The fully customizable design of the ErgoStand stand allows you to rotate, tilt, rotate, raise or lower the monitor. The possibility of using multiple monitors with a ZeroFrame frame will not let you get distracted from the game.
No sharpness settings in the OSD.
A stylish monitor, the Acer Predator XB271HU with a V-shaped stand in black and red is the best choice for gamers. Thanks to rich color transfer and a wide viewing angle, the model guarantees complete immersion in the gameplay, giving any gamer the ability to compete at any skill level possible.
27"
2560 x 1440
IPS
144 Hz / 4 ms
16:9
NVIDIA G-Sync, Flicker-less technology, Ultra-low motion blur, 2 x 4 W speakers, ZeroFrame, ErgoStand
HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0, 3.5mm mini-jack
3 years
The company's very own Extreme Low Motion Blur technology makes objects in motion appear even sharper. The GameFast Input technology further minimizes input lag. The Game Visual and Game Plus functions improve color performance and control. The ASUS Eye Care technology will keep eye fatigue to a minimum.
The quality of the audio speakers isn't that great.
The ASUS VG278Q is a widescreen monitor that is all about gaming. You won't find any extra nonsense here, just a variety of useful features that will improve your gaming experience and give you an advantage over your online opponents.
27"
1920 x 1080
TN
144 Hz / 1 ms
16:9
Built-in 2W stereo speakers, ASUS GameFast Input technology, Eye Care technology, G-SYNC compatible, GameVisual & GamePlus functions
DisplayPort, Dual-link DVI-D, HDMI
2 years
The ergonomic stand that is both height-adjustable (up to 5") and tiltable (-5° to 35°) will be able to provide your neck with some rest. The Flicker-less technology will help eliminate screen flicker and a Blue Light Filter will reduce exposure to blue light that can potentially cause long-term eye damage.
The manual is lacking in terms of description.
The Acer XFA240 bmjdpr is simply a great choice for gamers that would like to receive a competitive edge but wouldn't want to pay a king's ransom for it. Add to that the AMD FreeSync support and you can easily recommend this to anyone with a Radeon graphics card.
24"
1920 x 1080
TN
144 Hz / 1 ms
16:9
AMD FreeSync technology
2 x 2W speakers
DVI-in, HDMI®-in, DisplayPort™
3 years
The Black eQualizer technology increases the visibility in dark scenes without overexposing the bright areas. Colour Vibrance offers you the flexibility to set your preferred colour tone. You'll also be able to make colour grading more defined.
You'll have to tinker with the colour rendition settings.
The BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P is one of the most affordable options on the market that has all of the markings of an actual gaming monitor but without the usual price tag of one. With it, you'll have the opportunity to hone your skills and show the gaming world what you're made of.
24"
1920 x 1080
TN
144 Hz / 1 ms
16:9
Black eQualizer, Colour Vibrance, Flicker-free and Low Blue Light technologies, Game Modes
DVI-DL, HDMI, DisplayPort 1.2
3 years limited
With the model's super narrow bezel, you'll be feeling much more connected to the on-screen action. Moreover, a narrow panel like that is perfect for a multi-monitor 180-degree setup. The Gaming OSD app will allow you to use the keyboard and/or mouse and configure your screen on the fly.
The plastic panel that covers the ports is a little flimsy.
MSI Optix MAG271C will allow you to immerse yourself in the on-screen action. There's very little that separates this monitor from its more expensive counterparts but the price difference is definitely there, giving you great value for your money.
27”
1920 x 1080
VA
144 Hz / 1 ms
16:9
Gaming OSD app, AMD FreeSync, Anti-Flicker and Less Blue Light
2 x HDMI 1.4, 2 x USB 2.0, USB 2.0 Type B, DisplayPort 1.2
1 year
Turbocharge Your Gaming
Gamers tend to be a demanding group of people. They are quite particular about the hardware that they use, even down to the last component. Ordinary computer peripherals such as mice and keyboards, which most computer users tend to not be so concerned about, are of a high priority to gamers. The same goes for a computer monitor. Gamers want a monitor that is clear, with vivid colors, but also extremely responsive and able to accurately handle the speed of gameplay that they are accustomed to.
The Acer XB271HU 27" WQHD NVIDIA G-SYNC Monitor is just what gamers want. This 27-inch monitor features a WQHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440, giving an extremely sharp picture, and the 1ms response time ensures that this monitor can accurately handle even the highest framerates without even a hint of lag or dropped frames. The extreme responsiveness also gives any gamer an edge in any action-oriented game, especially with first-person shooters. The width and shape of the monitor also ensure that gamers will be completely immersed in the gameplay, without artificial restrictions caused by the monitor or the size and shape of the display. Fully immersive and responsive gameplay is one of the best attributes of this model.
No Compromises
This monitor excels at handling everything that a game and the hardware that it runs on can throw at it, and fortunately, there are no compromises made to reach that goal. The high quality of this monitor extends to every last detail, along with the plethora of features found. The full compatibility with G-Sync enables refresh rates of up to 144 Hz, with 165 Hz possible with overclocking. This allows for the monitor to keep up with even the fastest gaming hardware available, completely removing the monitor from being a bottleneck to gaming performance.
Plenty of other features are packed into this monitor, including the EyeProtect Flicker-less technology, which helps reduce eye strain during marathon gaming sessions. High bandwidth ports are also present in the monitor, including connections for both HDMI and DisplayPort, as well as USB 3.0 ports for handling additional USB inputs. The adjustability of this monitor is also exceptional, featuring the ability to tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height, allowing for the maximum ergonomic setup for any gamer. The exceptional performance and features included in this monitor make it one of the best gaming monitors available.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $810.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B018MYTF4W |
What customers say about this product
Features(4.6)
Key Specs(4.8)
Display(4.8)
Connectivity(4.8)
No Gimmicks Here
ASUS with their VG series has been one of the first companies to hop on the 144 Hz train, so it really shouldn't come as any surprise that one of their models has been able to make our list again.
What we have here is a monitor that was strictly devised with the gaming demographic in mind. You won't find any unnecessary components here nor will you have to deal with gimmicky features.
The first and one of the most important aspects of a modern-day gaming display is the refresh time. And, as we've said earlier, this desktop monitor features the VG series' staple 144 Hz refresh rate. So, as long as you have the right PC that will give you about 144 frame rates in your favorite video games, you'll be able to play with a serious competitive advantage over your online opponents.
It will help you get an upper-hand in games like League of Legends or Dota 2. It will give you a serious advantage over your opponents in Fortnite and Overwatch. And it will allow you to simply decimate those Counter-Strike and other FPS enemies that are not yet equipped with a 144 Hz monitor.
Of course, just like the absolute majority of gaming monitors, the model features a 1 ms response time, so there will be virtually no delay between the online developments happening in your game and the stuff you'll be seeing on this gaming screen.
Every Trick in the Book
Though everything that we've mentioned earlier pretty much covers the gaming basics, there are still a couple of things that make this monitor a more appealing choice than most of its competition. For example, there's the company's very own Extreme Low Motion Blur, a technology that makes objects in motion appear even sharper. With it, the gameplay will look and feel more fluid and much more responsive.
The monitor also comes equipped with the so-called Adaptive-Sync (a variation of FreeSync). If you happen to be an AMD graphics card owner, you'll be able to experience smooth gameplay and seamless visuals as the technology works with AMD cards to eliminate choppy frames and screen tearing.
Other than that, there's a lot about this model that will improve your performance or the overall gaming experience. In short, there's the GameFast Input technology that further minimizes input lag. There're the Game Visual and Game Plus functions that improve color performance and control.
The ASUS Eye Care Technology will keep eye fatigue to a minimum. Finally, the stand is ergonomically sound, with full height/tilt/swivel/pivot adjustments that will do a great job accommodating any desk.
To rephrase our earlier point, the ASUS VG278Q is a widescreen monitor that is all about gaming. You won't find any extra nonsense here, just a variety of useful features that will improve your gaming experience and give you an advantage over your online opponents.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $249.97 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B074JLD4HZ |
What customers say about this product
Display(4.4)
Key Specs(4.8)
Features(4.3)
Connectivity(4.8)
All a Gamer Needs
It should be well-established at this point that 144hz monitors are products that were designed specifically with gaming in mind given that the sort of refresh rate they offer would simply do nothing in terms of amplifying the viewing experience for movies and television shows. Which is why some people that wouldn't necessarily describe themselves as hardcore gamers may look at a model like the Acer XFA240 bmjdpr and think that this is certainly not the most impressive product out there. The TN panel that the monitor is based on suffers from the same issues that any TN panel does, be it the limited viewing angles and the often uneven backlighting. You can also add to that the fact the 24-inch screen may seem underwhelming to movie aficionados.
Problem is, all of that criticism would be fair if we weren't talking about a monitor that, again, was specifically designed for gaming purposes. And gamers do not care about any of these things. On the contrary, a 24-inch display is all a gamer needs, especially given that this is an optimal screen size for a 1080p full HD resolution that the majority of video games out there are optimized for. What gamers do care about, however, is a 144hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time that will give them a serious competitive edge over their opponents, enough to make a difference in MOBAs and more than enough to make unskilled amateurs in shooters think that you're a cheater. Of course, there are plenty of models out there that offer this sort of refresh rate and response time, but very few of them cost just a smidge above 200 bucks, so take that into account if you don't feel like that is particularly impressive.
Your Eyes Will Thank You
While some of our younger readers probably wouldn't want to hear it, we would still like to remind everyone that sitting in front of a computer screen for hours on end tends to cause some serious damage to your eyes. Fortunately enough, people at Acer have been known to go to great lengths in order to make sure their customers don't hurt themselves in the process and this time is not an exception. In other words, the company decided to pull every trick in the book to protect the eyes of those hardcore gamers that can often lose all sense of time when they're preoccupied with their gaming routine. As you may suspect, that includes the flicker-less technology that is indispensable when it comes to eliminating screen flicker and a Blue Light Filter that reduces exposure to blue light that can potentially cause long-term eye damage.
Moving on from the health-related characteristics, we would like to mention that the model comes with a set of speakers that will allow you to use this 144hz monitor as a TV set if the need arises. And if you'd like to give your neck a rest, the ergonomic stand that is both height-adjustable (up to 5") and tiltable (-5° to 35°) will be able to provide you with that opportunity. All in all, the Acer XFA240 bmjdpr is simply a great choice for gamers that would like to receive a competitive edge but wouldn't want to pay a king's ransom for it. Add to that the AMD FreeSync support and you can easily recommend this to anyone with a Radeon graphics card.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $199.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B06ZYHZ6R6 |
What customers say about this product
Features(4.6)
Key Specs(4.8)
Display(3.9)
Connectivity(4.7)
Pick Your Own Battles
These days, the gaming scene is all about competitive titles. Yes, we can all enjoy a good story and most of us love exploring a new uncharted world, especially if it comes with a compelling overarching narrative to boot. But there is nothing quite like facing your opponent head-on, giving it all you've got as you push each other to your limits in a battle of skill, wit, and experience. Of course, competition is all well and good, but you want to come victorious. And with the BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P, you might just be able to.
Before we go into details, we'd like to say that what we have here is a true gaming monitor. By that, we mean that the manufacturers have incorporated just about every technology in the book to make their product improve most aspects of your gaming experience.
But despite that, this product is as affordable as they come. With a price tag just a smidge above 200 quid, the majority of gaming enthusiasts should be able to afford it. And for those 200 pounds, it will give you plenty in return.
As we've so eloquently put it earlier, it is League of Legends, Counter-Strike, DOTA 2, Overwatch, Fortnite, and other competitive titles that are ruling over the gaming scene these days. Which is why a high refresh rate and a low response time are by far the most important characteristics of a modern gaming monitor.
And with 144 Hz and a 1 ms in those respective categories, the model in question will be able to provide you with a smooth and responsive gaming experience. And, sure, it will look nice, but, more importantly, it will give you a solid advantage over most of your online opponents, enough to turn the tables in your favor.
Hone Your Skills
Truthfully, a 144 Hz panel with a 1 ms response time for a tad above 200 pounds is quite impressive on its own. But, of course, these types of panels aren't as much of a rarity these days as they used to be a few years ago. So the people at BenQ made sure to add a few extra features in order to tip the scales in your favor.
For starters, there's the Black eQualizer technology that works wonders in terms of increasing the visibility in dark scenes without overexposing the bright areas. Then, there's Colour Vibrance. The latter is a particularly helpful technology for a couple of reasons. First, it offers you the flexibility to set your preferred colour tone. On top of that, you will be able to make colour grading more defined. It might not sound like much but you cannot underestimate the importance of colour rendition, especially as far as fast-paced first-person shooters are concerned.
The monitor comes with a bunch of preset gaming modes but, naturally, you will have the freedom and the opportunity to make your own ones. And, as it usually is the case with gaming monitors in general and BenQ models in particular, the ZOWIE XL2411P isn't devoid of Flicker-free and Low Blue Light technologies, so you'll be able to spend hours sharpening your skills without putting too much of a strain on your eyes.
To rephrase our earlier point, the BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P is one of the most affordable options on the market that has all of the markings of an actual gaming monitor but without the usual price tag of one. With it, you'll have the opportunity to hone your skills and show the gaming world what you're made of.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $159.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01H5KKQTM |
What customers say about this product
Display(4.3)
Connectivity(4.6)
Features(4.7)
Key Specs(4.8)
Natural Viewing Experience
MSI Optix MAG271C is about as good as a budget 144Hz monitor get these days. Considering the price tag that the model comes with, there's very little to complain about here. For starters, this is a curved monitor, which is impressive in its own right because, again, you won't usually be able to find curved 144Hz screens in this price range.
With its 1800R curvature rate, easily the most comfortable and practical rate for different applications, be it general computing and/or gaming, the monitor is able to provide a much more natural viewing experience. A curved panel like that also helps with gameplay immersion, making you feel more connected to the in-game world and narrative.
In addition to its 144Hz refresh rate, the model boasts a 1ms response time. On top of that, this is a Vertical Alignment panel we're dealing with here. It will give you a huge advantage in fast-moving, fast-paced genres like first-person shooters, fighting games, racing sims, real-time strategies, and sports.
The games that belong to these genres often demand lightning-quick and precise movements and that's exactly where the response time, refresh rate, and VA panel combination should be able to put you ahead of the competition.
Super Narrow Bezel
Another little detail that helps with immersion is the model's super narrow bezel. With very little frame edge action getting in the way, you'll be feeling much more connected to the on-screen action. Moreover, a narrow panel like that is perfect for a multi-monitor 180-degree setup. You'll be able to experience better continuity between screens, all while playing, working, or doing general computing.
MSI has been always ahead of the curve with their anti-flicker tech and the model in question doesn't fail to deliver in that department as well. Your average screens usually have a flicker rate of about 200 times per second, not really noticeable to the naked eye but enough to cause fatigue over very little time. The company's proprietary anti-flicker technology reduces that number to 100, making the monitor much easier on your eyes.
With MSI monitors these days, the Gaming OSD app is a given and that is a good thing. The application makes it really easy to set up your monitor. You don’t have to rely on different buttons on the monitor and go through the different menus, just use the keyboard and/or mouse and configure your screen on the fly. What's more, the app allows different hotkey options so that you can switch settings between different games with ease and quickness.
Bottom line, MSI Optix MAG271C will allow you to immerse yourself in the on-screen action. There's very little that separates this monitor from its more expensive counterparts but the price difference is definitely there, giving you great value for your money.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B07F9YJK76 |
What customers say about this product
Key Specs(4.8)
Display(4.6)
Features(4.8)
Connectivity(4.3)
What Is a 144hz Monitor?
As the name suggests, a 144hz monitor is, of course, still a monitor. And that means you can use it in combination with your desktop, your laptop, or even as a television set since the majority of them include all of the necessary ports and connections. However, the key difference here is the refresh rate of the monitor.
As you know, when you're watching a video or playing a game on your monitor, you're experiencing a series of images that are shown to you at a rate that will make it seem like you're watching all of that unveil in perpetual motion.
And while a regular display is able to present you with no more than 60 images per second, a 144hz monitor is capable of showing you more than twice the number of images, meaning that you will receive a sequence of pictures that'll look much smoother compared to the result of your standard monitor.
However, since the majority of movies are shot at 24 frames per second, only the gamers will be able to utilize and appreciate all of the advantages of a 144hz monitor.
And if you're not a gamer, you might want to take a look at our review of 4k monitors or consider purchasing a touchscreen one.
What Features to Compare
Even though the majority of people usually refer to all of these displays as 144hz monitors and the ones that we have carefully selected for you feature the very same number of hertz, there are plenty of models out there that have a different refresh rate, including but not limited to 120hz, 160hz, and even screens with over 200hz. With that in mind, the refresh rate and the response time are the things you ought to look out for first and foremost. As we have explained earlier, the former is essentially the number of times per second the monitor refreshes its image. And, as it usually is with these technologies, there's virtually no downside to a higher refresh rate but the difference that a dozen or two additional hertz can make is fairly limited, so don't worry if the model you're interested in features a refresh rate of 120 or 160.
As for the response time, without going into some of the more technical details, it indicates the time it takes for a pixel to change from black to white or from one shade of gray to another. Lower response time is faster, so, again, you should be looking for those that feature the lowest possible number (usually 1 ms for TN panels and 1-5 ms for IPS ones).
With that out of the way, what we're left with is your typical monitor specifications that often don't necessarily differ from your regular 60hz models. There's the size of the screen that, for 144hz models, generally ranges somewhere between 24 and 34 inches. And as it usually is with gaming monitors, a bigger size isn't always advantageous in terms of competitive gaming, so keep that in mind next time you go looking for the largest display out there.
When it comes to panels, you have your standard TN, IPS, and VA models with the same advantages and disadvantages that always entail these types of displays. Finally, there are your typical interfaces that include a number of ports and connections. As far as these are concerned, the most important thing is to match at least one of these ports with an identical one found in your GPU. And, as it is with any piece of technology, you shouldn't forget about all of the additional features that may or may not be included in the deal. Some of them may not necessarily prove that useful to the majority of customers out there while others implement different systems and technologies that will be extremely helpful in terms of the quality of the picture, your gaming performance, or your health benefits.
Did you know?
Not Just the Refresh Rate
We have already established how important the refresh rate can be and what it is exactly that a 144hz monitor brings to the table. However, that's not even remotely all there is to it. See, the picture that you observe on your screen isn't just the result of a number of images that your display is capable of showing you. Yeah, if your monitor can only refresh 60 times a second, that means you will not be able to see more than that regardless of other elements. But, speaking of those elements, there's also the number of frames that your graphics card is sending to your monitor through the DisplayPort, HDMI interface, or any other type of connection. If you're usually dealing with somewhere around 60 fps, your monitor may refresh the image 144 times a second, but half the time it will be refreshing the same image since the GPU isn't sending enough of those pictures in order for you to experience up to 144 truly unique images per second. And that brings us to a point that we will describe a bit later. But, first, if you think that is the end of it, you might want to think twice, since, when it comes to online games, there's also your ping involved and the number of ticks that the server that you happen to be playing on allows you to experience. Of course, if you're planning on playing mostly single player games, that issue does not concern you, but the majority of people acquire these monitors to get an edge over their online opponents and that is why you should also put into consideration what games are you playing the most and what kind of servers the owners of this online game are running.
Hardware Matters
As we have pointed out earlier, the refresh rate of your monitor does not necessarily matter if your favorite video games aren't capable of showing you a number of frames that are similar or, ideally speaking, identical to the number of fps you get in your game. And that is exactly why hardware matters just about as much as an actual monitor. To put it in simpler terms, if your laptop or your desktop is incapable of delivering more than sixty frames a second in any of the games you play, there's next to no reason to acquire a 144hz monitor, unless, of course, you're planning an upgrade in the near future. As some of you are probably aware, there's a number of aspects that contribute to your frame rate, but the most important one is usually the GPU, so that should be your priority when you go looking for a new setup to put that 144hz monitor to good use.
Do Not Underestimate the Human Eye
"The human eye is incapable of detecting more than 24 images per second". Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? That's because it is. Nevertheless, this myth has been able to spread like gangbusters to the point where actual scientists with advanced degrees felt the need to chime in and debunk this silly notion that vastly undersells the power of the human eye. Contrary to the now slightly less popular belief, the latter part of our body is actually capable of detecting and recognizing over 500 images per second, depending on the conditions like lighting and fatigue. So next time you hear some "genius" claiming that you shouldn't to acquire a 144hz monitor since your eyes won't even be able to tell the difference, you might want to make sure to educate that individual as to how far off from the truth he actually is.
Sources:
1. Michael Kerns Display Panel Type Differences Defined, GamersNexus. April 2, 2015.
2. Matt Smith Do you really need a 120Hz or faster monitor? DigitalTrends. September 21, 2013.
3. Christopher Pollock A Gamer's Guide to Refresh Rates and Response Times, tom's guide. January 25, 2017.
4. Richard Devine What you need to know about monitor refresh rates, WindowsCentral. March 1, 2017.
5. Cedric Demers, Mehdi Azzabi What is the Aspect Ratio? RTINGS. June 25, 2017.
6. Anthony Leather 16:10 vs 16:9 - the monitor aspect ratio conundrum, bit-tech. October 22, 2012.
7. Avram Piltch A Guide to Computer Ports and Adapters, LaptopMag. March 15, 2017.