The best G-Sync-compatible monitors can be a bit of a life hack when choosing a new gaming display. While they're stripped of that Nvidia-specific chip inside that allows G-sync, they allow AMD's Freesync to get along with an Nvidia GPU. Narrowing your search to one of these screens will throw you into a particular world of great monitors but also save you some money by avoiding the G-Sync 'proper' premium while still getting you, effectively, a G-Sync monitor. Smooth.
And you don't have to rely just on us for the information that some FreeSync monitors work with G-Sync - Nvidia themselves tested loads of monitors in order to find out which are the best gaming monitors to work with its G-Sync adaptive sync technology.
This development and sharing of tech mean you don't always have to pay a premium to get the picture-smoothing tech. You can get a full list of G-Sync monitors here at Nvidia's website, but a great place to start your search is right here with our top picks for the best G-Sync compatible monitors money can buy right now.
But what's the actual deal with these, the best G-Sync-compatible monitors? Well, it means you can pick up one of the best graphics cards from either the Nvidia or AMD family and benefit from super smooth pictures, frame rates, and low input lag. Adding one of these niche-but-excellent monitors to your setup allows you to add in the benefits of enabling Nvidia's G-Sync tech too, which is an enormous bonus.
The best G-Sync Compatible monitors 2023
There wasn't much we didn't like about Alienware's OG OLED gaming monitor, the Alienware 34 AW3423DW. But the new "F" model, the AW3423DWF, fixes one obvious issue, the matte anti-glare coating that robbed the awesome Samsung-supplied QD-OLED panel of just a little of its drama.
This new cheaper version is 10Hz slower regarding refresh at 165Hz, not that you'll ever notice, and the Nvidia G-Sync chip has been ditched, in lieu of AMD's Freesync Premium Pro. While it isn't officially certified by Nvidia as G-sync compatible, that Freesync certification gives it well-rounded versatility for any platform.
In other words, you lose little that matters but get an even better gaming experience for a few hundred dollars less than before. And that makes this almost certainly the best OLED gaming panel around and just possibly the best gaming monitor, period.
This new model gets a glossy coating and it makes all the difference. Black tones are absolutely inky, while the HDR experience seriously sizzles. This monitor really does deliver on the promise of OLED's per-pixel lighting control, it's spectacular.
The Samsung panel also delivers good full-screen and nearly full-screen brightness, which isn't something you can say about OLED monitors that use LG-supplied panels. They generally have brightness issues and can look quite dull in some scenarios.
Anyway, this Alienware never looks anything but zingy, plus you get all the usual OLED advantages, including ridiculously fast response and great viewing angles. As for downsides, well, the 3,440 by 1,440 resolution doesn't make for great pixel density and the ultrawide form factor isn't ideal for console gaming. And the usual OLED concerns around burn-in remain, though you're covered for three years courtesy of a full warranty.
It feels like 1440p and 27 inches has been the sweet spot for affordable PC gaming for an age - throw in G-Sync compatibility and it looks even sweeter. Does it make sense for consoles, too? MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD likes to think so, in part thanks to a compatibility mode that allows a 4K input from the PS5 to run at 2.5 on this 2,560 by 1,440 pixel panel.
If that doesn’t actually make much sense (why tolerate the performance wilting demandings of 4K if you’re not getting the visual upsides of same?), this MSI panel still has a lot going for it. For starters, it runs at 165Hz and packs a high-quality IPS panel with colour accuracy that’s well above the norm for a gaming monitor.
Arguably even more important, this monitor is seriously zippy. Rated officially at 1ms response, it’s one of if not the fastest LCD gaming monitors we’ve ever seen. That speed makes it great for all kinds of PC gaming and a particular joy for online shooters. It’s also feature-packed, including that G-Sync compatible monitor characteristic, plus USB-C connectivity (albeit limited to 15W of charging power). The only slight snag is the price. It’s pretty expensive. For this kind of money, you can get something bigger, if not quite as capable.
Read more: MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD review
The VG27AQ is a really great monitor, that would be at home in other best lists, not just in this niche. It's a great IPS panel that has quality speeds and would be a fine choice for a PC player or console owners - or better, both. It was a joy to play both types of systems on that it'd really suit a multi-monitor and multi-device/system setup.
In my ASUS VG27AQ review I was impressed by basically all it offered; it is exceptionally versatile and turned its hand to anything. The slight downsides of a little haze and sheen here and there are just that - slight. The rest of what the VG27AQ offers easily makes this one of the best affordable G-Sync-compatible monitor going right now.
As you can imagine a lovely 4K resolution on a monitor oozing quality gaming specs does bump up the price a bit. However, the Acer Nitro XV273K and its specs do go a long way to justify the price tag, and it's a worthwhile investment if you want the biggest resolution in this niche of gaming monitor. Its a tremendous 4K HDR IPS-panel monitor that's G-Sync compatible - an excellent start. This is then reinforced by the particulars of the aforementioned gaming specs in the form of a a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. Neither of which are easy on a 4K panel. All that, and it is from a reputable maker of quality gaming monitors, a great option.
1440p has been the sweet spot for PC gaming for several years. But the new Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165 stretches the appeal of 1440p to breaking point courtesy of its 32-inch proportions and premium pricing. It’s certainly a nicely calibrated panel with excellent colour coverage thanks to the use of quantum dot technology in its backlight. It’s also pretty quick, with sub-3ms GtG pixel response and user-configurable overdrive, not to mention 165Hz refresh. But it’s not exceptional by any of those measures. And at this price point, it needs to be.
Likewise, the Xeneon’s basic HDR support is good but nothing special. But the biggest problem remains the combination of price and the mediocre pixel density that comes with stretching 1440p or 2,560 by 1,440 pixel over a fairly large 32-inch IPS panel. The result is adequate but far from exceptional image detail and sharpness. For gaming, it’s debatable - do you want more frames or more detail. In mitigation, the Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165 is beautifully built and is certainly one of the most premium, but best, G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitors that money can buy right now.
Read more: Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165
Dell offers a lot of monitors, from basic 1080p run-of-the-mill office jobs to uber impressive 4K beauties. The S2721DGF slots firmly in the middle, offering gaming performance at 1440p, and while the specs are those you'd expect of a top-notch competitive esports ready screen, it certainly doesn't look like one on the outside.
When any PC gamer is looking for a monitor, two specs are vital; refresh rate and response time, and - often, G-Sync compatibility. The Dell S2721DGF is almost perfect in this regard, offering 165Hz and 1ms respectively, as well as that sweet Sync tech. Another attraction is the IPS panel, which is excellent and contributes to the bang-to-buck value that the monitor offers. The monitor is covered in a matte, all-black finish, with thin, flat bezels around the edge, making it a brilliant choice for anyone looking for a double or triple-monitor set-up.
The only place this monitor trips up is in HDR performance, especially dark areas. The contrast is low, which means it's often hard to differentiate between subtle blacks and greys, but if you're using this primarily for gaming and not movie-watching, it's not too big of a deal. This is one of the best 1440p G-sync compatible FreeSync monitors on the market.
Read more: Dell S2721DGF review
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 ultrawide monitor has been with us for a little while now, but it's still just as impressive: 49 inches, 240Hz, seven million pixels, a crazy-immersive 1000R curvature, and a slightly silly 2000 nits is a hell of a recipe for an ultrawide G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitor.
Arguably more important isn’t the peak brightness but the fact that a 10-zone edge-lit backlight has been ditched in favour of a cutting-edge 2,048 zone mini-LED backlight. On paper, that’s a huge upgrade. In practice, it’s a bit more complicated. This is a big screen, and even with that many zones, the granularity of the backlight control is a little crude. However, when it's performing at its best, the Neo G9 puts on a spectacular HDR show that few ultrawide monitors can match.
It won't be a suitable home for console players - the likes of LG’s 120Hz C1 and CX OLED TVs are better matched for that from a big-screen perspective - but for pure PC gaming, the Neo G9’s wrap-around immersion is seriously hard to beat.
Read more: Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 review
Until now, 4K60fps+ gaming has been a concept only attainable by the hardcore enthusiasts who dedicate everything they have to PC gaming. Not anymore. Thanks to the recent launch of the 30-series cards from Nvidia, and AMD's RX series equivalents, it's finally affordable for those who desire it. To reach that level, you need one of the best monitors on the market, but they're usually more expensive than the graphics cards themselves.
The ASUS XG27UQ changes that entirely, bringing almost the best possible specs on a 4K screen down to a reachable tier for general PC gamers. It's still not cheap, but for the first time ever a 4K monitor with 1ms response time and a 144Hz refresh rate is below the $1k mark. Quite considerably actually, coming in at around $800/£800. It's still a hefty price tag, don't get me wrong, but it's far cheaper than the other top tier offerings.
The ASUS XG27UQ is like a gaze into what PC gaming will be like for everyone 5 to 10 years down the line. With ray tracing on, Cyberpunk 2077 had my jaw on the floor, with stunning lighting effects and texture detail throughout Night City. As did Assassin's Creed Valhalla, with the sunrays splitting the treetops. if you have a rig capable of it – seriously, don't upgrade to 4K if your graphics card is a few years old – then you will not be disappointed with this monitor.
Read more: ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ review
Looking for one of the best G-Sync compatible monitors that blends nearly everything that’s best about the latest LCD technology? You just found it in the Samsung Odyssey G7 C27G7. With local dimming, adaptive sync, high refresh, HDR, quantum dot technology, a curved panel, and more, on paper it's got the works.
More specifically, it comes with a 27-inch diagonal with 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh for what many would agree absolutely nails the sweet spot in terms of balancing detail with speed and response. The main question mark concerns the use of VA panel technology, which is traditionally associated with slow pixel response and generally slightly laggy performance - not so here. Samsung claims 1ms response times and this monitor feels and looks at least that quick. No question, it’s comparable with the best TN monitors for sheer speed. That it also matches IPS panels for colours and adds excellent contrast into the mix makes for an incredibly compelling package.
As for negatives, they’re limited to a particularly poor HDR implementation given the DisplayHDR 600 certification, plus a niggling doubt that the extreme 1000R curve may be a bit too much of a good thing - and it is pricey for what it offers.
Read more: Samsung Odyssey G7 review
For most gamers, 1440p and 144Hz is the current sweet spot; the best compromise between speed and visual detail. However, for esports aficionados, it’s all about frame rates and response. Throw in G-Sync compatibility and that's where the Acer Predator XB253QGX comes in.
Resolution-wise, it’s only 1080p from a 25-inch panel. But it clocks in at fully 240Hz refresh and is good for an ultra-low MPRT pixel response time of 0.5ms (GtG response is 1ms claimed). The Predator is also Nvidia G-Sync capable. HDR support is entry-level stuff in the form of DisplayHDR 400 certification. But that at least ensures punchy peak brightness of 400cd/m2.
The IPS panel tech likewise makes for more accurate and vibrant colours than an equivalent TN screen. For online shooters right through from Counter-Strike: Source to Call of Duty: Warzone, this panel is a peach. It’s very quick and blur-free and feels super responsive - confirming its place as a 1080p contender for best G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitor.
It’s less impressive rendering the latest eye candy in the likes of Cyberpunk 2077. The relatively low res makes for much fuzzier image quality than 1440p or 4K panels. But if speed is what you demand, the Acer Predator XB253QGX does that better than most while not entirely giving up on image quality.
Read more: Acer Predator XB253QGX review
If speed is paramount for you in your G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitor, then this AOC model is very worthy of your consideration. We think that 1440p gaming is still the sweet spot for gaming setups right now so this 27-inch, QHD, FreeSync 2, VA panel with blistering speeds - 165Hz refresh; 1ms response - is right up there when it comes to speed-focused gaming at that perfect resolution. It doesn't compromise too much on image quality too and had real quality colour and HDR chops to make this monitor offer much more than just the speedy element. A decent all-rounder for those looking to have a speedy-focus to their monitor but one of the best ones going if you're just chasing those speeds.
Read more in our full AOC Agon AG273QX review here. And please note that this model is unfortunately not available in the US yet. It might well come to that side of the pond, but for the moment this is an EU-only model. In the US, your closest available AOC match would probably be the AOC C27G2.
Razer's first foray into gaming displays is a great success. The Raptor is a 27-inch panel that has quality specs under the hood. An IPS panel with a 1440p resolution, it has a 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate; and it offers that sweet G-Sync compatibility.
Elsewhere, there's also a slick black design that has RGB in the stand - because of course it does - and a mesh material all over the back, much like you'd find on speakers. The traditional Razer-green cables contrast nicely with the black stand and monitor and are tidily kept in check at the back with cable guides, too. The ports will have you covered practically speaking too: an HDMI, a DisplayPort, one USB-C, two USB 3s, and a headphone jack.
This is a terrific gaming monitor all in then, and one which has a quality of picture that alone makes it easy to recommend as one of the best G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitors. The screen's speed is fast and pacey for smooth pictures, the image quality is crisp and gorgeous, and the color range and contrasts are deep and immersive. It's a little pricey perhaps, but if you're looking for a great PC monitor that has compatibility with Nvidia's screen tech, this sure is a strong contender.
Read more: Razer Raptor 27 review
Despite being 'just' a TN panel the AOC G2590FX is a super affordable entry point into high frame rate gaming on an almost bezel-less screen. The loss of viewing angle and really rich colors that a TN panel can give you is compensated by a lightning refresh rate of 144Hz and a zippy 1ms response time. This 25-inch monitor can show off frames fast as your GPU can squeeze them out, no jaggies or input lag permitted, especially as it's got that sweet G-Sync compatibility.
Graphics cards
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Best G-sync compatible monitor: FAQs
What's the difference between G-Sync and G-Sync compatible?
Simply put, if a monitor is 'G-Sync'-capable it has a dedicated element within the monitor to assist and enhance frame syncing, whereas 'G-Sync compatible' relies on Adaptive-Sync, and enables an Nvidia card to play nice with AMD FreeSync. Benefits are still there in the latter, but arguably not as much as with 'proper' G-Sync.
Should I choose a FreeSync, G-Sync or G-Sync compatible monitor?
We recommend you get a panel with any frame-smoothing and syncing tech as it will greatly improve your gaming experience.
However, broadly speaking, G-Sync's are the most expensive usually, and a lot of FreeSync monitors nowadays are also G-Sync compatible so they are very similar. It can often come down to budget - if you can't stretch to a certified G-Sync screen, then a compatible or FreeSync monitor will still offer good benefits.
If you're after something different you can browse our guides to the best PS5 monitors, best Xbox Series X monitors, best PS4 monitors, the best portable monitors, and best G-Sync monitors here.
If you're after something that's TV-shaped then head over to our best gaming TV guide as well as our best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X, best OLED TV, and best 120Hz 4K TV guides which will all see you right.
