Monitors

Choosing the right gaming monitor comes down to balancing your hardware, the types of games you play and your personal preferences. There’s no single “best” gaming monitor, but focusing on a few key specs can help you find the right fit.

• Refresh rate (Hz): A refresh rate of 144Hz or higher is a good starting point for most gamers. For competitive games such as FPS titles, 240Hz or higher can provide smoother motion and more responsive gameplay.
• Response time (ms): Look for a response time of around 1ms for fast-paced or competitive gaming. A faster response time can help reduce ghosting and motion blur during quick movements.
• Resolution: FHD (1080p) at 24" or QHD (1440p) at 27" works well for competitive gaming, particularly when paired with a refresh rate of 144Hz or higher and a response time of around 1ms. For RPGs, racing games and visually rich titles, 4K offers greater detail and a more immersive visual experience.
• Panel type: IPS panels offer a strong balance of response time, color performance and versatility. VA panels provide higher contrast and deeper blacks, making them well suited to darker, immersive games. OLED panels deliver premium picture quality with exceptional contrast and motion clarity.

In addition to these key specs, adaptive sync technologies such as FreeSync and G-SYNC can help prevent screen tearing by syncing the monitor’s refresh rate with your GPU’s output, resulting in smoother visuals during gameplay.

When choosing a gaming monitor, make sure its specs match your hardware capabilities. Higher resolutions and refresh rates place greater demands on your GPU, so you'll need a powerful graphics card to take full advantage of a 4K 240Hz monitor.

For more help finding the right gaming monitor for your needs, read our "What to Look for in a Gaming Monitor" article.

Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), refers to how many times per second your monitor updates the image on screen. A 60Hz monitor refreshes the image 60 times per second, while a 144Hz monitor refreshes it 144 times. In general, a higher refresh rate makes motion appear smoother and can make gameplay feel more responsive.

The refresh rate that works best for you depends largely on how you use your monitor, with Samsung models available across different refresh-rate ranges:

• 60Hz: Sufficient for office work, web browsing and casual video streaming. For example, the Samsung Smart Monitor M8 M80F supports a 60Hz refresh rate, making it a practical choice for everyday use.
• 100–144Hz: A sweet spot for casual gaming and general use. At 144Hz, monitors like the Samsung Odyssey G7 G70D can make scrolling feel smoother and game scenes appear noticeably more fluid.
• 240Hz or higher: Well suited for competitive gaming. High-refresh-rate monitors like the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF are particularly beneficial for action-heavy gameplay, especially fast-paced FPS titles where smooth motion and responsiveness are important.

It’s worth noting that the differences can feel less noticeable as refresh rates increase. The jump from 60Hz to 144Hz is generally more noticeable than the jump from 144Hz to 240Hz or higher.

To take full advantage of a high-refresh-rate monitor, your GPU needs to be able to deliver high frame rates. For example, if your GPU is only delivering around 60 frames per second, you won’t get the full benefit of a 144Hz monitor.

Ultimately, the right refresh rate depends on how you use your monitor, your GPU's capabilities, and how much you value responsive performance.

If you're looking for a monitor with a high refresh rate for gaming, you can explore the Samsung Odyssey lineup here.

The main difference between FHD, QHD and 4K is pixel count, or the total number of individual pixels that make up the image. A higher pixel count can deliver sharper visuals and provide more room to work on screen.

Here’s how the three resolutions compare along with available Samsung models in each category:

• FHD (Full HD) has a resolution of 1920 × 1080, or approximately 2.1 million pixels. It is a practical option for competitive gaming, particularly on smaller screens, such as the 24" Samsung Odyssey G3 G30D, where it provides enough pixel density for crisp game visuals.
• QHD (Quad HD) has a resolution of 2560 × 1440, or approximately 3.7 million pixels, giving you about 1.8 times as many pixels as FHD. At 27", the Samsung Odyssey G5 G50F offers a balance of image clarity and performance, making it well suited for casual gaming and office work.
• 4K (Ultra HD) has a resolution of 3840 × 2160, or approximately 8.3 million pixels, which is four times the pixel count of FHD. Its greater level of detail and sharpness makes it a strong choice for photo and video editing and movie viewing, especially on larger screens, such as the 32" Samsung ViewFinity S8 S80UD.

It's important to note that monitors with higher resolutions can require more powerful hardware to perform at their best. A 4K display, for example, gives your GPU significantly more pixels to render than an FHD screen, increasing the demands on your hardware. Higher-resolution monitors and the hardware needed to support them may also come at a higher cost.

In short, FHD is a practical choice for a lower-cost setup, QHD offers a strong balance of clarity and performance, and 4K is well suited for users who prioritize excellent picture quality.

To find out which monitor resolution best suits your needs, check out our "How to Select by Resolution" article.

Curved monitors aren’t necessarily the better choice for everyone. Whether a curved monitor is right for you depends on your personal preferences and how you use your screen.

One of the main benefits of a curved screen is a more immersive viewing experience. The curve is designed to follow your natural field of view, extending the image into your peripheral vision. It can also provide a more consistent viewing distance across the screen, reducing the need for your eyes to constantly refocus, which may help ease eye strain.

Curved monitors like the Samsung Odyssey G9 G91F tend to make the biggest difference in these situations:
• Large or ultrawide screens (32" or larger, including 21:9 and 32:9): On larger displays, the curve helps maintain a more consistent viewing distance from the center to the edges of the screen.
• Immersive gaming: The wraparound effect can create a greater sense of depth and immersion, particularly for gaming, racing simulators and cinematic content.
• Single-user setups: Curved monitors are best experienced when you sit directly in front of the screen, where the curve can provide the most consistent viewing experience.

On the other hand, flat monitors, such as the Samsung ViewFinity Monitor S7 S70D, are a better choice in these situations:
• Precision design or computer-aided design (CAD) work: A flat screen may be preferable when accurate representation of straight lines and shapes is important.
• Shared viewing: Curved monitors are optimized for a centered viewing position, making them less suitable when multiple people need to view the screen at once.
• Multi-monitor setups: Flat monitors may be easier to arrange side by side, particularly when creating a consistent viewing surface across multiple displays.
• Standard 24"–27" screens: At smaller screen sizes, the benefits of a curve are generally less noticeable compared with larger or ultrawide displays.

Your room setup is also worth considering. Glare and reflections can vary depending on the screen surface and the position of windows or lighting, so consider where your monitor will be placed.

To summarize, curved monitors tend to offer the most noticeable benefits on large and ultrawide screens, particularly for users looking for a more immersive, single-user viewing experience. You can learn more about Samsung curved and ultrawide monitors here.

The best panel depends on how you use your monitor and what matters most to you. IPS, VA and OLED each have different strengths in color, contrast, motion performance and brightness.

How each panel technology works:
IPS and VA are LCD panel technologies that use liquid crystals to control light from an LED backlight, while OLED pixels produce their own light, allowing individual pixels to turn off completely when displaying black.

Here’s how the three panel types compare:
• IPS: IPS panels, used in the Samsung ViewFinity S8 S80HF, offer strong color accuracy and can provide higher brightness than OLED. However, it typically has lower contrast, so blacks may appear more gray in darker scenes. This makes IPS well suited for office work, photo editing, graphic design and other color-sensitive tasks.

• VA: VA panels, used in the Samsung Smart Monitor M8 M80F, offer higher contrast and deeper blacks than IPS while maintaining good overall brightness. However, some VA panels may show more visible smearing during fast motion. This makes VA well suited for movie viewing, dark-room use and users looking for strong performance at a reasonable price.

• OLED: OLED panels, used in the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G81SF, deliver deep blacks, very high contrast and fast response times for smooth, detailed visuals. However, OLED can be less bright than some IPS or VA panels and may be more susceptible to burn-in when static elements remain on screen for extended periods. This makes OLED well suited for gaming, movie viewing and users who prioritize premium picture quality.

Overall, IPS is well suited for color-focused work, VA is a strong choice for contrast and dark-room viewing and OLED is ideal for users who want fast response times and premium picture quality.

Whether an OLED monitor is worth buying depends on your priorities and how you use your monitor. OLED monitors, such as the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G81SF, differ from monitors with IPS and VA panels because each pixel produces its own light and can turn off individually, enabling deep blacks, high contrast and fast response times.

Here's what makes OLED monitors worth it:
• Contrast and blacks: OLED pixels can turn off completely when displaying black, delivering deep blacks and sharp contrast for more detailed dark scenes in games and movies.
• Motion clarity: With response times as fast as around 0.03ms, OLED can help reduce motion blur and ghosting during fast-moving scenes.
• Viewing angles: OLED maintains consistent color and brightness across wide viewing angles.

However, OLED monitors generally come at a higher price, and prolonged display of static content may increase the risk of burn-in. Maximum brightness may also be lower than that of some LCD monitors, and text can appear slightly less sharp on certain OLED displays. Samsung's QD-OLED technology addresses this by combining quantum dot technology with OLED to improve both brightness and longevity.

If you use your monitor for gaming, watching HDR or high-contrast content, doing creative work or viewing content in darker environments, OLED can be a strong choice thanks to its deep contrast, vivid color and fast response times. However, if you spend long hours viewing static content such as spreadsheets or coding interfaces, work in a bright environment or have a limited budget, you may want to consider other panel options.

To see more models, browse our Samsung OLED lineup here.

Choosing the right monitor starts with identifying your primary use case. From there, consider your budget and then narrow down the specs that matter most for how you plan to use your monitor.

For work and productivity: Focus on comfort and screen space. An IPS panel offers strong color performance and wide viewing angles, while a 27–32" QHD or 4K monitor gives you plenty of room to work across multiple windows. For everyday productivity, a refresh rate of 60–75Hz is generally sufficient. Ergonomic adjustments such as height, tilt and swivel are also worth considering to support a comfortable working posture, along with connectivity options like USB-C for a cleaner desk setup.

For gaming: Prioritize refresh rate and response time. IPS or OLED panels are strong options, while a refresh rate of 144Hz or higher and a low response time can help deliver smoother, more responsive gameplay. QHD (1440p) is a popular choice for gaming, offering sharp and detailed visuals. Adaptive sync technologies such as FreeSync or G-SYNC can also help prevent screen tearing for a seamless gaming experience. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF, for example, features a QD-OLED panel, QHD resolution, a 500Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time, making it well suited for competitive gaming.

For creative work such as photo editing, video editing or design: Color accuracy and image detail are key. Look for an IPS or OLED panel, wide color gamut coverage, such as DCI-P3 or Adobe RGB, and color calibration for more accurate color reproduction. Resolution should be 4K or higher to see fine details in images and videos. For instance, the Samsung ViewFinity S7 S70D provides 4K resolution and 99% sRGB coverage for visual tasks that require precision.

For mixed use: A 27–32" 4K IPS monitor with a refresh rate of 60Hz or higher can offer a strong balance across work, gaming and creative tasks, combining sharp visuals, smooth performance and reliable color reproduction. In particular, the Samsung ViewFinity S8 S80UD features 4K resolution and an IPS panel for versatile everyday use.

Still not sure where to start? Use Samsung’s monitor finder to match your needs.

Yes, a smart monitor can serve as an alternative to a TV and can also be used without a PC. Whether it can fully replace a TV, however, depends on how you plan to use it.

Smart monitors like the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 M90SF can offer many of the same features as smart TVs, including a built-in operating system such as Samsung Tizen OS, along with a remote control, built-in speakers, Wi-Fi and popular streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube and Disney+. Even without a PC, you can watch shows and movies through built-in apps, cast or mirror from a compatible phone or tablet using AirPlay or Chromecast and connect devices such as a game console or Bluetooth controller. Some models also support web browsing and cloud-based productivity apps.

That said, a smart monitor may not be the best replacement for every TV setup. Unlike many TVs, it may not support over-the-air broadcast channels through an antenna. Smart monitors also tend to come in smaller screen sizes and may offer lower speaker output than TVs designed for larger living spaces.

So which should you choose?
A smart monitor can be a practical choice for a bedroom, dorm room or home office, especially if you want one screen for both entertainment and productivity. If you need a larger screen for the living room or want cable and antenna viewing, a smart TV may be the better choice.

High-resolution monitors, in particular the Samsung ViewFinity S8 S85TH, offer clear advantages for work that relies on fine detail, more workspace and visual accuracy. They can be particularly useful for the following types of professional work:
• Photo editing: Higher resolution makes it easier to inspect fine details such as skin texture, edges and other small imperfections during precise retouching.
• Video editing: A high-resolution display allows you to preview detailed footage while keeping timelines, color scopes and editing panels visible on screen.
• Financial and data analysis: More screen space can help you view large spreadsheets and multiple dashboards with less scrolling.
• Medical imaging: Higher resolution can help catch subtle details in X-rays and MRIs more clearly for accurate diagnosis.
• Software development: More screen space makes it easier to arrange code, documentation and terminal windows side by side.

For gaming and esports, factors such as high refresh rates and low input lag may be more important than resolution, especially for competitive gameplay. For general office work, a larger screen, dual-monitor setup or improved ergonomics may have a greater impact on everyday productivity.

In summary, high-resolution monitors are most beneficial for work that requires fine detail, visual accuracy and plenty of on-screen workspace.

Whether an ultrawide monitor is worth it depends largely on how you prefer to organize your workspace.

The biggest advantage of an ultrawide monitor is its seamless, uninterrupted screen space. Without a bezel dividing the center of your view, you can work across a wider area, which can be particularly useful for video editing timelines, large spreadsheets, coding environments with multiple panels open or immersive gaming. A single monitor can also help simplify your desk setup by reducing the number of displays, stands and connections you need. This makes them a strong choice for creative professionals, video editors, gamers and home office users who prefer a clean, expansive single-screen workspace.

While ultrawide monitors offer many advantages, dual monitors may offer some advantages. Two monitors allow you to position or rotate each display separately and maximize applications on each screen, which can be particularly useful for developers, traders and analysts who work across multiple applications or operating systems. A dual-monitor setup can also be more budget-friendly than an ultrawide monitor, making it worth considering for budget-conscious users.

If you want an ultrawide screen that more closely replaces the workspace of two monitors, a Dual QHD (DQHD) model, such as the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G95SD, can offer enough horizontal screen space for multiple applications side by side.

If you’re considering replacing a dual-monitor setup with a single display, you can learn more about Samsung ultrawide monitors here.