Do you know that affordable gaming monitor can offer good gaming performances?
If you are interested, keep reading this review. There are a few cheap gaming monitors with very good gaming features. Read more about them, maybe you’ll find the ideal gaming monitor and you don’t have to bankrupt.
What Do You Need To Know About Budget Gaming Monitors?
Affordable Gaming Monitor For Casual Gamers
If you are looking for more affordable gaming monitors, you need to know that many gaming monitors have a high price because of their names. So you can find a cheaper alternative. Also, if you aren’t a pro gamer, you don’t have all those advanced features. If you like gaming for recreation, there are many inexpensive gaming monitors.
Learn Some New Terms
Of course, you need to check out other features, not just price. So there are some terms you need to be familiar with: resolution, monitor size, panel type, refresh rate, response time, adaptive technology and others. Let’s start with the panel type. If you looking for a fast and responsive gaming monitor, the TN panel is your best choice. The IPS and VA panel provide a bit slower features.
What About Your Gaming Style?
The monitor size depends on your preferences and your gaming style. If you sit close to the monitor, pick a smaller gaming monitor, like 24-inch or 27-inch. For console gaming, choose larger monitor size, like 32-inch or 34-inch. For fast-paced games, the high refresh rate and low response time are very important. The higher resolution, the better the picture. The adaptive technologies like G-sync and FreeSync improve the gaming experience.
Where You Can Find Good Budget Gaming Monitor?
Well, you can visit some tech shops and check out their offering. Also, you can look on the internet. There are many webshops. If you like one brand, you can check out if it has some affordable gaming monitors. On Amazon, you can compare gaming monitors’ specifications and read reviews from buyers.
Best 10 Cheap Gaming Monitors For Sale
Best Cheap Gaming Monitor Under 100$
Philips 22-inch Gaming Monitor
4-year Warranty
Philips 226E9QDSB has a small screen size, it is a 22-inch gaming monitor. Its dimensions are 19.30 x 15.20 x 7.50 inches. It weighs 5.57 pounds. Philips gaming monitor is very stable and has a good solid base. The aspect ratio is 16:9. The price is affordable for anyone and the warranty lasts 4 years.
Quality Panel Type
The bezels are very thin, so you can use it for a multi-monitor setup. The connectivity options are VGA, DVI-D, HDMI port and audio out. The panel type is In-plane switching or IPS. This panel provides good color reproduction and great viewing angles. There is no shift in picture quality, no matter where you sit.
Full HD Resolution
The resolution is full HD, 1920 x 1080p, which is ideal for this monitor size. The Philips cheap gaming monitor is VESA mount compatible. Philips supports AMD FreeSync technology, which eliminates screen tearing and stuttering. The refresh rate is 75Hz and the response time is 5ms, grey-to-grey.
Smart Contrast Ratio
Philips features a low blue light filter and flicker-free technology. These features protect your eye from fatigue and strain. You can even prolong your gaming. The static contrast ratio is low, but there is smart contrast ratio and it delivers 20,000,000:1, so the colors are vivid and accurate.
- AMD FreeSync technology
- smart contrast ratio
- no eye strain
- full HD resolution
- no speakers
Best Gaming Monitor Under 150$
Acer 24-inch Gaming Monitor
Sturdy Stand
Acer KG241Q is an affordable gaming monitor, it has a screen of 24 inches. The stand is sturdy, but it provides tilt-only adjustment. You can remove the stand and mount the monitor on a third-party stand, it is VESA compatible. The bezels are a bit thicker, so it isn’t good for a multi-monitor setup.
Competitive Gamers
The connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 ports. The screen features an anti-glare layer which eliminates reflection. The Acer inexpensive gaming monitor uses TN panel, it has an optimal refresh rate of 144Hz and fast response time, 1ms, grey-to-grey. Acer is ideal for competitive gamers.
Low Input Lag
This 24-inch gaming monitor has a Full HD resolution. The peak brightness is 350 nits and the static contrast ratio is 1000:1. Acer supports 8-bit of color depth. There is a decent pixel density of 93 PPI, so the picture is good and the details are sharp and clear. The input lag is very low.
Variable Refresh Rate
The Acer cheap gaming monitor supports AMD FreeSync technology. It provides smooth gameplay. The variable refresh rate eliminates tearing and stuttering. There are flicker-free backlight and blue light filters, so you can game for hours without eye strain. Acer uses Motion Blur Reduction technology.
- high refresh rate, fast response time
- AMD FreeSync
- Motion Blur Reduction
- VESA mount compatible
- no speakers
Best Gaming Monitor For Under 200$
BenQ Zowie Gaming Monitor
24-inch Monitor
The BenQ Zowie RL2455S gaming monitor has thick bezels and a sturdy stand. The bezels are designed to reduce reflection. The stand allows tilt-only adjustment. BenQ 24-inch gaming monitor is VESA mount compatible, there is 100 x 100mm pattern. The connectivity options are two HDMI 2.0 ports, dual-link DVI-D, VGA and headphones jack.
Good Sound Performance
Two 2W speakers are integrated into this gaming monitor under $200. It uses a TN panel that provides a fast response time of 1ms. The trailing and motion blur are reduced to the minimum. The peak luminance is 250 nits and the static contrast ratio is 1000:1. This cheap gaming monitor 8-bit of color depth.
Increase The Refresh Rate
There is full HD resolution, 1080p. This 24-inch gaming monitor is great for console gaming. The pixel density is 91 pixels per inch. The details are clear and sharp. The refresh rate is 60Hz and the input lag is very low, so there is no delay. You can overclock the refresh rate to 75 hertz.
AMA Feature
The Advanced Motion Acceleration provides Off, High and Premium options. BenQ gaming monitor under 200 uses a blue light filter and flicker-free backlight. These features protect your eyes from strain. The Black eQualizer increases visibility in dark. The Color Vibrance saturates the colors.
- low input lag
- rapid response time
- many gaming features
- no AMD FreeSync
Best Gaming Monitor Under 250$
MSI 24-inch Gaming Monitor
Super-thin Bezels
The MSI Optix G241 has a 24.10 x 8.90 x 17.80 inches. The aspect ratio is 16:9. The MSI uses full HD resolution, 1920 x 1080p. The bezels are super thin, so you can have a multi-monitor setup. The screen features an anti-glare coating for reflection. The MSI isn’t VESA mount compatible.
No Tearing
This gaming monitor under $300 uses an IPS panel which provides a fast response time of 1ms and a high refresh rate of 144Hz. These features provide smooth gameplay without ghosting or motion blur. The AMD Radeon FreeSync technology reduces tearing and stuttering.
For Professional Tournaments
This 24-inch gaming monitor is great for competitive games and professional eSport tournaments. The IPS panel has wide viewing angles of 178 degrees. There is a minimal color shift when you watch the screen from different angles. The image is crystal clear and the details are sharp.
Night Vision Feature
The MSI Optix gaming monitor is ideal for fast-paced games like a first-person shooter, real-time strategy and Multiplayer Online Battle Arena. The Night Vision feature increases the visibility of fine details in dark scenes. Anti-flicker technology and blue light filter prevent eye strain and fatigue.
- AMD FreeSync
- quick response time
- optimal refresh rate
Best Gaming Monitor Under 300$
ViewSonic Gaming Monitor
Responsive Monitor
The ViewSonic XG2401 gaming monitor has a price of under $250. This gaming monitor uses a TN panel that provides fast features: the refresh rate is 144Hz and the response time is 1ms. AMD FreeSync technology provides smoother gameplay. This 24-inch gaming monitor uses full HD resolution.
Adjust The Monitor
The peak brightness is 350 nits and the static contrast ratio is 1000:1. The screen features an anti-glare coating which reduces annoying reflection. The bezels have 0.4 inches and the stand is fully adjustable: pivot, tilt, height and swivel options. So you can provide maximal comfort.
VESA Holes
On the back of the cabinet, there are four VESA mounting holes, so you can mount the monitor on the wall. This budget gaming monitor has two speakers of 2W, but the sound isn’t perfect. The ports are two HMDI inputs, DisplayPort, USB 3.0 ports and headphones jack. The ViewSonic gaming monitor offers many picture settings.
Picture Settings
The picture settings include brightness, color temperature, contrast, sharpness, aspect ratio and Eco mode. Also, there are six picture presets: Movie, Web, Standard, Game, Text and Mono. ViewSonic offers seven gaming presets, like Black Stabilizer, First-person shooter, MOBA and other presets.
- AMD FreeSync technology
- fast response time
- great gaming performances
- poor sound
Best Gaming Monitor Under 400$
Dell Gaming Monitor
WQHD Resolution
Dell S2417DG YNY1D gaming monitor has 21.28 x 7.09 x 19.44 inches and it weighs 13 pounds. The aspect ratio si 16:9 and the resolution is 2K, 2560 x 1440p. This resolution is rare for 24-inch gaming monitors, so it provides clear images and sharp details. Dell gaming monitor features a bezel-free design.
Fast Response Time
The stand offers a fully ergonomic design, so you can adjust the tilt, swivel, height and pivot. The cabinet is glossy black. Dell gaming monitor uses TN panel, the peak brightness is 350 nits and the contrast ratio is 1000:1. The response time is fast, 1 millisecond. The refresh rate is minimal, 60Hz.
Nvidia G-sync Technology
This gaming monitor under $400 features Nvidia G-sync technology which reduces screen tearing and stuttering. There are few ports on this gaming monitor: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.0 ports and headphone jack. There are three function buttons for navigating on the bottom bezel.
Overclock Setting
There are multiple picture presets, like brightness, color temperature, contrast, Standard, FPS game, RPG game, RTS game and Custom color settings. The Overclock setting allows you to increase the refresh rate from 144Hz to 165Hz. The Ultra Low Motion Blur helps reduce motion blur.
- Nvidia G-sync technology
- ergonomic stand
- frameless design
- higher price
Best Gaming Monitor Under $500
LG Ultragear Gaming Monitor
Wide Viewing Angles
The LG 27GL83A Ultragear gaming monitor is a great monitor for its price. This 27-inch gaming monitor uses IPS panel which provides wide viewing angles and quality pictures. The resolution is QHD, 2560 x 1440p. The response time is 1ms, grey-to-grey. The contrast ratio isn’t high.
Good Pixel Density
The peak brightness is 350 nits and the LG has sRGB color gamut backlight. It covers 99% of the sRGB color space, so the colors are accurate and precise. This cheap gaming monitor has good pixel density, it is 108 pixels per inch, PPI. The details are crisp. LG uses AMD FreeSync technology.
Low Input Lag
There is no ghosting, smearing or tearing on the screen. The input lag is very low, so there is no delay between your device and the screen. The refresh rate is 144Hz. This budget gaming monitor is G-sync compatible. LG offers many useful features for gaming, so you can adjust the screen in the way you like.
Gamma Modes
There are Black Stabilizer (for objects in the dark), Crosshair and precalibrated picture presets. That includes FPS, RTS, sRGB, Reader Mode and two gamer profiles. This budget gaming monitor supports HDR10. LG has four gamma modes and advanced color temperature adjustment.
- consistent colors
- G-sync compatible
- AMD FreeSync
- ergonomic design
- low contrast ratio
Best Cheap Gaming Monitor 144Hz
Sceptre 144Hz Gaming Monitor
VA Panel
The Sceptre’s dimensions with the stand are 21.5 x 5.4 x 15.6 inches. It weighs 6.32 pounds. This is the C248B-144RH model. This cheap gaming monitor has ultra hin design and the screen is curved. The Sceptre is based on VA panel with a high contrast ratio of 3000:1. The pictures are amazing.
Cheapest 144Hz Monitor
Sceptre supports 8-bit of color depth and features wide viewing angles. The peak brightness is 250 nits. The resolution on this 24-inch gaming monitor is full HD, 1920 x 1080p. The refresh rate is 144Hz and this is the cheapest gaming monitor with that refresh rate. The input lag is very low, it isn’t noticeable.
Eco Preset
The response time is 3ms, grey-to-grey. This gaming monitor isn’t ideal for competitive games. Sceptre supports AMD FreeSync technology which provides smooth gameplay, without tearing and stuttering. The picture presets include FPS, RTS, Standard, Movie, Eco and User settings.
Two HDMI Ports
The flicker-free backlight and blue light filter protect your eyes from strain and fatigue. You can prolong your gaming. The connectivity options are HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2 and headphones jack. It is VESA mount compatible and you can adjust the tilt. The screen rejects reflection.
- 144Hz of refresh rate
- high contrast ratio
- AMD FreeSync technology
- poor ergonomics
Best Budget 4k Gaming Monitor
Philips 4k Gaming Monitor
Best Value
The Philips 276E8VJSB gaming monitor is a great 27-inch monitor for the price. It is one of the cheapest 4K gaming monitors. Philips uses the IPS panel which supports 10-bit of color depth. It features 109% of the sRGB color gamut. The colors are saturated and realistic. The price is low.
Consistent Colors
The viewing angles are wide, so there is no shift in color, the brightness or contrast. The peak brightness is 350 nits and the static contrast ratio is 1000:1. The resolution is 4K, 3840 x 2160p, so the picture looks amazing. The pixel density is high, 163 pixels per inch. The details are crystal clear.
Four Overdrive Modes
The refresh rate is 60Hz and the input lag is very low, it isn’t noticeable. The response time is 5ms, grey-to-grey and it is still good for fast-paced games. There is no ghosting or trailing. You can choose between four response time overdrive modes: Off, Fast, Faster and the Fastest.
Direct Current
Philips’s budget 4k gaming monitor uses direct current (DC) to regulate brightness intensity. So, there is no flickering, headaches and eye strain. You can control the OSD menu with a joystick. There are more useful features like Picture-in-picture, picture-by-picture, four levels of blue light filter, picture presets and more.
- vibrant colors
- low input lag
- multiple gaming features
- high resolution
- no AMD FreeSync
Best Budget Curved Gaming Monitor
AOC Curved Gaming Monitor
Black Levels
The AOC C27G1 gaming monitor uses VA – vertical alignment – panel. This panel provides the best image depth, great black levels and high contrast ratio. The resolution is full HD, 1920 x 1080p. The screen is curved and the curvature is 1800R. So, it provides immersive gaming experience.
Competitive Games
This cheap curved gaming monitor features a fast response time of 1ms and an optimal refresh rate of 144Hz. So you can play fast-paced games like racing or first-person shooter. The AOC gaming monitor supports AMD FreeSync technology which reduces screen tearing and stuttering.
Bright Frame Feature
The peak brightness is 250 nits. The bezels are very thin and the stand allows tilt and swivel adjustments. Also, the stand is VESA compatible. On the OSD menu, you can adjust the response time, color profile and more. The bright frame feature allows you to adjust the brightness and the contrast ratio.
Smart Contrast Ratio
The connectivity options are DisplayPort 1.2, VGA, two HDMI 1.4 ports. The speakers aren’t integrated and there are no USB ports. The contrast ratio is 3848:1. The smart contrast ratio is 80,000,000:1. So the pictures look great. There is 95.8% of the sRGB color gamut. The stand has only height adjustment.
- great color accuracy
- high contrast ratio
- good connectivity options
- no USB ports
Conclusion: Which Two Cheap Gaming Monitors Are Worth Buying?
Well, that depends on your budget. But all of these models are quality and great for gaming. I recommend the ViewSonic gaming monitor and the MSI Optix gaming monitor. The ViewSonic is a gaming monitor under $250, it has a 24-inch TN panel and multiple gaming features. The MSI Optix is a gaming monitor for professional tournaments, it uses IPS panel and offers great gaming performances.
If you want to check out other gaming monitor models, read the review of the best gaming monitors. About more responsive gaming monitors, check out the post about the best 1ms gaming monitors. The gaming monitors with an optimal refresh rate, you can find in the article about the best 144Hz gaming monitors.