The Best Gaming Monitors Under 400 USD (2024 Reviews)

Looking for the best gaming monitor under $400? In this guide, you'll find only the best of 144Hz, 240Hz, ultrawide, 4K and other models.

Got a budget of $300-$400 for a new gaming monitor?

In this guide, you will find all the available combinations of display specifications within this price range, allowing you to pick the best gaming monitor under 400 USD for you!

TypeMonitorSizeResolutionPanelRefresh RateVRR 
Best 1080p eSports Gaming Monitors24”1920x1080IPS240HzFreeSync
(G-SYNC Stable)
25”1920x1080IPS390HzFreeSync
(G-SYNC Stable)
Best 1440p 144Hz Gaming Monitors27”2560x1440IPS240HzFreeSync
(G-SYNC Compatible)
32”2560x1440IPS175HzFreeSync
(G-SYNC Compatible)
Best HDR Gaming Monitor27"2560x1440VA180HzFreeSync
(G-SYNC Stable)
Best UltraWide Gaming Monitors34”3440x1440IPS144HzFreeSync
(G-SYNC Stable)
34”3440x1440VA144HzFreeSync
(G-SYNC Unstable)
best overall

AOC Q27G3XMN

AOC Q27G3XMN Monitor
  • 27″ 1440p 180Hz
  • Wide color gamut
  • 336-zone mini LED FALD
premium pick

ASUS PG329Q

ASUS ROG Swift PG329Q
  • 32″ 1440p 175Hz 1ms IPS
  • Wide color gamut
  • VRR + MBR
best value

Sceptre E345B-QUN168W

Sceptre E345B QUN168W
  • 3440×1440 144Hz IPS
  • Ultrawide format
  • AMD FreeSync

Now, since you have quite a diverse selection in this price range, it’s important that you pick the right panel typescreen sizeresolution and refresh rate according to your preference.

Visit our dedicated monitor buyer’s guide for more information.

We’ll cover everything in the monitor summaries below, so as long as you stick to our guidelines and tips, we guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with your new gaming monitor.

However, ensure that your PC system will be able to properly run video games at the resolution and refresh rate you want.

A variable refresh rate (VRR) technology such as AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-SYNC can greatly improve performance by synchronizing monitor’s refresh rates to GPU’s frame rates, thus eliminating screen tearing and stuttering with virtually no input lag penalty.

So, for G-SYNC, you will need a compatible NVIDIA graphics card, while FreeSync works with both AMD and select NVIDIA (GTX 10-series or newer) graphics cards.

While most FreeSync monitors we’ve included aren’t officially G-SYNC compatible, some of them offer smooth VRR performance without issues. These are marked as ‘G-SYNC Stable’ for the ‘VRR’ specification in each product box.

VRR on FreeSync monitors marked as ‘Unstable’ work with compatible AMD cards, but won’t have a stable performance. Note that these monitors will otherwise work with NVIDIA cards without issues, except when using FreeSync.

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

Best eSports Gaming Monitors

If you’re looking for a 1080p gaming monitor, you can head over to our best gaming monitors under $200/$300 guide.

The only 1080p displays worth over $300 nowadays are the 240Hz+ models and the following monitors offer the best value for the money in that category.

The Pros:

  • FreeSync and MBR up to 240Hz
  • Quick response time speed
  • Fully ergonomic stand
  • Vibrant colors and wide viewing angles

The Cons:

  • IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)

About The Monitor

The ViewSonic XG2431 is the best 240Hz gaming monitor for serious gamers.

It’s equipped with 240Hz, 1ms GtG response time, FreeSync and the impeccable PureXP+ backlight strobing implementation with Blur Busters 2.0 Approved certification.

Moreover, it offers vivid colors and wide viewing angles!

Image Quality

Thanks to its IPS panel, the XG2431 delivers accurate and consistent colors that make the colors on TN panels look washed out in comparison.

IPS monitors also have 178° wide viewing angles both horizontally and vertically, so the image quality won’t degrade regardless of the angle you’re looking at the screen.

Further, its rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed eliminates any prominent trailing behind fast-moving objects.

Keep in mind that the jump from 144Hz to 240Hz isn’t as noticeable as going from 60Hz to 144Hz, but the difference is there, and it can be crucial for competitive gaming.

So, if you’re a hardcore FPS gamer, this is the monitor for you. However, if you’d rather have a smooth performance as well as good image quality, there are better options included in this guide.

Features

viewsonic strobe utility by blur busters

The ViewSonic XG2431 supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-240Hz VRR range, and it offers stable G-SYNC Compatible performance.

Alternatively, you can use its backlight strobing technology called PureXP+ which offers exceptional motion clarity at a cost of picture brightness. Tuned by Blur Busters, this implementation allows for advanced customization and comes with well-optimized presets from 60Hz to 240Hz.

Other useful features include Black Stabilization (for better visibility in darker games), pre-calibrated picture modes (FPS, RTS, RGB, etc.) and a refresh rate tracker.

For more information, visit our ViewSonic XG2431 review.

Design & Connectivity

ViewSonic XG2431 Monitor Design

The stand of the XG2431 monitor offers height adjustment up to 120mm, tilt by -5°/15°, +/- 90° swivel, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 inputs, a headphone jack, two 3W built-in speakers and a dual-USB 3.0 hub.

The Pros:

  • FreeSync and MBR up to 390Hz
  • Quick response time speed
  • Fully ergonomic stand
  • Vibrant colors and wide viewing angles

The Cons:

  • IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)

About The Monitor

If your PC can output well over 240FPS, it’s worth considering getting a 360Hz gaming monitor, but there are a few other things to keep in mind!

Image Quality

The Acer XV252QF is the best 25″ 1080p 360Hz IPS gaming monitor available. It’s overclockable up to 390Hz and even supports backlight strobing at that refresh rate!

However, because the pixels aren’t quite fast enough on this panel to keep up with the demanding 390Hz refresh rate, the image won’t be quite as crisp and clear as it is on the ViewSonic XG2431.

In contrast, due to the higher 390Hz refresh rate, you get a lower input lag and generally smoother and more ‘connected’ feel in first-person shooters. So, choosing between the XG2431 and the XV252QF mainly comes down to personal preference.

The XV252QF has a bit larger 24.5″ screen, but other specifications are pretty much the same and include a 99% sRGB color gamut, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio and a 400-nit peak brightness.

VRR and MBR are supported up to 390Hz, but you can’t use both at the same time. Other features include Black Boost, crosshair overlays, a refresh rate tracker and various picture presets.

Check out our full Acer XV252QF review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

Acer XV252QF Monitor Design

The stand of the monitor is not the sturdiest, but it offers a good range of ergonomics, including up to 120mm height adjustment, -5°/25° tilt, +/- 180° swivel, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include Displayport 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports (max 240Hz), a headphone jack, and two 2W integrated speakers.

Alternatives

  • Acer Aopen 25XV2QF – the same monitor, but with different branding
  • Dell Alienware AW2521H, ASUS PG259QNR, MSI NXG253R – 25″ 1080p 360Hz 1ms IPS gaming monitors with a dedicated G-SYNC module; can sometimes be found on sale for under $400. They’re not as good as Acer/Aopen since they’re more expensive and their MBR implementation only works up to 240Hz.

Best 1440p Gaming Monitors

2560×1440 WQHD resolution provides the perfect pixel-per-inch ratio on 27″ screens. You get plenty of screen space and crystal-clear details without any scaling necessary.

1440p on a 32″ screen offers the same pixel density as 1080p on 24″ displays; you get a lot bigger display and more screen space, but the detail clarity is the same. Keep in mind that 1440p is also more taxing on your GPU/CPU.

Visit our best 1440p 144Hz gaming monitors buyer’s guide for a more diverse selection.

The Pros:

  • Wide color gamut
  • Quick response time speed
  • Plenty of features, including VRR and + up to 240Hz
  • Ergonomic design, USB hub

The Cons:

  • IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)
  • Design lacks swivel

About The Monitor

The HP Omen 27qs is the best 27″ 1440p 240Hz 1ms IPS gaming monitor available for under $400!

Image Quality

The HP Omen 27qs features an IPS panel with a wide 95% DCI-P3 (130% sRGB) color gamut coverage for vibrant and rich colors.

Here’s the kicker: it’s also one of the fastest 1440p IPS displays with a rapid 1ms GtG response time speed, meaning that you won’t get any prominent ghosting or motion blur in fast-paced games.

Overall, the HP Omen 27qs offers the perfect balance between image quality and performance. You get gorgeous colors, sharp details, a fast response time speed and a high refresh rate. It also has a strong 400-nit peak brightness!

Features

Besides AMD FreeSync with stable G-SYNC Compatible performance and a VRR range of 48-240Hz, the HP Omen 27qs monitor offers plenty of additional features, including Black Stretch, crosshair overlays and various picture presets.

Backlight strobing is supported as well via the MPRT option in the OSD menu.

Be sure to check out our full HP Omen 27qs review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

HP Omen 27qs Design

The stand of the monitor offers up to 100mm height adjustment, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility, but no swivel to the left/right option.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a dual-USB 3.0 hub, a headphone jack and dual 3W integrated speakers.

Alternatives

There are a few alternatives based on the same panel, though the HP Omen 27qs usually offers the best value for money.

The Pros:

  • AMD FreeSync & MBR
  • Exceptional Adobe RGB color gamut
  • Quick response time speed
  • Ergonomic stand and rich connectivity options

The Cons:

  • Design lacks pivot option
  • IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)

About The Monitor

Want a big 32″ gaming monitor? The ASUS PG329Q offers exceptional value for the money!

Image Quality

Now, because the 2560×1440 resolution is displayed on a larger screen, in this case, you won’t get as sharp details as you would on a 27″ 1440p monitor.

However, you get a bigger screen, which can make the gaming experience more immersive for some users. Keep in mind that a 32″ monitor is quite big and that you will have to sit a bit further from the screen.

Other panel-related specifications include a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, a 400-nit peak brightness (600-nits for HDR Content) and a wide 99% Adobe RGB color gamut (with an sRGB emulation mode provided).

Features

While you can find many 32″ 1440p 144Hz VA monitors below $400, we highly recommend the ASUS PG329Q instead.

Its 1ms GtG pixel response time speed will ensure you get no visible smearing in fast-paced games. Further, you get stable FreeSync/G-SYNC performance, whereas VRR brightness flickering is common for the VA models.

The ASUS PG329Q also offers plenty of useful features, including ELMB-Sync (allows for simultaneous VRR and MBR operation up to 175Hz), various picture presets, Shadow Boost, PiP/PbP and crosshair overlays.

Design & Connectivity

ASUS ROG Swift PG329Q Monitor Back

The ASUS PG329Q has a sturdy stand with up to 100mm height adjustment, +/- 25° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

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

Alternatives

  • Gigabyte M32Q – not as wide color gamut, but has built-in KVM

If you’re not sensitive to ghosting and screen tearing and would rather have a higher contrast ratio, check out the Gigabyte M32QC (curved) and the LG 32GN650 (flat-screen) with VA panels.

Best HDR Gaming Monitor

You can even get a display with proper HDR support under $400, though this monitor is also included in our under $300 and $250 (when on sale) buyer’s guides!

The Pros:

  • High peak brightness, decent pixel density, wide color gamut
  • 336-zone mini LED FALD
  • Plenty of features, including VRR up to 180FPS
  • Fully ergonomic stand

The Cons:

  • Minor blooming/haloing noticeable in certain scenes
  • Minor ghosting

About The Monitor

The AOC Q27G3XMN is the only monitor with proper HDR display available under $400.

Image Quality

Thanks to its 336-zone mini LED FALD (full-array local dimming) backlight, the AOC Q27G3XMN can simultaneously deliver deep blacks and bright highlights up to 1200-nits!

These zones can individually dim parts of the image that are supposed to be dark without greatly affecting the areas that are supposed to remain bright.

Edge lit Dimming vs Full array Dimming

In some demanding scenes (stars in a night sky, fireworks, etc.), the light that’s illuminating the small bright object can bleed into the surrounding dimmed zones and create blooming, but this is an expected drawback of this technology. Considering that it only occurs in these demanding scenes, most users can tolerate it.

In addition, the AOC Q27G3XMN has a wide 96% DCI-P3 and 90% Adobe RGB gamut coverage for rich and saturated colors.

VRR is supported up to 180Hz for tear-free gameplay and you get plenty of gaming features, such as crosshair overlays, Shadow Boost, Game Color and on-screen timers.

While the AOC Q27G3XMN is faster than most VA panels, there’s still some minor ghosting visible behind fast-moving objects, mainly in darker scenes, but most gamers won’t mind it, especially given the image quality you get in return for the price.

Design & Connectivity

AOC Q27G3XMN Design

The stand of the monitor offers full ergonomic support with up to 130mm height adjustment, +/- 30° swivel, -5°/23° tilt, 90° pivot and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

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

Alternatives

  • KTC M27T20 – 27″ 1440p 165Hz VA model with a bit faster response time, 576 dimming zones, wider color gamut, USB-C 90W and KVM. It goes for ~$430, but doesn’t have as smooth VRR performance.

The next best HDR display is the Cooler Master Tempest GP27Q with a 27″ 1440p 165Hz IPS panel with a faster response time and 576-zone mini LED FALD, but it goes for $500 – $550. You can also get the Acer XV275K P3 4K version on sale for $550.

Best UltraWide Gaming Monitors

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

This provides you with extra horizontal space that (in games that support 21:9 natively) widens your field of view for a more immersive gaming experience.

The Pros:

  • Accurate and consistent colors
  • Fast response time speed
  • FreeSync up to 144Hz
  • High pixel density
  • Height-adjustable stand

The Cons:

  • Most users prefer curved screens at this size
  • IPS glow and mediocre contrast ratio (as expected from this panel technology)

About The Monitor

The Sceptre E345B-QUN168W is the best value money ultrawide monitor under $400 as it offers both a high resolution and a fast refresh rate.

Image Quality

3440×1440 resolution hits the pixel density sweet spot on the 34″ screen of the E345B-QUN168W monitor.

What does this mean for you?

With roughly 110 pixels per inch, you get plenty of screen space as well as sharp and clear details, without any scaling necessary (roughly the same PPI as 1440p on 27″ monitors).

Further, the monitor has a wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, as well as 178° wide viewing angles, strong 400-nit peak brightness and a quick pixel response time speed for no prominent ghosting in fast-paced games.

Moving on, the monitor supports AMD FreeSync with a 48-144Hz VRR range, and it works with compatible NVIDIA cards without any brightness flickering or similar visual artifacts.

Design & Connectivity

Sceptre E345B QUN168W Design

The stand of the monitor offers height adjustment up to 100mm, tilt by -5°/15°, +/- 15° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, three HDMI 2.0 inputs (limited to 100Hz), USB-C (with DP Alt Mode, also limited to 100Hz), a headphone jack, dual 3W integrated speakers and a USB 3.0 hub (3 downstream + 1 upstream).

Alternatives

For ~$50 extra, you can find the Gigabyte M34WQ (with KVM) or the HP X34 models.

If you’re looking for a curved 1440p IPS ultrawide monitor, the cheapest model goes for $500 – the Acer XR343CKP with KVM and USB-C (85W PD).

The MSI MAG401QR with a 40″ 3440×1440 155Hz flat-screen IPS panel can also be found below $400 when on sale.

The Pros:

  • High contrast ratio, wide color gamut
  • Plenty of features, including VRR and MBR up to 144Hz
  • High pixel density
  • Height-adjustable stand

The Cons:

  • Minor ghosting in fast-paced games, mainly in darker scenes
  • Some units of the monitor have flickering issues with FreeSync enabled

About The Monitor

The Gigabyte G34WQC-A is a 34″ 3440×1440 144Hz ultrawide curved gaming monitor with a VA panel, which has both its advantages and disadvantages in comparison to IPS technology.

Image Quality

To start with, the G34WQC-A has a slower pixel response time speed than the above-mentioned IPS variants, which results in noticeable ghosting behind fast-moving objects, especially in darker scenes.

However, if you’re not sensitive to this, you’ll be able to enjoy its high 3,000:1 contrast ratio for notably deeper blacks as well as a wider 90% DCI-P3 gamut coverage for more vibrant colors.

Another issue with these high refresh rate VA monitors is the VRR brightness flickering; when using VRR in games with fluctuating frame rates or when hovering around the LFC threshold (~48FPS, in in-game menus, loading screens), you might be able slight oscillations in brightness.

This doesn’t affect every unit of the monitor and varies from game to game, so you can simply disable VRR in games where it’s present, as long as you can tolerate screen tearing, which is a lot less noticeable at 144Hz in comparison to 60Hz/75Hz.

Overall, the Gigabyte G34WQCA offers a more immersive viewing experience if you don’t mind a bit of ghosting and tearing, whereas the Sceptre E345B-QUN168W offer more stable performance, but not as good image quality due to the lower contrast and flat screen.

The G34WQCA also offers plenty of useful features, including Black Equalizer, Color Vibrance, various picture presets, PiP/PbP, Aim Stabilizer (backlight strobing), crosshair overlays, on-screen timers, Dashboard and more.

Check out our full Gigabyte G34WQ-A review for more information.

Design & Connectivity

Gigabyte G34WQC A Monitor Design

The stand of the monitor is sturdy and offers height adjustment up to 100mm, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two DP 1.4 inputs, two HDMI 2.0 ports (max 100Hz), a headphone jack and dual 2W built-in speakers.

Alternatives

You can also find similar 34″ 3440×1440 high refresh rate curved VA models without wide color gamut at a lower price ($250 – $300):

There are a few good alternatives with a wide color gamut available as well:

All three of the above-mentioned ultrawide monitors use the same panel, so the image quality and performance will be basically identical, including the risk of getting a unit with FreeSync brightness flickering.

Therefore, you can simply choose according to your preference of the design/features or go for whichever is available/cheaper. Not sure which one to pick? Leave us a comment below!

Conclusion

Did you find the best gaming monitor under 400 USD for you?

Feel free to leave any questions in the comment section below if you need further assistance. 

For HDR, we recommend the AOC Q27G3XMN. If you’re not interested in HDR and want excellent SDR display instead, both the HP Omen 27qs and the ASUS PG329Q offer excellent value for the money, so pick according to your screen size preference.

Both ultrawide displays are great picks as well, depending on your preference regarding the panel type. For RPGs and slower-paced games, we recommend the G34WQCA, while the Sceptre E345B is great for fast-paced titles due to its quick response time.

If you’re a competitive gamer, the ViewSonic XG2431 and the Acer XV252QF offer the best performance, depending on your personal preference and PC rig.

Updates +

  • November 14, 2023:
    – Added review summaries for the HP Omen 27qs and the AOC Q27G3XMN.
    – Replaced the Sceptre E345B-QUT168 with the Sceptre E345B-QUN168W and the Gigabyte M32Q with the ASUS PG329Q.
    – Removed the MSI MAG301RF, the ASUS VG289Q, the Gigabyte M27Q-P and the LG 32UN500.
  • January 20, 2023:
    – Added a review summary for the Gigabyte G34WQC-A.
  • January 19, 2023:
    – Added a review summary for the Acer XV252QF.
    – Replaced the MSI MAG274QRF with the Gigabyte M27Q-P.
  • November 24, 2022:
    – Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available. Be sure to check out ‘Alternatives’ for monitors that go for below $400 on sales.
  • March 11, 2022:
    – Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available.
  • December 8, 2021:
    – Added review summaries for the monitors that were missing them.
  • November 26, 2021:
    – Checked up on the guide to ensure that our picks are still the best options available.
  • October 6, 2021:
    – Repalced the Gigabyte G34WQC (discontinued) with the Sceptre E345B.
  • August 11, 2021:
    – Removed the Acer XF252Q (no longer available).
    – Added the MSI MAG301RF to the table, a dedicated review section will be added soon.
    – Replaced the Gigabyte G32QC with Gigabyte M32Q and the LG 32UL500 with BenQ EW3270U.
  • May 27, 2021:
    – Fixed overall readability.
  • February 10, 2021:
    – Replaced the LG 32GK650F with the Gigabyte G32QC and added the LG 32GN650 and the Samsung G5 as alternatives.
    – Added the Gigabyte G27Q as an alternative to the LG 27GL83A.

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Rob Shafer

Rob is a software engineer with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver. He now works full-time managing DisplayNinja while coding his own projects on the side.