The price of high-end gaming monitors, especially those with OLED panels, large screens, high refresh rates, and sharp resolutions, has skyrocketed. Fortunately, many excellent budget-friendly options deliver surprisingly good image quality and features. This guide highlights the best budget gaming monitors available in 2024, categorized by resolution and features.
TL;DR – Best Budget Gaming Monitors:
Top Pick: Xiaomi G Pro 27i Mini-LED Gaming Monitor (See it on Amazon!)
Best 1080p: Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A (See it on Amazon!)
Best 1440p: LG UltraGear 27GN800-B (See it on Amazon & Target!)
Best 4K: KTC H27P22S (See it on Amazon!)
Best Ultrawide: Dell S3422DWG (See it on Amazon & Dell)
Budget monitors might compromise on features like height-adjustable stands or KVM switches, but prioritize performance and essential needs for optimal value. Beware of extremely cheap monitors; they often have short lifespans and poor image quality. Our selections offer superior build quality, excellent panels, and essential gaming features.
Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Matthew S. Smith
For current deals, check the best gaming monitor deals.
1. Xiaomi G Pro 27i Mini-LED Gaming Monitor – Best Overall
Exceptional picture quality at a great price. (See it on Amazon!)
Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27”
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440
- Panel type: IPS
- Brightness: 1000 cd/m2
- Refresh rate: 180Hz
- Response time: 1ms
- Inputs: 2 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x 3.5mm Audio
Pros: High brightness, deep contrast, accurate colors, outstanding picture quality and HDR, robust local dimming zones.
Cons: Bloom on dark grey backgrounds, no USB hub.
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i uses mini-LED backlighting with full-array local dimming (FALD) and 1152 local dimming zones, resulting in superior contrast and reduced blooming. Its HDR performance is exceptional, rivaling much more expensive OLEDs without the risk of burn-in. It boasts a 180Hz refresh rate, accurate colors, and compatibility with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. The lack of a USB hub and HDMI 2.0 limitation are minor drawbacks considering its overall quality.
2. Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A – Best Budget 1080p
Great gaming performance at around $150. (See it on Amazon!)
Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27”
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Panel type: VA, FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible
- Brightness: 350 cd/m2
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Response time: 1ms
- Inputs: 2x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x Audio Jack
Pros: Great colors and contrast, ELMB support, VESA support.
Cons: No height adjustment, lower pixel density than higher-resolution monitors of similar size.
The Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A offers excellent value with its VA panel, deep blacks, wide dynamic range, and 1ms response time. Game-enhancing features like an on-screen reticle, Shadow Boost, and ELMB are included. The non-adjustable stand and lower pixel density due to its 1080p resolution are the main drawbacks.
3. LG UltraGear 27GN800-B – Best 1440p
144Hz 1440p with adaptive sync and accurate colors. (See it on Amazon & Target!)
Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27”
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440
- Panel type: IPS, FreeSync and G-Sync
- Response time: 1ms
- Inputs: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
Pros: Solid HDR gaming, great color accuracy.
Cons: Non-adjustable stand.
The LG UltraGear 27GN800-B provides a significant resolution upgrade to 1440p with accurate colors and a 144Hz refresh rate, compatible with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. Low Framerate Compensation helps maintain smooth gameplay even at lower frame rates. The non-adjustable stand is its primary drawback.
4. KTC H27P22S – Best 4K
Fast, fantastic 4K picture on a budget. (See it on Amazon!)
Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27”
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Panel type: IPS, FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Response time: 1ms
- Inputs: 2 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x 3.5mm Audio
Pros: Sharp 4K screen, great for consoles (HDMI 2.1), fast refresh rate.
Cons: No USB connectivity, not factory calibrated.
The KTC H27P22S offers a remarkable 4K gaming experience at a budget-friendly price, with a 160Hz refresh rate and support for AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync. Its dual HDMI 2.1 ports are ideal for consoles. The lack of USB connectivity and factory calibration are minor compromises.
5. Dell S3422DWG – Best Ultrawide
Immersive curved ultrawide with 1440p/144Hz. (See it on Amazon & Dell)
Specifications:
- Screen Size: 34”
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440
- Panel type: VA, FreeSync
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Response time: 1ms
- Inputs: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
Pros: Great contrast, immersive curved display.
Cons: Minor ghosting.
The Dell S3422DWG provides an immersive gaming experience with its curved ultrawide display, 1440p resolution, and 144Hz refresh rate. It features a height-adjustable stand and a USB hub. Minor ghosting is a noted drawback.
How Much to Spend & Key Considerations:
The $200-$300 range offers excellent value. Understand the trade-offs: higher resolution often means lower refresh rate and vice versa. 1080p is budget-friendly but less sharp than 1440p or 4K. 144Hz is a good all-around refresh rate, while 240Hz is better for competitive gaming. IPS panels excel in color accuracy and motion clarity, while VA panels offer superior contrast. Consider screen size relative to resolution and your desk space. G-Sync or FreeSync compatibility is recommended. HDR is often over-marketed on budget monitors; 400-nit brightness is insufficient for true HDR.
FAQs:
- Best panel type: IPS for color and response time, VA for contrast (unless mini-LED is available).
- When are monitors cheapest?: Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, Back to School sales.
- Monitor size: 24" for 1080p, 27-32" for 1440p, 27" or larger for 4K. Avoid large 1080p monitors due to pixel visibility.
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