What’s the best gaming monitor for Fortnite?
Are refresh rates important? 144Hz, 165Hz or 240hz? Should I go with a 4k monitor or HD?
A beast mode gaming PC is only part of the equation. What good is a powerful rig if you don’t have a monitor that can display it’s full capabilities. A monitor can easily make or break a gaming experience. A fuzzy picture, screen tearing, refresh rate latency and other factors can be the decisive factor that separates you from good and great.
But don’t worry! We’ve done all the hard work for you and created this in depth monitor guide to enable you to find a monitor that will not only allow you peak gaming but fit within your budget as well. Let’s dive in!

Best Gaming Monitors – A Monitor for All Budgets
There are thousands of PC monitors available, and more roll off the assembly line each year. If you spend most of your time gaming, you’ll definitely want to pick up a proper panel. The best gaming monitor doesn’t have to blister your eyeballs, but finding the right one to suit your needs as a gamer can be easier said than done.
How We Picked the Monitors
Like all of our buyer guides, a lot of time and research has gone into this list. We’ve taken budget, user reviews, personal experience, tech specs and pro players inputs into account. The result is a carefully curated list of the top PC gaming monitors for Fortnite.
Best Monitors for Fortnite
PC Gaming Monitor Buying Guide
Before we get to the best gaming monitors of 2019, we’re going to go over some terminology that may trip up newcomers and touch on a few areas of importance like resolution and aspect ratios. You’ll also want to make sure your GPU can handle a UHD monitor or one with fast frame rates.
Panel Type
While it’s tempting to go straight for a big 4K gaming monitor, it could be overkill depending on the types of games you play. The kind of panel used can make a big impact when it comes to things like viewing angles and color accuracy as well as the price tag.
- TN – A TN monitor with Twisted Nematic display technology is ideal for anyone who needs low response times for fast-paced games. They are cheaper than other types of LCD monitors, which make them popular with gamers on a budget as well. On the flipside, color reproduction and contrast ratios are lacking along with the viewing angles.
- VA – When you need something with a decent response time and outstanding blacks, a VA panel is may be your best bet. It’s a “middle of the road” type of display as it has the best contrast along with good viewing angles and color. Vertical Alignment displays can be considerably slower than TN panels, however, which may rule them out for some.
- IPS – If you’ve picked up a laptop, smartphone or TV set in the past decade, there’s a good chance it has IPS tech behind the glass. In Plane Switching is popular in PC monitors as well due to accurate color reproduction and excellent viewing angles, but tend to be more expensive. They are a good choice for gamers although response times should be taken into consideration for fast-paced titles.
In addition to the type of panel, you’ll also need to think about things like matte displays, and the good old panel lottery. There are also two essential stats to keep in mind with response times and refresh rates. Input lag is crucial as well, but usually not a concern for top models, and something manufacturers don’t tend to advertise for obvious reasons…
- Response Time – Have you ever experienced ghosting? That could have been due to poor response times, and it’s an area that can give definitely give you an advantage. Competitive gamers will want the lowest response time they can get, which means a TN panel in most cases. It’s also another area where you’ll want to take manufactures numbers lightly as their rig and testing conditions are unlikely to match yours.
- Refresh Rate – Refresh rates are just as important, especially if you play shooters online. This tech spec is measured in Hertz or Hz and tells you how many times your screen updates each second. 60Hz is the old standard and can still get the job done, but 120Hz, 144Hz, and higher rates are ideal for serious gamers. While it’s easy to get bowled over by a high refresh rate, you need to make sure your gaming rig can handle those rates, or it’s all for naught.
Both these areas will affect the price and are directly tied to the panel style. That said, newer displays also get a bit of help from a particular type of technology.
FreeSync and G-Sync
Monitors that have a variable refresh rate or adaptive sync technology can be a gamer’s best friend. Getting your GPU to play nice with your new monitor can be easier said than done, and you can experience some extremely nasty issues like judder, screen tearing, and stuttering when things are out of whack.
This is where FreeSync and G-Sync come into play, a technology designed to synchronize your monitors refresh rate with your GPUs frame rate. While both work in a similar fashion, AMD is responsible for FreeSync and NVIDIA handles G-Sync. There are some differences between the two although that gap has narrowed over the years, so it comes down to price and compatibility at the end of the day for most folks.
FreeSync is more open and found on a broader range of monitors. That also means it’s cheaper as companies don’t have to pay to use the technology in their monitors. At this time, there are over 600 FreeSync compatible monitors with new entries added to the list at a regular rate.
As for G-Sync, NVIDIA is a bit stricter so you’ll pay a premium for a monitor with this type of tech. You’ll get some extra features however although the ports can be limited compared to FreeSync models. The selection is sparse by comparison as well with around 70 monitors on the company’s list.
Both are technologies you’ll be thankful to have at the end of the day, but don’t expect to buy a FreeSync monitor and have it play nice with an NVIDIA card. The monitor will still work, but you won’t get adaptive sync which makes your purchase pointless.
Resolution
In a nutshell, display resolution refers to how many pixels are on the display. The more pixels, the better the clarity and there are tiers for tech that start with 720p and go up to 4K UHD. There are also a few oddballs with resolution outside the usual parameters which is where you terms like FHD+. Don’t be fooled by that however as most monitors follow the same set of rules.
For gamers, FHD or 1,920 x 1,080 should be the lowest resolution you consider with a PC monitor. The next step up would be QHD, otherwise known as 2K which sits at 2,560 x 1,440. You will notice the difference, but it’s not nearly as drastic as the jump to 4K. Monitors in this class have a resolution of around 3,840x 2,160 and are not exactly budget-friendly.
Size
The days of the old 4:3 aspect ratio are long gone as most of the best gaming monitors in 2019 will have wider screens. 16:9 is common, but you can go bigger than that if you’ve got enough space on your desktop. Your budget may dictate the size as well although you can get around that if you’re willing to make do with fewer pixels.
As for the size of the monitor itself, you can find 34-inch monitors with ease, but things get tricky beyond that range. Response times and refresh rates tend to drop dramatically while the prices go the opposite direction. There are a few exceptions, but they may require a small loan unless you’re a pro gamer or have deep pockets.
The Stand
One overlooked area that could leave you in a lurch is the monitor stand. Unless you plan to mount your new panel, the stand is critical to having a good gaming experience – especially if you play for hours on end.
It’s where ergonomics come into play as a good monitor stand allows you to adjust it to suit your needs. Thankfully, most monitors have a tilt range and height adjustment of 4 to 5 inches. A few can even swivel if they aren’t too large or curved, but some are more agile than others. Depth is another area to keep in mind as a poorly designed triangular stand can significantly decrease your desktop space.
Common and Bonus Features
Every monitor on our list has a common set of features like a DisplayPort, headphone jacks, and OSDs. It’s the “extra” features can help separate the best from the rest, however, and even the best on-screen display is a pain without a proper joystick.
Accent lighting is something most gamers enjoy and is common on high-end monitors. Headphone hangers should be standard but aren’t although you’ll find audio jacks on almost every display. USB ports fall under the common category as well along with HDMI ports. The standard is what you’ll want to hone in on as USB-C is still a rarity, and 2.0 ports are disappointing.
ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ – Best Overall
The Best QHD Gaming Monitor
When you’re looking for the best gaming monitor, ASUS is always a good place to start, and we’re big fans of their ROG lineup. The ROG Swift PG279QZ is our top choice for gamers with an NVIDIA card ready to make the jump from FHD.
ASUS ROG Swift PG279QZ PC Gaming Monitor
This monitor is 27 inches with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. That’s QHD although this IPS panel is deemed WQHD as it’s a little wider than your typical monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio. You’ll get 178-degree viewing angles from the PG279QZ, and the color is quite accurate. The saturation is 100% of sRGB while the brightness clocks in at 350 nits and the contrast ratio is 1000:1.
We’re pleased to say this monitor is comfortable to use as well. You can adjust the height by around 4 inches, but the display also tilts -5 to 20 degrees, swivels 60 degrees and pivots up to 90 degrees. The thin bezels give it a clean, modern look and the backlit logo catches the eye without becoming annoying. It has a pair of 2-watt stereo speakers built-in along with a 5-way joystick that lets you zip through the settings.
On that note…
The ROG Swift PG279QZ has a native refresh rate of 144Hz and maxes out at 165Hz with the press of a button. It has NVIDIA’s G-Sync tech built in so you’re going to get buttery-smooth gameplay and won’t have to deal with things like tearing. Input lag is low, and it has plenty of ports with HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and two USB 3.0 ports. As for the response time, it’s about what you’d expect from an IPS panel at 4ms.
ASUS made the ROG Swift for gamers, and it shows from the ergonomic design to the high-end specifications. It’s well-built, and while it’s expensive, it’s well worth the price tag if you have an NVIDIA GPU. The ROG Swift PG279QZ has a 3-year warranty out of the box.
Pros
- 165Hz refresh rate
- Vibrant 2,560 x 1,440 display
- Sturdy ergonomic stand
- G-Sync support
- ASUS Eye Care tech
Cons
- Limited Inputs
BenQ Zowie 24.5 Inch Monitor – Pro Pick
The Best Gaming Monitor for eSports
BenQ has budget gaming on lock when it comes to monitors, and they’ve made quite a name for themselves in recent years. This one doesn’t entirely fall into that range considering it’s as much as one of our QHD panels, but it has something those other monitors can’t match. An extremely high refresh rate…
Benq Zowie 24.5 inch PC Gaming Monitor
If you feel 165Hz is too slow for your needs, the XL2546 is going to be your cup of tea with its 240Hz refresh rate. That’s its native rate, so it’s not overclocked and the response time is just as quick as you’d expect at 1ms GtG. The company also incorporated their exclusive tech called DyAc into this monitor which adds Dynamic Accuracy to keep things clear when you’re firing off hundreds of rounds in seconds.
This is a TN panel with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080, so it won’t be quite as vivid as an IPS display, but colors get a 20 level boost through Color Vibrance settings. The contrast ratio is still 1000:1, and it’s 320 nits with great black levels thanks to Black eQualizer technology. As with most monitors, you’ll get a measure of protection from low blue light filtering, and it has Flicker-free tech.
Another nifty feature of this 24.5-inch monitor is the S-Switch. It’s a small wired pod with a series of buttons that allow you to switch profiles on the fly and access the panel’s settings. Height adjustment is around 5.5 inches, it can swivel 45 degrees either way, and the tilt range is standard at -5 to 25 degrees. Ports included x2 HDMI 2.0’s, DVI-DL, DisplayPort 1.2, and x4 USB 3.0 ports along with jacks for headphones and a mic.
Most of the monitors that made our list are suitable for Esports, but some are actually built for them. If you prefer faster response times to higher pixel counts, the BenQ Zowie XL2546 is one that should be high on your list. This monitor comes with a set of removable shields and is backed by a 3-year warranty.
Pros
- 240Hz with a 1ms GtG time
- Your gameplay will improve
- DyAc tech
- Customer support
- S-Switch
Cons
- Outdated design
- Expensive for FHD
ACER Predator X27 Gaming Laptop – Best 4K Monitor
The Best 4K Gaming Monitor
If you have a rig capable of 4K gaming, you obviously want a 4K monitor to take full advantage of its capabilities. There are only a handful of quality options available, and our favorite is the Acer Predator X27.
ACER Predator X27 PC Gaming Monitor
The pricey Predator lineup from Acer has put out some interesting products over the years, but this one takes the cake. The 27 inch monitor is a 4K IPS display with G-Sync HDR. It will blister your eyeballs with a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160, and it has 10-bit color with DCI-P3 color space and 99% Adobe RGB as well. It also has over 350 local dimming zones.
While you may think that pixel count limits you in other areas, you’d be wrong on this one. The brightness is 600 nits with a peak of 1000 nits and the response time is excellent at 4ms GTG. We can say the same of the refresh rate as its 120Hz native and 144Hz overclocked. Needless to say, the tech specs are impressive on the X27.
If you like sturdy stands, you’ll appreciate the legs on this monitor. It looks like something a gamer would own, and allows you to make adjustments as needed. You can raise the monitor up by 5.12 inches, swivel it 20 degrees or tilt it -5 to 25 degrees. The viewing angle is 178 degrees, and all the usual ports are present with DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and a USB 3.0 hub.
The Acer Predator X27 has all the bells & whistles you could ask for from a high-end 4K monitor. The OSD is excellent and easy to use thanks to a joystick, and the tech specs speak for themselves. It’s a stunning display, but the price tag may give you sticker shock. It’s by far the most expensive monitor on our list, but if you have PC capable of handling it… you can definitely afford it. This monitor comes with a privacy hood, a couple of cables and a 3-year warranty.
Pros
- Stunning 4K UHD display with HDR
- Joystick and OSD
- 4ms GTG
- 600 nits (1000 peak)
- Built like a tank
Cons
- It’s expensive
- Hardware required to use it
Dell Alienware AW3418DW PC Monitor
A Beastly Display from Alienware
If you dig the ROG Swift but need something a little larger, Dell has an amazing option in the Alienware AW3418DW. It’s a curved beauty with a 34.1-inch display and G-Sync compatible for those sporting NVIDIA graphics cards.
Dell Alienware AW3418DW PC Gaming Monitor
This monitor is a beast as it tips the scales at 42.5 pounds thanks to a large panel with 1900R curvature. It has an aspect ratio of 21:9 and you’ll barely notice the bezels on the top and sizes, but you’ll certainly notice the clarity as you become immersed by the 178-degree viewing angles. The IPS panel has a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 with a contrast ratio of 1000:1 and covers 99% of the sRGB color range.
As this is an IPS panel, the response time is 4ms. It’s 100Hz native, but you can easily kick it up to 120Hz through overclocking. There are six games modes, three of which are customizable and it’s decked out with AlienFX to boot. This system adds dynamic lighting to the mix and comes with four customized lighting zones. We’re also big fans of the OSD system which gives you an edge online. Brightness is 300 nits, and the input lag is minimal.
While large, the Alienware AW3418DW is still ergonomic thanks to a swivel-hinge design. You can swivel 40 degrees on either side, and the tilt range is -5 to 25 degrees. The height adjustment is 5.1 inches. There are two USB 3.0 ports on the bottom along with a headphone jack. On the rear, there are three more USB 3.0 ports with two Type A and one Type B, a DP port and HDMI. Unfortunately, they are a bit hard to access due to the design of the monitor.
From G-Sync compatibility to the large, vibrant panel, the Alienware AW3418DW is a fine choice for gamers looking for a curved QHD panel. It comes with a 3-year warranty, and the only downsides are those that usually come with IPS panels although glow and bleed appear to be minimal with this one. Speakers or a USB-C would have been nice for the price as well, but overall it’s an outstanding display.
Pros
- Immersive curved display
- 120Hz overclocked
- RGB accent lighting
- Excellent color
- G-Sync
Cons
- The controls
- No USB-C
- Price tag
Samsung CHG70 32″ Curved Gaming Monitor
The Best All-Around FreeSync Monitor
When looking for the best gaming monitor, Samsung usually isn’t a brand on too many lists. While they excel in other areas, PCs haven’t been one of them – until recently. The Samsung CHG70 proves you can get HDR without breaking the bank, and we think you’ll be thrilled with the rest of the tech specs as well.
The Samsung CHG70 is far from the only QHD monitor on our list, but it’s by far the most discreet – Arena Lighting aside. It doesn’t look like monitor built for gamers although the specifications tell a different story. The 32” panel has a curvature of 1800R with the 16:9 aspect ratio. It’s bright at 350 nits, but the contrast ratio is outstanding at 3000:1 The VA panel will definitely make you sit up and take notice, especially when HDR kicks in.
This FreeSync 2 enabled monitor has a refresh rate of 144Hz and a response time of 1ms MPRT. While that number is “based on internal tests,” it’s more along the lines of 4ms but still a snappy panel overall. Viewing angles are 178 degrees, the input lag is acceptable, and several built-in optimizers and equalizers give the big panel a boost as well. A USB 3.0 hub takes care of the connectivity along with suspects and two HDMI ports.
Samsung generally makes good looking products, and the CHG70 is no exception. It would fit in on your desktop in the office just as well as it would in your gaming room and has a large, sturdy stand. While that’s a good thing, you’ll need a big desk as those legs bring the depth of the display to 14.98 inches. It’s a dual-hinge stand as well with a pivot range of -2 to 92 degrees and 15-degree swivel. Height adjustment is a little over 5 ½ inches while the tilt is listed at -5 to 14 degrees.
The Samsung CHG70 is a great display that gives you an immersive experience whether you’re roaming around in Red Dead 2 or going for a headshot in your favorite first-person shooter. While there are better options for Esports and those shooters, this is the best all-around panel for gaming and entertainment. You’ll get HDMI and DP cables along with an install disk and a 3-year warranty with the CHG70.
Pros
- 32-inch curved QHD VA panel
- Excellent color and depth
- Native 144Hz
- 3000:1 contrast ratio
- HDR
Cons
- Deep stand
- Bland big-bezeled design
MSI Optix MAG241C PC Gaming Monitor
A Budget-Friendly Curved Panel
Curved displays have become quite popular in the past few years, but generally add a considerable amount to the price. Well, that’s not the case with the MSI Optix MAG241C as it has a budget-friendly price tag and excellent specifications.
The Optix MAG214C isn’t as curved as some of our other options as its 24 inches with a 1500R curvature. It’s built for smaller desktops as the stand won’t take up much space although your range of motion is somewhat limited. It has -5 to 20-degree tilt, but you can’t adjust the height or swivel. On the plus side, the headphone hanger is a nice touch, and those bezels on the sides are razor thin.
MSI went with a VA panel for this display, and it sports a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080. The refresh rate is 144Hz and the response time is 1ms, so this one is definitely built for speed and precision. Viewing angles are on par with the rest of our picks, and the brightness is solid at 300 nits. The contrast ratio is excellent however at 3,000:1, just don’t expect the same color depth as you’ll find on the CHG70.
You’ll find two HDMI 1.4 ports on the MAG241C which is a bonus. There’s also a DV port and headphone jack along with three USB ports. While that sounds fairly standard, those ports are 2.0 which is a big disappointment given the age of the monitor. The OSD is easy to navigate thanks to the joystick, and AMD fans will be thrilled with FreeSync compatibility.
The MSI MAG241C checks all the right boxes when it comes to response time and refresh rate, and nobody is going to complain about the price tag. We also like those thin bezels, and the fact leaves a small footprint behind compared to some curved beasts. While we do wish the ports were newer, you get a lot of bang for your buck from this affordable monitor.
Pros
- Curved 24-inch VA panel
- 1ms MPRT
- High contrast ratio
- Sweet price point
Cons
- No height adjustment
- Panel lottery
- USB 2.0
Conclusion
We hope you found some useful tips in our buying guide and a monitor suited to your needs, and budget, in our list. If you happen to need a pre-built rig to go with that new gaming monitor, be sure to check out our list of the top gaming PCs as well!
30 comments
I personally have the Alienware monitor (2 of them) and I love them.
Definitely some neat monitors. I prefer LG.. or asus.. maybe benq . I have used LG all my life.. very well made.
Yeah, I have brand loyalty as well. If it ain’t broke….
I’ve been looking for good monitors and this really helped. Thanks.
Glad you found it useful!
I’ve been looking for good monitors and this really helped. Thanks.
Glad you found it useful!
Awesome
cool
Love this blogg soo much information I learnd a lot.
Very helpful! Also bought my gaming monitor with this article. Very useful for beginners .
Helpful
I love my asus and I BENQ gaming monitors, great for PS4 and pc!
Really Helpfull thanks!
I love my asus and I BENQ gaming monitors, great for PS4 and pc!
Sweet
Helpful information.
This is neat.
Excellent buyer guide!!
This is neat.
Excellent buyer guide!!
These are great monitors. My daughter is into gaming. I’ll have to show her this article.
Thanks 🙏
this was so helpful
MSI Optix is very good
This is pretty cool
I’m surprised you left out Acer they make great monitors! would love to see those included.
Helpful!
Wow
I’m surprised you left out Acer they make great monitors! would love to see those included.
Comments are closed.