The best 4K gaming monitors for PC in 2020 year: 144 Hz, curved and others.
Ready to update? Here are the best 4K gaming monitors to consider.
The large number of pixels ensure excellent image quality. No wonder then, that PC gamers are drooling over 4K monitors. Panel containing 8,3 million pixels (3840 x 2160) makes, that your favorite games look incredibly sharp and realistic. Except that, that it is the highest resolution, what you can get in a good gaming monitor these days, The transition to 4K also offers the possibility of extending beyond 20-inch screens. With this army of pixels, you can stretch your screen size well beyond that 30 inches with no pixels so large, that you can see them.
But this image quality comes at a high price. Each, who previously bought a 4K monitor, Knows, that it is not cheap. So, 4K is for high definition games, but you'll still need some solid specs for games, such as the refresh rate 60 Hz more, low response time and Adaptive-Sync selection (Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync, depending on the system graphics card). And you can't forget about the high cost of a decently powerful graphics card, which you will need to play 4K properly.
If you're not ready for 4K yet, see recommendations for lower resolution on our website. The best gaming monitors.
If you want to delve into high definition games (you are lucky), below are the best 4K gaming monitors in 2020 year, based on our own tests.
The best 4K gaming monitors at a glance:
1. Acer Nitro XV273K
2. Acer Predator XB273K
3. Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
4. Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
5. Acer Predator X27
6. Acer Predator CG437K
7. Acer ConceptD CP7271K
8. Asus ROG Swift PG43UQ
9. Alienware AW5520QF
10. HP Omen X 65 Emperium
Quick Tips for Buying a 4K Monitor
Looking for the best 4K gaming monitor for you, consider the following:
– Playing in 4K requires a high-end graphics card. If you are not using a multi-graphics Nvidia SLI or AMD Crossfire setup, you'll need at least a GTX 1070 You or RX Vega 64 for games at medium settings or cards from the RTX or Radeon VII series for high or higher settings. For help, see our guide to purchasing graphics cards.
– G-Sync czy FreeSync? The G-Sync feature of the monitor will only work on PCs with an Nvidia graphics card. FreeSync only works with PCs with an AMD card. Only FreeSync monitors work over HDMI, but we noticed negligible differences in the main game's ability to combat screen tearing between them.
– 4K and HDR go hand in hand. 4K displays often handle HDR content, providing exceptionally bright and colorful images. But for Adaptive-Sync optimized for HDR media, you'll need a G-Sync Ultimate or FreeSync Premium Pro display (formerly FreeSync 2 HDR). For a noticeable update from the SDR monitor, choose brightness at least 600 rivets (600 cd / m²).
The best 4K gaming monitors, what you can buy today
1. Acer Nitro XV273K
The best 4K gaming monitor
Screen size and aspect ratio: 27 cali, 16: 9 | Resolution: 4K at 144 Hz | Panel type: IPS | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Response time (GTG): 4 ms | Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync 2 HDR, compatible with G-Sync – price 3500 PLN.
For the typical gamer, the Acer Nitro XV273K is the ultimate 4K gaming monitor, balancing price and performance. Speed demons won't be disappointed. In our benchmarks, the refresh rate 144 The Hz Nitro XV273K has kept its own among the other displays 144 Hz, we tested.
The picture quality was also striking, by adding color thanks to the Nitro XV273K's DCI-P3 color gamut and the high pixel density of the panel (163 pixel and cal). This display does not have full backlight with local dimming (FALL), like Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ or Acer Predator X27, so HDR won't have that much of an impact – or not at all. Plus there is, that Nitro is about 1100 – 1300 $ cheaper than these two displays.
2. Acer Predator XB273K
The best gaming monitor 144 Hz 4K
Screen size and aspect ratio: 27 cali, 16: 9 | Resolution: 4K at 144 Hz | Panel type: IPS | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Response time (GTG): 4 ms | Adaptive-Sync: G-Sync – price 5000 PLN.
The Acer Predator XB273K is our favorite 4K gaming monitor with the highest refresh rate 144 Hz. There was no blur during high-speed games at maximum settings. G-Sync worked successfully – both with standard content, and HDR – in the fight against screen tearing when paired with an Nvidia graphics card. The monitor coped well with other displays 144 Hz during our testing, and even beat the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ and Acer Predator X27, when it comes to input lag.
Of course, image quality is also important. Predator provides professional color accuracy. Again, HDR doesn't look that good, as for Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ or Acer Predator X27, because these two displays with FALD backlight. However, we believe, that the Predator XB273K is another, the best monitor. In addition, it can sometimes be found for around 1200 USD cheaper than these monitors.
3. Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
The best budget 4K gaming monitor
Screen size and aspect ratio: 28 cali, 16: 9 | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel type: IPS | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Response time (GTG): 5 ms | Adaptive-Sync: AMD FreeSync – price 1800 PLN.
You don't often see the word cheap associated with a 4K monitor, but the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q is not only affordable, it's also an excellent gaming monitor. Despite, that at the time of writing, the price is just that 330 dollars, the display offers great performance, making it a fantastic value for gamers, who want to get into 4K without bank robbery. We've even seen 4K monitors for the price 400 dollars offering slower gaming performance.
When we played the VG289Q, there was no ghosting effect, and overdrive successfully helped eliminate motion blur. The SDR titles looked extremely colorful, but after switching to HDR games, there was hardly any improvement.
With such a low price, the VG289Q is no surprise, that the refresh rate is limited to just 60 Hz (FreeSync runs until 48 Hz). Hardcore players will want more Hz, but casual gamers can achieve it with fast scenes showing enough detail and high pixel density.
4. Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ
The best 4K gaming monitor for fast HDR
Screen size and aspect ratio: 27 cali, 16: 9 | Resolution: 4K at 120 Hz | Panel type: IPS | Refresh rate: 144 Hz overclocked | Response time (GTG): 4 ms | Adaptive-Sync: G-Sync – price 8000 PLN.
The Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ is the ultimate 4K gaming monitor, which allows you to use HDR. When it comes to delivering smooth HDR image, nothing beats the full-size WLED backlight with zone dimming functionality. The difference in HDR games, such as Call of Duty: WWII, we were able to see thanks to the detailed shadows, shiny highlights and realistic looking textures.
Of course, it's also a great monitor to compete in gaming, thanks to the high refresh rate 120 Hz at 4K resolution, which may rise to 144 Hz overclocking. The closest rival of the PG27UQ is the Acer Predator X27, which has the same type of backlight, which makes, that HDR looks its best. But the PG27UQ has a slight advantage over the X27 z 1 ms faster response time.
5. Acer Predator X27
Best 4K Gaming Monitor for Premium HDR
Screen size and aspect ratio: 27 cali, 16: 9 | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: will | Refresh rate: 120 Hz, 144 Hz overclocked | Response time (GTG): 5 ms | Adaptive-Sync: G-Sync – price 8400 PLN.
The Acer Predator X27 offers almost identical performance to the above Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ. Asus is ahead of Acer in terms of specifications with 1 ms shorter response time, but in our tests we found, that the monitors are comparable both in terms of gaming capabilities, as well as SDR and HDR quality. The Predator X27, on the other hand, showed a slight advantage over the PG27UQ in terms of color accuracy out of the box and comes with a light-blocking hood. If you get stuck between the two, the best solution is to choose this one, which is currently selling at a lower price.
Same as PG27UQ, The Predator X27 is equipped with a FALD backlight with a zone dimming function, which enables you to get a captivating HDR image. Its crazy gaming specs ensured a tear-free game at the high refresh rate during our testing. If you have graphic power, to get the most out of it, this monitor tops the list of 4K gaming displays.
6. Acer Predator CG437K
The best 4K gaming monitor with a large screen
Screen size and aspect ratio: 43 way, 16: 9 | Resolution: 4K at 120 Hz | Panel type: will | Refresh rate: 144 Hz overclocked | Response time (GTG): 4 ms | Adaptive-Sync: compatible with G-Sync – price 5000 PLN.
7. Acer ConceptD CP7271K
The best 4K gaming monitor for professionals
Screen size and aspect ratio: 27 cali, 16: 9 | Resolution: 4K at 120 Hz | Panel type: IPS | Refresh rate: 144 Hz overclocked | Response time (GTG): 4 ms | Adaptive-Sync: G-Sync Ultimate – price 9400 PLN.
8. Asus ROG Swift PG43UQ
Large and bright 4K gaming monitor
Screen size and aspect ratio: 43 way, 16: 9 | Resolution: 4K at 144 Hz | Panel type: will | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Response time (GTG): 1 ms | Adaptive-Sync: compatible with FreeSync, G-Sync – price 6600 PLN.
9. Alienware AW5520QF
Best 4K Splurge Gaming Monitor
Screen size and aspect ratio: 55 cali, 16: 9 | Resolution: 4K at 120 Hz | Panel type: YOU ARE | Refresh rate: 120 Hz | Response time (GTG): 0,5 ms | Adaptive-Sync: FreeSync – price 14800 PLN.
10. HP Omen X 65 Emperium
The best 4K monitor for couch gaming
Screen size and aspect ratio: 64,5 cala, 16: 9 | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: will | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Response time (GTG): 4 ms | Adaptive-Sync: G-Sync – price 14000 PLN.