Refresh rate, panel and resolution — in that order
For most gamers a 1440p 144Hz+ IPS at £200–£350 is the sweet spot. Match resolution to your GPU; don't pay for 240Hz you can't drive.
The jargon, decoded
| Spec | What it actually means | Does it matter? |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh rate (Hz) | Frames shown per second — smoothness. 144Hz+ feels great. | Yes |
| Resolution | 1080p/1440p/4K — sharpness; needs GPU grunt. | Match GPU |
| Panel (IPS/VA/OLED) | IPS = colour/viewing; OLED = contrast; VA = cheap contrast. | Yes |
| Response (ms) / VRR | Reduces blur and tearing (FreeSync/G-Sync). | Yes for fast games |
| HDR (real) | True HDR needs high brightness + local dimming. | Often overstated |
What actually matters
- 1Refresh rate (Hz) — match it to your hardware. 144Hz is the great-value standard; 240Hz+ suits competitive players with a powerful PC. A console (PS5/Series X) tops out at 120Hz, so don't pay for more.
- 2Resolution & size go together. 1080p for fast esports on a budget; 1440p is the sweet spot for most at 27"; 4K looks stunning but needs a strong GPU. Bigger isn't better if the resolution doesn't scale with it.
- 3Panel type. IPS for great colour and viewing angles (most people); OLED for the best contrast and response (premium); fast VA for deep blacks on a budget.
- 4VRR (G-Sync/FreeSync) removes tearing and is near-universal now — just check it's supported for your GPU/console.
Typical UK price bands (2026)
| Budget | What you get |
|---|---|
| £120–£220 | Solid 1080p/1440p 144Hz IPS — superb value for most gamers. |
| £250–£500 | High-refresh 1440p or entry 4K, better panels and HDR. |
| £600+ | OLED and high-refresh 4K — premium, GPU-dependent. |
Buy this if · think twice if
Buy it if…
- ✓You play fast games and want smoother motion (144Hz+)
- ✓Your GPU can drive the resolution you're buying
- ✓You want accurate colour for mixed work/play (IPS)
Think twice if…
- ✗You're buying 240Hz/4K your GPU can't feed
- ✗You're paying for 'HDR400' that barely does HDR
- ✗You mainly do office work (a normal monitor is cheaper)
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕Buying 240Hz 4K with a mid-range GPU that can't feed it — you pay for frames you'll never see.
- ✕Chasing "HDR" on a cheap panel — budget HDR often looks worse than good SDR.
- ✕Paying RRP — monitors discount hard and often; the "sale" is frequently the real price.
See today's top gaming monitors — with live UK prices
Savvey Search asks your hardware, resolution and budget, then shows three current, in-stock picks with live verified UK prices. Strong options span LG, Samsung, AOC, MSI and Gigabyte at every level — check what's current and cheapest now.
Get my monitor picks →Is it actually a good price?
Monitors are a deal-hunter's category — the same panel can be £80+ cheaper at one retailer than another, and last-gen models linger at confusing prices. Savvey checks 40+ UK retailers for the exact model and shows the cheapest verified price against the median, so you can tell a real deal from a fake "was".
FAQ
144Hz or 240Hz?
144Hz is the value sweet spot and plenty for most. 240Hz+ only pays off for competitive play with a GPU that can hit those frames.
1440p or 4K?
1440p at 27" is the best balance for most. 4K is gorgeous but demands a powerful GPU; consoles handle it well at 60–120Hz.
Is OLED worth it for gaming?
It has the best contrast and response, but costs more and needs care over burn-in. Excellent if it's in budget.
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