5 best external monitors for gaming laptops (2024)

External monitors will level up your laptop gaming experience (Image via MSI)
External monitors will level up your laptop gaming experience (Image via MSI)

If you are not satisfied with the display of your current laptop you can buy external monitors for gaming laptops. Over the years we have witnessed rapid development in laptop displays. From 720p and low refresh rate displays, to UHD resolution and refresh rates as high as 480Hz; laptop display technology has surpassed numerous barriers.

On one hand, we have highly color-accurate IPS LCDs, on the other, stunning OLED panels with high contrast ratio, HDR 10+ support, and more. Technologies like G-SYNC and FreeSync are being implemented on laptop displays as well.

Despite this massive development, laptop displays still have some limitations in terms of overall picture quality and display size. If you are someone who cannot compromise with the display size, you might consider investing in external monitors for gaming laptops.

In this article, we will list the five best external monitors for gaming laptops, with different specs and belonging to different price ranges.

NOTE: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinion. The entries have been ranked based on their prices, from the cheapest to the most expensive.


Top 5 external monitors for gaming laptops

1) MSI G2412F ($109)

MSI G2412F is a great budget segment gaming monitor (Image via MSI)
MSI G2412F is a great budget segment gaming monitor (Image via MSI)

MSI G2412F is a great entry-level monitor for esports enthusiasts under a tight budget. The high refresh rate of this monitor gives you an edge on modern esports titles.

Size24-inches
Resolution
1920 x 1080 pixels
Refresh Rate180 Hz
Response Time1 ms
Panel TypeIPS
Frame SyncFreeSync

The G2412F comes with a 24-inch, full HD, 180 Hz, IPS panel with 1 ms fast response time. The FreeSync technology also makes this display more compatible with AMD Radeon series graphics cards.

Pros:

  • Reasonable price
  • 180 Hz fast refresh rate
  • Night Vision technology fine-tunes the dark shades.

Cons:

  • No support for G-Sync
  • No support for height adjustability

2) ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQML1A ($360)

ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQML1A is a mid-range 1440p monitor (Image via ASUS)
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQML1A is a mid-range 1440p monitor (Image via ASUS)

For people who are looking for high 1440p refresh rate external monitors for gaming laptops, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQML1A is one of the best options. The high resolution helps you see the crystal-clear details in AAA titles, while the high refresh rate makes it suitable for running demanding games.

Size27-inches
Resolution
2560 x 1440 pixels
Refresh Rate260 Hz
Response Time1 ms
Panel TypeIPS
Frame SyncFreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible

It sports a 27-inch WQHD IPS display with up to 260 Hz refresh rate and 1 ms fast response time. This monitor is also jam-packed with useful features, like the ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB Sync), FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible, VESA AdaptiveSync, and variable refresh rate (VRR). These features improve your overall gaming experience by reducing ghosting, screen tearing, latency, and other issues.

Pros:

  • Both G-Sync and FreeSync supported
  • A bunch of controls and customizations via software

Cons:

  • ELMB Sync Mode automatically decreases the brightness of the monitor
  • Color automatically gets a little dull on low latencies

3) Gigabyte ‎M32UC ($530)

Gigabyte M32UC is a curved UHD gaming monitor (Image via Gigabyte)
Gigabyte M32UC is a curved UHD gaming monitor (Image via Gigabyte)

If you have been scouring the market for decent curved, ultrawide external monitors for gaming laptops, Gigabyte may have just the right deal for you. You can get the Gigabyte M32UC, a 4K curved ultrawide monitor, around the $500 price range.

Size31.5-inches
Resolution
3840 x 2160 pixels
Refresh Rate160 Hz
Response Time2 ms
Panel TypeVA
Frame SyncFreeSync Premium Pro

The M32UC features a 31.5-inch, 160 Hz, UHD VA panel with a 2 ms GTG response time and a 1500R native curvature. The FreeSync Premium Pro support provides unmatched compatibility with AMD Radeon GPUs. The dedicated KVM button also makes it much easier to switch between two sources (such as laptop and desktop).

Pros:

  • Curved 4K display provides surround experience
  • Dedicated physical KVM button

Cons:

  • Bad viewing angles due to the VA panel
  • Doesn't support G-Sync

4) Acer Predator X27U BMIIPRUZX ($730)

Predator X27U BMIIPRUZX is a feature-packed OLED monitor (Image via Acer)
Predator X27U BMIIPRUZX is a feature-packed OLED monitor (Image via Acer)

Acer Predator X27U BMIIPRUZX is one of the best OLED external monitors for gaming laptops. The higher 2K resolution combined with the OLED panel provides avid gamers with crisp details and sharp blacks.

Size27-inches
Resolution
2560 x 1440 pixels
Refresh Rate240 Hz
Response Time0.03 ms
Panel TypeOLED
Frame SyncFreeSync Premium Pro

The X27U BMIIPRUZX has a high-quality WQHD OLED panel with a wide DCI-P3 99% color gamut, DELTA E<1 color accuracy, and HDR 10 support, that provides you a cinematic gaming experience. It also features a dedicated KVM switch.

Pros:

  • 0.03 ms ultra-low response time
  • Dedicated physical KVM button

Cons:

  • No support for G-Sync
  • Switching between SDR and HDR modes is tricky

5) ROG Swift PG42UQ ($1266)

ROG Swift PG42UQ is a large 42-inches 4K gaming monitor (Image via ASUS)
ROG Swift PG42UQ is a large 42-inches 4K gaming monitor (Image via ASUS)

If you are not a fan of ultrawide and curved monitors, the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG42UQ, a gigantic 42-inch UHD monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio, might be what you're looking for. This is the world's first 42-inch OLED gaming monitor.

Size41.5-inches
Resolution
3840 x 2160 pixels
Refresh Rate138 Hz
Response Time0.1 ms
Panel TypeOLED
Frame SyncG-Sync Compatible

ASUS has added many minor improvements that vastly improve the overall gaming experience. The new fanless 8% cooling system operates silently to significantly decrease the temperature of this gigantic monitor. Moreover, The matte micro-texture coating eliminates screen glares, making the ROG Swift OLED PG42UQ one of the best external monitors for gaming laptops.

Pros:

  • Large 42-inches size OLED panel
  • 0.01 ultra-fast response time
  • Dedicated cooling system

Cons:

  • Not for ultrawide enthusiasts
  • Price is on the higher side

A bigger display with better quality will definitely level up your laptop gaming experience. So, with several offers and price drops, now is a great time to buy external monitors for gaming laptops.


Check out more on gaming monitors at Sportskeeda

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Edited by Arundhoti Palit
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