Most popular monitor sizes for gaming in South Africa

Computer hardware retailers Wootware and Dreamware Tech say 27-inch monitors are the most popular among gaming customers due to their versatility in features like resolution and refresh rate.

However, preferences are shifting. Wootware sales head Dimitri Mackor told MyBroadband that there has been a market shift to ultrawide monitors in 2024.

“27-inch monitors remain highly popular due to their versatility and various configuration options in terms of resolution, refresh rate, and panel types,” he said.

Mackor said the most popular brands in this segment include Dell, ASUS, Samsung, and Wootware’s WootVision-branded monitors.

“These brands are consistently recognised for their exceptional build quality, robust feature sets, and strong performance across both traditional and ultrawide form factors,” he said.

“Now more established in the market in 2025, our WootVision lineup has been well received by customers, and appreciated for its value and quality — attributes we are committed to delivering.”

Regarding specs, the sweet spot for 27-inch displays are units with a 2,560 x 1,440-pixel (QHD) resolution, refresh rates between 100Hz and 165Hz, and IPS or VA panels.

“QHD resolution is increasingly becoming the standard, replacing Full HD as the most common option,” he said.

He added that while refresh rates between 100Hz and 165Hz are prevalent, various brands are starting to use 180Hz or higher panels as the norm, reflecting a growing emphasis on smoother performance and enhanced visual experiences.

Dreamware Tech told MyBroadband that its customers prefer 27-inch monitors for gaming purposes and 24-inch monitors for business use.

“This sizing has remained relatively consistent for the last few years, but gamers have shifted from 24 inches to 27 inches,” it said.

“For some time, 24-inch gaming monitors were regarded as good value for the screen real estate they offered, but recently, consumers have opted to upgrade to a 27-inch option.”

Brands like AOC, MSI, and ASUS are popular in the 24-inch segment, while the 27-inch segment is fairly diverse. Customers often prioritise price over brand reputation.

Popular brands in this segment include Samsung, AOC, ASUS, Dell, LG, and MSI.

Takealot also provided sales stats relating to monitors. It said the best-selling size by volume is 24 inches. However, it noted that there has been a marked increase in sales of 27-inch monitors recently.

The most popular monitor brands sold through Takealot include ASUS, Dell, LG, and Samsung.

Mackor also believes the industry will transition from using VA and IPS displays to using more advanced options as standard, such as Mini-LED and OLED.

“This evolution will likely be accompanied by a gradual reduction in prices, reflecting advancements in manufacturing efficiency and increased adoption of these technologies,” he added.

However, he noted that monitor size and resolution preferences have shifted this year, with ultrawide 34-inch and larger monitors becoming increasingly popular.

Specifically, ultrawide monitors with a 3,440 x 1,440-pixel (WQHD) resolution, game-focused specifications, and QD-OLED technology have seen increased demand in 2024.

“Ultrawide is increasingly popular with the value options in IPS and VA panels,” he added.

Wootware introduced its WootVision monitors in 2024 intending to offer customers competitive pricing on monitors with sought-after specs.

The retailer’s website lists nine WootVision units, with prices ranging from R1,949 to R11,299. However, Wootware is currently offering reduced pricing on the monitor range.

Not all units are in stock, with several options tagged with “Stock Coming Soon”.

The most affordable option measures 23.8 inches and features a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel display with a 75Hz refresh rate.

The next model up is a 27-inch 2,560 x 1,440-pixel unit with a 100Hz refresh rate and 6ms response time. It costs R3,299. Wootware also sells a 180Hz version of this monitor for R850 more.

The most expensive option currently available is a 27-inch ultrawide display with a 2,560 x 1,440-pixel resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate.