Got a budget of $300-$400 for a new gaming monitor?
In this guide, you will find all the available combinations of display specifications you can find in this price range as well as the best monitors currently available.
Top 9 Gaming Monitors Under $400 In 2019
| Type | Monitor | Size | Resolution | Panel | Refresh Rate | VRR | G-SYNC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best 1080p Gaming Monitors | ASUS VG279Q (Editor’s Pick) | 27” | 1920x1080 | IPS | 144Hz | FreeSync | Stable | |
| ASUS XG248Q | 24” | 1920x1080 | TN | 240Hz | FreeSync | Compatible | ||
| Best 1440p Gaming Monitors | Dell S2719DGF | 27” | 2560x1440 | TN | 155Hz | FreeSync | Stable | |
| Nixeus EDG27S V2 (Editor's Pick) | 27” | 2560x1440 | IPS | 144Hz | FreeSync | Stable | ||
| AOC CQ32G1 (Editor’s Pick) | 32” | 2560x1440 | VA | 144Hz | FreeSync | Stable | ||
| Best UltraWide Gaming Monitor | LG 34WK650 | 34” | 2560x1080 | IPS | 75Hz | FreeSync | Stable | |
| Best 4K Gaming Monitors | ASUS VP28UQG | 28” | 3840x2160 | TN | 60Hz | FreeSync | Stable | |
| LG 27UD58 | 27” | 3840x2160 | IPS | 60Hz | FreeSync | Unstable | ||
| LG 32UD59 | 32” | 3840x2160 | VA | 60Hz | FreeSync | Unstable |
If you’re on a different budget, you may want to visit our other buyer’s guides:
- Best Gaming Monitor Under 100 USD
- Best Gaming Monitor Under 150 USD
- Best Gaming Monitor Under 200 USD
- Best Gaming Monitor Under 300 USD
- Best Gaming Monitors Overall
Since you have quite a diverse selection at this price range, it’s important that you pick the right panel type, screen size, resolution, 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.
For G-SYNC, you will need a compatible NVIDIA graphics card while FreeSync works with both AMD and select NVIDIA (GTX 10-series, RTX-20 series, and newer) graphics cards.
While the FreeSync monitors we’ve included aren’t officially G-SYNC compatible (except for the XG248Q), most of them offer a smooth VRR performance without issues. These are marked as ‘Stable’ under the ‘G-SYNC’ column in the table.
VRR on FreeSync monitors marked as ‘Unstable’ work with compatible AMD cards, but won’t have a stable performance with NVIDIA GPUs out of the box though you will likely be able to get them to work by tinkering with the drivers and using third-party software. Note that these monitors will work with NVIDIA cards without issues except when using FreeSync.
Best 1080p Gaming Monitors Under $400
The following gaming monitors may be only 1080p, but they offer high refresh rates. The good thing here is that 1080p isn’t as demanding as 1440p or 4K, so you will be able to get high frame rates even with a decent mid-range GPU.
ASUS VG279Q – 27″ 1080p 144Hz IPS FreeSync Gaming Monitor
About the Monitor
While there are 1080p 144Hz gaming monitors with a TN panel under $200 and with a VA panel under $300, the ASUS VG279Q is one of the few models available with an IPS panel.
Image Quality
The IPS panel of the ASUS VG279Q 144Hz monitor provides a good balance between the TN and VA counterparts. You get wider viewing angles and better colors than that of TN panels and no smearing of fast-moving objects associated with VA models due to their slow response time speed.
Now, although TN panels have the best response time of only 1ms GtG (gray to gray pixel transition), the ASUS VG279Q still offers a decent response time of 3ms GtG which is sufficient to eliminate most of trailing in fast-paced games.
Further, IPS panels don’t have as high contrast ratio as VA panels, so black colors won’t be as deep and vivid, but it’s a fair trade-off if you mostly play fast-paced shooters and want minimal ghosting and motion blur as well as rich colors.
Another thing that you should keep in mind about IPS panels is the IPS glow which is an expected drawback of this panel technology. Because an excessive amount of light passes through the panel, there is visible glowing around the corners of the screen of IPS panels that is more noticeable in dark rooms and with dark backgrounds/content. For most people, it’s tolerable and manageable, you can learn more about it here.
Note that 1920×1080 on a 27″ screen results in a lower pixel density (81 pixels per inch) than on a 24″ (92 pixels per inch), so the picture won’t be as sharp and clear, but it will be satisfactory for gaming and other multimedia purposes. Unfortunately, there are no 24″-25″ 1080p 144Hz IPS models currently available.
Features
The ASUS VG279Q has plenty of gaming features including AMD FreeSync (40-144Hz dynamic range with LFC support), ASUS GamePlus (custom crosshairs and on-screen timers), and ASUS GameVisual (pre-calibrated picture presets such as FPS, RTS, Racing, RPG, MOBA, sRGB, Cinema, etc).
It also features a motion blur reduction (MBR) technology called ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) which via backlight strobing at 85Hz, 100Hz, or 120Hz further eliminates motion blur for CRT-like motion clarity. This feature cannot be active at the same time as FreeSync.
Additionally, there’s the Shadow Boost feature which alters the gamma curvature to increase visibility in darker games. Other features include the standard picture adjustments such as contrast, brightness, color temperature, etc but there are no gamma nor hue settings available in the OSD (On-Screen Display) menu.
Design & Connectivity
Connectivity options of this ASUS gaming monitor include Dual-Link DVI, HDMI 1.4a, and DisplayPort 1.2 (one of each) as well as a headphones jack and dual 2W built-in speakers. The stand is fully ergonomic with height, tilt, pivot, swivel, and VESA mount compatibility/adjustments.
Summary
The ASUS VG279Q is an excellent display for the money. We recommend it if you mostly play single-player and multiplayer FPS and racing games.
If you’re a serious, hardcore, or professional gamer and want every millisecond of advantage you can get, then the next display would suit you better.
For those who prefer better visuals and gaming immersion, there are a few higher resolution displays in this guide you should check out as well.
Note that you can also get a gaming monitor based on the same panel under $300, the Acer VG271, but it doesn’t have an ergonomic stand.
What We Loved
- Plenty of gaming features including FreeSync & MBR
- Ergonomic design
- Rich colors and quick response time
What We Didn’t Like
- Low pixel density, but decent enough for gaming
- Lack of gamma and hue settings in OSD
ASUS ROG Strix XG248Q – Best 240Hz Gaming Monitor
About the Monitor
The ASUS XG248Q is the best 240Hz gaming monitor for the money. It’s equipped with 240Hz, 1ms, FreeSync (officially G-SYNC compatible), and motion blur reduction up to 240Hz.
Image Quality
Based on a TN panel, the ASUS XG248Q offers a rapid 1ms response time speed for zero ghosting and trailing of fast-moving objects. However, you won’t get as vibrant colors and wide viewing angles.
Further, thanks to its 240Hz refresh rate, you will get the most responsive gaming experience possible!
Keep in mind that the jump from 144Hz to 240Hz isn’t as noticeable as going from 60Hz to 144Hz, but the difference is definitely there and it can be crucial for professional gamers.
Features
There are two main things that make the ASUS XG248Q 240Hz 1ms monitor better than the other 240Hz alternatives.
First of all, it’s officially G-SYNC compatible (certified by NVIDIA) for a flawless VRR performance with compatible NVIDIA cards.
Secondly, it has a backlight strobing capacity which can operate at 120Hz, 144Hz, 200Hz, and 240Hz whereas most 240Hz models with MBR can only strobe at 144Hz max.
In addition, the monitor offers six response time overdrive options, RGB lighting, and the ASUS GamePlus and GameVisual features.
Design & Connectivity
The ASUS XG248Q features a fully ergonomic design (tilt, swivel, height, pivot, and VESA mount compatibility) while its connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a dual-USB 3.0 hub (two downstream ports plus one upstream port), and a headphones jack.
Alternatives
For more alternatives, visit our dedicated buyer’s guide on best monitors for FPS games, though the ASUS XG248Q offers the best value/price by far.
What We Loved
- Good value for the price
- G-SYNC compatible
- MBR up to 240Hz
- Ergonomic design and rich connectivity options
What We Didn’t Like
- None
Best 1440p Gaming Monitors
2560×1440 WQHD resolution provides you with the perfect pixel-per-inch ratio on 27″ screens. You get plenty of screen space and crystal-clear details without any scaling necessary whereas 1440p on a 32″ screen offers the same pixel density as 1080p on a 24″ display. Keep in mind that 1440p is also more taxing on your GPU/CPU.
Dell S2719DGF – 27″ 1440p 144Hz 1ms FreeSync Gaming Monitor
About the Monitor
If you want a non-144Hz 1440p model, you can find the best options in our best 1440p monitor buyer’s guide.
The Dell S2719DGF is the best 27″ 1440p 144Hz 1ms gaming monitor under $400.
Image Quality
Out of all 1440p 144Hz TN panel models, the Dell S2719DGF offers the best value for the price. First of all, it’s overclockable up to 155Hz and it supports FreeSync with a 40-155Hz variable refresh rate range.
Since it’s a TN panel display, you get the narrow 160°/170° viewing angles and mediocre color reproduction, but 1440p makes everything look crisp and sharp while the 1ms response time speed eliminates all trailing and motion blur in first-person shooters and racing games.
Features
Besides FreeSync, you’ll find pre-calibrated picture presets (FPS, RTS, RPG) and Dark Stabilizer for better visibility of objects in dark parts in video games.
Design & Connectivity
Moving on, the design is robust and versatile with full ergonomic support (tilt, pivot, swivel, height adjustment, and VESA mount compatibility) while connectivity options are abundant and include HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, and a quad-USB 3.0 hub (one USB port also offers fast-charging).
Alternatives
In case the Dell S2719DGF is not available, the Acer XG270HU is a good alternative. It’s officially G-SYNC compatible, but it’s not overclockable to 155Hz (at least not automatically via an option in OSD).
What We Loved
- Affordable 1440p 144Hz display
- Overclockable to 155Hz
- Fully ergonomic design and plenty of connectivity options
What We Didn’t Like
- None
Nixeus EDG27S V2 – 27″ 1440p 144Hz FreeSync IPS Gaming Monitor
About the Monitor
Not a fan of narrow viewing angles and inferior color quality of TN panels? The Nixeus EDG27S v2 is an affordable 27″ 1440p 144Hz model with an IPS panel!
Image Quality
The Nixeus EDG27S v2 is similar to the ASUS VG279Q except that it offers 1440p resolution, so the picture quality will be a lot better, but also more demanding to drive at higher frame rates.
It’s also the only FreeSync monitor that supports variable overdrive which will minimize the amount of ghosting and motion blur with AMD FreeSync enabled.
Overall, the Nixeus EDG27S v2 offers the perfect balance between image quality and performance. You get vibrant colors, sharp details, and a high refresh rate.
Features
Besides AMD FreeSync with variable overdrive and a wide dynamic range (30-144Hz), the Nixeus doesn’t offer any gaming features such as pre-calibrated picture presets for different gaming genres, customizable crosshairs, and the like.
More importantly though, it has the best FreeSync implementation and it’s G-SYNC compatible which we prefer over the gimmicky gaming features anyway.
Design & Connectivity
Connectivity options include two DisplayPort 1.2 ports, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a headphones jack, and two integrated speakers while the stand is tilt-only but VESA mount compatible. FreeSync works over both HDMI and DP with a 30-144Hz VRR range.
Alternatives
The Nixeus EDG27S V2 is the only 1440p 144Hz IPS monitor available under $400. For $100-$200 more, you can get the Acer XV272U or Aorus AD27QD with entry-level HDR support, 10-bit color depth, and motion blur reduction.
What We Loved
- Affordable 1440p 144Hz monitor
- Vibrant colors
- AMD FreeSync with variable overdrive and wide dynamic range
What We Didn’t Like
- Tilt-only design
AOC CQ32G1 – 32″ 1440p 144Hz FreeSync Curved Gaming Monitor
About the Monitor
The AOC CQ32G1 is the best 32″ 1440p 144Hz gaming monitor you can get under $400.
Image Quality
As we’ve mentioned earlier, VA panels have the worst response time, but they also have the highest contrast ratio.
The result is deep and vivid black shades, however, when pixels need to change from one color to another, they can’t quite keep up with the monitor’s refresh rate which leads to trailing of fast-moving objects that’s particularly visible in dark scenes where dark pixels are involved.
Some people can tolerable this as in return you get a great image quality, but others who play fast-paced games competitively won’t be able to stand it. So, if you’re a casual gamer, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Further, because 1440p is displayed on a larger screen in this case, you won’t get as much screen space and details as you would on a 27″ 1440p monitor.
However, you get a bigger screen which makes the gaming experience more immersive. 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 3,000:1 contrast ratio and ~125% sRGB color gamut.
Features
The AOC CQ32G1 monitor also has a motion blur reduction technology that can be enabled by setting the Overdrive setting to ‘Boost’. You can also adjust the frequency of the backlight strobing via the ‘MBR’ setting.
FreeSync is supported over both HDMI and DP with a 48-144Hz dynamic refresh rate range.
In addition, you will find pre-calibrated picture presets (FPS, RTS, Racing, and three customizable Gamer profiles) and Shadow Control and Game Control for gamma/saturation adjustments.
Design & Connectivity
The AOC CQ32G1 has a tilt-only design but it can be mounted to a third-party stand via 100 x 100mm VESA pattern. At the back of the monitor, you will find HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.2 ports as well as an audio jack. The HDMI 1.4 port is limited to 75Hz at 1440p.
Alternatives
If you want a 27″ version of this monitor, check out the following 27″ 1440p 144Hz VA-panel curved gaming monitors: The MSI MPG27CQ and the MSI MAG27CQ (both with MBR) or the more affordable Viotek GN27D without MBR.
What We Loved
- Big 32″ curved screen
- 1440p at 144Hz
- High contrast ratio
- AMD FreeSync & MBR
What We Didn’t Like
- Tilt-only stand
Best UltraWide Gaming Monitor
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.
LG 34WK650 – Best UltraWide Monitor For Gaming Under $400
About the Monitor
The LG 34WK650 is a 34″ 2560×1080 21:9 ultrawide monitor. Basically, it’s as tall as a regular 27″ monitor but wider, so it’s a bit more practical than the above-mentioned 32″ monitor.
Image Quality
The monitor has an IPS panel and it’s factory-calibrated for 99% sRGB color gamut which means you will get accurate, consistent, and vibrant colors.
Now, its 2560×1080 resolution is fairly low for its 34″ size. 3440×1440 would better suit a monitor of this size, but such monitors are more expensive and more taxing on your GPU.
With a pixel-per-inch ratio of 81, you get the same detail clarity and sharpness as you would on a 27″ 1080p monitor like the ASUS VG279Q we’ve mentioned earlier. So, everything (desktop icons, text, etc) will be big and take a lot of screen space.
However, since the ultrawide format also offers extra horizontal screen space, the LG 34WK650 is actually a decent monitor for basic content creation, productivity, spreadsheets, and other related tasks.
It also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), but it’s software-enabled only which means that the monitor can accept the HDR10 signal, but lacks display capabilities for a noteworthy HDR viewing experience.
Features
Moving on, some of the more interesting features include Black Stabilizer, pre-calibrated picture presets, custom crosshairs, and On-Screen Control which allows you to adjust monitor’s settings in a desktop application.
Additionally, the LG 34WK650 supports AMD FreeSync with a 40-75Hz dynamic range over both HDMI and DP.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor can be elevated up to 110m, tilted, and mounted via the 100x100mm VESA mount pattern. Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, a headphones jack, and two 5W integrated speakers.
What We Loved
- Immersive viewing experience
- AMD FreeSync
- Height-adjustable stand
What We Didn’t Like
- Low pixel density
- HDR is only software-emulated
Best 4K Gaming Monitors
Here, you will find the most affordable 4K monitors. For a more thorough selection, visit our best 4K monitors and best 4K gaming monitors for Xbox One X and PS4 Pro buyer’s guides.
Keep in mind that if you’re interested in a 4K monitor for PC gaming, you will need a high-end GPU in order to run newer games at steady ~60FPS at 4K UHD with decent picture settings.
ASUS VP28UQG – Best 4K Monitor For Competitive Console Gaming
About the Monitor
The ASUS VP28UQG is an affordable 4K monitor which is perfect for Xbox One thanks to its FreeSync over HDMI support.
Image Quality
This 28″ monitor provides striking detail clarity and sharpness thanks to its rich pixel density of 157 PPI. Further, it supports 10-bit color depth (8-bit + 2-bit FRC), so you get 1.07 billion colors! However, the colors aren’t as accurate as vibrant as they are on IPS and VA panels.
Overall, you get a decent picture quality as well as a rapid 1ms response time speed for minimal ghosting in fast-paced games. Note that the monitor has narrow viewing angles of 160° vertically and 170° horizontally meaning that the picture will shift in color, contrast, and brightness when you’re looking at the screen from skewed angles.
Features
Gaming features include ASUS GamePlus (crosshairs, timers, etc) and the GameVisual pre-calibrated picture presets. The ASUS VP28UQG is the cheapest 4K monitor that supports FreeSync over HDMI making it ideal for Xbox One. The VRR range is only 40-60FPS, so you won’t benefit from it in games that are limited to 30FPS.
Regardless, since FreeSync doesn’t increase the monitor’s price, you don’t lose anything. FreeSync works over DisplayPort as well. Lastly, the monitor supports HDCP 2.2 which allows you to stream copy-protected content in native 4K UHD resolution from services such as Netflix.
Design & Connectivity
While the design is tilt-only, you can effortlessly mount the screen since it’s VESA compatible. Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, and a headphones jack. So, you can connect two consoles and a PC simultaneously and just change the input source on the monitor depending on the device you’re using.
What We Loved
- Affordable 4K UHD monitor
- FreeSync over HDMI
What We Didn’t Like
- Tilt-only design
LG 27UD58 – Best 4K IPS Monitor Under $400
About the Monitor
If you want a 4K gaming monitor with an IPS panel, the LG 27UD58 is the best option in this price range.
Image Quality & Features
While it has a slightly smaller screen and slower response time (5ms) than the ASUS VP28UQG, the LG 27UD58 offers significantly richer colors with factory-calibrated 99% sRGB color gamut.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t support FreeSync over HDMI (only over DisplayPort) which makes it more suited for PC use. Nevertheless, it’s still a decent choice for console gaming. If you have a PS4/Pro, it’s a better pick as you wouldn’t benefit from FreeSync anyway.
Other features include On-Screen Control, Screen Split, Black Stabilizer, and picture presets. FreeSync works with compatible NVIDIA cards as well, but only within the Basic mode which has a very narrow 48-60Hz range.
Design & Connectivity
The LG 27UD58 27-inch 4K monitor offers the same ergonomics (tilt-only stand, VESA mount compatible) and connectivity options (two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, and a headphones jack) as the VP28UQG.
Alternatives
If you want a 4K IPS monitor with FreeSync over HDMI and HDR, you will have to invest a bit over $400 for the LG 27UK650.
What We Loved
- Vibrant and rich colors
- Affordable 4K IPS monitor
What We Didn’t Like
- Tilt-only design
- FreeSync works over DP only
LG 32UD59 – Best 32-inch 4K Monitor Under $400
About the Monitor
Nowadays, you can even get a 32″ 4K monitor under 400 USD – but with a VA panel, not IPS which has both its advantages and disadvantages.
Image Quality
The LG 32UD59 features a VA panel with a 3,000:1 static contrast ratio and wide 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. So, its colors may not be accurate and consistent as that of the IPS models, but you still get an immersive picture quality with rich colors and vivid black shades.
The bad thing is that you get a slower response time speed which means there’ll be more trailing and motion blur in fast-paced video games. However, unless you’re playing competitive first-person shooters, the amount of ghosting is tolerable.
As far as the features are concerned, you will find all the standard LG features such as Black Stabilizer, Screen Split, On-Screen Control, etc.
AMD FreeSync is supported as well over both HDMI and DP with a 40-60Hz dynamic range, but VRR with NVIDIA cards will work only in the Basic mode (48-60Hz range).
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the LG 32UD59 monitor can be elevated up to 120mm, tilted, and VESA mounted. Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, and a headphones jack.
Alternatives
Depending on the region, availability, and pricing, you may want to check the following two 32″ 4K models as well.
- LG 32UD60 – Essentially the same monitor but with built-in speakers (2x5W)
- Samsung U32J590 – A more affordable 32″ 4K monitor without the wide color gamut
What We Loved
- Affordable 32″ 4K monitor
- High contrast ratio and wide color gamut
- AMD FreeSync over HDMI
- Height-adjustable stand
What We Didn’t Like
- Moderate ghosting in fast-paced games
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.
On balance, the AOC CQ32G1 offers the best value/money under $400 though not everyone wants a huge 32″ screen on their desk which is why the Nixeus EDG27S v2 may be a better alternative for most people. Plus, the Nixeus has a lot better performance in fast-paced games.
If you’re a competitive gamer, the ASUS XG248Q offers the best and uncompromising performance whereas the ASUS VG279Q provides a middle-ground between a smooth performance and a great image quality for the more casual FPS gamers.
In case you got a bit weaker PC rig, the LG 34WK650 will make sure that video games look awesome and run smoothly even on budget builds.
Finally, if you have a 4K capable console or PC, you can simply pick one of the 4K monitors according to your panel type and screen size preference.
Writer
Rob is a software engineer with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver. He now works full-time on writing for DisplayNinja while coding his own projects on the side.
