Best 1440P 144Hz+ Monitors for 2018: Elite Gaming Monitors for Pro Gamers

ASUS PG279Q 27″ Review

If you’ve got an unlimited budget and you want the best-of-the-best, the first option you’ll want to check out is the ASUS ROG PG279Q 27″ monitor. The PG279Q is a 2560×1440 monitor that has a 165Hz refresh rate and a 4ms response time.

It’s a WQHD IPS (178-degree viewing angle) panel monitor that has a slim bevel design and is G-Sync compatible.

It also comes with 16.7 million display colors and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio. It offers one DisplayPort and HDMI port, as well as two USB 3.0 ports.

The high price tag on this ASUS 1440P 165Hz monitor will scare a lot of gamers away. However, if you have the budget and a high-resolution monitor that performs incredibly well is at the top of your list, the PG279Q might be worth the cost for you.

Overall, this monitor is a serious financial committment. Not only do you need a big budget in order to accommodate it, but you also need a high-end PC to run it.

So, if you don’t quite have the money to spend on the PG279Q, or the hardware necessary to utilize it to its fullest, you might want to go with another option. (Some of the budget-friendly 1440P 144Hz monitors below will give you extra to spend on hardware upgrades if necessary.)

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Acer Predator XB271HU 27″ Review

Acer’s Predator XB271HU 27″ gaming monitor is a nice alternative to ASUS’ PG279Q. Like the PG279Q, the Acer XB271HU sports a 2560×1440 IPS panel, G-Sync technology, and a 4ms response time.

The Acer Predator 1440P 144Hz IPS gaming monitor also has a conrast ratio of 1,000:1.

The only realy difference between the PG279Q and the XB271HU (spec-wise) is that the XB271HU has a 144Hz refresh rate, whereas the PG279Q has a 165Hz refresh rate. However, the XB271HU can be overclocked to reach 165Hz.

What the XB271HU has over the PG279Q, though, is a much lower price tag (~$120 difference). And, ultimately, there probably aren’t a whole lot of gamers who will notice the difference between 144Hz and 165Hz.

So, if you want to save some money without seeing a sizable performance drop, the Acer Predator is probably your best bet.

Either way you choose, though, you’re going to land yourself a high-end monitor.

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ASUS PG27VQ 27” Review

Two of the most interesting monitors on this list are the ASUS PG27VQ and the VIOTEK GN32LD. Both are 2560×1440 monitors with curved panels. However, there are some key differences.

First, ASUS’ PG27VQ sports a 165Hz refresh rate whereash VIOTEK’s GN32LD only has a 144Hz refresh rate. VIOTEK has the larger panel, though, at 32″. The PG27VQ is a 27″ monitor.

The ASUS PG27VQ comes with a TN panel, whereas the GN32LD has a VA panel. The TN panel gives the PG27VQ a faster response time (1ms), but the GN32LD brings wider viewing angles.

Also, the two monitors have different adaptive sync technologies. The PG27VQ is a G-Sync monitor, whereas the VIOTEK GN32LD is a Freesync monitor. So, if you want a 2560×1440 curved monitor with a high refresh rate, it be your GPU (AMD or NVIDIA) that determines which of these options you can get.

And, finally, perhaps the biggest difference is in price. The ASUS PG27VQ is over $200 more experience than the GN32LD at the moment.

However, part of that is that VIOTEK is a relatively unknown monitor manufacturer. And, ASUS’ brand recognition likely contributes to the higher cost.

Overall, the TN panel on the ASUS PG27VQ makes it a better option if the fastest possible response time is important to you. If it were up to me, I likely would want a little better panel for nearly $800. However, the low response time that TN panels offer will likely make the PG27VQ an option that pro gamers consider.

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Dell Gaming S2716DG 27″ Review

Dell’s S2716DG is the most budget friendly G-Sync 1440P 144Hz monitor currently available (at least, for 27″ versions). In fact, the difference between the S2716DG and the next closest in price on this list (the Acer Predator XB271HU) is nearly ~$140.

If you have a big budget to spend, that’s not a big deal. But, if you’re building/buying a new gaming computer along with getting a new monitor, that $140 could be put to better use on other hardware/peripherals.

And, in that case, the S2716DG is a worthy option for gamers who have a decent-sized budget—but not an unlimited one—and who also want to go with a G-Sync monitor (or an NVIDIA GPU).

The S2716DG does come with a cheaper TN panel, which helps contribute to its lower cost. However, that also means that it comes with a faster 1ms response time. So, if you’re a competitive gamer who needs the fastest response time possible, there may be no reason for you to spend up to get the IPS panel G-Sync monitors listed above.

Ultimately, Dell’s S2716DG offers a nice middle ground between performance and price for 144Hz 2K gaming monitors.

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Nixeus NX-EDG27S 27″ Review

While Nixeus hasn’t been around as long as ASUS, Acer, Dell, and BenQ, their affordable monitors are starting to win gamers over. Take, for instance, their NX-EDG27S. It’s a 27″ 1440P 144Hz IPS FreeSync gaming monitor that comes in at under $400.

Yes, the fact that it is a Freesync monitor contributes to a lower cost. However, considering that it has similar specs to the Acer Predator XB271HU, the fact that is is over $200 less is definitely something to consider.

Of course, you’ll need an AMD GPU if you want to utilize the Freesync technology. But, all other things considered, the NX-EDG27S offers a ton more value than the other options on this list thanks to its incredibly affordable price tag.

So, if you don’t have an unlimited amount of money to spend and you have an AMD video card the Nixeus NX-EDG27S is a perhaps the best budget 1440P 144Hz gaming monitor on this list.

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BenQ ZOWIE XL2730 27″ Review

BenQ’s ZOWIE XL2730 Freesync monitor is another worthy option to consider. While it does come in at a bit higher of a price than Nixeus’ 144Hz 1440P monitor despite offering a cheaper TN panel, BenQ has a better reputation and is known for building high-end gaming-specific monitors.

With a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, the XL2730 is a great option for eSports gamers who play highly competitive games (like CS:GO, PUBG, Fortnite, or Overwatch.)

Its Black eQualizer feature helps increase visibility in darker in-game settings, which can help give you an edge in spotting hidden competitors.

You also get a better stand and tilt features than what the Nixeus NX-EDG27S offers as well. So, while the price is quite a bit higher (~$100) than the EDG27S, if you’re looking for a more complete offering, the XL2730 might be worth looking into.

Again, though, just note that if you want to utilize the Freesync feature on the XL2730, you will need an AMD GPU in order to do so.

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VIOTEK GN32LD 32″ Review

VIOTEK is another lesser-known monitor manufacturer that has jumped onto this list due to having a unique offering. The VIOTEK GN32LD is one of only two curved 2560×1440 144Hz+ gaming monitors on the market.

The other is, of course, the ASUS PG27VQ listed above.

While both are curved 1440P 144Hz+ monitors, there are some notable differences.

First, the GN32LD is a bigger monitor (32″) than the ASUS PG27VQ (27″). The PG27VQ does have a higher refresh rate (165Hz to 144Hz) and lower response time (1ms to 3ms) than the GN32LD, but the GN32LD has the better panel technology (VA vs TN) in terms of viewing angles and visuals.

They also both sport different adaptive sync technology. The GN32LD is a Freesync (AMD) monitor and the PG27VQ is a G-Sync (NVIDIA) monitor.

So, if you like the idea of a high-end curved gaming monitor and you are debating between these two options, make sure you take your video card into consideration.

Finally, one of the biggest differences between the two monitors is that the ASUS PG27VQ costs over $200 more than the GN32LD.

A lot of that is likely to do with that fact that ASUS is more well-known and established than VIOTEK. However, I’d have to imagine that the $200+ difference is enough to make some consider going with the lesser-known VIOTEK.

Ultimately, though, if you want a curved 144Hz+ 1440P monitor, you really only have two options. And, the GN32LD is one of them.

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ASUS MG279Q 27″ Review

The MG279Q is yet another 1440P 144Hz gaming monitor from ASUS. This one sports an IPS panel that has a 4ms response rate, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and 16.7 million colors.

It also comes with built-in speakers, which drives its price up a little bit. However, from the reviews the speakers range from as low as “not good” to as high as “the speakers are good in a pinch.”

So, while these monitors do come with speakers, they probably aren’t long-term options… especially if you’re planning on gaming with them. And, since this is a 144Hz monitor, you probably won’t be considering it unless you are a gamer.

Overall, this is a solid monitor. But, it’s downfall in comparison to the other Freesync 1440P 144Hz monitors on this list is its price. The monitor runs in the mid $500s (which is the same as the VIOTEK curved monitor listed above).

Unfortunately, that kind of puts it as a tough sell, because for ~$150 or so less you can get the similarly-specced Nixeus EDG27S.

Of course, the EDG27S doesn’t have as good of a stand or as many adustability options (and doesn’t come with speakers). But, if it’s all about performance and picture quality, the EDG27S is going to provide a similar experience at a fraction of the cost.

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AOC AGON AG271QX 27” Review

AOC doesn’t quite pack the brand name that ASUS, Acer, and BenQ do among gamers, but they have become more well known in the past few years.

And, they have done so in part by offering high quality monitors at lower prices than the bigger brands.

The AOC AGON AG271QX is no different. At a bit under $400, the AG271QX is nearly the cheapest 1440P 144Hz 27″ gaming monitor available. (The Acer Acer XG270HU listed below is ~$10 cheaper.)

The AG271QX has a TN panel and a 1ms response time, so it is a nice budget-friendly option for gamers who prefer the faster response time over the better viewing angles of an IPS panel monitor.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for an affordable 2560×1440 144Hz monitor with a 1ms response time, either this AOC monitor or the Acer monitor below are good options.

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Acer XG270HU 27″ Review

For the cheapest 1440P 144Hz monitor on this list, we have Acer’s XG270HU. The XG270HU comes in at well under $400.

It’s has a TN panel and a 1ms response time. It also comes with one DisplayPort, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and one DVI port.

Like the AOC monitor listed above, it doesn’t have any overwhelming features (at least, in comparison with the other 2K 144Hz monitors on this list). But, its incredibly affordable price tag will make it a viable option for gamers who might not have been able to get a 1440P 144Hz monitor.

Overall, the XG270HU is the perfect option for competitive gamers who want a high refresh rate monitor to gve them an edge in their games, but who don’t want to have to pay up to get one of the more expensive 1440P 144Hz monitors on this list.

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