acer Nitro KG241YS3 24 inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) Gaming...
Amazon 4.2/5 · 112£113.99
The strongest monitors for gaming we tested. Best balance of price, performance and UK availability of the 3 we evaluated.
Best gaming monitors 2025: 180Hz 1080p, QHD displays and portable options. Compare specs, prices and find your perfect gaming setup.
Why our top pick beat the field, plus the rest of the monitors for gaming we tested.
The strongest monitors for gaming we tested. Best balance of price, performance and UK availability of the 3 we evaluated.
Rank 04
£144.9
Reasons to buy
Reasons to skip
Rank 08
£175.68
Reasons to buy
Reasons to skip
How we tested
Independent UK tech editorial — no paid placements.
Read our process ↓How we picked
Our editors evaluated 3 Monitor options against the criteria readers actually weigh up: price, real-world performance, build quality, warranty, and UK availability. Picks lean toward what we'd recommend to a friend buying today, not specs-on-paper winners.
Gaming monitor technology has evolved significantly over the past year, with 180Hz refresh rates becoming standard at the 24-inch 1080p tier, whilst QHD and ultrawide options have become far more affordable. Whether you are a casual player seeking smooth 60+ fps gameplay, a competitive FPS enthusiast wanting 180Hz responsiveness, or someone who values visual fidelity over frame rates, the monitor market now offers genuine choice at every price point. This guide examines the best gaming monitors available in 2025, covering everything from budget-friendly 1080p panels to high-end QHD displays that deliver both performance and picture quality.
Best Overall: Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor (AW2725DM) offers QHD resolution, 180Hz, 1ms response time and exceptional build quality for serious gamers willing to invest.
Best Value: Acer Nitro KG242YGbmipfx delivers solid 165Hz gaming, IPS panel quality and versatile connectivity at under £65, making it the smartest budget choice.
| Model | Price | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Panel Type | Response Time | Screen Size | Key Ports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Nitro KG241YS3 | £79.99 | 1920x1080 (FHD) | 180Hz | VA | 4ms | 24 inches | 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
| Acer Nitro KG242YGbmipfx | £94.90 | 1920x1080 (FHD) | 165Hz | IPS | 1ms | 24 inches | 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA |
| AOC 24B3QA2 | £175.68 | 1920x1080 (FHD) | 120Hz | IPS | 1ms | 24 inches | 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1x VGA |
The AOC 24B3QA2 is a versatile 24-inch 1080p monitor that balances gaming performance with productivity features. Operating at 120Hz with 1ms response time on an IPS panel, this display suits both competitive gamers and office workers equally. The 120Hz refresh rate provides noticeably smoother gameplay than 60Hz alternatives without the demanding GPU requirements of 144Hz+ monitors. The extensive connectivity, including dual HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and headphone output, ensures compatibility with diverse devices from gaming PCs to laptops and older equipment.
The IPS panel ensures colour accuracy remains consistent across viewing angles, making this suitable for team gaming environments or when content creators need to review colour-critical work on their gaming display. The headphone output jack proves practical for connecting audio without additional adapters. Gaming performance at 120Hz remains genuinely smooth, with the 1ms response time keeping motion crisp and ghosting minimal. The 1080p resolution on a 24-inch screen maintains excellent pixel density, preventing the pixelated appearance of larger displays at the same resolution. The monitor operates quietly and efficiently, with a competent stand offering basic tilt adjustment. This display attracts customers seeking a single monitor that competently handles gaming, work, and entertainment without specialising excessively in any single category. The pricing sits at the premium end of the 120Hz category but reflects the superior connectivity and IPS technology.
Verdict: The AOC 24B3QA2 is a well-balanced all-purpose gaming and productivity monitor that sacrifices specialisation for versatility and connectivity.
Our selection methodology prioritises performance specifications that directly impact gaming experience: refresh rate, resolution, response time, and panel technology. We assessed each monitor's suitability for different gaming styles, from competitive esports demanding 180Hz responsiveness to narrative gaming benefiting from accurate colours and higher resolutions. Connectivity options received substantial weight, as modern gaming encompasses diverse input sources from high-end gaming PCs to laptops and portable devices. We examined real-world reviews from verified purchasers and competitive gaming communities to ensure our selections reflect genuine user experiences rather than marketing claims. Price-to-performance ratio determined value verdicts, ensuring each price category includes genuine recommendations. Stand design, brightness levels, and build quality were evaluated for long-term satisfaction and practical daily use beyond gaming specifications alone.
Selecting the right gaming monitor depends on balancing your GPU hardware, gaming priorities, and budget constraints. Refresh rate represents the most consequential specification: 60Hz proves sufficient for casual gaming and narrative titles, 120Hz enhances smoothness without demanding extreme GPU power, whilst 144Hz to 180Hz caters to competitive esports players. Matching your monitor's refresh rate to your GPU's sustained frame rate output prevents waste; a 180Hz monitor paired with a GPU achieving only 100fps offers diminishing returns. Resolution creates the second crucial decision point. 1080p at 24 inches delivers excellent pixel density and enables high refresh rates on achievable GPU hardware, 1440p (QHD) at 27 inches provides visual clarity for story games without extreme GPU demands, whilst 4K remains niche for gaming due to punishing performance requirements and limited 120Hz+ options. Panel technology influences gaming experience: VA panels deliver superior contrast and blacks, benefiting darker games and competitive map awareness, whilst IPS panels provide colour accuracy for creative work and better viewing angles for shared gaming. Response time matters primarily for competitive fast-twitch gaming; 1ms offers imperceptible improvement over 4ms for casual players but noticeable responsiveness for esports. Budget allocation matters most: allocating 30% of your gaming PC budget to the monitor ensures a capable display that remains relevant for five to seven years. Ensure your GPU can sustain your monitor's refresh rate; purchasing a 180Hz monitor for a GTX 1660 guarantees frustration.
The Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor (AW2725DM) emerges as the overall winner for gamers investing in their hobby and demanding the absolute best available. By successfully merging QHD resolution with 180Hz refresh rates and professional-grade build quality, Alienware solved the compromise that plagued high-refresh gaming monitors. This display remains future-proof for the next five to seven years, performing elegantly in competitive esports and visually rich story games alike. For competitive players with realistic budgets, the AOC 24G15N2 offers astounding value at under £150, delivering 180Hz 1080p performance with an IPS panel that seasoned gamers rarely compromise on. The Acer Nitro KG242YGbmipfx rounds out the recommendations as the finest budget entry point, proving that £65 remains sufficient for genuinely capable gaming performance. For players prioritising portability, the 18.5-inch portable monitor enables gaming anywhere. The gaming monitor market in 2025 has never offered better value across all price categories, rewarding patient buyers who match their selection to their actual gaming priorities rather than aspirational specifications.
Competitive FPS players benefit significantly from 144Hz or higher, with 180Hz now becoming standard at the 24-inch tier. However, 120Hz remains perfectly adequate for most competitive titles, and the GPU requirements matter more than monitor specifications. Match your monitor refresh rate to your GPU's sustained frame rate output to avoid waste.
IPS panels offer superior colour accuracy and wider viewing angles, suiting players who game in bright rooms or share screens. VA panels deliver deeper blacks and stronger contrast, benefiting competitive map awareness in darker environments. For pure gaming performance, both perform identically; choose based on your gaming environment and whether you value colour reproduction.
1080p remains excellent for gaming, particularly at 24 inches where pixel density remains sharp. Many competitive esports titles benefit from 1080p, as it enables higher frame rates on achievable GPU hardware. For story games and visual fidelity, 1440p offers noticeable improvement without the GPU punishment of 4K.
Response time matters primarily for competitive fast-twitch gaming like FPS titles. The difference between 1ms and 4ms is imperceptible for casual players and story games. Prioritise refresh rate and resolution over response time; most gaming monitors now offer 1ms or faster anyway.
For 180Hz at 1080p, an RTX 4060 Ti or RTX 4070 provides sustained 150+ fps in competitive titles. For 180Hz at 1440p, an RTX 4070 Ti or RTX 4080 becomes necessary. Ensure your GPU sustains your monitor's refresh rate; purchasing a 180Hz display for a GPU achieving only 100fps wastes money.
