Introduction

If you’re in the market for a new monitor and have your eye on the growing range of OLED technology displays available, this guide will hopefully help you find the best OLED gaming monitors to buy in 2023 to suit your needs. We’ll run through at top level our top picks in each size category currently available, and provide a summary of each model along with any useful links where you can get further information, including our detailed reviews.

OLED Panels Pros and Cons

Mainstream OLED displays in traditional and sensible monitor sizes first appeared on the market last year in 2022, and there’s now a decent choice of size, manufacturer and price range available. This panel technology is mainly aimed at dynamic content uses like gaming, video and multimedia. They’ve got excellent, near-instant response times, offer high refresh rates with excellent motion clarity in gaming, and are also very well positioned to handle HDR games and video. The panels offer per-pixel level dimming so you avoid any issues with blooming or halos during HDR usage, as well as being able to individually turn pixels off to deliver true blacks and a basically infinite contrast ratio.

On the other hand they are less well suited to static content, with some challenges in text rendering caused by the somewhat unusual pixel layouts of the panels. The main challenge here though is around the risk of image retention and burn-in, so make sure you consider your usage carefully. You may want to check out our 5 Things to Know Before You Buy an OLED video too before you make your decision.

One key thing to keep in mind here that we will talk about in the recommendations is that there are two competing panel technologies being used here. WOLED from LG.Display and QD-OLED from Samsung. Each has it’s own slightly different performance characteristics and pros and cons, so you might need to consider your individual preference and uses before deciding which is right for you.

• Related content: New OLED monitors for 2024, buy NOW or WAIT?

Our Recommendations for the Best OLED Gaming Monitors

Having reviewed and used many of the OLED display options on the market, as well as carefully considering reviews and opinions from other well-established reviewers, we’ve picked out what we consider to be the best OLED gaming monitors you can buy right now in a range of different sizes. These are arranged in order of size below from smallest to largest.

Disclaimer: We may earn a commission if you purchase from our affiliate links in this review – TFTCentral is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.ca and other Amazon stores worldwide. We also participate in a similar scheme for Overclockers.co.uk, Newegg, Bestbuy and some manufacturers.

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27″ – Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM

First up is the most popular size and form factor currently available, a 27” 16:9 aspect ratio display. There’s a fair few manufacturers offering 27” models now which all use the same LG.Display WOLED panel with 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. Our pick of the bunch (and also recently the favourite of Monitor Unboxed too) would be the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM. It has an attractive updated ROG monitor styling with a range of familiar features, and offers some excellent performance too.

Key Specs

Spec	This screen
Size:	27″
Aspect Ratio:	16:9
Format:	Flat
Technology:	WOLED
Resolution:	2560 x 1440
Refresh Rate:	240Hz

Things we like

240Hz refresh rate is the current maximum available in the OLED market and along with the amazing response times of the OLED panel this delivers a very good motion clarity experience, equivalent in fact to a 360Hz LCD monitor. There’s adaptive-sync for variable refresh rates which is useful as ever. The 1440p resolution is well suited to a screen of this size and refresh rate, and there’s some useful features provided by Asus like ‘Uniform Brightness’ mode to help control brightness during SDR and static uses. For HDR there is a decent peak brightness reaching around 925 nits in our tests, and while our initial review revealed some HDR colour accuracy issues, Asus have apparently improved things quite well with recent firmware updates.

Things to keep in mind

Being based on a WOLED panel, the text rendering is not as clear and sharp as the latest QD-OLED panel displays covered here in the other sizes (QD-OLED is not currently available in 27” size), leading to a bit more fringing in usage. The panel coating is also a fairly heavy matte anti-glare which handles reflections and lighting very well, but does look a bit more grainy than most modern LCD screens. The HDMI ports are only v2.0 which provides a small limitation for Xbox gaming where you need to use a virtual 4K input to use HDR mode, but then can’t use it at 4K 120Hz, if you could find content that support it of course. For PS5 you’d just run at the native 1440p 120Hz and HDR anyway so that’s fine, and features like VRR are supported here still.

Summary

The PG27AQDM provides an excellent spec and range of features, backed by some impressive performance. If you’re after a 27″ OLED monitor, this would be our recommendation. You can read our full detailed review for lots more information too.

Where to Buy

Buy the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM on:

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34″ ultrawide – Dell Alienware AW3423DWF

If you want something a bit bigger, then there’s quite a few different choices in the 34” ultrawide market. We reviewed the first to market last year in the form of Dell’s Alienware AW3423DW, but our pick here is actually the more recently launched Dell Alienware AW3423DWF. It uses the exact same Samsung QD-OLED technology panel, but does away with the Native NVIDIA G-sync module of the DW model, has addressed some of the early bugs and issues with the first model, and importantly comes in at a much cheaper price point, saving you around $300 USD in fact. It initially had some problems at launch with HDR performance, but this was later updated in June 2023 via an easy user updatable firmware feature. That’s a capability that isn’t available on the DW model too.

Key Specs

Spec	This screen
Size:	34″ ultrawide
Aspect Ratio:	21:9
Format:	1800R curvature
Technology:	QD-OLED
Resolution:	3440 x 1440
Refresh Rate:	165Hz

Things we like

This screen, and in fact all the currently available 34” ultrawide models on the market, has a 165Hz refresh rate. It’s not quite as fast and clear therefore as the 240Hz monitors available so if you’re a competitive gamer or looking for the absolute fastest option, you will find better choices in the other sizes for now. It’s still very good though thanks to the OLED panel’s near instant response times. This is also slightly lower than the 175Hz of some competing 34″ models like the DW but not by anything significant. There are plans to release 240Hz 34” models next year though, as discussed in our recent Gamescom 2023 video, and covered in our OLED panel roadmap. The DWF model selected here uses adaptive-sync for VRR by the way.

The ultrawide format provides more desktop space for general and office uses than the 27″ models, and is also a popular choice for a lot of modern games that support ultrawide aspect ratios. The Dell AW3423DWF offers good HDR brightness, reaching up to close to 1000 nits, with improved HDR performance and setup since the June 2023 firmware update.

Things to keep in mind

Being a QD-OLED panel, the sub-pixel layout and panel coating are different to the WOLED monitors on the market. This uses a first generation QD-OLED panel and the text clarity is maybe a little better than the WOLED panels although not as sharp as LCD monitors. There have been further improvements in QD-OLED text clarity though with second generation panels like those featured already in the 49” models discussed below. There are no currently announced second generation 34″ QD-OLED monitors yet, despite some rumours.

The panel coating remains the same between gen 1 and 2, and is the same across the different QD-OLED panels available. This is one of the main differences compared to the WOLED models. The coating is what we would call a “semi glossy”, looking cleaner and clearer than the quite grainy WOLED matte coating. It handles reflections fairly well, better than a fully glossy coating at least, but doesn’t diffuse light sources as well so may not be as well suited to brightly lit rooms or locations where you have windows or lights facing the panel. The other drawback of QD-OLED panels is that in brighter rooms, the lack of a polarizer on the panel and the use of a Quantum Dot layer can cause blacks to look more greyish, reducing perceived contrast ratio. This is less apparent on WOLED panels.

Summary

The AW3423DWF is an excellent choice if you want a larger ultrawide format screen. You can read our full detailed review of the DW model (with G-sync module) for lots more information too about the general screen performance, but the DWF is the better buy at ~$300 USD cheaper.

Where to Buy

Buy the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF on:

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45″ ultrawide – Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240

If you want something a even bigger for added immersion in gaming and movies, then there are a couple of 45″ ultrawide models available. Our favourite is the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 as it provides something unique – a bendable format. This allows you to manually bend the screen anywhere from flat to an 800R curvature, giving you the flexibility to use the screen in a range of different situations. If you want a flat screen to ensure straight lines and no distortion for things like spreadsheets or office work, or perhaps even for some games like FIFA where the lines of the pitch needs to look straight, then you can use it in flat mode. If you want to increase the feeling or immersion and have a more wrap-around screen for something like a racing game or RTS, you can bend the screen instead. This might sound like a gimmick, but it’s actually very useful in real use. This model has a 3440 x 1440 resolution, 240Hz refresh rate and adaptive-sync VRR support.

Key Specs

Spec	This screen
Size:	45″ ultrawide
Aspect Ratio:	21:9
Format:	Flat to Curved 800R (bendable)
Technology:	WOLED
Resolution:	3440 x 1440
Refresh Rate:	240Hz

Things we like

Like the 27″ models, this 45″ screen has a 240Hz refresh rate which is currently the fastest offered in the OLED market, delivering excellent motion clarity and a high frame rate support. The larger screen size and ultrawide format is great for gaming and video immersion and makes the screen better suited to multimedia viewing, especially from a more distant viewing position (e.g. console gaming or watching a movie). The ability to bend the screen and choose between flat and curved is a nice feature too.

Things to keep in mind

Because the screen still only has the same 3440 x 1440 resolution as the 34″ ultrawide models, the text clarity is not as good and it’s not as well suited to general and office type work. Fine for occasional use, but the text size is quite large, and the lower pixel density exacerbates the text clarity issues caused by the sub-pixel structure of its WOLED panel. This panel has the same coating as the 27″ models, which is a matte finish and fairly grainy, certainly more so than the QD-OLED panel options. The brightness is also fairly limited when using the uniform brightness mode in SDR, so something else to keep in mind.

Summary

The Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 provides a nice large screen and excellent gaming experience, along with a unique bendable format to give you a lot of viewing flexibility. You can read our full detailed review for lots more information too.

Where to Buy

Buy the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 on:

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49″ ultrawide – Samsung Odyssey OLED G95SC

Now we’re getting in to the really large monitor sizes. There’s only one 49″ super ultrawide model currently available in key regions, so this was an easier category to select our favourite from, but others will be released at some point. Right now, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G95SC is a very good OLED screen if you want a very large format like this. It’s 49″ size and 5120 x 1440 resolution make is the equivalent of dual 1440p 27″ monitors basically, giving you a great alternative to multi-monitor setups. This screen has a fairly subtle 1800R curvature by Samsung’s standards, giving a nice balance on a screen this size. It also has a 240Hz refresh rate like the 27″ and 45″ models which is currently the fastest available in the OLED market. This is backed as usual by adaptive-sync.

Key Specs

Spec	This screen
Size:	49″ ultrawide
Aspect Ratio:	21:9
Format:	1800R curved
Technology:	QD-OLED
Resolution:	5120 x 1440
Refresh Rate:	240Hz

Things we like

Like the 27″ and 45″ models, this 49″ screen has a 240Hz refresh rate which is currently the fastest offered in the OLED market, delivering excellent motion clarity and a high frame rate support. The large and very wide screen size are great for certain games where this aspect ratio is supported, as well as for multi-tasking and split screen work. We felt the subtle curve was appropriate on a screen this size and not too aggressive. Being a QD-OLED panel (like the 34″ ultrawide models) the panel coating is semi-glossy, giving a clean and clear picture and avoiding the grainy appearance that the WOLED models have. This is also a second generation QD-OLED panel which has improved pixel shape and pixel fill compared with the 34″ models (which are first generation), leading to some improvements in text clarity and sharpness which is great news.

Things to keep in mind

The semi-glossy coating handles reflections fairly well, better than a fully glossy coating at least, but doesn’t diffuse light sources as well so may not be as well suited to brightly lit rooms or locations where you have windows or lights facing the panel as a WOLED panel might be. The other drawback of QD-OLED panels is that in brighter rooms, the lack of a polarizer on the panel and the use of a Quantum Dot layer can cause blacks to look more greyish, reducing perceived contrast ratio. This is less apparent on WOLED panels.

We found the Tizen OS software and menus on this screen to be a bit difficult to use, with lots of weird settings and user experience decisions. Once you get things like HDR mode set up properly and get used to the software, it’s not too bad, but the initial experience is a bit frustrating in places.

Summary

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G95SC is a great option for very large ultrawide requirements, with some impressive performance once you get past the initial setup and annoyances with the software. You can read our full detailed review for lots more information too.

Where to Buy

Buy the Samsung Odyssey OLED G95SC on:

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42″ large format – Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ

Last up is what we would consider to be the maximum size useable as a desktop monitor, and while there are some 48″ OLED screens available that are designed as monitors, we think 42″ is definitely more comfortable. Make sure you have the space for the screen of course. Our pick of the bunch here is the Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ, offering a 42″ WOLED panel, 4K resolution, 138Hz refresh rate and designed specifically as a monitor and not a TV like some 42″ OLED screens are. As such it includes DisplayPort connectivity, standby mode and USB hub data ports for example.

Key Specs

Spec	This screen
Size:	42″
Aspect Ratio:	16:9
Format:	Flat
Technology:	WOLED
Resolution:	3840 x 2160 “4K”
Refresh Rate:	138Hz

Things we like

One of the key use cases for this screen is a cross-over between a desktop monitor and a TV. It’s large size makes it a great choice if you want a screen for console gaming, or when sitting further away from the screen for any of your content. It’s a good choice for movies and video as well. It also has a 3840 x 2160 “4K” resolution making it very well suited to high resolution gaming, including from modern games consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5. It has some HDMI 2.1 ports to handle 4K 120Hz from those consoles too. Thanks to the monitor-focused design it has a lower input lag than some other 42″ OLED screens on the market, and features like DisplayPort and standby mode make it easier to use as a desktop monitor than some of the competition.

Things to keep in mind

Being a 4K resolution screen and using a panel originally designed for the TV market, this 42″ OLED has a much lower refresh rate than the smaller monitors listed in this article. The panels native 120Hz is boosted slightly to 138Hz via an overclocking mode but it won’t offer you the same level of motion clarity or frame rate support as the 175Hz – 240Hz models in smaller sizes. The 4K resolution delivers a reasonable text size, but the pixel density isn’t quite as high as the 27″, 34″ and 49″ models listed here.

Because it was designed as a desktop monitor it does lack the TV-like features that some other 42″ OLED screens have, so you won’t find built in smart TV apps, a tuner or support for Dolby Vision or HLG formats for HDR. Also keep in mind that due to the large size, the stand offers very limited adjustment so you may want to consider arm/wall-mounting it instead.

Summary

If you want a really large screen, perhaps as a single display you can use for your PC and also as a TV, then this 42″ OLED would be a good option. You can read our full detailed review for lots more information too.

Where to Buy

Buy the Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ on:

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• If you are looking for a different gaming screen then you should also check out our “Best Recommended Gaming Monitors 2023” guide, kept regularly up to date

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We may earn a commission if you purchase from our affiliate links in this review – TFTCentral is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.ca and other Amazon stores worldwide. We also participate in a similar scheme for Overclockers.co.uk, Newegg, Bestbuy and some manufacturers.

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