No matter how good your PC is, if you don’t have a monitor that can display everything you want to do properly, you are only getting half the experience. It can be hard to know what monitors are actually worthy of your time, especially when so many promise the moon, with feature lists that go on for pages. Thankfully, we have taken the time to put the monitors that come through the doors of CGMagazine through a range of tests to see just what is deserving of our Best Monitor 2024 award and worthy of sitting alongside your new PC.
With so many features to look out for and even more monitors released every quarter, it can be impossible to know where to start. The writers and editors have tested a huge number of monitors each year, putting them through a series of tests, along with playing the latest games and using the latest creative software, to cut through the hype and break down the choices we think are worthy of Best Monitor 2024. From gaming to creative work, if you are in the market for a new monitor, you can trust that a selection from our Best Monitor 2024 list has our seal of approval.
VIEWSONIC OMNI VX2728J-2K GAMING MONITOR
Writer: Brendan Frye
The 27-inch 1440p gaming monitor market is more competitive than ever, with many options available from top brands. ViewSonic’s latest offering, the VX2728J-2K, aims to stand out by packing an impressive spec sheet into a relatively affordable package. Priced at just $249, this monitor includes a 165Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium support, and a fast 1ms response time. While it may not cater to everyone, the ViewSonic VX2728J-2K 27-inch gaming monitor punches well above its weight class and looks fantastic as it does so.
The no-frills design lacks premium features like a height-adjustable stand or RGB lighting. Serious PC enthusiasts may also prefer a higher 180Hz or 240Hz refresh rate for esports gaming. But for the price, it’s difficult to find a 1440p monitor that can match the VX2728J-2K’s combination of gaming performance and features. If your budget is around $250, the ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K Gaming Monitor should be at the top of your list for buttery smooth 1440p gaming.
The ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K 27-inch gaming monitor delivers impressively smooth 1440p gaming and vibrant colours at a budget price.
- SEE THE DIFFERENCE: 27 Inch QHD (2560x1440p) IPS gaming monitor with thin bezels
- MAXIMIZED GAMEPLAY: 180Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms (MPRT) response time for ultimate gaming experience
BenQ Mobiuz 24” EX240N Monitor
Writer: Andrew Wilson
The BenQ Mobiuz 24” EX240N is a 24” monitor targeted at the gamer market. Sporting a 23.8” 1080p panel with 1ms response time and 165hz refresh rate, and even high-quality Trevolo speakers built in, spec-wise, the BenQ Mobiuz claims to make a great entry-level gaming monitor, all while costing less than $200.
As a budget monitor, the BenQ Mobiuz 24” EX240N is an excellent choice for someone who needs a responsive monitor with a high refresh rate but doesn’t have a lot of money to spend. I could see myself owning at least two of these to make the most of my desk, but individual needs will vary greatly depending on the use case.
The BenQ Mobiuz delivers where it needs to, even if the shortcomings I found prevent it from being a must-buy.The BenQ Mobiuz is a great budget friendly gaming monitor. Colours are reasonably accurate and content is sharp; however, HDR mode leaves room for improvement.
- Level Up the Game: 24 Inch FHD 1080P FHD VA 165Hz Gaming Computer Monitor features Freesync Premium and color optimizer settings.
- Experience Smooth Gameplay: Catch all the small details with a 1ms MPRT response rate and 165Hz refresh rate.
BenQ PD3420Q Monitor
Writer: Brendan Frye
When it comes to picking a monitor for creative work like photo and video editing, you need something with excellent colour accuracy, a wide colour gamut, and a large immersive display. BenQ aims to deliver all that with the new PD3420Q, a 34-inch ultrawide monitor purpose-built for creative professionals. With its 3440 x 1440 resolution, IPS panel, and 100% sRGB coverage, BenQ is touting this as a monitor that provides the colour performance and expansive workspace needed for things like editing photos, videos, and graphics.
For creative pros seeking a capable ultrawide monitor with accurate colours and advanced features, the BenQ PD3420Q is an excellent option. It provides the workspace, connectivity, and colour performance needed for photo and video editing tasks. Just be prepared to pay a premium for all those capabilities. There are cheaper alternatives for casual users, but they won’t match the BenQ PD3420Q’s blend of image quality, ergonomics, and features.
With its exceptional colour accuracy, expansive workspace, and robust connectivity, the BenQ PD3420Q Monitor is a top-tier creative monitor worthy of its premium price tag.
- Made for Designers: 34″ LED ultrawide monitor features Pantone Validated and Calman verified color accurate technology. Experience 98% P3 and 100% sRGB color coverage with Delta E ≤ 3. Built with M-Book mode which features Mac compatible color matching.
- ICC Sync Compatible with Display P3: The ICC Sync simplifies the color mapping process and can be completed in 1 second through the BenQ Display Pilot software.
RCA M27PG135F GAMING MONITOR
Writer: Andrew Wilson
I was surprised by how much I liked the RCA M27PG135F Gaming Monitor. As someone who generally makes use of a laptop for my primary computer, monitors aren’t generally something I find I regularly need to make my setup better, mainly for portability reasons. But every now and again, I find myself trying out products from unexpected companies and find myself wondering if maybe I could use a desktop for other means of productivity.
RCA has done an exceptional job on their RCA M27PG135F Gaming Monitor. It packs the features both productivity and gaming users would generally like to have while not breaking the bank. RCA may face stiffer competition from other more known brand names, but if users give the RCA M27PG135F Gaming Monitor a chance, they will be thoroughly impressed with the quality and performance it delivers. It was certainly a nice and pleasant experience getting to see new products from a brand that started my love for tech.
The RCA M27PG135F Gaming Monitor delivered all the features I would hope to have on a monitor while looking subtle enough to fit into most setups easily.
- 27″ QHD (2560×1440) DISPLAY: Elevate your gameplay with our monitor’s QHD 2K Display, providing ultra-smooth gameplay and quick reactions. Ideal for all consoles and devices, including Xbox, Playstation, PC, and more.
- DOMINATE YOUR COMPETITION: Gain an advantage with our monitor’s rapid 240Hz refresh rate, delivering clearer visuals and more precise 1 millisecond response times. Experience fluid motion and stay ahead of the competition.
HP OMEN 27qs QHD 240Hz Gaming Monitor
Writer: Matt Keith
The OMEN series of monitors from manufacturer HP has long been a gold standard for gaming monitors. Their newest entry, the OMEN 27qs, is a powerhouse display packed with impressive specs all packaged together at a responsible price. HP’s goal here, it seems, is to offer great value for dollars that allows you to stay competitive with the latest visual tech without breaking the bank.
The OMEN 27qs 240Hz gaming monitor from HP is everything you need for a superb gaming experience without breaking the bank. While you won’t have the added value of full 4K resolution, this really is minor when refresh rate, IPS, GtG response and screen size are factored in. At a price of USD 429.99, this gaming monitor is worth every dime.
- APPROACHING MAXIMUM FUN – NVIDIA G-SYNC technology delivers gameplay that’s sharp, fluid and stutter-free with minimal input lag
- IT’S LIKE YOU’RE REALLY THERE – Escape fully and dive into finely-detailed worlds with the crisp visuals of FHD resolution
