Modern gaming monitors have already broken the 400Hz barrier a while ago. By boasting 480Hz and 500Hz gaming monitors, the standard 60Hz monitors have become the least attractive. However,monitors with 144Hz, 240Hz, or refresh rates exceeding the 300Hz mark generally tend to be 1080p or1440p displays. Also, they can be very expensive depending on the type of display panel, color gamut, and connectivity features.
BenQ EX3410R
UPERFECT 2K 120Hz Portable Gaming Monitor
120Hz gaming monitors, on the other hand, provide a decent gaming experience without costing an arm and a leg, considering users don’t opt for premium features. Still, there are high-end gaming monitors available on the market that stay somewhere around 120Hz refresh rate and offer exceptional picture quality, connectivity, and ergonomics. Keeping the budget and needs of users in mind, the Game Rant team has compiled a list of the best 120Hz gaming monitors to buy in 2024.
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best 120Hz Gaming Monitors
BenQ Mobiuz EX2710U
BenQ Mobiuz EX2710U is a premium IPS display boasting a 4K resolution to provide sharper details on its 27-inch screen size and brings an ergonomic stand that allows title, swivel, and height adjustment up to 100mm. Users can obtain up to 120Hz through the HDMI port and 144Hz through DP to have smooth movements on the screen.
Going straight for the 4K resolutionmight be a little too much for users who have been used to 1080p, but as modern gaming titles are being developed with dense details, a 4K resolution provides a much more pleasant picture quality. This is especially true on a 27-inch display rather than 32-inch+ screens, which may reduce the PPI. On the EX2710U, the PPI is incredibly high at 163. Moreover, the display brings anti-glare properties to keep eye strain at bay.
It might be a little expensive as an IPS panel, but considering that most premium 4K monitors generally cost hundreds of dollars or even exceed the $1000 price tag, the EX2710U is a fairly reasonable choice for $600. It brings a 98% DCI-P3 color gamut, FreeSync Premium Pro for tear-free gameplay, and the option to reach up to 144Hz refresh rate through the DP port. With HDMI 2.1, users can play at the 120Hz refresh rate and use the headphone jack and 4x USB ports for peripheral connection.
The ergonomics of the monitor are also on point. With a sturdy yet versatile stand, the monitor has all kinds of adjustments and adds to the appearance as well. Unlike most mid-range or high-end monitors, the EX2710U, fortunately, doesn’t lack built-in speakers and brings a decent 2W x2, plus a 5W woofer set for those who don’t want to buy dedicated stereo speakers.
Dell UltraSharp U2424H
The Dell UltraSharp U2424H is an ideal display for watching movies and playing videos games. Boasting a full HD resolution, capable of running at 120Hz, the monitor provides good fluidity in both work and gaming. Through its satisfactory color gamut and connectivity features, U2424H stands as an affordable multipurpose monitor for modern-day usage.
Gamers with less budget to play with don’t need to worry much. The Dell UltraSharp U2424H has them covered, but users should keep in mind that the U2424H is only ideal if they don’t need more than 120Hz refresh rate because there aresuperior 1080p gaming monitorsfor less than its price. However, no one can deny the great color accuracy of the UltraSharp monitor, which provides multiple color spaces for exceptional visual quality. This is why it’s more expensive than full HD monitors with higher refresh rates.
It’s ready for gaming at night, working during the day, and watching movies during leisure time. All in all, the UltraSharp 24-inch monitor will be suitable for both gaming and work as its IPS panel has excellent viewing angles and provides all kinds of adjustability for positioning the monitor according to comfort. From 150mm height adjustment to a 90-degree pivot, the ergonomic stand is highly versatile and prevents wobbles. If it had a faster response time, it could be an ideal solution for competitive gaming.
LG UltraGear 48GQ900-B
The LG UltraGear 48GQ900-B is a TV gaming monitor coming in at 48 inches, This massive display has a 4K resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and a 0.1ms response time. It has HDR support, along with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium for a tear-free gaming experience. The UltraGear 48GQ900-B comes with a remote for easy operation when sitting afar. Despite its large size, it is VESA compatible.
While regular 24, 27, and 32-inch monitors ideally work best for most gamers, screen sizes exceeding that are more suitable for couch gaming. The UltraGear 48-inch display is crafted for the same purpose. With such a large screen size, users can sit several meters away from the screen without missing any small detail. It’s best to be hooked to the wall through Vesa mounting, but it does come with a sturdy stand to keep things simpler.
The monitor features a UHD resolutionto make sure the frames don’t look too pixelated and runs at a 120Hz refresh rate for good fluidity. The most notable property, however, is its OLED panel, which has an outstanding contrast ratio of 1.5M:1, resulting in exceptional details and true blacks, even in the darkest rooms. One of the benefits of using an OLED panel is its ultra-low response time of only 0.1ms GtG to enable it for competitive gaming as well.
Unfortunately, this also comes at a cost of low brightness levels that make it unsuitable in well-lit rooms. Apart from this, the monitor comes with various advanced technologies, including Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, black stabilizer, HDR support, and Crosshair to improve the overall gaming experience.
Samsung Odyssey CRG9
Samsung Odyssey CRG9 is an unusually large gaming monitor, boasting a dual-QHD display setup to provide a large field of view. It measures a whopping 49-inches, taking a lot of space on the desk but provides an exceptionally immersive gaming experience as a result of curvature. It brings the latest connectivity features and runs at 120Hz.
A 16:9 ratio is the most commonly used in gaming monitors, but recently the market has been flooded with ultra-wide gaming monitors with a 21:9 ratio. However, the Samsung Odyssey CRG9 takes this to the next step by introducing a 32:9 aspect ratio to provide a dual QHD setup that not only provides a big field of view, but can be a challenge for even the most powerful high-end graphics cards today. consider only buy this monitor if users ownan RTX 4080 or 4090, to ensure the games can work flawlessly without any stutters.
Users who already own a high-end gaming setup will absolutely love how rich the Odyssey monitor is in its picture quality. Bringing a Q-LED panel with a three times higher contrast ratio than a regular IPS panel, the CRG9 will provide accurate and vivid frames. Not only that, but its incredibly good HDR support and wide color gamut prepare it for immersive entertainment and color grading as well. Assuming that users who have the budget to buy this premium gaming monitor already have a high-end gaming rig, Game Rant also recommends checking outthe best gaming desksto eliminate any compatibility or clearance issues.
BenQ EX3410R is a fantastic curved gaming monitor to provide immersion in triple-A titles through its large 34-inch screen that also provides Adaptive Sync support. The color reproduction, refresh rate, and contrast, all are on par with modern standards to enhance the gaming experience and brings a fast 2ms GtG response time for competitiveness.
To have a wider field of view, users should go with the BenQ EX3410R, particularly because it can operate at both 120Hz and 144Hz refresh rates depending on the connection. The monitor is pretty big, boasting a 34-inch VA panel with a significant curvature to wrap around the field of view for more immersion.Ultrawide monitorswithout any curvature tend to be exhausting as users have to constantly move their eyes to notice details on the sides, but this one avoids that issue, though users cannot be sitting less than a meter away from it.
Its build quality is comparable to GR’s best overall choice for a 120Hz monitor and boasts a similar ergonomic stand for adjustability. With a WUQHD resolution, there are more pixels on it than a regular 1440p gaming monitor and it provides an additional area in triple-A titles for a cinematic view. Packed with FreeSync Premium Pro, the display doesn’t struggle with screen tearing. With 2ms of GtG and 1ms MPRT response time, it’s quite responsive and also has built-in speakers for users who can’t use headphones all the time.
UPERFECT 2K portable monitor provides a 16-inch display, easily transportable in a small backpack. The resolution is QHD+ providing sharp details and the refresh rate is 120Hz for good fluidity in gaming. With a kickstand that can be converted into a protective cover. It’s super lightweight and thin for portability and does a good job in providing a vibrant details.
Gaming on the go is now possible as the market is flooded with various portable gaming monitors these days. Uperfect is one of the most dominant brands that produce very affordable portable gaming monitors, boasting different resolutions equipped with various game tech to enhance the viewing experience.This one is a 2Kor, more accurately, a 1600p or QHD+ resolution gaming monitor with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Unlike what users may expect from a sub-$150 monitor like this, it’s actually very impressive in terms of specifications.
The monitor is equipped with AMD FreeSync technology, has a 100% sRGB color gamut, and good contrast. Viewing angles are also perfect, and the best property is its matte display that doesn’t cause any issues caused by light reflection from the screen. It comes with a protective cover that can be converted into a kickstand and ensures the monitor doesn’t wobble. If users travel frequently, then this might be the best alternative to standard gaming monitors, considering users do not dislike its small-sized screen.
FAQ
Q: Is 120Hz good for gaming monitor?
120Hz refresh rate is quite close to the more common 144Hz refresh rate and feels quite smooth when playing games. It’s not the best for competitive gaming but it’s surely decent for entry-level gaming experience on a budget.
Q: Is 240Hz better than 120Hz for gaming?
A 240Hz monitor feels incredibly smoother than a 120Hz display. This is why the former is more expensive and is generally used by professionals.
Q: Is there a 120Hz 4K monitor?
Yes, the BenQ Mobiuz EX2710U is a wonderful 120Hz monitor boasting a 4K resolution. It comes with the latest connectivity features, FreeSync Premium, and a wide color gamut for vibrant picture quality.
