Getting the best monitor size for gaming can be pretty challenging if you don’t get the facts right. Read on for an in-depth evaluation of each screen size and its uses.
A good gaming monitor delivers quality performance and an immersive gaming experience.
The market is full of great gaming monitors, all in different sizes, resolutions, and panels.
That explains why you’re confused about finding the right monitor size for your new gaming PC or console.
Determining the appropriate monitor size depends on your intended use, type of connection (PC or console?), and your personal preference, among other factors.
In our guide here, we will be evaluating each monitor size to help you choose one that will provide the best gaming experience.
What are you looking for in a gaming monitor?
Well, the answer lies in this guide. So keep reading.
Popular Gaming Monitor Sizes Available
49” Super Ultrawide Monitors
Super ultrawide monitors’ other name is immersion. They take gaming to another dimension and create a near 3D experience.
These curved, 49” big screens are excellent for racing and atmospheric games. The curved aspect increases immersion and excellent viewing angles.
Besides quality gaming, the super ultrawide monitors produce precise and crisp images with no visual distractions or glare. Their light goes straight to your eyes.
They have a 32:9 typical aspect ratio that enables the use of picture-in-picture and multiple windows.
There are a few drawbacks with these ultrawide beasts, though. Apart from space, they also don’t support all gaming genres, especially those games that don’t lean towards the 32:9 aspect ratio.
But if you don’t mind coughing up the cash for highly immersive gaming experiences, then go for it.
34” Monitors
The 34” gaming monitors are ultrawide, too, great for heavy gamers who prefer detailed games with an integrated 360-degree view.
Are you a fan of Assassin’s Creed or DOOM? Well, you can enjoy immersive gaming on a 34” display.
You can play your games on a split screen and get good real estate on the screen with your co-player.
Just like the 49” ultrawide monitors, the 34” inch options need ample space. They’re built with a 3440 by 1440 resolution and a curved screen. With these screens, beautiful visual experiences are inevitable.
And with a 21:9 typical aspect ratio, you’ll use it both for gaming and watching movies.
However, you’ll need to upgrade your graphics card to enjoy your gaming.
32” Monitors
The 32” gaming monitors are more or less gaming TVs. They’re large, and most of them have 4K resolution, 1440p resolution. They produce crisp, sharp images on a large screen – ideal for large spaces and wireless gaming setups with a 2ft to 2.5ft viewing distance.
If you love turn-based games that need razor-sharp graphics, a 32” gaming monitor can maximize your gaming experience.
The 32” displays will get you gaming on a cinematic level. It allows you and your partner to view your game as you play.
However, 32″ monitors may not be for you if you are a fast-paced and competitive game player.
They are only excellent for console-based games with designs for TVs.
If you opt for a 32″ display, you’ll need 4K resolution for image quality. Most games are emerging with 4K compatibility for cinematic experiences.
You’ll also get 32” screens with 1440p resolution in the market, but we recommend that you avoid them if you can. They have the same pixel density as a 24″ Full HD monitor.
It will cost you more in upgrades. 1080p resolution models, on the other hand, have heavily pixelated images that may not be good for your eyes.
27” Monitors
The 27” gaming monitors are the most popular and most preferred for their versatility and high performance. They offer immersive gaming experiences with crispy clear displays. Many of them have a 1440p resolution.
These are ideal if you love RPG or strategy games. Games like Skyrim, Dragon Age, or Final Fantasy roll well on a screen with crisp imagery. They have plenty of detailing in characters and the environment, which a 27” display captures well.
Such games need higher resolutions to display the epic cutscenes and other extreme details.
In 27″ monitors, it is the resolution that determines the refresh rate. A 1440p resolution will deliver a 144Hz refresh rate. If you choose 4K resolution, your refresh rate will drastically drop to about 60Hz.
24” Monitors
Most gamers also prefer the 24″ gaming monitors. They have excellent fields of vision, great image qualities, and reasonable price tags. They hardly consume a lot of space.
Most of these 24 inches have Full HD 1920 x 1080p resolutions that deliver great gaming experiences. If you are a shooter or Battle Royale games fanatic, this is the screen size you’d want to have.
Such a smaller display fits gamers who need to sit close to the screen and compete in action games like Fortnite, Overwatch, or CS.GO. These are games that need close attention to whatever is happening on the map.
The 24” gaming monitors are generous on the pocket and will still deliver excellent desktop gaming.
A TV
A TV will be excellent for players who need to play games on a 4K console. It offers high resolution, viewing angles, and aspect ratio.
A 45-65 inch 4K TV will give you the highest-fidelity gaming experience. All you need is to mount it on the wall and enjoy your games from the couch.
Factors that Dictate Your Choice of Gaming Monitor Size
Intended Use
The intended use of a monitor is the main factor to consider. For console and single-player gamers, a monitor’s performance and features must handle the graphics requirements of modern games.
Competitive players need the fastest monitors and often sacrifice resolution to get that speed. Gamers who commute need a monitor that’s portable enough to carry and preferably has a built-in battery.
Budget and Preference
Your preference and budget matter too. You may want to have a gaming monitor with the highest resolution and fast refresh rates or something moderately efficient.
So here’s what you can do.
If you prefer a big-sized monitor, get a 32″ or a larger display with 4K resolution. Don’t choose a big monitor with 1080p or 1440p resolution. If your space is limited, don’t get a bigger resolution monitor with a small display. A 27″ 4K monitor will be too sharp for your eyes.
Resolution
When looking at monitor resolution, you have to consider the types of games you’ll be playing. Will you focus on 1440p or 4K games?
How experienced are you with Full HD 1080p gaming? Also, do you have the proper hardware to run 4K games?
If you’ve settled for 4K games, the best display will be a 32” or 34” if you have the space for it. For the 1440p resolution option, a 27” gaming monitor will do. A Full HD 27” and 4K 27” may ruin your gaming experience.
1080p vs 1440p vs 4K Resolutions
Different resolutions deliver different gaming experiences.
A 1080p resolution comes with a 1080 pixels height and 1920 pixels width. It is the most popular HD resolution used in high graphics and videos.
1080p offers excellent visuals. On a 24″ screen, this resolution will translate to about 91 pixels per inch. Gaming in 1080p saves you money since you don’t need a more prominent display to use it.
The 1440p resolution is an upgrade of 1080p. It has 1440 pixels in height and 2560 pixels in width. 1440p works great on a 27″ gaming monitor by translating about 108 pixels per inch. This means higher-quality images.
If you use 1440p on a larger size screen, the quality of the image will drop and force you to tilt your neck to view the screen better.
1440p resolutions have high refresh rates – great for you if you are looking for fast speeds for your FPS games, high stakes, or racing. Something like Battle Royale will favor you on a 1440p resolution monitor.
The 4K resolution is Ultra HD, offering incredible visual experiences for all games that support 4k. But not all games support 4K. That’s why having a 4K monitor limits your use. You’ll have to scale your games from their initial programmed resolutions to fit them onto your 4K display.
This makes everything look smaller, and if the game involves a lot of reading, you’ll have trouble reading the details.
The graphics card comes into play here too. There are 27″ and 28″ screens with detailed imagery on 4K resolutions, but the details won’t be any larger. This will force you to get a larger monitor for better viewing.
However, for a hardcore gamer, you’ll be thrilled with the gaming experience your 4K monitor will provide.
The 1080p, 1440p, and 4K are the resolutions you’ll encounter when searching for the correct size gaming monitor. Depending on your needs and preferences, you’ll narrow down the right size fit for you.
Available Space
Space consideration is crucial. You don’t need a big monitor if you have a small room. Besides your eye health getting affected, it will also be hard to enjoy your gaming content.
So, before deciding on your gaming monitor’s size, always consider your available space.
The Screen’s Refresh Rate
A gaming monitor’s refresh rate is measured in Hertz. This is the time it will take the monitor to refresh a displayed image in a second. A refresh rate determines how many frames will be displayed by the monitor every second.
Different monitors have different refresh rates from 60Hz, 144Hz, to 240Hz.
Why High Refresh Rate is important
A high refresh rate improves motion resolution by reducing image blurring when in motion. It also gets rid of tearing and improves image sharpness as it moves across the screen.
This allows users to enjoy their gaming experiences. Lower refresh rates cause more image blurring, and when screen tearing occurs, the images will get distorted.
As you game, you want a high refresh rate that will ensure all is quick and smooth between the refreshes. A lag of 10.9 ms can drag you down, causing you to fail. Make sure your monitor will provide better responsiveness.
The Panel Technology
Gaming monitors rely on twisted nematic (TN), in-plane switching (IPS), and vertical alignment (VA) panels. These technologies are excellent, but the IPs panel is much better as it provides an overall visual quality.
Let’s look into these panels in detail.
IPS Panels
IPS panels are more vibrant, with better viewing angles and accurate production of colors. They are superior to the TN and VA panels. IPS has a 5 ms response time, which is ideal for most games. You can expect excellent sunlight and long life expectancy from IPs.
However, IPS consumes a lot of power and has high latency.
TN Panels
TN panels are budget-friendly, the least expensive of the three. But their color precision and viewing angles are not so good.
If you are looking for a panel with the fastest response time, go the TN panel way. You’ll have the best time with competitive, fast-paced and multiplayer games.
The best part is that TN panels don’t consume much power, and their latency is lower.
VA Panels
Vertical alignment panels provide the best contrast ratio and deeper black levels. Their viewing angle and color accuracy are good too, but not better than IPS. And you don’t need to dig deeper into your pocket either.
The only disadvantage with VA panels is the slow response time that causes ghosting and trailing.
The Connectors
A gaming monitor should contain crucial inputs and outputs. Connectors are crucial when you need to associate your screen to the PC. These are the most commonly used ports – a must-have on your monitor.
HDMI
You’re probably already acquainted with the HDMI port since you use it on your TV. HDMI ports do an excellent job of transferring top-notch audio and videos between two gadgets with a single link.
There are different HDMI varieties. On a gaming screen, you’ll find these types of HDMI ports.
HDMI 1.4: This port supports 1090p at 120Hz and up to 4K at 24Hz and 30Hz
HDMI 2.0: It supports up to 4K at 60Hz
HDMI 2.1: Supports up to 10K at 120Hz
The many HDMI ports a screen has, the better the performance.
VGA Ports
A Video Graphics Array (VGA) port appears on the gaming screen as a standard association. Not all monitors have them because HDMI and DVI have supplemented them.
DVI Ports
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) ports are video show interfaces you’ll often find on gaming PC monitors. They help create a solid connection with the PC to prevent it from detaching accidentally. You don’t want to be disconnected in the middle of the game.
With DVI ports, you’ll experience quality image displays superior to those from VGA ports. They also convey sound signs, which divert when you have your earphones on while playing your game.
Display Ports
Display ports match HDMI in all aspects. They are advanced visual and sound interfaces with fast data transfer capacities and high refresh rates.
Display ports are available in two special sizes – the Mini DisplayPort and Stands DisplayPort.
With advancing innovation, Display Ports will soon become standard association types.
Some screens have different connectors which allow you to link your PC in different ways. You need to be keen, especially if you’re planning a multi-screen arrangement.
The Response Time
The pixel response time is when a pixel needs to switch between different shades of gray or from black to white. Response time is measured in milliseconds.
A gaming monitor that has a low response time will give you a smoother camera movement. If it has a high response time, it will blur due to the fast movement of the camera. This is because the pixels don’t have enough time to switch between different colors.
The Type of Gaming
The gaming style you prefer will play a crucial role in your choice of monitor size. If you’re into fast-paced or first-person shooter games that need quick refresh rates and reflexes, you should take a smaller monitor.
A 24″ to 27″ gaming monitor has the speed you need to maneuver through quickly.
But if you love highly cinematic games like RPG or story games with sharp detailing, a 27″ display with a 1440p resolution will serve you perfectly. You’ll be able to sit back and enjoy your game from a distance.
The Distance from the Screen
The general rule states that you should sit a similar distance from the screen as its size.
If yours is 24″, you are supposed to be 24 inches away from it. This rule was set to help you minimize the strain on your eyes and make you comfortable while gaming. It also allows you better visuals and a full spectrum viewing potential.
If you’re too close to the screen, you need at least a 24″ or 27″ curved display when gaming at a desk. With a mounted display or wireless gaming, a bigger screen will do.
Ensure to assess your setup and installation space, then use the distance rules to dictate the right monitor size.
Best Monitor Size for Gaming FAQs
Which Monitor Size is Best for Gaming?
A good monitor for gaming should be between 24″ to 27″ or more. What matters is the pixel density. In theory, a gamer can choose any monitor size, but most prefer a 1080p 24” as the optimum size.
This is because they can view the gameplay without having to tilt their head. The resolution doesn’t disappoint either.
Besides choosing the monitor size, you must consider the right panel type and the refresh rate. Keep in mind also the connection type (HDMI, DVI, or DisplayPort?)
How is Monitor Size Measured?
The size of the gaming screen is measured diagonally. The diagonal measurement from one corner to the other will show you the width and length of your monitor.
For example, if you select a 22” screen, the length would be 10 inches and the width 18 inches. A 24” display would have a 12” height and 20” width.
The bigger the size, the more inches it has. To find out the monitor’s total surface area, use the height and width.
What Monitor Sizes Do Professional Gamers Prefer?
With so many factors to think of, you might be curious to know what monitor size pros prefer to use.
During competitive play, professional gamers prefer smaller monitor sizes like the 24” for competing. Smaller screens don’t require a lot of eye- and head movement. This reduces their reaction time, allowing them to focus only on the game.
For pros doing competitive gaming, high speed is essential. Not so for high resolution because of the graphic card demands, which will cause reduced response time and frame rate.
This is a risk to the player’s overall performance, so they don’t emphasize visual experience.
Some opt for low screen resolutions of 720p to improve the reaction time and frame rates. So if you are an aspiring professional gamer who wants to reduce response time, you may consider making certain adjustments to your rig.
But if you just want to enjoy gaming, purchase a monitor based on your personal gaming needs and preferences.
Is a 27” Display Too Large for Gaming?
Not at all. Although 24” is the ideal gaming size, a 27” monitor is also an excellent choice if you’re looking for something larger. The picture will remain clear and crisp, and you’ll see every detail of the game.
The only difference with a 27” monitor is that you may have to tilt your head to view the corners of the screen. Otherwise, the monitor works just fine.
What are Pixels?
Pixels are those building blocks that form the picture that comes on screen.
Just like a puzzle image, each piece comes together to form the larger image. A lower resolution creates large puzzle pieces. This just means that only a few puzzle pieces make the image. Therefore, when an image has more parts, it contains more details.
A 1080p monitor has 1080 pixels that make up its height. A bigger size monitor will need to have more pixels to produce precise imaging.
Why are Ultrawide Screens Costly?
Ultrawide displays are in high demand. That’s why they come at a hefty price than other sizes. In addition, their wide size means bigger displays, which require more materials and resources to construct, thus the price tag.
Does a Big Size Monitor Have Better Gaming?
The size of display you choose depends on your personal preferences. But the consensus is that a large size monitor may affect your gaming experience. You’ll need to bend your head forward or sideways to view the whole screen, which is neither good for your health or some other games.
While there are no rules for monitor size, you should factor in your overall gaming experience.
Do Ultrawide Screens Affect FPS?
Yes, they do. Their big screen size needs more pixels, meaning that the FPS will also be affected. Your GPU will need a higher workload to keep up with the efficiency of the frames per second.
Having this ultrawide display may force you to purchase a powerful GPU.
Are 32” Monitors Too Large for Gaming?
As said earlier, it all boils down to your individual preference. Generally, 32” screens are likely too large for gaming. But you may disagree with this if you prefer such a bigger screen.
The only issue you may encounter with a 32” display is the low refresh rates. For excellent gaming, you need a high refresh rate from a monitor that delivers high performance. A 32” will impact this and limit your gaming.
Is it Possible to Slip a Monitor that is Ultrawide?
Yes, you can split your ultrawide monitor successfully. But how you split it depends on whatever software you’ll use. The Mac OSX and Windows systems have inbuilt software that can help you split your ultrawide screen when you need extra screen space to optimize your productivity.
Why Do Professional Gamers Choose 24” Monitors?
The 24” gaming monitors are the standard choice for professional tournaments. When competing, all players have to use a uniform screen size, refresh rate, and resolution.
These are set specifications for tournaments to ensure the game is fair for all participants.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing a gaming monitor should be worth every penny you spend. Different gaming scenarios may require specific monitor sizes. For instance, a 1080p 24” and 1440p 27” screen will be ideal for a 16:9 display and regular viewing.
You want to play on the right size monitor that guarantees performance and immersive technology. Since gaming requires high-tech setups, it is vital to ensure the display you choose is equipped with the appropriate features and functionalities.
After all, you don’t want a monitor that could compromise the video, audio, and gaming experience.
If you need a larger monitor, make sure you have the proper hardware to back it up. And the resolutions should be ideal too. Hopefully, by now, you can find the best monitor size for your gaming needs.