10 Best G-Sync Gaming Monitors in 2020

G-Sync is a technology developed by Nvidia that allows your monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with your in-game frame rate. The goal is to maintain smooth animations even when your GPU is not able to push high frame rates, which is a godsend on 4K and ultrawide monitors.

Because Nvidia owns G-Sync, monitors that feature this technology are usually a bit more expensive. In addition, Nvidia is also very keen on testing every monitor in the lab before awarding the G-Sync sticker to manufacturers, just to make sure that the displays in question work as intended.

You should also be aware of the fact that some monitors are only “G-Sync compatible”, which means that they are not yet tested by Nvidia, even though the technology does work as intended. Hence, many FreeSync monitors also work with G-Sync, and that can save you a bit of cash if you manage to find them.

Lastly, there are also multiple G-Sync tiers, depending on what kind of G-Sync is supported by the monitor in question. G-Sync Ultimate is the best of the bunch, but that is only found on top-of-the-line displays that usually cost an arm and a leg. The differences are not that drastic, however, so it’s not necessary to spend a lot of cash in order to get a good G-Sync experience.

What Should You Look for in a G-Sync Monitor?

G-Sync is not dependent on resolution, which means that it doesn’t matter whether you are looking for a small 1080p monitor or a huge 4K display. On the other hand, G-Sync on 4K monitors is a lot more expensive, even though it technically makes more sense. That’s because most modern gaming PCs can easily handle high frame rates on 1080p displays, but not so much on 4K displays.

As such, here are some of the things you should pay attention to when choosing a G-Sync monitor:

• Resolution. This is by far the most important thing in a monitor - G-Sync or not. Higher resolutions provide you with a crisper image, but they also require a more powerful PC. 1080p is the absolute minimum nowadays, but many gamers would agree that 1440p is the sweet spot in terms of image quality and performance. Hence, you should evaluate your PC first and check whether it can handle the resolution you want.
• Size. The size of your monitor should depend on the resolution, and it’s actually important not to pick a very big monitor with a small resolution. As such, 27 inches should be the maximum for a 1080p display, while a 4K monitor can pretty much be as big as a TV without sacrificing picture quality too much. Keep in mind that big gaming monitors are actually much more expensive than TVs.
• G-Sync compatibility type. As mentioned before, there are multiple G-Sync tiers, and not all of them offer the same experience. In short, G-Sync Ultimate offers the best results, while G-Sync-compatible displays are only capable of covering a specific range of frame rates. Granted, that should not be too much of a problem for most gamers.
• Low input lag. The advantages you gain from G-Sync are negated if your monitor fails to keep up with the action due to high input lag, which is why you need to pay attention to this detail as well. We recommend something with 4ms or less, although you can also get away with up to 8ms if you are not a competitive gamer.
• HDR. High Dynamic Range is a staple of modern computer monitors, and the good news is that HDR and G-Sync are not mutually exclusive. On the other hand, G-Sync Ultimate is guaranteed to support 1000 nits of peak brightness, which is also the requirement for the best HDR certification. Keep in mind that HDR is not really a thing on 1080p displays.
• Curved panel. Although G-Sync has nothing to do with curved panels, it’s actually difficult to find flat panels nowadays. Naturally, small monitors do not gain a lot from this feature, but ultrawide displays are almost unusable if they are perfectly flat - especially in video games.

The Best G-Sync Gaming Monitors in 2020

After all that, it’s time to unveil our picks for the best G-Sync gaming monitors in 2020. Our list includes monitors for every budget, and we also cover every category in terms of resolution and diagonal size.

1. Best 4K G-Sync Monitor - Asus ROG Swift PG65UQ 65”

The ROG Swift PG65UQ is definitely not your average gaming monitor, especially when you take a look at its sheer size. At 65 inches, this is what Asus calls a “Big Format Gaming Display”, and it’s actually closer to a TV in many aspects.

However, the reason this monitor makes it on our current list is because it offers support for G-Sync Ultimate. There are only a handful of displays on the market that support this feature at the moment, which means that this is really as good as it gets.

The monitor also comes with 1000 nits of peak brightness and a DisplayHDR 1000 certification, as well as 10-bit color. Because of this, HDR games will look as good as the developers intended, and you do not have to worry about missing out on certain details because of poor dynamic range.

In terms of refresh rate, the display can go all the way up to 144Hz at 4K, even though at the moment you probably won’t be able to achieve that with any GPU. On the other hand, this is exactly why G-Sync was invented, which means that lower frame rates won’t be too much of a problem.

Lastly, you also get two built-in 15W speakers and a remote, which makes it even easier to use this monitor as a TV as well whenever you are not gaming. There are also two USB 3.0 ports and a SPDIF audio output.

Pros:

• Supports G-Sync Ultimate
• Goes up to 144Hz at 2160p
• 65” diagonal
• Comes with a DisplayHDR 1000 certification
• Fast response time (4ms)
• Plenty of output and input options

Cons:

• Not the best choice for a casual desk setup
• Extremely expensive

2. Best 1440p G-Sync Monitor - ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q 27″

If you do not want to deal with the downsides of 4K but you still want something a bit better than 1080p, a 1440p display is definitely the way to go. The ROG Swift PG279Q from Asus ticks all the right boxes in terms of refresh rate, and color accuracy, not to mention the fact that it’s also a very good-looking monitor.

Naturally, G-Sync is included in the list of features, which means that you can enjoy your games even when your PC is struggling to keep up. It’s actually going to be pretty difficult for your frame rate to match the monitor’s refresh rate, given the fact that the latter can go up to 165Hz.

The panel technology uses IPS, which means that you should get very vibrant colors and a fairly fast response time. 4ms may not be top-of-the-line, but it’s certainly low enough for most people not to notice the occasional motion blur. In addition, G-Sync will make this problem even harder to notice as well.

If you are looking for HDR, this is not the monitor to buy, because it doesn’t support a HDR signal. While this may sound like a major downside, it’s common knowledge that HDR does not really make sense on non-4K monitors, so it’s actually good news that Asus decided not to include it.

As far as the stand is concerned, the display can be freely adjusted on every axis, so you do not have to resort to monitor arms in order to position it as you want on your desk. In addition, speakers are also included, even though they can only output 2W of power.

Pros:

• Vibrant colors, thanks to the IPS panel
• Can reach up to 165Hz at 1440p, which is impressive
• Decent response time
• The included stand is very adjustable
• The built-in speakers can be helpful in a pinch
• Great pixel density

Cons:

• Somewhat expensive for a 1440p panel

3. Best Ultrawide G-Sync Monitor - LG Ultragear 34GN850-B 34”

Ultrawides are the up-and-comers of the gaming world when it comes to monitors, and it seems like more and more people are willing to make the switch to non-16:9 aspect ratios. The Ultragear 34GN850-B from LG sports a 3440 by 1440 resolution, which is basically between regular 1440p and 4K in terms of pixel count.

However, the exciting bit is the fact that you can push this monitor all the way up to 160Hz with overclocking. Most regular 1440p monitors have trouble going past 144Hz, so this is actually incredibly impressive, even though it’s probably going to be very difficult for your PC to take full advantage of this fact in triple-A games.

The G-Sync support should help with this since it’s definitely going to be required in order to avoid screen tearing or other artifacts. There’s also the fact that the monitor has a response time of only 1ms, which makes motion blur a non-issue in most cases. You can even use it in a competitive environment, although the 34” diagonal is a bit too big for such purposes.

The DisplayHDR 400 certification is more of a marketing gimmick than anything else since it’s just there to add an extra sticker onto the box. Even so, at least you will be able to activate the feature and see what all the fuss is about. In addition, you do get 10-bit color support as well, which is far more useful.

If you are concerned about connectivity, you should know that the monitor has 2 USB ports, a headphone jack, and both HDMI and DisplayPort inputs. Thanks to the latter you can connect the monitor to either your PC or a gaming console, although it should be noted that the HDMI port supports a maximum of 85Hz.

Pros:

• Very high refresh rate
• 1ms response time
• Supports 10-bit color and HDR
• All the benefits that come with an ultrawide display
• Great color accuracy thanks to the Nano IPS panel

Cons:

• The ultrawide aspect ratio also comes with a few downsides
• Somewhat expensive

4. Best 1080p G-Sync Monitor - Asus TUF Gaming VG259QM 24.5”

If having a high refresh rate is your main concern while buying a gaming monitor, then the Asus TUF VG259QM is the way to go. Even though its native refresh rate of 240Hz is already impressive, you can actually overclock it all the way up to 280Hz, which is frankly incredible.

Naturally, this is only possible because the panel runs at 1920 by 1080, which is a bit low for 2020. On the other hand, the low resolution means that you can easily achieve much higher frame rates, which is why the ridiculous refresh rate actually makes sense in this case. In fact, this is a very monitor for competitive gamers, especially since the diagonal is right on the money at 24.5 inches.

Speaking of competitive gamers, the 1ms GtG response time eliminates any kind of motion blur, so that’s yet another reason to bring this monitor to your next LAN party.

You should know that G-Sync support does not go all the way up to 280Hz however, since it’s capped at 240Hz. On the other hand, it’s really not a problem under the circumstances, because you will have a hard time exceeding 240 frames-per-second anyway, especially in modern games.

The monitor also comes with HDR support and 400 nits of peak brightness, which is not bad at all. While the high peak brightness is definitely a good thing, HDR does not really look as intended at these specs, so you should not have high hopes in this regard.

Pros:

• Can go up to 280Hz with overclock
• Supports 240Hz even on HDMI, which makes it great for consoles as well
• Very low input lag
• Supports HDR as well
• The perfect size for a 1080 display
• Great choice for competitive gamers

Cons:

• 1080p is a bit low for this day and age
• A bit expensive for a FullHD monitor

5. Best 27" G-Sync Monitor - Acer Predator XB271HU 27”

If you are looking for good performance at 1440p and you don’t want to spend a lot of cash, the Predator XB271HU from Acer is a very good choice. The IPS panel is capable of up to 165Hz in OC mode, which means that you can really get the most out of your PC when it comes to enjoying high frame rates.

The G-Sync support should not come as a surprise given the scope of this article, but it’s worth mentioning that the Predator line is designed from the get-go with G-Sync in mind. Thus, you are really getting the best experience in this regard, especially since you don’t have to rely on the luck of the draw when it comes to which panels work as intended.

The IPS panel also allows you to enjoy great colors, not to mention the fact that you get very generous viewing angles. The only slight downside is the fact that you have to be content with 27” of real estate, which might be a bit low for a 1440p display. On the other hand, the pixel density makes up for this minor drawback.

In terms of design, Acer went all out on the gamer look, which means that the monitor looks pretty slick next to the rest of your gaming peripherals. In addition, the stand is also fully-adjustable, and you also get a USB hub and a VESA mount in case you want to utilize the monitor with a stand.

Pros:

• Supports 165Hz in OC mode when used on DisplayPort
• 4ms input lag
• Great color accuracy
• The USB hub can come in handy
• Sturdy and adjustable stand

Cons:

• Only 27”, which is a bit low for 1440p
• Does not support HDR

6. Best G-Sync Monitor With RGB - Asus ROG Swift PG349Q 34”

Asus is the kind of company that doesn’t shy away from offering really high end products, even if you usually have to part with a lot of your cash in order to get them. The same is true for the ROG Swift PG349Q, a 34” ultrawide panel with a 3440 by 1440 resolution and an IPS panel.

The impressive resolution might lead you to believe that you are stuck with a fairly low refresh rate, but that’s not the case at all. In fact, this monitor can still go up to 120Hz with no problem, which means that you get the best of both worlds. Granted, you will need some serious horsepower to unlock the monitor’s potential, but it’s always nice to know that your hardware is not being held back.

Even if an ultrawide is not the best choice for competitive gamers, the 4ms of input lag is still good enough to enjoy fast-paced games without experiencing any motion blur or other artifacts. The display is also curved, which means that you do not have to turn your head too much in order to glance at the sides when you are playing. This can help a lot in fast-paced shooters where you need to be aware of your surroundings.

Lastly, Asus is definitely riding the RGB hype train, which is why the monitor is pretty much covered in LEDs. Even the stand has RGB, and you are free to configure it as you wish. Speaking of which, the stand is highly adjustable and quite well-built, but that’s to be expected considering the price tag.

Pros:

• High refresh rate for an ultrawide display
• Good response time (4ms)
• Plenty of RGB lighting
• Optimal diagonal size
• Good adjustability with the included stand

Cons:

• Pretty expensive
• No HDR support

7. Best Budget 4K G-Sync Monitor - Acer Predator XB321HK 32”

Getting a 4K monitor is already a pretty big investment for most gamers, and that’s even without taking G-Sync into consideration. Besides the fact that the display itself costs a pretty penny, you also have to keep in mind the fact that your PC must be pretty powerful in order to play games at that resolution, so it’s nice to see Acer offering a somewhat inexpensive solution.

The Predator XB321HK is one of the cheapest 4K monitors that also offer G-Sync support, even though the display itself supports up to 60Hz. Granted, the frame rate range is very limited because of this, but it’s still better than nothing, that’s for sure.

You are also getting a gorgeous IPS panel that’s capable of just 4ms of input lag, which should help even more when it comes to smoothing out animations. 32 inches is a great size for a 2160p display too, and it’s also nice to see that Acer did not make the panel curved. It really wouldn’t make sense under the circumstances, so it’s a huge plus.

In terms of input, you can use the monitor with either DisplayPort or HDMI, both of which support 4K@60Hz. Speakers are also included, although they can only output 2W of power, which means that they should be your last resort. In addition, there are also four USB 3.0 ports, which is actually very generous.

Pros:

• Fairly affordable if you want both G-Sync and 4K
• Low input lag
• Nice aesthetics
• The IPS panel offers great color accuracy
• Four USB 3.0 ports

Cons:

• The stand is not very adjustable
• Limited to 60Hz

8. Best Budget Ultrawide G-Sync Monitor - VIOTEK GNV29CB 29”

While ultrawides are definitely getting more popular every year, they are also getting cheaper to manufacture. Thus, while it would have been pretty difficult to find anything under $1000 a few years ago, nowadays you can even get them for under $300 if you are not that concerned about the build quality.

The VIOTEK GNV29CB is a 29” ultrawide monitor that supports up to 120Hz in terms of refresh rate, which is quite impressive under the circumstances. On the other hand, the resolution is not that great, given the fact that 2560 by 1080 is actually smaller than regular 1440p. The good news is that you can get better performance because of this, so some people may actually consider this an upside.

The G-Sync compatibility is definitely interesting to see in this price point, and it may not always work as intended. On the other hand, this is still a good deal even if you do not get to enjoy G-Sync’s full range of frame rates, since anything’s better than good-old V-Sync. Furthermore, there’s always FreeSync as a fallback if you really can’t get G-Sync to work properly.

As you can expect at this price point, the included stand is nothing more than a means to an end, which means that it’s not very adjustable at all. You are also not getting a lot of USB ports or a headphone jack, but at least there are no intrusive bezels to distract you from your games.

Pros:

• Capable of up to 120Hz at its native resolution
• 4ms input lag
• Very affordable for an ultrawide display with G-Sync compatibility
• Nice design with no top or side bezels
• Decent colors

Cons:

• The resolution is rather disappointing
• Lacks support for HDR

9. Best Budget 1440p G-Sync Monitor - Dell S2417DG 24”

The Dell S2416DG is a fairly small 1440p display that impresses when it comes to refresh rate and response time, although that is mostly because it uses TN technology instead of VA or IPS. Hence, even though you get smooth animations and low input lag, the colors are not very vibrant, and you also have to put up with restrictive viewing angles and low brightness.

On the other hand, the 165Hz are nothing short of impressive for a 1440p monitor, especially since you also get G-Sync to go along with this. Not that many 1440p displays can reach 165Hz, and it’s really amazing to see this in a relatively inexpensive product. Granted, the 24” diagonal may be a bit of an issue for some people, especially since it can make game HUDs too small to see in some cases.

You can even use this monitor in a competitive environment if you are comfortable playing your games at a higher resolution than most pros. The small size makes it easy to keep an eye on everything happening around you, and the low input lag should also remove any kind of disadvantage you may experience on IPS or VA panels.

The included stand is very sturdy and well-built, which makes it a great buy for people who are not willing to pay extra for a separate monitor arm. It also helps that you can adjust the display however you see fit, which is not something you can expect from most budget monitors. Then again, Dell is a pretty well-known name in the monitor business, so this should be no surprise.

Pros:

• Impressive refresh rate for a 1440p panel
• 1ms response time
• Supports both HDMI and DisplayPort
• Great pixel density thanks to its small size
• Very adjustable stand

Cons:

• Rather small for its resolution
• TN panels suffer in terms of color, contrast, and brightness

10. Best Budget 1080p G-Sync Monitor - Asus VG278QR 27”

It’s still not too late to get a 1080p monitor, even if ultrawides and 1440p displays are getting cheaper and cheaper every year. Even though the market is obviously shifting towards bigger resolutions, 1080p still has a lot to offer, especially since the format can really be pushed to its limits now.

The VG278QR from Asus is a clear example of this, given the fact that it’s a miracle you are getting all of these features at such a low price. Hence, the G-Sync support works all the way up to 165Hz, which is about as good as it gets nowadays for most monitors. In addition, you are also getting only 0.5ms of input lag, which is frankly better than anyone actually needs. In fact, most keyboards and mice usually have a higher input lag than that, so this may actually be overkill.

With all that being said, you are still getting a good deal with this monitor, especially since the refresh rate matters a lot more than the input lag in most cases. There’s also the fact that this is a 27” display, which is pretty big for a 1080p monitor.

As far as the G-Sync support is concerned, the display is only G-Sync-compatible, which means that it’s not designed for it from the ground up. However, the FreeSync hardware should be able to handle G-Sync as well, although your results may vary. It’s definitely achievable, but it may take some tinkering before everything works as intended.

In terms of extra features, you are getting to 2W speakers, which can come in handy in a bind. There’s also the fact that you can use the monitor with either HDMI or DisplayPort, although that is something most modern displays are able to do nowadays.

Pros:

• Generous refresh rate
• 0.5ms input lag
• Very cheap, considering its specs
• Nice aesthetics
• Surprisingly adjustable stand

Cons:

• Pixel density might be an issue at 27” for 1080p