How to Choose a Gaming Monitor: Refresh Rate, Resolution and Panel Explained
The three specs that matter most when choosing a gaming monitor are refresh rate, resolution and panel type. Get those right for how you play and the rest is detail. Here is how to decide.
Refresh rate: how smooth the motion looks
Refresh rate (measured in Hz) is how many times the screen updates per second. Higher is smoother.
- 100-144Hz is a great entry point and a big step up from 60Hz.
- 165-180Hz is the current sweet spot for competitive play.
- 240Hz and above suits serious esports players chasing every advantage.
Resolution: how sharp the image is
- FHD (1920x1080) is easiest to run at high frame rates and ideal for 24-inch and smaller esports monitors.
- QHD or 2K (2560x1440) balances sharpness and performance, perfect for 27-inch screens.
- Ultrawide (3440x1440 and above) adds immersion for racing, sim and single-player games.
Panel type: IPS vs VA
Fast IPS panels give the best colour and viewing angles, so they are the go-to for competitive and all-round gaming. VA panels offer deeper contrast and are often found on curved and larger screens for immersion.
What about PS5 and console gaming?
Look for HDMI 2.1 and a 120Hz-capable panel to get the most from a PS5. Many of our monitors are console-ready.
Quick recommendation
For most people, a 27-inch QHD fast-IPS monitor at 165-180Hz hits the best balance of speed, sharpness and value. Explore the full range in Monitors or see everything in Shop All.