Best Monitor for Streaming 2026: Streamer's Guide
Top picks for Twitch, YouTube, and content creators
Recommended Products
Based on our testing, here are some top picks:
LG 32GN650-B Ultragear Gaming Monitor -
ASUS ROG Swift OLED 27" Gaming Monitor -
$799.00
Samsung Odyssey G7 Gaming Monitor -
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 4K Monitor -
$612.99
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What Streamers Need in a Monitor
Streamers have unique monitor requirements. You need a setup that supports gaming, content management, and looks good on camera.
Primary Gaming Monitor
- + High refresh rate - 144Hz+ for smooth gameplay
- + Good colors - IPS for accurate facecam representation
- + Low input lag - For competitive games
- + 1440p or 4K - Higher resolution streams look better
Secondary Monitor (OBS/Chat)
- + Good resolution - 1080p minimum for readable text
- + IPS panel - Wide viewing angles for glancing
- + Pivot support - Vertical orientation for chat
- + 60Hz is fine - No need for high refresh
Why Color Accuracy Matters for Streaming
If your monitor has poor color accuracy, your stream overlays, alerts, and facecam will look different to viewers than they do to you. An IPS panel with good sRGB coverage ensures consistency between your view and your audience's view.
Best Monitors for Streaming 2026
LG 27GP850-B
Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
Refresh Rate: 165Hz (OC 180Hz)
Panel: Nano IPS, 1ms GtG
Color: 98% DCI-P3, HDR400
Features: G-Sync Compatible
Price: $350-400
The perfect balance for gaming streamers. Nano IPS delivers excellent color accuracy for facecam while 165Hz handles competitive games. 1440p is the sweet spot for streaming - higher quality than 1080p without GPU-crushing 4K. Great value.
ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDM
Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Panel: OLED, 0.03ms GtG
Color: 99% DCI-P3
Features: G-Sync, HDR True Black
Price: $800-900
OLED's perfect blacks and vibrant colors make streams pop. 240Hz handles any competitive game while excellent color accuracy ensures your overlays and facecam look exactly as intended. The premium choice for serious streamers.
Gigabyte M27Q
Resolution: 2560x1440 (1440p)
Refresh Rate: 170Hz
Panel: IPS, 0.5ms MPRT
Color: 92% DCI-P3
Features: KVM, USB-C
Price: $280-320
Incredible value with built-in KVM switch - easily swap between your streaming PC and a laptop. Good color accuracy, fast refresh rate, and USB-C connectivity. Hard to beat at this price point.
Dell P2422H
Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Panel: IPS
Stand: Height, Tilt, Pivot
Features: USB Hub, Daisy Chain
Price: $180-220
The ideal secondary monitor for chat and OBS. Excellent ergonomic stand with pivot for vertical orientation. IPS for consistent colors. USB hub built-in. Dell's 3-year warranty. No need for high refresh on a secondary.
Best Gaming Monitors for Streamers
Your primary gaming monitor should balance performance with stream quality. Here are the top picks by category:
| Monitor | Res/Refresh | Panel | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG 27GP850-B | 1440p 165Hz | Nano IPS | $380 | Best all-around |
| ASUS VG27AQ1A | 1440p 170Hz | IPS | $300 | Budget 1440p |
| Dell S2722DGM | 1440p 165Hz | VA | $250 | High contrast |
| LG 27GR95QE | 1440p 240Hz | OLED | $800 | Premium streaming |
Best Secondary Monitors for Streaming
Your secondary monitor handles chat, OBS, alerts, and dashboard. You don't need high refresh rate here - prioritize ergonomics and color matching.
Dell P2422H (24" 1080p)
Best overall secondary. Excellent stand pivots for vertical chat display. USB hub reduces cable clutter. Daisy chain support.
LG 27UK650-W (27" 4K)
If you want extra screen real estate for multiple windows. 4K means sharper text and more room for OBS, chat, alerts, and dashboards.
ASUS ProArt PA248QV (24" 1200p)
16:10 aspect ratio gives extra vertical space - great for chat. Factory calibrated for color accuracy. Excellent for streamers who also do design work.
Pro Tip: Mount your secondary monitor vertically for chat. A vertical 24" monitor is perfect for reading Twitch chat and takes up less desk space than horizontal.
Dual Monitor Streaming Setup Guide
Most successful streamers use dual monitors. Here's how to set up an effective streaming workstation:
Recommended Dual Monitor Layouts
Layout A: Side-by-Side
Main gaming monitor center, secondary to the side
- + Natural viewing angle
- + Easy to glance at chat
- - Takes more desk width
Layout B: Vertical Secondary
Main center, secondary vertical to the side
- + Less desk width needed
- + Perfect for chat scrolling
- + More professional look
What Goes Where
Primary Monitor (Gaming)
- - Game in fullscreen
- - Optional: Small OBS preview overlay
Secondary Monitor (Management)
- - OBS Studio (main window)
- - Twitch/YouTube dashboard
- - Chat (Twitch, Discord)
- - Alerts and notifications
- - Music player
Budget Streaming Setup Under $500
You can build an effective dual-monitor streaming setup without breaking the bank:
Budget Streaming Combo ($450-500 total)
Primary: Gigabyte M27Q (27" 1440p 170Hz)
Fast IPS gaming with KVM switch
Secondary: Dell P2422H (24" 1080p 60Hz)
Pivots vertical for chat, USB hub
Total
$470Budget Tip: Buy your secondary monitor used or refurbished. Since it's just for static content, a used Dell P-series or similar IPS monitor works great and can be found for under $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size monitor is best for streaming?
27 inches is ideal for your main gaming monitor - big enough to be immersive, small enough to track the action. For secondary, 24-27 inches works well. Many streamers use a vertical 24" for chat.
Do I need two monitors for streaming?
Not required, but highly recommended. Dual monitors let you game fullscreen while monitoring chat, OBS, and alerts on the second screen. Single-monitor streaming requires alt-tabbing which disrupts your stream.
Does monitor color accuracy matter for streaming?
Yes, especially with a facecam. Poor color accuracy means your skin tones and overlays look different to viewers. An IPS panel with good sRGB coverage ensures what you see matches what viewers see.
Should I stream at 1080p or 1440p?
Most streamers output at 1080p (or 900p/720p for Twitch non-partners). However, gaming at 1440p looks sharper to you and downscales nicely to 1080p for viewers. 4K is overkill for streaming.
Does my secondary monitor need to match my primary?
No. Your secondary doesn't need high refresh rate since it displays static content. However, matching panel types (both IPS) helps color consistency when glancing between screens.
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Recommended Streaming Monitors
LG 27" 1440p 165Hz Gaming Monitor
Nano IPS for accurate colors - perfect main streaming monitor
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