Best 4K Gaming Monitor in 2021
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By
Jacob Woodward
- Last Updated Feb 17, 2021
- 8 Min Read
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Thanks to the advancements in technology, we’ve already moved past the point where 1080p full HD is the maximum resolution we can not only view our favorite movies and TV shows at, but also game. Nowadays, 4K has become the new staple due to new graphics cards, the next generation of consoles, and more.
What this does mean though is that you’re likely going to be wanting to upgrade your 1080p display to a fancy new 4K gaming monitor to embark on your single-player journeys and fast-paced multiplayer action. Luckily, there are a plethora of 4K gaming monitors to choose from but that’s the hard part – picking which one to go for.
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How We Choose
Now, for narrowing down the wide array of 4K monitors that are on the market, it’s a pretty painstaking process, delving into the variety of confusing specs that often trip up most potential customers. However, what we’ve done for you here is gone through the selection of 4K monitors out there and cherry-picked a handful that specify the gaming requirements the best such as response time, refresh rate, and build quality. This, in turn, has enabled us to compile this list of best 4K gaming monitors and for you to come away much more well informed.
Best 4K Gaming Monitors
Best 4K Gaming Monitor
LG 27GN950-B
First up on this best 4K gaming monitor review and our best 4k gaming monitor pick, the LG 27GN950-B. LG produces some really top-tier displays both for office and creative uses but it’s their UltraGear range that excels in gaming environments. In our opinion, the best 4K variant in this UltraGear line has to be the 27GN950-B due to a number of reasons like it’s response time, refresh rate, and aesthetics.
Looking initially at that design, the 27GN950-B really is a gamer’s dream with an almost bezel-less display, the combination of black and red colors, and adjustable stand. Moreover, if you’re an RGB lighting fan, it utilizes a ring of LEDs on the back of the monitor to emit vivid hues onto the wall you likely have it up against.
Moving to the specs of this 4K gaming powerhouse, it uses a Nano ISP display that has a lightning-quick 1ms response time, perfect for getting that competitive edge over your opponents in the heat of battle. Additionally, you’ll be experiencing silky smooth gameplay thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate, hopefully removing any ghosting that you might have experienced on a 60Hz monitor. The only drawback is that if you’re PS5 or Xbox Series X owner, you will still be limited to 60 FPS as it doesn’t sport HDMI 2.1 but this is the case for 99% of gaming monitors so we wouldn’t knock it down for this.
Finally, taking a quick look at the ports, you’ll be able to choose from DisplayPort or HDMI with either slots on the back of the monitor, both have advantages so it’ll be down to your preference. Additionally, there are a number of USB ports you can utilize for any devices that you might want to power or simply use as a passthrough to connect to your PC.
Best Budget 4K Gaming Monitor
ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q
ASUS is a household name when it comes to monitors so there’s no surprise that one of their models has been pegged as a best 4K gaming monitor. This option is actually part of their TUF Gaming range that has been specifically designed with gamers in mind and in turn, offers up some gamer-specific additions that’ll enhance your overall experience.
The model in question is the TUF Gaming VG289Q and it details some serious specs that you’ll love. However, before we get onto that, let’s take a look at the design of this display. The screen itself is almost edge to edge, removing the annoyance of those chunky bezels past monitors and giving it better overall aesthetics as a result. While you won’t necessarily be looking at the back, the body features some Cyberpunk-esque accents that add a bit of flair and one that’s certainly welcomed.
Now, the specs. It offers up a pretty great response time of 5ms which is pretty impressive and will be fantastic for those high-intensity games. Yes, it isn’t as fast as the 1ms LG we listed above but quite frankly, it’ll be pretty difficult to notice the difference. The place it does fall down a little is the lack of a high refresh rate. The TUF Gaming clocks in at 60Hz which is perfectly fine for the average gamer who wants a 4K display but for those looking to get the absolute max frames and the smoothest gameplay it might come across a little lackluster. On the flip side, the place where the VG289Q does excel is in its HDR capabilities. It boasts HDR10 functionality in which boosts colors, creates better lighting, and overall sharpness, perfect for enhancing emersion.
Last up, the ports. You can either opt for HDMI or DisplayPort on this 4K gaming monitor which is nice especially if you have both a gaming PC and console. You’ll also get the traditional headphone jack but there’s a lack of USB slots meaning you’ll have to power your devices elsewhere.
Best Value 4K Gaming Monitor
Acer Predator XB273K
Acer and its Predator range has been a solid choice for gamers for years at this point and this 4K model really does build on the number of features that have gone into previous iterations to make one of the best 4K gaming monitors around.
The Acer Predator X27P is designed for one purpose and one purpose only – gaming. You can tell that by the way it’s built – sharp corners, a slick-looking stand, and some nice lighting at the bottom of the display for added illumination. It does have quite thick bezels though, which might be a turn off for some who want an edge to edge display but for those who are used to the look, it works just fine.
For what you’ll be getting from the display, you’ll obviously be getting that 4K resolution but there’s so much more the Predator offers. You’re not only looking at a 144Hz refresh rate, you’ll also get 4ms response time which when combined make for optimal gaming conditions. You can also expect HDR functionality and brightness of up to 1000 nits which further enhance the already fantastic image quality to new heights.
The ports aren’t too plentiful on the Predator but you get the option of either HDMI or DisplayPort for hooking up your gaming machine, as well as USB slots for inserting any other devices that need to be powered.
Best All-Round 4K Gaming Monitor
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ
The second ASUS variant to be put in question for the best 4K gaming monitor is the ROG Strix XG27UQ. If the TUF Gaming choice wasn’t really doing it for you then this entry into ASUS’ other gaming-centric line might be the perfect fit.
Similar to that of the TUF Gaming, it has a futuristic look to the back of the chassis which is a nice addition that adds a bit of character. The bezels are thick, yes but it doesn’t hinder the display at all and if you haven’t seen any different then you’re not going to miss it. A surprising inclusion is the introduction of the ROG Strix illuminated logo that can be projected onto your desk. Again, it’s an aesthetically pleasing additive which you might well be a fan of.
For what you’ll be getting out of the display, there’s a 144Hz refresh rate, VESA certified HDR, and the fastest response time you can get – 1ms. These allow for a sharp, vivid, and smooth picture which is ideal in gaming and only ups your experience in-game.
Where the ROG Strix does shine is in the plethora of ports available to you. There are 2 DisplayPorts and 2 HDMI ports not to mention the number of USB slots you can utilize also. This means you can hook up a number of gaming devices like consoles, PCs, and even a streaming stick if you so wish.
Things To Consider
Refresh Rate
Essentially, refresh rates directly impact how smooth the video you’re seeing on display is. This is particularly important when gaming as you’ll certainly want to avoid any stuttering, especially in those fast-paced first-person shooters. Nowadays, a 60Hz refresh rate is the standard and does a decent job when gaming, matching up to the smooth 60 FPS. But, if you want that buttery smooth gameplay that the next generation of consoles and higher-end PCs are offering, you’re going to want to pick up a 4K gaming monitor that boasts 120 or 144Hz. This will provide you with the cleanest image even during the twitchiest shooters.
HDMI 2.1
When buying a 4K monitor you’d typically expect to play your games at 4K with pretty much no concerns right? Well, that’s not entirely true. If you’re wanting those higher frame rates that both next-generation consoles and of course PCs are capable of, you might want to consider an HDMI 2.1 4K monitor. These types of monitors allow you to play your games at 120 FPS in 4K rather than being limited to the 60 FPS you’d experience from one utilizing HDMI 2.0. However, there are unfortunately next to no HDMI 2.1 4K monitors on the market at the moment so this is a little tricky. They are on the horizon though, with a number of companies announcing they’ll be manufacturing HDMI 2.1 monitors with release dates in the first half of 2021.
Conclusion
LG 27GN950-B
So, this is what you’ve been waiting for, which is the best 4K gaming monitor you can buy right now? Well, we’d have to say it’s the LG 27GN950-B. This 4K gaming monitor has it all really – rapid response time, high refresh rate, a vivid picture, and the build quality to match. It’s aesthetically pleasing too, thanks to its black and red coloring, edge to edge screen, and the RGB lighting that others simply can’t compete with.
