The Best Budget Gaming Monitors (2023 Reviews)

While searching for a new gaming monitor, you’ve probably come across an unfamiliar brand that offers a display with the same specs as the one by a more popular manufacturer, but at a lower cost.

Then, you’ve most likely wondered whether the less-known alternative is worth the risk, and what exactly will you lose by taking the cheaper route.

In this guide, you will find the answers to your questions. We’ve compiled a list of all the cheapest gaming monitors that are actually good and have exemplary performance.

In the reviews below, we’ll compare these cheap gaming monitors to their counterparts by famous brands, so you’ll know precisely what the advantages and disadvantages are there.

If there isn’t a worthy off-brand monitor available for a specific category, we’ve included the most cost-efficient model by a popular brand instead.

In case you want to view our changelogs for this particular buying guide, you can do so at the end of this guide.

Best 1080p Gaming Monitor

Are you in search of the best budget 1080p monitor? In this category, you will find budget-friendly monitors for gaming that offer exceptional value for the money, as well as reliable performance and decent picture quality.

About The Monitor

Note that the prices of most 20″ – 24″ budget monitors are significantly inflated due to the increased demand and component shortage – sometimes even to the point where you can get a 144Hz gaming model at a lower price.

We only recommend the ASUS VA24DQ as the best budget model at its MSRP of ~$130 – $140, not at its inflated ~$200 or over price.

Since the prices of all these monitors fluctuate a lot, under the ‘Alternatives’ section, we included all budget models worth considering, depending on their pricing at the time of buying. Also, feel free to leave us a comment below if you’re not sure which one to buy!

The ASUS VA24DQ is our top-recommended 24″ 1080p IPS budget monitor because of its slim VESA-mount compatible design and AMD FreeSync support up to 75Hz paired with a DisplayPort input, allowing you to use variable refresh rate with both AMD and NVIDIA compatible cards.

Image Quality

Based on an IPS panel, the ASUS VA24DQ delivers rich colors with 8-bit color depth (16.7 million colors), wide 178-degree viewing angles and a quick 4ms response time speed.

So, you get significantly better colors than that of more expensive TN-panel displays as well as wider viewing angles, which ensures perfect image quality no matter the angle you’re looking at the screen.

While the response time speed isn’t as fast as that of some TN panels (1ms), there isn’t any trailing of fast-moving objects noticeable on the ASUS VA24DQ.

1080p (Full HD, 1920×1080 resolution) is the most widespread resolution and is still considered as the standard, and thanks to the pixel-per-inch ratio of ~92.56 PPI (pixels per inch) it offers on a 23.8″ screen, the ASUS VA24DQ provides vivid details and a decent amount of screen real estate.

Features

If you have a compatible graphics card, FreeSync will allow the monitor to change its refresh rate dynamically (according to GPU’s frame rate), which in turn eliminates screen tearing and stuttering within the 48-75FPS range.

Since the ASUS VA24DQ has a DisplayPort input, you can also use FreeSync with compatible NVIDIA cards (GTX 10-series or newer) via the ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ mode.

The VA24DQ is the cheapest monitor that offers both DisplayPort and FreeSync.

Other features of the monitor include crosshair overlays and various picture presets.

Design & Connectivity

The ASUS VA24DQ monitor features a very slim design with thin bezels, but its stand is tilt-only. The screen is VESA mount compatible via the 100x100mm pattern though.

Connectivity options include HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA (D-Sub), a headphone jack and dual 2W integrated speakers.

Alternatives

The Acer SB220Q used to be our top-recommended budget 22″ 1080p 75Hz FreeSync IPS monitor while it was selling for $80 – $90, but nowadays, it goes for $150+. The same applies to the other 22″ models.

If the VA24DQ is overpriced, check out the Sceptre E248W-FPT 24″ 1080p 75Hz IPS monitor. It has a slim design with VESA mount compatibility, but no FreeSync or DisplayPort. It’s also available as a 27″ variant, the Sceptre E278W-FPT.

Sceptre offers another affordable model, the Sceptre E248W-19203R. It supports FreeSync over HDMI up to 75Hz and has a VA panel with a higher contrast ratio, but slower response time.

Looking for a 32″ 1080p monitor for console gaming? Check out the LG 32ML600M. We don’t recommend 32″ sized Full HD monitors for PC use due to their low pixel density, resulting in smudgy details at a normal viewing distance.

Best 1080p 144Hz Gaming Monitors

Competitive FPS gamers out there should definitely invest in a 144Hz gaming monitor. In fact, any video game that you can run at high frame rates will be a lot more enjoyable to play thanks to 144Hz.

Luckily, the prices of these type of displays keep getting lower and lower!

About The Monitor

The AOC C24G1A is one of the most affordable gaming monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate. What’s more, it has a curved screen with a high contrast ratio and support for AMD FreeSync.

Image Quality

This cheap gaming monitor uses a VA panel with a superior contrast ratio of 3,000:1.

Now, the colors won’t be as accurate as they are on IPS panels, but the higher contrast provides deeper and more vivid black shades.

Further, VA panels offer a lot better color quality and viewing angles than TN panels.

While AOC specifies a 1ms response time speed for the AOC C24G1A 144Hz gaming monitor, the pixel transition in real use is noticeably worse than the 1ms (GtG) response time of TN and IPS panels.

The specified 1ms response time here refers to the MPRT measure, which you get by enabling ‘MBR’ in the OSD menu of the monitor.

Features

MBR (Motion Blur Reduction) uses backlight strobing to decrease perceived motion blur, but it also reduces the screen’s maximum brightness, introduces screen flicker, and cannot work at the same time as FreeSync.

Overall, there’s some visible trailing and motion blur in fast-paced games, especially in dark scenes, but at this price range – it’s acceptable.

MBR can help clear up some of that smearing, but if you’re a really competitive gamer, you should look for a 144Hz monitor with a faster IPS or TN panel.

In case you prefer having better visuals over topping the scoreboards, the AOC C24G1A will provide you with both responsive and immersive gaming experience for a ridiculously low price.

It’s actually quite fast for a VA panel monitor, just make sure to set the overdrive setting to ‘Strong.’

The monitor supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-165Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) range with LFC (Low Framerate Compensation) support.

FreeSync also works with NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort. Sadly, some units of the AOC C24G1A (and most other monitors based on Samsung’s VA panels) are affected by the brightness flickering issue when FreeSync is enabled.

This brightness flickering is mostly visible when your FPS fluctuates a lot or when it gets below 48FPS and triggers LFC. It doesn’t affect all units of the monitor, and it’s not visible in all video games.

There are also FPS, RTS, and Racing pre-calibrated picture presets, Shadow Control, Game Color, Low Input Lag Mode, and four response time overdrive modes available.

Design & Connectivity

The stand is made of metal, and it’s quite steady. It also offers height adjustment up to 130mm, +/- 30° swivel, -5°/20° tilt, and 100x100mm VESA pattern.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 1.4 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA, and a headphone jack.

144Hz is supported over both DisplayPort (165Hz overclock) and HDMI, so the AOC C24G1A is also the best cheap gaming monitor if you want to get 144Hz on your laptop that only has an HDMI port or if you have an Xbox One S/X console and want to game at 1080p/120Hz.

About The Monitor

If you’re looking for a 24″ 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor with an IPS panel, the AOC 24G2 offers exceptional value for money!

Image Quality

Thanks to its IPS panel, the AOC 24G2 offers the best color quality and the widest viewing angles. However, its contrast ratio is not as high as that of the AOC C24G1A, so blacks won’t be as deep.

More importantly for all the competitive gamers out there, you won’t get any black smearing in darker scenes like it’s the case with the VA panels.

Moving on, the AOC 24G2 has a wide color gamut backlight, so the colors can be even more saturated and lifelike if you prefer – or you can limit the color reproduction to the standard sRGB color space via the provided sRGB mode in case you want more accurate colors.

So, you can even do some basic content creation with this display too!

Features

Gaming features include AMD FreeSync with a 48-144Hz VRR range over both HDMI and DisplayPort as well as stable G-SYNC performance.

Just like with the C24G1A, you get the adjustable MBR technology for clearer fast-paced motion as well as AOC’s standard features including Shadow Control, Game Color, crosshairs, Low Input Lag Mode, and pre-calibrated picture presets.

For more information, visit our detailed AOC 24G2 review.

Design & Connectivity

The design quality of the monitor is superb considering its price. A full range of ergonomics is supported as you can pivot the screen by 90°, elevate it up to 130mm, swivel by +/- 30°, tilt by -5°/22°, and VESA mount it via the 100x100mm pattern.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 1.4 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA, and a headphone jack.

Alternatives

The AOC 24G2 is also available as a 27″ variant, the AOC 27G2. However, we recommend going with the 24″ model as it’s more affordable and offers a higher pixel density for sharper image quality.

Both models are also available with the ‘U’ suffix: the AOC 24G2U and the AOC 27G2U, which also include a USB hub and integrated speakers, but these versions are not currently available in the US.

If you can’t find the AOC 24G2, check out the LG 24GN650 and the HP X24i; they have a bit faster response time, but no wide color gamut.

Best 240Hz Gaming Monitor

Want the best performance in competitive video games? A 240Hz gaming monitor will ensure you get the most responsive gaming experience possible on a budget.

About The Monitor

There aren’t any 240Hz monitors by Viotek, Sceptre, and similar brands, but luckily, there is no need because Dell offers a very affordable IPS model; It goes for $320, but more often than not, it’s on sale for $250 – $280.

Image Quality

The Dell S2522HG is the cheapest 1080p 240Hz IPS gaming monitor you can buy, but it features the same IPS panel as the other more expensive models, so the image quality and performance will be basically identical.

Panel-related specifications include a 400-nit peak brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, true 8-bit color depth support, 99% sRGB color gamut coverage, and 178° wide viewing angles.

Features

The jump to 240Hz from 144Hz is not as noticeable as going to 144Hz from 60Hz, but the difference can definitely be felt.

However, to take advantage of the 240Hz refresh rate, make sure you can run video games at such a high frame rate, or at least close to it.

Despite its low price, the S2522HG is officially certified by NVIDIA as G-SYNC Compatible thus ensuring flawless VRR performance up to 240FPS.

Other features include Dark Stabilizer (improves visibility in darker scenes) and various picture presets.

Design & Connectivity

Another surprising thing about this cheap monitor is the design quality and versatility.

You can elevate the screen up to 130mm, tilt it by -5°/21°, swivel by +/- 45°, pivot by 90°, and VESA mount it.

At the back of the monitor, you will find two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a headphone jack and a quad-USB 3.0 hub.

FreeSync is supported over both DisplayPort and HDMI 2.0.

Alternatives

If you’re looking for something with MBR, we recommend the ViewSonic XG2431.

Best 1440p 144Hz Gaming Monitors

Want a gaming monitor that offers both 1440p and 144Hz, but don’t want to spend a fortune on it? Don’t worry, the following displays offer an amazing gaming experience at a reasonable price.

About The Monitor

If you want a 27″ 1440p 144Hz+ gaming monitor with a fast response time speed and smooth VRR performance, the Acer XV272UV is one of the cheapest IPS models available.

Image Quality

The Acer XV272U V has a wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut (equivalent to ~125% sRGB) for more saturated and rich colors.

Additionally, thanks to the wide viewing angles of the IPS technology, the image won’t degrade at an angle, and there’ll be no gamma or saturation shifts from the normal viewing position.

On top of that, you don’t get any smearing behind fast-moving objects nor FreeSync brightness flickering associated with the VA models.

Features

AMD FreeSync is supported with a 48-170Hz VRR range, and it works well with NVIDIA cards.

Other features include Black Boost (for better visibility in darker scenes), crosshair overlays and various pre-calibrated picture presets.

Design & Connectivity

The Acer XV272UV has a fully ergonomic stand with up to 110mm height adjustment, -5°/25° tilt, 90° pivot, 360° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a headphone jack and two 2W built-in speakers.

Alternatives

The HP X27q offers similar image quality, performance and features, and it can be found on sale for ~$200.

About The Monitor

If you want a 32″ 1440p 144Hz gaming monitor for ~$300 – $400, you can only get one with a VA panel at that price range.

The IPS variants go for over $500, though the Gigabyte M32Q can sometimes be found on sale for $400.

Image Quality

The Gigabyte G32QC features a 1440p 144Hz (factory-overclocked to 165Hz) curved VA-panel display with AMD FreeSync and a big 32″ screen.

It has a wide 94% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, a 3,000:1 static contrast ratio, and a 400-nit peak brightness for HDR content (350-nit typical) therefore earning VESA’s entry-level DisplayHDR 400 certification.

AMD FreeSync is supported and it works with compatible NVIDIA cards. The Gigabyte G32QC FreeSync range is 48-165Hz, but some units have brightness flickering, unfortunately.

Other gaming features include Black Equalizer, custom crosshair overlays, various picture presets, a refresh rate tracker, and the Aim Stabilizer motion blur reduction technology.

Design & Connectivity

The Gigabyte G32QC has a tilt (-5°/20°) and height-adjustable stand (up to 100mm), while the screen is VESA mount compatible (100x100mm) and has a 1500R curvature.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 inputs, a headphone jack and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.

Alternatives

• LG 32GN650 – with a flat-screen VA panel, but no wide color gamut

Best UltraWide Gaming Monitors

Ultrawide monitors have an aspect ratio of 21:9 as opposed to the standard 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio.

This provides extra horizontal screen real estate for work, but also extends your field of view in games that support the ultrawide format for a more immersive gaming experience.

Check out our dedicated best ultrawide monitors buyer’s guide for more information.

About The Monitor

The MSI MAG301RF is the best budget-friendly ultrawide monitor for gaming and other everyday use such as watching movies.

Image Quality

Based on an IPS panel with dithered 10-bit color depth support and 2560×1080 resolution, you get vibrant colors and crisp details with plenty of screen space available thanks to the display’s decent 94 PPI.

What makes the MAG301RF the best pick for gaming though is its rapid 200Hz refresh rate and rapid 1ms GtG response time speed at such an affordable price.

Features

On top of that, the monitor also supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-200Hz VRR range and it’s certified as G-SYNC Compatible (60-200Hz).

Other features include Night Vision (improves visibility in darker games), various picture presets, crosshair overlays, RGB LED strip at the rear of the monitor and HDR support.

Design & Connectivity

The MSI MAG301RF monitor has a sturdy and ergonomic stand with up to 130mm height adjustment, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 45° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 inputs, DisplayPort 1.2, a headphone jack and a dual-USB 2.0 hub.

About The Monitor

The Sceptre E345B-QUT168 is the most affordable 34″ 3440×1440 ultrawide gaming monitor with an IPS panel. However, it has a flat screen and most people prefer curved screens at this screen size, but a curved 34″ 3440×1440 IPS model with a high refresh rate, such as the LG 34GP83A goes for nearly double the price.

Image Quality

Besides its flat screen, the low 1,000:1 contrast ratio and IPS glow also contribute to the overall less immersive viewing experience in comparison to the VA panel alternatives.

However, the picture is still crisp and you get wider viewing angles, as well as more consistent and accurate colors with 99% sRGB gamut and 300-nit peak brightness.

The main advantage of the Sceptre E345B-QUT168 is the faster response time speed, so there won’t be any dark smearing in fast-paced games.

Moreover, there’s no brightness flickering with a variable refresh rate.

Features

AMD FreeSync is supported with a 48-144Hz VRR range and the monitor also supports MPRT backlight strobing.

Picture in Picture and Picture by Picture modes are available as well.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is robust and versatile with up to 130mm height adjustment, +/- 30° swivel, -5°/15° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, a headphone jack and dual 3W built-in speakers.

Alternatives

If you can’t find the Sceptre E345B, the other monitors using the same panel are the Acer XV340CKP and the Iiyama GB3461WQSU.

The newer generation 34″ 3440×1440 flat-screen IPS ultrawide monitors offer a higher peak brightness and wider color gamut, but they go for $50 more. If you can afford it, we recommend investing in the Gigabyte M34WQ or the HP X34.

As for the VA panel ultrawide, you might be able to find the AOC CU34G2X on sale for $400. It’s worth considering if you prefer a higher contrast ratio and a curved screen, but don’t mind the slower response time and screen tearing or VRR brightness flickering.

Best 4K Gaming Monitors

There aren’t any good 4K UHD off-brand monitors we can recommend. Instead, we’ve selected the following popular and reliable yet affordable 4K displays.

About The Monitor

The ASUS VG289Q is one of the cheapest 4K monitors with an IPS panel yet it still provides you with outstanding image quality!

Image Quality

The IPS panel of the VG289Q ensures wide viewing angles, quick response time, and accurate color reproduction with a wide 90% DCI-P3 gamut (~125% sRGB) that you can manually limit to 100% for color-critical editing via the sRGB emulation mode.

4K UHD ensures stunning detail clarity on this 28″ display with a high pixel density of 157 PPI. The monitor also supports 10-bit color depth and has a decent peak brightness of 350-nits.

Features

Furthermore, the ASUS VG289Q supports FreeSync with a 40-60Hz VRR range.

Keep in mind that most 4K FreeSync monitors have a VRR range of only 40-60Hz. So, Xbox One games limited to 30FPS at 4K UHD won’t benefit from FreeSync.

Other features of the monitor include various picture presets, Shadow Boost, crosshair overlays and on-screen timers.

The monitor also supports HDCP 2.2, so you can stream copy-protected content from Netflix and similar services in 4K UHD resolution.

Design & Connectivity

The stand offers height adjustment up to 150mm, +/- 62° swivel, 90° pivot, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a headphone jack and two 2W built-in speakers.

Alternatives

If you’re looking for something cheaper, the Philips 278E1A can sometimes be found on sale for below $300, but it doesn’t support AMD FreeSync.

About The Monitor

If you want a larger 4K monitor, the LG 32UL500 is the cheapest 32″ 4K model available that offers an immersive viewing experience.

Image Quality

The LG 32UL500 features a VA panel, so you get the superior contrast ratio (3,000:1) for vivid blacks and an overall better relation between the brightest and the darkest tones.

It also supports a wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut for more lifelike/saturated colors.

While the response time speed is a bit slower, it’s more than quick enough for casual gaming at 60Hz, but some black smearing can be detected.

Further, the VA panel of this monitor has a bit narrower viewing angles than it’s usual for this panel technology. So, the image will degrade at an angle, but this won’t be an issue as long as you’re in front of the monitor.

Features

AMD FreeSync is supported over both HDMI and DP with a 40-60Hz VRR range. FreeSync compatibility with NVIDIA cards will vary between different units.

It may work well or not at all, though most users manage to get it working with a bit of tweaking.

Additionally, the monitor supports HDCP 2.2 and HDR (High Dynamic Range). Keep in mind that, for the true HDR viewing experience, a monitor would need a much higher brightness and contrast.

So, the LG 32UL500 provides just a glimpse of HDR. Some HDR content will actually look notably better thanks to the monitor’s decent static contrast ratio and wide color gamut.

Design & Connectivity

The LG 32UL500 has a tilt-only design, but it’s VESA mount compatible. Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a headphone jack, and two 5W built-in speakers.

Alternatives

• LG 32UK550 – the same monitor, but with a height-adjustable stand and a higher price
• LG 32UN650 – the cheapest 32″ 4K monitor with an IPS panel (~$450) with more consistent colors, a faster response time speed, and wider viewing angles

Conclusion

If you’re having second thoughts or if you still aren’t sure what gaming monitor is for you, feel free to leave any questions you might have in the comments below.

For below $150, you can’t go wrong with the ASUS VA24DQ, but if you enjoy fast-paced games and can run games at high frame rates, we recommend you save up for the AOC 24G2 or the Dell S2522HG, depending on just how competitive you are.

In case you have a more powerful PC rig, pick between any of the 1440p, ultrawide, or 4K models according to your preference, though we find that the Acer XV272UV, the Gigabyte M32Q and the Sceptre E345B-QUT168 offer the best value for money.