With great pixels come great image quality, and that’s why 4K (aka UHD) monitors have gamers so excited right now. A panel packing 8.3 million pixels (3840 x 2160) gives you the smoothest and most realistic images for PC gaming. That pixel army also makes it possible to stretch your screen real estate well past 30 inches without seeing individual pixels.
However, anyone who’s perused 4K monitor options knows that they aren’t cheap (yet). And if you’re searching for a 4K gaming monitor, you’re still going to want solid gaming specs, like a 60Hz-plus refresh rate, low response time and your choice of adaptive sync (Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync).
If 4K isn’t for you, be sure to check out our best gaming monitors page for more options.
But if you’re ready to invest in a 4K gaming, check out our curated list of the best 4K gaming monitors, handpicked based on our own testing.
Quick Shopping Tips
When choosing a gaming monitor for your PC, consider the following:
Gaming at 4K requires a high-end graphics card. If you don’t have an SLI or Crossfire dual-graphics card setup, you’ll want at least a GTX 1070 Ti or RX Vega 64 for games at medium settings or an RTX-series card or Radeon VII for high or greater settings.
It’s even more expensive if you want 144Hz. If you’re looking to save money, consider going for a lower refresh rate, as small as 60Hz, as long as it comes with FreeSync (for AMD graphics cards) or G-Sync (for Nvidia graphics cards).
4K and HDR go hand-in-hand. 4K monitors will often support HDR content for an extra bright and colorful experience. For more on HDR see our page on HDR and what it means for your monitor.
For additional help on picking a monitor, see our PC Monitor Buying Guide.
Best 4K Gaming Monitors
1. Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
Best 4K / 144Hz Gaming Monitor
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 27 inches 16:9 | Resolution: 4K @ 120Hz | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 144Hz with overclock | Response Time (GTG): 4ms
Pros: G-Sync • Stunning image • Amazing SDR and HDR contrast • Over 90 percent DCI-P3 coverage • Build quality, styling
Cons: Expensive
Anytime a 4K monitor can push past 60Hz, it’s a big win. The Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ goes beyond that with a144hz overclocked refresh rate. What really makes its image pop is its full-array WLED backlight with zone dimming, which promises unbeatable HDR delivery. And with a response time a hair faster than the Acer Predator X27, its biggest competitor, the PG27UQ just manages to secure the tile of best 4K gaming monitor.
2. BenQ EL2870U
Best Budget 4K Gaming Monitor
Rating: 3.5/5
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 28 inches 16:9 | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: TN | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Pros: FreeSync • Value • HDR compatibility • 24p cadence support • Build quality • Out-of-box accuracy
Cons: Low native contrast • 60Hz limit
Budget and 4K don’t usually go together. The BenQ EL2870U, while not explicitly made for gaming, is the best way to get an acceptable 4K gaming experience for less than $500 (£380). Casual gamers can make do with the 60Hz refresh rate and low response time. But if you’re a hardcore gamer and want to an upgrade from a QHD, 144Hz monitor, make the Acer Predator XB273K ($1,300 / £1,200) your budget choice instead.
3. Philips 436M6 Momentum
Best FreeSync 4K Gaming Monitor
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 42.5 inches 16:9 | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: VA | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Response Time (GTG):4ms
Pros: FreeSync • Bright • Excellent HDR • Wide color gamut • Accurate without calibration • Build quality • Comes with a handy remote
Cons: Limited calibration options • Middling input lag • Few stand adjustments
In our testing, FreeSync ensured tear-free gaming, while sRGB games popped with added gamut color. HDR gaming also went tear-free with 4,000:1 contrast providing a feast for the eyes. You’ll love how intense its TV-worthy size makes games like first-person shooters.
4. Acer Predator X27
Best G-Sync 4K Gaming Monitor
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 37 inches 16:9 | Resolution: 4K @ 120Hz | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 144Hz with overclock | Response Time (GTG): 5ms
Pros: G-Sync • Excellent HDR • Extended color • Stellar gaming experience • Build quality
Cons: No brightness adjustment in HDR mode • Expensive
Like the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ, the Acer Predator X27 has a full-array backlight with zone dimming that produces for mouth-watering HDR. Its insane gaming specs ensure tear-free gaming at high frame rates, and it has a slight edge over the PG27UQ in out-of-box color accuracy. The included light hood is a nice bonus.
5. HP Omen X 65 Emperium
Best 4K Gaming Monitor Splurge
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 64.5 inches 16:9 | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: VA | Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Response Time (GTG):4ms
Pros: G-Sync • Pro-level color accuracy • Excellent SDR and HDR contrast • Built-in soundbar delivers excellent audio quality • Sturdy build
Cons: Very expensive
This 65-inch juggernaut offers larger-than-life gaming. In testing, performance matched its high price tag with zero gaming hiccups and high frame rates at high settings. The included soundbar adds to the gaming immersion. The inclusion of Nvidia Shield means gaming, TV and movie streaming options are built right into your gaming display.
However, anyone who’s perused 4K monitor options knows that they aren’t cheap (yet). And if you’re searching for a 4K gaming monitor, you’re still going to want solid gaming specs, like a 60Hz-plus refresh rate, low response time and your choice of adaptive sync (Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync).
If 4K isn’t for you, be sure to check out our best gaming monitors page for more options.
But if you’re ready to invest in a 4K gaming, check out our curated list of the best 4K gaming monitors, handpicked based on our own testing.
Quick Shopping Tips
When choosing a gaming monitor for your PC, consider the following:
Gaming at 4K requires a high-end graphics card. If you don’t have an SLI or Crossfire dual-graphics card setup, you’ll want at least a GTX 1070 Ti or RX Vega 64 for games at medium settings or an RTX-series card or Radeon VII for high or greater settings.
It’s even more expensive if you want 144Hz. If you’re looking to save money, consider going for a lower refresh rate, as small as 60Hz, as long as it comes with FreeSync (for AMD graphics cards) or G-Sync (for Nvidia graphics cards).
4K and HDR go hand-in-hand. 4K monitors will often support HDR content for an extra bright and colorful experience. For more on HDR see our page on HDR and what it means for your monitor.
For additional help on picking a monitor, see our PC Monitor Buying Guide.
Best 4K Gaming Monitors
1. Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
Best 4K / 144Hz Gaming Monitor
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 27 inches 16:9 | Resolution: 4K @ 120Hz | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 144Hz with overclock | Response Time (GTG): 4ms
Pros: G-Sync • Stunning image • Amazing SDR and HDR contrast • Over 90 percent DCI-P3 coverage • Build quality, styling
Cons: Expensive
Anytime a 4K monitor can push past 60Hz, it’s a big win. The Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ goes beyond that with a144hz overclocked refresh rate. What really makes its image pop is its full-array WLED backlight with zone dimming, which promises unbeatable HDR delivery. And with a response time a hair faster than the Acer Predator X27, its biggest competitor, the PG27UQ just manages to secure the tile of best 4K gaming monitor.
2. BenQ EL2870U
Best Budget 4K Gaming Monitor
Rating: 3.5/5
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 28 inches 16:9 | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: TN | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Response Time (GTG): 1ms
Pros: FreeSync • Value • HDR compatibility • 24p cadence support • Build quality • Out-of-box accuracy
Cons: Low native contrast • 60Hz limit
Budget and 4K don’t usually go together. The BenQ EL2870U, while not explicitly made for gaming, is the best way to get an acceptable 4K gaming experience for less than $500 (£380). Casual gamers can make do with the 60Hz refresh rate and low response time. But if you’re a hardcore gamer and want to an upgrade from a QHD, 144Hz monitor, make the Acer Predator XB273K ($1,300 / £1,200) your budget choice instead.
3. Philips 436M6 Momentum
Best FreeSync 4K Gaming Monitor
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 42.5 inches 16:9 | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: VA | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Response Time (GTG):4ms
Pros: FreeSync • Bright • Excellent HDR • Wide color gamut • Accurate without calibration • Build quality • Comes with a handy remote
Cons: Limited calibration options • Middling input lag • Few stand adjustments
In our testing, FreeSync ensured tear-free gaming, while sRGB games popped with added gamut color. HDR gaming also went tear-free with 4,000:1 contrast providing a feast for the eyes. You’ll love how intense its TV-worthy size makes games like first-person shooters.
4. Acer Predator X27
Best G-Sync 4K Gaming Monitor
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 37 inches 16:9 | Resolution: 4K @ 120Hz | Panel Type: IPS | Refresh Rate: 144Hz with overclock | Response Time (GTG): 5ms
Pros: G-Sync • Excellent HDR • Extended color • Stellar gaming experience • Build quality
Cons: No brightness adjustment in HDR mode • Expensive
Like the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ, the Acer Predator X27 has a full-array backlight with zone dimming that produces for mouth-watering HDR. Its insane gaming specs ensure tear-free gaming at high frame rates, and it has a slight edge over the PG27UQ in out-of-box color accuracy. The included light hood is a nice bonus.
5. HP Omen X 65 Emperium
Best 4K Gaming Monitor Splurge
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Screen Size & Aspect Ratio: 64.5 inches 16:9 | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: VA | Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Response Time (GTG):4ms
Pros: G-Sync • Pro-level color accuracy • Excellent SDR and HDR contrast • Built-in soundbar delivers excellent audio quality • Sturdy build
Cons: Very expensive
This 65-inch juggernaut offers larger-than-life gaming. In testing, performance matched its high price tag with zero gaming hiccups and high frame rates at high settings. The included soundbar adds to the gaming immersion. The inclusion of Nvidia Shield means gaming, TV and movie streaming options are built right into your gaming display.
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