The prices of top-tier gaming monitors have skyrocketed, especially those boasting OLED panels, massive screens, high refresh rates, and sharp resolutions. However, a fantastic selection of affordable monitors remains, offering surprisingly little compromise on image quality and features. Take the Xiaomi G Pro 27i, for example—its incredible mini-LED, quantum dot screen is available for well under $400. It's our top pick because it rivals monitors costing hundreds more, showcasing the exceptional value available on a budget, if you know where to look.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Budget Gaming Monitors:
Our Top Pick: Xiaomi G Pro 27i Mini-LED Gaming Monitor
Best 1080p: Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A
Best 1440p: LG UltraGear 27GN800-B
See it at AmazonSee it at Target
Best 4K: KTC H27P22S
Best Ultrawide: Dell S3422DWG
See it at AmazonSee it at Dell
Budget gaming monitors may lack certain high-end features, but they still deliver excellent displays for enjoying your gaming PC's capabilities. Even mid-range graphics cards and CPUs can be pushed to their limits with affordable high-refresh-rate and 4K monitors. While compromises exist—like height-adjustable stands or KVM switches—prioritizing performance and essential features allows for finding incredible value at every price point.
Not all budget monitors are equal. A very cheap monitor might seem like a bargain, but it's likely to fail quickly or strain your eyes. Our picks cost more than $100, but their robust builds, excellent panels, and gaming features ensure a superior experience. However, better monitors are available for higher budgets.
Additional contributions by Danielle Abraham, Matthew S. Smith
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1. Xiaomi G Pro 27i Mini-LED Gaming Monitor
Best Overall Budget Gaming Monitor
Incredible picture quality at an awesome price. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27”
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
- Panel type: IPS
- Brightness: 1,000 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 and deep contrast; Great color accuracy; Outstanding picture quality and HDR; Robust 1,152 local dimming zones
CONS: Bloom on dark grey backgrounds; No USB hub
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i is a standout. Its mini-LED backlighting with full-array local dimming (FALD) and 1,152 local dimming zones—usually found in monitors costing $700+, significantly reduces blooming. Its HDR performance is exceptional, rivaling much more expensive OLEDs without the burn-in risk. The 180Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, and its color accuracy is excellent. While lacking a USB hub and only supporting HDMI 2.0, these trade-offs are easily justified by its picture quality and price.
2. Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A
Best Budget 1080p Gaming Monitor
For around $150, this monitor offers great gaming performance with few drawbacks. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27”
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
- 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 impressive contrast; ELMB support for improved motion clarity; VESA support for third-party stands
CONS: Slightly lower pixel density; No height adjustment
The Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A provides excellent value. Its VA panel delivers deep blacks and wide dynamic range, while its 1ms response time and features like ELMB enhance gameplay. The non-adjustable stand and lower pixel density due to the 1080p resolution are its main drawbacks, but its overall performance makes it a strong contender.
3. LG UltraGear 27GN800-B
Best 1440p Budget Gaming Monitor
Get speeds up to 144Hz in 1440p on this monitor that doesn’t forget adaptive sync technology and excellent color accuracy. See it at Amazon See it at Target
Product Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27”
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
- Panel type: IPS, FreeSync and G-Sync
- Response time: 1ms
- Inputs: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
PROS: Solid HDR gaming; Great color accuracy
CONS: Stand isn’t height adjustable
The LG UltraGear 27GN800-B offers a significant resolution upgrade to 1440p, resulting in sharper visuals. Its 144Hz refresh rate, compatibility with FreeSync and G-Sync, and Low Framerate Compensation make for smooth gameplay. The lack of a height-adjustable stand is its primary drawback.
4. KTC H27P22D
Best 4K Budget Gaming Monitor
This gaming monitor offers a fast and fantastic picture on a limited budget. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications:
- Screen Size: 27”
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
- 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 thanks to HDMI 2.1 connectivity; Fast refresh rate; Excellent value overall
CONS: No USB connectivity; Not factory calibrated
The KTC H27P22D demonstrates the advancements in budget 4K gaming monitors. Its 160Hz refresh rate, support for FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatibility, and dual HDMI 2.1 ports make it excellent for both PC and console gaming. While lacking factory calibration and a USB hub, its overall performance and price are hard to beat.
5. Dell S3422DWG
Best Ultrawide Budget Gaming Monitor
Immerse yourself in the action with a cheap, ultrawide curved monitor delivering a 1440p/144Hz refresh rate. See it at Amazon See it at Dell
Product Specifications:
- Screen Size: 34”
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
- Panel type: VA, FreeSync
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Response time: 1ms
- Inputs: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
PROS: Great contrast; Immersive wide, curved display
CONS: Minor ghosting
The Dell S3422DWG provides an immersive ultrawide gaming experience with its curved VA panel and 3440x1440 resolution. Its 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync support ensure smooth gameplay, although minor ghosting may be noticeable.
How Much Should You Spend on a Gaming Monitor?
For a budget gaming monitor, the $200-$300 range is a good sweet spot. Cheaper options often compromise quality. A gaming monitor should last 3-5 years, and a $100 monitor likely won't.
To find the right monitor, consider these factors:
- Resolution
- Refresh Rate
- Panel Types
- Screen Size
Budget gamers need to compromise. Higher resolution often means lower refresh rates and vice versa. 1080p is standard for budget displays, offering good frame rates without demanding high-end hardware. 1440p is a better value if your budget allows, offering higher pixel density on a 27" screen than a 48" 4K TV. 4K is possible on a budget but requires compromises in brightness or screen size and demands more powerful hardware. Refresh rates generally range from 60Hz to 240Hz, with 144Hz being a good all-around choice and 240Hz an upgrade for competitive gamers. Note that maximum refresh rates may not be supported by all inputs; DisplayPort is best for high refresh rates. IPS panels offer better motion clarity and color accuracy, while VA panels have superior contrast. Screen size is a matter of preference and desk space; 27" is a good balance.
G-Sync or FreeSync support is recommended, depending on your graphics card. While many budget monitors advertise HDR, the 400-nit brightness limit often results in unimpressive HDR performance.
Budget Gaming Monitor FAQs
What is the best type of panel?
Budget monitors typically use VA or IPS panels. Our top pick, with its mini-LED backlight, surpasses both. Otherwise, the choice depends on prioritizing response time/color accuracy (IPS) or contrast (VA). 1ms response times are now common for both.
When are gaming monitors most affordable?
Shopping events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, Back to School sales, and new model releases often bring discounts.
What size gaming monitor should I get for gaming?
Consider your available space, resolution, and pixel density. 24" is good for 1080p, 27-32" for 1440p, and at least 27" for 4K. Avoid 1080p monitors larger than 27" due to the screen door effect.
