If you're searching for the best OLED gaming monitor, then you have landed on the right page. More OLED monitors are set to hit the shelves this year and we're excited to see what's in store.
The appeal of OLED monitors has been apparent ever since TVs started using the technology. It allows for thinner displays and incredible contrast - thanks to self-illuminating pixels.
Why is that appealing? Well, in short, it means they offer far more contrast than some of the more 'standard' displays.
OLED TVs were first announced in 2019, and now more monitors and TVs are starting to use the technology to provide next-level visuals.
For gamers who want to experience incredible graphics and slimline design, OLED monitors should be high up on their wish lists. For example, Samsung's OLED monitor, the Odyssey G8QNB, is one of the world's thinnest monitors at just 5.9mm!
You may be asking, why not just go for any of the best TVs for gaming? Well, with gaming monitors you'll find typically lower response times, and higher refresh rates. And they're often sized to make it easier to play reflex-based competitive titles.
As far as finding the best monitor for PS5 or the best monitor for Xbox Series X goes, you'll find that many of the OLED monitors set for release are HDMI 2.1 and allow for 120hz/4K gaming on top of vivid colours, brightness, and contrast too. A real win-win.
So let's take a look at what's out there today, plus, some of the best OLED monitors are on their way to us soon!
Best OLED gaming monitor
Best OLED gaming monitor Gigabyte - Gigabyte AORUS FO48U
click to enlargeAt 47.5 inches, the Gigabyte AORUS F48U is a bit of a beast when it comes to gaming monitors.
According to Gigabytes' site, it features an OLED panel which means it does not require a backlight as each pixel independently emits its own light, allowing for greater contrast. So you have the brightest whites and
This monitor also features 4K resolution and a 120hz refresh rate thanks to its HDMI 2.1 capabilities, which should make it an excellent choice for next-gen console gaming and cinematic experiences. We'd even say this would make for a great monitor for FIFA to showcase all the sports action in amazing detail.
Read More: Best HDMI 2.1 monitors
The monitor also has AMD FreeSync Premium, so expect reductions in distracting screen-tearing and judder. It's also got built-in speakers which feature Gigabyte's 'Space Audio', making it a good option if you want something that has it all straight out of the box.
Plus, this display is also VESA certified, meaning that you can mount this gaming monitor if you would like to. Just make sure you get one of the best monitor arms for the job though.
If you're interested in gaming on an even larger screen, you may want to check out the Gigabyte S55U which boasts a whopping 54.6-inch display.
Best OLED gaming monitor Alienware - Alienware AW3423DW
click to enlargeThe Alienware 34 AW3423DW was revealed at CES 2022 and it is loaded with some impressive features.
It's 2440x1440 pixels, up to 175hz, and has a G-Sync Ultimate Certification. It also includes DisplayHDR 1000, so expect superior colour accuracy, brightness, and deep blacks.
You're also getting a 1800R curved screen, which should help bring you greater immersion and a feature that some argue is better for gaming. Plus, its anti-glare surface should ease your worries about reflections.
Read More: Best 360hz monitor
The display also features 1000 nits peak brightness with an infinite contrast ratio, which ensures that you see the darkest spots in your game. This also makes your visuals seem more real.
It even comes with a three-year warranty to ease anyone's burn-in fears. So, overall, we'd say this is a great pick for competitive gaming, cinematic titles, and even your favourite sports games as well.
Find out more about the Alienware AW3423DW monitor here.
Best OLED gaming monitor ASUS - ASUS ROG OLED PG42UQ
click to enlargeASUS announced two OLED monitors at CES 2022, the first being the ASUS 42-inch PG42UQ, which features a 120hz refresh rate, HDR support, 0.1ms response time, and 10-bit colour. With NVIDIA G-SYNC thrown into the mix, you should experience no lag or screen stutter.
It's also HDMI 2.1, which console gamers will be happy to hear, and supports both VRR and ALLM - so this isn't one of those 'fake' HDMI 2.1 displays either.
Read More: Best monitor for Modern Warfare 2
As far as looks go, we think it's one seriously good-looking monitor that's certainly a statement piece for your desk.
We wouldn't recommend it for competitive gaming though, as you'll be better off with one of the smaller 240hz monitors on the market instead. If you're after one of the best 43-inch monitors or under though, then this list could be for you.
Overall, it's an impressive monitor for sure, and for the price is basically like a much faster version of some of the best OLED TVs out there.
Best OLED gaming monitor LG - LG 48GQ900
click to enlargeThe new 48" OLED gaming monitor from LG looks to pack a punch.
You're getting 120hz, 4K, VRR, and 1ms response time, all with an understated design that should tick a few boxes for the minimalists out there.
Read More: Best monitor for Warzone
This monitor also boasts a staggering 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio which should provide stunning, bold visuals and increase your immersion while gaming.
You can read more about the LG UltraGear 48" OLED monitor right here.
Upcoming OLED gaming monitors
CES 2022 brought with it some exciting announcements for the monitor scene, including some jaw-dropping new 360hz monitors that are heading our way, but what's in store for OLED gaming monitors?
As predicted, we finally saw some new QD-OLED monitors, and they're going to be tough to hold out for!
Philips 42M28900
click to enlargePhilips announced their new Evnia line of gaming peripherals, including gaming mice, keyboards, headsets, and, of course, gaming monitors.
Showcased at their global event in the epic Stade de France, we got to see three new monitors in all their glory. But the one that we know you'll be interested in is the 42M28900, which packs an OLED display, 138hz refresh rate, and 0.1ms response time, which is quite low.
Read More: Best portable monitor
Philips has also gone all-in with their Ambiglow lighting, which can now be found on the back of each gaming monitor in the Evnia lineup. We've seen it in action, and it looks seriously good.
Acer Predator CG48
click to enlargeMove over Predator X32 FP, as the CG48 could be the new apex beast on the monitor scene.
It features a 48-inch OLED display, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 support, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Alongside that you're getting a 0.1ms response time, 98% DCI P3, and an (albeit a little awkward) 138hz panel.
Read More: Best monitor for Fortnite
You can even charge laptops thanks to its USB-C port with 65W charging.
We're expecting this to retail for over $1500, but it may be worth the wait. Find out about the Acer Predator CG48's release date, specs, and more here.
Samsung Odyssey G8QNB
click to enlargeAlso announced at CES 2022, alongside the impressive Samsung Odyssey Ark, and recently released Odyssey Neo G8, the upcoming Odyssey G8QNB marks yet another world first in the monitor scene.
It comes in at just 5.9mm thin and packs a QD-OLED panel, the same in fact as the Alienware AW3423DW.
Read More: Best curved monitors for gaming
This QD-OLED monitor has a 175hz refresh rate, lightning-fast 0.1ms response time, 1800R curve, and UWQHD resolution, making it one of the best ultrawide monitors around.
You can find out everything we know about the Samsung G8QNB's release date, price, and specs right here.
MSI MEG 342C
click to enlargeMSI recently unveiled the upcoming MEG 342C QD-OLED monitor which features a 3440 x1440p resolution, 1800R curve, and 175Hz refresh rate.
The upcoming monitor also boasts MSI's all-new HMI 2.0 technology to help optimise the gaming monitor and desktop work automatically.
Read More: Best gaming monitor under 500
MSI is yet to announce a confirmed release date and price, but we'll be sure to keep you informed as soon as we know more.
Frequently asked questions
Here you'll find answers to some of the most common questions surrounding OLED gaming monitors, which can give you a hand in understanding more about what you're going for.
Is QLED better than OLED?
So this is more of a TV question, but in terms of brightness and lifespan, it's considered better.
That being said, OLED gives you much deeper blacks and allows for thinner profiles, such as the Samsung G8QNB.
Read More: QLED vs OLED: Which is better?
If you're weighing up between a QLED TV and an OLED TV for the PS5 or Xbox, we'd say head for the OLED to get the most out of HDR content.
Is an OLED monitor better than a non-OLED monitor?
The OLED monitors have a slight edge over the non-OLED ones when it comes to the potential of contrast, colour, and crispness.
OLED monitors are great if you're looking for seriously impressive visuals, but with HDR certifications like DisplayHDR 1000 on the market, the gulf between OLED and non-OLED displays is narrowing.
It may seem small, but if you intend to play horror games or any titles that are typically set in low-light conditions, you may want to go for an OLED display as the blacks will be true blacks, unlike with many other displays.
They're also good if you're playing titles that take place largely on black backgrounds, like anything in space.
Can you get an ultrawide OLED monitor?
Yes, you can. OLED is more to do with a type of pixel illumination technology versus a resolution.
Certain resolutions can limit the type of screen they're applied to, for example, 4K resolution is not really possible on ultrawide displays, as it does not 'fit' properly.
Instead, you'll find different resolutions like WQHD, which are designed to fit the larger screen size perfectly.
An OLED ultrawide monitor is unlikely to make any of the best budget ultrawide monitor lists either as they can be fairly expensive. However, if you have the available budget, then we feel an OLED ultrawide monitor is well worth considering.
If you do decide to pick up an ultrawide OLED monitor, then make sure you check out some of the best ultrawide monitor arms right here as well to complete your setup.
Is an OLED TV better than a gaming monitor?
It depends on how much value you place on low input lag and response times. Typically speaking, TVs have higher input lag and response times, however, this is slowly changing with TVs such as the recently released LG C2 and Sony's new A95K and A75K ranges, offering more gamer-orientated displays.
Plus, there are even TVs that offer whopping 240Hz refresh rates potentially heading our way soon, such as the Hisense Gaming TV Ace 2023 65E55H.
Read More: Should I buy a gaming monitor or a TV?
If you're playing reflex-based games, opt for a gaming monitor, but if you're planning on sitting back and immersing yourself in slower-paced, non-competitive titles, you could certainly get away with a TV.
A TV will also simply be better for activities such as watching movies, so depending on how much emphasis you place on your gaming, you could find a TV more suitable for your needs.
Are OLED Monitors good for gaming?
Yes, very good in fact. You'll find that OLED is like the ultimate HDR in the sense that it creates deep blacks and vivid colours.
This is great for getting the most out of the game concerning graphics, but it's also good for competitive gaming if you need to spot enemies lurking in shadows for instance.
Some of the OLED monitors on this list are ultra-wide, which will be good for some games, but if you want something you can use across PC and console, we'd say head towards the 16:9 ratio on the smaller 42" displays, like the ASUS PG42UQ.
Why are OLED Monitors so expensive?
It's still a very new technology and at a premium price point. On top of that, very few monitors are OLED right now, so the rarity drives up the price too.
This was much the same story as with HDMI 2.1 monitors when they were released. Within a few months, we started seeing deals appear, so let's hope we see the same for OLED monitors too.
For now, some of the best budget 4K monitors seem like the ideal choice if you're after a detailed display for a relatively inexpensive price tag.
Why are there so few OLED gaming monitors?
Well, they're still super new on the market and not commonplace just yet. They're not alone though, as 8K monitors, 360hz/ 1440p, and even glossy displays are still very much a rarity.
We expect more to come this year, but realistically, OLED monitors may not be plentiful until 2024.
What is QD-OLED?
In short, QD-OLED is a display tech that fuses both QLED and OLED, providing you with an all-conquering panel that gives you the incredible contrast of an OLED panel combined with the high brightness of a QLED display.
QD, within the acronym, stands for 'Quantum Dot', which may sound familiar given it also features within the acronym for QLED - 'quantum dot LED TV'
QD-OLED monitors are on the way from Samsung and Alienware, alongside some powerful QD-OLED TVs from Samsung too, and these may be the first steps in taking QD-OLED mainstream.
Is OLED better than IPS?
IPS is the more standard monitor panel type nowadays and they offer wide viewing angles, great colour, and response times at a significantly lower price point.
Read More: What is the best monitor panel type for gaming?
OLED is far more expensive, and it's still too early to call as to how they measure up against IPS displays just yet. We think they'll likely look better, but the difference may not warrant the huge price tag (at least not yet).
Does OLED have a burn-in problem?
Burn-in occurs when static images are displayed for long periods, leaving a 'burned-in' effect on the screen.
It's far from ideal and can occur with OLED screens, however, if you're gaming without static menus you can reduce the chances, and many monitors come with warranty periods just in case, so it's not generally something you should be afraid of.
How does OLED display work?
An OLED display is similar to an LED display, however, there's a slight difference. An LED display needs backlights to produce light.
Meanwhile, an OLED display can create its own light with OLED diodes. These diodes have organic layers that produce light, which then passes through a colour refiner and delivers brilliant pictures.
As OLED displays don't need backlights, the products tend to be lighter and sleeker than LEDs.
Are OLED monitors good for work?
Yes, OLED monitors can be used for work. In fact, with an OLED display, you can get visuals with high contrast, which makes it good for reading. In the long run, OLED may reduce eye fatigue. Further, an OLED monitor can be multi-purpose - you can use it for work, gaming, and entertainment as well.
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