Buy the biggest screen you can mount close to your wheel. That one rule decides more than refresh rate, panel type or brand. A 34 inch ultrawide right behind the wheel base beats a 55 inch TV two metres away, every time.
Prices below were read on the makers' own US stores on 6 November 2026, and every monitor listed could be added to the cart that day.
What matters in a sim racing monitor
Field of view. In a sim you want the world at its real size. That only works when the screen fills a big part of your vision, which means big and close. Use my FOV calculator with your screen size and distance before you buy. It tells you very quickly if a screen is too small for your rig.
Resolution. 1440p is the sweet spot for a single 27 inch screen. 4K is sharper but costs a lot of GPU. On an ultrawide, 3440 x 1440 is the standard.
Refresh rate. 144 Hz and up makes the car feel more connected, because the image keeps up with your inputs. Only if your PC can push the frames. My sim racing PC guide covers what you need.
Panel. OLED gives perfect blacks and very fast response, great for night races. IPS and VA are cheaper and have no burn in worry. For a static HUD and hours of practice on the same track, think about that.
Curve. On ultrawides and 49 inch screens a curve helps, because the edges bend toward you. On a flat 27 inch it does not matter.
The best monitors for sim racing in 2026
| Monitor | Price (maker, US) | Size | Resolution | Panel | Refresh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Odyssey G5 G50F | $279.99 | 27" | 1440p (QHD) | Fast IPS | 180 Hz |
| Alienware 27 AW2725D | $499.99 on sale | 27" | 2560 x 1440 | QD-OLED | 280 Hz |
| Dell S 34 S3425DW | $419.99 | 34" | 3440 x 1440 | VA, 1800R | 120 Hz |
| Alienware 34 AW3425DW | $799.99 | 34" | 3440 x 1440 | QD-OLED, 1800R | 240 Hz |
| Alienware 32 AW3225QF | $849.99 on sale | 32" | 3840 x 2160 | QD-OLED, 1700R | 240 Hz |
| LG UltraGear 45GX950A | $1,799.99 | 45" | 5120 x 2160 | OLED | 165 Hz |
| Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G95SD | $1,899.99 | 49" | 5120 x 1440 | OLED | 240 Hz |
| Dell Plus 27 S2725DSM (x3) | $219.99 each | 3 x 27" | 2560 x 1440 each | IPS | 144 Hz |
Best budget: Samsung Odyssey G5 G50F
$279.99. 27 inch, 1440p, Fast IPS, 180 Hz. It is everything a first sim racing screen needs and nothing you will miss in your first year.
Mount it low and close, right behind the wheel. On a desk it will feel small. On a rig it is fine.
Best 27 inch OLED: Alienware AW2725D
$499.99 on sale, $50 off. 2560 x 1440, QD-OLED, 280 Hz. If you race a lot at night, Le Mans or Daytona, the OLED blacks change how the track looks.
It is also the screen I would pick if you plan to go triple later. Three of these is a serious setup.
Best for most people: Alienware AW3425DW ultrawide
$799.99. 34 inch, 3440 x 1440, QD-OLED, 240 Hz, 1800R curve.
This is the one I would tell most people to buy. An ultrawide gives you much more side view than a 27 inch, you see the apex earlier, and it is one cable and one stand. No bezels in the middle of the windscreen.
On a tighter budget, the Dell S 34 S3425DW is $419.99 with the same resolution and curve, on a VA panel at 120 Hz. Slower, but the same view.
Best 4K: Alienware AW3225QF
$849.99 on sale, $150 off. 3840 x 2160, QD-OLED, 240 Hz, 1700R curve.
Very sharp, very fast. But for racing, a 16:9 screen gives you less side view than an ultrawide at the same price. Buy it if you also use the PC for other games and you want 4K, or if you race on a console. Not as a pure sim racing screen.
Biggest single screen: LG UltraGear 45GX950A and Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
The LG 45GX950A is $1,799.99. 45 inch, 5120 x 2160, OLED, 165 Hz, with a 330 Hz mode at a lower resolution. It is taller than a normal ultrawide, so you see more of the sky and the mirrors on the top of the screen.
The Samsung G95SD is $1,899.99. 49 inch, 5120 x 1440, OLED, 240 Hz. 32:9 is like two 27 inch screens side by side with no bezel. It is the closest thing to triples in one panel.
Both need a strong GPU. Over 5,000 pixels wide at high refresh is a lot of work for any PC in a full grid.
The triple screen option: three Dell Plus 27 QHD
$219.99 each, $659.97 for three. 2560 x 1440, IPS, 144 Hz, flat, with thin bezels: 0.29 inches on the top and sides.
Triples give you the real side view. You look left and see the car beside you, not a radar. For wheel to wheel racing that is worth a lot. The cost is a bigger stand, a wider desk or rig, and a GPU that can push three 1440p screens.
My triple monitor guide covers the setup, and how to connect triple screens covers the cables and the settings.
Monitor or VR?
VR gives you depth and a real head turn for less money than three good screens. Screens are cooler, easier on long stints and let you see your hands and your button box. Read my iRacing VR vs monitor comparison, and if VR wins, my best VR headset page has what to buy.
FAQ
What is the best monitor for sim racing?
For most people, a 34 inch ultrawide like the Alienware AW3425DW at $799.99. It gives you much more side view than a 27 inch screen with only one panel to mount.
What is the best cheap monitor for sim racing?
A 27 inch 1440p screen like the Samsung Odyssey G5 G50F at $279.99. Mount it close to the wheel.
Is ultrawide or triple screens better for sim racing?
Triples give you more side view and cost less per screen: three Dell Plus 27 QHD are $659.97. An ultrawide is simpler to set up, has no bezels and needs less GPU.
Is OLED good for sim racing?
Yes. Perfect blacks for night racing and very fast response. The one worry is burn in from a static HUD over thousands of hours. Move or hide HUD elements you do not need.
What refresh rate do I need for sim racing?
144 Hz or more if your PC can hold the frame rate. A screen at 240 Hz does nothing if your PC runs the sim at 90 fps.
What size monitor is best for sim racing?
The biggest you can put close to your eyes. Check it with the FOV calculator before you buy.
Last checked on 6 November 2026 on the Samsung, Dell and LG US stores. Monitors that were out of stock or had no price on the maker's site that day are not listed.