A high quality computer monitor is an essential part of everyone’s home office or gaming room.
But the needs for a monitor that you use to work on are a lot different than a monitor that you use to play Dota 2 or HALO on.
What is the best monitor size for gaming?
The best monitor size recommended for gaming is between 24-27 inches with at least 1080P resolution, HDR and G-Sync compatibility, and an optimal refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. For competitive gaming, most pro gamers prefer 27-inch display monitors with a minimum refresh rate of 244 Hz.
That’s the short, succinct answer.
The longer, more nuanced answer is it depends.
It all depends heavily on the preferences of the gamer themselves and the game mechanics of the game you’re playing.
Gaming monitors control important crucial aspects of the game, such as response time and picture resolution, where milliseconds count.
But that’s not all. The size of a gaming monitor and the user’s viewing distance are other factors that affects your overall experience while gaming.
If you want to know which gaming monitor is right for you, we’ve got you covered!
It’s all covered here. In this post you’ll find answers to your questions about what the best size for a gaming monitor is as well as answers to other questions like:
- What’s the best monitor size for casual gaming?
- What size monitor should I choose for FPS gaming?
- Why do Pro gamers use 24-inch monitors for gaming?
- Is a 32-inch monitor too big for gaming?
- Are multi-display setups good for gaming?
Not only have I covered what’s widely accepted as the best monitor size for gaming, and more importantly why that size is the professional’s choice, I’m also covering all these questions and much more.
By the way – before we get too far into it here, if you want to get more great ideas for your gaming room or home office and want to connect with other home office hackers to make your space the best join my free private Facebook group, Battle Station Setup here.
What Is The Best Monitor Size For Gaming?
The general consensus is that a 24 or 27 inch gaming monitor is the best monitor size for gaming.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a new gaming monitor to replace an old or damaged one, choosing the right size that’s best suited for your gaming sessions is crucial.
These are so many choices!
Gaming monitors come with high-resolution capability ranging from 1080P to Ultra HD 4K resolutions.
The refresh rates for gaming monitors usually range between 60Hz and 244Hz, and go all the way up to 360Hz for the top of the line models.
And did I mention that they’re also available with a dynamic ultrawide view?
Jay Crotty a gaming enthusiast and senior content creator for WePC points out, “27-inch monitors are the norm these days with even the odd esports fanatics picking this up over the more sensible 24 inches.”
So how do you pick your gaming monitor? What do you need to know?
How Gaming Monitors Are Evaluated
To determine the recommended monitor sizes and monitor manufacturers covered in this article, we sought out the hardware preferences of top professional gamers, did a ton of research work investigating the most credible sources, and evaluated the build quality of the gaming monitors themselves.
The best gaming monitor is the one that provides you with a great experience while playing your favorite games, whether it be on PC or console.
A gaming monitor has many different features, including its size, resolution, refresh rate, response time, brightness, color gamut, input options, and even its stand design.
In addition to these factors, we also consider how well each gaming monitor performs in terms of image quality and ergonomics.
Here’s what we’ve found are the most critical factors to consider.
Refresh Rate
One of the most important features to look for when selecting a new gaming monitor is the refresh rate, particularly if you are looking to a competitive gamer.
Your refresh rate refers to how many times every second your gaming monitor will draw a new image on the screen. The faster the refresh rate the closer you get to a real world environment where you can perceive and respond as quickly as humanly possible.
A higher refresh rate has been found to give competitive gamers a slight advantage over their opponents who are using monitors with lower refresh rates.
Resolution
Screen resolution is one feature that is often mistaken for screen size.
Just because you. have a larger screen doesn’t necessarily mean that you are going to get a better picture. This is the reason why most televisions don’t make good monitors.
Screen resolution defines the number of pixels per inch of the actual screen size. Gaming monitors with higher resolutions have greater pixel density and will produce sharper and immensely detailed picture displays.
Resolution can be in different dimensions irrespective of the screen size. The most common screen resolutions that are preferred amongst pro gamers are 1080P, 1440P, 2K & Ultra HD 4K.
Be careful, though, because the higher your screen resolution, the lower your frame rate. So you need to find a balance between both, so you don’t sacrifice speed for resolution or vice versa.
HDR
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range which enables your gaming monitor to display a broader spectrum of colors and contrasts resulting in a much more vivid display. HDR compatibility still requires other components to be fully functional, e.g the computer GPU, operating system, gaming console, compatible input cables, etc. The game itself also has to be in sync as well to make use of HDR technology at its full capacity.
Panel Types
There are three different panel types available when it comes to your computer monitor: twisted nematic (TN), vertical alignment (VA) and in-plane switching (IPS).
TN monitors are best for those looking for the best response time, while still looking great. TN panel monitors are great for gamers engaged in highly competitive, multi-player fighting style games where every millisecond is crucial.
VA monitors are the best when it comes to high-contrast displays and are great for HDR content.
IPS monitors are best for gamers who enjoy the depth of the visual experience and want to take in all that the game artists had in mind when creating the atmosphere.
Ports
Some users don’t need a lot of connection options, but others do. Sometimes a simple HDMI connection is enough, but in other situations it could be that want need to connect a console to your gaming monitor too, in addition to your PC gaming rig. Whichever monitor you choose, make sure it’s got all the connection options you need.
Affordability
Virtually all of us would love to have the budget to spend as much as we want to get the best possible monitor available.
However, that’s not the world most of us live in. If that’s you – awesome! For the rest of us, it’s about matching the features we want and making it fit within the budget we have.
The good news is that there are so many good options (and I’ve covered them all below) at virtually all budget options, you’re sure to find something that will work for you in your budget.
Desk Size
Keep in mind that you can’t get a monitor that’s not going to fit on your gaming desk. If your space is limited but you want to get as much screen real estate as you can, a curved monitor may be a good option since it will increase your screen real estate without adding too much more space.
Also, consider how you plan on mounting your monitor.
If your desk isn’t an adjustable standing desk, then it may be an option that you can mount your monitor to the wall and you could even use something like an ultrawide monitor that will work somewhat independently of your desk space.
Best Monitor Size for Casual Gaming
If you’re a casual gamer looking to invest in a gaming monitor, you do not necessarily need to go all out for premium options. An affordable display monitor like the 27-inch Dell S2721HGF is a fantastic solution at a great price.
Its curved screen display with an aspect ratio of 16:9 is ideal, offering great viewing angles during gaming sessions.
Furthermore, it is equipped with VA panel technology which offers more contrast to produce deep visuals with outstanding color accuracy.
The screen size (27-inch) is a great option for casual gaming with its 144Hz refresh rates and supports both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync.
Recommended For: Among Us, Child of Light, Roblox, Fall Guys, Brawlhalla, and other Indie games.
Here are the best monitors we recommend for casual gaming:
Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor 27 Inch Curved Monitor with FHD (1920 x 1080) Display, Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync HDMI, DisplayPort, VESA Certified, Gray – S2721HGF
- SEAMLESS SPPED: This curved gaming monitor contains a 144Hz refresh rate combined with a 1ms (MPRT) response time to eliminate motion blur and allow for fast-moving visuals to be seen with incredible clarity
- TEAR-FREE, STUTTER-FREE GAMING: Nvidia G-SYNC Compatible Certification and AMD FreeSync Premium technology minimizes graphic distortions like screen tearing and stuttering for smoother, fluid gameplay and extraordinary image quality
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QR 24.5” Gaming Monitor, 1080P Full HD, 165Hz (Supports 144Hz), 1ms, Extreme Low Motion Blur, G-SYNC Compatible ready, Eye Care, DisplayPort HDMI, Shadow Boost, Height Adjustable
- 24.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) gaming monitor with ultrafast 165Hz refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
- ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB ) technology enables a 1ms response time (MPRT), eliminating ghosting for sharp gaming visuals
LG 27GN800-B Ultragear Gaming Monitor 27″ QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS Display, IPS 1ms (GtG) Response Time, 144Hz Refresh Rate, NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible, AMD FreeSync Premium – Black
- 27” qhd (2560 x 1440) ips display.Aspect Ratio: 16:9. Viewing Angle is 178° (H) / 178° (V)
- Srgb 99% color gamut with hdr 10
Best Monitor Size For FPS Gaming
Gamers with a vested interest in FPS games generally prioritize smaller screens, sometimes even over resolution, because they offer great refresh rates and keep the action within reach.
Unsurprisingly, the three current fastest monitors in the world; the Alienware AW2521H, Asus’ ROG Swift PG259QNR, and Acer’s X25 are all 24-inch monitors.
No doubt, big screens generally offer better resolution, but they do this by sacrificing refresh rate, which is why they’re not going to be as popular among professional FPS gamers.
Also, large monitors would require the gamer to make a lot more head movement, increasing the time needed to make decisions.
If you don’t mind, though, there are monitors that offer both refresh rate and resolution quality in substantial proportions in a larger monitor size.
Recommended For: Valorant, Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Apex Legends, PUBG, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, and HALO.
Here are the best monitors we recommend for FPS gaming:
ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QR 24.5” Gaming Monitor, 1080P Full HD, 165Hz (Supports 144Hz), 1ms, Extreme Low Motion Blur, G-SYNC Compatible ready, Eye Care, DisplayPort HDMI, Shadow Boost, Height Adjustable
- 24.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) gaming monitor with ultrafast 165Hz refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
- ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB ) technology enables a 1ms response time (MPRT), eliminating ghosting for sharp gaming visuals
ASUS ROG Strix 27” 2K HDR Gaming Monitor (XG27AQM) – WQHD (2560 x 1440), Fast IPS, 270Hz, 0.5ms, Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync, G-SYNC, HDR 400, Eye Care, DisplayPort, HDMI, USB 3.0
- 27-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) HDR gaming monitor with ultrafast 270Hz (overclocking) refresh rate designed for professional gamers and immersive gameplay
- Aspect Ratio is 16:9; Viewing Angle (CR≧10) is 178°/ 178°; Brightness (Typ) is 350cd/㎡
MSI QHD Rapid-IPS Quantum DOT Gaming Non-Glare Super Narrow Bezel 1ms 2560 x 1440 165Hz Refresh Rate Adjustable Arm G-Sync Compatible 27” Gaming Monitor (Optix MAG274QRF-QD)
- Rapid IPS with Quantum Dot Technology.Viewing Angle (CR≥10) 178/178 (CR≥10). Wall Mount size (mm) 75 x 75 (VESA compatible)
- Viewing Angle is 178° (H) / 178° (V); Brightness(typ) is 300nits; Aspect Ratio is 16:9
Best Monitor Size for E-Sports and Competitive Gaming
By default, professional eSports gamers are obliged to use a display monitor between 24 to 27 inches because that’s the industry standard. Any screen bigger than 27 inches is considered too big.
A typical example is Tyler Blevins, a professional gamer who plays with the 25-inch Alienware Gaming Monitor that delivers 1080p resolution and up to 240Hz refresh rate.
“A 27-inch monitor is bad for gaming? No. I would say that’s your max though. If you get like a 35” and you game on that, that’s gonna be bad.” – Professional Counter-Strike player Michael Grzesiek popularly known as Shroud
“You don’t want your monitor too big. Because then there’s too much to look at. But, 27” is like the max I’d go.” the Canadian gamer added.
When it comes to frame rate though, research that analyzed more than 1,700 professionals, found that 99% of gamers use a gaming monitor with a minimum refresh rate of 144 Hz.
The study also ranked the BenQ Zowie XL2546 as the top choice gaming monitor for most competitive gamers amongst other impressive monitor models.
It supports an impressive 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, making it one of the fastest monitors in the market. It’s a 24.5” screen packed with 1080P resolution.
Recommended For: MOBA/RTS games like Dota 2, Warcraft, Arena of Valor, & League of Legends, Valorant, Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, Tekken 7, and Gran Turismo Sport.
Here are the best monitors we recommend for competitive gaming:
BenQ ZOWIE XL2546 24.5 Inch 240Hz Gaming Monitor | 1080P 1ms | Dynamic Accuracy & Black eQualizer for Competitive Edge | S-Switch for custom Display Profiles | Shield
- Lightning-fast 240 Hz refresh rate performance for a smooth gaming experience.
- 1ms Response Time (GTG) to eliminate ghosting and lag, providing the optimal gaming experience. Power consumption (On mode) – 55W
Omen by HP 25-Inch FHD Gaming Monitor with Tilt Adjustment and AMD Freesync Technology (Black)
- Lightning Fast gaming monitor: geared with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD freesync(tm) technology to reduce input lag so you can dominate fast-paced combat and Sweep the leaderboards
- Monitor: 24.5-Inch diagonal FHD (1920 x 1080) TN panel with LED backlight
Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor – AW2518H NVIDIA G-Sync 240Hz Refresh 1ms response time
- Designed for the enthusiast, the AW2518H delivers a futuristic style and precise form with solid stability
- See gaming differently with NVIDIA G-SYNC. This breakthrough Display technology eliminates screen tearing and minimizes Display stutter and input lag
Best Monitor Size For Immersive Gaming
To enjoy the magical perks of the virtual reality world offered by immersive gaming, you’ll need an ultrawide high-resolution monitor to assimilate the experience and actively participate in the activities.
With the rise of the metaverse, the audience for immersive gaming is on the verge of astronomical growth.
While most gamers prefer to access the virtual realm using other devices such as VR headsets and AR glasses, there’s nothing to suggest that gaming monitors can’t do the job. However, a large display monitor is preferable.
Something like the Samsung 49” Odyssey G9 is a perfect example.
This is lauded as the best ultra-wide gaming monitor and is highly recommended for immersive gaming because of its lavish screen size, which provides easy eye access from any angle and a high frame rate of up to 240Hz.
“An ultra-wide monitor is the best of both worlds. I can play high-end competitive and also get immersed into a good story game. It does both of them fantastic, it really does!” – TheTechne
Recommended For: Red Dead Redemption 2, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, Forza Horizon 4, Metro Exodus, No Man’s Sky, The Witcher 3, and other action-adventure-horror games.
Here are the best ultrawide gaming monitors we recommend for immersive gaming:
SAMSUNG 49-inch Odyssey G9 Gaming Monitor | QHD, 240hz, 1000R Curved, QLED, NVIDIA G-SYNC & FreeSync | LC49G95TSSNXZA Model
- SAMSUNG’S LARGEST 1000R GAMING MONITOR: Get your head in the game with the 49 inch Odyssey G9, which matches the curve of the human eye, for maximum immersion and minimal eye strain, and the screen space of two 27” panels.Viewing Angle (H/V) 178°(H)/178°(V)
- CUTTING EDGE QLED TECHNOLOGY: From deepest blacks to vivid colors, Samsung QLED ensures pixel perfect picture quality with every frame; Utilizing Quantum Dot technology, it creates more vivid colors with 125% more color space compared to sRGB
ViewSonic ELITE XG350R-C 35 Inch UltraWide 21:9 Curved 1440p 100Hz RGB Gaming Monitor with FreeSync HDR10 and Advanced Ergonomics for Esports
- ELITE MONITOR: UWQHD 1440p resolution, ultra-fast 3ms response time, and amazing 100Hz refresh rate give you the edge in all your gaming quests
- CURVED DESIGN: Immersive 1800R curved viewing experience with panoramic images, vivid color, and incredible detail in 2K resolution
SAMSUNG Odyssey G7 Series 32-Inch WQHD (2560×1440) Gaming Monitor, 240Hz, Curved, 1ms, HDMI, G-Sync, FreeSync Premium Pro (LC32G75TQSNXZA)
- UNMATCHED IMMERSION: Get your head in the game with Odyssey’s 1000R panel, which matches the curvature of the human eye for maximum immersion and minimal eye strain
- WQHD RESOLUTION: Make your gaming world, more lifelike than ever before. Packing in 1. 7 times the pixel density of Full HD, WQHD resolution boasts incredibly detailed, pin-sharp images. Experience a fuller view with more space to take in all the action
Best Monitors For Console Gaming (X-Box & PlayStation)
Console games come with some premium features that TVs won’t do justice to. To enjoy these offerings provided by the latest consoles such as the PS5 or Xbox Series X; you need a 27 – 32 inch” 4K gaming monitor with HDMI 2.1 capabilities.
One of the best options in the market is the amazing Acer Nitro XV282K. It comes with a 4K resolution and supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, which makes it perfect to handle the high frame-rate gameplay rendered by the X-Box Series X and Playstation 5.
Recommended For: God of War, Spiderman, The Last Of Us, Cyberpunk, RDR2, Uncharted Series, and other console exclusives.
Here are the best monitors we recommend for console gaming:
Acer Nitro XV282K KVbmiipruzx 28″ UHD (3840 x 2160) Agile-Splendor IPS Gaming Monitor | AMD FreeSync Premium | 144Hz | 1ms | TUV/Eyesafe | 1 x Display Port 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2.1 & 4 x USB Ports
- 28.0″ UHD (3840 x 2160) Widescreen Agile-Splendor IPS Gaming Monitor with AMD FreeSync Premium Technology
- High Brightness and Contrast with VESA Certified DisplayHDR 400 | Color Gamut: 90% DCI-P3 | Color Accuracy: No color difference with Delta E<1
BenQ EW3280U 32 Inch 4K IPS Computer Monitor with Integrated Speakers, Custom Audio Modes, USB-C (PD 60W), FreeSync, Remote Control, and Edge to Edge Display
- SEE MORE 4K HDR : Incredible 16: 9 image quality with 4K UHD 3840×2160 resolution and 95% DCI-P3 wide color gamut on an IPS panel makes games and movies look amazing
- EXPERIENCE MORE: Sharp details, every time. Proprietary HDRi enhances HDR content with intelligent control, clarity refinement, and vivid colors for game or movie enjoyment. FreeSync and Super Resolution improve video performance
Dell Ultrasharp U2718Q 27-Inch 4K IPS Monitor
- Exceptional details, ultimate efficiency — a 27” 4K screen with incredibly thin bezels — ideal for multiple monitor setup
- Hone in on every task with a multi-monitor setup and experience a virtually seamless view thanks to ultrathin bezels
Average Monitor Sizes – By Gaming Category
For most gamers, a 24-inch monitor is ideal; some prefer to play with a 27-inch display, while others would rather have the more extravagant ultra-wide monitors.
To make your decision easier below is a table of the average monitor sizes for specific games.
| Type of Game | Average Monitor Size |
| FPS GAMES | 24” – 27” |
| Immersive Games (Story Games) | 27” – 38” |
| eSports | 24” |
| MOBA/RTS | 24” – 27” |
| Console Games | 27”-40” |
Warnings
When choosing a gaming monitor, keep in mind the style of gaming you’re into, the kind of gaming rig you’re building and where you plan on placing your monitor before making your purchase. You don’t want to buy your gaming monitor on an impulse – that can go badly really quickly.
Gaming monitors are highly personalized components for the serious gamer.
For instance, an ultrawide screen (usually between 32 to 38 inches) is a great option for immersive gamers but could potentially have an affect on the decision-making process of a pro gamer playing FPS games.
The reason? If you go for a mammoth of a monitor for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, you’ll have to move your neck aggressively just to spot the enemies. This will be a major disadvantage in a ranked match as FPS games are all about who spots the enemy first.
On the other hand, the standard for eSports players is a 24-inch screen.
But then there’s the opposite end of the spectrum too.
For instance, if you go for a smaller monitor for immersive gaming like Sandbox, RPG, action-adventure-horror, etc., the visuals will not be as appealing as they would be on an ultrawide 32” monitor.
Why Do Most Pro Gamers Use 24-inch Monitor For Gaming?
Aside from all the talk of frame rate, eye strain, and response time, pro gamers use 24-inch display monitors because it minimizes head movement ensuring greater focus and concentration, and it’s also the standard size used in competitive eSports tournaments.
Generally, these monitors concentrate the action into a smaller space which helps keep the gamer’s focus on the screen without having to move their head around, thereby slowing them down.
Additionally, most 24-inch monitors come with a 144Hz-240Hz refresh rate support, fast response time and are fairly affordable despite the amazing specifications that they come with.
Is A 32-inch Monitor Too Big For Gaming?
For casual gamers, just about any monitor size will do; however, pro gamers will most likely opt for the more practical 24 or 27-inch display monitors.
While most gamers play by this rule, a 32-inch screen is a valuable asset for immersive and multiplayer game players.
For FPS games? A 32” monitor like the BenQ X3 3210R is definitely overkill.
Why? Let’s ask TheTechne.
“A 32” monitor is huge up and down (vertical length). Playing a competitive game like Valorant or Call of Duty, you kind of pane up and down. For stories games like Halo, 32” is fantastic.”
BenQ EW3270U 32 inch (Best Overall)
Features:
- HDR Support
- High-Resolution
- Multiple Connectivity
- Eyecare Technology
Are Multi-Display Setups Good For Gaming?
I couldn’t live without my dual monitor setup on my desk when it comes to my work. For gaming though, that’s a completely different story.
In most gaming situations a multi-display, multi-monitor setup isn’t a good idea.
While multi-display setups are good for multitasking, for gaming, they pose serious issues.
In any FPS game, the crosshair is right in the middle of a single, reasonably size monitor screen. Any veteran of gaming knows how important crosshair placement is to win a game.
What’s in the middle of a multi-display setup? Screen bezels.
For story games like RDR2, a dual monitor might work but still the protagonist, Arthur Morgan in our case, will be split in half due to the bezels.
The only case I can think of where this is workable is a racing game like Forza Horizon.
For streamers, however, dual monitor setups are perfect in every sense. They can use one screen for gaming and the other to keep a tab of the comments from the subscribers.
Next Steps
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