OLED monitors are the latest craze right now among manufacturers as they race to create the most impressive and most consumer-friendly versions of this panel technology. Granted, OLED panels have been around for years now; it’s just that manufacturing them for monitors is an expensive process that will likely need a few more years of refinement to have better mass production viability.
Still, that doesn’t mean OLED monitors don’t exist. A lot of laptops have them now, and consequently, quite a few OLED monitors exist.
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Sure enough, they offer the best image quality among all kinds of panels. They have better viewing angles than IPS and more accurate blacks than VA panels. For color accuracy? They’re the best, which is why artists and digital media professionals love OLED monitors.
Right now, OLED monitors– the technology for it, are still in their infancy stage. But if you want to be an early adopter of this technology in the future, then you might want to check out the current best among the OLED monitors.
A forewarning: they’re all expensive and the sizes/resolutions range from huge to small, with no in-between. Still, monitors are one of the best investments you can buy for your eyesight and for productivity.
Alienware AW3423DW
PROS
- Quantum Dot-OLED for even crisper colors
- Perfect viewing angles
- Ultrawide 1440p resolution
- Low response time
- G-Sync Ultimate compatibility
- Beautiful design
- Curved for better immersion
- VESA mount compatible
- High refresh rate
CONS
- Heavy on the hands
- Heavy on the wallet
- OLED is still an early technology for monitors
- Size: 34 inches
- Resolution: 3440×1440
- Sync Compatibility: G-Sync Ultimate/Freesync
- Refresh Rate: 175 hertz
- Response Time: 0.1ms
If you want an OLED panel that’s not only pretty but is actually something you can use for any kind of endeavor, then this is the current best. The Alienware AW3423DW ticks all the boxes when it comes to consumer-grade monitors, only, it has OLED technology.
Well, not all boxes, since this thing is the most expensive of the bunch. But given how expensive it is to produce and how beautiful Dell made this thing, you likely won’t complain too much about the price once you’ve seen it personally in action.
It has by far the best color accuracy among monitors right now. Everything else is just a bonus. Also, it’s a curved monitor which helps a lot in immersion. If you do bite the bullet on this one, it will likely be the last monitor you’ll ever need within the next decade or so.
Alienware AW3423DW
LG C2PUA 42" 4K HDR Smart OLED evo TV
PROS
- Huge for a monitor
- Dolby compatibility
- FreeSync Premium, G-Sync, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
- 4K resolution with 120Hz refresh rate
- Beautiful, flat panel
- Works with Alexa, Apple AirPlay, Works with Google Assistant
- Comes with a media player
- Comes in even bigger size variants
CONS
- Heavy
- Expensive
- Too big for a desk
- Size: 42 inches
- Resolution: 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
- Sync Compatibility: FreeSync Premium, G-Sync, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
- Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Response Time: < 1 ms
It’s technically a Smart TV, but the Freesync Premium and G-Sync compatibility makes this LG masterpiece a hybrid monitor. It’s just that the screen size can be tough to manage if your desk space is limited so wall mounting or simply setting the desk or chair further will fix that first-world problem of a large screen.
This thing is even larger than the curved Alienware above and sports a 4K resolution with an impressive 120Hz refresh rate. For a monitor, that’s both rare and impressive.
And if you’re done working or gaming, you can call over your family or friends for some home theater experience. This Smart TV/monitor comes with Dolby Vision compatibility and some good speakers. Just keep it in mind next time you need a monitor and TV at the same time.
LG C2PUA 42" 4K HDR Smart OLED evo TV
Gigabyte AORUS FO48U
PROS
- Humongous for a monitor
- 4K at 120Hz refresh rate
- Beautiful, flat panel
- FreeSync Premium
CONS
- Somewhat pricey
- Too big for a desk
- Heavy
- High power consumption
- Freeync Premium only (which isn't much of a drawback)
- Size: 48 inches
- Resolution: 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
- Sync Compatibility: FreeSync Premium
- Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Response Time: 1 ms (GtG)
If there was a “budget” option for OLED monitors, then this is the most affordable. The Gigabyte Aorus FO48U is currently on sale and only hovers below $1,000, which could be quite a steal for an OLED monitor. And at 48 inches diagonally, this is the biggest option here.
At that size, you could call it a TV, but no; Gigabyte insists that it’s a gaming monitor. Whatever it is, it’s a good option for those who have the money to splurge on a new gaming monitor. As an added bonus, it can double as a home theater too as long as it’s connected to a PC. It does come with built-in speakers.
The response rate is pretty good and the refresh rate is impressive enough for a 4K monitor. There are smaller options and variants but they revert back to IPS panel technology instead of the more beautiful OLED.
Gigabyte AORUS FO48U
Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ 41.5"
PROS
- Huge
- 4K at 138Hz refresh rate
- Has a bigger variant
- G-Sync compatible
CONS
- Expensive
- Too big for a desk
- Heavy
- Size: 41.5″
- Resolution: 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
- Sync Compatibility: G-Sync
- Refresh Rate: 138 Hz
- Response Time: 0.1ms
Asus is a good brand known for its products’ quality and durability. So if you want to practice a bit of that brand loyalty while looking for an OLED monitor, then their ROG Swift PG42UQ 41.5″ might just be one of their best options.
This 42-inch modern art piece is actually the junior version. There’s a bigger one at 48 inches and it rivals Gigabyte’s gargantuan offering. However, price is a concern at that size, and the 42-inch version is no freebie either. It costs more than the bigger screen from Gigabyte.
Still, if you’re looking for something with a marginally higher refresh rate and actual G-Sync compatibility, then this is the OLED monitor for you.
Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ 41.5"
INNOCN OLED Touch Monitor
PROS
- Portable/semi-tablet
- 4K display
- Comes with a rechargeable battery
- Touchscreen display
- Light and thin
CONS
- Somewhat pricey
- Small screen size
- Limited uses
- Size: 15.6″
- Resolution: 4K
- Sync Compatibility: N/A
- Refresh Rate: 60 hertz
- Response Time: 1ms
If for whatever reason (usually for productivity) you’re looking for a small and portable OLED monitor, then the INNOCN Portable Touch OLED might just be the thing for you. It’s a unique invention as far as OLED monitors go. This one is more catered towards artists and professionals.
The best part is that it’s a touch-screen OLED display that’s portable and even comes with its own speakers. To that end, it also doubles as a tablet, as long as you have a device to connect it to. Don’t expect it to be cheap though. It still costs more than most bigger IPS monitors.
INNOCN OLED Touch Monitor
Drawbacks of OLED Monitors
We do feel that there’s a need to disclose one of the glaring disadvantages of OLED screens. The older models (none of which are featured in the list above) have a tendency to introduce a “burn-in” effect where some static elements of what’s being displayed on the screen will remain as if they were faintly etched.
This is most apparent with the Windows taskbar; in some cases, it will burn into the screen, looking like a permanent ghost even if you open other applications. However, this usually only happens if you don’t turn off the OLED display and if you keep it on for prolonged periods. As a safety measure, just make sure to turn off an OLED screen when you’re not using the PC or the display.
Beyond that, there’s not much to worry about OLED screens at the moment other than the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are OLED screens better?
Yes. They have the best color accuracy out of all the available panel tech. -
Why are OLED monitors more expensive?
The glass used to construct them is more expensive to produce and cut. Plus, there are only a few of them since the technology has yet to see mainstream appeal or application.