Best Monitor for PUBG
What actually matters when buying a monitor for PUBG – and what is marketing – plus the settings to change once it is on your desk.
The short answer
For most competitive PUBG players, the sweet spot is a 24–27 inch monitor with a 165–240 Hz refresh rate, at 1080p or 1440p depending on your graphics card. Refresh rate and motion clarity matter more than resolution or HDR for spotting and tracking players.
Refresh rate: the biggest upgrade
| Refresh rate | Who it suits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 60 Hz | Casual play only | Noticeably less smooth; tracking moving targets is harder. |
| 144–165 Hz | Most players | The biggest jump in smoothness per pound spent. |
| 240 Hz | Competitive players | Clearer motion when spraying and tracking. Needs a PC that can hold high FPS. |
| 360 Hz and above | High-level competitive | Diminishing returns; only worth it if your PC can feed it. |
A high refresh rate only helps if your PC can produce the frames. Check what FPS you get with our max FPS settings before buying: if you average 150 FPS in late-game circles, a 240 Hz monitor will not show its full benefit.
Resolution: 1080p or 1440p?
1080p is easier to run at high frame rates and is still common at competitive events. 1440p shows distant players with more pixels, which helps at long range, but costs more GPU power. If your graphics card can hold your refresh rate at 1440p, it is a good choice. Otherwise, a fast 1080p monitor will serve you better than a slower 1440p one.
Size and viewing distance
Many competitive players prefer 24–25 inch screens because the whole picture stays in view without moving your eyes – useful for watching the minimap, health and edges of the screen. 27 inches works well at 1440p if your desk is deep enough to sit a little further back.
Panel types
| Panel | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| IPS | Good colours and viewing angles, fast modern models | Weaker contrast; some glow in dark rooms |
| TN | Very fast, often cheaper at high refresh rates | Poorer colours and angles |
| VA | Strong contrast | Can smear in dark scenes – check reviews for motion performance |
| OLED | Near-instant response, perfect blacks | Higher price; consider burn-in from static HUD elements |
Fast IPS panels are the safe default for most players today. Always check independent reviews for real-world motion performance rather than the "1 ms" figure on the box.
Features worth having
- Adaptive sync (G-SYNC compatible / FreeSync) removes tearing without the input lag of V-Sync.
- Backlight strobing (sold under names like DyAc, ELMB or ULMB) improves motion clarity when tracking, at the cost of some brightness.
- A height-adjustable stand so the screen sits at eye level for long sessions.
- DisplayPort for high refresh rates – use the cable that came with the monitor.
HDR, built-in speakers and curved screens add little for competitive PUBG.
Monitor settings to change straight away
- Set the refresh rate in Windows display settings – new monitors often default to 60 Hz.
- Enable adaptive sync in the monitor menu and your GPU control panel.
- Use a medium overdrive / response time setting. The highest setting often causes overshoot ghosting.
- Use shadow or black-level boost sparingly to read dark interiors, but avoid washing out the image.
- Then set PUBG's in-game brightness – see our settings table.
Related guides
- PUBG settings for max FPSEvery graphics option with a recommended value and the reason.
- PUBG sensitivity guideFind a sensitivity you can aim and control recoil with.
- Best PUBG crosshair settingsUse the crosshair editor to make your aim point easy to see.
Frequently asked questions
Is 144 Hz enough for PUBG?
Yes, 144–165 Hz is a big improvement over 60 Hz and is enough for most players. 240 Hz helps competitive players if their PC can hold matching frame rates.
Is 1440p better than 1080p for PUBG?
1440p shows distant players in more detail but needs a stronger GPU. If you cannot hold high FPS at 1440p, a fast 1080p monitor is the better choice.
What size monitor is best for PUBG?
24–25 inches is the most common competitive size because the whole screen stays in view. 27 inches works well at 1440p with a deeper desk.
Is OLED good for PUBG?
OLED has excellent motion clarity and contrast. Consider the price and burn-in risk from PUBG's static HUD elements before buying.