The 4 Best 1440p 144Hz Monitors – Spring 2023: Reviews
- Table of Contents
- Intro
-
Best Monitor
-
Best Mid-Range
-
Best Lower Mid-Range
-
Best Budget
- Notable Mentions
- Recent Updates
- All Reviews
- Discussions
Updated May 02, 2023 at 09:01 am
By Nicholas Di Giovanni
While you can get the best gaming performance with high refresh rate monitors, they also can be expensive and out-of-budget for some gamers. If you aren’t looking for high-end monitors and you want something simple to strike a balance between a good resolution and refresh rate, 1440p @ 144Hz monitors are a good choice. They don’t require a ton of bandwidth from your graphics cards and still provide good graphics with smooth motion. There aren’t as many 1440p @ 144Hz monitors available as there once were, but you can still find some to buy at a low cost.
While you can buy a 1440p monitor with a higher refresh rate to use at 144Hz or get a 4k @ 144Hz monitor and set it to a lower resolution, this article only considers 1440p monitors with a native 144Hz refresh rate.
We’ve bought and tested over 270 monitors, and below are our picks for the best 1440p 144Hz monitors to buy. Also, check out our recommendations for the best 1440p gaming monitors, the best 144Hz monitors, and the best 1440p monitors.
-
Best 1440p 144Hz Monitor
LG 34GP950G-B
Searching
Finding Store
Searching
Finding Store
Gaming
8.3
Size
34″
Pixel Type
IPS
Native Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
180 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
Native Resolution
3440 x 1440
HDR10
Yes
See all our test results
The best 1440p 144Hz monitor we’ve tested is the LG 34GP950G-B, a good overall display. Although it has a 34-inch, ultrawide screen, it’s still considered a 1440p monitor because it has a 3440×1440 resolution. It means it’s wider horizontally than a 27-inch, 1440p monitor but has the same screen height. It’s great for PC gaming because you can overclock its 144Hz native refresh rate to 180Hz over a DisplayPort connection, but it’s limited to a max of 100Hz over HDMI. It also has incredible motion handling, especially at high frame rates, and even if it doesn’t have a backlight strobing feature to further reduce persistence blur, motion still looks great.
It’s a premium gaming monitor in terms of features as it has native G-SYNC variable refresh rate (VRR) support, meaning it can take full advantage of your NVIDIA graphics card. It has a few extra features to improve your gaming experience, like a virtual crosshair that gives you a competitive advantage in FPS games, and its black stabilizer feature lets you see opponents better in dark games.
See our review
-
Best Mid-Range 1440p 144Hz Monitor
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ
Searching
Finding Store
Searching
Finding Store
Gaming
8. 4
Size
27″
Pixel Type
IPS
Native Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
170 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
Native Resolution
2560 x 1440
HDR10
Yes
See all our test results
If you don’t need a high-end gaming monitor like the LG 34GP950G-B and prefer saving money, consider the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ. The main difference with the LG is that this monitor has a smaller 27-inch screen and 16:9 aspect ratio, so you don’t get the same immersive gaming experience. It’s available in different variants, with the only change being the body color, and the white variant, known as the XG27AQ-W, is easier to find than the black variant. You’ll be happy with whatever monitor you get, as it offers an impressive gaming experience.
You can overclock its 144Hz native refresh rate to 170Hz, and it has a fast response time across its entire refresh rate range. This results in minimal motion blur, and it has a backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur. It also has low input lag for a responsive feel, meaning you won’t notice any delay. Lastly, it has VRR support to reduce screen tearing, but because it’s G-SYNC compatible, instead of having native G-SYNC support like on the LG, it can’t take full advantage of NVIDIA graphics cards.
See our review
-
Best Lower Mid-Range 1440p 144Hz Monitor
Gigabyte M34WQ
Searching
Finding Store
Searching
Finding Store
Gaming
8.3
Size
34″
Pixel Type
IPS
Native Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
Native Resolution
3440 x 1440
HDR10
Yes
See all our test results
If you want to save some money but aren’t necessarily on a tight budget, a lower mid-range option like the Gigabyte M34WQ is a good alternative. It’s different from the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ because it has a bigger 34-inch screen for a more immersive gaming experience, but the main difference is that you can’t overclock the 144Hz refresh rate to something higher. Luckily, it’s still a great gaming monitor with an excellent response time with high-frame-rate signals, but it gets worse with 60 fps signals, so you’ll see more motion blur in low-frame-rate games, like on a console or some PC games. It also has low input lag for a responsive gaming experience, and you won’t notice any delay, no matter the refresh rate you’re gaming at.
On top of its great gaming performance, it offers good picture quality with accurate colors and high peak brightness, enough to fight glare. It’s also a great choice if you want to use it for co-op gaming, as it has good ergonomics, and its wide viewing angles ensure the image remains consistent from the sides.
See our review
-
Best Budget 1440p 144Hz Monitor
LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B
Searching
Finding Store
Searching
Finding Store
Gaming
8. 2
Size
27″
Pixel Type
IPS
Native Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
Native Resolution
2560 x 1440
HDR10
Yes
See all our test results
Budget monitors also offer great gaming performance if you’re willing to sacrifice a few features. If that’s the case, the best budget 1440p 144Hz monitor we’ve tested is the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B. It’s available in two different models with the 27GL850-B and the 27GL83A-B, but the 27GL850-B has two USB ports. It’s different from the Gigabyte M34WQ because it has a smaller 27-inch screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio, so you don’t get the same immersive gaming experience. Like the Gigabyte, you can’t overclock its 144Hz refresh rate to anything higher, which is normal for budget monitors, and it has native FreeSync VRR support with G-SYNC compatibility.
Motion looks incredible on this monitor, especially at its max refresh rate, and there isn’t much motion blur with low-frame-rate games either. The 27GL850-B variant has a backlight strobing feature to further reduce persistence blur with fast-moving objects, and its backlight at least remains flicker-free if you don’t want to use it, which helps reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions.
See our review
Notable Mentions
- Dell S3422DWG:
The Dell S3422DWG is a dark room alternative to the Gigabyte M34WQ as it has a higher contrast ratio and is in the same price range. However, it has worse motion handling.
See our review - LG 27GN800-B:
The LG 27GN800-B is a budget monitor similar to the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B. It has better motion handling thanks to its quicker response time; however, it has worse ergonomics and can be harder to find.
See our review
Recent Updates
-
May 02, 2023:
Changed some picks according to current availability; removed the LG 27GN800-B and renamed the LG 27GL83A-B as the ‘Best Budget Monitor’ because it’s easier to find; added the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ-W as the ‘Best Mid-Range Monitor’ and renamed the Gigabyte M34WQ as the ‘Best Lower Mid-Range Monitor’ because it went down in price; updated Notable Mentions based on changes. -
Mar 03, 2023:
Replaced the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ with the Gigabyte M34WQ and the AOC CQ27G2 with the LG 27GL83A-B because they’re easier to find; updated Notable Mentions based on changes. -
Jan 03, 2023:
Removed the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG because it’s hard to find and added the AOC CQ27G2; updated the Notable Mentions based on changes. -
Oct 27, 2022:
Removed the ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q because it’s hard to find and added the LG 34GP950G-B as the ‘Best 1440p 144Hz Monitor’; renamed the ViewSonic XG270QG as the ‘Best Upper Mid-Range’ and removed the Dell S3422DWG; updated Notable Mentions based on changes. -
Aug 17, 2022:
Restructured article to reflect how users are looking for monitors; added the ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q as the ‘Best 1440p 144Hz Monitor’ and renamed the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ to ‘Best Mid-Range’. Replaced the Gigabyte G27Q with the LG 27GN800-B because it’s better for gaming; moved the Gigabyte M34WQ to Notable Mentions and renamed the Dell S3422DWG as the ‘Best Ultrawide’.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best 1440p 144Hz monitors currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people, in each price range. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all of our 1440p monitors with a native 144Hz refresh rate that we’ve tested. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
The best 1440p 144Hz monitors in 2023 Popular Science
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
Written By
Chris Coke
Updated Apr 3, 2023 10:34 AM
Great graphics are among the biggest benefits of being a PC gamer and if you’ve been playing in 1080p, a 1440p 144Hz monitor will make your games look better and, potentially, run smoother. And here’s the best part: If you’re already using a moderately powerful graphics card, you probably won’t need to upgrade your PC to enjoy it. That said, poring over monitor specs can be a confusing chore even after you already know the resolution and refresh rate you want. There are many good options, each touting impressive arrays of features, that may cost wildly different prices for reasons that aren’t immediately clear. Luckily, we’ve done the research on the best 1440p 144Hz monitors to help you pick the right one for you.
- Best overall: Samsung Odyssey G7
- Best 32-inch: Acer Predator XB323U
- Best 27-inch: ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q
- Best ultrawide: LG 34” UltraGear 34GP950G-B
- Best G-sync: Alienware AW2723DF
- Best portable: EVICIV Portable Monitor
- Best budget: Monoprice Zero G 32-inch Curved Gaming Monitor
How we selected the best 1440p 144Hz monitors
I’ve been a tech journalist since 2015. During this time, I have tested some of the best gaming monitors and computers for websites like IGN, Tom’s Hardware, Reviewed, and MMORPG. com. I have a deep knowledge of what makes monitors great, the PC components you need to run them, and how games benefit from different displays.
I selected the best 1440p 144Hz monitors through deep testing and research. To begin, I examined the key specifications for dozens of potential candidates: screen size, brightness, response time, panel type, and ergonomics. After narrowing down the list, I filtered that further through extensive research of supporting features, professional critiques, impressions from real users, brand and model reputation, and warranty support. In the end, I was left with a much smaller selection of truly exceptional 1440p 144Hz displays.
The market for 1440p 144Hz gaming monitors is bigger than ever. Even when you know what to look for, you still may find yourself with a few choices that look great on paper. We’re here to help you by pointing out some true gems.
Best overall: Samsung Odyssey G7
Samsung
SEE IT
Why it made the cut: The Samsung Odyssey G7 is fast, color-rich, and curved, with an HDR experience that will keep your eyes glued to it.
Specs
- Price: $699.99
- Screen size: 27 inches
- Panel type: QLED
- Brightness/HDR: VESA DisplayHDR600
- Response time: 1ms
Pros
- 240Hz maximum refresh rate
- Deep 1000R curved screen
- LED screen enhanced with quantum dots
- HDR600-certified
Cons
- 1000R curve may be too deep for some
- Firmware update may be necessary
- Potential stuck pixels
The Samsung Odyssey G7 is one of the most impressive 1440p monitors you can buy. Whether you’re a competitive esports player or just want to get lost in your favorite MMORPG, its outstanding balance of price and features will draw you deeper into your favorite games.
We have to admit we kind of cheated here: The Odyssey G7 can actually run all the way up to 240Hz, adding esports-caliber smoothness and reduced motion blur to your gaming experience. When you see its QLED screen which offers deeper, richer colors and higher brightness than most displays.
The Odyssey G7 is also deeply curved, allowing it to take up more of your field of view and add immersion to your gaming experience. We’ve found that curved displays tend to be an acquired taste, so we suggest putting a little time in with it or another 1000R monitor before taking the leap.
Considering its many elite luxuries, the Odyssey G7 is an incredible value at $699. While hardly cheap, that’s still a great price on such a fully featured high-performance monitor. We recommend picking this one up from a retailer with an easy returns process, as some early users report issues with screen flickering or stuck pixels. Those users are in the minority, however, and don’t mar the fact that this is a tremendous gaming choice.
Best 32-inch: Acer Predator XB323U
Why it made the cut: The Acer Predator XB32U is a fast, bright, and big 1440p display that’s able to clock all the way to 170Hz.
Specs
- Price: $799
- Screen size: 32 inches
- Panel type: IPS
- Brightness/HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 600
- Response time: 1ms
Pros
- Spacious screen
- Exceptionally good HDR
- Great colors
- 170Hz refresh rate
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited local dimming
- Inverse ghosting around 60 FPS
The Acer Predator XB323U features a spacious 32-inch IPS panel with better color coverage than any other monitor we could find in this category. It covers 99% of the AdobeRGB spectrum and 95% of DCI-P3, which translates deeper, richer colors to enhance your enjoyment.
The XB323U is also one of the best 1440p 144Hz gaming monitors you can find for HDR. It’s DisplayHDR 600 certified and features 16 local dimming zones to add depth and gradients to dark areas of the screen. That isn’t enough to completely counteract the ambient glow of the backlight, so you may notice some around the edges. Even with a bit of shine-through, though, this is one of the most vibrant gaming displays you’ll find right now.
However, it comes with one major caveat: Using variable refresh rate (AMD Freesync or Nvidia G-Sync) locks the prevent using overdrive mode, and testers at DisplayNinja discovered that doing so can lead to ghosting when the frame rate is around 60 FPS. If your system isn’t powerful enough to push your games to higher frame rates, it may be best to look elsewhere. On the other hand, if your system has a great graphics card, the XB323U can run all the way to 170Hz giving you an extra dose of clarity.
Even with its ghosting window, the Acer Predator XB323U is an outstanding choice, even for the most discerning gamer.
Best 27-inch: ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q
Why it made the cut: The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is well-rounded, feature-rich, and fast.
Specs
- Price: $709.99
- Screen size: 27 inches
- Panel type: Fast IPS
- Brightness/HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 400
- Response time: 1ms
Pros
- Fast response time
- 170Hz refresh rate
- ELMB can be used with Freesync/G-Sync
- Lots of gaming features
Cons
- Disappointing HDR
- ELMB reduces brightness (but not as much as others)
The ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q is one of the most premium 1440p 144Hz monitors you can buy. It delivers a fast, color-rich IPS panel encased in one of the most stylish frames of this whole line-up. In addition to eye-catching looks, it’s able to produce an exceptionally colorful picture that works hard to overcome the lower contrast inherent to IPS monitors.
ASUS’s Fast IPS technology operates at up to four times the speed of a traditional IPS display, which makes ghosting a thing of the past. Competitive players will appreciate that the panel can clock all the way to 170Hz and features an Extreme Low Motion Blur mode to improve clarity even further. If that weren’t enough, it features optional crosshairs and even a screen magnifying Sniper Mode to give you an even greater edge.
Its one weakness is HDR. As expected from a DisplayHDR 400 monitor, HDR performance isn’t anything to write home about. With only 400 nits of peak brightness and no local dimming, HDR content will display with standard dynamic range. That doesn’t mean it looks bland, though. With 95% DCI-P3 color coverage, it presents incredibly vivid and saturated colors.
Best ultrawide: LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B
LG
SEE IT
Why it made the cut: The LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B offers an ultra-high refresh rate, great HDR, and G-Sync Ultimate, but at a high price.
Specs
- Price: $999
- Screen size: 34 inches
- Panel type: Nano IPS
- Brightness/HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 600
- Response time: 1ms
Pros
- High peak brightness
- 56 local dimming zones
- G-Sync Ultimate Certified
- Outstanding color coverage
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Limited connectivity
- Requires better hardware for gaming
If you’ve got extra money to burn and only the best ultrawide will do, the LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B should be at the top of your list. It features an impressive 34-inch, 21:9 screen that will stretch wide over your desk with a gentle 1900R curve. Its Nano IPS panel enhances color coverage up to 98% of the DCI-P3 color spectrum, making this a good fit for creators who need extra space to work.
The UltraGear 34GP950G-B really shines when you boot up a game, though. Its screen can be overclocked with an OSD setting to hit 180Hz for improved motion clarity and supports Nvidia G-Sync to ensure extra-smooth gameplay at any frame rate. If you don’t have an Nvidia GPU, you can still use AMD FreeSync through its DisplayPort connection. It’s also DisplayHDR 600 certified and features 56 dedicated local dimming zones to deliver one of the best HDR experiences available in 1440p gaming monitors.
All of that performance comes with a very, very high $999 price tag. If that’s too expensive, we recommend the ASUS ROG Strix XG349C as a strong mid-range compromise. You’ll give up local dimming zones and HDR-grade brightness, but it’s a very worthy alternative at $799.
Best G-Sync: Alienware AW2723DF
Why it made the cut: The Alienware AW2723DF is an outstanding monitor in its own right, and it’s one of the only 27-inch G-Sync Ultimate displays.
Specs
- Price: $709.99
- Screen size: 27 inches
- Resolution: 2560×1440
- Panel type: IPS Nano
- Brightness/HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 600
- Response time: 1ms
Pros
- Up to 240Hz refresh rate
- DisplayHDR 600 certified
- 32 local dimming zones
- Excellent color coverage
Cons
- Screen glow can be an issue
- 1ms response time only possible in “Extreme Overdrive” mode
The Alienware AW2723DF is one of the only G-Sync Ultimate-certified monitors that comes in a 27-inch, 1440p form factor. Nvidia’s high-end G-Sync designation is reserved for hardware-enabled G-Sync monitors with a handful of elite specs, including 144Hz or higher, P3 wide color gamut, and a VESA DisplayHDR 600 rating or higher. In fact, it’s actually one of only a few 1440p monitors to use a dedicated G-Sync chip at all. So you can count on an exceptionally smooth gaming experience all the way to the top of its refresh rate.
It features a response time of as little as 1ms (2ms outside of Extreme mode) and can be set to run as quick as 240Hz. There’s no low motion blur mode, but you won’t miss it with a refresh rate that high. Since the display is also based on LG’s Nano IPS technology, it also has outstanding color coverage of up to 95% of the DCI-P3 color spectrum for outstanding colors.
HDR fans also won’t find much to complain about with the AW2723DF. It’s DisplayHDR 600 certified for improved brightness and color gamut. Even though it doesn’t completely solve the contrast limitations inherent to IPS monitors, and its lowest latency is only available in “Extreme Mode” this is still a top choice among 1440p gaming monitors. If you use an NVIDIA graphics card, this is definitely the monitor to get.
Best portable: EVICIV Portable Monitor
Specs
- Price: $319.99
- Screen size: 17.3 inches
- Panel type: N/A
- Brightness/HDR: N/A
- Response time: 6ms
Pros
- Big for a portable display
- HDR support
- Vesa mountable
- Slim size
Cons
- Price
- EVICIV isn’t forthcoming about many tech specs
If you want to take your 1440p 144Hz monitor with you on the go, the best option is this in 2023. Its 17.3-inch display is far larger than the ones we’ve seen on most screens in this category, but it won’t look grainy or feel slow thanks to its higher resolution and refresh rate. EVICIV outfitted its portable monitor with a pair of USB-C ports, Mini HDMI port, and audio port, which is plenty for connecting game consoles, computers, and even a media streamer if you’d like to use the monitor as a portable TV.
One of the features we’re most impressed with is the fact that this portable 1440p 144Hz display can be mounted on a VESA arm and used at a desk. If you like the idea of using the same display at home and while traveling, this is a big deal. Gamers, photo editors, and videographers will appreciate the fact that this portable monitor supports both HDR (high dynamic range), 100% of the sRBG spectrum, 86% of the NTSC color spectrum, and support for 16.7 million colors overall. We’re not happy with the fact that EVICIV isn’t very forthright with other specs for this display, but what we do know has us very impressed.
Best budget: Monoprice Zero-G 32-inch Curved Gaming Monitor
Why it made the cut: The Monoprice Zero-G 32-inch Curved Gaming Monitor is an affordable option with a high refresh rate and a wide color gamut.
Specs
- Price: $249.99
- Screen size: 32 inches
- Panel type: VA
- Brightness/HDR: 300 nits
- Response time: 6ms
Pros
- Large screen
- High refresh rate
- Low price
- Good contrast and color gamut
Cons
- Low brightness
- Very limited stand adjustment
- High response time leads to some ghosting
Leave it to Monoprice to somehow sell a decent 32-inch curved gaming monitor for $300. The Zero-G 32-inch cuts out a lot of the frills, focusing on delivering big-screen PC gaming for less. At such a low price, it’s an easy gateway to playing in 1440p at up to 165Hz. It also delivers a bold, vibrant image with 100% sRGB and 89% DCI-P3 coverage. That’s far from perfect color accuracy but very high at this price.
It’s worth noting that some reviews mention HDR support but, with a max brightness of only 300 nits, it isn’t truly capable of even system-level support. It also has a higher response time than more expensive gaming monitors, so you may see some minor ghosting in dark scenes, but should still be fast enough to avoid distracting screen artifacts. Whether you’re gaming or editing, we recommend investing in a good monitor arm, as the Zero-G’s stand only offers tilt adjustment.
Things to consider before buying a 1440p 144Hz monitor
There are an overwhelming number of 1440p 144Hz monitors to choose from. It has become a sweet spot for a large swath of players with mid-range to powerful gaming PCs. To separate out the acceptable from the incredible, you need to be able to see past the basics of resolution and refresh rate to see each display more holistically. Here are some elements to keep an eye on when you compare spec sheets.
Do you need a 1440p 144Hz monitor?
Before we dig into the nitty-gritty of gaming monitor specs, let’s ask the question: Is a 1440p 144Hz monitor going to make sense for your system?
Quad HD, or 1440p resolution, shows 77% more pixels than 1080p on screen. It’s a visual upgrade you’ll notice immediately, which means you’ll need a powerful graphics card to run games at that resolution.
The jump to 144Hz also helps more or less, depending on your hardware. Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates how many times your monitor can update your screen each second. A 144Hz monitor can draw and redraw the image on your screen up to 144 times each second.
In games, where refresh rate corresponds directly to frames of animation, a higher refresh rate makes games run more smoothly, reducing motion blur and improving the flow of character movement. It also has the side benefit of making your mouse pointer feel like it’s gliding on air across your desktop. As with resolution, though, you can only play games at your monitor’s top frame rate if you have a PC that can handle it. Most players probably won’t be able to play every game at 144Hz, especially in 1440p. Still, there’s a wide range of games with varying technical demands, and we generally recommend 144Hz for most players.
If you’re willing to adjust settings to achieve the best possible performance, anything more powerful than an Nvidia RTX 2070 or AMD RTX 5700 XT should allow you to play most games easily at 1440p and hit around 90fps in many games.
Panel type
Computer monitors generally come in three different varieties: Twisted Nematic (TN), In-Plane Switching (IPS), or Vertical Alignment (VA). There are others, such as OLED screens, but they are less common. While the performance of these panels is closer than ever, it’s important to keep in mind the following general strengths and weaknesses of the three types:
TN: Twisted Nematic panels are the fastest of the three main types used for gaming monitors. It features the lowest input lag and has the least chance of ghosting. For years, TN panels were the top choice for gaming due to their speed. However, IPS and VA panels have closed that gap and can also deliver a great gaming experience. TN panels are fast but tend to suffer from reduced color depth, contrast, and viewing angles, making their final picture less rich than the competition.
IPS: In-Plane Switching panels have long been the go-to choice for creative professionals due to their deep colors and great viewing angles. Broadly speaking, IPS panels are the slowest of the three types and have the highest chance of ghosting, though this isn’t a given when the monitor has been designed for gaming. Because IPS panels utilize a backlight, they have reduced contrast and can appear to glow around the edges of the screen. This is most noticeable in dark rooms where blacks can appear dark gray.
VA: Vertical Alignment panels split the difference between TN and IPS. They offer better colors and viewing angles than TN monitors, but aren’t quite as rich as IPS displays. They’re also faster than IPS but slower than TN. Like IPS, however, VA monitors designed for gaming can still be fast and free of ghosting. VA panels excel in contrast, delivering better blacks and improved visuals in dark settings.
With those differences in mind, it’s always best to look at the specifications for any monitor before you buy. Many VA and IPS gaming monitors feature 1ms response times that are competitive with TN panels. These ratings are often based on ideal circumstances with the highest overdrive settings, but usually still indicate strong overall performance.
HDR support and overall brightness
High dynamic range, or HDR, is technology that allows your monitor to show a wider range of colors and brightness. You’ll see it as a feature on many monitors, but the extent it’s able to display that wide gamut depends on your monitor’s maximum brightness and color depth.
On PC monitors, HDR support is measured in easy-to-understand steps. HDR400, HDR600, and HDR1000 are the most common, and the number in each indicates its peak brightness, measured in nits or candela per meter (cd/m). The best monitors are DisplayHDR certified by VESA and have been verified to meet certain criteria to ensure reliable picture quality.
It’s important to understand these ratings because each one corresponds to a different level of HDR support. And that impacts the picture quality of your screen. Confusingly, there are monitors that “support” HDR, but not to a degree that it will impact how games look.
HDR400 displays can process HDR content, allowing you to turn on that mode in Windows, but aren’t bright enough to make a big difference to your viewing experience. HDR400 monitors can still get brighter than most SDR monitors, however, so it’s still a nice feature to have.
For the best HDR experience, look for a monitor with the highest HDR rating you can find. Modern televisions often feature peak brightness levels of 1000 nits or more and have local dimming zones for localized contrast. Right now, HDR1000 ratings are rare among monitors, so we generally suggest HDR600 as a baseline for HDR performance in games.
Additional features
The market for gaming monitors is incredibly competitive, and manufacturers regularly include extra features to make their displays more appealing. Some monitors offer extra gaming features, picture modes, or software suites to add value beyond simply processing an image. Always take a little extra time to look at these and figure out whether or not they’ll make a difference in your setup.
One of the most common features found on gaming monitors is Variable Refresh Rate, called Freesync for AMD or G-Sync for Nvidia. This technology allows your monitor and PC to adjust their target frame rate in unison, eliminating screen tearing and creating a smoother gameplay experience.
Other features are less ubiquitous. The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD uses quantum dot display technology to make its colors more vivid and improve viewing angles. The Gigabyte M32Q allows you to tie gaming features and screen settings to hotkeys so you can turn them on with your keyboard. Others, like the Alienware AW2721D, feature improved ergonomics through a highly adjustable stand.
When shopping for the best 1440p 144Hz monitor, it’s usually in the final steps of making a decision where things get difficult. If you’re stuck between two monitors with similar features and reviews, these special features may steer one way or the other.
FAQs
Q: Is 1440p good for gaming?
Absolutely. Among PC gamers, 1440p is often considered the sweet spot between visual fidelity and performance. 1440p, also called Quad HD (QHD) or 2K, is noticeably more detailed than 1080p, but doesn’t require the same expensive hardware as 4K. You’ll still need a good graphics card (anything above an Nvidia RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon 5700 XT should do the trick) but upgrading to 1440p is a cost-effective way to enhance your gaming experience.
Q: Is 1440p worth it over 1080p?
In a word, yes. Upgrading to 1440p from a 1080p display offers an immediate jump in clarity and detail, no matter what game you’re playing. It’s important to remember that running any higher resolution increases the demand on your graphics card. If you’re running an older GPU, you may need to turn down settings to achieve the same frame rate you were used to at 1080p.
Q: Is 1440p the same as Ultra HD?
No, 1440p is shorthand for 2560 x 1440 resolution, which manufacturers also refer to as Quad HD (QHD) or “2K.” Meanwhile, 4K Ultra HD screens have 3840 x 2160 pixels, more than double what you see on a 1440p display.
The jump from 1440p to 4K is impressive but requires much more powerful hardware to play games at high frame rates. For many players, 1440p provides a better balance of the two, offering a significant jump in clarity from 1080p without giving up the smooth animation.
Q: How much does a 1440p 144Hz monitor cost?
This will depend on the display’s size, maximum refresh rate, and other tech specs. The least you’ll want to spend on a 1440p 144Hz monitor is $322.
Final thoughts on the best 1440p 144Hz monitors
- Best overall: Samsung Odyssey G7
- Best 32-inch: Acer Predator XB323U
- Best 27-inch: ASUS ROG Strix XG279Q
- Best ultrawide: LG 34” UltraGear 34GP950G-B
- Best G-sync: Alienware AW2723DF
- Best portable: EVICIV Portable Monitor
- Best budget: Monoprice Zero G 32-inch Curved Gaming Monitor
The crisp visuals and silky smooth gameplay of having the best 1440p 144Hz monitor can change how you look at PC gaming. This exceptional balance between visuals and performance makes one a great choice for gamers looking for an upgrade but that don’t need 4K. You’ll still need a moderately powerful graphics card to run it at full speed. But, if you do, these monitors are easily one of the best upgrades you can make from a 1080p 60Hz monitor.
Why trust us
Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.
Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.
TOP 5 MONITORS 144Hz
144Hz is great fun for gamers who want the ultimate gaming experience. Other parameters are no less important, and most often they are radically different for different models, which only complicates the choice. We have compiled the TOP 5 best monitors that show premium quality and performance. Which one to buy? Read and find out.
MSI Optix G241: For Beginner Gamers
If you’re looking for an affordable monitor that doesn’t cost all the money in the world but has good performance, then the MSI Optix G241 is the best choice. First of all, the manufacturer focused on internal parameters, dropping aesthetics into the background. The screen looks quite minimalistic, so at first glance you can mistake it for an office version.
The case is matte black and virtually scratch-resistant. It does not leave stains, so the gloss and shine inherent in new devices can be maintained for a long time. On three sides, the display has absolutely no frames, you can effectively use every inch and not be distracted by extraneous lines.
Despite the budget focus, the build quality remains at a high level. Plastic looks solid, does not creak or flex. The stand wobbles slightly due to the center of gravity, but this is only noticeable when the monitor is accidentally bumped.
The refresh rate is a definite plus for this screen, as is the case with all of these 144Hz monitors. This setting is best suited for dynamic games, not to mention everyday computer tasks.
As for the picture, the backlight is limited to 250 cd/m2 and the contrast ratio is 1000:1. These are standard specifications for most IPS panels. The Optix G241 is billed as a wide gamut monitor but lacks HDR capabilities. This is another reason for its reduced price.
Main parameters
Diagonal, inches | 24 |
Screen | 920 x 1080 Full HD |
Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
Connectors | DisplayPort 1.2 a x 1, HDMI 1. 4 b x 2, 3.5mm x 1 |
Technology | In-Plane Switching (IPS) |
Response | 1ms |
Benefits
- Affordable price for the proposed parameters – up to 9 000 UAH.
- Superb color coverage and contrast – the picture is rich and detailed.
- FreeSync and G-Sync compatible – further boost performance.
Disadvantages
- The stand can only be tilted, height cannot be adjusted.
- No built-in speakers.
- Limited connections – no USB-C, which is currently offered in most devices.
This monitor is discreet in price and design, but the specs make it a worthy device for everyday gaming.
Useful article: How to connect your MacBook to a TV or monitor: 7 effective tips
Gigabyte G34WQC: full immersion and nothing but
This model is no longer as budget as the previous MSI, but it has other important advantages. The first is a large 34-inch curved screen. Playing first-person shooters or simulators with such dimensions is a real pleasure. Moreover, thanks to the excellent brightness and lack of glare, you can start the battle at any time of the day.
The monitor shows excellent results in image quality and performance. There was also a nuance – beveled viewing angles. The distortion of colors is insignificant, but I would like more clarity.
The
Gigabyte G34WQC wouldn’t be as gaming without a couple of extra features. On the rear panel there is a convenient joystick to control image settings. To reduce motion blur, efficient reload options are offered.
Ergonomically, the monitor is wide and heavy. The screen is attached to a large stable stand, easily adjustable in height and tilt. If desired, you can place the display vertically.
Main parameters
Diagonal, inches | 34 |
Screen | 3440×1440 |
Ratio | 21:9 |
Connectors | DisplayPort 1. 4 x 2, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm |
Technology | VA |
Response | 1ms |
- High color fidelity.
- Assembled from high quality plastic.
- Good HDR quality.
- Excellent sensor overclocking straight from the factory contributes to fast response.
Drawbacks
- Stand too low.
- Viewing angles are frustrating in places.
In the price segment up to 20 000 hryvnia, this is a good monitor, but for a group game you should look for options with better viewing angles.
An interesting article: How much electricity a computer consumes – how to find out: 3 ways
DELL S2421HGF: for those who prefer performance to image quality
The model received a specified color gamut of 72% NTSC, which is equivalent to ~100% of the sRGB gamut. However, this does not mean that the screen covers the entire sRGB range. Like other 1080p monitors, the Dell S2421HGF uses anti-aliasing to achieve 8-bit depth in 16. 7 million colors.
Full HD resolution provides a decent pixel density of 93 PPi. This is enough for a detailed picture, readability of small text. Color accuracy sometimes fails, so it’s not the best option for productive work with pictures and graphics.
Instead, the manufacturer offers a high response, eliminating the lag and freezing of dynamic objects. There are three response overload modes: fast, ultra-fast and extreme. If variable rate (VRR) is used and the frame rate is around 60 fps, switching Overdrive to Super Fast mode will further improve performance.
Among the useful options for gamers at Dell: Shading Stabilizer (improves visibility in darker games), Screen Timer, Refresh Rate Monitoring, Picture Mode Changer (FPS, RTS, MOBA / RTS), Three game profiles with additional adjustments.
Basic parameters
Diagonal, inches | 23.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Screen | 1920×1080 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Aspect ratio | 16:9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Connectors | DisplayPort 1. 2, HDMI 1.4 x 2, 3.5mm | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Technology | TN | ||||||||||||||||||||||
17
Disadvantages
In general, this is a good device, but if image quality is more important, you should look at models with IPS. Useful guide: How to connect a monitor to the system unit: 4 steps Samsung Odyssey G5 LC27G55T: curved and attractiveThis model is the most budget-friendly of the Odyssey series, but far from the worst. Like the G7 counterpart, the G5 LC27G55T has a 1000r VA screen. He looks almost identical to his older brother. We can say that in G5 the manufacturer has collected the best, but at the same time set an attractive price – this is one of the reasons why the model got into the TOP 144 Hz monitors. To get the most out of the curved panel, you’ll have to sit directly in front of the monitor, shifting to the side can detract from the experience. At the same time, the image quality is perfectly balanced between sharpness and saturation. With such parameters, it is pleasant not only to break into the world of games, but also to work with everyday tasks. Main parameters
|