Samsung Odyssey G6: $609
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Upgrading your monitor can be daunting, especially if you’re used to the market the way it was a few years ago. Luckily, the base quality of monitors has risen rapidly, and you can now get FHD monitors with high refresh rates for less than $100. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more high-end, there are some great options there, too — with some steep discounts on the best gear.
My current monitor is a 27-inch QHD monitor that I bought for $250 (“QHD” equals “quad HD,” or 2,560×1,440-pixel resolution). I nearly went with a 32-inch UHD display that would have offered more room and more pixels for only a bit more money (“UHD” is “ultra HD,” or 3,840×2,160 pixels). Between these two sizes, you can easily find a screen to fit your desk space, your work needs and, most importantly, your budget.
The world’s creatives, hobbyists and professional gamers — folks more likely to worry about color gamut and refresh rates — might need a higher-end screen than those you’ll see on our list. But these displays are big enough for most needs, and they’ve got sufficient pixel density to produce a sharp, quality image.
For more, check out CNET’s monitor buying guide and how we test monitors. I’ll keep this story updated as I uncover better deals, so check back often.
Best 27-inch monitor deals
These 27-inch models feature QHD resolution and give you more screen real estate than a 24-inch, FHD (full HD or 1,920×1,080 pixel) display, and better resolution, too. They also give you all that for not too much more money. You might also come across 27-inch 4K displays in your search. Those displays offer quality worth consideration, but in my experience, a QHD or 2K resolution is more than sufficient when stretched across a 27-inch panel.
The Acer KA272 isn’t anything fancy, and it’s perfect if you’re looking for a solid monitor that’s under $100. It runs an FHD resolution and has an IPS panel and a 100Hz refresh rate, which means great viewing angles and relatively good color reproduction. It even has AMD FreeSync baked in, so it’s a good option for gaming on something like an Xbox Series S or a mid-range gaming PC.
Samsung is known for its high-end gaming monitors, so if you want to go with a Samsung option, this is probably the cheapest. It runs an FHD resolution with an IPS panel, and has a 75Hz refresh rate.
This 27-inch Pixio monitor is a great value even at its full list price, and at Amazon you can pick it up for even less. It features a QHD resolution along with AMD FreeSync and a speedy 144Hz refresh rate if you want to use it for gaming in addition to work. It’s rated for an ample 350 nits of brightness. Just be sure to clip the coupon to get the full deal.
This 27-inch Sceptre monitor features a sleek, nearly bezel-less design, which makes it a great choice if you’ve got a multimonitor setup, and it’s equipped with both DisplayPort and HDMI ports. It has an IPS display with a speedy 144Hz refresh rate. It’s also rated for 450 nits of brightness and runs at QHD, which is excellent for a monitor at this price.
If you’re looking for a monitor that has high refresh rates at a low price, this Acer Nitro XF273U can hit 240Hz for less than $300. It’s also an LCD screen using IPS technology, so it has good viewing angles and image reproduction. It also runs a higher 2560×1440 resolution, making this a perfect for higher-end gaming PCs.
The MSI MAG274UPF is a solid choice if you want 4K gaming on a budget, at least as budget as high-end gaming gear can manage. Along with the 4K, it can hit an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, and it comes with both FreeSync and G-SYNC, so it will work well regardless of your GPU. It has a 1ms response rate and Vesa HDR 400, although be aware that HDR on a monitor isn’t the same as it is on a TV.
The LG UltraGear is an excellent gaming monitor, with a UHD resolution and a 1ms response time that it’s more likely to hit than a more budget-friendly option. It also has a 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium and G-SYNC, so you’re covered on that front.
If you want a high-end curved gaming monitor, the Samsung Odyssey G6 is highly rated, as are most of the products in Samsung’s Odyssey lineup. It runs a 2,560×1,440 resolution and has a whopping 240Hz refresh rate, so you can really push those frames if you have a powerful card. Besides that, it has FreeSync Premium Pro and a 1ms response time. Overall, this is a versatile monitor that’s just as good for casual and narrative-based games as it is for action-packed titles and esports.
Best 32-inch monitor deals
The next step up in size, resolution and price from a 27-inch QHD display is a 32-inch UHD display. Ultra HD is also commonly referred to as 4K.
If you need something that’s good for graphics work or playing on something like an Xbox Series S gaming console, the LG UltraFine is a great option. There’s also an offer that gives you a discount on select Logitech hardware and accessories when you buy these products along with the monitor.
Curved screens can be a lot of fun, and this one from MSI is perfect if you want to do some gaming since it can hit a 144Hz refresh rate. It also comes with three months of free YouTube Premium and six months of Norton 360. Even better, there’s an offer that gives you 20% off select Logitech hardware and accessories.
If you need something powerful for gaming, you can’t go wrong with the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8, which features a 1ms response time and a 240Hz refresh rate. You can also get 30% off select accessories, a great deal if you also need a mouse, keyboard or headset.
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