OLED monitors are gaining momentum in the market, particularly among gamers, because they come with cutting-edge technology. Some of the best OLED monitors are known for low response times, excellent color reproduction, and compatibility with next-gen consoles.
Nowadays, it's easy to find an OLED monitor for gaming or one that renders content in 4K resolution. However, finding monitors that come with OLED display technology and 4K resolution is not an easy task. Fortunately, Game Rant has compiled a list of OLED monitors that not only support 4K resolution but offer the best performance for every category of gamers.
When buying a 4K OLED Monitor for Gaming, consider the following factors
To help shoppers make the right decision, below are some factors worth considering before purchasing a 4K OLED display.
- Screen Size: Aim for monitors with a screen size between 27 and 32 inches.
- Refresh Rate: Depending on the games to be played, a refresh rate of 60 and 144 hz is ideal.
- Response Time: Anything from 1 ms and less is perfect, though below 5 ms isn't bad either.
- Price: OLED monitors are quite pricey, so keep this in mind when creating a budget.
Game Rant's Picks for the Best 4K OLED Gaming Monitors in 2023
GIGABYTE AOROUS FO48U Gaming Monitor
The AOROUS FP48U is an incredible gaming monitor that packs a ton of features intended to elevate one's gaming experience. Sporting a 48" 4K OLED display, gamers enjoy bright images and high contrast along with a super-fast 120 Hz refresh rate. Other offerings like AMD FreeSync, a 1 ms response time, and Dashboard add to its appeal. It also comes with support for current-gen consoles and PC hardware.
- Screen Size
- 48 inches
- Resolution
- 4K
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 120 Hz
- Brand
- GIGABYTE
- Response Time
- 1ms (GtG)
- WEIGHT
- 39.8 pounds
- Offers an excellent 120Hz refresh rate and a 1 ms response time
- Supports next-gen game consoles
- Delivers great contrast and brightness
- Auto-dimming is a major issue with this monitor
- Risk of screen burn-in
A true gaming monitor, the AOROUS FO48U packs a ton of cool gamer-focused features. The Dashboard feature lets users access vital hardware information in real-time without affecting gameplay. What's also worth mentioning is the fact that gamers can personalize the Dashboard display, so they only get to see the hardware details that they deem relevant to them.
Features like Aim Stabilizer and Game Assist are available to give players of FPS titles a competitive edge. All of these coupled with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium make this a top choice among the available gaming monitor options. A major drawback of the AOROUS FO48U is that the display dims too often, a flaw that can be annoying in high-pressure gaming situations.
INNOCN 48" Gaming Monitor
The INNOCN 48" 4K OLED gaming monitor is an excellent option for anyone with a generous budget. It ships with a handsome refresh rate of 135 Hz, which should be sufficient for top-tier gaming. What's more, the presence of AMD FreeSync Premium technology ensures that gamers always enjoy smooth pictures. There's a split screen feature for multitasking along with various ports, including HDMI 2.1 and USB-C.
- Screen Size
- 48 inches
- Resolution
- 4K
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 138 Hz
- Brand
- INNOCN
- Response Time
- 0.1ms
- WEIGHT
- 54.7 pounds
- 138 Hz refresh rate and a 0.1ms response time
- Delivers impressive visuals using OLED display technology
- Comes with AMD FreeSync Premium and HDR10
- Quite pricey
- Auto-dimming is an issue
When it comes to premium 4K OLED monitors for gaming, there are a handful of options to consider. However, the INNOCN monitor offers gamers a massive 48" screen that's complemented with excellent visuals thanks to its OLED display technology. The monitor's 135 Hz refresh rate is ideal for gamers looking to push boundaries in the quest for smooth gameplay and terrific picture quality, even in fast-paced scenes.
To bring smooth pictures and an all-around amazing viewing experience to potential buyers, the INNOCN monitor combines industry-standard HDR 10 format with AMD FreeSync Premium. There's support for many gadgets, including consoles, phones, and laptops thanks to HDMI 2.1 ports, a 3.5 mm audio jack for headphones, and a USB-C port. Aside from being a 4K gaming monitor, it can also assume the role of a business monitor as it features an amazing split-screen capability which seems to hold up quite well without lag, according to user reviews.
KTC 42-inch 4K OLED Gaming Monitor
Using LG's WBE OLED display technology, the KTC 42-inch gaming monitor gets a 138 Hz refresh rate, an anti-burn-in feature, crisper colors, and a host of other sweet features. It also ships with a response time of 0.5 ms along with an eye-saver mode and reverse charging of other devices. NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync compatibility allow gamers to play without screen stuttering or tearing.
- Screen Size
- 42 inches
- Resolution
- 36.7 x 21.05 x 1.62 inches
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 138Hz
- Brand
- KTC
- Response Time
- 0.1 ms
- WEIGHT
- 47.2 pounds
- Advanced anti burn-in technology protects the OLED screen
- Features a 138 Hz refresh rate and a low response time of 0.1 ms
- The HDR needs improvement
- The HDMI 2.1 ports only run at at 24 Gbit/s
While not as popular as LG and Samsung, KTC is an ambitious brand that aims to command attention with its products. The 42" 4K monitor's OLED panels are based on LG's WBE display and differ from the typical WBC OLED TV panel mainly because the former boasts a considerably higher refresh rate (138 Hz). Seeing how all OLED displays carry the risk of screen burn-in, the KTC monitor comes with a superior anti-burn technique. The 4K UHD display translates into clear and detailed images for buyers' viewing pleasure.
The KTC 4K OLED monitor does not slack in terms of gaming capabilities, and this is evident in its offerings. A 0.1 ms response time greatly reduces the chances of high input lag, an amenity many gamers can not afford to go without. The monitor's 138 Hz refresh rate makes a great difference in terms of how smooth the gameplay can be. To keep users glued to the screen for extended periods, there's an Eye-Saver mode that blends low-level blue light with pixel-level light technology to protect the eyes from too much blue light. Reverse charging is also possible with this monitor as it supports the fast charging of notebooks and mobile phones of up to 90 watts.
LG 48GQ900-B Ultragear Gaming Monitor
The LG 48GQ900-B features a 48-inch Ultra HD OLED display. This monitor from the company's Ultragear series is the pinnacle of gaming monitors. It comes equipped with Anti-Glare technology and the monitor offers a contrast ratio of 1.5 million to one. This means it delivers the deepest blacks and bright colors. The monitor's response time is as low as 0.1 ms and the refresh rate is 120 Hz.
- Screen Size
- 48 inches
- Resolution
- 4K
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 120 Hz
- Brand
- LG
- Response Time
- 0.5 ms
- WEIGHT
- 37.04 lbs
- Packs a high 120 Hz refresh rate and a low 0.5 response time
- AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility
- Delivers terrific picture quality
- Skips on VESA mount
- The monitor's brightness is inconsistent
The 48GQ900-B Ultragear comes in a 48" build that not only boasts a large display but also a couple of attractive gaming features. Interestingly, these are the same functionalities one will find in some of the best gaming TVs and monitors. First up is NVIDIA G-Sync which is complemented with the industry-leading AMD FreeSync Premium for fluid and tear-free gaming. Then there's the 0.1 ms response time, which lessens inconveniences like reverse ghosting for gamers. Added perks like HDMI 2.1 and VRR make this monitor a worthy purchase thanks to the ability to render fluid, top-tier graphics.
It ships with a rich OLED display that claims to be ideal for immersive gameplay thanks to specs like a 16:9 aspect ratio and a viewing angle of 178 degrees. To keep gamers from getting distracted by light reflecting, the LG monitor gets the Anti-Glare Low Reflection feature. Players of FPS titles will appreciate the Crosshair feature which extends the gifts of enhanced vision and high-grade precision to them, so they can get more accurate shots.
INNOCN 32" 32Q1U Gaming Monitor
While it does not ship with eye-catching gamer-centric features, the INNOCN 32" monitor is still an adequate monitor with modest offerings. Its major highlight is the 32" inch OLED display that delivers pictures in 4K resolution. The monitor’s built-in speakers render decent sound. The monitor is also height-adjustable and supports split-screen mode which is great for multitasking.
- Screen Size
- 32 inches
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160p UHD
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 60 Hz
- Brand
- INNOCN
- Response Time
- 0.1ms
- Panel is lighweight, slim
- Dual USB-C ports with Alt-DP
- Delivers terrific colors and pictures
- No HDMI/Displayport connectors
- Monitor quality could be better
The INNOCN 4K OLED monitor is not out to win any “best overall monitor” awards, but that does not make it lose its appeal. It sports a 32" display based on an advanced OLED panel design. There's also the refined color correction technology that works with HDR10 to improve the monitor's ability to display great colors for gaming and other purposes. This monitor comes with some degree of adjustability, with users capable of adjusting to the left/right, up/down, forward, and backward.
This monitor receives some knocks from users due to poor speaker quality. The monitor is also known to be quite heavy when lifted. Since it ships with a 60Hz refresh rate, this may not be the best option for hardcore gamers. Additionally, the monitor does not get any extra gamer-centric features, like AMD FreeSync Premium, NVIDIA G-Sync, or VRR. So, this is pretty much a monitor for casual gaming and nothing else.
ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG42UQ
The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG42UQ is an impressive entry to the increasingly competitive OLED monitor market that has had many entrants in CES 2023 in what looks like a market ripe for innovation. Sporting 4K resolution with 0.1ms response times coupled with an excellent 138Hz refresh rate that is backed by a customized heatsink and anti-glare coating, making it one of the best cutting-edge choices for a gaming monitor today.
- Screen Size
- 41.5''
- Resolution
- 3840 x 2160
- Brand
- Asus
- Response Time
- 0.1ms(GTG)
- Refresh Rate
- 138Hz (Overclocked)
- Ports
- DisplayPort 1.4 DSC, HDMI 2.1 x 2, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB
- Display Technology
- OLED
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:9
- Surface Technology
- Non-Glare Coating
- Screen Brightness
- 450 nits
- Mounting Options
- 300x300mm VESA Mount
- Sound
- Yes, 10W x 2 Speakers, 15W x 1 Woofer
- Tilt
- Yes
- HDR
- Yes, HDR10
- Variable Refresh
- Yes (Adaptive-Sync)
- Comes with HDMI 2.1 ports for console gaming
- Delivers terrific black levels
- Comes with an intelligent cooling system
- Lacks height and swivel adjustment
ASUS has pretty much cemented itself in the gaming world thanks to a slew of powerful handheld consoles, laptops, phones, and monitors. The ROG Swift is a no-nonsense gaming monitor that's built to deliver impeccable performance for extended periods. Among its stellar offerings is an anti-glare Micro-texture coating that tackles the issues of reflections, ensuring that gamers get to see only vivid on-screen colors.
Advertised as the world's first 42" OLED gaming monitor, the ROG Swift ships with the current-gen OLED panels which employ a sub-pixel layout to deliver absolutely clear visuals and precise text for a thrilling gaming experience. Beyond better visuals and great colors, the ROG Swift ticks the other boxes in what to expect from a great gaming monitor. Anywhere between 5 ms and 1 ms is ideal for a gaming monitor, but the Swift gets an incredible 0.5 ms that puts it ahead of many rivals. This allows it to render fast-paced scenes smoothly without the bother of high latency.
This 4K OLED monitor has something exciting for every gamer, particularly those who play on the latest consoles and PC. Feel free to enter the super realistic world of various titles using a 41.5" 4K monotone that can deliver a refresh rate of up to 135 Hz. Gamers are guaranteed mind-bending visuals thanks to Display Stream Compression (DSC) Technology and HDMI 2.1 functionality.
ViewSonic VXI655 4K OLED 15.6-inch Monitor
This portable monitor by ViewSonic packs several great offerings that make it an irresistible product. A 15.6-inch 4K OLED display delivers stunning visuals that are great for work and gaming. Additionally, modern connectivity features like USB-C and Mini-HDMI ports make it easy to play console games on this monitor.
- Screen Size
- 15.6 inches
- Resolution
- 4K (3840 x 2160 Pixels0
- Max. Refresh Rate
- 60 Hz
- Brand
- ViewSonic
- WEIGHT
- 1.5 pounds
- Great for console gaming on the go
- OLED screen delivers rich visuals
- Ultra-portable design
- Sound quality isn't the best
- Colors are somewhat dull
For productivity or leisure, portable monitors are gaining momentum in the market. The ViewSonic VXI655 is one of the most advanced options, with a 15.6-inch 4K screen based on OLED display technology. The 4K resolution ensures that users enjoy rich visuals as it delivers 4 times the picture quality of a 1080p display. It weighs 1.5 lbs, making it the perfect companion for on-the-go gaming and work presentations.
When not working, users can experience the thrill of console gaming with this monitor thanks to its modern connectivity options. The monitor comes with USB-C and Mini HDMI for connecting to modern consoles like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. The monitor can be set to portrait or landscape modes using the built-in kickstand, which is not durable but keeps USB or HDMI cables out of sight. Unfortunately, the speakers aren't the best, with some users complaining about the quality. Thankfully, the monitor ships with a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Plugging in headphones should enhance the sound output by a wide margin.
How to Choose a 4K OLED Gaming Monitor
Screen Size: When shopping for an OLED monitor for 4K gaming, ensure that the screen size is fully considered. Although monitors come in different screen sizes, gamers are better off with products that have a screen size of at least 27". It's worth mentioning that 32" is often considered the maximum for a 4K monitor. However, anything above 32" is fine for gamers far from the monitor.
Refresh Rate: A high refresh rate is a must-have for gaming monitors and TVs alike because it translates into smooth gameplay without the nuisance of screen tearing. Monitors with high refresh rates are also ideal for competitive, fast-paced titles, where players must make decisions quicker than opponents.
Response Time: Unlike refresh rate, gamers should look in the direction of monitors that offer a low response time. Response time is best defined as the time it takes a screen to change from one color to another. Monitors with low response times rarely suffer problems like motion blur or image ghosting. While all gamers should aim for a display that has a low response time, this feature is highly recommended for competitive gamers.
Price: Even though OLED displays are considerably more expensive than LED displays, it doesn't mean that shoppers should not still weigh the price of a gaming monitor before adding it to the cart. So, ensure the OLED monitor in question comes with all or most of the desired features and that the budget is sufficient for such a purchase.
FAQ
Q: Why are OLED displays expensive?
Compared to LCDs, OLED displays are more expensive due to the difficult production process that also turns out to be costly.
Q: Is 4K resolution overkill for a gaming monitor?
Not really. 4K monitors deliver excellent visuals and a more refined picture quality. As such, it's the right resolution for modern games. This doesn't mean that 1080p and 2K monitors have lost their relevance or will do so in the coming years.