OLED monitors have become very popular in the last couple of years, especially among gamers, due to all the advantages they offer over traditional LCD panels. I've owned multiple OLED monitors since 2022, with the Alienware AW3423DW being my very first one. As much as I enjoyed using them, these monitors aren't flawless.

Considering I have experience using these displays with my PC for nearly three years now, I'd say I'm qualified to share my long-term experience. Here, I want to share some of the main drawbacks of owning OLED monitors so you can set realistic expectations before you spend your hard-earned money on one.

Subpar text clarity

Text isn't as crisp as on traditional LCD panels

One of the things you'd almost immediately notice after switching to an OLED monitor is the inferior text clarity. This is because OLED panels don't use the traditional RGB subpixel layout like LCDs. LG's WOLED panels use an RGWB subpixel layout in a stripe configuration, whereas Samsung's QD-OLED panels use a triangle RGB layout. Windows uses subpixel text rendering designed for traditional RGB layout in LCD monitors to mitigate text clarity issues, but since OLED monitors use a different subpixel arrangement, you'll notice inferior text quality.

On QD-OLED panels, you'll notice color fringing at the top and bottom of text as you move closer to the monitor. On the other hand, WOLED monitors showcase faint shadows along the edges of text content. Text clarity isn't a big deal on 4K monitors, but at 1440p, it's a bit more noticeable and annoying, especially if you're someone who sits close to the monitor. It's worth noting that text clarity issues may vary depending on the font, text color, and background. However, if you plan to use the monitor mostly for gaming, you don't have to worry too much about text clarity.

High maintenance

You have to be extra careful to prolong its lifespan

When I owned traditional LCD monitors, I didn't have to think twice about the wallpaper I wanted to use or worry about leaving them powered on all day. However, after switching to OLED monitors, I have become extra careful to make sure I don't encounter screen burn-in or image retention issues. For starters, I've configured Windows 11 to hide the taskbar automatically. I also use a black wallpaper to make sure all the OLED pixels are off. My only other option to mitigate image retention would be to set Windows to switch between wallpapers automatically.

On top of that, I need to run OLED care features on my monitor at least a couple of times a week. Since I use it daily for extended periods, I frequently get a prompt to run the "Pixel Refresh" feature on both my Alienware monitors — the AW3423DW and AW2725DF. The "Pixel Refresh" feature takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. You also need to manually run the "Panel Maintenance" feature once a year, which takes an hour or so to complete.

I've also set Windows to turn my monitors off after five minutes of inactivity. Lastly, I proactively make sure I don't keep any tabs or windows open on my OLED monitors for extended periods to avoid image retention. At first, all these maintenance steps felt like a hassle, but after using them for nearly three years, I've gotten used to it.

Screen burn-in and image retention

Despite maintenance, burn-in can still happen in the long run

Sometimes, screen burn-in and image retention issues are inevitable, especially after long-term use. For instance, I play Valorant for a few hours almost every single day. After about 2 years of daily use, I noticed some retention of the HUD and UI elements on the screen despite running OLED care features regularly. So, if you're like me, who plays the same games daily or browse the internet for several hours, expect image retention to be a problem.

Although most OLED monitors can slightly shift the pixels on the screen regularly to prevent image retention and burn-in, it's still possible to encounter screen burn-in after a couple of years of use. Most manufacturers nowadays offer three years of warranty for their OLED monitors, which includes screen burn-in, so this isn't a major concern. But if you plan to keep your monitor for several years, you must be wary of its longevity.

Inferior brightness levels

They're not as bright as traditional LCDs

Although OLED monitors deliver excellent HDR performance, thanks to perfect black levels and infinite contrast ratio, they suffer when it comes to full-screen brightness. For instance, when you browse the internet, an OLED display isn't going to look nearly as bright as a traditional LCD or mini LED monitor. When I got my very first OLED monitor, I placed it right next to my LG 27GN950, which is a standard IPS LCD monitor. I immediately noticed the brightness disparity and lowered the latter's brightness setting by about 50 percent to ensure they looked similar.

More importantly, the brightness levels of OLED displays gradually deteriorate over time, as the individual pixels in these panels have a limited lifespan. The pixels that emit blue light deteriorate faster than the ones that emit red or green light, which causes an imbalance that affects brightness and color accuracy. Also, frequently running your OLED monitor's panel maintenance feature (not pixel refresh) can lower its brightness levels, which is why I don't recommend doing it more than once a year.

Fortunately, the pros outweigh the cons

While some of these drawbacks may seem like deal-breakers, OLED displays are still far superior to traditional LCD panels, especially for media consumption. An OLED panel is a no-brainer if you plan to use your monitor for gaming or even color-grading work. Sure, they may not last as long as LCD monitors, but the visual upgrade you experience is on another level. Nowadays, they aren't too expensive either, as you can find them for well under $1,000. As long as you're careful with the usage and don't allow static elements to stay on the screen for extended periods, you don't have to worry too much about its longevity.