LG UltraGear 32GS95UE-B OLED review: “The most versatile gaming monitor I’ve tested yet”

Sep. 17, 2024

The LG UltraGear 32GS95UE-B sets a new gaming monitor gold standard with its dual refresh rate capabilities and exceptional OLED panel. Not only will you be able to hop between 4K 240Hz and 1080p 480Hz with the push of a button, but you’ll benefit from solid HDR performance and a sleek aesthetic.

Superb OLED performance

4K 240Hz and 1080p 480Hz modes

Attractive design

Premium price

Would have liked a remote

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In many ways, theLGUltraGear 32GS95UE-B makes me feel like a suspicious lover. I know it’s not healthy, but the fact I’m head over heels for its vibrant OLED panel and incredibly handy dual refresh rate mode has me instinctively looking for a catch. However, I think I’m ready to come to terms with the fact this 32-inch display is thebest gaming monitorto release so far this year, and it truly has my PC library interests at heart.

Dual refresh rate monitors aren’t new, but LG has whipped up a panel that can instantly switch between 4K 240Hz and 1080p 480Hz. Upon first reading that within the model’s features list, I had to double-take, as it means it can basically take on both the top UHD displays and the fastest full HD contenders, like theAOC AGON Pro AH246FK. Sure, that latter screen can reach an incredible 540Hz, but you’re locking yourself into a lower-resolution TN experience that can’t remotely compete with OLED visually.

Specs

On paper, the UltraGear 32GS95UE-B boasts all the qualities you’d expect from a flagship LG OLED monitor. The panel is 16:9, so we’re not dealing with anything ultrawide or curvy, meaning it’ll appeal to a wider player base. As I’ve already mentioned, it runs at 4K 240Hz natively but can dial things back to 1080p to overclock things to 480Hz. A neat trick that produces that “two monitors in one” effect that serves as the main selling point.

Other perks include FreeSync Premium Pro and HDR10, both of which I’ve come to expect with monitors at this point. For all you multiplatform gamers out there, the screen also has two 2.1 HDMI ports and 1.4 DisplayPort, meaning you’ll be able to hook up consoles and gaming handhelds without a hitch. Although, it’s worth noting that you’ll need aSteam Deck dockfor that latter endeavor, as this display doesn’t come with a USB-C hub or power delivery.

Alright, I’ll say it – the UltraGear 32GS95UE-B almost looks like an Apple Studio Display clone. That’s not entirely a bad thing, as LG has borrowed elements that work and rejigged them to make something a little different. Admittedly, the similarities also only really apply when looking at the panel head-on, as its side profile and back view feel more like a traditional gaming monitor.

I’ll start off with the monitor’s pedestal stand, as that’s the part that gives Apple vibes. Just like theSamsung Odyssey G6, the base is effectively a low-profile pentagon, but LG has opted for plastic rather than metal. That connects to a broad, flat stalk with a simple cable management hole, with the extra surface area keeping potential wobble when using tilt and pivot to a minimum. As a result, the screen is extremely easy to maneuver and smooth, meaning changing up angles and orientation isn’t a complete faff.

Despite using an all-plastic body, this UltraGear monitor is surprisingly sturdy, boasting the level of build quality I’d expect from a screen at this price range. I don’t subscribe to the notion that metal instantly means better, and LG’s display is a prime example of how you can use plastic to make a solid-feeling product. Plus, it means the screen is far easier to lift than many 32-inch alternatives, making setup that bit easier.

As is now a tradition with gaming monitors, this UltraGear display includes some flashy lighting around back. Rather than going the extra hog like thePhilips Evnia 42M2N8900, LG has instead gone with a bold, diffused strip surrounding the pedestal stand. It’s subtle enough that those of you with an aversion to gamery aesthetics can ignore it but still contributes to the screen’s overall vibe. In other words, If you do bring it to a LAN event, it will look pretty swish.

In an upsetting contrast to theLG UltraGear 45GR95QE-B, the 32GS95UE-B doesn’t come with a remote. Instead, you’ll be at the mercy of the usual fiddly OSD joystick, which isn’tasbad as some I’ve used. It’s got decent direction definition and a reassuring clickiness, helping somewhat soothe my bitterness. The thing that has really helped LG get away with this, however, is the fact it has a separate singular button on the left-hand side for switching resolution modes, saving you from constantly jumping into the on-screen menu.

LG’s show-stopping dual resolution mode naturally dominates the UltraGear 32GS95UE-B  features conversation. It’s not the only monitor that can switch specs on the fly, with theAlienwareAW2725QF offering a similar 4K 180Hz and 1080p 360Hz setup. However, at the time of writing, there are only two screens that can pull off UHD at 240Hz and fall just short of 500Hz at full HD, making LG’s model somewhat special. Funnily enough, the other monitor is theAsusROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP, which just so happens to use the exact same WOLED panel under the hood.

Impressive stuff, but it’s LG’s instant toggle that helps the monitor nail the feature’s usability. Pressing the button underneath the bezel switches the screen’s resolution in less than five seconds, and no additional manual intervention is required. I genuinely believe this approach should be used by all monitor makers going forward, as it’d save esports enthusiasts from having to opt for one-trick full HD pony panels with an elevated refresh rate. Admittedly, you’re paying a lot more for a display that can cater to both playstyles, but the space-saving benefits and convenience are worth the investment.

In addition to its monitor mode switching magic, LG’s screen packs all the perks you’d expect within its OSD, including crosshairs, black stabilization, and a whole host of OLED protection options. With pixel shifting, screen cleaning, and plenty of preventative measures to hand, it’s hard to imagine issues like screen burn ever unexpectedly cropping up. I’d still avoid leaving brightness on full with static elements for hours on end, but unless you’re running a fast food joint’s menu, that realistically shouldn’t happen.

Outside of PC usage, the UltraGear 32GS95UE-B has plenty more going for it, including a respectable set of “Pixel Sound” 2 x 10W stereo speakers with DTS Virtual X support. That’s fantastic news for any of you hunting for aPS5 monitor, as it’ll enable you to use it like a small-scale gaming TV.

I started testing the LG UltraGear 32GS95UE-B at an impeccable time, as it was next on my list after AOC’s 540Hz speed demon. I wasn’t initially convinced that a monitor with a secondary 480Hz mode would be able to leave as big an impression, but it only took a few rounds in Overwatch 2 to prove me wrong. Better still, the improved contrast of its OLED panel over the typical TN tech in full HD high refresh rate displays serves as a visually striking cherry on top.

Let’s kick things off with 1080p 480Hz performance. Whenever I’ve used esports enthusiast screens for shooters in the past, the caveats are painfully obvious. Yes, you’re getting blisteringly fast visuals that not many other monitors can achieve, but it comes at the expense of contrast and colors. When soaring through each match as Pharah in Overwatch 2, each map looked truly vibrant despite also being able to dart into battle with an exceptional degree of responsiveness.

For funsies, I then decided to dive head first into the exact opposite kind of game – Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. The murky landscapes featured in the shooter feel brilliantly balanced thanks to the panel’s superb contrast abilities, with any color that does exist in the jungles of Kadaku being anything but lost. It’s arguably easy for a screen to shine using bright colors, but for a monitor to look great displaying grays and dark screens? That’s a solid feat.

I’ve used many panels at this point, and while you’d expect this model to trump mini LED alternatives like theLenovoLegion Y34wz-30, this screen goes above and beyond even its closest OLED rivals. TheSamsungOdyssey OLED G6 is on pretty even footing with this screen, but a light bump to brightness gives LG the edge here. That said, it’s perhaps more appropriate to compare this model to the 32-inch OLED G8, so I’ll make sure to provide some comparative notes once I get my hands on one.

I can say with certainty that the LG UltraGear 32GS95UE-B is the most versatile gaming monitor I’ve tested yet. That’s in large thanks to its fantastic dual resolution mode that helps the screen provide exceptional 4K 240Hz and 1080p 480Hz results. However, it’s worth shouting about this 32-inch display OLED prowess too, as LG has managed to set a new fidelity bar for rivals to reach.

If you’re looking for an OLED display that’ll have your back no matter what genre you’re playing, the LG UltraGear 32GS95UE-B is well worth a look. For $100 less than something like the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8, you’re getting a panel that can rival the fastest and best-looking monitors out there, and while it’s still expensive, its specs should survive at least a few PC and console generations.

For a month, I used the  LG UltraGear 32GS95UE-B as my main monitor for playing games and general PC usage. During that time, I used set benchmark games like Overwatch 2, Halo Infinite, and Cyberpunk 2077 to test resolution, refresh rate, and general responsiveness. In between, I also played Another Crab’s Treasure and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 while taking notes regarding the screen’s colors, contrast, and fidelity.

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I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.

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