A 27-inch, 2560 x 1440 monitor is the best match for most gaming PCs in 2026. It's noticeably sharper than 1080p, and it's much easier to run at high frame rates than 4K. OLED monitors at this size have also become far more affordable, and some now cost less than £400.
Forge PC hasn't tested these monitors. Our picks are based on testing by Tom's Hardware and Expert Reviews, plus manufacturers' specifications, all credited at the end. UK prices are approximate, were checked on 13 November 2026 and will change, especially around Black Friday.
Our picks at a glance
Pick | Monitor | Panel | Refresh rate | Approx. UK price |
|---|
Best overall | Alienware AW2726DM | 26.5in QD-OLED | 240Hz | £374 |
Best budget | AOC Q27G3XMN | 27in VA, Mini LED backlight | 180Hz | £279 |
Best high-end OLED | ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP | 26.5in WOLED | 480Hz | Price not confirmed |
Best overall: Alienware AW2726DM
The AW2726DM brings a QD-OLED panel to a much lower price than before. Dell's UK store listed it at £374 on 13 November 2026. Tom's Hardware names it the best-value gaming monitor in its current buying guide. Expert Reviews' review said it brings 240Hz QD-OLED gaming in for under £400.
Dell's specifications include a 2560 x 1440 resolution at 240Hz, a 0.03ms grey-to-grey response time and 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage. You also get a stand that adjusts for height, tilt and swivel, and FreeSync Premium and VESA AdaptiveSync support. It has one DisplayPort 1.4 input that runs at up to 240Hz and two HDMI inputs, which are limited to 120Hz. Expert Reviews notes that there are no built-in speakers.
The compromise is brightness. Dell quotes 200cd/m² typical and 400cd/m² peak, and Expert Reviews measured about 183cd/m² for a full white screen at maximum brightness. That's fine in a normal room but dim in a bright one. Dell says its three-year warranty covers OLED burn-in, which is reassuring on a first OLED.
Buy it if you want OLED contrast and motion clarity without paying flagship prices.
Best budget: AOC Q27G3XMN
If you want strong contrast without OLED, AOC's Q27G3XMN uses a VA panel with a Mini LED backlight split into 336 local dimming zones. It cost £278.99 at Scan on SpecPrice's tracker on 13 November 2026.
Expert Reviews measured a 4,398:1 contrast ratio with local dimming turned off, which is high for an LCD. It called the monitor "the best all-round gaming monitor under £500". It runs at 180Hz over DisplayPort, but only at 144Hz over its two HDMI 2.0 ports. Expert Reviews noted that it has no USB ports and that colour accuracy in the sRGB and DCI-P3 modes was mediocre.
Expert Reviews found some minor haloing around bright objects on dark backgrounds with local dimming on, which is typical of this kind of backlight.
Buy it if you're on a tight budget, or worried about OLED burn-in.
Best high-end OLED: ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP
Tom's Hardware rates the PG27AQDP as the best gaming monitor overall. Its reviewers praised its brightness, colour, motion handling and input lag, and listed "no flaws of consequence". ASUS's specifications include a 26.5-inch 2560 x 1440 WOLED panel, a 480Hz maximum refresh rate, 0.03ms grey-to-grey response and a peak HDR brightness of 1,300cd/m². It also has DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports and a two-port USB hub.
We couldn't confirm a current price from a major UK retailer on 13 November, so check before you buy. Its US price in Tom's Hardware's guide is $999, so expect it to cost well over twice as much as the Alienware.
Buy it if you play fast competitive games, have a graphics card that can reach very high frame rates, and want the best 1440p OLED available.
Also worth considering
Acer Nitro XV273U F5: Tom's Hardware's pick for ultra-high refresh rates. It's an IPS monitor that runs at 540Hz at 1440p, or 1,000Hz at 720p. It's designed for esports players. We couldn't confirm a UK price.
Already own a good graphics card? Our RX 9070 vs RTX 5070 comparison covers two cards that suit 1440p well.
How to choose a 1440p gaming monitor
Match the refresh rate to your PC. A 240Hz monitor only feels smoother than a 144Hz one if your PC can produce frame rates well above 144fps. Our VRAM guide and best graphics card picks explain what you need for 1440p.
OLED or LCD? OLED gives perfect blacks and very fast response times, but it's dimmer on full-screen white and can suffer from burn-in. Look for a warranty that covers burn-in. Mini LED LCDs get brighter and don't burn in, but they can show haloing.
Use DisplayPort for the highest refresh rates. On both the Alienware and the AOC, only the DisplayPort input reaches the monitor's highest refresh rate.
Set it up properly. After you plug it in, set the refresh rate in Windows. Microsoft's instructions are under Settings > System > Display > Advanced display > Choose a refresh rate. Windows doesn't always pick the highest rate by default.
Our verdict
For most people, the Alienware AW2726DM is the best 1440p gaming monitor to buy now. It offers QD-OLED picture quality, 240Hz and a burn-in warranty for about £374. If your budget is tighter, the AOC Q27G3XMN's Mini LED backlight gives excellent contrast for about £279. The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP is the one to get if you want the fastest, brightest 1440p OLED and price is no object.
