Top 6 High PPI Monitors in 2025 for Designers & Gamers

Top 6 High PPI Monitors in 2025 for Designers & Gamers

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XPPen 2025-01-22 12:20:50 14 min read

Imagine you’ve just sat down at your workstation and are tasked with designing engaging artwork for a new mobile app game. Considering the competition and high demand from players across all niches, you need a high PPI monitor where every single pixel matters.

Using a monitor with high PPI allows your artistry to shine through. Instead of blurred lines or jagged images in old-school 8-bit games from the mid-1980s, you get to transport players into new worlds all because of the control and clarity from your monitor’s capabilities.

This story is all too common today. From digital artists to animators to working on the intricate details of an architectural design, the more pixel control you have the greater the final outcome. Time to get the most out of your monitor from this list of the top high PPI monitors in 2024 and 2025.

What is PPI (Pixels Per Inch)?

When you’re looking at a brand-new monitor, knowing what PPI stands for is a good start. PPI means “Pixels Per Inch.” It refers to the measurement of pixel density in a display – as in how many pixels are included in one square inch of monitor space. A monitor with a high PPI provides more clarity because there are more pixels packed into that space.

However, not every monitor uses the PPI measurement system. You are likely to see a few other options.

PPI vs LPI vs DPI

We’ve covered PPI, but what about LPI and DPI? Lines Per Inch (LPI) is the resolution associated with the number of lines in a given inch. You typically find LPI in printing measurements more than monitors, but it indicates the density of lines in a given inch. Like PPI and DPI, the higher the LPI, the more clarity.

DPI and PPI are synonyms of each other. DPI stands for Dots Per Inch and refers to the number of dots in a square inch, which are pixels. In most cases, you’ll find PPI to be the primary measurement of monitors and DPI or LPI for printers.

Why is High PPI Important? 3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Overlook It

When you’re browsing through the best high PPI monitor selection, you want to keep in mind three primary reasons for upgrading:

· Superior Visual Effects: A high PPI 4K monitor (or better) offers incredibly sharp images with smooth visual gradients. Everything on the screen “pops” more, from gaming to digital design.

· Less Strain on the Eyes: Your eyes must overwork when doing any digital creative project. Using low-resolution screens forces you to strain harder to differentiate the pixels, whereas a higher PPI reduces this strain.

· More Delicate and Beautiful Results: As you can imagine, designers and artists flock to high PPI monitors due to the precision of colors, textures, smoothness, and other clarity controls that produce beautiful image results.

So many visuals have to be printed or show up incredibly well on different-sized screens. With a high PPI, the creative can better control consistent clarity across all mediums.

How High of a PPI Should I Look for in a Monitor & Display?

Of course, the type of device you’re working on also matters. PPI will vary depending on your preferred equipment's size and pixel clarity. The amount of PPI also varies, with recommended quantities of:

· Monitors for Laptops: Shoot for between 150-200 PPI. Most monitors are used for productivity, but if you do have a decent graphics card and processing speed, find something with over 200 PPI for sharper visuals.

· Drawing Monitors: Creatives using styli or pencils for drawing want to have as high a PPI as possible. Precision and smooth content development is the name of the game, so try to get as high a rating as you can and lean toward monitors with exceptional color control and 2.5K or up for resolution.

The PPI you choose for the monitor you buy ultimately depends on your workflow and computing purpose. The more creative or art-driven your work, the higher the PPI you should seek out.

What to Look for When Buying a High PPI Monitor

While we’ve already done the work for you on creating an immersive list of high PPI OLED monitor and other options, we also want to provide a quick buying guide if you wish to search on your own. Here are the top things to look for in your PPI monitor:

· Screen Size vs. PPI: Keep in mind that the larger the monitor, the higher the resolution will need to be to keep your PPI in positive numbers. For example, a 27” 4K monitor gets around 163PPI while a 32” 4K monitor may have only 137 PPI. Try to get as high a resolution as possible for your given screen size.

· Resolution: Any time you can get 4K, 6K, or 8K, go for it! Resolution is crucial to more detail and clarity. Most modern monitors will offer 4K as the “sweet spot” for resolution, but you can absolutely find cutting-edge options for sale in the 8K range.

· Panel Type: OLED monitors deliver far more vibrant colors and deeper blacks that are wonderful when you’re pursuing creative designs. IPS panels are also good because they give you better viewing angles and color accuracy.

· Refresh Rate: Gamers long for a good refresh rate because it smooths out movement on the screen without sacrificing detail. A high-quality PPI monitor should have at least 60Hz, but around 120Hz is better.

· Budget: Finally, don’t forget to look at the price tag. There are many high PPI ultrawide monitors on the market that are in the $1,500+ price range. More entry-level models with reduced resolution typically start at $300.

Take the time to consider these factors, and you will find a high-quality PPI gaming monitor that is good for the latest video game craze and designing artwork worthy of VR tours of the Louvre.

With all that being said, let’s move on to the best high PPI monitor 2024 options we’ve seen bleed into the 2025 season that are more than worth your time, money, and design effort.

Top 6 High PPI Monitors in 2025

Here is a quick list of the monitors with high PPI we think you should check out. Details are included below so you get a better idea of special features and value.

· Artist Pro 22 (Gen2)

· LG 34’’ 21:9 UltraWide™ WUHD (5120 x 2160)

· ASRock PG558K

· Acer XB323QX

· ViewSonic VG3281-8K

· ASUS ProArt PA32QCV

Artist Pro 22(Gen2): Best Drawing Tablets with High PPI for Artists and Designers

An artist needs to feel completely free to create or design whatever image pops into their mind palace. Using the Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2) by XPPen empowers designers due to the high PPI tablet monitor.

The entire device was created especially for artists, designers, and creative professionals. That is why you can find unparalleled precision and handy options like a tilt control stand, a remote with programmable features, and a stylus with over 16K pressure levels. Best of all, the Artist Pro 22 (Gen2) is compatible with mainstream systems like Windows, macOS, Android, ChromeOS, and Linux.

XPPen Pro 22 (Gen2)

Key Features:

· 22-inch high-performing display.

· 2.5K QHD resolution.

· Calman verified true-to-life color performance (99% Adobe RGB).

· 16K pressure levels.

· Fully laminated AG Nano etched glass for a paper-like drawing experience.

· ACK05 shortcut remote for faster creation speed.

LG 34’’ 21:9 UltraWide™ WUHD (5120 x 2160): Great for Gaming on a High PPI Ultrawide Monitor

Utilizing high PPI is an exceptional option when working on an ultrawide machine. With the LG 34”, you get a strong 5K2K WUHD resolution that stretches across a much wider display. Such “workable space” is perfect for more immersive gaming or design software with a lot of functions.

The LG comes with HDR support and a 4-sided, virtually borderless design, so you don’t feel like you’re staring at a bulky monitor. Almost feels like the equivalent of a digital infinity pool where you cannot see over the edge. The only downside is that you may have difficulty finding a good carrier with current in-stock options.

Key Features:

· 5:9 workable area good for viewing 16:9 4K video.

· Get up to 5120 x 2160 resolution, perfect for video editors, programmers, and gamers.

· Uses an HDR 600 monitor with impeccable color.

· Engages a Nano IPS controller covering 98% of the DCI-P3 color space.

· Thunderbolt connection allows data speed transfer at 40GB/s.

ASRock PG558K: Best High PPI Monitor 8K for Film Editing

Using IPS technology, the ASRock provides a staggering 7680 x 4320 8K resolution you do not find on many other products on the market. Even with that massive resolution, you only get a 60Hz refresh rate, so you'll need to play a bit of a balancing act when checking out features.

You can expect a wide color gamut of over 90% DCI-P3 and 10-bit color depth. Plus, the backlighting has a good 252 for local dimming zones, ensuring you get decent color control when working on editing or graphic design.

Key Features:

· 55” monitor resolving at 8K, which is rare.

· Active 60Hz refresh rate.

· Flat IPS panel resolves at 7,680 x 4,320 (16:9 aspect ratio).

· VESA Display HDR 1000 certified.

· Multiple ports for connectivity, including 90W charging via USB PD 3.0 protocol.

Acer XB323QX: Most Anticipated High PPI Gaming Monitor

The Acer Predator was announced at 2025’s CES, offering a large 31.5” screen built on an IPS LCD panel. That creates a “5K” resolution (5120 x 2880) with a massive 144Hz refresh rate that will make any gamer stand up at attention from the smooth motion control.

Best of all, a dual-mode function means you can swap your monitor resolution size down to 2560 x 1440 and double the refresh rate up to 288Hz. That type of motion clarity based on improved frame rates makes all the difference when you’re dealing with a busy screen for modern gaming.

Key Features:

· 31.5-inch screen size using an IPS LCD panel.

· Dual-mode resolution offers 5120 x 2880 5K at 144Hz or 2560 x 1440 at 288Hz.

· 1000:1 contrast ratio with 250 nits brightness.

· 178/178 viewing angles with 10-bit color depth.

· Color gamut covers 95% DCI-P3 and 99% sRGB.

ViewSonic VG3281-8K: Best Monitor with High PPI for Laptops

Being on the go is a tremendous benefit to digital nomads and traveling creatives. However, you want a monitor that can offer as many features as possible, including a PPI you can count on for beautiful colors and close-to-life resolution.

The ViewSonic VG3281 offers up to 8K resolution over a 31.5-inch screen (7680 x 4230). It features a native refresh rate of 60Hz and a brightness of 320 nits. What makes it stand out are the 5W speakers on the front, headphone jack, multiple ports, and a 96W power delivery if you want to charge devices from your monitor. In other words, it is a complete workstation you can take “on the go.”

Key Features:

· 31.5” display with 8K resolution (7680 x 4320).

· 10-bit color display (100% sRGB, 90% Adobe RGB, 98% DCI-P3).

· Refresh rate of 60Hz.

· Multiple hardware additions like speakers, ports, charging, and more.

· 60-degree swivel in both directions with tilts from -5 to 40 degrees.

ASUS ProArt PA32QCV: Best 6K High PPI Monitor for Professional Designers

Finding a quality 6K option in high PPI monitors is never easy. While plenty of professionals like to stick to the 27” monitor size due to the ease of fitting into smaller workstations and travel vehicles, the upgrade to the 32” with ASUS is worth the price tag.

The ProArt offers a 6K resolution (6016 x 3384) for up to 218 PPI. That offers far more digital real estate for artists to get a sharp and easy-to-read result, whether working on kerning a design’s text or drawing art for a new hardcover NYT best seller.

Key Features:

· 32-inch screen size with 6K resolution (6016 x 3384).

· Up to 218 PPI using 98% of DCI-P3 color gamut.

· Meets VESA DisplayHDR 600 standard.

· Includes Ambient Light and Backlight sensors for optimal brightness and temperature.

· Two Thunderbolt 4 ports allow you to daisy chain functional across a multi-monitor workspace.

Comparison Table of High PPI Monitors

MonitorScreen SizeResolutionPPIPanel TypeKey FeaturesIdeal For
Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2)21.5 inches2560 x 1440 (2.5K)~137Full Lamination99% Adobe RGB, HDR, X3 Elite Plus StylusArtists, Designers
LG 34’’ UltraWide™ WUHD34 inches5120 x 2160 (WUHD)~160Nano IPS21:9 Aspect Ratio, HDR 600, 98% DCI-P3Video Editors, Multitaskers
ASRock PG558K55 inches7680 x 4320 (8K)~160IPSHDR, HDMI 2.1, Adaptive SyncGamers, High-End Creatives
Acer XB323QX31.5 inches5120 x 2880 (5K)~189.50IPSHDR600, 120Hz Refresh Rate, G-SyncGamers, Professionals
ViewSonic VG3281-8K32 inches7680 x 4320 (8K)~280IPS99% Adobe RGB, HDR10, USB-C with 96W PowerCreatives, Video Editors, CAD/CAM
ASUS ProArt PA32QCV32 inches6016 x 3384 (6K)~218IPSHDR10, Dolby Vision, 100% Adobe RGB/Rec. 709Designers, Photographers

Conclusion

Whatever high PPI monitor you choose is the best, be sure to compare your workstation's workflows and daily needs to the details first. If you’re a designer who needs something that sets up well on a train table as it would in your office, the ArtistPro 22 (Gen 2) from XPPen is your best bet.

On the other hand, if you’re a gamer or an in-depth visual programmer, you may want to consider the ASUS ProArt or ASRock.

No matter which direction you go, be sure to consider pricing. Your budget should result in as many features as you can get. High PPI is so crucial to digital design that you want quality ROI, but in a way that expands your professional career.

We recommend the Artist Pro 22 (Gen 2). That provides optimal versatility and greater hand control through a sensitive stylus you can take anywhere. Considering how many clients prefer hybrid and remote workers, this drawing tablet ensures you can work from home, on a plane, or in-person with multiple projects.

High PPI monitors are the wave of the future. They are the best way to get the most out of every single pixel available on your screen.

FAQs

What is a high PPI for gaming?

Modern video games, MMORPGs, and other visual experiences want as smooth an experience as possible. Shoot for anything with over 200PPI and as high a refresh rate as possible, given the technology of the brand/monitor.

What is a high PPI for a camera?

Anything around 300 PPI will be high for a camera. Digital artists try to match that rating with the best high PPI monitor, so the photo looks realistic on the screen before printing.

Is PPI high good?

Yes! You want a high PPI for sharper images, smoother text, and detailed visuals to immerse the viewer in your intended design.

Can I feel the difference in PPI?

It’s hard to answer this because that feeling is highly subjective to your art form and experience level. Most professionals will quickly notice the difference between a high PPI monitor and something with an average or lower rating.

Does a higher PPI consume more power?

Yes and no. The short answer is yes because more PPI means more processing power. However, modern monitors have energy-efficient innovations that reduce the impact of that processing need.


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Originated from 2005, XPPen is now one of the top brands under HANVON UGEE, integrated with digital drawing products, content and service as a globally notable digital brand of digital art innovation.

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