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

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
There really is no experience quite like PC gaming
In 2018, the best PC games allow you to see and do things that are wholly 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 truly elevate your gaming experience to another level
Because, why would you play all these amazing screens on anything 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 it will boil down to function and preferences
There is a wide variety of different tech and features that are featured in the best gaming monitors, and what you need will vary on the
kinds of games you play.Do you just want to sit down and immerse yourself into Far Cry 5 If so, you may want to pick up a 4K Ultra HD gaming
monitor with HDR
Or, do you prefer games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, where you just want to win If so, you might need a gaming monitor with a high
on the TechRadar editorial team have you covered
money
BenQ EX3501RHDR and Ultra-Wide together at lastScreen size: : 35-inch | Aspect ratio: : 21:9 | Resolution: : 3,440 x 1,440 | Brightness: :
300 cd/m2 | Response time: : 4ms | Viewing angle: : 178/178 | Contrast ratio: : 2,500:1 | Color support: : sRGB 100% | Weight: : 23
poundsGreat screen sizeHDRMenu can be trickyNeeds tweaking out of boxHDR has been a major selling point for the best TVs for a little while
now, but it has been suspiciously absent form the best gaming monitors
Until now
well
the time of this writing
Alienware AW3418DWThe fastest ultrawide yetScreen size: 34-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 |
Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 26 poundsHighest refresh rate in
seen an ultra-wide monitor that can both give you the immersion that a 21:9 resolution affords, while also delivering a high refresh rate
Alienware has always had a reputation for delivering high-end equipment (at an equally high cost), and the Alienware AW3418DW is no
exception
the best of both worlds
AOC Agon AG352UCGA curvy ultrawide that even has G-SyncScreen size: 35-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Brightness:
300 cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 172/178 | Contrast ratio: 2,000:1 | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 26 poundsCurved 21:9
screenG-Sync compatibilityIt really is very bigPriceyThe Agon AC352UCG from AOC is a 21:9 AMVA panel that rocks a mind-blowing 3,440 x 1,440
resolution and boasts G-Sync compatibility, securing its place as one of the best gaming monitors you can buy in 2018
This means that when paired with an Nvidia graphics card, this monitor uses G-Sync to completely eliminate screen tearing without adding
extra stress to your PC hardware
games like Overwatch or Lawbreakers that rely on lightning fast reflexes
The only compromise here is that the AOC Agon is large and kind of expensive
BenQ PD3200UA large 4K screen for your deskScreen Size: 32-inch | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 |
Response Time: 4ms | Viewing Angle: 178/178 | Contrast Ratio: 1,000:1 | Color Support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 19 lbs4K UHD resolutionLarge
ScreenInexpensive relativelyDesign is a little blandProfessional tools are nicheTakes up a lot of spaceThe BenQ PD3200U may be mainly aimed
gaming without sacrificing utility to a smaller 4K display.Read the full review: BenQ PD3200U5
Asus MG248QA budget monitor with 144Hz and Adaptive Sync Screen size: 23.6-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 |
Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1 million:1 | Color support: SRGB 100%, Adobe RGB 72%
| Weight: 16.98 pounds144Hz refresh rate1ms response timeTN panelAdaptive Sync for AMD, Intel onlyIf you're looking for a budget gaming
monitor, and don't mind making a few compromises (it features a 1080p resolution and twisted-nematic, or TN, panel rather than IPS), then
you'll be very pleased with the Asus MG248Q
It makes up for any shortcomings with lightning fast response times and Adaptive Sync, making this the best budget gaming monitor in 2018
Adaptive Sync is of interest to gamers, as it reduces screen tearing if you have an AMD graphics card, a clear demonstration that the MG248Q
tailors to the budget gamer
On the other hand, even Nvidia fans can rejoice at the 144Hz refresh rate
Asus MG248Q6
BenQ Zowie XL2540A monitor tailored to the needs of professional gamersScreen size: 24-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
| Brightness: 400 cd/m2 | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: NTSC 72% | Weight:
7.5kgHigh refresh ratesEasy setupExpensiveLimited appeal beyond pro gamersYou might not believe it at first glance, but the BenQ Zowie
XL2540 is every bit the gaming monitor that the other monitors on this list are
And though it may not seem it from the outside looking in, it does its job remarkably well too, sacrificing dazzling lighting effects for a
zippy 240Hz refresh rate and nigh-instantaneous 1ms response time
even a pair of adjustable light screens
If you're a professional gamer, then this is the best gaming monitor for you.Read the full review: BenQ Zowie XL25407
Samsung CHG90 QLEDScreen Size: 49-inch | Aspect Ratio: 32:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 1080 | Viewing Angle: 178/178 | Contrast Ratio: 3,000:1 |
Color Support: N/A | Weight: 33 lbsFlawless image qualityImpressive Color reproductionSmooth 144Hz refresh rateExpensiveOnly 1080p
verticallyWith this display, Samsung not only brings QLED to gaming monitors in a big way, but they also offer the widest ultra-wide monitor
on the market today
Coming in at 49.5 inches, this behemoth will take up a lot of space, likely peeping over the sides of your desk, but with its impressive
Even if you decide not to play in this resolution (it will require a beefy rig), you can still use all of the extra screen real estate to
have a browser or a movie playing on the same screen
The only real drawback is the monstrous price tag
But for a display this premium, it may very well be worth it.Read the full review:Samsung CHG90 QLED8
Samsung CHG70 QLEDGaming with all the colorsScreen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 |
Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 3,000:1 | Color support: 1.07B | Weight: 21.16 poundsQuick response
The Samsung CHG70 is a curved 1440p monitor with a blazing fast 1ms response time and 144hz refresh rate, which makes this one of the best
gaming monitors you can buy in 2018
Alienware 25 FreeSync, G-Sync and everything in betweenScreen size: 24.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Brightness:
400 cd/m2 | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: SRGB 119% | Weight: 11.7kgGreat designHigh
your PC
Alienware 25 can be configured either way
Asus ROG Swift PG248QFaster than you can say G-Sync Screen size: 24-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Brightness: 350
cd/m2 | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Colour support: Adobe RGB 74% | Weight: 9.5kgCheapest G-Sync
display on the marketAmazing 180Hz refresh rateJust two display inputsOnly 24 inchesIf you care more about frame rate than graphics or
resolution, this one's for you
provided you're equipped with a rig that can handle the extra stress
While you're unlikely to enjoy Forza Horizon 3 at 180fps on Ultra settings given its high demand, a higher refresh rate is more than welcome
in fast-paced, competitive games that don't necessarily depend on a wealth of resources
Plus, as one of the most affordable G-Sync displays on the market, it helps that you can rely on the monitor to prevent screen tearing,
2018 has to offer, there are a few things that you should consider before you decide on what display should grace your desk.By studying the
think about is screen size
Larger display sizes can contribute to more immersive gaming experiences, as the game fills more of your field of vision, but you'll need to
make sure you have the room to feature a large monitor
It also goes without saying that larger monitors will usually mean a higher price.Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio of a gaming monitor
determines the width and height of the screen
Most widescreen monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9, while older monitors had a more square 4:3, which will likely look pretty outdated in
2018
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 resolution
Here, the higher the numbers, the sharper the picture.
You will, however, need a more powerful graphics card for anything over full HD (1,920 x 1,080), even if many gaming monitors feature
shooters like it, refresh rate is especially important
The higher the refresh rate, the more frames per second (fps) it can support, which lends to a smoother experience on high-refresh-rate
displays
A 60Hz refresh rate is most common, with refresh rates rising to 144Hz and even 200Hz.Response time: The best gaming monitors have low
response times, which means the action remains fast and fluid, with little to no input lag
The lowest response time for TN monitors (we explain this in the next section) is 1 millisecond, whereas the newer IPS monitors usually have
more delayed, 4ms response times
where things get a little technical
The type of panel the gaming monitor uses will largely contribute to its response time and image clarity
viewing angles
Meanwhile VA panels (vertical alignment) sit between the two, though the slow response times makes these panels rare amid the best gaming
monitors.Viewing Angle: Most people play games while positioned in front of their gaming monitor, but this may not always be the case,
The closer these numbers are are to 180, the better your viewing experience will be when standing further to either side of the monitor or
looking at it from above or below.G-Sync and FreeSync: You'll likely notice that many of the best gaming monitors in 2018 come with either
This helps keep frames per second (fps) smooth, combats screen tearing and diminishes input lag
G-Sync is developed by Nvidia, so you'll need an Nvidia GPU, and the tech is built into the monitor, which can bump up their price tag
Meanwhile FreeSync was developed by AMD but, as it is free to use by manufacturers, the monitors usually cost less.Gabe Carey and Bill
Thomas have also contributed to this articleLooking for a more general monitor Check out our list of the best
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