The Best Gaming Monitors for Every Budget (2026)

LG's 27GP850-B ships with the same Nano IPS panel family that RTINGS and Tom's Hardware have consistently held up as the reference for high-refresh 1440p — fast response times, wide DCI-P3 coverage and low input lag. Native refresh is 165Hz with a factory overclock to 180Hz over DisplayPort.

Ergonomics are the full package: height, tilt, pivot and swivel adjustments, and VESA 100 for arm mounting. Connectivity covers 1× DP 1.4, 2× HDMI 2.0 and a two-port USB 3.0 hub — enough for a PC plus a console, though lack of HDMI 2.1 caps consoles at 4K60 / 1440p120.

HDR support is VESA DisplayHDR 400 — genuinely useful for highlights and colour volume but not a true HDR experience. For the vast majority of PC gamers this is the right price/performance target; pushing further into HDR600 territory usually means either the 4K panel below or the OLED tier.

The 24G2 uses an IPS panel rated for 144Hz over DisplayPort with a 1ms MPRT (4ms GtG typical). RTINGS' long-form review consistently ranks it near the top of the entry-level tier for motion handling and colour accuracy at price.

The stand is the differentiator — height, tilt, pivot and swivel adjustment on a $170 monitor remains unusual. Combined with VESA 100 mounting, it is one of the few budget picks that fits into a serious desk setup without an aftermarket arm.

Trade-offs are consistent with the price. HDR is not certified; peak brightness sits around 250 nits typical; the USB hub common on mid-range LGs is absent. For 1080p esports and productivity that is entirely acceptable.

LG publishes the 27GP950-B at 3840 × 2160 native, 144Hz (with a 160Hz overclock), running on the Nano IPS family LG has established as the reference for high-refresh 4K IPS. Independent reviews confirm well-controlled response times and low input lag.

HDMI 2.1 is the differentiator. Both HDMI ports carry the full 48 Gbps bandwidth required for 4K at 120Hz on current-generation consoles, and the panel is one of the more thoroughly reviewed HDMI 2.1 monitors on the market.

HDR is VESA DisplayHDR 600, a genuine step up from DisplayHDR 400 with real local dimming behaviour, though still short of the per-pixel contrast an OLED delivers. Ergonomics match the 27GP850-B: full adjustment, VESA 100, USB hub.

The 34GP83A-B pairs a curved Nano IPS panel with a 1900R curvature — pronounced enough to noticeably increase perceived immersion at typical desk distance, gentle enough to remain a workable productivity display. RTINGS' review notes strong response times and G-Sync-Compatible behaviour.

Native refresh is 144Hz with a factory 160Hz overclock over DisplayPort. Ports include DP 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 and a USB 3.0 hub — no HDMI 2.1, so consoles are again capped below native maximums.

Ergonomics are complete (height, tilt) though pivot is absent — expected on a curved ultrawide. VESA 100 mounting is supported. If you also want the monitor to sit alongside a racing wheel or a properly adjustable gaming chair, the 34GP83A-B lines up comfortably.

The AW3423DWF is Dell's FreeSync-branded sibling of the original AW3423DW. Both use the same Samsung QD-OLED panel; the F variant runs at 165Hz over DisplayPort and is typically priced lower. Independent testing from RTINGS, Tom's Hardware and TFTCentral consistently ranks the QD-OLED family at the top of consumer monitor contrast and response-time measurements.

HDR is VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 — the specification that actually matters for OLED, guaranteeing near-zero black levels rather than peak nits. Real-world HDR highlight performance sits around 1,000 nits in small windows, and colour volume covers ~99% DCI-P3.

Dell backs the monitor with a 3-year warranty that explicitly covers OLED burn-in — the industry benchmark for peace of mind at this price. Owner-reported behaviour on the built-in pixel-refresh routines is broadly positive, with the usual caveat that OLED remains best suited to mixed use rather than static-UI workloads.