Best 4K Gaming Monitors 2025
Experience gaming at its sharpest with 3840x2160 resolution
Quick Picks
Best Overall: LG 32GS95UE-B (32" OLED 240Hz)
Best Value: Gigabyte M32U (32" IPS 144Hz)
Best for PS5/Xbox: Sony InZone M9 (27" IPS 144Hz)
Best Budget: ASUS VG289Q1A (28" IPS 60Hz)
Best Mini-LED: Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 (32" VA 165Hz)
Best 27": ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ2R (27" IPS 144Hz)
Table of Contents
Why Choose 4K for Gaming?
4K (3840x2160) offers four times the pixels of 1080p, delivering unprecedented detail and clarity. In 2025, 4K gaming has become more accessible thanks to powerful GPUs and upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR.
4K Advantages
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Stunning Detail
4x the pixels of 1080p for razor-sharp visuals
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Immersive Gaming
See every detail in open-world games and RPGs
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Great for Productivity
Massive workspace without scaling issues
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Console Compatible
PS5 and Xbox Series X support 4K 120Hz
4K Considerations
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GPU Demanding
Need RTX 4070+ for 60fps at high settings
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Higher Cost
4K 144Hz monitors cost more than 1440p
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Not Ideal for Competitive
Hard to hit 240Hz+ at 4K resolution
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Scaling Needed at 27"
UI elements may be too small at 100%
Resolution Comparison
| Resolution | Pixels | PPI @ 27" | PPI @ 32" | GPU Need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 2.1M | 82 | 69 | Low |
| 1440p | 3.7M | 109 | 92 | Medium |
| 4K (2160p) | 8.3M | 163 | 138 | High |
4K Gaming Requirements
GPU Requirements by Target FPS
| Target | NVIDIA | AMD | Settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4K 60fps | RTX 4070 | RX 7800 XT | High + DLSS/FSR |
| 4K 100fps | RTX 4070 Ti Super | RX 7900 XT | High |
| 4K 144fps | RTX 4080 / 4090 | RX 7900 XTX | High-Ultra |
| With DLSS 3 | RTX 4070 | - | Ultra + Frame Gen |
DLSS & FSR: The 4K Enablers
NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR use AI upscaling to render at lower resolutions and upscale to 4K, dramatically improving performance. DLSS 3's Frame Generation can effectively double framerates. With these technologies, even mid-range GPUs can enjoy playable 4K gaming.
Connection Requirements
- 4K 60Hz: HDMI 2.0 / DisplayPort 1.2
- 4K 120Hz: HDMI 2.1 / DisplayPort 1.4
- 4K 144Hz: DisplayPort 1.4 DSC / HDMI 2.1
- 4K 240Hz: DisplayPort 2.1 / HDMI 2.1 (limited)
Console Support
- PS5: 4K 120Hz via HDMI 2.1 (limited games)
- Xbox Series X: 4K 120Hz via HDMI 2.1
- Xbox Series S: 1440p max (upscales to 4K)
- Nintendo Switch: 1080p docked max
27" vs 32" for 4K Gaming
27" 4K Monitors
163 PPI - Extremely sharp, retina-level
- + Extremely crisp text and images
- + Fits smaller desks easily
- + Good for close viewing (under 2.5 ft)
- - UI elements may require 125-150% scaling
- - Less screen real estate than 32"
- - Overkill sharpness - hard to see difference from 1440p
32" 4K Monitors (Recommended)
138 PPI - Sweet spot for 4K
- + Perfect balance of size and sharpness
- + Similar PPI to 27" 1440p (109 PPI)
- + 100% scaling works well
- + More immersive gaming experience
- - Requires more desk space
- - Best at 2.5-3.5 ft viewing distance
Our Recommendation
For most gamers, 32" is the ideal size for 4K. You can appreciate the extra resolution without needing UI scaling, and the larger screen size provides a more immersive experience. 27" 4K is best if you have limited desk space or sit very close to your monitor.
Best Overall 4K Gaming Monitors
LG UltraGear 32GS95UE-B
32" | 4K | 240Hz | W-OLED | Dual Mode
$1,399
The ultimate 4K gaming monitor. W-OLED delivers perfect blacks and instant response times. Dual Mode allows switching between 4K/240Hz and 1080p/480Hz. Anti-glare coating makes it usable for desktop work too.
Pros
- + Perfect blacks and contrast
- + 240Hz - fastest 4K OLED
- + Dual Mode flexibility
- + Clean text (W-OLED)
- + DisplayPort 2.1 ready
Cons
- - Premium price
- - Potential burn-in risk
- - 1080p/480Hz mode has lower PPI
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SD)
32" | 4K | 240Hz | QD-OLED
$1,299
QD-OLED offers even more vibrant colors than W-OLED. Built-in Tizen smart TV features mean you can use it without a PC. Samsung's anti-reflection coating is excellent.
Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 (G75NB)
32" | 4K | 165Hz | Mini-LED VA
$799
Best Mini-LED option for HDR gaming without OLED burn-in concerns. 1196 local dimming zones for excellent HDR. VA panel provides great contrast even without local dimming.
Best Value 4K Gaming Monitors
Gigabyte M32U
32" | 4K | 144Hz | IPS
$549
Exceptional value for 4K 144Hz gaming. SS IPS panel with good colors and response times. HDMI 2.1 for console gaming. KVM switch for multi-device setups. Hard to beat at this price.
Pros
- + Unbeatable price for specs
- + HDMI 2.1 for PS5/Xbox
- + Good IPS panel quality
- + USB-C with 15W charging
- + Built-in KVM switch
Cons
- - Average HDR (HDR400)
- - Some IPS glow
- - Basic stand
LG 32UQ750-W
32" | 4K | 144Hz | VA
$449
Budget 4K 144Hz with VA panel for better contrast. Good for dark games and movies. HDR10 support with decent peak brightness. HDMI 2.1 included.
ASUS TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A
28" | 4K | 144Hz | IPS
$449
Compact 28" 4K option for smaller desks. Fast IPS panel with good response times. ELMB Sync for motion clarity. Two HDMI 2.1 ports.
Best 4K Monitors for PS5 & Xbox Series X
Console Requirements
PS5 and Xbox Series X require HDMI 2.1 for 4K 120Hz. Make sure the monitor supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) for tear-free gaming. Most console games run at 4K 30-60fps, with select titles supporting 120fps modes (often at lower resolution).
Sony InZone M9
27" | 4K | 144Hz | IPS | Full Array Local Dimming
$899
Sony's own gaming monitor designed to complement PS5. Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode optimize settings automatically. Full array local dimming with 96 zones for good HDR.
Pros
- + Perfect PS5 integration
- + Auto HDR Tone Mapping
- + FALD for good HDR
- + Excellent gaming features
Cons
- - 27" may be small for 4K
- - Premium price
- - Only 96 dimming zones
ASUS ROG Strix XG32UQ
32" | 4K | 160Hz | Fast IPS
$799
Premium 32" 4K option with ASUS gaming features. DisplayHDR 600 certification. Two HDMI 2.1 ports for multiple consoles. Excellent build quality and stand.
Gigabyte M32U (Console Value Pick)
32" | 4K | 144Hz | IPS
$549
Best value for console gaming. Full HDMI 2.1 support for 4K 120Hz. Works great with both PS5 and Xbox Series X. KVM switch lets you easily swap between PC and console.
Best Budget 4K Gaming Monitors
If you don't need high refresh rates, budget 4K monitors offer stunning visuals for single-player gaming and productivity at much lower prices.
ASUS VG289Q1A
28" | 4K | 60Hz | IPS
$249
Incredible value for 4K gaming on a budget. IPS panel with good colors and viewing angles. HDR10 support. Perfect for single-player games where 60fps is sufficient.
Pros
- + Excellent price for 4K IPS
- + Good color accuracy
- + HDR10 support
- + FreeSync for tear-free gaming
Cons
- - Only 60Hz
- - No HDMI 2.1 (older HDMI)
- - Basic stand
LG 27UP850-W
27" | 4K | 60Hz | IPS | USB-C
$349
Productivity-focused 4K with gaming capability. USB-C with 96W charging for laptops. DisplayHDR 400. Excellent for work and casual gaming.
AOC U32P2C
32" | 4K | 60Hz | VA
$299
Budget 32" 4K with VA panel for better contrast in dark games. USB-C connectivity. Great for cinematic single-player experiences where refresh rate matters less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4K worth it for gaming in 2025?
Yes, 4K is worth it if you have a powerful GPU (RTX 4070 Super or better) and prefer visual fidelity over maximum framerates. 4K offers stunning detail at 27-32 inches, excellent for single-player games, RPGs, and immersive experiences. For competitive gaming where 240Hz+ matters more than resolution, 1440p remains the sweet spot.
What GPU do I need for 4K 144Hz gaming?
For 4K 144Hz at high settings, you need an RTX 4080 or better (or AMD RX 7900 XTX). An RTX 4070 Ti Super can handle 4K 60-100fps in most games at high settings. With DLSS/FSR upscaling, mid-range GPUs like RTX 4070 can achieve playable 4K framerates in many titles.
Is 27 or 32 inch better for 4K gaming?
32 inches is generally better for 4K gaming as it provides 138 PPI (similar sharpness to 1440p at 27"). At 27 inches, 4K has 163 PPI which is extremely sharp but may require Windows scaling. 32" lets you see more detail and appreciate the resolution. For desk use under 2.5 feet, 27" 4K works well; for 2.5-3.5 feet, 32" is ideal.
Do I need HDMI 2.1 for 4K gaming?
HDMI 2.1 is required for 4K 120Hz on PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles. For PC gaming, DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC can handle 4K 144Hz. If you plan to use your monitor with current-gen consoles, HDMI 2.1 is essential. Most modern 4K gaming monitors include both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4.
Is 4K 60Hz good enough for gaming?
4K 60Hz is acceptable for single-player games and casual gaming, but 4K 120Hz+ is noticeably smoother. Most single-player games are designed around 60fps, so you won't miss much. However, 4K 144Hz monitors have dropped significantly in price, making the upgrade worthwhile for future-proofing and general desktop smoothness.