Best 120Hz Monitors To Buy In 2020

Blair Lee July 3, 2020

0 99 8 minutes read

If there is one thing we know about PC gamers, users, or enthusiasts it is that they like to keep upgrading and advancing towards better and higher-level equipment and hardware. So, naturally with upgrades taking place left and right eventually you would want to take the next step, rise from the basic 60 Hz monitors to a higher level of gaming experience.

We are talking about the 120 Hz monitors. 120 Hz monitors are fully gaming-oriented products designed for people with the need to game at higher response times, frame rates, and whatnot. The world of 120 Hz monitors is sort of vast and the choice for you might become confusing, fear not we have you covered. Without further wait, we will introduce you to a variety of picks for you to choose from. We have just about something for everyone on our list.

1. AOC Agon AG493UCX

Best For Gaming On A Big Screen

Great price
Very high resolution
Fantastic color reproduction and performance
AMD FreeSync compatible

Very expensive

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AOC is a company that has been making good inroads into the gaming and tech sector by gradually releasing some of the best products the markets have to offer. The AOC Agon AG493UCX is probably the best pick for a 120 Hz monitor right now. This is not only a large monitor; it is also one with loaded specs and a curved screen for your gaming pleasure. All of that in an affordable range.

The AOC Agon AG493UCX is a very well built piece of hardware. The monitor gives a very spicy gamer vibe the moment you look at it. The monitor is all black with different red accents for design all across it. The stand of the monitor is also a thing of beauty. The stand offers great ergonomics as far as large wide screens go, you can adjust the height and the tilt of the monitor with great ease and you also get a little bit of swivel allowance as well.

The monitor has a cool silver red shiny design at the back but since it’s at the back, well it won’t really be seen. You not only get 2 HDMI and 2 DisplayPorts, but you also get a USB-C in this monitor which is a big bonus.

As far as the features go you get a 49-inch monster curved screen, with a 32:9 aspect ratio running at 5120 x 1440 resolution. Combine this very high resolution with the OC ability to run at 120 Hz with AMD FreeSync enabled and you get yourselves the top dog gaming performer.

The color quality and accuracy of the monitor took us by surprise as they are some of the best we have seen. The monitor has other different gamer-oriented features as well such as color modes and what not; you also get some very good eye care features. The curved screen already reduces eye strain but with low blue light.

All in all, it was an easy choice for us to list this as the best 120 Hz monitor. Combine the monitor’s looks, features, and screen size with the very affordable price that it goes for and you get a no brainer as for choices go. The only real issue with the AOC Agon AG493UCX, which honestly does not seem like a surprise, is its ridiculously expensive price tag. As premium as this monitor is, it is going to set you back a whole lot of money should you choose to invest in it. But it definitely is going to leave its mark once you set your eyes on it.

2. ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279QZ

Best 27-inch Screen

Gaming features
Different refresh rates
Good ergonomics
Accurate color reproduction

Expensive price

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ASUS is one of the leading gaming-oriented product makers in the world today. They make all sorts of different products ranging from peripherals, motherboards, monitors, and much more. All of their products have the reliability factor as well as the quality factor to them. The ASUS ROG SWIFT PG279QZ is one of the most loaded, kitted out gaming monitors in the world today. While it may not be strictly 120 Hz only, it still is a good option for those who prefer.

The ASUS ROG Swift monitor is a thing of absolute beauty. It has a very aesthetic design with some very cool red accents on its stand to make it further stand out. The monitor offers excellent ergonomic options all-round through the ability to adjust the height, tilt, and some swivel as well. There is also VESA mount 100x100mm ability as well.

The monitor gives the users a wire management system built into the stand. You get 1x DisplayPort, 1xHDMI port a few USB ports as well as two built-in speakers. To use the different resolutions you will have to connect to the DisplayPort otherwise only 60 Hz on the HDMI. With just a touch of a button, you can change between the different refresh rates that are offered. However, like mentioned before that HDMI will only give you 60Hz.

It is a monitor that is fully capable of handling any gaming needs. This is a 27-inch screen that works at an incredibly high resolution of 2560x1440p. You get a relatively low response time of 4ms along with the excellent colors, color vibrancy, color accuracy, and the great viewing angles which an IPS panel provides. The best part is the various different gaming features of this monitor.

First, you get VRR management with G-SYNC, this monitor can run at up to 165 Hz, with G-SYNC enabled you to have yourself tear-free, smooth gameplay at some very high Refresh rate numbers. The refresh rates can be altered to match your needs or system, so you can choose between 60,120 or 165 Hz. Eye care features, flicker-free screen, and different color modes just add to the features this monitor provides.

In short, it is hard to find much wrong with the PG279QZ apart from the fact that it will cost you towards the more expensive side of things. It’s a premium product, with a premium price.

3. Acer Predator X27

Best 4K Option

4K resolution at 120 to 144Hz
Excellent color range and results
Privacy shade and other extra features

Very costly
Hard to make a setup to support this monitor's full potential

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Acer Predator X27 is another product in the line of some of the highest-end gaming machines Acer has manufactured. This product does justice to the fantastic and more or less flawless gamer targeted products. This monster machine will give you the top of the line features, a stunning aggressive design as well as a proper gaming experience.

It walks and talks about the greatness of the highest degree. This is one fine piece of machinery. The monitor offers a very stunning matte-ish finish to its product. The bezels are relatively thin and the monitor overall is not a fat one either. The stand of the monitor just looks fantastic and elegant. The product is designed to give off a very high-end vibe. The stand offers great ergonomics with the ability to adjust the height, adjust the tilt, and even work with some degree of the swivel.

The noticeable thing about this is its privacy shades or hoods. These things work in a way to avoid the room lighting or environment lights to interfere with the monitors working. This ensures an even better display. The hoods are at the top and on the sides, so like box on the screen. You get great connectivity features with 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, and many USB ports and USB hub along with speakers.

The features of the monitor are where it makes its bank. This is a 4K monitor, meaning it runs on the absurdly high definition of 3840 x 2160. The monitor has an IPS panel which ensures great colors and extra good viewing angles of 178 both horizontally and vertically. 4ms response time coupled with the added ability of HDR. Extra good colors, extra vibrant color accuracy, and stunning display.

We have to talk about its gaming potential as well, the monitor can go to 120 Hz and even Overclocked to 144Hz if your PC can take it. G-SYNC enabled on a 4K screen? No issue as this monitor can do that as well. Enjoy seamless, smooth gameplay on the highest resolution.

So, the Acer Predator X27 is the full beast of a monitor at a 27-inch screen size. One thing to note regarding this product is that it is costly in many different ways. It is directly expensive in its price plus you will need to invest in some of the highest quality equipment in terms of PC hardware to run this at its full capacity. For those with deep pockets, this is a good option in the 27-inch category.

4. Dell Alienware AW3418DW

Fantastic Choice For A Curved Screen

Large curved screen
Great dedicated gaming features
Excellent build and design

Price is quite high
Space consuming

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The Dell Alienware 1900R is one of the people’s favorite. It is one of the most loved and critically acclaimed gaming monitors out there today. Though Dell has other fantastic options in even the 120 Hz division we think that sticking with the old reliable 1900R will do anyone just fine.

It is a very unique product. It will look very intimidating and very well built. This is one of the most well put together monitors we have seen and it is built with some of the best materials there are. It features the iconic Alienware Design and also has AlienFX lighting effects on it. The monitor looks very futuristic and premium.

The stand of the monitor allows for excellent ergonomics with the ability to adjust the height, tilt, and swivel. There is also VESA mounting capability. The bezel or borders of the monitor are very thin but the overall size and weight of the monitor make for a very high space taking the product. You get a DisplayPort, an HDMI port, and 4 USB ports along with a headphone jack to round things off.

The monitor is fully cast with some of the most demanded features for gaming. The specs that are offered are somewhat similar to the AOC Agon monitor we have at number 1. You have a 3440x1440p resolution with a 34-inch Curved 1900R screen. There is Nvidia G-SYNC in this monitor which makes it a viable product in the high-end gaming industry.

The refresh rate can go as high as 120 Hz on the Alienware monitor. The IPS panel allows for excellent viewing angles to further complement the large wide curved screen. The weak contrast ratio means for bad performance in grays of the monitor in poor lit conditions. The monitor also has a few good eye care and eye strain reduction features to round off its use.

Overall, the monitor is a solid choice for those looking for a very unique product that stands out above the rest. Its design and build are their special points. The monitor boasts similar specs to the product we have at number 1, only a large difference is the price between the two and the specific Alienware build.

5. G-Story GS173H

Gaming On The Go

Portable gaming
Range of ports for connectivity

A very small screen
Color accuracy and reproduction is low
Unimpressive performance in well lit rooms

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You might not have heard G-Story’s name before, but this monitor surely will stay in your mind even if it’s not what you’re looking for. The G-Story GS173H stands out for two primary reasons, a responsive 120Hz screen and portability. The combination of these two may not be for everyone but it is a great one to have if you’re looking for a monitor that you can carry around and use wherever.

Compared to all the other gaming 120Hz monitors we have in our list, the G-Story GS173H is only a 17.3-inch monitor. That seems too little for a gaming monitor however, with the portability as the main selling point of the GS173H, it seems like a decent trade-off.

The Gs173H comes with an included case and a bracket at the back which makes things a lot easier. For the ports, you have a headphone jack, USB ports including a Type-C port and HDMI. The cover, range of ports, and increased portability make it a really well-suited product for when you want to game on the road without having to worry about carrying your heavy rig.

The monitor does not boast incredibly high specs as it is meant to be a portable solution. You get 1080p resolution on a 120 Hz refresh rate. The TN panel allows for excellent contrast ratios and great performance in dark situations but because of the TN panel, you get average to poor viewing angles. The TN panel of this monitor has offered some interesting results as far as colors, and color accuracy goes.

Since you’re going to be using this monitor on the go, the lighting conditions aren’t always going to be static. The TN panel showed quite poor color reproduction and accuracy in well-lit rooms. Moreover, the dark contrasts were not very impressive either. Very low response time of only 1ms is also present on this monitor, once again because of the TN panel. As a bonus, the GS173H also has support for AMD FreeSync.

All in all, this is a great pick for those of us who want to enjoy games on a monitor with a high refresh rate. This 17.3-inch screen will not disappoint those who wish to get it and are looking for a portable option. However, do not expect any over the top results as there is a lot of room for improvement there.