With the release of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 (PS5) in 2019 and 2020 respectively, 144 Hz 4K gaming was finally going to reach households all over the world. HDMI 2.1 monitors also followed suit, with most being released in 2020 to catch onto this new market demand.
There was one major problem – COVID had impacted the world and was in front of all newlines during 2020 that HDMI 2.1 released without much fanfare at all. HDMI had a negative year over year growth of -8.42% during 2020!
Now that we’re well into COVID with Xbox Series X’s and PS5’s becoming much more attainable for the average consumer, it’s the best time to learn and pick the best HDMI 2.1 monitor to go along with your new console, working from home office setup, or if you’re part of the PC master race, then new PC setup!
Keep in mind in order to play at 4K gaming on your PC, you’ll need a rather powerful modern graphics card to ensure you’re running over 60 fps, or even 120 fps. Unfortunately, due to supply chain issues, scalpers, and bots, many gamers around the world are unable to upgrade their graphic cards at reasonable prices.
HDMI 2.0 Vs. HDMI 2.1 – What’s the difference?
Without getting into much detail, the ports that support these different HDMI models have a bandwidth of how much data can process through them. HDMI 2.0 had enough bandwidth to support 144 Hz experiences at 1440p whereas the newly upgraded HDMI 2.1 has the ability to support 144 Hz at 4K resolutions! Display Ninja provides a great resource for learning about the differences.
My job is to help you pick the best HDMI 2.1 monitor effortlessly without hassle, so I won’t go into the granular differences between each version of HDMI. We’re here to only talk about HDMI 2.1!
Let’s take a look at the overall best monitors we’ve reviewed, with the Gigabyte M32U being highly recommended as the best HDMI 2.1 monitor.
- Best Overall: Gigabyte M32U
- Best for Large Screen Gaming: Gigabyte AORUS FV43U
- Best Visually Appealing: Acer Nitro XV282K
- Best Budget: Samsung Odyssey G70A
- Best True 4K 144 Hz Experience: LG 27GP950-B
What is the Best HDMI 2.1 Monitor?
Best Overall
Gigabyte M32U
Product Page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083GRVFXN
The Gigabyte M32U is the best HDMI 2.1 monitor for its superior performance when measuring input lag and response times compared to other monitors in the market. Those two specific aspects are the most important when considering a top-of-the-line HDMI 2.1 monitor. Whether you’re gaming, watching an intense movie, or just working, no other monitor comes close to having true-to-delay performance.
While the M32U does support 144 Hz out of the box, it only supports it for PC connections. Gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X will be capped at 120 Hz due to the limiting 24 Gbps bandwidth on the HDMI 2.1 port. This may seem like a huge letdown but in reality, most users will never notice the difference between 120 Hz and 144 Hz.
Beyond those features, the M32U looks rather bland as it could also be mistaken for an office monitor. Make no mistake – the M32U has been manufactured to perform at a much higher level than generic monitors.
Features:
- Size: 32 Inches
- Max Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Panel Type: IPS
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): FreeSync
Pros:
- Superior input lag and response times to most other HDMI 2.1 monitors
- Great price range for otherwise expensive products
- Supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC VRR technology
Cons:
- Limited support with consoles on 4K settings at 120 Hz due to the 24 Gbps bandwidth limit
- Low contrast so HDR experience does not feel proper
Best for Large Screen Gaming
Gigabyte AORUS FV43U
Product Page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0947K1VRX
If you’re looking for the largest screen to game, especially in your living room, then the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U, with its massive 43-inch screen, is the perfect addition to your gaming space! While this won’t most likely won’t be sitting on your work desk, its large size allows you to get more visual experience on a single screen.
If measuring size to cost ratio, the AORUS FV43U is a bargain due to its similar pricing to other HDMI 2.1 monitors but at a much larger screen size of 43 inches. Larger size does come at a cost as you may experience smearing when viewing fast-moving dark scenes and pixel density is lower due to the large size of the screen.
Features:
- Size: 43 Inches
- Max Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Panel Type: VA
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): FreeSync
- Built-in speakers
Pros:
- Huge screen at 43 inches
- Eye-catching superior HDR experience with DisplayHDR 1000
Cons:
- Lower pixel density to make up for its large size (text clarity slightly suffers)
- Black smearing with fast-moving dark scenes
- Heavy and bulky due to its large size
- Like the Gigabyte M32U previously mentioned, limited 24 Gbps bandwidth which requires an additional Display Stream Compression to play higher than 120 Hz on consoles
Best Visually Appealing
Acer Nitro XV282K
Product Page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091G34M7P
The Acer Nitro XV282K, while small, packs a punch in your eyes as it’s visually more appealing than other HDMI 2.1 monitors on the market. With its TUV/eyesafe certification, Acer VisionCare certification, anti-glare coating, and HDR 400 certification, you’ll be able to utilize the screen for long periods of time with less strain on your eyes (while also enjoying the fantastic colors!).
Like most other HDMI 2.1 monitors, the XV282K also is limited to 120 Hz when gaming on consoles, but again, this has very little impact for most players as you will barely notice any differences.
Features:
- Size: 28 Inches
- Max Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Panel Type: IPS
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): FreeSync
Pros:
- Visually appealing compared to other monitors
- Various eye safe certifications to ensure less eye strain
- Nicely designed stand
- Small size may fit needs for specific users who have limited space
Cons:
- Rather pricey for a small monitor
- Build design feels rather cheap
- Limited to 120 Hz on gaming consoles unless you have Display Stream Compression
Best Budget
Samsung Odyssey G70A
Product Page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096YPN52D
If you’re looking to get the 4K monitor experience on a limited budget, then the Samsung Odyssey G70A is an excellent budget pick for HDMI 2.1 monitors. At a lower price point than most other HDMI 2.1, it includes all the features you would expect in an HDMI 2.1 monitor like 144 Hz, low input lag and FreeSync and G-SYNC compatibility.
Its downsides are the poor HDR color volume, especially at lower brightness levels. It’s notorious for having very mediocre HDR peak brightness, barely meeting DisplayHDR 400 certification and isn’t very pretty overall when you’re watching or playing scenes that are dark in general.
Features:
- Size: 28 Inches
- Max Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Panel Type: IPS
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): FreeSync
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Low input lag and overall color gamut at its price range
Cons:
- Performs very poorly when in dark conditions
- Limited to 120 Hz on gaming consoles like the other monitors mentioned above
Best True 4K 144 Hz Gaming
LG 27GP950-B
Product Page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094RWMN8K
If you’re looking to experience true 144 Hz 4K on any device, then the LG 27GP950-B is the pick for you. With its full bandwidth HDMI 2.1, you’re able to receive true 144 Hz on your gaming consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X without any additional requirements. You’re also able to overlock the monitor to display 160 Hz if so desired!
It’s got a great HDR experience having DisplayHDR 600 certification with a great overall color gamut and peak brightness.
Similar to the Samsung Odyssey G70A, it performs rather poorly in dark conditions. It has low contrast and poor black experiences. In addition, due to its true 144 Hz 4K experience, it is an extremely popular monitor overall. It may be sold out at most locations or being sold at a much higher premium.
Overall, this is the HDMI 2.1 monitor to get if you’re willing to pay a premium for a true 144 Hz 4K experience.
Features:
- Size: 27 Inches
- Max Refresh Rate: 160 Hz
- Panel Type: IPS
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): FreeSync
Pros:
- True 144 Hz 4K experience on any device without additional requirements
- Great HDR experience
- Can effortlessly overclock to 160 Hz if desired
Cons:
- High cost and difficult to source due to its popularity
- Poor performance like the Samsung Odyssey G70A in dark conditions
Conclusion
You’ll notice most monitors marketed as 144 Hz 4K compatible actually do not have the feature built-in for console games (those are capped at 120 Hz by default), with the exception of the LG 27GP950-B mentioned above. This is because most users will rarely be able to tell the difference between them.
While companies are heavily marketing 144 Hz, I highly recommend you do not buy into the hype. A 120 Hz monitor is more than likely an excellent and awesome visual experience for nearly everyone out there and the 144 Hz will essentially burn your pocket for unnoticeable differences.
This is why we recommend the Gigabyte M32U as the best HDMI 2.1 monitor. It has the lowest input lag and fastest response time to any of the other monitors mentioned above and nearly all others in the market. Those two key variables are what’s the most important for choosing a gaming monitor.
Looking for other gaming gear to complete your setup? I have guides on L shaped gaming desks and gaming keyboards and mice. All of these guides also double as work from home setups as well, so consider taking a look at the best laptops for working from home as well!