The Best Gaming Monitors Under 250 USD (2026 Reviews)

While new monitors with higher resolutions and faster refresh rates are continuously being released and announced left and right, their prices are jumping up accordingly as well.

Luckily, this also signifies that older technology is becoming more affordable!

As a result, for just $200 – $250, you can nowadays get a fast 240Hz monitor for competitive gaming, a 4K display for amazing detail clarity, an ultrawide screen for extra immersion, or a 1440p 144Hz gaming monitor for mixed-use.

Note that some of these monitors are under $250 only when they’re on sale, but these sales are frequent. So, if the monitor you’re interested in goes for over $250, consider waiting for it to go on sale, check out our recommended alternatives, or visit our best monitors under $200 guide.

As you can see, you can get a pretty awesome gaming monitor at this price range!

If you’re looking for something more modest, such as a 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor, make sure to visit our best gaming monitor under 200 USD buyer’s guide.

In case you can afford something pricier, check out our ultimate best gaming monitor guide.

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

Best 1080p Gaming Monitor

If you have an entry-level GPU or just want to achieve the highest frame rate possible, you should get a 1080p gaming monitor!

About The Monitor

Want a gaming monitor with the highest refresh rate, lowest input lag, and fastest pixel response time under $250? Look no further than the KTC H25X7!

Image Quality

This display is based on a 24.5″ IPS panel with a rapid 1ms GtG response time that’s needed to eliminate motion blur and trailing behind fast-moving objects.

What’s more, it’s capable of doing that without sacrificing color accuracy or viewing angles as the TN panels do!

So, you’ll get precise, consistent and rich colors, while the image remains perfect regardless of the angle you’re looking at the screen!

Further, the monitor has a 400-nit peak brightness, which is more than enough even in rooms with strong lighting. The contrast ratio amounts to 1,000:1, which is standard for both IPS and TN panels.

Black depth isn’t quite as good as it is on VA panels with a ~3,000:1 contrast ratio, but VA monitors at this price range have other issues, such as narrower viewing angles and notably slower response times that cause smearing in fast-paced games, at least at this price range.

Moving on, the KTC H25X7 offers plenty of additional gaming features.

It supports variable refresh rate (VRR), which can entirely remove screen tearing and stuttering within the 48-400Hz/FPS (Frames Per Second) variable refresh rate (VRR) range of the monitor.

Other useful features include ‘Black Equalize’ for better visibility in shadows in video games, various picture presets, crosshair overlays, a refresh rate tracker, on-screen timers and MPRT backlight strobing technology.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is tilt-only, but the screen is VESA mount compatible via the 100x100mm pattern.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports (limited to 240Hz), two DP 1.4 inputs and a headphone jack.

Best 1440p Gaming Monitors

Here are the best 1440p models!

About The Monitor

The KTC H27E6S is a 27″ 1440p IPS gaming monitor with a native refresh rate of 240Hz, which can be overclocked to 275Hz using a toggle in the OSD menu.

Note that the monitor is available through two KTC stores on Amazon, so make sure to check the pricing for both: Link 1, Link 2.

Image Quality

The KTC H27E6S has a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, a peak brightness of 400 nits and a wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut.

You also get the typical gaming features, including VRR, MBR, Black Equalize and crosshair overlays.

The monitor’s 240Hz refresh rate can be overclocked to 275Hz for even smoother motion, making it a solid option for competitive gaming at a relatively affordable price.

Design & Connectivity

The stand offers height adjustment up to 135mm, 90° pivot, +/- 45° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports (limited to 144Hz), two DP 1.4 ports and a headphone jack.

About The Monitor

The KTC H27E22 is a unique gaming monitor and one of the few VA monitors with fast enough pixel response times to effectively avoid the infamous VA smearing issue.

Image Quality

Thanks to its fast VA panel, the H27E22 delivers a high 2,500:1 contrast ratio for deep blacks without the IPS glow, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience. Its fast pixel response times also keep ghosting to a minimum, even in darker scenes where VA panels typically struggle.

The monitor features a 240Hz refresh rate, 2560×1440 screen resolution, a wide 90% DCI-P3 color gamut and a peak brightness of 400 nits.

You also get plenty of gaming features, including crosshair overlays, Black Equalize, on-screen timers and backlight strobing.

Its main downside is VRR brightness flickering in games with fluctuating frame rates, which typically occurs in in-game menus and loading screens. This is a common drawback of VA and OLED panels.

You can disable VRR in affected titles and use V-Sync to prevent tearing instead, though screen tearing is generally much less noticeable at 240Hz.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is sturdy and offers full ergonomic support with up to 130mm height adjustment, +/- 90° pivot, +/- 45° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode, three downstream USB-A ports and a headphone jack.

Alternatives

• KTC H27E22S – the same monitor but without an ergonomic stand or as extensive connectivity options for a lower price.

About The Monitor

The LG 32G620B-B is an excellent 32″ 1440p IPS gaming monitor with a high 200Hz refresh rate, wide viewing angles and fast response times without the VRR brightness flickering commonly associated with VA panels.

Image Quality

The monitor’s IPS panel provides you with wide viewing angles for consistent image quality. It also offers full sRGB color space coverage for accurate colors without oversaturation.

Its fast 1ms GtG response time keeps ghosting to a minimum behind fast-moving objects, while VRR ensures smooth, tear-free gameplay at up to 200FPS.

It has a 1,200:1 contrast ratio, so blacks won’t be as deep as on VA panels, but you still get a decent 300-nit peak brightness.

You also get plenty of typical gaming features, including Black Stabilizer, crosshair overlays, on-screen timers and more.

Design & Connectivity

The LG 32G620B has a fully ergonomic stand with height, swivel, tilt and pivot adjustments, as well as 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility support.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4 and a headphone jack.

Best UltraWide Gaming Monitor

Looking for a monitor with a wider aspect ratio? We recommend the following model!

About The Monitor

The KTC H34S5 is the best budget 34″ 3440×1440 high refresh rate curved VA gaming monitor!

Image Quality

Thanks to its ultrawide aspect ratio, the KTC H34S5 provides you with an immersive viewing experience with a wider field of view in compatible games!

On top of that, it has a VA panel with a high 4,000:1 contrast ratio, a decent 300-nit peak brightness and a wide ~90% DCI-P3 gamut coverage for vibrant colors.

It doesn’t have quite as fast response time as IPS panels, so some minor ghosting will be noticeable behind fast-moving objects in darker scenes, but this won’t bother most gamers.

Check out our detailed KTC H34S5 review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor offers a good range of ergonomics, including up to 110mm height adjustment, +/- 45° swivel, +/- 3° pivot, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility. The screen has a moderate 1500R curvature for added immersion.

Connectivity options include 2x HDMI 2.0 ports, 2x DisplayPort 1.4 ports, a headphone jack and a USB port for service/firmware updates.

Alternatives

• Sceptre C345B-QUT168 – 165Hz, tilt-only stand, no wide color gamut

About The Monitor

If you’d rather have a 34″ ultrawide monitor with an IPS panel for wider viewing angles and faster response time, the Sceptre E345W-QU120D is for you!

Image Quality

The Sceptre E345W-QU120D is a 34″ 3440×1440 flat-screen IPS display, which provides you with a consistent image without gamma/saturation shifts, no VRR brightness flickering and fast response time without dark level smearing!

Alas, IPS monitors suffer from IPS glow and a mediocre contrast ratio of around 1,000:1, so blacks won’t be as deep, resulting in a less immersive viewing experience in a dark room.

Further, it has a 103% sRGB color gamut volume, so colors won’t be as vibrant as on the H34S18S, but you get vivid colors nonetheless, just without over-saturation, which some users might prefer.

The monitor has a maximum refresh rate of 115Hz, which is still enough to provide you with a huge motion clarity boost in comparison to the typical 60-75Hz displays. VRR and MBR are supported as well.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is tilt-only, but the screen is VESA mount compatible.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, two DP 1.4 inputs, a headphone jack and two integrated speakers for basic audio output.

Best 4K Monitor

Want a 4K UHD display? Here’s what we recommend if your budget is $200 – $250!

About The Monitor

If you want a basic 27″ 4K IPS display, you can actually find one for less than $200, the Sceptre U275W-UPT. For ~$250, you can get the KTC A32Q8 with a 32″ 4K VA display.

Image Quality

The KTC A32Q8 is one of the most affordable 32″ 4K VA displays, yet it features built-in Google TV smart OS and comes with a remote controller!

It has a VA panel with a high 3,000:1 contrast ratio, a 250-nit peak brightness and a slightly wider color gamut than standard with ~83% DCI-P3 coverage.

Check out our in-depth KTC A32Q8 review for more details.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is tilt-only, but it’s VESA mount compatible. The monitor also has WiFi and Bluetooth support.

Connectivity options include HDMI 2.0, DP 1.4, a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 65W Power Delivery, allowing you to charge a compatible laptop, four downstream USB-A ports, a headphone jack and integrated speakers.

About The Monitor

Want a 27″ 4K display with a high refresh rate for $250? The MSI MAG 275UPD E14 is for you!

Image Quality

The best thing about the MSI MAG 275UPD E14 is that its lower price doesn’t really come with any meaningful compromises compared to more expensive alternatives.

It uses an IPS panel with a wide 90% DCI-P3 color gamut, so colors look rich and vibrant. On top of that, its fast response time ensures smooth motion with no noticeable ghosting behind fast-moving objects.

The 4K UHD resolution looks extremely sharp on a 27-inch screen, delivering a pixel density of 163 PPI. Combined with wide 178° viewing angles, the image stays clear and consistent.

As expected from an IPS display, the contrast ratio is around 1,500:1. This means blacks aren’t as deep as what you’d get from a VA panel (which can reach around 3,000:1), but there aren’t any 4K 144Hz VA monitors available at this size anyway, as those start at 32 inches and up.

Brightness is limited to 250 nits, which is on the low end for modern LED-backlit displays, but it’s still bright enough for typical indoor use. If you plan on using the monitor in a very bright room (near a large window or under strong studio lighting), you may want to consider a brighter alternative.

Further, the MSI MAG 275UPD E14 supports a variable refresh rate (VRR) for tear-free gameplay up to 144FPS at 4K and up to 288FPS at 1080p. HDMI 2.1 VRR also provides a variable refresh rate for the PS5.

Other features include MPRT, Night Vision (improves visibility in darker scenes), custom crosshairs and a refresh rate tracker.

Design & Connectivity

The design is robust and versatile with a good range of ergonomics, such as +/- 30° swivel, +/- 90° pivot, 130mm height adjustment, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 inputs, DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, a headphone jack and dual 2W integrated speakers.

Alternatives

There are a few better 27″ 4K 144Hz monitors available, but these go for over $300.

• KTC H27P6 – with USB-C 90W PD and KVM, 400-nits
• Gigabyte M27UP – with USB-C 18W PD and KVM, 400-nits
• Koorui G2741L – 4K 160Hz (1080p 320Hz), 400-nits
• KTC H27P22S, Gigabyte GS27U – no Dual Mode, 400-nits

Conclusion

And that’s that! These are the best monitors for gaming under 250 USD that you can get your hands on right now!

We will update this article as soon as any better deals come up. In the meantime, feel free to leave us a comment below if you need any help picking your next monitor.

If you have an entry-level PC, we recommend going with the KTC H25X7, but if you have a stronger GPU, you should invest in one of the 1440p models, depending on your panel type and screen size preference. We find that most users will be perfectly happy with the KTC H27E6S.

In case you’re looking for an ultrawide monitor, the KTC H34S5 is an excellent option if you don’t mind some minor ghosting in darker scenes. The Sceptre E345W-QU120D is also a solid choice, although we’d prefer it with a curved screen.

Finally, the MSI MAG 275UPD E14 offers excellent value for the price, but we feel that if you have a good enough PC rig for 4K gaming, you should invest a bit more in a 4K mini LED display ($400+) or a 1440p mini LED or OLED HDR display ($300+)