Masakari and I have been playing video games for over 35 years, focusing on first-person shooters. So we’ve been looking at PC monitors from different manufacturers for almost as long. And every few years, we ask ourselves, just like you: What is the best gaming monitor right now? Which hardware can I trust?
In this post, however, we’re not looking at our experience or any out-of-the-box reviews, but we are analyzing which monitors the majority of professional gamers use. Of course, if you want to play on the same level as pro gamers, it’s best to compete with the same equipment.
Generally speaking, the best gaming monitor is used by a majority of professional gamers. However, depending on the game and the associated game mechanics and graphics, the preference of pro gamers changes when choosing the appropriate monitor.
You probably know this too. You are looking for a new accessory for your favorite hobby, or you have old hardware that is slowly dying. This gives you the opportunity to finally get on a technical level with the pros of your favorite game.
So it’s time for a new gaming monitor. Slaughter the piggy bank!
You try to find help on the internet and are bombarded with reviews and top-5 lists of super gaming monitors. Oddly enough, each website touts a different monitor. In the end, you’ve invested a lot of time, you’re confused, and you’re not one step further.
We change that now. We don’t make up any evaluation criteria or come up with a shiny ranking of the supposed best monitors for you, but hard facts from practice count here. And who could evaluate the practice better than hundreds of professional gamers who earn their living with the use of a gaming monitor?
The motto is: If you want to know what is currently the best equipment to achieve the most professional results, then buy the same equipment as the pros, because they have to deliver the maximum performance every day. After all, you do the same in other areas of your life.
Let’s start simple and gradually approach all known FPS games. Before that, I’ll briefly explain our methodology so that you can understand everything transparently.
- Methodology
- What is the Best Monitor for Playing Valorant?
- What is the Best Monitor for Playing CSGO?
- What is the Best Monitor for Playing Rainbow Six?
- What is the Best Monitor for Playing PUBG?
- What is the Best Monitor for Playing Overwatch?
- What is the Best Monitor for Playing Call of Duty (Warzone)?
- Final Thoughts
- Related Posts to the topics "Gaming Gear" & "Gaming Monitors"
Note: This article was written in English. Translations into other languages may not provide the same linguistic quality. We apologize for grammatical and semantic errors.
Methodology
On prosettings.net, you can see the equipment used by professional gamers for many FPS games and other games. We made an effort to analyze thousands of data sets (as of 2021). In the end, we did a blunt count and evaluated the data in different directions. As a result, we show you the best monitor as well as the most used monitor manufacturer per game. More on that in the results of the individual games, which we also show as an infographic in each case.
If you want to jump directly to a specific game, use the table of contents (see above).
And here we go.
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What is the Best Monitor for Playing Valorant?
41.1% of all Valorant pro gamers play with the gaming monitor BenQ XL2546 and a 240Hz screen rate. 68.3% of all Valorant Pro gamers play with a gaming monitor from the manufacturer ZOWIE BenQ.
Valorant is the newcomer or challenger in Esports when it comes to the FPS genre. The best elements of CSGO, combined with Fortnite graphics, Overwatch action, and last but not least, the main focus on competitive gaming – that’s Valorant. A huge competitive scene has already formed, and many pros have found their way to Valorant from the other games.
More and more money flows into the Esports ecosystem, so it becomes more interesting for players, esports organizations, and media to start with Valorant.
Most of the pros play Valorant with the BenQ XL2546 monitor model, and we can prove it with our study below. Probably the best Valorant player in the world, Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, also plays with this monitor.
By the way, Masakari also uses this variant with 240 Hz and is very convinced of it.
Best Gaming Monitor for Valorant (2021)
| Monitor Modell | Used by N Pro Gamers | Percentage |
| BenQ XL 2546 | 92 | 41.1% |
| BenQ XL 2540 | 30 | 13.4% |
| Alienware AW2518H | 19 | 8.5% |
| Others Combined | 83 | 37% |
N=224, Data Source: prosettings.net
Infographic: “Best Gaming Monitor for Valorant (2021)” – RaiseYourSkillz.com
Popular Monitor Manufacturers Valorant (2021)
| Monitor Manufacturer | Used by N Pro Gamers | Percentage |
| BenQ | 153 | 68.3% |
| Alienware | 27 | 12.1% |
| ASUS | 17 | 7.6% |
| Others Combined | 27 | 12% |
N=224, Data Source: prosettings.net
Infographic: “Popular Gaming Monitor Manufacturers Valorant (2021)” – RaiseYourSkillz.com
The best Monitor for playing Valorant is:
What is the Best Monitor for Playing CSGO?
47.5% of all CSGO pro gamers play with the gaming monitor BenQ XL2546 and a 240Hz screen rate. 86.7% of all CSGO Pro gamers play with a gaming monitor from the manufacturer ZOWIE BenQ.
CSGO has a history of over 20 years, which has significantly shaped esports, especially in the genre of first-person shooter games. CSGO is still considered an FPS game, where the mechanics, especially the aiming, are essential for success. The aiming, or more precisely the hand-eye coordination, is also influenced by small things like frames per second (FPS), latencies, but also quite simply by the fast recognition of enemies.
The monitor is a piece of equipment that can either help you a lot or hinder you. In the competitive scene of CSGO, it seems that with the BenQ XL2546, a monitor model has emerged that meets the requirements of the pros.
Probably the best CSGO player in the world, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, an awesome AWP player, also plays with this monitor.
Best Gaming Monitor for CSGO (2021)
| Monitor Modell | Used by N Pro Gamers | Percentage |
| BenQ XL 2546 | 218 | 47.5% |
| BenQ XL 2540 | 97 | 21% |
| BenQ XL 2546K | 64 | 14% |
| Others Combined | 80 | 17.5% |
N=459, Data Source: prosettings.net
Infographic: “Best Gaming Monitor for CSGO (2021)” – RaiseYourSkillz.com
Popular Monitor Manufacturers CSGO (2021)
| Monitor Manufacturer | Used by N Pro Gamers | Percentage |
| BenQ | 398 | 86.7% |
| ASUS | 28 | 6.1% |
| Alienware | 13 | 2.8% |
| Others Combined | 20 | 4.4% |
N=459, Data Source: prosettings.net
Infographic: “Popular Gaming Monitor Manufacturers CSGO (2021)” – RaiseYourSkillz.com
The best Monitor for playing CSGO is:
What is the Best Monitor for Playing Rainbow Six?
40.7% of all Rainbow Six pro gamers play with the gaming monitor BenQ XL2546 and a 240Hz screen rate. 58.8% of all Rainbow Six Pro gamers play with a gaming monitor from the manufacturer ZOWIE BenQ.
Rainbow Six is definitely one of the most strategic FPS titles on the market. The build-up phase is the calm before the storm. The many different agents and equipment items allow millions of combinations. Every game is different and exciting. When the round starts, players and spectators alike break out in a sweat.
As calm as it starts, the actual match is action-packed. Dark corners, fast movements, and the necessity to recognize opponents pixel-precisely through small holes in the wall require a perfect gaming monitor.
Rainbow Six Pro gamers prefer the BenQ XL2546 monitor.
Probably the best Rainbow Six player in the world, Stéphane “Shaiiko” Lebleu, also plays with this monitor.
Best Gaming Monitor for Rainbow Six (2021)
| Monitor Modell | Used by N Pro Gamers | Percentage |
| BenQ XL 2546 | 83 | 40.7% |
| BenQ XL 2540 | 28 | 13.7% |
| ASUS VG248QE | 20 | 9.8% |
| Others Combined | 73 | 35.8% |
N=204, Data Source: prosettings.net
Infographic: “Best Gaming Monitor for Rainbow Six (2021)” – RaiseYourSkillz.com
Popular Monitor Manufacturers Rainbow Six (2021)
| Monitor Manufacturer | Used by N Pro Gamers | Percentage |
| BenQ | 120 | 58.8% |
| ASUS | 38 | 18.6% |
| AOC | 17 | 8.3% |
| Others Combined | 29 | 14.3% |
N=204, Data Source: prosettings.net
Infographic: “Popular Gaming Monitor Manufacturers Rainbow Six (2021)” – RaiseYourSkillz.com
The best Monitor for playing Rainbow Six is:
What is the Best Monitor for Playing PUBG?
40.7% of all PUBG pro gamers play with the gaming monitor BenQ XL2546 and a 240Hz screen rate. 58.8% of all PUBG Pro gamers play with a gaming monitor from the manufacturer ZOWIE BenQ.
PUBG had already taken the world by storm in the Early Access phase. Even though the title couldn’t expand its player base due to various problems, there is still no better Battle Royale game if you like realistic shooters.
The competitive community is large and hungry. The developers want to expand the esports ecosystem with PUBG 2 or any other sequel. We will see.
PUBG Pro gamers prefer the BenQ XL2546 monitor.
Probably the best PUBG player in the world, Ivan “ubah” Kapustin, also plays with this monitor.
If you thought that the best PUBG player is Shroud, then this post will interest you:
Apart from that, he also plays with this monitor 😉
Best Gaming Monitor for PUBG (2021)
| Monitor Modell | Used by N Pro Gamers | Percentage |
| BenQ XL 2546 | 71 | 30.6% |
| BenQ XL 2540 | 57 | 24.6% |
| ASUS VG248QE | 23 | 9.9% |
| Others Combined | 81 | 34.9% |
N=232, Data Source: prosettings.net
Infographic: “Best Gaming Monitor for PUBG (2021)” – RaiseYourSkillz.com
Popular Monitor Manufacturers PUBG (2021)
| Monitor Manufacturer | Used by N Pro Gamers | Percentage |
| BenQ | 147 | 63.4% |
| ASUS | 46 | 19.8% |
| AOC | 10 | 4.3% |
| Alienware | 10 | 4.3% |
| Others Combined | 19 | 8.2% |
N=232, Data Source: prosettings.net
Infographic: “Popular Gaming Monitor Manufacturers PUBG (2021)” – RaiseYourSkillz.com
The best Monitor for playing PUBG is:
What is the Best Monitor for Playing Overwatch?
68.1% of all Overwatch pro gamers play with the gaming monitor OMEN by HP 24.5″ and a 144Hz screen rate. 68.1% of all Overwatch Pro gamers play with a gaming monitor from the manufacturer HP.
Overwatch has a huge fanbase in Asia. The game is literally a colorful mix of the best the FPS genre has to offer.
The fast and colorful action requires a monitor that keeps latency low, allows for quick enemy detection, and delivers an absolutely sharp image even during fast movements.
The professionals overwhelmingly agree: HP’s Omen 24.5″ meets all requirements.
Probably the best Overwatch player in the world, Jin-hyeok “DDing” Yang, a fantastic DPS, plays with this monitor.
Best Gaming Monitor for Overwatch (2021)
| Monitor Modell | Used by N Pro Gamers | Percentage |
| OMEN by HP 24.5″ | 124 | 68.1% |
| ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q | 27 | 14.8% |
| BenQ XL 2411P | 7 | 3.9% |
| Others Combined | 24 | 13.2% |
N=182, Data Source: prosettings.net
Infographic: “Best Gaming Monitor for Overwatch (2021)” – RaiseYourSkillz.com
Popular Monitor Manufacturers Overwatch (2021)
| Monitor Manufacturer | Used by N Pro Gamers | Percentage |
| HP | 124 | 68.1% |
| ASUS | 35 | 19.2% |
| BenQ | 17 | 9.3% |
| Others Combined | 6 | 3.4% |
N=182, Data Source: prosettings.net
Infographic: “Popular Gaming Monitor Manufacturers Overwatch (2021)” – RaiseYourSkillz.com
The best Monitor for playing Overwatch is:
What is the Best Monitor for Playing Call of Duty (Warzone)?
Unfortunately, there is no overview of Call of Duty Pro gamers’ monitors, so we have to make a derivative statement. Based on the numbers of the examined three FPS games closest to Call of Duty, PUBG, Rainbow Six, and CSGO, we can answer the question.
39.6% of pro gamers play with the Monitor BenQ XL 2546. 69.6% of the 859 pro gamers studied trust a monitor from BenQ. Other brands and models are used in significantly lower numbers by professional gamers in FPS Games like Call of Duty (Warzone).
We have excluded other FPS games whose characteristics are not comparable to Call of Duty. For example, the graphics of Valorant and Fortnite are not detailed enough compared to CoD.
The best Monitor for playing Call of Duty (Warzone) is:
Final Thoughts
We are aware that sponsorships always play a role in games with a competitive scene in Esports. For example, if HP is the main sponsor of the Overwatch League, then more pros play with HP monitors because, on the one hand, the team sponsor wants that. On the other hand, the hardware provided at offline events such as the league finals also comes from HP.
Regardless of this, you can assume that esports organizations and teams are always anxious to compete with the best equipment to not be disadvantaged compared to the competition. There are also teams in Overwatch that don’t use HP monitors or teams with totally mixed monitors from different manufacturers. So there is no question of a sponsor constraint.
As a competitive gamer, we can only advise you to orient yourself entirely on the pros. Nobody deals with monitors, mice, graphic cards, etc., as intensively as the esport organizations and their players.
As a casual gamer, the results will give you a good indication of which gaming monitor or manufacturer is not junk. Most of the time, there are slimmed down and cheaper versions of the monitors mentioned here. Monitors from the same manufacturer with the same or similar serial numbers most likely come from the same factory and have the same quality.
In general, pro-gamers are more concerned with the small details of hardware and software, and it’s easier to get tips and tricks for graphics settings within the competitive scene. Also, if you have the same equipment as the pros, you can copy their settings and profit from their deep knowledge and experience.
No monitor will have five stars on Amazon, but that is normal. Transport damages, production errors, and irrelevant ratings (for example, the delivery time instead of the quality of the product) worsen the validity of the rating.
Therefore, our approach is and always has been: Buy the same as the pros.
We have not regretted it in 35 years of gaming, 20 of them in esports.
Related Posts to the topics “Gaming Gear” & “Gaming Monitors“
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GL & HF! Flashback out.
