PC monitors with OLED displays are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their exceptional contrast levels, pixel-perfect dimming, and low-input lag for gaming. It is true that LED-driven LCD monitors are still more common, but OLED is making its impact felt, and more brands have released new products using OLED technology throughout 2023. Some OLED TVs are even standing in as monitor options as they are outfitted with similar software support features such as AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync.
Here is a look at some of the best OLED monitor options that you can buy today.
Alienware 34 QD-OLED
The best OLED gaming monitor
- QD-OLED contrast is unbeatable
- Fantastic HDR performance
- Excellent color saturation
- Attractive, minimalist design
- SDR brightness is a bit low
- Color accuracy isn't perfect
The Dell Alienware 34-inch QD-OLED[] monitor is considered to be one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors on the market. The AW3423DW was released in March to rave reviews and sold out almost immediately even at its relatively steep $1,400 price tag.
It uses the latest QD-OLED technology that combines OLEDs with quantum dots for a richer, more vibrant image with fantastic colors and the same top-notch contrast ratio we know and love from more traditional OLED designs. It also benefits from a curved design and has a fast response time, a high refresh rate, supports Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate, and has a strong array of ports. It also gets extremely bright for an OLED monitor, hitting a peak brightness of over 1,000 nits.
Ports on the back include two HDMI 2.0, a DisplayPort 1.4, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 downstream with Battery Charging 1.2 support, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 downstream, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 upstream, an audio line-out, and a headphone jack.
This monitor is the complete package and features the best of cutting-edge display technology. If you can afford its high price, you won't be disappointed.
LG UltraGear OLED 27 27GR95QE-B
Best 27-inch OLED monitor
- Vibrant colors and HDR
- Excellent motion clarity
- Fantastic matte finish
- Generous port selection
- Sturdy stand with plenty of adjustments
- Low SDR brightness
- Some text clarity issues
- Remote is necessary to control the display
LG stepped-up its game with the UltraGear OLED 27 this year which is not only the first 27-inch OLED monitor, but also the first one to offer a 240Hz refresh rate. It comes with DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 which means you can make full use of the high refresh rate without any issues. There's native FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) support and G-SYNC compatibility for a tear-free gaming experience.
Notably, the UltraGear OLED 27 has a matte screen coating that helps in reducing reflections unlike most OLED displays which have a glossy finish. According to LG the monitor can reach peak brightness of 1,000 nits, but that is limited for only 3% of the screen. In our testing we measured a max brightness of 600 nits with HDR enabled, and in SDR, it was just over 250 nits.
The monitor offers excellent vibrance with an impressive contrast ratio of over 250,000:1, and infinite contrast ratio in HDR. Colors look stunning making even ordinary websites appear remarkably vibrant. In terms of color coverage you get 100% sRGB color space, as well as 97% of DCI-P3. Best of all, color accuracy is pretty much on the spot right out of the box, so you don't really need a lot of calibration. Having a price of almost $1,000, it isn't really affordable, especially for a display at this size. But if you are looking for the best OLED monitor that isn't large, then this is your best bet.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB
Exceptional OLED with built-in smart features
- Exceptional color and HDR
- Ultrathin
- USB-C power delivery
- Dense settings in the OS
- More expensive than the competition
- Limited to mini connections
Samsung’s new Odyssey G8 OLED is a pretty strong competitor for the Alienware 34 QD-OLED. It features a very similar 34-inch WQHD (3440 x 1440) QD-OLED panel offering a 175Hz refresh rate, and an 1800R curve. The primary difference is that the Samsung monitor does not come with native Nvidia G-Sync whereas the Alienware does.
Like most OLED monitors it looks stunning for any form of media, with perfect black levels. It offers 100% sRGB, 99% coverage of DCI-P3 and 94% coverage of AdobeRGB. In our testing we noticed that at full brightness, the monitor was also very accurate in SDR, offering a color error of only 0.8 (anything under 2 is considered suitable for color work).
The Odyssey G8 also comes with additional smart features. There is Samsung’s Tizen OS built into the monitor, similar to the Samsung Smart Monitor M8. This gives you access to apps like Netflix and YouTube, Samsung’s Game Hub, and more. You also get a remote control, giving you easier access to settings and functionality.
LG UltraGear 48-inch OLED
Best large-format OLED monitor
- Fantastic OLED quality
- Useful desktop remote
- FreeSync and G-Sync support
- Bright, vibrant bias lighting
- Doesn't support dynamic HDR metadata
- Pixel density can be a problem
The LG UltraGear 48GQ900 monitor was LG's first OLED monitor, but it was able to build on the pedigree of its excellent OLED TVs to create a truly stellar and very large OLED gaming monitor. The LG UltraGear 48GQ900 features a 47.5-inch panel with a 4K 3840 x 2160 resolution and a 120Hz minimum refresh rate, which can be overclocked to 138Hz for PC gaming.
Other specifications on the 48-inch LG UltraGear include a 10-bit panel, HDR support, anti-glare coating, 1ms gray-to-gray response time, a DCI-P3 color gamut with 98.5% coverage, built-in speakers, and a purple design in the rear that helps it stand out from a sea of grays and blacks. It also features two additional HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, and a headphone jack, as well as AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility.
Since its initial launch in the U.K., the LG UltraGear 48GQ900 made its way to the U.S. in the form of a 48GQ900-B model, which has similar specs but a slightly different design. The monitor is available at at all the usual outlets; just make sure you're getting the right model.
LG C2 OLED
Best OLED smart TV
- Slick new design
- Improved peak brightness
- Excellent black levels
- Solid color accuracy and gamut
- Great for gamers
- Some peak brightness artifacts
- Complex smart TV system
The LG C2 OLED TV is LG's most popular gaming TV and unsurprisingly draws comparisons with its LG UltraGear 48GQ900. However, this TV cum gaming monitor is also available in 65-inch, 77-inch, and 85-inch sizes, if you can find some way to actually sit in front of such monster displays.
The TV features no front-facing bezels and has a peak white brightness of 820 nits in HDR, while its peak brightness in SDR is 314 nits, and its color gamut coverage is 99% of DCI-P3 colorspace. That's some seriously vibrant color and very white whites, which, combined with the classic OLED inky blacks, make this TV seriously beautiful to look at, especially in high-contrast scenes.
The LG C2 TV includes an LG Alpha 9 picture processor and runs an LG webOS, which powers a number of smart assistants, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and LG's own voice AI. Users can also navigate the TV with LG’s Magic Motion remote.
Input on the LG C2 TV includes four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, giving you plenty of space for gaming PCs and consoles alike. It is also well-equipped for gaming with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync premium variable refresh rate.
Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240
Unique bendable OLED gaming monitor
- Bendable panel
- 240Hz refresh rate and VRR
- Deep blacks
- Pixel density
- Increased input lag at low refresh rates
Corsair is a well-known name in the computing industry and it expanded its product range by launching monitors. Its flagship offering is the Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 which is a one-of-a-kind OLED gaming monitor with a bendable display.
Essentially you can use it as a regular flat panel or use the two handles on the side to covert it into a curved monitor with an 800R curve. The 45-inch display comes with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 3440 x 1440, which isn't the highest so you can expect slightly lower pixel density compared to other OLED 4K monitors.
It uses an LG OLED panel with a high 240Hz refresh rate with low input lag, although it tends to increase at lower refresh rates. The panel supports FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC compatibility, and it also has HDMI 2.1. You get punchy colors and a deep black with almost no blooming effect around bright objects. Additionally you get a KVM switch, Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture modes, as well as a wide array of I/O ports.
It's expensive, so if you don't want the bending gimmick, LG's UltraGear OLED 45 is a great alternative.
Gigabyte AORUS FO48U
OLED monitor and TV combined
- Stunning picture with deep contrast
- Great viewing angles
- Built-in speakers are loud
- HDMI 2.1 with VRR
- 1ms GtG response time
- Low HDR brightness
- No Dolby Vision
The Gigabyte AORUS FO48U is a 48-inch gaming monitor with the same OLED panel as the LG C1 TV, which is the predecessor to the LG C2. The 47.53-inch panel features a 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 135,000:1 contrast ratio, and a 1ms response time. That's almost every box ticked right out of the gate.
The monitor also supports HDR, 98% of the DPI-P3 color gamut, and true 10-bit color depth, and it has a peak brightness of over 800 nits, making it a simply gorgeous monitor every which way you look at it. For gaming, it supports FreeSync Premium compatibility, as well as Nvidia G-Sync unofficially, so no matter what GPU you have, you needn't worry about screen tearing.
Input for the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U includes two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, one USB-C, one audio jack, and two USB 3.0. It also features 300mm by 300mm VESA wall-mounting support.
Frequently Asked Questions
OLED is short for Organic Light-Emitting Diode which is a type of display technology used in screens commonly seen on TVs, monitors, smartphones, and other devices. OLED screens are made up of individual organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied to them. Unlike traditional LCD screens that require a backlight, OLED screens emit their own light on a pixel-by-pixel basis. This allows for deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, and more vibrant colors, as each pixel can be turned on or off independently. OLED technology also often results in thinner and more flexible displays compared to traditional LCDs.
OLED displays tend to be more expensive compared to traditional LCD displays. This is primarily because the manufacturing process for OLED panels is more intricate and can be costlier. The organic materials used in OLED screens can be sensitive to moisture and oxygen, requiring specialized manufacturing facilities and techniques.
OLED monitors have a potential issue: burn-in. All OLED displays can suffer from burn-in, where static images will slowly fade into the screen over time, becoming a permanent blemish. OLED monitors are particularly prone to this problem due to desktop use, where you often have several parts of the screen occupied by static images. Thankfully, most OLED monitors come with burn-in prevention features like pixel shifting, and some displays such as the Alienware 34 QD-OLED, include multi-year warranties with burn-in protection.
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