The 10 Best Single Monitors For Sim Racing (Ultimate List)

Whether you’re stuck for space or just want to race without the headache of setting up 3 monitors and all the hassle that comes with doing so, a single monitor is still a great way to race. However, you need to know what the best single monitors are for your sim racing rig.

The 10 best single monitors for sim racing are:

1. ASUS ROG Strix XG438Q
2. GIGABYTE G32QC A
3. Acer Predator Z35P
4. Acer Predator CG437K
5. AOC Gaming CQ32G2SE
6. Acer ED323QUR Abidpx
7. Sceptre C305B-200UN
8. MSI Optix MAG342CQR
9. LG 32GN650-B
10. Samsung Odyssey G5

These monitors offer excellent immersion for a single monitor setup and are some of the best options on the market. Read on below for a more in-depth look at each one and some important information you should read so that you can make an informed purchase.

What Is The Best Size For A Single Sim Racing Monitor?

The best size for a single sim racing monitor is usually anywhere from 32” and up. Going for monitors smaller than this will usually lead to lowered immersion, as you’ll have very little in the way of peripheral vision. Ultrawide single monitors help a lot in this regard, with 34” and up being best.

Generally bigger is better as it allows you to better optimize your field of view while still providing an accurate representation of distances in the real world. However, going above 40” will usually mean you have to sit further from the screen in order to comfortably play, which can lead to reduced immersion.

Whatever Fits Your Rig

At the end of the day, realistically the best size for a monitor is whatever size fits on your desk or, ideally, your rig. However, the bigger you go, the higher the resolution needs to be to avoid losing out on pixel density. And the higher the resolution, the higher the price.

What To Look For In A Single Monitor For Sim Racing

Screen Size

Screen size is incredibly important as a monitor of 32 inches or more will give you much-needed immersion and more screen space for your peripheral vision. A bigger screen is a competitive advantage and it’s one of the most important aspects of a monitor for sim racing.

Smaller monitors will work just fine, though you may have to sacrifice some peripheral vision to maintain an accurate field of view in-game. 32” is a great size to work with, but going for a 27” monitor to start could allow you to upgrade to a triple screen setup in the future.

Buyer’s Tip: 32” is the ideal monitor size, but going above this can boost your immersion

Resolution

Resolution is really important, especially when using a large monitor. A resolution of 2560 x 1440 (1440p) is generally a good balance of performance and quality (and price). Higher resolutions will require a significant amount of power from your GPU, so make sure that your PC can support a high-resolution display.

4K displays will be the most visually impressive but are usually far more expensive and are much harder for your PC to drive. If it’s in your budget and your PC can drive a 4K display, these monitors will offer the best graphical fidelity you can find. However, the minimum of 1080p can still look good on monitors above 32 inches if you’re on a budget and your PC isn’t the most powerful.

Buyer’s Tip: 4K is best, but it takes a beefy PC. Shoot for 1440p if you can, but 1080p will still look good on smaller displays.

Refresh Rate

A high refresh rate will provide the most responsive and smooth sim racing experience, and competitive sim racing is dominated by players racing with 120 Hz displays or better. Changes are displayed on screen far quicker than a traditional 60 Hz display, so you simply receive information quicker than you would on a 60 Hz display.

Buyer’s Tip: While 60 Hz is the minimum, shoot for 120 Hz or above

Response Time

Response time is a bit of a touchy subject in the world of monitors. Manufacturers can measure it in different ways, leading to some large differences between different models. While a response time of 5 ms or less is ideal, it’s best to do your own research into practical tests of your chosen monitor’s response time if it’s a particularly important metric for you.

Note: We’ve listed the manufacturer’s quoted response times below along with how they were measured where possible

The 10 Best Single Monitors For Sim Racing

1. ASUS ROG Strix XG438Q

Size: 43” | Panel Type: AMVA | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Refresh Rate: 120 Hz | Response Time: 4 ms (GTG) | Ports: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 / 3 x HDMI 2.0 / 2 x USB 3.2 / 1 x USB 3.0 / Headphone Jack | Features: HDR / FreeSync / 10W Speakers

The ASUS ROG Strix XG438Q offers some of the best visuals along with a high refresh rate on a massive 43” display. The panel is an AMVA panel which is great for HDR content due to its better black and white contrast ratio.

The response time of the monitor is on the slower side at 4 ms, but depending on how much you value input latency, you may not even notice it. The refresh rate is 120 Hz, so while the response time may not be excellent, it will still offer an incredibly smooth racing experience. Coupled with its FreeSync 2 HDR, the display produces tear-free playback with intense highlights and deep blacks.

The resolution of the display is 4K, which can provide some of the best visuals for sim racing as long as your PC can handle it. It does have built-in speakers which is a bonus, but I wouldn’t go in expecting great audio quality from them, as a dedicated sim racing speaker system is always going to be your best choice.

Very Heavy

The stand it comes with as standard is quite wide, but it doesn’t protrude too far forwards, allowing for a lot of room to mount a wheel on your desk directly in front of the monitor, if you don’t have a dedicated rig. There is a VESA mount interface on the back of the display, so you can mount it on an integrated rig mount or mechanical arm if you want.

Just make sure your mount supports the weight of this display as it’s very heavy, at 29 lbs (13 kg). There’s no point sugar-coating the fact that it is a very expensive monitor, but the impressive feature list, large screen size, and high refresh rate display make it a very enticing option for those with the budget.

PROS:

• Excellent HDR
• 4K display
• 120 Hz refresh rate

CONS:

• Very expensive

2. GIGABYTE G32QC A

Size: 32” | Panel Type: Curved IPS | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Refresh Rate: 165 Hz | Response Time: 1 ms (MPRT) | Ports: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 / 2 x HDMI 2.0 / 2 x USB 3.0 / Headphone Jack | Features: HDR / FreeSync

This monitor features a 1440p resolution display with a size of 32”, but most importantly it’s curved. This 1500R curve isn’t too intense and should be easy to adapt to. The curve adds a huge amount of immersion as the display gives the impression that it’s wrapping around you, offering great peripheral vision.

Smooth Gameplay

The response time of 1 ms is excellent and should serve well in races where quick reflexes can make or break a race. The high refresh rate of 165 Hz should help with quick reflex decisions on the track. FreeSync Premium Pro is featured on this monitor too, so you can get a tear-free visual experience with minimal input latency.

There is also HDR400 capability, and it works very well, which is rare for a monitor at this price point. This curved monitor also has an IPS panel, which is rare with curved displays as they are often made with VA panels. The IPS panel ensures excellent color accuracy and great viewing angles. This GIGABYTE display has a very impressive feature list for a monitor far cheaper than many competitors.

PROS:

• Immersive curved display
• 165 Hz refresh rate
• Great HDR functionality

CONS:

• Stand’s feet protrude further than the screen

3. Acer Predator Z35P

Size: 35” | Panel Type: Curved VA | Resolution: 3440 x 1440 | Refresh Rate: 100 Hz | Response Time: 4 ms (GTG) | Ports: 1 x HDMI 1.4 / 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 / 5 x USB 3.0 / Audio Out | Features: G-Sync / 9W Speakers

The Acer Predator Z35P is a fantastic option for those that want as much peripheral vision from a single monitor setup as possible. As a curved ultrawide monitor, it offers great peripheral vision and excellent viewing angles. The curve is only 1800R so it isn’t too intense, and you shouldn’t have any issues adapting to it.

It has a resolution of 3440 x 1440 so it won’t be quite as difficult to drive as a 4K display, but it will require more power from your GPU than a standard 1440p display. The VA panel has a refresh rate of 100 Hz, which provides a much smoother experience while racing than a 60 Hz display, but a 120 Hz or better display would’ve been appreciated, especially at this high price point.

A Smooth Racing Experience

You also get G-Sync functionality for a tear-free and smooth experience with minimal input latency. However, the display has a response time of about 4 ms, which is on the slower side for a gaming monitor, but you’re not likely to notice it.

The built-in 9W speakers offer a surprisingly good sound signature, but I would recommend using headphones or dedicated speakers for a more competitive experience. There is a 100 mm VESA mount interface on the back of the display so mounting it to an arm or integrated stand should be no issue, making this a versatile sim racing monitor.

PROS:

• Immersive curved display
• 100 Hz panel
• Built-in speakers

CONS:

• Not the best response time
• Fairly expensive

4. Acer Predator CG437K

Size: 43” | Panel Type: VA | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz | Response Time: 1 ms (VRB) | Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.1 / 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 / 1 x USB Type-C / 5 x USB Type-A / Audio Out | Features: 10W Speakers / G-Sync

The Acer Predator CG437K is a 43” monitor with a stunning 4K display, featuring DisplayHDR 1000, a VA panel with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, and a G-Sync compatible display. It features HDMI 2.1, which makes it an excellent option for people racing on a PS5 or Xbox Series X, as it can deliver 120 Hz at 4K resolution (in supported games).

A Truly Competitive Monitor

It has an impressive response time of 1 ms, and coupled with its high refresh rate display, it makes for a very competitive monitor. If your GPU can run the 4K display at 144 Hz you will have some of the best visuals available and incredibly smooth gameplay.

The HDR functionality is excellent, and I would highly recommend this monitor to anyone who cares greatly about HDR and graphical fidelity in their sim racing games. There are 2 decent built-in 10W speakers, but I would still recommend headphones or a set of dedicated speakers.

It has a 100 mm VESA mount interface on the back for easy mounting on a wall, arm, or integrated rig mount. The stand that it comes with as standard is very similar to what you would find packaged with LG TVs. It sits low and wide, but most importantly it doesn’t take up that much space.

Immersive Lighting

You can attach up to 4 LED light strips all around the display and Acer’s “RGB Light Sense” will simulate the environment on screen by adjusting the RGB lighting on the display accordingly. This is excellent for sim racing and especially nighttime races, as the floodlights pass above and the monitor lights up accordingly, adding a great deal of immersion.

It is a very expensive monitor, but if it’s in your budget and you value immersion and excellent HDR, this may be the monitor for you, as long as your GPU can power it!

PROS:

• HDMI 2.1 for 4K, 120 Hz gaming on next gen consoles
• Immersive RGB Light Sense
• Plenty of ports

CONS:

• Very expensive

5. AOC Gaming CQ32G2SE

Size: 32” | Panel Type: Curved VA | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Refresh Rate: 165 Hz | Response Time: 1 ms (MPRT) | Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0 / 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 | Features: 5W Speakers / FreeSync

This 32” curved monitor from AOC has a crisp 2560 x 1440 resolution with a competitive refresh rate of 165 Hz. It has a 1 ms response time as well as FreeSync Premium for tear-free racing with minimal input lag. The 1500R curved VA panel adds a great level of immersion and allows for better peripheral vision while racing.

Great Visuals

32” is an excellent size for a resolution of 2560 x 1440. The back of the display features a 100 mm VESA mount interface and the usual red accents that are common on AOC monitors. The stand that comes with the monitor has no height, swivel, or pivot adjustment but it does feature some forward and backward tilt.

There are speakers on the monitor, but they aren’t anything to write home about. The price point that this monitor sells at isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s cheaper than many high-refresh-rate and high-resolution options on the market that offer FreeSync, a 1 ms response time, as well as a curved panel, making it one to consider for sure.

PROS:

• Immersive curved display
• Competitive refresh rate of 165 Hz
• Rapid response time

CONS:

• Fairly expensive
• Standard mount has poor adjustability

6. Acer ED323QUR Abidpx

Size: 32” | Panel Type: Curved VA | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz | Response Time: 4 ms (GTG) | Ports: 1 x HDMI 1.4 / 1 x DisplayPort / 1 x DVI | Features: FreeSync

This 32” monitor from Acer has a 1800R curve, which is perfect for immersion and is easy to adapt to as the curve isn’t too aggressive. It has a VA panel, as most curved monitors do, and it has a stunning 1440p resolution. This, combined with its FreeSync compatibility and 144 Hz refresh rate, make it a great balance between visuals and performance.

Sadly, while not a huge deal breaker for some, it has a slower response time of 4 ms. As a result, the monitor is a bit cheaper than the previous AOC monitor, but it’s up to you to decide whether the hit to response time is worth the lower cost.

You Probably Need An External Mount

The monitor is 100 mm VESA compatible which you may want to make use of, as the stand that it comes with features no adjustability except for forwards and backward tilt adjustment.

Aesthetically, the monitor is very simplistic,with no real color other than the front side of the monitor stand which has a red accent. There are practically no bezels on the monitor, so if you plan to upgrade to a triple monitor setup in the future, this is a good single monitor to consider.

PROS:

• Immersive ultrawide curve
• High refresh rate
• More affordable than similar options

CONS:

• Slower response time of 4 ms
• Stand only features tilt adjustment

7. Sceptre C305B-200UN

Size: 30” | Panel Type: Curved VA | Resolution: 2560 x 1080 | Refresh Rate: 200 Hz | Response Time: 5 ms (GTG) | Ports: 1 x HDMI 2.0 / 2 x HDMI 1.4 / 1 x DisplayPort / Headphone Jack | Features: HDR / FreeSync / 3W Speakers

This is one of the most affordable ultrawide monitors on the market, offering not only a curved 30” display, but a high refresh rate of 200 Hz. With a resolution of 2560 x 1080, it won’t be as difficult to run as many other ultrawide monitors on the market. This makes the high refresh rate of 200 Hz much more achievable with a wider range of PCs.

A Smooth Sim Racing Experience

The C305B-200UN features FreeSync technology for a tear-free experience with minimal input latency. It has thin bezels and built-in speakers, but similar to most monitors in this price range, the speakers aren’t fantastic. There is some RGB lighting on the back of the display as well as a 75 mm VESA mount interface.

The standard stand that it comes with only has tilt adjustment, so I would highly advise mounting it onto a VESA mount so you can adjust the height and angle of the display to suit the rest of your sim racing rig. The monitor also features HDR400, and it does the job, but there are better HDR displays out there.

This monitor drastically outperforms many other monitors in its price range, which is exactly why it made this list. You will not find a better monitor for the same price as this one with all the included features and seemingly minimal compromises.

PROS:

• Great value for money
• 200 Hz display
• Curve ultrawide display

CONS:

• HDR isn’t fantastic
• Only has tilt adjustment

8. MSI Optix MAG342CQR

Size: 34” | Panel Type: Curved VA | Resolution: 3440 x 1440 | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz | Response Time: 1 ms (unspecified) | Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0 / 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 / Headphone Jack | Features: FreeSync

The MSI Optix MAG342CQR has a curved VA panel with a fairly tame curve of 1500R. As an ultrawide monitor, its high resolution and curved design offers a great deal of immersion. It features a competitive refresh rate of 144 Hz and FreeSync technology to eliminate tearing with minimal input latency.

An Immersive Sim Racing Monitor

It also has an impressive response time of only 1 ms, making it a great option for competitive sim racers. VA panels often don’t have the best viewing angles, but as it’s a curved display, it has a viewable angle of 178 degrees, similar to IPS panels. The display itself is 34” in size which is a great size for the resolution of the screen.

The back of the display features some RGB lighting, but nothing too distracting. It also features a 75 mm VESA Mount interface, so you can attach it to a monitor arm or other VESA mount. The stand that comes with the monitor as standard features height, pivot, swivel, and tilt adjustment. The price is fairly high, but it’s on par with other monitors with similar feature lists.

PROS:

• Immersive ultrawide curved display
• High refresh rate and rapid response time
• Stand is fully adjustable

CONS:

• Fairly expensive

9. LG 32GN650-B

Size: 32” | Panel Type: VA | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Refresh Rate: 165 Hz | Response Time: 1 ms (GTG) | Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0 / 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 | Features: HDR / FreeSync / G-Sync

This monitor from LG offers a competitive refresh rate of 165 Hz as well as a great size of 32”. The 1440p resolution is a good balance of quality to performance, and it should be possible to drive with most mid-range PCs. It has an impressive response time of 1 ms and features HDR 10 technology too. The back of the display has red accents and a nice-looking gamer aesthetic.

Decent Adjustability

The stand the monitor comes with has height, pivot, and tilt adjustment, but no swivel adjustment. The back of the display features a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount interface so you can attach it to a more maneuverable mechanical arm if you want. As well as featuring FreeSync technology, it is also G-Sync compatible making it a good choice for Nvidia users.

It’s a more affordable option compared to other monitors with similar feature sets, and the practically invisible bezels make it a great option if you plan on upgrading to a triple monitor setup in the future.

PROS:

• Competitive refresh rate of 165 Hz
• FreeSync and G-Sync compatible
• Relatively affordable

CONS:

• Stand protrudes forward and takes up some space
• No swivel adjustment

10. Samsung Odyssey G5

Size: 32” | Panel Type: Curved VA | Resolution: 2560 x 1440 | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz | Response Time: 1 ms (MPRT) | Ports: 1 x HDMI 2.0 / 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 / Headphone Jack | Features: HDR / FreeSync / G-Sync

Samsung’s Odyssey G5 is a monitor that offers a fantastic selection of features that make it a great option for those on a budget, but each feature falls short in some areas that may be a deal breaker for some. Its 32” curved VA panel has a decent resolution, and the curve itself is aggressive so it may take some time to adapt to it if you’re used to flat panel monitors.

FreeSync & G-Sync

It has a 1 ms response time as well as FreeSync Premium. Nvidia users can use this technology too as it’s G-Sync compatible. The Odyssey G5 also features HDR10. While the feature list is impressive for the price point, there have been compromises made in several areas.

Its HDR isn’t excellent due to the low peak brightness of the display, and the FreeSync technology causes the display to flicker violently if your FPS is drastically inconsistent. With that said, the aggressive curve, high refresh rate, and great resolution for the size of the display make it an immersive and competitive monitor for sim racing.

PROS:

• Aggressive curve adding to the immersion
• Decent refresh rate
• FreeSync and G-Sync compatible

CONS:

• Poor peak brightness in HDR
• FreeSync may cause flickering

Can You Use A TV For Sim Racing?

A TV will work perfectly fine for sim racing and, in some instances, there are TVs available that rival even some monitors. But to get a TV with similar features and a competitive refresh rate on par with a monitor, it usually costs a lot more than a monitor with the same features.

A benefit of TVs, however, is that larger screen sizes of 50” and bigger are far more readily available than monitors of the same size. If you want a fast display with competitive framerates and you want to sit fairly close to the display, a monitor will be ideal.

But if you want a large display for your living room or if you need to sit further away from the display, I would recommend either getting an integrated monitor mount to put on your rig, or getting a large TV. Overall, for a competitive sim racing experience, a monitor will always be your best bet, but you can certainly sim race with a TV.

Final Thoughts

The ASUS ROG Strix XG438Q is a feature-filled monitor that offers some of the best visuals available. The Sceptre C305B-200UN offers one of the best price to performance ratios on the market, with competitive features and an immersive ultrawide display, making it another great option to consider.