best fps gaming monitor 2025

Best FPS Gaming Monitors in 2025: Top 4 Picks for Ultra-Smooth Gameplay

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When it comes to competitive gaming, every frame counts. Whether you’re lining up the perfect shot in Call of Duty, sneaking up on enemies in Apex Legends, or looking for the slightest movement in Counter-Strike, the quality of your gaming monitor can make all the difference. FPS (First-Person Shooter) games demand high-performance hardware, and choosing the right monitor is key to giving you a competitive edge. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential features you should consider when picking the best FPS gaming monitor for FPS games.

Top Picks at a Glance

What to Look for in a FPS Gaming Monitor

1. Refresh Rate: The Heart of Smooth Gameplay

One of the most crucial aspects of a gaming monitor for FPS games is the refresh rate. This determines how many frames per second the monitor can display. In fast-paced FPS games, you need a refresh rate that can keep up with the action.

  • 60Hz: The bare minimum for gaming, but it’s not ideal for FPS games.
  • 120Hz and 144Hz: The sweet spot for many gamers. It offers smooth gameplay and reduces motion blur, making it easier to track fast-moving targets.
  • 240Hz and 360Hz: For the true competitive gamer. These ultra-high refresh rates provide the smoothest experience, reducing motion blur even further. However, to take full advantage of these monitors, you’ll need a powerful PC that can push these frame rates.

2. Response Time: Minimizing Ghosting

In FPS games, every millisecond counts. That’s where response time comes in. This refers to how quickly a pixel can change from one color to another. A low response time is critical for reducing ghosting and motion blur, allowing you to see your enemy’s movements clearly.

  • 1ms response time is the gold standard for FPS games. It ensures that fast-moving objects appear sharp and clear without any motion blur or ghosting.

3. Resolution: Sharp Visuals vs. Performance

When it comes to resolution, the higher the better, right? Well, not always.

  • 1080p (Full HD): The standard for gaming monitors. It’s great for fast, smooth gameplay and doesn’t require as much processing power, allowing you to maintain high frame rate even on mid-range PCs.
  • 1440p (2K): Provides sharper images and is perfect for those with a more powerful PC who want a balance between clarity and performance.
  • 4K: The most detailed resolution, but it demands a very high-end PC. It’s perfect for those who want the best visuals but may not offer the same fluidity in FPS games unless you have a top-tier GPU.

4. G-Sync vs. FreeSync: Eliminating Screen Tearing

Nothing is more frustrating than screen tearing – that unslightly, jagged line that disrupts your gameplay. That’s where G-Sync (Nvidia) and FreeSync (AMD) come into play. These technologies synchronize your monitor’s refresh rate with your GPU’s frame rate, preventing tearing and stuttering.

  • G-Sync is ideal for Nvidia GPU users.
  • FreeSync works with AMD GPUs.

Both technologies improve visual fluidity and are essential for smooth, tear-free gameplay.

5. Panel Types: TN vs. IPS vs. VA

The type of panel used in your monitor can impact everything from color accuracy to response time.

  • TN (Twisted Nematic): Known for its fast response times and high refresh rates, TN panels are perfect for FPS gamers who prioritize speed. However, they typically have poorer color reproduction and narrower viewing angles.
  • IPS (In-Plane Switching): IPS panels offer better color accuracy and wider viewing angles. Modern IPS panels also feature fast response times, making them a solid choice for gamers who want a balance of speed and color quality.
  • VA (Vertical Alignment): VA panels offer better contrast ratios than IPS but can have slightly slower response times. They’re ideal for gamers who want deeper blacks but aren’t as concerned with ultra-fast response times.

For FPS games, TN panels are great for pure speed, but if you want better color accuracy and viewing angles, an IPS panel with a low response time is a great option.

6. Size and Curvature: Finding the Right Fit

Monitor size is often a matter of personal preference, but it can affect your gaming experience.

  • 24 to 27 inches is the ideal size for most FPS Gamers. It allows for immersive gameplay without overwhelming your peripheral vision.
  • Curved monitors (typically 27 inches or larger) offer an immersive experience by wrapping the screen around your field of view. This can help you track action more easily in FPS games, though it’s not essential for competitive play.

7. Input Lag: The Key to Responsiveness

Input lag is the delay between your input (e.g., moving the mouse or pressing a key) and the action appearing on the screen. For FPS games, lower input lag is critical to ensure that your actions are registered immediately. Look for monitors with input lag under 10ms to guarantee quick, responsive gameplay.

8. Ergonomics and Adjustability

Comfort is key when you’re gaming for long hours. Look for a monitor with height, tilt, and swivel adjustments to find your ideal viewing position. VESA compatibility is also useful if you plan to mount the monitor on a wall or stand.

Best FPS Gaming Monitors in 2025

1. Acer Nitro 27" IPS Gaming Monitor (XV271U)

best budget 27 inch ips gaming monitor for fps

HYPE LEVEL:

This monitor supports HDR10, enhancing contrast and color depth for more vivid visuals. With Acer VisionCare Technologies, it reduces eye strain during long gaming sessions. Its ergonomic adjustable stand allows for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments, ensuring optimal comfort for any setup.

Equipped with dual 2W speakers and multiple connectivity options, including 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, audio line-out, and a headphone jack, the Nitro XV1 is a versatile monitor for gaming and multimedia use. Its VESA mount compatibility (100x100mm) offers additional flexibility for wall or arm mounting.

Built for gamers who demand speed, clarity, and comfort, the Nitro XV1 is a solid choice for high-performance gaming with QHD resolution, high refresh rates, and FreeSync support.

Feature Acer Nitro 27" IPS Gaming Monitor (XV271U)
Screen Size:
27″ (WQHD, 2560 x 1440)
Panel Type:
IPS (In-Plane Switching)
Refresh Rate:
180Hz (DisplayPort), 144Hz (HDMI)
Response Time:
1ms
Contrast Ratio:
100M:1 (ACM)
Brightness:
250 nits
HDR Support:
HDR10
Color Support:
16.7 million colors
Aspect Ratio:
16:9

Best For: The Nitro XV1 Gaming Monitor is best for competitive FPS gamers who demand high refresh rates, fast response times, and smooth visuals. With its 180Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium, this monitor minimizes motion blur, screen tearing, and input lag—giving players a crucial edge in fast-paced shooters like CS2, Valorant, Call of Duty, and Apex Legends.

The WQHD resolution ensures sharp details for spotting enemies, while the IPS panel provides wide viewing angles and accurate colors. If you’re looking for smooth, responsive gameplay with minimal distractions, the Nitro XV1 is a great choice.

2. ASUS Rog Strix 27" OLED Gaming Monitor (XG27ACDNG)

best high-end 27 inch oled gaming monitor for fps

HYPE LEVEL:

The QD-OLED panel on the XG27ACDNG provides exceptional contrast (1,500,000:1), deeper blacks, and vivid colors, covering 99% of the DCI-P3 gamut and 135% sRGB for stunning image quality. VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black enhances highlights and shadow details, while G-SYNC Compatibility ensures fluid gameplay with no tearing or stuttering.

Designed for longevity, the monitor features a custom heatsink and ASUS OLED Care+ functions to reduce burn-in and extend panel lifespan. OLED Anti-Flicker Technology minimizes flickering at fluctuating refresh rates, making gameplay smoother and easier on the eyes. The DisplayWidget Center allows gamers to fine-tune settings effortlessly.

Feature ASUS Rog Strix 27" OLED Gaming Monitor (XG27ACDNG)
Screen Size:
26.5 inches (QHD, 2560 x 1440)
Panel Type:
QD-OLED with anti-reflection coating
Refresh Rate:
360Hz
Response Time:
0.03ms GTG
Brightness:
Typical: 450 nits, Peak HDR: 1,000 nits, 100% APL: 250 nits
Contrast Ratio:
1,500,000:1
Color Accuracy:
99% DCI-P3, 135% sRGB, True 10-bit color (1.07 billion colors)

Best For: The ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG is perfect for competitive FPS players who require extreme speed, precision, and clarity. The 360Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time provide unparalleled motion smoothness, allowing players to react instantly in fast-paced titles like CS2, Valorant, Call of Duty, and Rainbow Six Siege.

3. ASUS TUF Gaming 32" QHD Curved Gaming Monitor (VG32VQ1B)

best curved 32 inch qhd gaming monitor for fps

HYPE LEVEL:

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG32VQ1B is a 31.5-inch curved gaming monitor designed to offer immersive gameplay with its QHD resolution (2560 x 1440) and 1500R curvature. Equipped with a 165Hz refresh rate (supports 144Hz), this monitor is built to meet the demands of professional gamers and those seeking fluid, lag-free gameplay. Featuring Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology and a 1ms response time, it ensures sharp visuals, eliminating ghosting and tearing, even during the most fast-paced action.

This monitor is designed for extended gaming sessions with flicker-free technology and built-in stereo speakers for convenience. The adjustable tilt, height, and VESA mount compatibility offer flexibility to achieve the perfect ergonomic setup.

Feature ASUS TUF Gaming 32" QHD Curved Gaming Monitor (VG32VQ1B)
Screen Size:
31.5 inches (WQHD, 2560 x 1440)
Panel Type:
VA (Vertical Alignment)
Curvature:
1500R (for an immersive viewing experience)
Refresh Rate:
165Hz (supports 144Hz for smooth gameplay)
Response Time:
1ms MPRT (reduces motion blur)
Brightness:
250 nits
Contrast Ratio:
3000:1 (deep blacks and vibrant contrast)
Color Gamut:
120% sRGB, 90% DCI-P3
Display Colors:
16.7M
Viewing Angle:
178° (H)/178° (V)
Flicker-Free Technology:
Yes

Best For: The ASUS TUF VG32VQ1B is perfect for FPS gamers who crave smooth, high-performance gaming. With its 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, it ensures ultra-responsive gameplay, ideal for fast-paced first-person shooters like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Battlefield.

The QHD resolution and 1500R curvature immerse you further into the action, while Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) and FreeSync Premium technology ensure crisp, fluid visuals with no tearing or stuttering.

4. ASUS TUF Gaming 24.5" FHD Gaming Monitor (VG259QM)

best 24.5 inch fhd gaming monitor for fps

HYPE LEVEL:

The ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM is a 24.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) gaming monitor designed for competitive gaming. Featuring a blazing-fast 280Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, this monitor ensures that every frame is displayed with crystal-clear sharpness, providing you with the edge you need in high-speed gameplay. Thanks to Fast IPS technology, you get fast, vibrant, and accurate visuals even during intense action.

Certified as G-SYNC Compatible, the VG259QM offers a tear-free experience by dynamically syncing the monitor’s refresh rate with your GPU, minimizing stuttering and ghosting for smooth gameplay. Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB SYNC) technology further enhances visual clarity by eliminating motion blur, ensuring that fast-moving objects in FPS games appear crisp and well-defined.

Feature ASUS TUF Gaming 24.5" FHD Gaming Monitor (VG259QM)
Screen Size:
24.5 inches (Full HD, 1920 x 1080)
Panel Type:
Fast IPS
Refresh Rate:
280Hz (supports 144Hz)
Response Time:
1ms (GTG) for ultra-fast visuals
Brightness:
400 nits
HDR Peak Brightness:
400 cd/m²
Contrast Ratio:
1000:1 (typical)
Display Colors:
16.7M
Viewing Angle:
178° (H)/178° (V)
Pixel Pitch:
0.282mm
Flicker-Free Technology:
Yes

Best For: The ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM is perfect for FPS gamers who need an ultra-fast, smooth, and responsive monitor. With a 280Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, it is designed to handle fast-paced action with minimal motion blur, making it ideal for games like CS2, Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and other competitive shooters.

FPS Gaming Monitor - FAQs

What is the best monitor for FPS gaming?

The best monitor for FPS gaming combines a high refresh rate, low response time, and adaptive sync technology (like G-Sync or FreeSync). A 240Hz or 360Hz refresh rate paired with 1ms response time ensures smooth and responsive gameplay, crucial for fast-paced games. IPS panels with a low response time are ideal for those who want accurate colors and wide viewing angles, while TN panels are great for those who prioritize speed over color quality.

Yes, a 144Hz monitor is excellent for FPS games. It offers a smooth and responsive gaming experience that can significantly improve your performance compared to a standard 60Hz monitor. A 144Hz refresh rate provides more frames per second, allowing you to see and react to in-game actions faster. This is especially beneficial for competitive gaming, where every millisecond matters. Pairing this with 1ms response time will give you an advantage in fast-paced FPS games like Call of Duty or Apex Legends.

For FPS games, 24 to 27 inches is generally the sweet spot. A 24-inch monitor gives you a good balance between screen size and pixel density, ensuring that your entire field of view is clear and responsive. 27-inch monitors offer a more immersive experience, especially if you’re playing at higher resolutions (like 1440p or 4K). Larger monitors (32 inches or more) can be distracting in FPS games, especially for fast movements. If you prefer a more immersive feel, you could go for a curved 27-inch monitor to reduce distortion at the edges.

A 240Hz monitor is not absolutely necessary for everyone,  but it can provide a competitive edge, especially if you’re playing fast-paced FPS games at a high level. While a 144Hz monitor is sufficient for most casual gamers, 240Hz is ideal for professional and competitive players who need the smoothest experience possible. A 240Hz refresh rate ensures that every frame is displayed as quickly as possible, reducing motion blue and ghosting, which are crucial in FPS games where precision is key.

For FPS gaming, the best response time is 1ms or less. 1ms is considered the gold standard for competitive gaming, ensuring that pixels change color almost instantaneously. This minimizes motion blur, ghosting, and visual artifacts that can hinder your ability to track fast-moving objects and opponents. While response times above 1ms (e.g., 3ms or 5ms) can still be acceptable for casual gaming, anything above 5ms may cause noticeable lag and is not recommended for series FPS play.

Both FreeSync (AMD) and G-Sync (Nvidia) are adaptive sync technologies that help eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, providing smoother gameplay. If you’re using an Nvidia GPU, G-Sync is the ideal choice, as it synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate. On the other hand, FreeSync works best with AMD GPUs. If you are using an AMD graphics card, FreeSync is the more cost-effective option, with similar benefits to G-Sync. Both technologies improve the overall gaming experience, but the decision depends on your GPU brand.

Finding a great gaming monitor under $300 for FPS gaming required balancing performance and cost. A great option is the Acer Nitro XV271U (180Hz DisplayPort, 144Hz HDMI, 1ms, IPS). It offers smooth gameplay with a 180Hz/144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, plus an IPS panel for better color accuracy. Another option is the ASUS TUF Gaming VG32VQ1B (165Hz, 1ms, FreeSync), which offers a curved 32-inch display with a high refresh rate at an affordable price. These monitors deliver solid FPS performance without breaking the bank.

  • IPS panels provide better color accuracy and wider viewing angles, making them ideal for gamers who want vibrant, consistent visuals. However, they may have slight slower response times than TN panels, though modern IPS displays have improved in this area.
  • TN panels are faster, with better response times, making them ideal for competitive FPS gaming. However, they tend to have poorer color reproduction and narrower viewing angles. TN monitors are great if you prioritize speed over color accuracy.

For FPS gaming, if you want the fastest response time, TN panels are ideal. But if you also care about color quality and viewing angles, an IPS panel with a low response time is a better choice.

A curved monitor can enhance your experience in FPS games by providing a more immersive feel, especially in larger screens (27 inches and above). Curvature helps reduce distortion at the edges, giving you a more natural viewing angle. While it may not provide a performance boost, a curved display can make it easier to track opponents in fast-paced FPS games by keeping the entire screen at a similar distance from your eyes. It’s a matter of personal preference, but many gamers enjoy the added immersion.

Professional FPS gamers typically use 240Hz or 360Hz monitors to ensure the smoothest experience possible. These refresh rates minimize motion blur and offer ultra-responsive gameplay, which is crucial for competitive FPS games. In professional settings, every millisecond counts, and 240Hz or higher ensures that pro gamers can track opponents and react faster than their competition.

The refresh rate plays a significant role in FPS gaming, especially for competitive play. A higher refresh rate (e.g., 144Hz or 240Hz) provides a smoother, more responsive experience, allowing you to track fast-moving targets and react quicker. If you are playing fast-paced games like CS2 or Overwatch, a higher refresh rate is essential. 60Hz is the baseline, but 144Hz or 240Hz is optimal for more fluid and responsive gameplay.

Yes, 1080p (Full HD) is more than sufficient for FPS gaming, especially if you have a mid-range PC or want to maintain high frame rates (e.g., 144Hz or 240Hz) without stressing your GPU too much. It strikes a good balance between performance and visual clarity. However, if you have a high-end GPU and want sharper visuals, you can consider 1440p (2K) or 4K for a better visual experience. For competitive FPS gaming, 1080p is often the sweet spot.

The ideal resolution for  FPS games largely depends on your hardware and preferences. 1080p (Full HD) is typically recommended for competitive gamers as it provides high frame rates without overburdening your GPU. For a better visual experience, especially in single-player FPS games, 1440p (2K) is a great option. If you have a top-tier GPU and want the sharpest visuals, 4K provides incredible detail, but it may be more challenging to maintain high frame rates, particularly in fast-paced competitive games.

To reduce input lag in FPS games, you can:

  • Use a monitor with a low response time (1ms or less).
  • Enable Game Mode or Low Latency Mode on your monitor.
  • Turn off V-Sync (unless you’re using G-Sync or FreeSync).
  • Use a wired connection for your mouse and keyboard to reduce delay.
  • Use a high refresh rate monitor (144Hz or higher).
  • Ensure your system is performing optimally by updating drivers and avoiding unnecessary background tasks.

Reducing input lag ensures that your actions are reflected on-screen with minimal delay, which is critical for FPS gaming.

For Call of Duty or Apex Legends, you need a high-refresh rate monitor to keep up with the fast-paced gameplay. Monitors like the ASUS ROG Strix 27″ XG27ACDNG (360Hz) and ASUS TUF VG259QM 24.5″ (280Hz) are great choices. Both offer high refresh rates, low response times (1ms or less), and smooth gameplay, making them ideal for competitive FPS games. Additionally, these monitors come with G-Sync or FreeSync to eliminate screen tearing, ensuring a smooth and responsive gaming experience.

Note: This page is updated frequently as we continue researching and reviewing products throughout the year. The opinions and recommendations provided on this page are based on extensive online research and available product information. While we aim to provide accurate and helpful insights, it’s important to note that everyone’s needs and preferences are different. What we believe may be a good option for some may not be the best choice for others. We always encourage you to do your own research and consider your unique needs before making any purchase decisions.