Summary
OLED monitors are shaking up the gaming display scene thanks to their superior image quality and responsiveness compared to traditional TN, VA, and IPS panels. But with concerns about burn-in and cost, is the switch to an OLED monitor worth it for your gaming setup? Here are our top five reasons why you should consider buying an OLED monitor when upgrading or buying a newgaming monitorin 2024.
1. True Blacks and Stunning Contrast
The allure of OLED lies in its deep black levels and infinite contrast ratio. OLED monitors can individually turn off each pixel when displaying dark scenes, resulting in true blacks. LCDs, however, use a backlight that remains on when displaying pitch-black scenes, allowing some light to bleed through the panel, resulting in a grayish cast in black scenes. That’s why your monitor often looks more gray than black when showing dark scenes in movies and games.
With no backlight, OLED monitors can get really dark, creating an inky depth and unparalleled contrast. Vibrant colors and highlights just pop off the screen when gaming or watching movies, resulting in a mesmerizing and immersive viewing experience. The colors also remain accurate and consistent from each angle, making OLEDs great for local co-op gaming with friends. Even the best mini-LED monitors can’t compare to OLEDs when it comes to black levels, contrast, and viewing angles.
2. Lightning-Fast Pixel Response Times
OLED’s instantaneous response time automatically gives them a competitive edge over LCDs. Unlike IPS gaming monitors, which typically have a 1 ms response time (often with overdrive), the best OLED monitors, like theAcer Predator X27U, boast a lightning-fast 0.01 ms response time. This virtually eliminates ghosting and blurring during fast-paced action, leading to exceptional motion clarity. For games likeApex LegendsandCall of Duty, where every second matters, an OLED monitor can make all the difference.
3. New OLED Monitors Are Brighter Than Ever
One of the major limitations of OLED displays has been their inherently lower brightness compared to mini-LED or even standard LCDs. While OLEDs still can’t match the peak brightness of the top mini-LED monitors, newer OLED displays offer significantly brighter panels compared to earlier models. TheAsus ROG Swift PG34WCDM, based on a 2nd-Gen WOLED panel, boasts a brightness of 275 nits in normal SDR mode, a huge improvement over 1st-Gen WOLED panels, which struggled to reach even 200 nits. While 275 nits may seem lower compared to LCDs, it’s more than enough for close-up desktop use.
The biggest advantage is that newer OLEDs can achieve peak brightness of up to 1,300 nits when displaying HDR content, making colors and highlights pop just like on the best mini-LED displays. To be fair, this peak brightness is only achieved in small areas of the screen, typically around 1-5%. Since only highlights and small parts of an image need to be brighter in HDR, newer OLEDs still deliver an exceptional HDR experience. New 3rd-Gen WOLEDs and QD-OLED monitors set to be released in 2024 are expected to be even brighter, slowly closing the gap on LCDs.
4. OLED Monitors Are Becoming More Affordable
Not long ago, users had to shell out a staggering $4000 for the first OLED monitor, the ASUS PQ22U. With its ludicrous price and smaller 21.6-inch display, it predictably never saw the light of day. TheAlienware AW3423DW, with its focus on gaming features, brought OLED monitors closer to the mainstream at $1299. However, the cost remained a hard pill to swallow for most gamers, and its ultrawide aspect ratio limited its appeal for many. Fortunately, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Gamers now have more options than ever, with more major players like LG, Samsung, and MSI entering the OLED monitor race.
Budget-conscious manufacturers have been key to bringing OLED monitors to the masses. TheAgon PRO AG276QZDby AOC is available for $700, and it often goes on sale for less than $600. For the same price, you’ve also got theKTC 27-inch OLED 1440p Monitor, which earned Game Rant’sbest-budget OLED monitoraward. Both are incredible OLED monitors with a fast 240Hz refresh rate and 1440p resolution, hitting the sweet spot for competitive gaming. The KTC even adds USB-C connectivity for Mac and office users. If you’re willing to spend a little bit more, you’ll find high-end OLED displays from A-list brands like theAlienware AW2725DFandASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDM, which retail for $900 and often go on sale for less than $800.
5. Burn-In Is No Longer an Issue
Burn-in, or permanent image retention, has been the biggest concern for OLED monitors, but it’s now significantly less of a concern. Most newer OLED displays have built-in measures to prevent burn-in, and you’ll still need to meet specific conditions for it to occur, like leaving static elements like logos and taskbars on the screen for an abnormally long time and typically at higher brightness levels. With normal mixed usage for gaming, work, and watching movies, you likely won’t encounter burn-in. In addition, most brands, including MSI, ASUS, and GIGABYTE, offer up to a three-year warranty on burn-in for added peace of mind.
Best OLED Monitors in 2024
2024 is shaping up to be the best year yet to upgrade to an OLED monitor. In addition to the excellent options already available, most monitor brands have announced lineups for new WOLED and QD-OLED monitors set to be released later this year. Among the upcoming OLED monitors to be excited about are theLG 32GS95UE, the Asus PG32UCDP, and the Asrock Phantom Gaming PG032UFS2B. These are 32-inch, 4K OLED displays with a first-ever dual-mode refresh rate feature that will let you switch between 4K at 240Hz and 1080p at 480Hz.
If you’re looking to buy an OLED now, here are the top options we recommend.
LG 32GS95UE Ultragear 4K 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor
The LG 32GS95UE is an incredible 32-inch OLED gaming monitor for both open-world RPGs and FPS gaming. It’s brighter than earlier OLED monitors and supports the new dual-mode features that let you choose between a detailed and immersive 4K at 240Hz mode ideal for RPGs like Cyberpunk 2077 and a responsive 1080p at 480Hz mode ideal for competitive shooters like Apex Legends.
AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD Gaming Monitor
The AOC Agon Pro AG276QZD is an entry-level OLED monitor with a 1440p, 240Hz display. It’s incredible for PC gaming, delivers outstanding HDR performance, and unlike 4K displays, you don’t need a top-of-the-line PC to benefit from the high 240Hz refresh rate, making it great for both hardcore and casual gamers.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
For ultrawide enthusiasts, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is an excellent option, though it demands plenty of desk space. With its 240Hz refresh rate, insanely fast 0.03ms response time, and immersive curved display, it’s ideal for competitive FPS gaming and sim-racing.
FAQ
Q: Will there be more QD-OLED monitors?
During CES 2024 and Computex 2024, most monitor brands like Samsung and MSI announced new QD-OLED monitors to hit the market in 2024.
Q: Are OLED monitors good for color accuracy?
Yes, OLED monitors have outstanding color accuracy as well as excellent viewing angles, meaning the colors remain consistent and accurate even when viewed at an angle.
