The 5 Best Monitor Sizes For Gaming - Black Friday 2024

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 the smaller screen is also 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 competitive 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.

With the next size up, 27-inch monitors are some of the most popular displays. You can find anything from basic 1080p displays to high-resolution 4k screens, and there are a lot of 1440p options, too. 27-inch monitors 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. This size is good if you want more screen space than a 24-inch or 25-inch monitor and find that even larger screens are too big.

The Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q3 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 could be the best gaming monitor size for your needs. This monitor size is growing in popularity, as 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. However, there aren't as many good budget-friendly displays in this size, so if you're on a tighter budget, it's better to go for a smaller display.

If you want the best 32-inch gaming monitor, check out the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8/G80SD S32DG80. 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. However, QD-OLEDs like this are prone to burn-in with constant exposure to the same static elements over time, so if that's a concern for you, you can also check out the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85. It's also a 4k, 240Hz monitor and uses Mini LED backlighting, but its picture quality isn't as good as the G8/G80SD S32DG80.

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. 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 smaller displays.

The best 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor we've tested is the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF. It's an amazing gaming monitor with a QD-OLED panel, like the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8/G80SD S32DG80, that delivers both a fast response time and remarkable picture quality. It has a 165Hz refresh rate, which is good enough for most gamers, but you can also check out the LG 34GS95QE-B if you want an ultrawide with an even higher 240Hz refresh rate. While it also has an OLED panel, it doesn't display the same vivid colors as the AW3423DWF, so you have to decide whether you want a higher refresh rate or better picture quality between the LG or the Dell.

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. 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 Dell Alienware AW3423DWF, and it also features a QD-OLED panel with outstanding picture quality and crisp motion handling. It even has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which is beneficial if you have an HDMI 2.1 graphics card, as you can reach the monitor's max refresh rate with it. 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.