So which is better for gaming, 1080p or 1440p? If you're currently looking for your next gaming monitor you've likely asked yourself the same thing.
And it's an important question to ask, especially as it has an effect on price, specs, and potentially your competitive edge.
Here we'll break down the key differences and which one would be suited more to your needs.
What Is The Difference Between 1080p vs 1440p?
The key difference here is the number of pixels on the display. 1080p means that you're getting 1920 x 1080 pixels, which equals 2,073,600.
For 1440p, even though the waters are muddied by terms such as QHD and 2K, you're getting 2560 x 1440 pixels, which would equal 3,686,400.
The more pixels you have, the higher definition the picture will be.
But if it were only that simple!
click to enlarge1080p vs 1440p For Gaming
As you'll be aware, there are more factors that come into play when creating an ideal gaming experience.
We have to consider screen size, refresh rates, price, panel types, HDR, and even whether the monitor has speakers or not before we make our decision.
1080p vs 1440p Optimum Screen Sizes
If you've ever tried to enlarge a jpeg only to have it looks like a mosaic, you'll understand how pixel density can be affected by size.
Since 1080p displays have fewer pixels, it means that the image quality becomes poorer as it's enlarged.
That means that 1080p displays look much better on smaller screens, generally between 24 inches to 28 inches.
For 1440p, you can go larger with the display without losing image quality, but we'd still say that it's worth keeping it to around 28" - 32" for optimal results.
1080p vs 1440p Refresh Rates
Both 1080p and 1440p monitors can offer higher refresh rates than your standard 4K display, which is usually capped at 60hz unless it's an HDMI 2.1 monitor.
1080p monitors can come with a massive 240hz refresh rate, while you tend to see more 1440p monitors hit around 144hz.
The market does seem to reflect this, as many gamers opting for super-fast refresh rates are typically competitive gamers, where smaller, faster screens are prefered to give an edge in competition.
And since refresh rates can be affected by how high the resolution is, it would make sense that brands would lean more towards 1080p when creating 240hz+ monitors.
1080p vs 1440p Price
It's no surprise that having a higher resolution drives up the price, so expect to pay more if you're going for 1440p monitors.
That being said, both can be quite reasonable when compared to 4K displays, with some 1080p, 60 Hz monitors coming in as low as $150.
1080p vs 1440p For Console Gaming
While Xbox Series S / X output at 1440p, PS4 and PS5 don't, and the jury is out as to whether PS5 will in the future.
Most consoles do, however, support 1080p making them a good choice to dive straight in.
1080p vs 1440p For PC Gaming
Of course, this will depend on your rig, but for most PC builds out there, 1080p will be more than fine for your needs.
Many gamers are opting for 1440p to have a mid-ground between high definition and higher frames per second.
Either way is good, but 1440p looks great when paired with any of the best QHD monitors.
Verdict: 1080p vs 1440p, Which Is Better For Gaming?
Overall, if we exclude PlayStation owners, we'd say 1440p is better for gaming for a number of reasons.
1440p monitors give you a wider screen size range to explore alongside higher refresh rates too. Sure you may not find 240hz as often, but if you're not a professional gamer then you likely won't need that much anyway.
They're also surprisingly affordable, with many being brilliant at under $400 while still packing 144hz, FreeSync, low response times and more.
In terms of how games look, if you pair the resolution with the right size monitor, the difference between 4K and 1440p is barely noticeable - hence their popularity.
You'll also gain the advantage of being able to use your monitor as a productivity display too, and it'll be detailed enough for even intricate design work.
Overall, 1440p is a great choice for gaming for most people, while 1080p offers higher maximum frames per second for those who game competitively.