The 5 Best Monitor Sizes For Gaming - Fall 2023 Reviews

The smallest size for most modern desktop gaming monitors you can get now is 24 or 25 inches, and even though there still are smaller monitors with 22-inch screens, those aren't good for gaming. Getting a monitor with a 24 or 25-inch screen is ideal if you don't have a ton of desk space, and the smaller screen is also helpful if you want to see everything within your field of vision and not have to move your eyes too much. Gaming options in this size tend to have high refresh rates with a 1080p resolution, which makes them ideal for competitive gaming, and the low resolution isn't too demanding on your graphics card either.

The best 25-inch monitor that we've tested is the Dell Alienware AW2524H. It's impressive for gaming, with a remarkably fast 500Hz refresh rate and incredibly smooth motion handling. It has native G-SYNC variable refresh rate (VRR) support to reduce screen tearing, and it has features that you can only get with NVIDIA graphics cards, like the NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer, which measures the latency of your entire setup. However, it is an expensive monitor, so if you prefer saving money, the 360Hz Dell Alienware AW2523HF and the 240Hz ViewSonic XG2431 are great alternatives, as they're both impressive for gaming and offer excellent motion handling.

Also, check out our recommendations for the best 24-25 inch monitors.

With the next size up, 27-inch monitors are some of the most popular displays, and options are available for nearly any type of gamer. You can find anything from basic 1080p to high-resolution 4k screens, although the most common resolution with this size is 1440p. 27-inch monitors are also available with different refresh rates, although there aren't as many high refresh rate options as with 24 or 25-inch monitors. This size is good if you want more screen space than a 24 or 25-inch monitor and find that 32-inch screens are too big, but it's also a good size to look for if you want to see as many options as possible.

The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM is the best 27-inch gaming monitor we've tested. It has a 1440p resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate, making it great for PC gaming, and it has fantastic motion handling. It also has an OLED screen that delivers perfect blacks, but OLEDs are prone to burn-in when exposed to the same static elements over time. While it isn't a big concern for gamers, other LED-backlit options don't have the same risk, like the Gigabyte M27U, which offers great value as a mid-range option. Even a budget option like the Gigabyte M27Q is still great for gaming.

Also, check out our recommendations for the best 27-inch gaming monitors.

If you want something even bigger than a 27-inch monitor, a 32-inch display might be the best gaming monitor size for your needs, as it offers more screen real estate while maintaining the 16:9 aspect ratio. This monitor size is growing in popularity, as you can find plenty of options, and they're mainly available with 1440p or 4k resolutions. Those with a 4k resolution tend to be designed with console gamers in mind, as they have HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and these monitors are also beneficial if you have a high-end HDMI 2.1 graphics card.

The best 32-inch gaming monitor we've tested is the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85, as it has a high 240Hz refresh rate, and its fast response time results in clear motion. However, you can also save money by getting something with a lower 165Hz refresh rate, like the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75, which has many of the same features as the Neo G8. The Neo G8 and Neo G7 are some of the few monitors on the market that use Mini LED backlighting, providing deep blacks and bright highlights. While the market for 32-inch monitors isn't as big as 27-inch monitors, you can still find some good low-cost 32-inch displays, like the LG 32GP850-B.

Also, check out our recommendations for the best 32-inch monitors.

If you're looking for a bigger screen size than 32 inches, you'll have to get an ultrawide monitor with a 34 or 38-inch screen size. These are best suited for immersive games as you can see more of your game at once than on smaller displays. Most ultrawide monitors have a 34-inch screen size with a 3440x1440 resolution and offer the same screen height as a 27-inch screen but with more horizontal screen space. There are some 38-inch models available for gaming too, but this size is less popular than 34-inch monitors.

The best 34-inch gaming monitor we've tested is the Dell Alienware AW3423DW. It's an amazing gaming monitor with a QD-OLED panel that delivers a near-instantaneous response time, resulting in crystal-clear motion with fast-moving objects. It also has native G-SYNC VRR support, which is great if you have an NVIDIA graphics card. If you don't need the native G-SYNC support, there are similar monitors with the same QD-OLED panel and are G-SYNC compatible, like the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF and the MSI MEG 342C QD-OLED. These displays deliver perfect blacks with bright and vivid colors, meaning the picture quality is outstanding. However, like other OLEDs, they risk permanent burn-in, so if that's a concern for you, you can get some great cheaper ultrawide monitors, like the Gigabyte M34WQ.

Also, check out our recommendations for the best ultrawide gaming monitors.

While most gaming monitors are available in 34-inch screens or smaller, a handful of models are available with larger screen sizes, mainly in the 40 to 49-inch range. Not all large monitors are the same, but they're great if you want an immersive gaming experience or have extra space for one. The market for bigger displays is more limited than for smaller ones, but it has grown in the last few years.

If you want a 49-inch super ultrawide monitor, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9/G95SC S49CG95 is the best one that we've tested. It has a 32:9 aspect ratio, providing even more horizontal screen space than the Dell Alienware AW3423DW, and it also features the same QD-OLED panel with outstanding picture quality and smooth motion handling. Its 240Hz refresh rate is great if you want to play games at high refresh rates. You can also look into the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9, which has the same screen size and 240Hz refresh rate, but it uses Mini LED backlighting, so it doesn't risk permanent burn-in.

There are other displays available in different sizes other than 49 inches. Some 42 and 48-inch OLED monitors are available, like the LG 48GQ900-B or the LG 42 OLED Flex, but only get these if you're okay with their large screen and 16:9 aspect ratio, as they're essentially small TVs. Even 45-inch ultrawide monitors are available now, like the LG 45GR95QE-B or the Corsair XENEON FLEX 45WQHD240, which is great if you like the 21:9 aspect ratio of an ultrawide display but don't want the super ultrawide OLED G9.

Also, check out our recommendations for the best 34-49 inch monitors.