Best G-Sync Monitors 2024

Skip a monitor altogether and enjoy the bigger screen on the best TV for gaming instead. The LG C4 OLED Evo is a stunning TV that takes full advantage of its OLED panel. With that type of technology comes the fastest pixel response times and control down to each individual pixel for next-level contrast. Blacks are truly black with little to no haloing around brighter objects in dark scenes. The rich colors pop on screen as well, so anything from lush landscapes to creepy basements look incredible.

We wish Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology were used in the LG C4 to take the picture quality further, but that’s reserved for the pricier LG G4. Still, the latest model of this series sees a brightness boost that is taken in even further in HDR thanks to a new AI processor. It’s an excellent option for HDR gaming, bringing extra texture and clarity to the action.

Beyond the unbeatable picture, the LG C4 OLED Evo packs all the gaming chops. Its four HDMI 2.1 ports deliver 4K/120Hz to make the most of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. But when hooked up to a capable gaming PC, it can push up to 144Hz in 4K for silky smooth action. Of course, this TV is rocking G-Sync compatibility and has FreeSync Premium baked-in. While true G-Sync would’ve been nice, it’s a rarity in TVs. Even still, screen stuttering and tearing will be a thing of the past, and when in Game Optimizer mode, input lag remains virtually undetectable. Don’t want to play on PC or console? Its Gaming Dashboard brings simple access to cloud gaming services and makes for easy adjustments to game settings.

Where to Get the Best G-Sync Monitor in the UK

Thankfully all of the best monitors listed are also available to pick up in the UK. The retailers will certainly be different, but each and every one of the G-Sync displays we’ve mentioned can be purchased on the other side of the pond as well. Typically, most of these can be found on sites like Amazon, Currys PC World, Overclockers, and more. Funnily enough, Dell even stocks its own products, such as this 24-Inch Gaming Monitor, one of the best options for those on a tight budget.

What to Look for in a G-Sync Gaming Monitor

Nvidia G-Sync comes in three flavors: G-Sync Ultimate, G-Sync, and G-Sync Compatible. It’s important to understand the difference between G-Sync standards before you buy.

The G-Sync Ultimate and G-Sync standards require a dedicated G-Sync hardware module inside the display. This module is a dedicated chip that synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with the Nvidia video card’s output.

The G-Sync module’s key benefit is the ability to display smooth motion across a monitor’s entire refresh rate range. You will see smooth, evenly paced gameplay even when a game’s frame rate takes a dip. The motion will not feel as smooth as at a higher framerate, of course, but it will remain free of tearing and stuttering.

G-Sync Ultimate adds image quality standards including HDR and wide color gamut support. This is a sly marketing move from Nvidia, as it suggests these benefits are related to G-Sync. That’s not the case: Nvidia is only certifying the monitor performs to a certain minimum standard. The motion performance of G-Sync Ultimate is the same as standard G-Sync.

G-Sync Compatible is where things get dicey. G-Sync Compatible monitors don’t have a G-Sync module at all and instead rely on the open VESA Adaptive Sync standard. This standard is now common to a wide variety of monitors and, because it doesn’t require a G-Sync module, can hit very low price points.

However, the VESA Adaptive Sync standard does not support refresh rates any lower than 40Hz, and some monitors that are G-Sync compatible have a minimum G-Sync refresh rate even higher than that. G-Sync may not work properly at a framerate below the minimum refresh rate the monitor is G-Sync Compatible monitor is certified to support. You could see flickering or blanking (blank frames) while gaming. Nvidia maintains a database showing the certified specifications of all G-Sync and G-Sync compatible monitors.

Technically, G-Sync Compatible monitors may also have issues when a game’s framerate exceeds a monitor’s refresh rate. This is less frequently an issue, though, and can be addressed with a frame rate cap.

The downsides of G-Sync Compatible monitors are rare in practice. We test dozens of monitors every year at IGN, and it’s unusual that we see flickering or blanking during our review process. Most G-Sync Compatible monitors are certified to work down to a refresh rate of at least 48Hz, which means gameplay should remain smooth and trouble-free at 48 frames per second or above. That’s not a difficult standard to achieve, especially on 1080p and 1440p monitors.

Still, you should keep the difference between G-Sync Compatible and G-Sync in mind. If you want smooth and trouble-free G-Sync in every game, at any frame rate, you’ll want to buy a monitor with G-Sync or G-Sync Ultimate.

G-Sync Monitor FAQs

Is it worth getting a G-Sync Monitor?

If you have a G-Sync compatible graphics card, then you’ll definitely want to invest in a G-Sync monitor. With a large range of suitable monitors out there, you’ll find something that suits your requirements. G-Sync monitors allow you to enjoy fast-paced games without screen tearing and stuttering. This is especially useful for FPS games or esports gamers. Plus, you don’t have to spend a load of money to get a decent G-Sync monitor (but you can if your budget allows).

FreeSync vs. G-Sync

When deciding between a FreeSync vs. G-Sync gaming monitor, you’ll discover the two VRR (variable refresh rate) technologies perform similarly. Both aim to synchronize the refresh rate of the display and the frame rate of the PC or console you’re gaming on. FreeSync and G-Sync compatible displays use the same VESA Adaptive-Sync technical standard, delivering similar results in games and often cross-compatibility. Many of the displays that support FreeSync work as G-Sync-compatible, or vice versa, even if manufacturers can’t make the claim outright.

The only exceptions are G-Sync and G-Sync Ultimate monitors, as these require additional hardware, only work with Nvidia GPUs, and handle adaptive sync through a display’s entire refresh rate—other VRR usually taps out around 48Hz. That means these monitors are often pricier. G-Sync and FreeSync monitors also attempt to differentiate themselves by adding HDR or color gamut support, but this is more fluff than anything else.

When are G-Sync monitors on sale?

There a couple major shopping events where you can probably find a great deal on a G-Sync compatible gaming monitor. Prime Day and Black Friday are the best times to find sales on electronics, but other sales events also happen on the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and during the Back to School season.

Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.