Is an HDR gaming monitor worth it?
High-dynamic range (HDR) technology allows the monitor to produce a more dynamic picture due to a wider range of brightness and color.
If you are all about watching high-definition gaming videos, streams or upgrading your gaming experience, getting a good HDR gaming monitor will be a wise idea.
There are ongoing debates around HDR. Potential users are wondering about the advantages of these displays, what they can be used for, and what the best HDR-powered display for a computer is.
We tested different options and described their capabilities, sizes, and resolutions they deliver. Keep reading to find out more about the HDR technology and pick the best HDR gaming monitor that will work for you.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Brightness: 600 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: 99% sRGB
Apart from delivering a high refresh rate and NVIDIA G-Sync, it supports 4K resolution and HDR to produce exceptional image quality.
This monitor can satisfy the expectations of even the most demandable gamers. Its functionality is similar to ROG Swift PG279Q, one of the best monitors for gaming, which replaced a standard flat base.
The combination of premium look and powerful specifications make Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ the best 27 inch gaming monitor in this price range. Immersive 4K gaming experience and other perks of this monitor justify every single dollar spent on it.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: 99% sRGB
Due to its diversified features and first-class image quality, LG 27UK850 is a universal monitor suitable for various tasks.
It has a minimalist design with the smooth curve of the base and adjustable stand to fit any desk space.
This HDR gaming monitor uses a 4K IPS panel that produces vivid and accurate colors. With 99% coverage of the sRGB spectrum and HDR 10, this LG display is an excellent option for those, who want to enjoy high-quality visuals.
Gamers will appreciate 5ms response time speed and built-in AMD FreeSync technology that ensure smooth gaming. Moreover, 27UK850 comes with a Black Stabilizer option that allows revealing a high level of detail in dark scenes.
Screen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 3000:1 | Color support: 99% sRGB
With a pretty large 32-inch panel ViewSonic XG3220 is an excellent option for gaming. It boasts such advantages as support for 4K resolution, HDR, and FreeSync for smooth gameplay.
For less than $500, you can get a large display, stunning 4K resolution, and a slew of features that will help you boost your gaming experience.
This 32-inch monitor resembles all products designed for gamers. The monitor has a glossy black plastic build, accent lighting on the back panel, and stylish minimalist design that allows you to focus on gaming.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Brightness: 600 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: 99% sRGB
Acer X27 is a 144Hz monitor that comes with numerous fantastic gaming features, including G-sync technology.
Unlike other gaming monitors, it has a higher input lag, which may seem a downside for most game addicts. Due to the low contrast ratio and bad black uniformity, Acer X27 has poor dark room performance.
Since it is a flagship gaming monitor, Acer Predator X27 includes several vibrant add-ons for gamers. Its metal base, stylish design, and smooth screen rotation will amaze even the pickiest users.
The monitor includes a bezel, but it doesn't interfere with delivering precise visualizations. Moreover, this Acer model has a panel that provides some shielding from ambient light to guarantee the ideal color temperature.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2560x1440 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 95Hz | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: 100% sRGB
Being a budget-friendly option, Pixio PX277h impresses with its powerful features that are so demandable among game lovers. This is a 1440p HDR monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and support for HDR and FreeSync 2.
It uses an AHVA (IPS) panel developed by AU Optronics and has immersive 178° viewing angles. Thus, you can enjoy precise and consistent colors and high-quality picture no matter where you are sitting.
The WQHD 2560×1440 resolution delivers 78% more pixels compared to standard 1080p. However, games with 1440p resolution are rather resource-insensitive, so make sure you've determined the performance capability of your computer.
Screen size: 28-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: 1ms | Viewing angle: 170/160 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: 97% sRGB
BenQ EL2870U is the best HDR gaming monitor due to a quick and nice 4K TN panel. The model has the most beneficial value-for-money option among competitors.
The stand is bulky and appears quite cheap. However, this design and the rectangular base work well in tandem with the general picture that this HDR gaming monitor aspires to achieve.
Screen size: 35-inch | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3440х1440 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 100Hz | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 2500:1 | Color support: 100% sRGB
EX3501R is the 35” large monitor by BenQ. The display was produced for fun and convenient video viewing.
The brand highlights panoramic screen proportions of 21:9, making it the best HDR gaming monitor that reduces eyestrain.
Also, the model is notable for a 100Hz home refresh rate for playing, and Adaptive-Sync compatibility.
Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Brightness: 300 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: 99% sRGB
Are you looking for the cheapest HDR gaming monitor? Then pay attention to LG 27UL500 – affordable Korean model standing out with a 4k screen that provides incredible efficiency and has excellent value for money.
LG 27UL500 is good in terms of color accuracy as its IPS panel supports 10-bit color depth (8-bit + FRC for 1.07 billion colors), 98% sRGB color palette and wide 178° viewing angles.
The screen is pre-calibrated, so it is ready to be used right out of the box and even to produce standard content.
Screen size: 28-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Color support: 90% sRGB
The VG289Q by ASUS is an HDR FreeSync monitor and the first 4K IPS model to be accessible as a 28-inch version with plenty of lookalike features of 27-inch monitors.
The screen gives you a high-quality picture, seamless functioning, and lots of helpful options for a reasonable cost considering 4K IPS displays.
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Asus ROG Swift
Our choice
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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LG 27UK850
Affordable
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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ViewSonic XG3220
Universal
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CHECK PRICE → |
The choice of the best HDR gaming monitors depends on many features, like the cost, the size you need or the free space available, your GPU and what balance you required between refresh rate and resolution.
HDR technology aims not only to make films and TV series more qualitative. HDR for gaming can also turn a dark, blurry game image into a bit brighter and more contrasting one, with clearly determined areas near each element of the atmosphere.
There are currently four levels of HDR displays: DisplayHDR 400, DisplayHDR 600, DisplayHDR 1000, and DisplayHDR 1600. The value indicates the number of nits, or the brightness level that should be maximized for the display.
Even though there are many HDR 4K screens to get, there is still no HDR implementation in Windows. If it works as intended, Windows-compatible applications will receive HDR processing, just like Windows itself.
This indicates how many times your screen refreshes new data per second – presented in hertz (Hz)) and, accordingly, tells the number of frames per second (FPS) the screen can produce.
The larger value corresponds to more seamless pictures. The refresh rate is highly valuable for gaming purposes, so you need to search for a screen with a value of at least 75 Hz.
The best option designed for games is the HDR 144Hz monitor, in combination with the minimum response time among existing models. Unfortunately, you can't find a good monitor under 500 dollars with this refresh rate.
If you have a relatively robust gaming computer or you play most of the games on the console, a 1080p monitor will be right for you. The PS4 Pro and Xbox One X can be played in 4K (the Xbox One S is for 4K videos), so you need to get an ultra-HD screen for optimal efficiency.
Similarly, if you have a top-grade gaming computer that supports the most demanding gameplay, there is a big choice of 4K HDR 144Hz monitor models to satisfy your preferences.
The next PS5 and Xbox Series X will be compatible with 8K resolutions, but don't hope to find lots of gaming displays with this resolution at once.
Definitely. Along with a high refresh rate, gaming monitors with HDR can have an enormous effect on game graphics if done right. The technology isn’t compatible with every game, so don’t forget to check whether the desired games support it.
HDR means High Dynamic Range, a color technology that allows a screen to demonstrate a wider range of colors and contrasts. Essentially, the HDR monitor shows more true-to-life shades and color tones, and displays more details in terms of light and dark.
HDR rendering appeared a long time ago. The HDR presentation is new where the screen can cope with more colors. However, most games are already rendering inherently in HDR, so exploiting HDR for the complete buffer to boost the screen should not greatly impact the efficiency.
It does as the image features and abilities of televisions and screens with HDR support range significantly nowadays. That is why the majority of players say that HDR may even provide the gameplay look of lower quality on certain TVs.
HDR gaming monitors are almost a must for each hardcore gamer and a high-end feature of the TV display. Those TVs with HDR compatibility often show bright highlights and a broader scope of color palette for a more accurate image. TVs with HDR support are rather widespread nowadays. Practically all mid-range and top-grade TVs have an HDR option.
No, not all HDR gaming monitors are the same. There are different levels or standards of HDR, such as HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma). These standards vary in terms of color depth, brightness, and dynamic range capabilities, resulting in different levels of visual fidelity and HDR performance on the monitors.
It's important to check the HDR standard supported by a gaming monitor to ensure compatibility with HDR content and to experience the intended HDR benefits.
First, not all games are optimized for HDR, so the full benefits may not be realized in every title. Additionally, HDR monitors tend to be more expensive than non-HDR counterparts, so cost may be a factor to consider.
Lastly, some HDR monitors can suffer from blooming or halo effects around bright objects, which can impact the overall visual experience.
