The Best 4K Gaming Monitors For 2020 And Beyond

4K and PC gaming used to be a lonely, expensive niche, but it’s become more widescale today than ever before. It may still be more expensive that console gaming, but if you take gaming seriously, then PC gaming with a good 4K monitor is where it’s at. Getting the best detail out of your games at 4K, 3840×2160 resolution doesn’t depend only on your monitor, but your computer hardware too. If you’re looking to upgrade your video card to something 4K ready like the RTX 3090 or RT3080, or even the AMD RX 6800 XT, then a new gaming monitor is an absolute must.

So, what is the best 4K monitor for gaming? Well, that depends on a lot of things, including your budget, but there are a few important things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you need to buy a new 4K monitor that features a VA or IPS screen, and its refresh rate needs to be at 60Hz or more, with 144Hz monitors being king of the crop. The best 4K gaming monitors are also capable of either G-Sync or FreeSync frame-syncing. The size of your new gaming monitor is also a big decision you have to make and, generally, going bigger is better – we suggest at least a 27-inch screen if you really want to enjoy the 8.3 million pixels generated from real 4K resolution.

With all this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best 4K gaming monitors on the market today, and we’ve even included something that’s good for any budget. Whether you have just $300 or $2,000 to spend, we’re going to steer you in the right direction.

Best 4K Monitors For Gaming

BenQ EL2870U 28-Inch 4k Monitor – 4.5 out of 5

The best budget 4k monitor for gaming

• $299 price is good for almost any budget
• Amazing 4K resolution
• Best HDR tech for the price
• Great picture quality for a TN panel
• Not overly bulky, but fairly heavy

If you’re just breaking into the world of 4K gaming and don’t want to throw a ton of money into what is already an expensive setup, then this is the best budget 4K monitor on the market. The BenQ EL2870U has a price tag of just $299 and delivers impressive picture quality for its price point. Picture quality is crisp and even the finest details show up beautifully with good tone and contrast. This means it performs well in a variety of on-screen environments from the most vibrant to the darkest and scariest.

This is a budget 4K gaming monitor, of course, so your refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, which isn’t bad but for the price it’s great. The EL2870U doesn’t support G-Sync, but FreeSync is supported and the 1MS response time helps to make up for that. As is the case with all of BenQ’s monitors, the EL2870U features Low Blue Light Technology, which removes the harmful blue light that can damage your eyes and Brightness Intelligence, which adjusts the brightness and color temperature based of on-screen images based on your surroundings. Get it on Amazon right now for $299 with free shipping.

LG 27UL650 – 4.2 out of 4

Not the best 4k computer monitor, but great for those on a budget

• Awesome color accuracy
• FreeSync compatibility
• No built-in speakers
• Low input lag
• Great for video and photo editing too

If your budget limits you to spending $500 or less on a good 4k computer monitor, then the LG 27UL650 will save the day. For a 4K monitor priced just below $450, the 4K graphics are stunning, and since it features an IPS panel display it has superior color and contrast over a lot of other monitors on the market. Unfortunately, it does suffer from a relatively slow response time of 5MS, and the 60Hz refresh rate is right on the base line for 4K resolution, but the LG27UL650 will get the job done.

It should also be noted that this LG 4k monitor has very precise color accuracy and HDR10, so it’s great for more than just gaming. Movie picture quality or the detail you need when editing photos will be hard to find in other 4K monitors at or below this price point. The biggest downside is that it doesn’t feature speakers, so you’ll have to invest in good headset or speaker system if you don’t have a solution already in place. Pick yours up on Amazon and have it as soon as tomorrow!

Phillips Momentum 436M6VBPAB – 4.5 out of 5

The most affordable TV-Sized gaming monitor with 4K Resolution worth buying

• Great price for a PC and gaming-focused display
• Stable mounting
• Precise color
• Good response time
• Better choice than a standard 4K TV

The Phillips Momentum 436M6 might look more like a TV than a monitor, and you’re right for thinking that, but it’s definitely worth looking at if you want to play on the big 4K gaming monitor. With a price just north of $800, you might be thining that it’s just cheaper to buy a 4K TV, and it is, but this gaming monitor is designed to put PCs and Gaming first, so it delivers a better picture and experience than a comparable TV.

While heavy at 30 pounds and somewhat cumbersome due to its size, this 43-inch 4k display will put an emphasis fidelity improvements that come with gaming in real 4K. On the back, you’ll find a long list of ports from HDMI 2.0, USB-C, DisplayPort, and even Mini DisplayPort. There’s backlight that glows according to what’s shown on the screen, and it features a 4MS response time, which isn’t bad for a 4K display this size. Overall, its HDR qualities can’t be denied and you’ll be happy you paid a little more for a PC-focused display this size instead of just buying a slightly cheaper TV. Order one from Amazon today and have it within 48 hours!

Acer Predator XB273K – 4.7 out of 5

Arguably the best 4K monitor for gaming under $1000

• Unparalleled picture detail
• Fast response time
• 144Hz refresh rate for super-fast gaming
• Amazing price for a high-spec monitor
• 15.9 pounds – light enough for most floating desk mounts

If you’re in the market for a 4K 144Hz gaming monitor, then the Acer Predator XB273K is the best bang for your buck. It’s loosly related to the Acer Predator X27 with most of the same features at a much lower cost. The only real trade-off is that the XB237K has a slightly lower quality of HDR, which doesn’t really matter considering the technology’s current state on PC. We’ve labeled the Predator XB273K the best 144HZ 4K monitor on the market today thanks to its terrific color rendering, quality of contrast, and depth.

If you play a lot of shooters, the 144Hz refresh rate is a must-have too, and G-Sync compatibility means you have the best adaptive sync technology available. The XB273K features an huge array of ports, and the quality of the picture alone will make you forget about any other 4k gaming monitor that you’ve ever considered. Pick yours up from Amazon today with free shipping.

Acer Predator XB321HK – 3.9 out of 5

4K and no HDR, but a cheaper alternative to the pricy Predator X27

• 32-inch screen is perfect size for 4K resolution
• Great, vibrant colors
• No HDR tech
• Limited 60Hz refresh rate
• Good alternative to the more expensive X27

The Acer Predator XB321HK is quite a bit more expensive than the 273K above, and it falls short with a 60Hz refresh rate, but it does feature a 32-inch IPS display that produces brilliant and Bright colors. There’s no HDR tech, which is somewhat surprising for a monitor that sits beyond the $1,100 price point, but it’s a good alternative to the X27 and doesn’t cost nearly as much. Despite the lack of HDR and the entry-level 60Hz refresh ration, the XB321HK performs admirably well, and it serves as an entry point to premium monitors without being as expensive as the graphics card that makes it worth having.

Check this baby out on Amazon for $1,163.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ – 4.9 out of 5

It has a premium price, but unparalleled performance

• Great image quality
• Nvidia G-Sync technology
• 144Hz refresh weight
• Heavy at 28 pounds
• Cool design

Pulling the trigger on a $1,500 computer monitor is hard to do, no doubt, but when you see what the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ has to offer, you’ll understand why this premium monitor comes at such a cost. From the first time you boot up – not even into a game – you’ll notice how clear, detailed, and bright the images are on this 144Hz monitor. At 27 inches, most would agree that the screen size is just right, especially once they realize that the ROG Swift has Nvidia G-Sync and HDR built right in.

You won’t have all the connections that you might find on cheaper monitors, though, with the whole lot including an HDMI 2.0 port, DisplayPort 1.4, 3.5mm audio, and two USB 3.0 ports. The design of the monitor is cool too, with the stand featuring a unique take on funneling cables. As long as you have an Nvidia GPU (for G-Sync) and a computer capable of high-end graphics gaming, the ROG Swift might be for you – as long as you have an extra $1500 in your budget, that is.  Check out the latest price on Amazon now.