There are benefits to gaming at 144Hz, and even if gaming monitors are coming out with high refresh rates, you need a proper PC gaming setup to take full advantage of them with consistently high frame rates. The market for monitors with a native refresh rate of exactly 144Hz is becoming limited, and there are many models coming out with refresh rates slightly higher than 144Hz, like up to 180Hz. The recommended monitors below reflect that and have refresh rates as high as 180Hz, and you can easily use them at 144Hz instead. Plus, many monitors have a max refresh rate of 144Hz with an HDMI connection.
There are a few factors to consider when looking for a gaming monitor. A fast response time is important for sharp motion so that there isn't much blur behind fast-moving objects. Getting a monitor with low input lag also makes gaming feel responsive, but we've found during our rigorous testing, which includes thousands of measurements, that most monitors have low input lag anyway. You can also consider a monitor's picture quality if you care about detailed images, but many entry-level and budget-friendly monitors have limited picture quality.
We've bought and tested over 345 monitors, and below are our picks for the best monitors with a native refresh rate of 144Hz to 180Hz. See our recommendations for the best 1440p 144Hz monitors, the best 4k 144Hz monitors, and, if you want a higher refresh rate, the best 240Hz monitors. You can also learn about high refresh rates on monitors.
The best 144Hz monitor that we've tested is the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF. It's a native 165Hz monitor, and it performs very well at 144Hz, too. It delivers both high-end picture quality and a smooth gaming feel because it has a near-instantaneous response time at any refresh rate, including at 144Hz. This means fast-moving objects are crisp without any noticeable blur. It also supports all common VRR formats to reduce screen tearing. However, you can also look into the Dell Alienware AW3423DW if you want a native G-SYNC monitor to take advantage of your NVIDIA graphics card. It performs similarly to the AW3423DWF, but it can be harder to find.
Besides that, the AW3423DWF is a fantastic monitor because it delivers outstanding picture quality thanks to its QD-OLED panel. It displays deep and inky blacks in dark rooms, and there isn't any blooming around bright objects, either. You'll also be happy to know that it displays bright highlights and vivid colors, which is ideal if you like playing HDR games. Lastly, its 34-inch, ultrawide screen is great for playing immersive games, as you can see more of your game at once.
If you don't need a high-end premium monitor like the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF, the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx is an excellent mid-range option that you can get for less when it's on sale. It's different from the Dell because it has a smaller 27-inch screen and doesn't have a QD-OLED panel, so it doesn't display the same deep and inky blacks without any blooming. That said, it has a higher 4k resolution to help deliver a more detailed image, and it still uses Mini LED backlighting with a decent local dimming feature, which is great for gaming in dark rooms. It's also a great choice if you want to use it in a bright room, as it gets very bright, more than the Dell.
Motion isn't as sharp as on the Dell, but it still doesn't have much blur behind fast-moving objects. While its max refresh rate over HDMI is 144Hz, you can get a slightly higher 160Hz refresh rate over DisplayPort. That said, if you're looking for a 4k monitor with a native refresh rate of exactly 144Hz, the LG 27GR93U-B is another option that tends to cost less but has worse picture quality.
If you're looking for the best budget 144Hz monitor, the AOC Q27G3XMN is a great lower-cost alternative to the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx. It also uses Mini LED backlighting, and it displays deep blacks without much blooming and makes highlights pop in HDR. The main difference with the Acer is that it has a lower 1440p resolution; this means it doesn't display the same detailed images.
Besides that, it has a native 165Hz refresh rate that you can overclock to 180Hz with a DisplayPort connection, but the max refresh rate over HDMI is 144Hz. It has an even faster response time than the Acer, but there's black smearing with fast-moving objects. Other than that, it has typical gaming features, like FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC compatibility to help reduce screen tearing and crosshairs that your game's anti-cheat tool won't detect.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS is an entry-level 27-inch, 1440p gaming monitor that costs a bit less than the AOC Q27G3XMN. It has a few extra features, like a USB-C port, so it's something to consider if you want that. However, it also has worse picture quality than the AOC.
See our reviewThe Dell S3422DWG is a budget ultrawide monitor that offers more screen space than the AOC Q27G3XMN. This is useful for playing atmospheric games as you get a more immersive feel, but it has worse picture quality and motion handling than the AOC.
See our reviewThe AOC 24G15N is a cheap 24-inch gaming monitor that costs less than the AOC Q27G3XMN. This makes it a good alternative if you're on a really tight budget, and you don't mind getting a 1080p gaming monitor either. However, it's still a step-down in picture quality and motion handling compared to the Acer.
See our reviewMar 28, 2025: We removed the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B because its price went up, and it's hard to find. We also changed the Notable Mentions to reflect changes in the article and the current monitor market by removing the Dell Alienware AW3423DW and adding the Dell S3422DWG and the AOC 24G15N.
Feb 19, 2025: We replaced the Dell G2724D with the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B, as the Dell is hard to find. We also introduced a new format to the article and updated the text to reflect these changes.
Nov 28, 2024: We replaced the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8/G85SB S34BG85 and the Gigabyte M27U with the Dell Alienware AW3423DW and the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS in the Notable Mentions because of availability and for consistency with other recommendations.
Sep 10, 2024: Confirmed that our selections are consistent and up-to-date, and replaced the MSI MEG 342C QD-OLED with the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8/G85SB S34BG85 as a Notable Mention, as it's cheaper and easier to find.
Jun 17, 2024: Added the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx as the 'Best Mid-Range Monitor' to better represent the current monitor market. Added the AOC Q27G3XMN as the 'Best Budget' and renamed the Dell G2724D to the 'Best Cheap' for consistency with other recommendations. Removed the ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A as the Dell is better for gaming. Added the MSI MEG 342C QD-OLED and the Gigabyte M27U to the Notable Mentions.
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate or similar currently available. They're adapted to be valid for most people in each price range. The rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here's the list of all of our monitors with a minimum refresh rate of 144Hz and a maximum of 180Hz. 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.
What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.
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Update: We’ve added a link to the newly-reviewed Logitech Wave Keys in the Dimensions section of this review.