Best 144 Hz Monitor: top overall, gaming, 4K picks
When it comes to fluid gameplay and seamless content creation, the best 144Hz monitor can make all the difference. In this article, we dive into the top picks for monitors that not only refresh the image on your screen 144 times per second but also provide the clarity, color accuracy, and responsiveness needed for both competitive gaming and immersive viewing experiences.
The 144Hz monitor is more than just a standard display; it’s an investment in smoother motion and less blur across every frame, a crucial edge for gamers and a luxury for movie buffs and professionals. As these high-refresh-rate monitors become more accessible, choosing the right one is about balancing features, performance, and price.
Products at a Glance
How we picked
In picking the best 144 Hz monitor, our selection process involves a comprehensive review of publicly available benchmarks and user reviews. We assess monitors based on their performance in various scenarios, from high-paced gaming to professional creative work, to ensure they deliver on their promises of smooth and clear visuals.
Our picks are not just based on raw specifications but on real-world performance and reliability. We look for trends in consumer feedback that highlight strengths and possible issues, ensuring that our recommendations are tried and tested by the wider community.
Remember, we’ve got plenty of other monitor guides to choose from. Check out our guide to the best 4K gaming monitors, or the best OLED monitors.
Product Reviews
- 4K resolution with high pixel density.
- HDMI 2.1 support for next-gen consoles.
- 144Hz refresh rate, overclockable to 160Hz.
- Might require calibration for optimal HDR performance.
- Higher price point due to advanced features.
The LG 32GQ950-B, tops our guide to the best 144 Hz monitors. It is a formidable 32″ gaming monitor, marrying a large, vibrant IPS panel with 4K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate that can be overclocked to 160Hz. The high pixel density ensures that images are razor-sharp, making for an immersive gaming environment that brings out the minutest details. HDR10 compatibility enhances the visual quality further, allowing for a broader range of colors and deeper contrasts.
For gamers looking to maximize their visual experience, the LG 32GQ950-B’s capabilities are a significant asset. Its support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) enhances fluidity in gaming, reducing screen tearing and stuttering. The monitor is particularly well-suited for current-gen console gamers, thanks to its HDMI 2.1 input, which supports 4K gaming at up to 120Hz with the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. While the overclocking feature might have some inconsistencies across various sources, it’s a minor hiccup in what is otherwise a stellar gaming display.
- HDMI 2.1 support for advanced gaming setups.
- Fast response time for seamless gaming.
- Vibrant 32-inch 4K IPS display.
- Larger sizes may not suit all setups.
- Same max and native refresh rate.
The LG 32GR93U-B stands out with its impressive 32-inch IPS display, delivering a native 4K resolution that offers an immersive gaming experience with crystal-clear visuals and exceptional detail. With a 144Hz refresh rate and full HDR10 support, this monitor is designed for serious gamers seeking high performance without sacrificing image quality.
Gaming on the LG 32GR93U-B is an ultra-smooth affair, thanks to its lightning-fast response time across all refresh rates. This ensures that fast-paced action looks fluid without any motion blur.
Additionally, with 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, users can maximize the potential of the latest gaming consoles and graphics cards for cutting-edge performance. For those preferring a more compact size, LG offers a 27-inch variant, but the 32-inch model remains the sweet spot for a mix of work and play.
- Sharp, bright, and color-accurate 4K panel.
- Integrated KVM switch and USB-C port.
- High refresh rate with fast response times.
- Limited HDR capability.
- Clumsy on-screen display (OSD) navigation.
- Subpar built-in speakers.
The Acer Predator XB323QK is an exceptional display that combines a vivid, bright, and color-accurate 4K panel with a smooth refresh rate and quick response times, making it ideal for both work and play.
The monitor’s 4K resolution offers a sharp and detailed image, with a 144Hz refresh rate that gamers will appreciate for its fluidity. A 1ms GtG response time keeps the action crisp, and G-Sync compatibility ensures a tear-free experience across various games and applications.
For professionals who need a monitor that can multitask, the Acer Predator XB323QK’s built-in KVM switch and the 65W USB-C port are game-changers. These features allow for seamless switching between different machines and charging of devices, all through the monitor.
Features and considerations
Features and considerations for the best 144 Hz monitors revolve around more than just the refresh rate. When searching for the optimal monitor, resolution is a key player – it dictates the clarity and detail of the image. Most 144Hz monitors offer 1080p or 1440p resolutions, with the latter providing a sharper image, particularly noticeable on larger screens.
Furthermore, features like adaptive sync technology are essential for a tear-free gaming experience. Monitors with NVIDIA’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync adjust the refresh rate to match your GPU, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering.
Buying the best 144 Hz monitor
In this section, we’ll break down the specs that we use to evaluate a monitor- whether it is a 144-hertz monitor or not- and explain what they mean to you.
Best 144 Hz monitor: Refresh Rate and Overclocking
Refresh rate refers to the number of images a display can render in a single second. This corresponds closely to framerate, or FPS, which counts the number of frames a game can render in a single second. The FPS you can perceive is limited by the refresh rate of your display. So, to see framerates above 60, you’ll need a refresh rate above 60.
That is where the best 144 Hz monitors come in. The standard refresh rate for most displays is 60 Hz, which is well above most TV/film content and the target for most gaming content. 60 FPS is considered the minimum for a truly smooth gaming experience. The debut of 120 and 144 Hz displays revealed that even higher framerates can provide a better experience.
Overclocking in the context of this article refers to pushing your display to a higher refresh rate. If the display in question supports it without any significant compromises required, we’ll mention it in the respective review. Do note that overclocking may result in a slightly-shortened lifespan for your display, though.
Best 144 Hz monitor: Resolution, Screen Size, and PPI
Resolution measures the number of pixels that make up an image. Screen size refers to a diagonal measurement of a screen’s size, in inches, and PPI refers to pixels-per-inch.
PPI is derived from measuring resolution and screen size. In effect, PPI measures “actual” fidelity, at least in the way your eye will perceive it. With monitors at an average viewing distance, a PPI is roughly ~90 is required to achieve a clear image. This is met by 24-Inch 1080p monitors, and exceeded by 27-Inch 1440p and 4K monitors.
If you’re wondering how much different these displays will actually look side-by-side, keep in mind the PPI measurements we’ve provided for each.
Best 144 Hz monitor: G-Sync, FreeSync, and VRR
Note: G-Sync = Nvidia Graphics Cards; FreeSync = AMD and Nvidia Graphics Cards.
G-Sync and FreeSync may have different names, but they are fundamentally the same VRR technology. VRR stands for “variable refresh rate”, and it enables monitors to dynamically adjust their refresh rate in real-time to match with the framerate of the game being played. This results in a much smoother image and the utter removal of screen tearing, which would otherwise emerge without V-Sync.
V-Sync is the only available alternative if VRR isn’t supported, and it comes at the cost of reduced performance and increased input latency. FPS caps can also be a decent alternative but will result in more noticeable performance dips in intense scenes.
Best 144 Hz monitor: Panel Type
- TN – This panel type prioritizes speed and responsiveness at the cost of color accuracy and viewing angles. Cheaper to manufacture, recommended for eSports pros.
- IPS – This panel type prioritizes color and viewing angles at the cost of speed. More expensive, but a much better overall viewing experience. Recommended for most gamers.
- VA – In-between standard. It’s alright.
Best 144 Hz monitor: Response Time
Note: While IPS panels do have slightly higher response times, this rarely manifests in a tangible difference in latency. The higher refresh rate of the IPS monitors in this article also help alleviate this issue.
- 1-2 ms – The lowest possible latency. Only TN panels can do this.
- 3-5 ms – The lowest latency achievable by IPS panels. Still fairly strong.
- 6+ ms – High latency, especially on smaller displays.
Is a 144Hz monitor worth it?
The best 144 Hz monitor strikes a sweet balance between affordability and performance, offering a smooth and responsive gaming experience. The higher refresh rate means more fluid motion and less blur during fast-paced action, making it ideal for competitive gamers.
Our Verdict
In wrapping up our exploration of the best 144 Hz monitors, the LG 32GQ950-B undoubtedly stands out. Whether for professional work environments or home users demanding high-resolution clarity, this monitor sets the bar high.