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03Best budget 4K gaming monitor
Are you after the best 4K gaming monitor money can buy? Then we’ve got your back. Thanks to the arrival of new high-powered GPUs, as well as next-gen 4K-capable gaming consoles, the best 4K gaming monitor is, understandably, more sought after than ever.
Many gamers are searching the web for the best 4K gaming monitors on the market at the moment, with myriad factors in mind, like refresh rate, response time, backlight technology and so on. There’s options like the best ultrawide gaming monitors, and best OLED gaming monitors too. This all makes choosing your new best gaming monitor a lot harder.
So to make this easier, we’ve made a list of the best 4K gaming monitors on the market. Let’s get stuck in.
Best 4K gaming monitor
- Best 4K gaming monitor – LG 27GN950-B
- Best HDMI 2.1 4K gaming monitor – Acer Nitro XV282K
- Best 4K gaming monitor under $500 – ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q
Best 4K gaming monitor – LG 27GN950-B
LG 27GN950-B
Screen Size
27-inch
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Resolution
4K
Refresh rate
144Hz
Response time
1ms
Inputs
2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x USB
- Ideal for competitive gaming
- Stunning visuals
- Stylish design
- Realistically requires powerful GPU and DisplayPort
First up, we’ve got the 27GN950-B from LG, which is an all-round really impressive piece of kit. Not only does it offer a stunning 4K resolution picture quality but an outstanding 1ms response time and 144hz refresh rates too, packed in to the pretty much optimal screen size of 27 inches.
The 27GN950-B excels when it comes to gaming performance, and makes for a very enjoyable gaming experience. The AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate support and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility allows the monitor to be almost completely void of any screen tear or other visual artifacts.
If you’re looking for a 4K monitor, we assume it’s the visuals you’re interested in. Well, the IPS panel offers up great color recreation and excellent viewing angles, but you’ll have to be using a high-end GPU and DisplayPort if you want to get the most out of it. Also, unfortunately it doesn’t offer HDMI 2.1 support.
With regards to design, the 27GN950-B fits in well with the other monitors within the LG UltraGear roster: sleek, sharp and minimal. The stand is decent for usability, providing tilt, height, and rotational adjustments. We think you can’t really go wrong with LG – check out our guide to the best LG gaming monitors for similar picks.
Best HDMI 2.1 4K gaming monitor – Acer Nitro XV282K
Acer Nitro XV282K
Screen Size
28-inch
Aspect Ratio
21:9
Resolution
4K
Refresh Rate
144hz
Response Time
1ms
Inputs
2x HDMI 2.1, 1x Display Port 1.2, 4x USB Ports
- 2 HDMI 2.1 ports
- Fast response time and refresh rate
- Beautiful display
- Expensive
- Contrast ratio could be better
If you’re looking to use your new gaming monitor alongside a next-gen console, then Acer has you covered with this monitor that supports HDMI 2.1 connectivity. It’s definitely up there with the best gaming monitors for PS5 and the best gaming monitors for Xbox Series X.
With a 144hz refresh rate, low input lag and greater colors than many of the market’s similarly priced alternatives, it’s an impressive bit of kit. Unfortunately however, the HDR doesn’t quite live up to the other performance specs. It’s fairly underwhelming in bright room scenarios, as it’s not very bright, though it’s fine for dark room gaming.
Onto the design, which Acer have kept pretty simple: neither boring nor too flashy, so it should fit in nicely with most setups. The sleek, slim bezels are a nice touch – check out our top picks for the best thin bezel monitors for similar selections. Of course, the Nitro series doesn’t really demonstrate the same premium feel as the Predator series, but this is a plus for versatility, as it wouldn’t look out of place in the workplace, for example.
Overall, a really impressive monitor, geared both towards PC and console gamers looking to upgrade their setup with more-than-capable equipment, with a price tag you can hardly complain about.
Read More: Best HDMI 2.1 monitor
Best 4K gaming monitor under $500 – ASUS TUF VG289Q
ASUS TUF VG289Q
Screen size
28 inches
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Resolution
4K
Refresh rate
60Hz
Response time
5ms
Inputs
2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2
NewEgg
- Overall great visuals
- Great adjustability
- Minimal, versatile design
- Disappointing contrast ratio
Our best 4K gaming monitor under $500 is the ASUS TUF VG289Q, which is decent for both gameplay and entertainment requirements. Obviously, the main advantage of this monitor is its low price but it must be said: the colors are good and the picture quality’s great, with deep blacks and crisp details. Although the contrast ratio isn’t the best on this monitor, it is compatible with the now industry-standard HDR10 to improve brightness levels.
It should be said that, from a gaming standpoint, the VG289Q probably isn’t the one of the best gaming monitors for shooters like CS:GO and COD, but it does do well with immersive single-player titles. This is due to the slightly lower refresh rate of 60hz and longer response time of 5ms, but it provides great colors with that classic IPS picture quality. If you are looking for something geared more towards competitive gaming, we’d suggest checking out some of the best 1440p gaming monitors, for ultrafast refresh rates and response times.
The VG289Q’s design is understated, but rest assured it’s well-built and nice and versatile. The stand’s height, tilt, pivot and swivel can all be adjusted so you’ll be able to find your preferred viewing position with ease.
Overall, we think you can’t really knock the ASUS TUF VG289Q when it comes to 4K gaming on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
With the manifold specs to consider when purchasing monitors, we’ve answered some of the most common questions that we come across regarding 4K gaming monitors here.
Are 4K monitors good for gaming?
A monitor having a high resolution doesn’t necessarily mean a better gaming experience, though maybe more immersive. 4K gaming monitors are now coming out with features like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and high refresh rates to cater to consoles and high-end GPU’s.
Is 4K too much for gaming?
This depends on what gaming you’re into: for fast-paced, competitive PC gaming, then 4K may be too much, but it’s well worth it for immersive, visually impressive single-player games.
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