The 5 Best Monitor Sizes For Gaming - Spring 2025

The smallest size you can get now for modern desktop gaming monitors is 24 or 25 inches, and even though there are some smaller displays available, like portable monitors, they aren't as good for gaming. Getting a monitor of this size is ideal if you don't have a ton of desk space, and it's helpful if you want to see everything within your field of vision without moving your eyes too much. Gaming options in this size tend to have high refresh rates with a 1080p resolution, which makes them ideal for competitive gaming, and the low resolution isn't too demanding on your graphics card either.

The best 25-inch monitor we've tested is the Dell Alienware AW2523HF. Like most monitors in this size range, it's meant for esports gaming as it has a high 360Hz refresh rate and VRR support to reduce screen tearing. It has a consistently fast response time at any refresh rate, so fast-moving objects look sharp. It doesn't cost much either, but if you're on a tighter budget, the ViewSonic XG2431 is another great 24-inch monitor, but it has a lower 240Hz refresh rate than the Dell. You can also check out the ASUS ROG Swift Pro PG248QP if you want an even higher 540Hz refresh rate, but it costs a lot more and has worse picture quality than the Dell.

With the next size up, 27-inch monitors are some of the most commonly available and popular displays. They're a good choice if you find that a 24- or 25-inch screen is too small, but you don't want anything that takes up too much space. You can find them from basic 1080p displays to high-resolution 4k screens, so you can find something no matter the type of gamer you are. Monitors with this size are also available with different refresh rates, but there aren't as many very high refresh rate options as with 24- or 25-inch monitors.

The MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED is the best 27-inch gaming monitor we've tested. It has a 1440p resolution and a 360Hz refresh rate, making it outstanding for PC gaming. Thanks to its near-instantaneous response time, it delivers extremely sharp motion, so there's no blur behind fast-moving objects. Its QD-OLED panel also provides outstanding picture quality with vivid colors and deep blacks. It has USB-C connectivity and a KVM switch, making it easy to multitask with different computers, too. Other lower-end 27-inch monitors include the 240Hz ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG or the 4k Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx, which has Mini LED backlighting, so there are plenty of options to choose from.

If you want something bigger than a 27-inch monitor for more screen space, a 32-inch display is the best gaming monitor size for your needs. This monitor size is growing in popularity and availability, and there are plenty of options with 1440p or 4k resolutions. Those with a 4k resolution tend to be designed with console gamers in mind, as they have HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and they're also great choices for PC gaming at a high resolution. However, there aren't as many good budget-friendly displays in this size, so it's better to go for a smaller display if you're on a tighter budget.

If you want the best 32-inch gaming monitor, check out the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED. It's a premium display that's ideal both for PC and console gaming thanks to its high refresh rate and resolution. It also delivers outstanding picture quality due to its QD-OLED panel that has bright highlights and vivid colors. It even has some perks, like a USB-C port and KVM switch, which could be useful for multitasking, like if you have two PCs connected to the monitor. Another QD-OLED option with this size is the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM, which has some more features, like Dolby Vision support, but otherwise performs similarly and costs more.

Although there are bigger screens than 32 inches that maintain a 16:9 aspect ratio, these monitors are less common. Instead, 34-inch displays with a 21:9 aspect ratio, known as ultrawide, are more popular and easier to find. Most ultrawide displays of this size have a 3440x1440 resolution, and while 38-inch monitors are available, the market for them is limited. Ultrawide monitors are best suited for immersive games as you can see more at once than on narrower displays, even if there's less physical screen space than on a 32-inch, 16:9 display.

The best 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor we've tested is the MSI MPG 341CQPX QD-OLED. It's an amazing gaming monitor with a QD-OLED panel, like the MSI MPG 271QRX QD-OLED and the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED, that delivers both a fast response time and remarkable picture quality. It also has the same 240Hz refresh rate as the 321URX, which is great for fast-paced games. If you don't need the highest refresh rate but still want an ultrawide QD-OLED, check out the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF instead, which you can sometimes find for less. That said, it also has a few less features than the 341CQPX.

While most gaming monitors are available with 34-inch screens or smaller, a handful of models have larger screen sizes, mainly in the 40- to 49-inch range. Not all large monitors are the same, but they're great if you want an immersive gaming experience and have space for such a large screen. These are also a good alternative to a multi-monitor setup. The market for bigger displays is more limited than for smaller ones, but it has grown in the last few years.

If you want a 49-inch super ultrawide monitor, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9/G95SC S49CG95 is the best one we've tested, as it has a fast 240Hz refresh rate. It has a super ultrawide 32:9 aspect ratio, providing even more horizontal screen space than the MSI MPG 341CQPX QD-OLED, and it also features a QD-OLED panel with outstanding picture quality and crisp motion handling. It isn't the only super ultrawide monitor available, as you can even look into the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9/G95NA S49AG95, which has the same 240Hz refresh rate. It uses Mini LED backlighting that gets brighter than the OLED G9, so it's better to use in a really bright room.