Using 1440p (QHD) displays with Windows 10 and 11 allows you to be far more productive than with older 1080p (Full HD) monitors. We've rounded up the best 1440p gaming monitors, with the Razer Raptor 27 topping our list.
Best overall: Razer Raptor 27
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One of the best computer monitors around, the Razer Raptor 27 has a 1440p resolution and is one of our favorite displays, period. The IPS panel has a refresh rate of 144Hz, which is great for both work and play. There's also full support for AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-Sync for butter-smooth gaming, and HDR400 with a max brightness of around 420 nits.
Razer struck a fine balance between gaming, pro graphics, and stylish design.
It's not just gaming where this panel truly shines, however. There are plenty of ports, including DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, USB Type-A 3.2 passthrough, and a single USB Type-C PD (DP1.4 in Alt-mode). It's friendly with DCI-P3, has a non-glare finish on the panel itself, and AdobeRGB color accuracy and the WQHD resolution make this a suitable choice for photo and video editing.
The design of the Raptor 27 breaks the mold a little, including RGB lighting and fresh-looking cable management. It's not a cheap panel, but Razer has managed to strike a remarkable balance between gaming, pro graphics, and a stylish design that has been absent from this category.
Runner-up: Dell S2721DGF
There are several trustworthy 1440p panels available, depending on what you're after. Some screens support AMD FreeSync while others go with NVIDIA's G-Sync. But our best option here is a display that can be used for both work and play, all without destroying the budget on a new PC build. The Dell S2721DGF has been around for some time but still holds up against the competition and newer models.
Dell focused on making a solid 1440p display.
AMD FreeSync is available and present for smoother gameplay. The Dell S2721DGF aesthetics are clean and pleasing to look at, ideal for something you'll be staring at for hours at a time. The stand itself is more than adequate to support the monitor's weight, and the option for VESA mounting ensures you're able to fit the display into the work environment.
When it comes to the visual experience, Dell has opted for an IPS panel, and everything works to a high standard even before calibration. For connectivity, the S2721DGF offers a single HDMI (2.0) and two DisplayPort (version 1.4/MST), so you'll be able to not only hook up a Windows PC (or Mac, depending on which team you support) but also a game console.
Best creative: BenQ SW2700PT
BenQ makes some killer professional displays, and the SW2700PT is a tremendous 1440p option. The QHD resolution combined with USB Type-C ports allows you to daisy-chain up to four of these displays for extended screen real estate. You've also got killer color reproduction with 100% sRGB and Rec.709 color space support.
Where it does suffer is in the gaming department. There's no sync tech support for FreeSync or G-Sync, and the refresh rate is locked to a maximum of 60Hz. The response time is pretty good, though, coming in at 5ms; just don't expect flawless performance in the latest titles.
In an attempt to sweeten the deal, BenQ also added in a darkroom, CAD/cam, and animation display modes for the more creative owners. Combined with the panel itself, you know the content displayed is going to look sharp.
Best value: Acer V277U
This isn't Acer's best gaming display, and it's certainly not the most advanced screen on the market. But it'll let you play games with some promising results at an attractive price. We've got the QHD resolution, the response time of just 4ms, 60Hz, IPS panel tech, but no sync tech support.
Unfortunately, for gamers, to truly enjoy games how developers intended, they need to fork out for vastly more expensive monitors. Still, you can enjoy the latest PC titles with this panel from Acer, so long as you don't mind the slower refresh rate. Because it's an IPS panel, the colors and viewing angles are solid.
Best G-Sync: LG 27GL83A-B
This is a solid, well-priced gaming display, especially if you own an NVIDIA GPU. LG included NVIDIA's G-Sync technology, which allows the monitor and your GPU to communicate with each other directly, allowing for a synchronized output, matching the refresh rate of the display with your current frame rate. This makes for a vastly smoother visual experience.
Couple this technology with the 1440p resolution, super-fast 1ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate, and other features like lower blue light emissions, and you've got one killer display for downtime. The only drawback for some may be the price, but it's well worth it if your budget can stretch a little.
Got enough for more than one? You'll be able to hook up two of these and take advantage of the extended screen real estate with small bezels to create a more immersive experience.
Best FreeSync: Acer Nitro VG271U
Acer is also known for its gaming displays, and the Nitro VG271U is an excellent option for AMD GPU owners. There's a refresh rate of 144Hz, a response time of just 1ms, and an IPS panel to make everything look great on-screen. FreeSync is similar to NVIDIA's G-Sync, allowing the monitor and GPU to communicate for a smoother gaming experience. Its connectivity also works well for next-generation console gaming, with FreeSync VRR especially important among the best monitors for Xbox Series X and Series S right now.
Acer has this display calibrated well from the factory, allowing you to simply plug and play. It ticks all the right boxes for an AMD gaming rig, and there's even HDR, though it's not the best. Top all this off with a pretty attractive design, and it becomes a monitor you should consider.
Best Ultrawide: Philips Brilliance 499P9H
The Philips Brilliance 499P9H is simply stunning. It's absolutely huge. Think of this monitor as a replacement for a dual 1440p screen setup, and you'll need the available desk space. Because you're effectively combining two screens into one, you can get a lot more done at once.
This panel has solid color accuracy, supports HDR400, has a resolution of 5120x1440, a pop-up Windows Hello webcam, and VESA support for mounting it somewhere. It's just not great for gaming thanks to the lack of any sync support. Out-the-box calibration tests resulted in higher than 100% sRGB and 86% AdobeRGB and a brightness of 491 nits, which are all excellent.
If you need an ultrawide monitor, have space for such a huge display, and don't mind missing out on G-Sync technology for a little gaming on the side, the Philips 499P9H is a fantastic PC monitor. Not only does it boast excellent color accuracy out of the box, but it also sports solid levels of brightness for the HDR certification and even comes with a built-in webcam for Windows Hello.
Bottom line
We'd recommend anyone setting up a new PC to use a 1440p monitor. Razer's Raptor 27 offers IPS technology, solid colors, high clarity, and connectivity in an affordable package. Not only will you be able to use this display for work, but also for some downtime with movies or games.
There are plenty of 1440p displays around, but this one takes our number one spot. For a monitor that works for productivity and gaming, look no further.
If you're all about saving some money, the Acer V277U is your ideal solution. Not only is this the most budget-friendly monitor in our roundup, but it also rocks an IPS panel, thin bezels, VESA mounting support, and excellent color reproduction. There's just no synchronization support or a refresh rate above 60Hz.
