2021’s 5 Best High Refresh Rate Monitors

In a world where graphical fidelity in 4K and even 8K resolutions are king, it is still the refresh rates that are one of the most important factors you should consider when it comes to buying a new gaming monitor. High refresh rates lead to smoother visuals, it also allows you to react quicker in competitive online games and see things almost before they happen.

That’s not to say that graphics and resolution don’t matter either because, in all honesty, we want our games to look amazing while moving as fast as possible. Then you have to decide on the right sized screen (24-inch, 27, or 32 inches and beyond), the battle between 1080p and 1440p, Nvidia G-Sync vs. AMD FreeSync, HDR support, and if you can live with a higher refresh rate at just Full HD 1080p or if 2K, 4K, or even 8K (for those who can afford it), is the best move for you. For those not sure where to start, the sweet spot for the average gamer should be a 27-inch monitor that runs at 144Hz or 165Hz with a 1ms response rate. For those competing, aim for 240 Hz with a 1ms response rate and sacrifice the 2K resolution for the performance. The visuals will still look great, but performance should be the key overall.

Today’s gaming monitors come with a lot of features, some that will help you, some that won’t be a factor, some that could be a waste of money while some end up being worth the cash.

MSI MPG ARTYMIS 343CQR

MSI’s monitors are known for their top-tier, esports-level performance at a relatively fair cost. While the prices of some of their monitors can go a little high, you do end up getting what you’re paying for and really enjoying it. Their MPG ARTYMIS 343CQR monitor is no exception when it comes to quality and price.

The ARTYMIS is a 34-inch ultra-wide curved monitor that provides a 3440 x 1440 resolution (1440p for those not too familiar with ultra-wide sizing) with a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time and VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. Specs-wise, this is one of the best gaming monitors, let alone ultra-wide monitors in the market. Although its 165Hz refresh rate may not be as fast as some other monitors that reach speeds of 240Hz or even more, 165Hz is the sweet spot for most common gaming PCs today. For those who are planning on using this with a next-gen console like the PS5 or the Xbox Series X/S, both of those only reach up to 120fps, leaving you plenty of room. 

Coming in at $800, the ARTYMIS checks off a lot of boxes despite a pretty heavy price tag. But if you have the extra cash to throw at a high-quality gaming monitor, it is hard not to consider the ARTYMIS.

Related: 2021’s 7 Best Dual Monitor Stands

Acer Predator XB253QGX

The Acer Predator XB253QGX is a bit more of the common gamer’s gaming monitor. Coming in at just over $300, roughly the average price of a solid gaming monitor, the Predator sacrifices the prettier visuals for faster and more responsive gaming. For those looking to compete, this monitor is definitely worth looking at.

This Predator features a 240Hz refresh rate with a half-second response time in full HD 1080p. For those looking for a higher graphical resolution, this is NOT the monitor for you as, again, it sacrifices visual upgrades for performance. It makes this list based on its speed alone. This is also a great substitution for those who may not be able to afford the Alienware monitor we’ll talk about next.

The biggest flaw with the Acer Predator is in fact its 1080p resolution. In an era where 1440p monitors exist roughly around the same $300-plus price point, it’s hard to fully recommend a standard 1080p monitor, except if you’re looking to purely compete in esports. The frame rate is one of the fastest for a monitor at this price point and at this size. It’s worth competition, but probably not worth showcasing. You’ve been warned.

Alienware 25 AW2521H

For those who have a few extra bucks to spare, Alienware’s 25-inch AW2521H monitor is literally the fastest gaming monitor on this list, featuring a 360Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. Both of which will cost you around double the previously mentioned Acer Predator monitor.

Who is actually going to need, or even be able to use, the full 360Hz refresh rate? Most average gaming PC’s go up to 240Hz and, since this uses Nvidia’s G-Sync, you would have to have an RTX 30-series graphics card just to get close to that refresh rate. The G-Sync technology is a great touch while its also a perfect pair with Nvidia’s Reflex Latency Analyzer that helps you fine-tune input lag to the millimeter. Alienware products are always great for PC gamers and this is no exception, even if it is a bit pricey.

Dell S3220DGF

For most gamers out there, the 32-inch Dell S3220DGF is the best monitor out there in the market today in terms of specs and price. It does come with a few caveats though, especially for those who are mainly in the competitive scene or aspiring to be in it.

The Dell S3220DGF features 1440p resolution at 165Hz with a four millisecond response time. While the 165Hz refresh rate gives it the necessary speed for competitive gaming the 4ms response time feels a bit slow considering that monitors of the same resolution and refresh rate exist with a 1ms response time. There will be some who notice the difference but again, most won’t be able to truly tell the difference with the naked eye.

The best part of this monitor, along with its specs, is how it works so well with the size and the cost of the whole package. A strong, 32-inch monitor at under $500 that features 2K resolution with a fairly fast refresh rate should definitely make your shortlist if you are looking for a new gaming monitor. Toss in G-Sync compatibility and this monitor easily makes for a great pair with most mid-to-high powered gaming PCs.

Related: 2021’s 5 Best Budget Gaming Monitors

Gigabyte G27F

Gigabyte is not necessarily a big-time brand name when it comes to gaming, or gaming monitors, and while it falls under the budget category coming in at around $250 and even less when on sale, the G27F gaming monitor is anything but budget.

The 27-inch G27F features a 1080p resolution at 144Hz along with an overdrive feature that will push your monitor to the limit, along with making everything on-screen look that much better. Considering that this is not a big-time, mainstream brand name monitor, the G27F holds its own against other 27-inch, 1080p monitors out in the market today thanks to its fast 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time.

For more Hardware Guides, check out 2021’s 6 Best Budget Gaming CPUs | Best Value CPUs on Pro Game Guides!

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