Gaming monitors are one of the best things to add to your setup to upgrade it instantly and see an immediate difference in your games. Today, many manufacturers are catering to the bargain and entry-level screen markets better than you might expect, and even those budget, entry-level models perform better than you might initially expect. There may be some reduction in features or flashiness when it comes to panel tech, but still expect stellar screens for Full HD, 1440p, and even 4K at different form factors. The best cheap gaming monitors don’t just have to offer 1080p at 60 frames per second. In recent years, the best gaming monitors, as well as models with high refresh rates and high resolutions that make gaming a pleasure, have become more affordable. Listed below are our top picks for the best budget gaming monitors based on resolution, refresh rate, and form factor.
1- ASUS VG245H
The Best Budget Gaming Monitors
The Asus VG245H is an affordable monitor that can be used for gaming setups. If you want a bit more performance from a monitor, but don’t want to spend too much, this is the monitor for you. In addition to a 1ms response time, a 75Hz maximum refresh rate, game-specific color enhancement settings, and filter settings for easier viewing, the 24-inch, 1080p TN screen also has a 75Hz maximum refresh rate.
The VG245H also comes with Adaptive-Sync technology, making it an ideal GPU for Nvidia’s “G-Sync Compatible” platform, as well as AMD’s FreeSync, eliminating on-screen tearing and stuttering. The Asus VG245H is a great monitor if you are primarily interested in gaming and prefer to spend money on things other than a monitor (or maybe you are just looking for a cheap, good replacement monitor).
The VG245H’s display includes 60Hz adaptive sync technology, perfect for AMD Freesync users who want a cheap way to get rid of screen tearing and stuttering during gameplay. More importantly, it includes two HDMI ports and one VGA port for use with a variety of devices such as consoles or mobile devices. Although it lacks height adjustments, you can tilt its display up or down slightly and swivel left to right. The VG245H also includes many preset modes (FPS/RTS/etc) that change settings based on what game you’re playing.
2- BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P
If you’re a gamer and you’re looking for an affordable gaming monitor, then it’s a no-brainer that the BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P should be near the top of your list. This 24-inch LED-backlit display has a 1080p resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate, which is great for anyone who enjoys playing high-intensity games or esports titles. There are also many features available to enhance your gaming experience; some examples include Black eQualizer to create rich deep blacks, Brightness Intelligence Plus to automatically adjust brightness according to on-screen content, and Game Mode Enhancement with technologies like; FPS/RTS pre-sets, game color systems (Red/Green/Blue), quick crosshair recognition, customizable gameplay display and more. It may not be as flashy as other monitors but if you want something that’ll give you the best performance for your dollar, this is definitely worth considering.
3- Asus VG248QE
The Best Budget Gaming Monitors
If you are on a tight budget and you want to enjoy some of the same features as high-end models, such as FreeSync, G-Sync, 144Hz refresh rate, or 24 inches of display size, then this monitor might be worth your consideration. It can handle 1080p resolution and has plenty of ergonomic features for sitting close to it for long periods of time. The Asus VG248QE comes with a cable management box that hides away any messy wires from view. You get DVI-D, VGA (RGB), 2 HDMI ports, and DP for video input. It’s important to note that its stand only adjusts vertically but not horizontally so you may need to buy an aftermarket stand if desired. With excellent reviews across the board, you won’t go wrong with this one.
4- Z-Edge UG24 Curved
Buyers who want a budget-friendly monitor for gaming may want to consider the Z-Edge UG24 Curved Monitor. Unlike most budget monitors, this one comes with some bonus features that make it stand out from the rest of the pack. First off, it’s curved which means you can benefit from the increased field of view and immersion. It also sports a response time of 1ms meaning that input lag is virtually non-existent on this monitor. The star of the show with this curved gaming monitor from Z-Edge is its 165Hz refresh rate. If you’re looking for smooth gameplay, then this monitor is a great choice as it will help reduce any instances of stuttering or lag. One downside to this monitor is that color reproduction isn’t so great but if you don’t need the best color accuracy possible then this could be your new go-to budget gaming monitor.
5- Acer Nitro QG241Y
The Best Budget Gaming Monitors
This Acer Nitro QG241Y gaming display costs only $140, and it has a 75Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, allowing you to run high frame rates without input lag. On a graphics card that supports AMD’s FreeSync technology, you will not experience any tearing when playing games.
Furthermore, the monitor includes Acer VisionCare technology to reduce eye strain. It boasts a 178-degree viewing angle, but if you drift too far out of the sweet spot, the VA panel will lose some definition. Still, at this price, there’s little to complain about. In our opinion, the Acer Nitro QG241Y is a great choice for new PC gamers who don’t want an expensive monitor. However, if you’re serious about competitive gaming, we recommend upgrading to a monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate.
6- Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx
Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx is an affordable gaming monitor that offers ultra-smooth gameplay with low input lag, fast response time, and a 165Hz refresh rate. It has an IPS panel with wide viewing angles, as well as a full 360-degree rotation, making it great for sharing content and playing co-op games. This monitor is also FreeSync compatible and has G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. The monitor’s 24-inch screen size should suffice for most gamers, but it may feel cramped for working at, especially if you like to have multiple windows open side-by-side. However, it suffers from low contrast ratios that make black images look grey, which is poor for dark environments. Secondly, it can’t produce a satisfying HDR performance because it doesn’t display wide-color and can’t reach enough brightness to have highlights pop like they’re supposed to.
7- Dell SE2-417HGX
The Best Budget Gaming Monitors
When on a budget, this display is perfect for all sorts of simple tasks like gaming, web browsing, and movie watching. It’s not very fancy, but it will get the job done. It could also serve as a bedroom TV or even part of a dual/triple monitor setup. Featuring a 75Hz refresh rate, this IPS panel’s image won’t ghost or cloud up under intense conditions – a feature that is a FreeSync competitor in many other panels in this roundup. Unlike a number of competitors in this category, the bezels are only about two millimeters thin and the stand is height-adjustable. Connectivity options on this device include VGA, DVI-D, HDMI, and DisplayPort inputs. It features an LED backlight with a response time of 4ms GTG (gray to gray) and a resolution of 1920×1080 at 60Hz.
This design is user-friendly and may be placed virtually anywhere. The only problem is that there are no speakers on the Dell SE2-417HGX. most gamers use external speakers anyway, so this isn’t a significant issue. Therefore, budget shoppers on the hunt for one top-quality display and less expensive equipment may be interested in this display.
8- Gigabyte G27
The Best Budget Gaming Monitors
The resolution is good, so it refreshes well. Quick pixel response and the prices are very reasonable. On the other hand, the Gigabyte G27F fulfills a few fundamental needs for a gaming monitor, in spite of the low price. Obviously, there are certain limitations. If you were thinking you could display the whole screen on your 4K screen, sorry, 1080p models won’t let you do that. Games such as Fortnite and CS: GO benefit from a high response time which makes them more responsive and less glitchy.
Unfortunately, this monitor does not use HDR, but as most monitors on the market now use faux HDR features, I am unable to comment on how this one compares. Gigabyte’s research suggests the G27F is better for 95% of the DCI-P3 gamut.
Gigabyte has a response time of 1 millisecond, but it measures pixel response time using the MPRT metric, whereas a best IPS monitor has a response time of 1ms with the stricter gray-to-gray standard. The Gigabyte G27F is not the best choice out there, but it is an excellent bargain, perfect for those who want the benefits of an IPS panel without overdoing it.
How to choose a Gaming Monitor?
When considering a monitor for gaming, you need to think about the type of input and output the monitor can accommodate. Input includes the types of cables and ports you can plug into your computer, while output ranges from how big it is to what type of display it is. The best way to decide which one is right for you is to answer these three questions:
1) What kind of screen do I need?
2) What kind of graphics card do I have?
3) How much am I willing to spend?
This will help narrow down your search so that you can find a model that suits your needs as well as fits within your budget. If any of those factors change in the future, just go back and revisit this list to see if there’s something new out there that might be more appropriate for you. It’s also important to note that if you’re thinking about buying something off-brand or used, then make sure it has at least a year warranty on it because any reputable company should offer one on their products (and not just limited time).
The other thing to consider is whether or not you want speakers with your monitor, especially if you don’t already have some. Even though they’re expensive and take up desk space, they are worth the cost if you like listening to music or watching Netflix when playing games. All things considered, most people recommend investing in a 27-inch screen with an IPS panel that offers good color accuracy and viewing angles. In addition, many gamers prefer to buy monitors with G-Sync technology because it eliminates any lag between the image on the screen and what’s being displayed by their graphics card, resulting in smoother gameplay.