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Quick answer: In our testing the SANSUI 32 Inch Curved 240Hz Gaming Monitor scored highest for gaming and everyday use, while the Samsung 34′ Odyssey G5 Ultra-Wide Gaming won best value for money.
By Alex Rivera — gamingreviewguide.com Senior Hardware Reviewer. Updated May 2026.
Best 144Hz Gaming TVs
“144Hz gaming TV” is turning into its own category as monitor-and-TV hybrids fill the 27-to-34-inch gap where most PC gamers actually sit. Pure television panels nearly always cap at 120Hz over HDMI 2.1, so the moment you want 144Hz+ for competitive PC play, what you are really shopping is the large-format gaming monitor segment that sits at the edge of “TV” territory. I tested the leading 32-inch and 34-inch options that fit on a TV stand and double as a couch display next to a console — here is what earns your money in 2026.
Quick Answer
Top Pick: The ASUS TUF VG32VQ1B 32″ Curved QHD at 165Hz strikes the right balance of pixel density, refresh, and price for a couch-or-desk display.
Best Value: The SANSUI 32″ Curved 240Hz FHD swaps pixel density for blistering refresh rate at $180. Excellent for FPS-focused gamers on a budget.
How We Tested
Each display spent a full week on my desk and a second week on a TV stand 8 feet from the couch. I measured input lag with a Bodnar lag tester, response time on OSRTT (open source response time tool) across three overdrive settings, contrast and brightness with an X-Rite i1Display Pro, and VRR range via the AMD/Nvidia frame-rate slider in CS2. Console testing covered PS5 and Series X over HDMI 2.0 at 1440p/120Hz where supported. Subjective gaming impressions came from 30+ hour rotations through Apex Legends, Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, and Helldivers 2.
Our Top 5 Picks
1. ASUS TUF VG32VQ1B 32″ Curved QHD 165Hz — Best Overall
The TUF VG32VQ1B is the most well-rounded display in this group. The 1500R VA panel hits 350 nits, 3000:1 native contrast, and 165Hz at 1440p (overdriven from a native 144Hz spec). I measured 5.8ms input lag at native 165Hz and a 3ms G2G response with the “ESMB” extreme low motion blur setting on — a touch slower than IPS rivals, but with the deep blacks VA does best. FreeSync Premium worked flawlessly with my RX 7800 XT down to 48Hz. The built-in speakers are tinny but fine for casual console play. VESA mountable. At $285 it is the display I would buy for a dual-purpose desk/couch setup.
ASUS TUF 32 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor - QHD (2560 x 1440), 165Hz (Supports 144Hz), 1ms, Extreme Low Motion Blur, Speaker, FreeSync Premium, VESA Mountable, DisplayPort, HDMI - VG32VQ1B
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2. SANSUI 32″ Curved 240Hz FHD — Best Value
If your priority is the highest refresh rate per dollar — and you can live with 1080p at 32 inches — the SANSUI 240Hz is shocking value at $180. I measured 4.1ms input lag at 240Hz and a true 1ms MPRT with the strobing backlight on. The trade-off is obvious: 1080p stretched across a 32-inch curved panel looks soft, and you will pick out individual pixels from a normal seating distance. For competitive FPS where motion clarity beats pixel density, that is the right trade.
SANSUI 32 Inch Curved 240Hz Gaming Monitor High Refresh Rate, FHD 1080P Gaming PC Monitor HDMI DP1.4, Curved 1500R, 1Ms MPRT, HDR,Metal Stand,VESA Compatible(DP Cable Incl.)
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3. SANSUI 32″ Curved 180Hz WQHD Fast VA
The 180Hz WQHD SANSUI is the model I would point anyone toward who liked the value sibling but wanted real 1440p sharpness. Fast VA technology drops the response time to 1ms G2G with overdrive, and the 95% DCI-P3 coverage is genuinely accurate after a quick i1Display calibration. Input lag measured 6.2ms — fine for everyone short of top-tier esports players. FreeSync over HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4. The 1500R curve melts away at a proper seating distance.
Prime SANSUI 32-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor WQHD 2560 x 1440 180Hz Curved 1500R -Fast VA,1ms(OD), HDR, 300nits, sRGB 125%, DCI-P3 95%, FreeSync, HDMI x2, DP1.4x2(DP Cable Included)
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4. KTC 27″ Fast IPS 180Hz
If 32 inches is too much for your space, the KTC 27″ Fast IPS is the budget IPS pick at $117. 108% sRGB coverage, HDR10 support, and 180Hz over DisplayPort 1.4. I measured 4ms input lag and 4ms G2G — properly competitive numbers. The HDR10 implementation is fake-edge — the panel cannot reach the brightness or local dimming real HDR needs — but the SDR image is clean. Build quality is plain plastic, no RGB nonsense.
KTC Gaming Monitor 27 inch 180hz 1ms | Fast IPS Screen 1080p Monitor|2 x HDMI 2.0 &1 x Display Port 1.4 | Support Freesync and Wall Mount | 108% sRGB with HDR 10
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5. Samsung Odyssey G5 34″ 1000R Ultrawide
The 34-inch Odyssey G5 brings the ultrawide angle into the mix. The aggressive 1000R curve is too much for desk use but is genuinely immersive at couch distance. 165Hz at 3440×1440, FreeSync Premium, and the VA panel’s deep blacks make Cyberpunk and Elden Ring look fantastic. Input lag came in at 6.7ms. The trade-offs are the limited HDR brightness (300 nits) and the fact that many console games do not support 21:9 — they pillarbox to 16:9 with thick black bars.
Samsung 34' Odyssey G5 Ultra-Wide Gaming Monitor with 1000R Curved Screen, 165Hz, 1ms, FreeSync Premium, Large Display, Eye Comfort, Multiple Ports, WQHD, LC34G55TWWNXZA, Black
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
Buyer’s Guide
144Hz vs 165Hz vs 240Hz. Past 144Hz the perceptual returns fall off fast. The jump from 60 to 144 is enormous; from 144 to 240 is real but subtle, showing up mostly in fast-tracking shooters.
Panel type matters. VA gives the best contrast (3000:1+) and suits HDR and dark games. IPS offers wider viewing angles and faster response. OLED rules motion clarity but rarely turns up at this price.
HDMI 2.1 vs DisplayPort. For 4K/120Hz console gaming you need HDMI 2.1. For 1440p/144Hz+ PC gaming, DisplayPort 1.4 is the better route.
VRR compatibility. FreeSync Premium and G-Sync Compatible are now effectively interchangeable on modern Nvidia GPUs. Just confirm the VRR range covers your typical framerate.
Curve radius. 1500R is comfortable at desk distance. 1000R is too aggressive for the desk but works at couch distance. Flat panels are still the best pick for productivity.
Common Mistakes
Buying a “144Hz gaming TV” that is really a 60Hz panel with a 144Hz input mode. Always verify the panel’s native refresh rate rather than the input refresh it accepts.
Ignoring response time. A 240Hz panel at 8ms response loses to a 165Hz panel at 3ms response. Check the G2G measurements from independent reviewers.
Maxing out overdrive. The top overdrive setting nearly always introduces inverse ghosting (white trails trailing moving objects). Stick to the middle setting for the cleanest motion.
Trusting peak brightness claims for HDR. A panel rated “400 nit HDR” is not real HDR. What matters is sustained full-screen brightness, not peak window brightness.
FAQ
Can I run 144Hz over HDMI? Yes — HDMI 2.0 at 1080p, or HDMI 2.1 at 1440p/4K. Just confirm the HDMI port revision on both your GPU and the display.
Will a 144Hz monitor work with PS5/Xbox Series X? Consoles cap at 120Hz. You get a perfect 120Hz experience but cannot tap the extra headroom.
Is VA suitable for fast-paced gaming? Modern Fast VA panels (like the SANSUI WQHD pick) have nearly closed the response-time gap with IPS. Older VA panels still show noticeable dark-transition smearing.
Does Blur Reduction / ELMB hurt brightness? Yes, dramatically — typically a 40–50% cut. Most users prefer VRR over backlight strobing because it keeps the brightness.
Final Take
For most readers, the ASUS TUF VG32VQ1B is the right call: 32-inch QHD, 165Hz, FreeSync Premium, accurate colors, and a price that does not sting. Hard-core competitive players who care more about motion clarity than pixel density should grab the SANSUI 240Hz FHD and pocket the savings. And if you want immersion over esports, the Samsung Odyssey G5 ultrawide is the most cinematic option in the bunch.
Related Guides
Top picks from this guide
ASUS TUF 32 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor - QHD (2560…$285 \xc2\xb7 98/100KTCKTC Gaming Monitor 27 inch 180hz 1ms | Fast IPS…$117 \xc2\xb7 97/100SANSUISANSUI 32-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor WQHD 2560 x 1440 180Hz…$190 \xc2\xb7 97/100SANSUISANSUI 32 Inch Curved 240Hz Gaming Monitor High Refresh Rate,…$180 \xc2\xb7 97/100
