What is HDMI 2.1?
HDMI 2.1 is an exciting advancement in home entertainment technology that enables a number of new capabilities for some interesting use cases, as well as enhanced support for existing features. It has the potential to streamline home theater setups by reducing the need for dongles and other adapters and can improve on some of those incremental upgrades we see from 4K HDR to 8K HDR or higher framerates beyond 120Hz.
Broadly speaking, HDMI 2.0b brought us the ability to have greater bandwidth – 18Gbps – enough to enable 4K 60Hz with 4:4:4 color space. This was a huge deal when it debuted not long ago because without it you were limited to either 30Hz or 36Hz when viewing 4K at full resolution with the chroma subsampling format.
The next step up is HDMI 2.1, which brings enhanced refresh rates (doubling the framerates of high-end gaming monitors) and dynamic HDR (HDR that adapts to changes in content dynamically).
We also get eARC support for object-based audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which should make it easy to set up an immersive home theater setup without all the hassles of physical speaker wires.
Does your monitor have HDMI 2.1?
While HDMI 2.1 is an interesting development, it's still away from being ready for primetime. After all, you can't have the full bandwidth of 18Gbps available when 8K TVs and displays aren't even in the picture yet.
As such, this means that not a lot of monitors currently support it - including those listed in this article.
We expect that to change over time as well once manufacturers get their hands on HDMI 2.1-capable components and early adopters start taking the plunge by buying these products... but it'll take time before we see any real availability here despite what its official introduction might suggest.
The list of monitors with HDMI 2.1 is below.
Acer CG48
Main features
This is an interesting product. It's Acer's first monitor with HDMI 2.1 around, and it is reportedly the "world's first 8K60 monitor" (8K at 60Hz). This monitor sports an IGZO IPS display panel with 100% coverage of the Adobe RGB color space. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer any OLED technology but that has something to do with why this monitor can be had for such a relatively reasonable price compared to its brethren, so we'll let it slide.
Design
Acer CG48 was created with professional gamers in mind, so it comes packed with a number of features to improve the overall gaming experience. This includes a Black Tuner that enhances dark areas without overexposing brighter parts of the screen, and a Dynamic Action Sync mode to reduce input lag.
You can adjust height and tilt, swivel from side to side, pivot into portrait mode if you want, and there's also a VESA mount on the back if you choose to use monitor arms instead.
Ports-wise we see an HDMI 2.1 port (yes!), one DisplayPort 1.4 connector, two USB 3.0 ports for your peripherals (and phone charging), headphone-out/mic-in jacks for audio pass-through on monitor speakers or separate headphones and a microphone, an SD card reader for your media, and one USB-C port for receiving power.
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As concerning image quality, we see an 8K display with a 60Hz refresh rate and HDR support, so all the necessary ingredients for buttery-smooth gameplay. With this monitor, you'll get crisp and vibrant visuals no matter what's on screen. The IGZO display has a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 for better black output compared to traditional IPS panels, which are usually 400:1 at best.
Aspect Ratio : 16:9
Resolution : 7,680 x 4,320 pixels (8K)
AOC AG485UD
Main features
When it comes to gaming monitors AOC is known for its affordable mid-range products (the 32-inch AOC AG322QCX monitor is a great example of this) and the 43-inch 4K variant of the AOC AGON 485UD is no different. It features an IPS panel with AMD FreeSync support, which means that it will only work with compatible AMD graphics cards (or consoles like Xbox One X).
The monitor's design resembles its smaller counterparts, offering up an ergonomic base with two USB 3.0 ports on the side so you don't have to reach around back all the time, as well as an SD card reader on the other side for your convenience.
Design
This monitor has a bit of a learning curve to it as far as getting the right adjustments done, but once you get it how you want it, you will have the pleasure of an ultra-wide monitor at your command. It's great for gaming and perfect for those working on big projects consisting of two or more apps side by side.
When it comes to ports we see a DisplayPort 1.4 port for connecting a PC, plus one HDMI 2.1 connector and a D-Sub/VGA port for legacy devices. There's even a USB 3.1 Type C port if you want to expand with some external storage or plugin an accessory like a phone or camera that supports this newer connectivity standard.
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AOC AGON 485UD is a very capable monitor as far as image quality goes. The IPS display panel delivers good dynamic range and accurate colors, but remember that it only supports 60Hz refresh rates, so if you want something with 144Hz or more you will need to go with an alternative option like the Acer Predator XB1 mentioned earlier in this article (which is G-SYNC compatible).
Aspect Ratio : 21:9
Resolution : 3,840 x 1,600 pixels (4K UHD)
ASUS PG32UQ
Main features
The Asus PG35UQ is an excellent choice for all you gamers out there, as it's one of the first 32-inch curved G-SYNC HDR monitors with a 4K resolution.
ASUS features Ultra Low Motion Blur technology to reduce motion blur during fast-paced gaming sessions, and Adaptive-Sync so you won't have any screen tearing issues when playing games on Xbox One X or PC.
There are also several modes that will come in handy depending on what type of game you're playing, like GamePlus FPS counter, GameVisual for color enhancements depending on the game genre, or Scenery/Cinema for improved visuals outside of gameplay.
Design
Asus is known for its high-quality design elements and the PG35UQ is no different. The monitor features a sturdy aluminum tripod base, with a solid metal build that houses all of its ports on the rear part of the stand. It's easy to move around thanks to its VESA mount, which sits flush on the back for a seamless installation process.
In terms of connectivity, we get four USB 3.0 ports that can be used to charge and connect your peripherals and other devices (two ports sit on either side).
There's also an HDMI 2.1 connector for connecting modern consoles like Xbox One X or PlayStation 4 Pro, plus DisplayPort 1.4 for PC connection and even one Thunderbolt 3 port if you want to go with this newer technology in place of DisplayPort or HDMI (which is backward compatible, by the way).
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All of this comes together to create one beautiful monitor. The IPS display delivers excellent contrast and accurate colors for an impressive HDR experience, plus the 4K resolution means that games look gorgeous on this monitor.
PPI of 108 pixels per inch allows for greater clarity when looking at the screen from up close, so you won't have to lean back in your chair when editing photos or videos. There's even a blue light filter built into this monitor that will keep its glow away while you're gaming in dimly lit rooms.
Aspect ratio : 21:9
Resolution : 3,840 x 2,160 pixels (4K UHD)
BenQ EX3210U
Main features
BenQ EX3210U is known for its 24-inch curved display that will deliver a comfortable experience for gamers and business professionals alike, especially with the VA panel that delivers impressive colors plus deep blacks.
Its parameters are not bad at all. The viewing angles are 178 degrees both vertically and horizontally, so you won't have any issues if more than one person wants to look at the display from different angles.
The ergonomy of this monitor is also worth mentioning. It can be moved around on its stand so you can find the perfect position, and the rear part of the stand features a small hole for cable management if your space is limited and you don't want to see cables sticking out from behind the display.
Design
The design of this monitor isn't that bad either, albeit rather generic for most offices or homes these days with all modern monitors looking pretty much the same.
The base has a small footprint and looks solid enough, while the black finish on the back panel will blend in nicely in moist environments where there's little contrast in color (office spaces may work well). BenQ EX3210U monitor has a VESA mount on the back of the stand that allows you to attach it to a wall or monitor arm, without any issues.
In terms of connectivity, we get three input ports – HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.2a, and mini-DisplayPort – all equally spaced out for easier connection with a modern PC or a gaming console like Xbox One X or PlayStation 4 Pro. There are also two USB 3.0 ports on this monitor, one of which supports quick charging for your phone while you're still working at your desk (and not paying attention).
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This monitor will deliver some pretty solid color vibrancy thanks to its 100% sRGB coverage, which is about as accurate as it gets when it comes to colors on a regular display.
Thanks to the built-in calibration tool you can adjust them according to your preferences if needed, or even switch between two profiles depending on what you're doing (one for gaming, one for professional work).
You also get Adaptive-Sync support, but this technology works only with AMD graphics cards (and even then, you're limited to Adaptive-Sync on DisplayPort 1.2a). You won't get any benefits from this technology if your computer uses Nvidia GPUs, which is the default choice for most gamers anyway.
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution : 3,840 x 2,160 pixels (4K UHD)
Eve Spectrum ES07D03
Main features
This brand is the first monitor manufacturer to release a 4K capable PC gaming monitor with AMD Radeon FreeSync support, and that's why we're mentioning it in this article. The two most important features of Eve Spectrum ES07D03 are high resolution and wide color gamut so you can enjoy all those beautiful colors without limitations.
It has a 32-inch panel with VA technology which greatly improves the viewing angle stability, so you won't have any problems if more than one person is going to spends some time behind your desk looking at the screen.
A number of additional features weren't overlooked either – there's fully adjustable ergonomy (tilt, swivel, and height adjustments), an option for portrait mode display, the fast response time (4ms).
Design
Eve Spectrum ES07D03 parameters are impressive, but its design is just as good. It sports a 2-side frameless design for an elegant look of the monitor itself, while the base of the stand provides some additional elegance with chromed elements.
Connection ports are available on the back of this monitor – two HDMI 1.4 ports, one DisplayPort 1.2a, one USB type C port, and three standard USB 3.0 ports that can be useful when you want to connect multiple devices at once (two monitors + PC or laptop).
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The main selling point of Eve Spectrum ES07D03 is FreeSync technology that allows gamers to synchronize their graphics card's output with the monitor's refresh rate without any issues or screen tearing. This model comes pre-calibrated, so you'll get accurate colors out of the box with a simple press of a button.
Colors are vibrant on this monitor thanks to the 100% sRGB color gamut while viewing angles are 178 degrees on both axes which is great if you have more than one person behind your back looking at the screen for example. Response time is 4ms which should be fine for most gamers but isn't considered to be super-fast when it comes to professional use of the monitor.
UHD resolution, high contrast ratio, and wide color gamut make up a perfect display for watching movies or playing video games in native 4K resolution. You'll also get an option for Eyecare technology so you can spend long hours in front of your screen without putting too much strain on your eyes. Pixel density is impressive – 163 pixels per inch. It helps the monitor provide sharp, crystal-clear image quality.
Aspect ratio : 16:9
Resolution : 3,840 x 2,160 pixels (4K UHD)