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UK buying shortlist

Best Gaming Monitors in the UK (2026): Refresh-Rate and Resolution Checks

Choose this guide when gaming is the main job and you need to separate refresh-rate, resolution, connection and desk-fit checks before comparing retailer options.

Reviewed 18/07/2026 Criteria-based comparison How we chose Review details

Best starting point

AOC 24G2SPU 24-inch Gaming Monitor

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Top 4 at a glance

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The shortlist

Four options, with the trade-offs visible

Use the fit, limitations and checkout checks before opening a retailer page. Confirm the current price, stock, delivery and returns with the retailer.

Pick 1

Overall winner

Best budget

AOC 24G2SPU 24-inch Gaming Monitor

Verdict

Strong budget lane for buyers upgrading from basic 60Hz panels while accepting tighter feature and size trade-offs.

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Highlights

  • Credible low-cost pick for buyers moving from basic 60Hz screens.
  • Widely surfaced in UK budget-monitor comparisons.

Drawbacks

  • 1080p resolution is less suited to spreadsheet-heavy productivity than 27-inch QHD/4K options.

Buyer fit

Best for

  • Best budget monitors route anchor picks
  • Entry gaming and mixed-use desks on tighter spend caps

Not for you if

  • Buyers specifically targeting 27-inch screen size

Check before buying

  • Confirm the exact 24G2SPU/24G2SP variant, stand bundle, input set, warranty route and seller returns before checkout.

Pick 2

Best overall

LG 27GP850-B 27-inch QHD Gaming Monitor

Verdict

Best overall gaming balance of QHD clarity, high-refresh responsiveness, and practical value for most buyers with mid-to-strong GPU headroom.

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Highlights

  • Strong 27-inch performance/value balance for mixed gaming and daily desktop use.
  • QHD panel density is a practical step-up from 1080p at this size.

Drawbacks

  • Higher spend than entry-level budget monitor picks.

Buyer fit

Best for

  • Best 27-inch monitors route coverage
  • Shoppers wanting one 27-inch screen for work and play

Not for you if

  • Strict sub-£200 budgets

Check before buying

  • Confirm the exact 27GP850-B regional model, stand bundle, input set, warranty route and seller returns before checkout.

Pick 3

Best premium

Samsung Odyssey G5 LS27CG552EU 27-inch QHD Monitor

Verdict

Premium-leaning curved lane for buyers who prioritise immersion over the most neutral productivity presentation.

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Highlights

  • Useful mid-tier 27-inch option for buyers wanting curved immersion without premium pricing.
  • Expands 27-inch route coverage beyond a single panel style.

Drawbacks

  • Curved panel preference is subjective for office-first workflows.

Buyer fit

Best for

  • Best 27-inch monitors route diversification
  • Mid-range gaming-focused buyers

Not for you if

  • Users who prefer flat panels for design or spreadsheet alignment

Check before buying

  • Confirm the exact LS27CG552EU/UK suffix, curve, stand adjustment limits, warranty route and seller returns before checkout.

Pick 4

Best specialist or alternative

Dell S2722QC 27-inch 4K USB-C Monitor

Verdict

Mixed-use alternative for buyers who split time between gaming and productivity and can accept gaming-specific compromises.

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Highlights

  • Strong all-round 27-inch 4K option for mixed work and media use.
  • USB-C support makes laptop desk setups simpler for UK home offices.

Drawbacks

  • Not positioned as a high-refresh gaming-first display.

Buyer fit

Best for

  • Best-monitors main buying route coverage
  • 27-inch productivity-focused shortlist picks

Not for you if

  • Buyers prioritising high-refresh esports performance over sharpness

Check before buying

  • Confirm the exact S2722QC model code, USB-C DP Alt Mode/PD needs, included cable, warranty route and seller returns before checkout.

Top 4 comparison

Compare the useful differences, trade-offs and final checks side by side.

1. AOC 24G2SPU 24-inch Gaming Monitor

  • Pick role:Best budget
  • Best for:Best budget monitors route anchor picks
  • Avoid if:Buyers specifically targeting 27-inch screen size
  • Key trade-off:1080p resolution is less suited to spreadsheet-heavy productivity than 27-inch QHD/4K options.
  • Check before buying:Confirm the exact 24G2SPU/24G2SP variant, stand bundle, input set, warranty route and seller returns before checkout.
  • Warranty/support status:Warranty details must be verified against the current UK seller or manufacturer page before checkout. • Support route must be verified against the current UK seller or manufacturer page before checkout.
  • Review/evidence basis:Product identity, 23.8/24-inch FHD panel, 165Hz class refresh and height-adjustable stand checked against AOC 24G2SPU official product/leaflet evidence: https://www.aoc.com/mt/gaming/monitors/24g2spu_bk and https://www.aoc.com/api/asset/pi26757?ext=pdf
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2. LG 27GP850-B 27-inch QHD Gaming Monitor

  • Pick role:Best overall
  • Best for:Best 27-inch monitors route coverage
  • Avoid if:Strict sub-£200 budgets
  • Key trade-off:Higher spend than entry-level budget monitor picks.
  • Check before buying:Confirm the exact 27GP850-B regional model, stand bundle, input set, warranty route and seller returns before checkout.
  • Warranty/support status:Warranty details must be verified against the current UK seller or manufacturer page before checkout. • Support route must be verified against the current UK seller or manufacturer page before checkout.
  • Review/evidence basis:Product identity, 27-inch QHD panel and height/pivot/tilt stand checked against LG 27GP850-B official product evidence: https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27gp850-b-gaming-monitor
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3. Samsung Odyssey G5 LS27CG552EU 27-inch QHD Monitor

  • Pick role:Best premium
  • Best for:Best 27-inch monitors route diversification
  • Avoid if:Users who prefer flat panels for design or spreadsheet alignment
  • Key trade-off:Curved panel preference is subjective for office-first workflows.
  • Check before buying:Confirm the exact LS27CG552EU/UK suffix, curve, stand adjustment limits, warranty route and seller returns before checkout.
  • Warranty/support status:Warranty details must be verified against the current UK seller or manufacturer page before checkout. • Support route must be verified against the current UK seller or manufacturer page before checkout.
  • Review/evidence basis:Product identity, 27-inch QHD resolution and 1000R curved-screen fit checked against Samsung UK Odyssey G5 G55C evidence: https://www.samsung.com/uk/monitors/gaming/odyssey-g5-g55c-27-inch-165hz-curved-qhd-ls27cg552euxxu/
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4. Dell S2722QC 27-inch 4K USB-C Monitor

  • Pick role:Best specialist or alternative
  • Best for:Best-monitors main buying route coverage
  • Avoid if:Buyers prioritising high-refresh esports performance over sharpness
  • Key trade-off:Not positioned as a high-refresh gaming-first display.
  • Check before buying:Confirm the exact S2722QC model code, USB-C DP Alt Mode/PD needs, included cable, warranty route and seller returns before checkout.
  • Warranty/support status:Warranty details must be verified against the current UK seller or manufacturer page before checkout. • Support route must be verified against the current UK seller or manufacturer page before checkout.
  • Review/evidence basis:Product identity, 27-inch 4K panel, USB-C input with power delivery and adjustable stand checked against Dell S2722QC official/spec or user-guide evidence: https://www.dell.com/en-hk/shop/dell-27-4k-uhd-usb-c-monitor-s2722qc/apd/210-bcdc/monitors-monitor-accessories and https://dl.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_electronics_accessories/esuprt_electronics_accessories_monitor/esuprt_monitor_s_series/dell-s2722qc-monitor_user%27s-guide2_en-us.pdf
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Choose this if / Avoid this if

Rule out poor-fit options before comparing finer details.

Avoid if

  • Skip this guide if gaming is not your main use case and you mostly need office or creative productivity features.

Dealbreakers

  • Treat it as a dealbreaker if refresh-rate expectations, console/PC port needs, or desk space do not align.

Check before buying

  • Check panel size versus desk depth, available ports for your platform, and stand/VESA flexibility.

Choose another shortlist if

  • Choose another route if colour-work accuracy or low-cost office use matters more than gaming-first fit.

When to pick a different shortlist

If your priorities differ, compare this winner with Best Monitors for Home Working in the UK (2026): Top 4 Desk-Fit Picks.

How we chose

The checks behind the four picks

We weighted refresh/latency fit, resolution-versus-performance trade-offs, and realistic UK value by tier before assigning Top 4 roles.

  • Step 1: Compared using published product information, stated buying criteria and current retailer checks.
  • Step 2: Practical ownership trade-offs over marketing-heavy spec framing
  • Step 3: UK retailer availability checks for usable shortlist continuity

Disclosure

Last reviewed: 18/07/2026

UK Shortlists may earn a commission when you use some retailer links. This does not increase the price you pay.

Retailers cannot pay to change which products we recommend or their order.

Prices, stock, delivery and returns can change. Confirm the final details with the retailer before buying.

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Who checked this shortlist?

Written / compiled by:
UK Shortlists Editorial Team
Last reviewed:
18/07/2026
Review basis:
Criteria-based comparison

We compare published product information, retailer details and the buying criteria shown above. UK Shortlists does not currently publish claims based on first-party product use, laboratory testing or long-term testing.

FAQs & alternatives

Is the Premium pick always best?

No. Premium only wins when your real use pattern benefits from the extra capability enough to justify higher spend.

Do these rankings guarantee lowest live price?

No. Price is used as contextual evidence; confirm final checkout pricing and availability before purchase.

Why include a Bonus Pick?

The Bonus slot keeps a credible alternative path visible when buyer preferences differ from the main top-three pattern.

Also consider

  • If your buying priority is office productivity, compare [Best Monitors for Home Working in the UK (2026)](/shortlists/best-monitors-for-home-working-uk-2026).
  • If your priority is strict value control, compare [Best Monitors Under £300 in the UK (2026)](/shortlists/best-monitors-under-300-uk-2026).

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Compare this next: Best Monitors for Home Working in the UK (2026): Top 4 Desk-Fit Picks