If you are playing Valorant on a standard 60Hz office monitor, you are playing at a severe mechanical disadvantage. When you quickly flick your mouse to check a corner, a 60Hz panel cannot update the image fast enough, resulting in “ghosting” or motion blur. By the time the image clears up so you can see the enemy Jett, you are already dead.
The best monitor for Valorant is the . It features a blisteringly fast 360Hz refresh rate and proprietary DyAc+ technology, which completely eliminates motion blur during fast camera movements, allowing you to track targets flawlessly.
If you are serious about climbing to Immortal, upgrading to a high refresh rate monitor is mandatory. Here are the top 5 gaming monitors specifically optimized for competitive tactical shooters.
Why 24-Inch 1080p is the Esports Standard
When shopping for a gaming monitor, you might be tempted to buy a massive 32-inch 4K curved display. Do not do this for Valorant.
Almost 100% of professional VCT players use 24-inch or 24.5-inch monitors running at 1080p resolution.
- The Size: A 24-inch screen fits perfectly within the human field of view. You can see the minimap in the top left and your ammo in the bottom right without having to physically turn your head.
- The Resolution: Valorant is a CPU-heavy game. Running the game at 1080p ensures your PC can push 300+ frames per second (FPS) consistently, which is required to take advantage of high refresh rate monitors.
(To ensure your PC is outputting maximum frames, read our guide to the Best Video Settings for Valorant).
At a Glance: Top Monitors for Valorant
| Best For | Monitor Name | Refresh Rate | Panel Type | Size |
| Best Overall (Esports) | ZOWIE XL2566K | 360Hz | Fast TN | 24.5″ |
| Best OLED Speed | 360Hz | QD-OLED | 27″ | |
| Best 240Hz Value | 540Hz | E-TN | 24.1″ | |
| Best Budget 144Hz | AOC 24G2SP | 165Hz | IPS | 24″ |
| Best IPS Colors | LG UltraGear 24GN650-B | 144Hz | IPS | 24″ |
1. Best Overall (Esports): ZOWIE XL2566K
BenQ’s ZOWIE lineup is the undisputed king of tactical shooters. It is the exact monitor used by top pros like s1mple and TenZ. (To see the rest of his setup, read our guide on TenZ’s Valorant Settings & Gear).
While it uses an older “TN” panel (which means the colors aren’t as vibrant as modern displays), TN panels offer the absolute fastest pixel response times. Combined with ZOWIE’s DyAc+ (Dynamic Accuracy) backlight strobing technology, this monitor completely eliminates motion blur. When you spray a Vandal, the screen shakes, but the image of the enemy remains crystal clear.
2. Best OLED Speed: Alienware AW2725DF
If you refuse to play on a TN panel and want beautiful colors alongside esports performance, OLED is the answer. The Alienware AW2725DF is a 27-inch, 1440p monitor with a 360Hz refresh rate.
Because OLED pixels emit their own light, the pixel response time is functionally instantaneous (0.03ms). This means there is zero ghosting. However, you will need an incredibly powerful PC to push 360 FPS at 1440p resolution.
3. Best Maximum Framerate: ASUS ROG Swift Pro PG248QP
If 360Hz isn’t fast enough for you, ASUS has pushed the limit to an absurd 540Hz. The PG248QP uses a new “E-TN” (Esports TN) panel that refreshes the screen 540 times per second.
This monitor is strictly for players in the top 0.1% of the ranked ladder who are trying to squeeze every single millisecond of input latency out of their setup. (To match this speed, you must use a magnetic keyboard. Read our guide to the Best Keyboard for Valorant).
4. Best Budget 144Hz: AOC 24G2SP
You do not need to spend $600 to get a competitive advantage. If you are currently playing on a 60Hz monitor, upgrading to 144Hz or 165Hz is the biggest noticeable jump in gaming performance you will ever experience.
The AOC 24G2SP is a 24-inch IPS monitor that frequently goes on sale for under $150. It provides vibrant colors, excellent viewing angles, and a smooth 165Hz refresh rate that will instantly make your aim feel more responsive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 360Hz make a difference over 144Hz?
Yes, but with diminishing returns. The jump from 60Hz to 144Hz is massive and immediately noticeable to any player. The jump from 144Hz to 360Hz is much more subtle. It provides a smoother image and slightly lower input latency, but it is generally only “necessary” for players competing at the Radiant or professional level.
Why do pros use black bars on their monitors?
Some professional players (especially those transitioning from CS) play on a 4:3 stretched resolution, which creates black bars on the sides of the screen. In Valorant, playing on a stretched resolution does not make the enemy player models wider (like it does in CS2). It only stretches the UI. We highly recommend playing Valorant on native 16:9 (1920×1080).
