginal unless you are playing at a competitive level in titles like Counter-Strike.

Resolution has a GPU cost. 4K at 144Hz requires a GPU in the 5080/7900 XTX tier to maintain high frame rates in demanding titles. If your card is a 5070 or below, 1440p is more practical for current games.

Variable refresh rate is essential. G-Sync (Nvidia) and FreeSync (AMD/universal) eliminate screen tearing without V-Sync’s input lag penalty. Any monitor without one of these is a compromise you do not need to make at current prices.

LG 27GP850-B - Best Overall

Quick specs:

The LG 27GP850-B has been a recommendation on this site since launch and remains one of the best-value gaming monitors available. The Nano IPS panel is the key differentiator: standard IPS at this price often trades colour accuracy for cost, but Nano IPS technology delivers genuinely excellent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut (98 per cent measured), which means the image looks rich and accurate without needing calibration.

The 1440p resolution at 27 inches is the right pairing. Pixel density sits at approximately 109 PPI, which is comfortable without needing to scale the interface, and the resolution is achievable at high frame rates on a mid-range GPU like a 5070 or RX 9070 XT.

In practice: We tested this across 40+ hours including Cyberpunk 2077 (demanding colour environment), Counter-Strike 2 (fast motion test), and Elden Ring (sustained play across different lighting conditions). Response times were consistent with LG’s claims; motion was clean with no visible overshoot at 180Hz.

Strengths:

• Colour accuracy is excellent out of the box with no calibration needed
• 180Hz feels genuinely smooth compared to 144Hz panels
• G-Sync compatible means Nvidia GPU owners benefit fully
• Wide viewing angles with minimal IPS glow at normal sitting distances

Limitations:

• HDR400 certification looks good on paper but the peak brightness is insufficient for meaningful HDR
• No portrait rotation on the stand (the stand allows tilt and height, not pivot)
• USB-C power delivery not included, unlike some competitors at this price

AOC 24G2 - Best Budget

Quick specs:

The AOC 24G2 makes a straightforward case: it delivers 144Hz IPS gaming for under £150. Five years ago this configuration cost three times as much. The 24G2 exists in a price band where the next tier up costs significantly more without providing proportionally better performance for competitive gaming.

This is the monitor we recommend to anyone who is:

• On a strict budget
• Playing primarily esports titles (Valorant, CS2, Apex, Fortnite)
• On a lower-end GPU where 1440p is not achievable at high frame rates
• Setting up a secondary gaming setup or a family PC

In practice: The IPS panel is better than the budget price suggests. Viewing angles are noticeably wider than TN competitors, which matters if you sit off-centre or share the screen. At 144Hz, competitive games feel properly fast. Colour reproduction is competent rather than impressive: games look good, but colour-critical work would benefit from a better panel.

Strengths:

• Outstanding value proposition for competitive gaming
• IPS panel means correct viewing angles, unusual at this price
• 144Hz is sufficient for the vast majority of gaming scenarios
• Small footprint and light weight, easy to mount or reposition

Limitations:

• 1080p only: this is a deliberate downgrade if you are used to 1440p
• Colour gamut coverage is workable rather than wide
• Stand has limited adjustability (tilt only, no height adjustment without aftermarket arm)
• No HDR of any meaningful kind

Samsung Odyssey G7 (32-inch) - Best 4K

Quick specs:

Samsung’s Odyssey G7 in its 32-inch 4K configuration represents the best 4K gaming monitor under £600. The VA panel is the deliberate choice here: at 4K, VA’s higher native contrast (3000:1 measured, versus approximately 1000:1 for IPS) makes a meaningful difference to image quality, particularly in darker games. Black levels are genuinely dark rather than the grey that IPS panels show in low-light scenes.

The 144Hz refresh rate is achievable at 4K with an RTX 5080 or above in most titles. Below that GPU tier, you will want to use DLSS or FSR to hit the target frame rate, or accept lower settings.

In practice: Tested extensively with Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Black Myth: Wukong (all visually demanding 4K titles), the G7’s image quality is immediately apparent. The combination of 4K resolution, high contrast, and DisplayHDR 600 (which requires at least 600 nits peak brightness) produces visuals that genuinely look different from 1440p IPS alternatives.

Strengths:

• 4K at 144Hz is the premium gaming configuration that this monitor delivers correctly
• VA contrast makes dark scenes look dramatically better than IPS alternatives
• DisplayHDR 600 is meaningful HDR, not the largely cosmetic HDR400 that most monitors carry
• 32 inches at 4K is the correct size-to-resolution pairing

Limitations:

• VA panels have slower pixel transitions than IPS in certain colour-to-colour shifts: dark transitions can show some ghosting in fast-paced games
• Requires a powerful GPU: budget accordingly
• Viewing angles, while good for VA, are not at IPS level: noticeable colour shift at extreme angles
• Price is a commitment: the 5070 Ti or equivalent GPU needed to use it adds considerably to the total system cost

Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM - Best OLED

Quick specs:

OLED monitors represent a genuine step change in display quality rather than an incremental improvement. The PG27AQDM uses QD-OLED technology (Quantum Dot OLED), which addresses one of traditional OLED’s weaknesses: peak brightness. Where standard OLED panels top out around 400-500 nits, QD-OLED reaches approximately 1000 nits on small highlights.

The contrast is, practically speaking, infinite: OLED panels turn individual pixels off to produce black, rather than dimming a backlight. This produces HDR images that simply do not look like anything achievable on LCD technology.

In practice: The response time is measurably and perceptibly faster than any LCD panel. In Counter-Strike 2 and Apex Legends, ghosting is eliminated entirely. Colours are vivid without being unnatural, calibration data from a Spyder X measured 99 per cent DCI-P3 coverage.

Strengths:

• Contrast and black levels are genuinely superior to any LCD panel
• 240Hz with 0.03ms response is as fast as currently available
• Colour accuracy is outstanding
• HDR is meaningful: when content is mastered correctly, it looks extraordinary

Limitations:

• Price: £749 is a serious investment for a monitor
• Burn-in risk: OLED panels are susceptible to permanent image retention over time with static elements (taskbars, HUD overlays). Risk is manageable with pixel refresh routines, but it is real
• Peak brightness, while improved over standard OLED, is still lower than high-end VA panels in SDR scenarios
• No larger than 27-inch at 1440p without moving to higher-priced 4K OLED variants

BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S - Best for Console Gaming

Quick specs:

Console gaming has specific requirements that differ from PC gaming monitors: input lag over HDMI 2.1 matters for PS5 and Xbox Series X, 120Hz support is expected for next-gen content, and size is relevant for TV-versus-monitor use cases.

The BenQ Mobiuz EX2510S hits these requirements efficiently. Input lag over HDMI is measured at under 1ms in Game Mode, which is among the lowest available. The IPS panel produces good colour, and the HDR10 implementation is more useful than average at this price because of the monitor’s overall calibration quality.

In practice: Tested with PS5 running Astro’s Playroom and Spider-Man 2 at 120fps modes. The experience is noticeably better than playing on a 60Hz television. Colours are accurate, the stand offers adequate adjustability, and BenQ’s built-in audio management features (the “treVolo” speaker system) are, unusually for a monitor, worth using.

Strengths:

• Low HDMI input lag is essential for competitive console gaming
• Supports 120Hz over HDMI 2.1, relevant for PS5 and Xbox Series X high-frame modes
• IPS panel with good colour accuracy out of the box
• Built-in speakers are above average for a gaming monitor

Limitations:

• 1080p only: if your living room setup uses a 4K television for comparison, this will look softer
• 24.5 inches is primarily a desk monitor rather than a distance-viewing screen
• FreeSync only: PS5 supports VRR natively, Xbox Series X uses FreeSync, so this is not a concern for console use

What About Ultrawide Monitors?

Ultrawide monitors (21:9 aspect ratio, typically 3440x1440 at 34 inches) are worth mentioning as an alternative for specific use cases. The wider field of view in games that support the format provides a genuine gameplay advantage in strategy, simulation, and certain RPGs. Racing games in particular look excellent on ultrawide panels.

The constraints: not all games support 21:9 natively, with some black bars visible or UI stretched incorrectly. The performance cost is higher than 16:9 1440p. And the physical desk space required is significant.

For a future guide specifically covering ultrawide monitors, check back in the coming weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What refresh rate do I actually need? For competitive games (FPS, battle royale), 144Hz minimum, 240Hz if your GPU can maintain high frame rates. For single-player and RPG gaming, 144Hz is excellent and the improvement from 240Hz is not worth the price premium.

Is 4K worth it for gaming? In 2025, yes, if you have a GPU to support it. A mid-range card (5070/RX 9070 XT) can achieve 4K 60fps in demanding titles with upscaling. Without a card at that level or above, 1440p will deliver better frame rates at the same settings.

IPS vs VA vs OLED - what should I choose? IPS for best all-round use including colour work and gaming. VA if contrast and dark scenes are important and you play at a fixed seat. OLED if you have the budget and can manage the burn-in risk.

Do I need G-Sync or FreeSync? Yes. Variable refresh rate eliminates screen tearing without V-Sync’s input lag. Both technologies achieve the same result; G-Sync requires Nvidia hardware, FreeSync works with AMD and has broader compatibility. Most monitors now support both under the G-Sync Compatible certification.

We update this guide as new monitors launch and prices change. Last tested and reviewed: March 2025.