Choosing the Best 2023 Gaming Monitor

Bestcovery’s Metrics for Ranking

Know Your Refresh Rates

Refresh rate measures the number of times each second that a monitor refreshes the displayed image. This number is usually measured in Hertz (Hz). The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the gaming experience. Higher refresh rates will reduce "input lag," or the amount of time it takes for a monitor to display a frame of a game after it has been sent from the graphics card. A monitor that has a higher refresh rate will also reduce motion blur. For gamers, a higher refresh rate can provide a more immersive and responsive gaming experience.

Know Your Syncing Tech

Sync type is the type of synchronization used between the graphics card and the monitor, which allows the screen to accurately translate the graphical data the computer gives it into the completed image. This synchronization helps reduce screen tearing and stuttering, which occurs when the monitor and graphics card fall out of sync.

A computer monitor's sync type is either “FreeSync” or “G-Sync.” G-Sync typically provides a smoother gaming experience but can be more expensive. Having a monitor with the correct sync type for a gaming computer monitor ensures that the monitor and graphics card are in sync, providing a smooth gaming experience without any screen tearing or stuttering.

Look for Ghosting

Ghosting occurs when fast-moving objects appear to have a trail or “ghost” behind them. This usually happens on monitors with slow response times, which is the amount of time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another. When it's particularly pronounced, ghosting can be very distracting and can ruin the gaming experience.

Learn About HDR

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, and it is a feature found on some gaming computer monitors. Monitors and graphics cards with HDR allow you to see a wider range of colors and provide a sharper contrast between light and dark areas on the screen, which ultimately results in a more vivid and realistic image. This can be especially helpful for games that feature dark environments, as HDR allows for more details to be visible, even in shadows and other dark areas.

What Size Fits Your Needs?

For gaming monitors, size refers to the physical dimensions of the monitor, usually measured diagonally across the screen. While the monitor size you get for your gaming setup is ultimately down to preference, you'll want to consider a few things before deciding on a particular monitor size.

First off, you'll want to decide on your budget. Larger monitors tend to cost more, so if you want to stay below a certain price, there may be an upper ceiling to the monitor size you can afford, especially if you’re also wanting peripherals like a nice keyboard or gamepad. Next, consider the size of your desk. While it's great to have a bigger monitor, if it doesn't fit on your desk, you're going to have to make considerations about your furniture as well as your gaming setup. Finally, consider the size of monitor you need for the type of gaming you prefer. For more competitive gaming, a larger size can show you more detail for higher precision when it counts.

Bestcovery Gaming Monitor FAQ

How Did We Compare These Gaming Monitors?

We compared these gaming monitors based on a handful of different specs:

- Size and Aspect Ratio
- Pixel Type
- Refresh Rate
- Response Time
- Resolution
- HDR
- Panel Type
- Sync Type

Is an IPS, TN, or VA Panel Better for Gaming?

The panel type of a gaming monitor will dictate several things about its capabilities, influencing things like image quality, viewing angles, refresh rates, response times, and more.

The most common panel types used in gaming monitors are TN (Twisted Nematic), IPS (In-Plane Switching), and VA (Vertical Alignment). TN panels typically offer the fastest response times and refresh rates, but the image quality and viewing angles are not as good as those of IPS and VA panels.

Conversely, IPS panels offer the best image quality and viewing angles, but the response times and refresh rates are not as good as TN panels. Finally, VA panels offer good image quality, viewing angles, and refresh rates, but the response times are not as good as TN panels.

Is a FreeSync or G-Sync Monitor Better?

This will depend on the type of gaming you are doing. For more competitive games, a monitor with G-Sync is generally considered a better choice, as the gameplay will be smoother overall, and it will reduce screen tearing. If you are playing more casual games, then a gaming monitor with FreeSync is usually a more affordable option.

Should I Buy a HDR Monitor?

Whether or not you should use a gaming monitor with HDR depends on your preferences and the particular types of games you like to play. If you enjoy playing games with vibrant visuals, then a gaming monitor with HDR can add a wider range of colors and make the visuals feel more true-to-life. However, if visual fidelity isn't a priority for you, or you prefer less graphically intensive games, HDR won't be as crucial of a feature for your purposes.

What Aspect Ratio Is Best for PC Gaming Monitors?

The aspect ratio of a screen is the ratio of the screen's width to its height, most often expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., W:H). The most common aspect ratio for gaming monitors is 16:9, which is also the standard aspect ratio for HDTVs and most modern computer displays. Like the human field of vision itself, this aspect ratio provides a wide field of view for gaming, allowing for a more immersive experience. However, some gamers prefer an even wider aspect ratio, at 21:9. These wider monitors can be a bit pricier, but they can add an even greater sense of dimension to a game. If you’d like to take your immersion to the next level, consider pairing one of these wider monitors with one of these recommended gaming headsets.