Best gaming monitor 2018: the 10 best gaming screens of the year

There really is no experience like in PC games. In 2018, the best PC games allow you to see and do things that are totally out of this world. And, with the exciting and high profile games that are on the horizon this year, you should consider upgrading your existing monitor to one of the best gaming monitors to really elevate your gaming experience to another level. Because, why would you play all these incredible screens on something other than the best gaming monitor you can buy today.

But what separates the best gaming monitors from the best monitors? Well, a lot of this will be reduced to functions and preferences. There is a wide variety of different technologies and features that are presented in the best gaming monitors, and what you need will vary in the types of games you play.

Do you want to sit down and immerse yourself in Far Cry 5? ? If so, you can choose a 4K Ultra HD game monitor with HDR. Or do you prefer games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, where you just want to win? If so, you may need a game monitor with a high refresh rate and low latency so you can easily climb the leaderboards.

It's true that this is a bit difficult to assimilate, but do not worry, we're here at TechRadar editorial team has it covered. This list is replete with the best gaming monitors you'll find in 2018. And, as an added benefit, each of the monitors on this list has been thoroughly tested by us here at the company, so you know they will. worth your money So, whatever type of panel you are looking for, no matter what kind of games you want to play or how you want to play them, we are sure you will find the best gaming monitor for you.

1. BenQ EX3501R

HDR and Ultra-Wide together at last

Large screen size

HDR

The menu can be tricky

Need out-of-box settings

HDR has been an important selling point for The best TVs for a while, but it has been suspiciously absent from the best gaming monitors. Until now. The BenQ EX3501R takes HDR and runs with it, creating an ultra-wide curve that is not only what we might consider "reachable", but also beautiful. BenQ believes that this monitor is a "video enjoyment monitor", but from the moment you start your favorite HDR-enabled games, you will immediately see why it tops our list of the best gaming monitors.

Read the full revision: BenQ EX3501R

This product is only available in the USA. UU and the United Kingdom at the time of writing this document. Australian readers: check a good alternative on Alienware AW3418DW

2. Alienware AW3418DW

The fastest ultrawide screen size yet

Higher refresh rate in an ultra-flat design

Design and build quality of Alienware

Expensive

Lots of space

Before we set our eyes on the Alienware AW3418DW, we had never seen an ultra wide monitor that could offer the immersion that offers a resolution of 21: 9, at the same time that it offers a high refresh rate that is competitive with the best gaming monitors. Alienware has always had a reputation for offering high-end equipment (at an equally high cost), and the Alienware AW3418DW is no exception. Offering a beautiful and colorful display of 21: 9, a response time of 4 ms at lightning speed and an amazing 120Hz refresh rate, which makes the AW3418DW the best of both worlds. However, all these features have a high price, and if you are looking to save some money, it may not be the best option, but this is still one of the best gaming monitors you can buy today.

Read the full review: Alienware AW3418DW

3. AOC Agon AG352UCG

An ultra-wide curve that even has G-Sync

Curved screen 21: 9

Compatibility G-Sync

Really is very big

Expensive

The Agon AC352UCG of AOC is a 21: 9 AMVA panel has an impressive resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 and has G-Sync compatibility, ensuring its place as one of the best gaming monitors you can buy in 2018. This means that when combined with an Nvidia graphics card, this monitor uses G -Synchronize to completely eliminate tearing the screen without adding additional stress to your PC hardware. In addition, you can expect better Agon AOC response times than your closest competitors, which means less delay of entry into competitive games like Overwatch or Lawbreakers that depend on lightning reflexes. The only compromise here is that the Agon AOC is big and expensive. Weighing in at 26 pounds (11.8kg), you'll want to make sure your desk can handle it.

Read the full review: AOC Agon AG352UCG

4. BenQ PD3200U

A large 4K screen for your desktop

Resolution 4K UHD

Large screen

Relatively inexpensive design

is a bit bland

Professional tools are niche

Lots of space

] The BenQ PD3200U can be aimed primarily at business professionals and CAD, but that does not mean it has nothing to offer people who want one of the best gaming monitors. Due to its focus on graphic design and business, it is able to offer simply incredible viewing angles, which means that no matter where you are sitting or where your viewers are, you can immerse yourself in the action. Also, unlike many 4K monitors, you do not have to waste time with settings to get the best possible image:

each unit is calibrated and prepared individually by BenQ before shipment. All this culminates with the fact that with less than 800 dollars for a 32-inch 4K monitor, it is one of the cheapest ways to enter 4K games without sacrificing the utility of a smaller 4K screen.

Read the full revision version: BenQ PD3200U

5. Asus MG248Q

A budget monitor with 144Hz and Adaptive Sync

144Hz refresh rate

1ms response time

TN panel

Adaptive synchronization for AMD, only Intel

If you are looking for a monitor of Economic games, and do not mind making some compromises (it has a resolution of 1080p and a nematic braided panel, or TN, instead of IPS), then you will be very satisfied with the Asus MG248Q. Compensates the shortcomings with fast response times and Adaptive Sync, which makes it the best monitor of budget games in 2018. Adaptive Sync is of interest to players, since it reduces the screen breakage if you have an AMD graphics card, a clear demonstration that the MG248Q adapts to the player with a budget. On the other hand, even Nvidia fans can rejoice with the 144Hz refresh rate. But, without the correct GPU equipped, it is better that you save for the Asus ROG Swift PG248Q G-Sync equivalent.

Read the full review: Asus MG248Q

6. BenQ Zowie XL2540

A monitor adapted to the needs of professional players

High refresh rates

Easy setup

Expensive

Limited appeal beyond professional players

You may not believe it at first view, but the BenQ Zowie XL2540 is in all respects the game monitor that the other monitors on this list are. And while it may not seem that from the outside, it also does its job remarkably well, sacrificing dazzling lighting effects for a 240Hz refresh rate and an almost instantaneous 1ms response time. There is no G-Sync or FreeSync, since this monitor assumes that it already has a platform that is capable of removing tears from the screen by itself. Instead, this monitor keeps it simple by providing many visual presets, an "S Switch" control pod to manage those presets and even a pair of adjustable light displays. If you are a professional player, then this is the best game monitor for you.

Read the full review:

7. Samsung CHG90 QLED

Impeccable image quality

Impressive color reproduction

Soft 144Hz refresh rate

Expensive

Only 1080p vertically

With this screen, Samsung not only brings QLED to game monitors in a great way, but they also offer the widest ultra wide monitor on the market today. When you reach 49.5 inches, this giant will take up a lot of space, probably looking at the sides of your desktop, but with its impressive resolution of 3,840 x 1080 and HDR, at least you will be impressed by the image. Even if you decide not to play at this resolution (a robust platform will be required), you can use the entire additional real estate screen to have a browser or movie on the same screen. The only real drawback is the monstrous price tag. But for a display of this bonus, it may well be worth it.

Read the full review: Samsung CHG90 QLED

8. Samsung CHG70 QLED

Games with all colors

Quick response time

HDR

Lots of space

If you have a powerful graphics card you want to make the most of it, and you do not mind losing 4K Ultra HD , Samsung has something just for you. The Samsung CHG70 is a 1440p curved monitor with a fast response time of 1ms and a refresh rate of 144hz, which makes it one of the best gaming monitors you can buy in 2018. And, considering that it regularly comes out to the sale, this screen is a bargain. all right. Check it out

Read the full review: Samsung CHG70 QLED

9. Alienware 25

FreeSync, G-Sync and everything in between

Great design

High refresh rate

Expensive

Only 1080p

The best you can say about the Alienware 25 game monitor is that it won & # 39; t discriminate against your PC. Although game monitors often support Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync, not both, to eliminate tearing the screen, the Alienware 25 can be configured in any way. That's useful, even if it's more expensive for the Nvidia model. Even so, the Alienware 25 is not fully functional on the form. Instead, it features a surprisingly exotic design, complete with the AlienFX RGB lighting that we all expect from Dell's subsidiary. And if that's not enough to sell it on Alienware 25, it has a uniform and smooth 240Hz update rate that will push any robust platform to its limits.

Read the full review:

Faster than you can say G-Sync

The cheapest G-Sync screen on the market

Incredible 180Hz update frequency

Only two screen inputs

Only 24 inches

If you more interested in the graphic rate or resolution frame, this is for you. Due to its impressive 180Hz refresh rate, the Asus ROG Swift PG248Q takes the gold standard of 60 fps for games and triples it, provided it is equipped with equipment that can handle the extra stress. While it is unlikely that you will enjoy Forza Horizon 3 at 180 fps in Ultra configurations due to its high demand, a higher refresh rate is more than welcome in fast-paced competitive games that do not necessarily depend on a large amount of resources. In addition, as one of the most economical G-Sync screens on the market, it helps you to trust the monitor to avoid breaking the screen as well.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Swift PG248Q

How to buy the best gaming monitor in 2018

When you buy the best gaming monitor that 2018 has to offer, there are some things that You should consider before deciding which screen should adorn your desktop. [19659002] By studying the following terms and specifications, you can be sure to choose the best gaming monitor for your needs, which also means that you are not paying extra for additional features you do not need.

Screen size : when you buy the best gaming monitor, one of the most important things to think about is the size of the screen. Larger screen sizes can contribute to more immersive gaming experiences, since the game will occupy more of your field of vision, but you should make sure you have the room to incorporate a large monitor. It is also evident that larger moni
tors will generally mean a higher price.

Aspect Ratio : The aspect ratio of a game monitor determines the width and height of the screen. Most widescreen monitors have an aspect ratio of 16: 9, while older monitors have a 4: 3 plus square, which will probably look quite obsolete by 2018. Ultra-wide monitors with aspect ratios of 21 : 9 are rapidly gaining prevalence. a wide view of its games, and many ultra wides have made our list of the best gaming monitor 2018.

Resolution : Another important factor when looking for the best gaming monitor for your needs is the resolution. Here, the higher the numbers, the sharper the image … However, you will need a more powerful graphics card for full HD (1,920 x 1,080), even if many game monitors have resolutions of up to 2,560 x 1,400 ( WQHD) and 3,840 x 2,160 (4K).

Update frequency : When you're mainly looking for Counter-Strike, or shooters like this, the update frequency is especially important. The higher the refresh rate, the more frames per second (fps) it can support, which provides a smoother experience on high frequency refresh screens. A refresh rate of 60Hz is more common, with refresh rates of 144Hz and even 200Hz.

Response Time : The best game monitors have low response times, which means that the action remains fast and smooth, with little to no entry delay. The lowest response time for the TN monitors (we explain this in the next section) is 1 millisecond, while the newer IPS monitors usually have later response times and 4 ms. When you play competitively, it is crucial to keep this number as low as possible to combat the delay.

Panel type : This is where things get a bit technical. The type of panel that the game monitor uses will greatly contribute to its response time and image clarity. TN (twisted nematic) panels have the lowest response times, and are generally also cheaper, but generally do not have large viewing angles. IPS panels (switching in the plane) have fantastic viewing angles and color reproduction, but generally higher response times. Meanwhile, VA panels (vertical alignment) are located between the two, although slow response times make these panels rare among the best gaming monitors.

Angle of vision : most people play while they position themselves in front of their games to monitor, but this is not always the case, particularly when you are among the spectators. The viewing angles of a monitor tell you what angle the monitor can look at and still clearly distinguish the image. The closer these numbers are to 180, the better your viewing experience will be when you stop past each side of the monitor or looking at it from above or below.

G-Sync and FreeSync : You'll probably notice that many of the best gaming monitors in 2018 come with G-Sync or FreeSync technology, sometimes both. This helps maintain frames per second (fps) without problems, fights the screen tear and decreases the entry delay. G-Sync is developed by Nvidia, so you'll need an Nvidia GPU, and the technology is integrated into the monitor, which can increase your price. Meanwhile, FreeSync was developed by AMD but, since it is free to use by manufacturers, monitors usually cost less.

Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas have also contributed to this article

Looking for a more general monitor? See our list of the best monitors

1. BenQ EX3501R

2. Alienware AW3418DW

3. AOC Agon AG352UCG

4. BenQ PD3200U

5. Asus MG248Q

6. BenQ Zowie XL2540

7. Samsung CHG90 QLED

8. Samsung CHG70 QLED

9. Alienware 25

How to buy the best gaming monitor in 2018

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