Our pick: Best 144Hz monitor
LG 27GN950-B
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Best 1440p 144Hz monitor
Gigabyte G27Q
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Best ultrawide 144Hz monitor for multitasking
Innocn 40C1R Ultrawide 40" WQHD
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Best 1080p 144Hz monitor
Acer Nitro XV242Y
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Best budget 144Hz monitor
AOC G2490VX
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Best ultrawide 144Hz monitor
LG 34GN850-B
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Best 144Hz monitor with G-Sync
ViewSonic Elite XG270QG
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PC gaming on a 144Hz monitor versus a budget monitor with a 60Hz refresh rate can be quite a different experience. If you thought 60Hz looks smooth, wait until you play a game with a variable refresh rate up to 144Hz with G-Sync or FreeSync active. A higher refresh rate gives you an edge that you wouldn't otherwise have at 60Hz. Reacting to enemies, twitch aiming, and timing are all factors that are improved by increasing your refresh rate, whether you can tell the difference with your eye or not. And those who are seriously into competitive multiplayer games shouldn't consider anything less than a 144Hz gaming monitor. Fortunately, if you're not sure what the best options are, we've outlined the best 144Hz gaming monitor options currently available below, from 4K to 1440p and more. And if you're considering kicking up your refresh rate even higher, check out the best 240Hz monitors for competitive gaming.
Editor's Note: Article updated on July 26, 2022
The LG 27GN950-B is our pick for best 4K monitor, but this $800 IPS display is also an excellent choice for those looking for a 144Hz refresh rate--or even a dual-monitor setup thanks to its thin frame and ability to be raised, tilted, or pivoted to your preference. Behind its 4K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, it boasts low input lag and a max 1ms response time. It also features HDR600 support and has great color representation with or without HDR turned on. It's equipped with one DisplayPort 1.4 port, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and two USB 3.0 ports.
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If your graphics card is capable of pushing 1440p and 144Hz, you should definitely consider the Gigabyte G27Q as your gaming monitor. Its 27-inch IPS display boasts a max response time of 1ms, and it comes with two HDMI 2.0 ports and one DisplayPort 1.2 port. It's also G-Sync Compatible via FreeSync Premium. One of the coolest features of the G27Q is being able to control display settings with keyboard and mouse--no clumsy on-board monitor controls to worry about. It's also fairly affordable, usually hovering around the $300 mark.
For more great 1440p, 144Hz monitor options, see our LG 27GL850 review and Razer Raptor 27 review.
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If you want an ultrawide monitor with a very wide screen, check out Innocn's Ultrawide 40-inch monitor. It boasts a 3440 x 1440p resolution with a 21:9 aspect ratio. It's worth noting that it can run at 144Hz with a DisplayPort connection, but it only hits 100Hz with HDMI. This monitor is particularly great for multitasking, as it essentially removes the need for a multi-monitor setup. For gaming, it's AMD FreeSync compatible and is graded for HDR400.
The 40C1R comes with a sturdy stand that can swivel and be adjusted up and down as well as tilted back and forth. You can also mount it to the wall if you prefer--and since it will take up ample desk real estate, you may want to do that.
Gaming on a monitor this large takes some getting used to, but it certainly offers a unique experience. Plus, it's available at a reasonable price.
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1080p 144Hz monitors are quite affordable, and even though the Acer Nitro's budget price of $230 may imply that it's lower quality, it's not one to disappoint. Its fast refresh rate is accompanied by FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatibility. The monitor can also be overclocked to 165Hz. One thing to note is that the Acer Nitro XV242Y has only a single DisplayPort 1.2 port, so you won't have extra room to plug in anything but your gaming PC.
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As far as cheap gaming monitors go, AOC makes the best. Its 24-inch G2490VX gaming monitor is less than $200, yet boasts a 1080p resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, and more. If you just want to dip your toe into high refresh rates, this is an excellent option to go with.
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Combining 144Hz with an ultrawide display gives you an ultra-smooth, extremely wide view of your gameplay, and one of the best ultrawide monitors out there is the LG 34GN850-B, which sells for $1,000. In addition to its 3440x1440 resolution, this curved ultrawide display features a max 1ms response time, FreeSync Premium with G-Sync compatibility, and HDR400 support. As for ports, it has two for HDMI 2.0, one for DisplayPort 1.4, and three USB 3.0 ports, two of which are downstream and one of which is upstream.
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If you've got an Nvidia graphics card and want native G-Sync support, then the $700 ViewSonic Elite XG270QG is the best balance between performance, price, and feature set--though if you have an AMD GPU, you'll want to look at the FreeSync options on this list. It boasts a refresh rate up to 165Hz (overclocked), 1440p resolution, a max 1ms response time, and very low input lag. Its 27-inch Nano IPS display produces gorgeous colors as well, making this a great monitor for any type of gamer, from competitive and cooperative multiplayer aficionados to those who like playing single-player games on their own. It has one HDMI 2.0 port, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, three USB 3.1 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.1 Type B port.
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