If you’re looking for a new 1080p monitor, also known as an FHD monitor, you’ve come to the right place. The team at GamingNotion specializes in finding the best gaming monitors, and we’ve picked out some of our favorite choices for you. No matter what type of experience you’re looking for, we’re confident there’s something on this list that’ll be your fancy.
We work with monitors of all different resolutions, and while 1080p monitors may not look as great as QHD monitors, your GPU will perform better. However, buying a gaming monitor is about much more than resolution, and that’s where we come in. The FHD monitors on our list contain some of our favorite features and have strong reliability. No matter your needs or budget, something on this list will stick out.
Let’s start by going through our top choices, and then we’ll dig into each one and talk about what we love about it and who it’s best for.
1. Alienware 25
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync |
| Refresh Rate | 240Hz |
The Alienware 25 is our top choice for the best 1080p monitor or FHD monitor. It checks all our boxes, having the best ratio between price, features, and performance. It may look like your average gaming monitor, but playing on the Alienware 25 offers a great entertainment experience.
This Alienware monitor was built for gaming enthusiasts. The design approach has that futuristic style that’ll fit into any gaming environment. However, looks aren’t everything, and what matters is how well the video looks and how well the monitor performs.
The Alienware 25 offers a lightning-fast 240Hz refresh rate. This means you’ll be able to yield up to 240 FPS, and if you can’t keep up with that, you can count on the FreeSync to help keep your GPU in sync with your monitor. FreeSync, like G-Sync, helps stabilize the refresh rate to match your framerate, which helps avoid any tearing or studdering.
On top of that, this 25″ gaming monitor uses a thin, easy-to-adjust frame that’s easy to work with. There are many straightforward dashboard features for timers, monitoring your FPS, and customizing preset game modes.
As for the visuals, there are six present modes found on the monitor’s OSD that make it quick and easy to optimize your in-game display. I can tell you from weeks of testing that this monitor looks stunning, with bright & colorful video that gets the most out of the 1080p resolution.
2. AOC C24G1
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
This AOC Gaming Monitor is the perfect affordable alternative to the AW 25. Worth mentioning is that it still follows suit with its futuristic appearance, great features, performance, and extreme reliability. The best part is if we’re wrong about it being reliable, they offer a 3-year guarantee for no dead pixels.
The AOC C24G1 is a 24″ curved monitor with rapid-fire performance. With only 24″ of the screen, you’re getting incredible pixel density, which measures the ratio of screen size to pixel count. As a curved monitor, staring at this display all day long will be easier on your eyes, adding a sense of dimension & immersion.
Continuing about the physical quality of this monitor, the AOC C24G1 has a (very) adjustable height, along with a narrow border that’ll make your gaming experience appear larger. The AOC Low Blue mode and flickers will make a drastic difference in preventing eye fatigue and nasty headaches for those extra-long sessions.
In terms of performance, you’re getting 144Hz with a 1ms response time, which allows you to pull a good amount of FPS with rapid screen updates when gaming. As for the visual quality, I can attest that the colors and brightness pop out compared to other monitors in this price range. When you tally all of this up, it’s easy to see why it’s our favorite budget FHD monitor.
3. LG UltraGear
| Adaptive Sync | G-Sync / FreeSync |
| Refresh Rate | 240Hz |
This LG UltraGear Monitor is another favorite 1080p monitor of ours, offering tons of FPS potential, great visuals, all within 27″ of the screen. I’ll be honest, I don’t use LG monitors often for gaming, but the UltraGear line is noteworthy, especially in this price range.
The Ultragear monitor is HDR compatible, offering a more balanced lighting & coloring in your gameplay. The IPS with sRGB 99% means you’re getting the sharpest clarity from your LED monitor, with outstanding color accuracy. The Dynamic Action Sync is essential for those multiplayer gamers who rely on rapid response times, preventing other players from getting the drop on you.
On top of that, this 240Hz monitor can yield up to 240 FPS, with the ability to keep your frames and monitor in sync using G-Sync. If your machine can handle it, you’ll be able to get a lot of speed from the LG Ultragear, as well as those stunning visuals.
For a mid-range gaming monitor, I was pleased with the overall performance. Our team pushed the LG to the test, and it had no issues keeping up. While they put a lot of effort into performance, you can see how well they emphasize visual clarity. This is a purchase you would not regret.
4. Asus VG278QR
| Adaptive Sync | NVIDIA G-Sync |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz |
Next up is the Asus VG278QR, which comes in two size options, offering powerful LED visuals and making a performance claim that we don’t see often.
One of the first things that stood out about this 1080p FHD monitor was its claim that it has a 0.5ms response time. Monitor response time refers to how long it takes for the display to shift from one color to another. The industry standard for gaming is 1ms, and though you likely won’t notice the difference, we could affirm that the Asus VG278QR truly does have a 0.5ms response.
This 27″ monitor also offers a 165Hz refresh rate, which is more than enough for the casual gamer. They use NVIDIA’s G-Sync to keep the frames in sync with the monitor, creating a seamless experience. However, an essential feature you’re getting from this monitor is the Extreme low motion blur technology, which claims to reduce ghosting and motion blur, enhancing your gaming experience.
For connectivity, you’ll be able to utilize either the 2x HDMI ports or the DisplayPort, which is my preference. On top of that, a feature we don’t always see in gaming monitors, the Asus VG278QR has stereo 2W speakers for those who don’t want to use external sound devices or headphones.
Overall, there’s a lot of great features coming from Asus with this 1080p monitor.
5. Acer KG241Q
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
This Acer Monitor is an awesome-looking 1080p FHD monitor in various sizes. More importantly, it’s a strong-performing gaming monitor that comes at a relatively modest price.
The sizes on the Acer KG241Q range from 23.6 inches to 27 inches. While the price doesn’t vary much, it’s essential to consider the pixel density before making your purchase. The smaller your screen is, the denser the pixels will appear, which can have a positive effect on your gaming experience, although I can’t blame anyone for wanting the 27-inch version. I like to have a big screen in front of me while I game.
The refresh rates also vary from 144Hz to 165Hz. For PC gaming, this is what I call the “sweet spot.” You’re not going to get those outrageously competitive frame rates, but you’ll still be able to yield high rates that make consoles look like a thing of the past.
The connectivity options include DisplayPort & 2x HDMI ports. I love monitors that offer DisplayPort, and this Acer looks impressive with it. The visuals look stunning with vibrant colors that take in Acer VisionCare technologies to help protect your eyes. Overall, for an “affordable” choice, the Acer KG241Q is the way to go.
6. HP X27
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync Premium |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz |
The HP X27 is a beautiful, well-performing 27-inch 1080p monitor that any gamer can appreciate. From the beauty of the displayed image to the quality of the monitor itself, you’ll be going home with one of HP’s finest full HD monitors on the market.
Right off the bat, I love the HP X27’s adjustable stand. You’re able to adjust the height to the exact level you’re most comfortable playing while also being able to tilt and rotate the monitor. This versatility allows you to adjust to your precise playing style and get the most out of your screen. I also love the size of this monitor; at 27 inches, you should be more than happy with the amount of screen you’re getting for your money.
In terms of performance, this HP monitor has a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz. This gives you a lot of leeway for getting rapid FPS. The X27 also offers AMD FreeSync Premium, which offers variable refresh rates & prevents studdering in your video. The 1ms response time also ensures there’s no hesitation with updating your video.
The video coloring on the HP X27 looks stunning for an FHD monitor. The IPS panel with a brightness of 400 nits adds a lot of life to your game, giving you a beautiful playing experience and better-looking visuals. Overall, the X27 makes for an amazing 1080p monitor.
7. Dell Alienware AW2521H
| Adaptive Sync | NVIDIA G-Sync |
| Refresh Rate | 360Hz |
The Dell Alienware AW2521H is a beautiful alternative to the Alienware 25, offering massive FPS potential, stunning visuals, and stellar performance. If you’re an Alienware fan and looking to push the limits, check out this FHD monitor.
The first notable feature about the Dell Alienware AW2521H is the super high refresh rate. Offering up to 360Hz, if you’re going all out on performance, you can yield up to 360 FPS. When I was younger, I didn’t have the greatest hardware, so I would buy lower resolution monitors with higher refresh rates to turbo-charge my performance. This Alienware FHD monitor gives you that very same opportunity.
However, if your equipment can’t keep up with that, it’s compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync, which will sync your refresh rate to your frame rates. It’s essential to buy a monitor with compatible Adaptive Sync features for your GPU to avoid tearing in your gameplay.
Also worth mentioning is the blue-light protection, which will do wonders for your eyes. I work on computers for a living and games during my off hours, so it makes a huge difference if I can avoid eye fatigue.
The size of the screen comes out to 24.5 inches. If you’re like me, you prefer a minimum of 27 inches; however, the pixel-to-inch ratio on this monitor will offer you higher quality visuals! On top of that, there’s a 99% sRGB color coverage that ensures you’re getting the most varied color array in your gameplay, and I can tell you it looks stunning.
8. MSI Optix G27C5
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz |
The MSI Optix G27C5 is my favorite MSI monitor for a resolution of 1080p. This affordable FHD monitor covers all the essential features with good quality visuals. It’s nothing flashy, but it’s still a solid, reliable option.
This MSI Optix monitor is built with a VA Panel, a popular form of LED panel found in TV and Monitors. For connection, you’ll be able to use either HDMI or DisplayPort. I personally prefer using DisplayPort and make sure any gaming monitor I purchase for home use has that option.
The fast-acting screen offers a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz, running with AMD FreeSync. You’ll be able to get high frame rates without any tearing. The 1ms response time works flawlessly, and our testing showed this gaming monitor is very reliable. If you’re into multiplayer gaming and timing is of the essence, you’re in good hands.
The screen size comes out to 27 inches, and the display looks great. The curved shape of the monitor is also going to be easier on your eyes, offering a more “contained” look to the visuals. Overall, it’s nothing crazy, but the MSI Optix G27C5 is a very reliable and affordable 1080p monitor.
How Do We Make Our Decisions?
The team at GamingNotion specializes in all-things gaming. Stemming from a love for gaming, we enjoy testing out the many different gaming monitors on the market, across all sizes, resolutions, and features. However, we know how challenging it can be to find that perfect monitor for you, and so we use our expertise to help readers like you.
When making a decision like “the best 1080p monitors”, we have to consider a lot of different factors. It’s not just about the price, performance, or visual display, but more so the ratio between them. A cheap monitor that doesn’t perform well isn’t worth talking about, nor is a high-performance display with poor coloring or screen bleeding.
While we are able to test these monitors for weeks, we can’t always speak on the long-term reliability of each monitor. This is where we do our research into customer experiences. If the display worked flawlessly for our team but is going to break 6-months down the road, we want to know that and do everything we can to find out. For that reason, you can trust every monitor on this list should be reliable in the long run, though we can’t make any guarantees.
At the end of the day, our goal is for each and every one of you to leave here knowing exactly which 1080p monitor is right for you. And if you can’t find it here, let us know.
Conclusion: 1080p Monitors
By now, you should have an idea of which 1080p monitor, or FHD monitor, is best for you. Whether you’re looking for something to game on, work on, or even watch movies on, there’s something here for everyone.
This list is inclusive of all budgets, so whether you want something affordable or the best 1080p you can find, we’ve got you covered. If you go ahead and buy one of our recommendations, let us know below how it’s working for you! We value your feedback as it can help us tweak our suggestions if something doesn’t fit.
