The Best Gaming Monitors Under 400 USD (2024 Reviews)

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!

Now, since you have quite a diverse selection in 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.

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

Best 1440p Gaming Monitor

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.

For the best 1080p gaming monitors, check out our best monitors under $300 and best monitors under $500 buyer’s guides.

About The Monitor

The MSI G274QPX is the best 27″ 1440p 240Hz 1ms IPS gaming monitor available for under $400!

Image Quality

The MSI G274QPX features an IPS panel with a wide 98% DCI-P3 (135% 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 MSI G274QPX 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!

Besides smooth VRR performance for tear-free gameplay up to 240FPS, the MSI G274QPX monitor offers plenty of additional features, including Night Vision, crosshair overlays, PiP/PbP and on-screen timers.

Design & Connectivity

The stand offers full ergonomic support with up to 130mm height adjustment, +/- 45° swivel, +/- 90° pivot, -5°/20° tilt and 75x75mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include USB-C (DP 1.4 Alt Mode, 65W PD), DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.0 ports and a headphone jack.

Alternatives

There are a few alternatives based on the same panel, though the MSI G274QPX usually offers the best value for money.

• HP Omen 27qs, ASUS VG27AQML1A – with MBR
• Gigabyte M27Q-X – with KVM
• Gigabyte GS27Q-X – tilt-only stand and not as wide color gamut. It supports MBR though and it’s more affordable
• LG 27GR83Q – no special features, can be found on sale for $300

If you want a 32″ 1440p high refresh rate IPS gaming monitor, check out the Sceptre E325B-QPN168 with 144Hz for ~$250, whereas the 240Hz models, such as the Gigabyte Aorus FI32Q-X start at $500.

As far as 1440p 240Hz VA models go, these can be found for $250 – $300, the KTC H27E22 with a 27″ flat-screen panel and the KTC H32S25E with a 32″ curved screen.

They offer a higher contrast ratio for deeper blacks, but they don’t have quite as fast response time speed and exhibit VRR brightness flickering with FreeSync or G-SYNC enabled.

If you’re considering spending more for a 1440p display, 240Hz OLED displays can be found for ~$600, such as the MSI MAG 271QPX E2.

1440p 360Hz OLED models start at around $700 with the MSI MAG 271QPX, while 1440p 360Hz IPS monitors go for ~$750, the ASUS PG27AQN – though in this case you should wait for the PG27AQNR next-gen model with G-SYNC Pulsar.

Best 4K Gaming Monitor

Nowadays, you can even find a 4K high refresh rate gaming monitor for under $400!

About The Monitor

The MSI MAG274UPF E2 is one of the most affordable 27″ 4K 144Hz IPS gaming monitors!

Image Quality

The 4K UHD resolution on a 27″ sized screen provides you with a high pixel density of 163 PPI (pixels per inch).

This results in plenty of screen space with incredibly sharp details and text. You will need to apply scaling in order to make smaller items readable though.

Also, keep in mind that 4K UHD is quite demanding on the GPU, so make sure your PC rig will be able to handle gaming at a satisfactory frame rate.

Moving on, the MSI MAG274UPF E2 also has a wide 98% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage for vibrant colors, an sRGB emulation mode for better SDR accuracy, a rapid 1ms GtG pixel response time speed and a strong 400-nit peak brightness.

It also supports VRR up to 144Hz for tear-free gameplay and offers plenty of useful features, including PiP/PbP, crosshair overlays, a refresh rate tracker, Night Vision, etc.

Keep in mind that a 27″ 4K 144Hz IPS gaming monitor with proper HDR support (FALD mini LED backlights) can sometimes be found for as low as $500, such as the Innocn 27M2V, so consider investing $100 more in a better display if you want HDR.

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 75x75mm VESA mount compatibility.

Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 inputs, DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, USB-C (DP 1.4 Alt Mode, 15W PD) and a headphone jack.

Alternatives

• MSI MAG274RFW – the same monitor but in white color
• KTC H27P22S – a bit more affordable model without USB-C
• Acer XB273K V3bmiiprx – another model without USB-C that sometimes goes on sale for below $400

If you’re interested in 32″ 4K high refresh rate models, you’ll need to invest around $500 for something like the MSI MAG323UPF. Again, keep in mind that in this price range, you can also find proper 4K HDR displays, such as the Innocn 32M2V.

32″ 4K high refresh rate OLED displays start at $800 with the MSI MAG 321UP.

Best HDR Gaming Monitor

You can even get a display with proper HDR support for under $400!

About The Monitor

The Xiaomi G Pro 27i is the best monitor with proper HDR support available for under $400.

Image Quality

Thanks to its 1152-zone mini LED FALD (full-array local dimming) backlight, the Xiaomi G Pro 27i 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.

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 Xiaomi G Pro 27i has a wide 99% DCI-P3 and 97% Adobe RGB gamut coverage for rich and saturated colors.

VRR is supported up to 180Hz for tear-free gameplay.

Design & Connectivity

The stand of the monitor is sturdy and offers height up to 120mm, pivot by 90°, -5°/20° tilt, +/- 45° swivel and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

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

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.

About The Monitor

The MSI MAG401QR is the best ultrawide monitor you can get under $400 if you want a large flat-screen display.

Image Quality

The MSI MAG401QR has a 40″ 3440×1440 flat-screen display with 93 PPI (pixels per inch), which is a similar pixel density as that of a 24″ 1080p monitor. So, that’s the level of detail clarity you can expect, just on a much larger screen.

Further, the monitor’s screen is not curved, which is the preferred format on ultrawide displays of this size. However, at a normal viewing distance, it’s not an issue.

Moving on, the monitor has a wide 94% DCI-P3 gamut coverage for vibrant colors, a strong 400-nit peak brightness and a high 144Hz (overclockable to 155Hz) refresh rate.

You also get VRR support up to 155Hz for tear-free gameplay, PiP/PbP support, crosshair overlays, Night Vision, on-screen timers and MBR.

Check out our MSI MAG401QR review for more details.

Design & Connectivity

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

Connectivity options include DP 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, USB-C with DP Alt Mode and 65W Power Delivery, a dual-USB 2.0 hub and a headphone jack. There’s also integrated KVM functionality.

Alternatives

If you want a smaller 34″ ultrawide display, you can find the Sceptre E345B-QUN168W with a flat-screen IPS panel and the KTC H34S18S with a curved VA panel for under $300.

344×1440 high refresh rate IPS models with curved screens start at ~$450 with the Acer XR343CKP.

For $500, you can get the Innocn 34M1R with proper HDR support (curved VA panel with 2304-zone mini LED FALD), while the OLED models start at ~$650 with the Dell AW3423DWF.

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. 

Overall, we find that the Xiaomi G Pro 27i offers the best value due to its proper HDR support.

If you’re not interested in HDR, consider the MSI G274QPX if you want a bit higher refresh rate or the MAG274UPF E2 for its higher 4K UHD resolution.

In case you prefer ultrawide displays, the MSI MAG401QR is the best option under $400, but you should also check out the mentioned alternatives if you prefer curved models with higher pixel density.