Best gaming monitors : the best displays for gaming

From hundreds of reviews, here are our best gaming monitors for 2023

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Looking for the best gaming monitor in 2023? We’ve tested 100s of the market’s best gaming monitors to bring you our top picks. As with all of our detailed buying guides, we keep this page constantly updated with the latest information to ensure you can buy with confidence. New monitor technology is being worked on and released almost monthly, with Mini-LED, OLED, and QD-OLED now widely available. As with every monitor, you’ll get what you pay for – but there are some fantastic options available whatever your budget.

Whether you’re looking for a highly responsive 360Hz esports monitor, an ultrawide immersive display with great HDR, or a top-of-the-line console monitor for PS5, Xbox and the latest graphics cards, this guide will recommend a panel that suits your needs. Right now, the Alienware AW2721D is our best choice for gaming – scoring top marks in our review. Additionally, whether you’re building the perfect gaming setup, have just purchased a new gaming PC, or just want to take your competitive gaming to the next level with a new keyboard, mouse, and monitor, this article will help you find a display that is right for you.

Best gaming monitor overall: Alienware AW2721D

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Alienware AW2721D Gaming Monitor

Refresh Rate

240Hz (DisplayPort) Or 144Hz (HDMI)

Response time

1ms (GTG)

Screen size

27″

Resolution

2560 x 1440

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Pros

• Accurate color recreation
• Futuristic design
• Excellent gaming performance

Cons

• High end price tag

The Alienware AW27201D is a monitor that comes equipped with the perfect balance of high-end features and specifications – making it an easy choice for our Editor’s pick and the best gaming monitor in today’s market. With a high refresh rate, low response, and Nvidia G-sync support, any gamer using an Nvidia GPU will fall in love with the performance this panel provides.

It’s an IPS panel with a base refresh rate of 240Hz, making it one of the fastest monitors in this guide and brilliant for achieving high frame rates. Furthermore, it also comes equipped with an extremely low 1ms response time and fantastic colors right out of the box. This adaptive sync monitor also provides gamers using one of Nvidia’s GPUs a silky smooth gaming experience, meaning that you can reduce any frustrating screen tearing when the action hots up.

The design of this monitor is, as you’d expect from Alienware, absolutely fantastic. Utilizing Alienware’s new Legend design language, the AW2721D offers stunning aesthetics from front to back – including some well-placed RGB that adds additional ambiance if placed near a wall.

In terms of adjustment, you can do all four: height adjustment, swivel, pivot, and tilt. And if you’re concerned about connectivity, you should have no worries as it comes with: 1 x USB 3.2 (Type-B; Gen 1; upstream), 4 x USB 3.2 (Type-A; Gen 1; downstream), 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x 3.5mm audio out (headphones), 1 x 3.5mm audio out (line-out for speakers).

Ultimately, what we have here is the complete gaming package. This monitor is absolutely fantastic for individuals looking to take their competitive gaming to the next level. And whilst it isn’t the cheapest on offer, it certainly brings great value for money to the table.

Best 8K gaming monitor: Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 8K Monitor

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Dell UltraSharp 32-inch 8K Monitor

Refresh Rate

60Hz

Response time

6ms

Screen size

31.5″

Resolution

7680 x 4320

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Pros

• 8K screen resolution
• World’s first 31.5″ 8K monitor
• Stunning image quality
• Excellent colors

Cons

• Extremely expensive

DELL’s innovation has brought about the world’s first 8K monitor, simply named the Ultrasharp 8K. While this monitor no longer stands alone in its uniqueness, it still manages to offer an excellent overall experience when compared to other alternatives in this guide.

In terms of gaming performance, the UltraSharp monitor might not offer the best performance in this guide – however, it does offer the a futureproof design and stunning image clarity. It is equipped with an IPS 60Hz panel, offering a peak brightness of 400 nits. However, its response time is 8ms (out of the box) or 6ms in fast mode, making it susceptible to motion blur and smearing. It is important to note that this monitor was not primarily designed for gaming, but rather tailored towards editors and creative professionals.

One area where the UP3218K excels is in color reproduction, thanks to Dell’s Premiercolor technology. It boasts 100% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, and 98% DCI-P3 color coverage, ensuring excellent color accuracy. Additionally, each panel is factory calibrated, providing an average deltaE of less than 2 right out of the box.

Best 4K gaming monitor: ASUS ROG SWIFT PG32UQX

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ASUS ROG SWIFT PG32UQX

Refresh Rate

144hz

Response time

4ms GTG

Screen size

32”

Resolution

3840 x 2160

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Pros

• Impressive 4K picture clarity
• 144Hz refresh rate
• Excellent aesthetic design
• Great gaming performance for both console and PC gamers

Cons

• Expensive price point

ASUS has impressed us over the years by creating some of the best gaming monitors the market has to offer. At the top of that pile lies the ASUS ROG SWIFT PG32UQX, a powerful 4K gaming monitor that pairs a high screen resolution with a rapid 144Hz refresh rate.

Aesthetically, the 32-inch gaming monitor from ASUS offers everything you could expect from a high-end monitor – characterized by sharp ‘gamey’ edges with a premium finish. It follows the previous ROG SWIFT design trend which would suit most gaming or office settings.

Looking at performance, this is one of the best monitors on the market, bringing rapid response times and refresh rates to stunning 4K picture clarity. For me, this is the perfect balance of specifications when it comes to gaming – non-competitive anyway. It provides levels of immersion that really are head and shoulders above lesser resolution panels. Furthermore, it also has HDR support, specifically VESA DisplayHDR1400 – one of the highest we’ve had the pleasure of testing.

For HDR gaming, we’d say this is up there with the very best. Pairing this with the monitor’s mini-LED backlight technology, the PG32UQX really does offer some of the most stunning 4K HDR content on the market. This allows the panel to display brighter whites and darker blacks, giving the panel a greater contrast ratio and more realistic colors right out the box. The only downside to this monitor is the price tag. That being said, when compared to other 4K 144Hz monitors, it’s actually considered a bargain.

Best 144Hz Gaming Monitor: ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ

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Best 144Hz Gaming Monitor

ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ

Screen size

27”

Refresh Rate

144Hz (165Hz OC)

Response Time

1ms

Panel Type

IPS

Resolution

2560 x1440

Curved?

No

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Pros

• Highly responsive Panel
• Excellent picture quality
• G-Sync support
• Ergonomic stand
• 1440p IPS display

Cons

• Bordering on the expensive
• Blacks look a little off in dark rooms

As far as 144Hz monitors go, the ASUS VG27AQ sits firmly at the top of the list. With an excellent variety of specs paired with a ‘value for money’ price tag, it’s hard to find any real negatives with this great gaming monitor.

As you’d expect, the VG27AQ comes with the classic TUF Gaming styling we’ve come to expect over the years. Whilst this isn’t flashy in any way, it still offers just enough gaming aesthetics to please most individuals. Design aside, however, specifications are where this monitor truly comes into its own. With an IPS panel that offers a high refresh rate, this monitor packs the perfect balance of high-response and vibrant colors needed for a great gaming experience. The 1440p screen resolution also means image clarity is also excellent.

Like always, the stand on this TUF Gaming monitor is extremely versatile, offering height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments. Alongside great adjustments, the stand also offers fantastic robustness with very little wobble (if any) during usage.

For me, if you’re in the market for a good 144Hz monitor that offers great picture clarity alongside high responsiveness, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ should definitely be high on your list of recommendations.

Best 4K 240Hz Gaming Monitor: Samsung Odyssey Neo G8

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Samsung Odyssey Neo G8

Refresh Rate

240Hz

Response time

1ms

Screen size

32″

Resolution

3840 x 2160

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Pros

• 240Hz refresh rate
• UHD image clarity
• Mini LED technology

Cons

• VA panel limitations

Samsung’s new Odyssey Neo G8 gets our third spot for best HDMI 2.1 monitor and for good reason. Not only is it the fasted monitor in this guide, but it’s also the first 4K display with a 240Hz refresh rate.

Samsung has continued to use its tried and tested Odyssey styling for the new G8. It features the fan-favourite vortex on the rear, alongside a fully white exterior. A wide, black V-shape stand holds the 32-inch 1000R curved display in place firmly. The same G9 cable management system has also been utilized here.

As for performance, the Samsung Neo G8 really does offer some of the best gaming in this guide. The 240Hz refresh rate it uses is a world-first for the 4K screen resolution, providing liquidy smooth gaming which is great for both competitive and casual gaming. A 1ms response time can be expected from this monitor, alongside a 1000 nit peak brightness and mini-LED backlight technology.

That’s right, this will also be the first time Samsung has utilized mini-LED technology in a monitor as well – allowing the G8 to hit DisplayHDR 2000, respectively. All being said, the Samsung G8 is a superb all-round panel. Keep in mind, however, that the G8 does retail for well over $1,000, making it one of the most expensive panels in this guide.

Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor: LG 34GN850-B

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LG 34GN850-B

Refresh Rate

144Hz

Response Time

1ms

Screen Size

34″

Resolution

3440 x 1440

Panel Type

IPS

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Pros

• 144Hz refresh rate
• Large 34 inch IPS display
• Excellent adjustment options
• Curved display that adds immersion

Cons

• Sub par contrast ratio
• High price point

If you’re in the market for a highly responsive ultrawide gaming monitor, look no further, the guys at LG have you well and truly covered. The LG 34GN850-B really does offer a stunning visual experience from start to finish.

From the moment you unbox this monitor, you won’t be disappointed. It offers a tonne of style that would suit almost any scenario – characterized by sharp edges that are cut with a futuristic curve that finishes things off nicely.

Whilst design is a big plus, the real positives come from the performance this monitor provides. With a 144Hz refresh rate (overclockable to 160Hz) and an IPS panel, you really do get the best of both worlds. Alongside great colors and excellent responsiveness, it also offers FreeSync support to ensure a smooth gaming experience at all times.

The stand is both solid and adjustable, offering more than you’d expect from a monitor in the 34″ ultrawide category. It just feels rock-solid which, when compared to others in this size bracket, isn’t something you always get.

That said, immersion is probably the number one selling point of this monitor. With a 34″ IPS panel, your entire vision is filled by the virtual reality you’re viewing. For me, whilst it is expensive, the LG 34GN850-B is one of the best monitors you can buy.

Best 49inch Ultrawide Monitor Pick: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9

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Best 49inch ultrawide monitor pick

Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 (S49AG95NC)

Refresh Rate

240Hz

Response time

1ms GTG

Screen size

48.8″

Resolution

5120 x 1440

Panel Type

VA (CSOT)

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Pros

• Mini LED backlight technology
• Immersive 1000R Curvature
• Extremely accurate colors and stunning picture clarity
• Stunning futuristic design
• HDR2000 certification

Cons

• Stand is not as supportive as you’d like
• Extremely high-end price tag

In the super ultrawide monitor spectrum, it’s hard to look at anything other than the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9. At 49 inches, this monitor is a beast in every way. If you’re looking for a monitor that provides the highest levels of immersion, look no further, Samsung’s Odyssey G9 is a stand-out performer.

The futuristic design of this high-end 49 inch gaming monitor is nothing short of sublime. The 1000R curvature of the panel really sets this monitor apart from its rivals, providing a more ‘hunkered’ feel that just adds to the immersive nature of this display. With a bunch of RGB and some cool extra design features, this mini LED monitor ticks all the right boxes when it comes to design.

From a performance standpoint, it’s hard to say anything too negative towards this monitor – it’s utterly superb. We’ve seen plenty of ultrawide gaming monitors over the years, however, what we haven’t seen is one that brings the lightning-quick refresh rates that this one offers. With a 240Hz refresh rate, this monitor isn’t only one of the biggest in this guide, but it’s one of the fastest too.

Furthermore, the Neo G9 also comes boasting mini LED backlight technology which helps deliver a true HDR experience. That’s right, this thing now has over 2000 local dimming zones and provides a high peak brightness for a superb visual experience. It’s for reasons like this that the Samsung Neo G9 is one of the most expensive displays in today’s market. However, if you have the money to splash, you’ll be confident in the knowledge that you have purchased one of the best monitors money can buy.

Best Gaming Monitor Under $300: ASUS VG278Q

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Best Gaming Monitor Under $300

ASUS VG278Q

Size

27″

Refresh Rate

144Hz

Response Time

1ms

Panel Type

TN

Resolution

1920 x 1080

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Pros

• Variable refresh rate support
• 144Hz refresh rate
• Decent input lag for the price
• Affordable price tag

Cons

• Small color gamut
• Peak brightness isn’t fantastic

The best gaming monitor for under $300 comes in the shape of ASUS’s VG278Q. This monitor is the perfect balance between price and performance, giving entry-level gamers a great platform to start their career on.

Gone are the days of struggling to find a monitor under $300 that had a 144Hz refresh rate – today’s market offers a bunch of gaming monitors that come equipped with this technology and the VG278Q is up there with the very best.

Like it’s predecessor, the VG278Q showcases a premium feel at a fraction of the price. It has exceptional build quality for its price range and comes with a design that is both sleek and stylish. The speakers that come with this monitor are by no means the greatest, however, they do the job if you haven’t got a decent headset. It’s a 27-inch gaming monitor and comes with a 1080p resolution. Even though that isn’t the highest we’ve ever seen, it is considered as one of the best for competitive gaming. Pairing the resolution with the refresh rate and low response time has given this monitor fantastic in-game performance.

The stand is super versatile and has 4-directional adjustability. Whether you want to swivel, tilt, adjust the height, or pivot this thing 90 degrees, rest assured that this monitor will be able to find the absolute perfect viewing angle, no matter how bizarre. The features don’t end there either. This monitor comes with a decent amount of connectivity, Eyecare technology, AMD’s freesync support, and exclusive GameVisual & GAME plus functions to enhance color performance.

As far as monitors under $300 go, this is easily one of the best in today’s market.

Best Gaming Monitor Under $200: BenQ XL2411P

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BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P

Size

24″

Refresh Rate

144Hz

Response Time

1ms

Panel Type

TN

Maximum Resolution

1920×1080

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Pros

• Features tailored towards esports
• Very low response time
• Fully adjustable stand
• Great overall gaming performance

Cons

• TN Panel
• Poor color accuracy

This lightning-fast gaming monitor comes with a 144Hz refresh rate that provides a smooth gaming experience for people on a budget. Its 1ms response time pairs nicely with the refresh rate to ensure no screen artifacts are experienced during the heat of battle – like ghosting for example. Despite this gaming monitor being under $200, we still feel this is one of the best monitors for older esports titles – such as CS:GO and Rainbow Six Seige.

From a design standpoint, this monitor isn’t really that impressive. It has a boxed design that doesn’t really offer anything in terms of gaming aesthetics. However, it does have a fully adjustable stand that gives you full control over the positioning of the monitor itself. Whether you’re looking to adjust the height, the swivel, the tilt, or the pivot, you’ll be able to do so with ease and rigidity.

The BenQ XL2411P has been hugely successful over the years, being many people’s number one pick when it comes to budget-oriented panels. It’s easy to see why though – with a fast 144hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and a low input lag, the XL2411P really does tick a lot of the right boxes.

Best gaming monitor under $100: ASUS VG220Q

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Acer-VG220Q

Size

21.5”

Refresh Rate

75Hz

Response Time

1ms

Panel

IPS

Resolution

1920 x 1080

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Pros

• Small and compact design
• Affordable price tag

Cons

• Poor color recreation
• Panel size lacks immersion
• Peak brightness is below average

The Acer VG220Q may not be the best gaming monitor on this list, however, it’s certainly the cheapest. Don’t worry though, we haven’t just chucked any old affordable monitor into our best gaming monitor guide. The VG220Q also comes with some cool, gamer specific features as well. When you consider this monitor is under $100, you start to realize what good value for money it displays. The features include a 75hz refresh rate, a speedy 1ms response time, FreeSync technology, and eye care technology too.

The FreeSync technology works perfectly to optimize the smoothness of your in-game playing experience. It does this by matching your monitor’s refresh rate to your graphical FPS output. You also get Acer’s zero-frame design which only further adds to the styling and immersion of this panel. Acer makes use of an IPS panel here so the responsiveness naturally won’t be as good as the TN alternatives That being said, the benefits are found in color accuracy and picture quality, with the VG220Q providing both in abundance.

Overall, for under $100 you are getting one of the best monitors in its price range. It offers great in-game performance and also comes with the peace of mind that buying from Acer gives you.

Best HDMI 2.1 Gaming Monitor: Acer Nitro XV282K

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Acer Nitro XV282K

Refresh Rate

144hz

Response time

1ms GTG

Screen size

27″

Resolution

3840 x 2160

How We Review

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Pros

• Immersive 4K 144Hz gaming experience
• Sleek design
• Agile-splendor IPS panel
• Fully versatile stand

Cons

• HDR content is poor
• Bottom bezel is a little on the flimsy side

Acer are no strangers when it comes to high-quality gaming monitors – with their ever-growing collection being some of the most popular the market has to offer. Our last pick in this guide falls to the hugely anticipated Acer XV282K – an HDMI 2.1 gaming monitor that supports 120Hz gameplay in 4K UHD screen resolution. Console gamers rejoice.

The monitor comes to shelves boasting a very attractive design that is characterized by a sleek front panel that contrasts nicely against the circular base of the stand. The rear of the monitor doesn’t really offer anything too outlandish, keeping a subtle design that is great for any gaming or office-type environment. The stand is cylindrical and offers decent versatility and functionality – including height, tilt, swivel, and pivot options.

Moving onto the performance, the XV282K offers up pretty much everything you could want from a console or PC standpoint. The main specifications include a 4K screen resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms GTG response time, and 1000:1 contrast ratio. For many gamers, if you have the rig to game at 4K, there really isn’t any better combination of specs available right now. The IPS panel offers not only superb viewing angles but excellent colors too – with 90% DCI-P3 coverage, respectively.

It also offers up a number of presets, so if you’re looking to find the right mode for you, be it action, racing, sports, or HDR, you can tailor your gaming experience even further. Overall, you really can’t knock this monitor from a gaming standpoint. It really does tick all the right boxes. You can check out the complete Acer Nitro XV282K review here.

Best OLED gaming monitor: Corsair Xeneon Flex

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Corsair Xeneon Flex

Refresh rate

240Hz

Response time

0.03ms GtG

Resolution

3440 x 1440

Screen size

45″

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Pros

• Bendable design
• 240Hz refresh rate
• 45″ display
• Infinite contrast
• Rapid 0.1ms response time

Cons

• Very expensive
• Not VESA mountable

The Corsair Xeneon Flex is the best OLED monitor on the market and one that features a careful balance of features and specifications. The monitor is well-tailored towards gaming and entertainment usage thanks to its wide 45″ OLED display, excelling in gaming thanks to a 240Hz refresh rate and low 0.1ms response time.

From a design standpoint, Corsair has knocked it out of the park with this monitor. Not only does it have a super-addictive bendable panel, it also features inputs on the front of the stand – removing the annoyance that can occur when trying to input cables at the rear.

As far as ports are concerned, the Flex is a sea of available options, ranging from USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPorts – allowing you to hook multiple devices up to the display.

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Gaming monitor: worthy mentions

• ASUS TUF GAMING VG279QM: Fell just short of the best gaming monitor ‘spot’. With a 280Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, this monitor is a great option for budding gamers who choose competitive titles over story-based alternatives. ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM Review.
• Alienware AW2720HF: A great gaming monitor that offers many of the same qualities as our top pick. However, with a lesser 1080p screen resolution, the AW2720HF doesn’t quite cut our list. Alienware AW2720HF review
• Gigabyte F127Q-X: A high-performance 1440p 240Hz gaming monitor that looks as good as it performs. This monitor has a steeper price tag than our top pick, leaving it short of our top picks. Gigabyte F127Q-X review.
• ASUS PG259QN: The 360Hz esports monitor from ASUS is a fantastic option that is definitely worth considering if you have the cash to spend. It is fairly expensive for a 25-inch panel though. ASUS PG259QN review.
• Acer Nitro XV340CK: A budget-tailored 34-inch panel that, regardless of its price, still provides plenty for gamers that want the ultrawide viewing experience. Acer Nitro XV340CK review.
• LG OLED48CXPUB: Strictly speaking, not a gaming monitor. However, if you are looking for a big-screen gaming experience for your next-gen console, this TV ticks all the right boxes.
• Gigabyte M28U: A brand new affordable HDMI 2.1 monitor that doesn’t really put a foot wrong. Granted, it isn’t as good as the Acer Nitro XV282K, but it certainly provides great performance in UHD screen resolution.
• LG 27GN950-B: An extremely efficient 4K 144Hz gaming monitor that falls slightly short of the ASUS PG32UQX on performance. That said, it is much more affordable.
• Alienware AW3821DW: It was tough not giving this our best ultrawide gaming monitor spot. However, after everything is considered, it falls just short. This monitor still offers excellent performance, nonetheless. Alienware AW3821DW review.
• ASUS VG289Q: This budget 4K gaming monitor showcases excellent value for money. With a 60Hz refresh rate and sluggish response times, it isn’t suited towards competitive gaming titles. ASUS VG289Q review.
• Acer XB273GX: An excellent 240hz 1080p gaming monitor that is perfect for budding gamers that are trying to get an edge over their competition. Acer XB273GX review.

What Screen Size Do I Need?

Monitors come in different screen sizes, all tailored to address different needs and requirements. If you want a full rundown of other monitor sizes, then check out our complete guide to the best monitor sizes.

Final Word

So, there you have it, our comprehensive guide to the best gaming monitors the market has to offer. It was a difficult process compiling this list because there are so many options to choose from – however, by using previous knowledge and a new streamlined testing process, we have managed to come up with what we believe are the best out there.

Gaming monitor FAQs

Are gaming monitors worth it?

While regular monitors do the job, they have a far lower response time and refresh rate. Given this, they are not the best option for gaming, especially if you are looking to take your gaming to the next level.

Are gaming monitors better than TVs?

On the whole, for gaming, a gaming monitor is likely the better option in comparison to a TV. This is due to a number of different reasons. The main reason is that monitors have a lower input lag. This will ensure that the PC and monitor connect quicker, and you are not waiting for the monitor to catch up.