7 Best 144hz Gaming Monitors

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In just a few years, we have seen considerable leaps in monitor quality and technology. It’s not uncommon to find tech media and influencers raving about new 4K or 6K monitors or incredible HDR contrast levels. While these developments have pushed the capabilities of gaming recently, the practical reality is a bit different.

Full HD or 1080p gaming is still the king, with over 70% of all gaming systems running games at that resolution. There are several reasons for this. Primarily, the cost of entry into 1440p or 4K gaming is still a massive issue for most casual gamers. Not only do you need a top-of-the-line graphic card to push the framerates required for smooth gaming at those resolutions, but the price of monitors that support high refresh rates at those resolutions is significantly higher as well.

On the other hand, even budget gaming rigs today can push high-framerates in 1080p without sacrificing a lot in terms of detail. Most of the developers optimize competitive gaming titles for 1080p resolution and deliver the best performance there as well.

The sweet spot in terms of monitor refresh rates is 144Hz, meaning that the monitor can refresh an image up to 144 times in a second, producing 144 frames per second. Sure, some monitors can reach 240Hz, but they pose the same challenges as high-resolution gaming monitors. You need to have a powerful and expensive graphic card, coupled with a strong PC, to be able to push 240 frames in most games. Otherwise, you will not be able to see or feel the effect of all those extra hertz.

We have put together a review of 7 best 144Hz Full HD monitors. If you are looking for a smooth and flawless gaming experience that will not break your bank, we suggest you check these ones out.

1) Best Overall: Acer Predator XN253Q

Selecting the best overall monitor for 144Hz 1080p was an exceptionally tricky task. After all, there has never been more choice for the best monitor in this segment. Most of the manufacturers know that this segment is where most of the sales are and focus their attention on creating products that target these customers.

After testing and reviewing dozens of monitors, we feel that Acer Predator XN253Q offers the best combination of performance and value, making it our overall top choice. Acer Predator XN253Q is a 24.5-inch monitor, sporting a 16:9 aspect ratio TN panel and supporting 1080p resolution. TN panels still offer the best response and refresh rates in the industry, although that comes at the cost of slightly weaker viewing angles and contrast levels.

At 144Hz, Acer Predator XN253Q is lightning-fast and should deliver a smooth gameplay experience, even in the most demanding first-person shooter titles. Additionally, the monitor comes with Nvidia G-Sync technology, which removes any risk of screen tearing and choppiness. It is important to note that the monitor supports 144Hz only through the DisplayPort connection (HDMI is limited to 120Hz).

The response rate is top-notch as well, with 1ms gray-to-gray response time. This will eliminate most of the ghosting on screen when quick movements appear in games. On top of that, the monitor comes with both a DisplayPort 1.2 and an HDMI 1.4 connection. Four USB 3.0 ports make the monitor suitable for use as a USB hub.

New technologies like Acer EyeProtect’s Flicker-less, Blue Light Filter, ComfyView, and low-dimming technology are an excellent addition for those that spend hours at a time in front of the screen. These features take into consideration prolonged usage and minimize eye-strain from long gaming sessions.

On top of all that, Acer Predator XN253Q comes at a competitive price, offering great value to those that want the absolute best when it comes to pure gaming performance. If gaming is your number one priority, this monitor is our top choice!

2) Best Value: Asus VG278Q

ASUS is enjoying an excellent reputation among gamers for delivering monitors that offer fantastic value for money. Their latest entry in this segment is ASUS VG278Q, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. Its combination of high performance, reliability, and competitive pricing make it our best bang-for-the back monitor for 1080p gaming at 144Hz.

VG278Q comes with a larger 27-inch TN display with a 16:9 aspect ratio, beating our top overall choice Acer Predator XN253Q in terms of size. The monitor sports 1080p resolution for that gaming sweet spot, along with 1ms gray-to-gray response rate to prevent ghosting. The supported refresh rate is 144Hz, once again hitting the perfect balance for most of the gaming titles.

The same downsides of the TN panel persist in this model as well, with less-than-ideal viewing angles and a bit of color inaccuracy. Although, we have to admit that this ASUS monitor had one of the better TN panels when it comes to color accuracy.

When it comes to additional features and technologies, ASUS did not skimp here, offering Nvidia G-Sync compatibility that prevents screen tearing and enables smoother gameplay. Hardcore gamers will be happy as well, as VG278Q comes with ASUS EyeCare technology that should minimize eye strain during long gaming sessions.

Another killer feature of this monitor is its ergonomic stand, which has full height/tilt/pivot/swivel adjustment for finding that perfect position for your gaming stance.

Overall, we find that ASUS VG278Q offers so much at an excellent price. It is hard to argue with the panel size and quality, plenty of gaming-oriented features and technology, and an ergonomically-designed stand aimed at hardcore gamers.

3) Best Budget: ViewSonic Elite XG240R

 

When choosing the best budget entry at 1080p and 144Hz, we have to emphasize that it is impossible to find a monitor at these price points that will check all of the boxes that gamers need. It’s a different game altogether; here, we’ve focused on choosing the monitor that delivers excellent performance in the areas that are essential for gamers, while minimizing compromises in other areas.

Taking that into account, Viewsonic Elite XG240R clearly wins this one. Viewsonic has been a budget-friendly manufacturer for some years now, often putting out models that manage to satisfy even picky gamers, while managing to get the most out of the components and tech at lower price points. XH240R is another entry in a long line of solid budget devices by Viewsonic.

XG240R has a 24-inch TN panel that supports resolutions up to 1080p. At that resolution, XG240R delivers a 144-Hz refresh rate that enables smooth gameplay even in demanding quick-paced games. Additionally, Viewsonic made sure to think of ultra-budget gamers and included Herz-Cap in the software, enabling the limiting of the refresh rate to lower the strain on the graphic cards and computers with ultra-budget specs.

The response rate is fast as well, with 1ms gray-to-gray times. This rate is definitely good enough to eliminate ghosting in most gaming situations. Screen tearing prevention technology is there as well, as XG240R supports AMD FreeSync technology. Another great addition is the presence of Black Stabilization technology, with 22 custom presets.

The monitor does have its downsides, such as poor viewing angles and color accuracy, which is quite common in TN panels. Additionally, XG240R’s stand was unimpressive as well. Still, it is a sturdy monitor that focuses on gaming fundamentals for an excellent price.

4) Alternative Pick #1: ASUS ROG Strix

Our first alternative pick is the latest ASUS Rog Strix model. It is the first monitor in this guide to sport a curved panel, along with some features that might intrigue gamers interested in multi-display setups.

ASUS’s ROG line of products is a gamer-influenced venture of the company, focusing on products built by passionate gamers for passionate gamers. Entries in this product line usually demand a more-premium price tag but come with plenty of features hand-picked for modern gamers. The latest ASUS ROG Strix XG27VQ is another entry in that product line.

ASUS outfitted this monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio, 27-inch curved monitor (1800R curve) with some of the thinnest bezels we have seen on the market. The curved-design offers a more immersive gaming experience for gamers, putting them right in the middle of the action. Additionally, the curve and thin bezels make XG27VQ a fantastic choice for multi-display setups, as they cover less desk space and offer a more comfortable field of vision.

All of the other gaming musts are here as well. A 1080p resolution delivered at buttery-smooth 144Hz and a fantastic response rate of 1ms gray-to-gray that all but eliminates ghosting. Additionally, XG27VQ supports AMD’s FreeSync technology that prevents screen tearing when gaming.

Like most gaming-focused monitors, XG27VQ comes at a premium price, especially for 1080p gaming. If we take into account that it is a TN panel that does not have optimal viewing angles and most accurate colors, we find it challenging to make it our top choice. Regardless, it is a great monitor for those that don’t mind spending a little extra for the ASUS ROG product.

5) Alternative Pick #2: MSI Optix MAG241C

Here we have another curved-panel entry in the list, the MSI Optix MAG241C. MSI has been on their game when it comes to gaming-focused products lately, and this monitor is their attempt to corner the market in the 1080p high-refresh-rate gaming.

Unlike the ASUS ROG model from the previous entry, MAG241C comes with a smaller 24-inch TN panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The curve of the monitor is 1500R, a less apparent curve due to the smaller size of the screen. The monitor supports the required 1080p resolution.

What caught us off-guard were the colors on MAG241C, which are bright and vivid, an unusual feature for a gaming-oriented TN panel. MSI boasts a DCI-P3 90% and SRGB 115% coverage of the color gamut. Impressive, to say the least.

The 144Hz refresh rate at 1080p and 1ms gray-to-gray response rate are there, as well. We did not experience any ghosting while playing, and the gaming experience was smooth and enjoyable. The addition of AMD’s FreeSync technology prevents screen tearing and choppiness. Another cool feature is the headset hanger that pops out of the monitor for easy access.

MAG241C is also one of the more affordable 144Hz curved-panel monitors, trending away from the ASUS ROG approach. The bezels are also thin, making that multi-display setup a great option as well. Although we do feel that at 24-inches, the curve is a less than optimal solution, as it not as immersive as larger panels, MAG241C still makes it into our top 7 monitors.

6) Alternative Pick #3: ASUS VG279Q

All of the entries so far sported a TN panel, as that is the technology of choice when it comes to gaming performance. TN panels do deliver a quicker response time and higher refresh rates, on average, compared to IPS or VA panels, but they do that at the cost of color accuracy and contrast. IPS technology is immensely popular due to vivid and accurate colors and superior image quality.

For a long time, manufacturers struggled to deliver IPS panels with quick response times and high refresh rates that would satisfy modern gamers, while keeping that superb image quality. That has been changing lately, and this entry by ASUS is a perfect example.

ASUS VG279Q comes with a 27-inch IPS panel and a 16:9 aspect ratio. This monitor delivered by far the best image quality of all the gaming monitors we tested. The colors are bright and accurate, a breath of fresh air compared to previous TN entries.

ASUS managed to jam a fantastic 144Hz refresh rate into that IPS panel, as well as 1ms MPRT (moving pictures response time). MPRT can be misleading, though, as it uses a different way to measure the response time. The monitor is not as quick as some of the TN panels, but we believe that the response time will satisfy most casual and enthusiast gamers.

The monitor does have adaptive-sync technology, but we feel that, at this price point, the support for either Nvidia G-sync or AMD FreeSync should be here.

This monitor proves that there is hope for IPS gaming monitors. It does compromise in some areas but makes up for it with that image quality that many casual gamers will appreciate.

7) Alternative Pick #4: Samsung C27HG70

The final entry on this list is a monitor from Samsung. We feel that we are cheating a bit with this one, as it is a 1440p panel and, therefore, outside of our defined parameters. Yet, we found that Samsung managed to jam so many innovative technologies into a single monitor that it warrants its place on this list.

Samsung C27HG70 is a 27-inch monitor sporting a VA panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It is the first panel with VA technology on this list. VA panels offer supreme contrast levels to both TN and IPS panels, making them ideal for that cinematic experience. C27HG70 supports a maximum resolution of 1440p or QHD and includes HDR technology. The high contrast levels give the picture a cinematic feel in HDR.

In terms of performance, the VA panel delivers a 144Hz refresh rate at 1440p. The first issue that we ran into was the declared 1ms response time. Our review sample showed quite a bit of ghosting, and we believe that the response time of 1ms is inaccurate. This should not affect the gaming experience of most casual gamers, though.

The second issue was the fact that when HDR is enabled, the response times drop significantly, and ghosting gets even worse. Still, it is a welcome addition for those that use the monitor for other tasks, such as watching multimedia. AMD FreeSync ensures gameplay without screen tearing.

Overall, C27HG70 is a solid entry on this list that offers a higher resolution and supreme contrast level provided by that VA panel. Although we understand while some gamers might steer away due to the slower response times, it’s certainly worth your consideration.

What to Look for in a Gaming Monitor

Before we get into details about each of the monitors we selected, let’s point out some of the key features and specs that you should look for in a gaming monitor:

• Screen size
• Resolution
• Response Rate
• Refresh Rate
• Viewing Angles
• Panel Technology
• Presence of AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync
• Aspect Ratio
• Use in Multi-Display Setups
• Warranty
• Price

The level of the importance of each feature mostly depends on what type of gaming you are going for and whether you use PC for other tasks. When it comes to size, most of the gaming monitors for 1080p gaming are in the 24-inch and 27-inch range. Larger screens tend to show too much pixelation in 1080p resolutions.

High refresh rates and quicker response rates are crucial for a top-notch gaming experience in fast-paced games, such as first-person shooters. Monitors that are not able to push at least 120Hz will harm the level of play in those titles. Additionally, support for AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync is vital to keep the gameplay experience buttery-smooth and chop-free.

We will cover each of these features in more detail once we mention our top choice of monitors.

Why Choose a 144hz Monitor Over a 240hz Monitor?

There is no use denying that 240Hz monitors theoretically offer better performance than the ones with 140Hz refresh rates. That difference is likely extremely difficult to spot for most of the gamers though, excluding eSports professionals that depend on ultra-high refresh rates. Taking into account the price tag of 240Hz monitors, it’s hard to argue on the side of performance that is invisible to most gamers.

Additionally, to reach high framerates that will take advantage of a 240Hz panel’s capabilities, you will need a powerful PC with a costly graphics card. This further raises the cost of entry to 240Hz.

Since most of the gamers either do not need the 240Hz or can’t afford it, 144Hz still offers the best value without sacrificing the performance they desire.

What is a Good Refresh Rate for a Computer Monitor?

Most of the gaming monitors should be able to support refresh rates well above 60Hz since most of the gaming titles lose a lot in terms of playability and experience when played under or at 60Hz. The tolerance is even worse when it comes to first-person shooters where every frame matters.

Therefore, a modern gaming monitor should support refresh rates in excess of 100Hz to deliver the necessary performance for casual gaming. Most of the monitors at 120Hz or 144Hz seem to fit that requirement, with 144Hz being the sweet spot for most titles.

Can HDMI Run 144hz?

Unfortunately, HDMI connections have a 120Hz limit, and even that is only available in the latest HDMI 1.4 and 2.0 standards. If you are looking to fully take advantage of the 144Hz refresh rate of your gaming monitor, you will have to use the DisplayPort connection on your monitor and your graphics card. Most of the 144Hz monitors come with a DisplayPort cable, but make sure that your graphic card supports it (most modern graphic cards do, but you don’t want to be caught out).

Conclusion

We hope that our reviews helped you get a better understanding of the 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor market. It is truly a great time to be a gamer with a massive choice of devices that deliver excellent performance at affordable prices.

All of the monitors we reviewed have something to offer. It’s up to you to choose the right one for your needs. Happy shopping!