Because gaming monitors vary by size, resolution and display technology, knowing the main types can help you find the best fit for your gaming needs. LED gaming monitors and OLED gaming monitors are some of the most popular display types, and two of the most popular resolution categories are QHD gaming monitors and 4K gaming monitors.

In terms of screen size, widescreen monitors can offer better immersion, especially when you opt for a curved gaming monitor. Similar to a curved monitor, ultrawide gaming monitors are usually designed with a gentle arc to prevent you from experiencing image distortion at the edges of your screen. Your monitor size, however, will not just be dictated by preference but also by what size fits on your gaming desk.

Additionally, monitors for PC gaming have specialized refresh rates (the number of times per second the image refreshes) that are usually higher than ordinary computer monitors. Ideally, your monitor should match the refresh rate capacity of your gaming desktop and PC game collection. To ensure the monitor uses the best refresh rate for your games, many gaming computer monitors include adaptive sync technology to coordinate the refresh rate with the frames-per-second rate of your game. 

When shopping for a new gaming PC monitor, it is good to start by identifying which technical category is most important to you. Do you want to prioritize getting a large size, a high refresh rate, a high screen resolution or a specific display technology like OLED? A good gaming monitor will perform well, but the best gaming monitor will immerse you in every frame.

When it comes to refresh rates, two common choices are 144Hz gaming monitors and 240Hz gaming monitors, though higher rates are available—even in some 4K gaming monitors. Ultimately, you’ll want to match your monitor’s refresh rate to the frames per second produced by your graphics processing unit. To get the most out of this pairing, look for adaptive sync technology that’s compatible with your graphics card.

A gaming monitor is an important investment in your gaming experience, so it’s worth putting in the time and energy to identify the aspects that are most important to your gaming needs. And remember — gaming monitors aren’t just for PC gaming; you can use a gaming monitor for PS5, Xbox Series X or any other gaming console.