The Best Budget Gaming Monitors for All Gamer Types

The price of high-end gaming monitors has skyrocketed, particularly those boasting OLED panels, large screens, high refresh rates, and sharp resolutions. However, a wealth of affordable options exist that surprisingly don't compromise significantly on image quality or features. The Xiaomi G Pro 27i, with its impressive mini-LED, quantum dot display, priced well under $400, is a prime example. It rivals far more expensive monitors, showcasing the quality achievable on a budget.

TL;DR – Best Budget Gaming Monitors:

Top Pick: Xiaomi G Pro 27i Mini-LED Gaming Monitor

1. See it at Amazon Best 1080p: Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A

2. See it at Amazon Best 1440p: LG UltraGear 27GN800-B

3. See it at AmazonSee it at Target Best 4K: KTC H27P22S

4. See it at Amazon Best Ultrawide: Dell S3422DWG

5. See it at AmazonSee it at Dell

Budget gaming monitors might lack certain advanced technologies and features, but they still deliver excellent visuals for your gaming PC. Even mid-range graphics cards and CPUs can perform admirably with high refresh rate and 4K monitors available at reasonable prices. Trade-offs exist – such as adjustable stands on lower-end models – but prioritizing performance and essential features allows for excellent value at any price point.

Beware of overly cheap monitors. A $100 monitor might seem like a bargain, but it's likely to have a short lifespan and potentially strain your eyes. Our selections, while more expensive, offer superior build quality, excellent panels, and enhanced gaming features for a better overall experience. However, higher-end options are available for those with larger budgets.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham, Matthew S. Smith

For current deals, check out the best gaming monitor deals.

1. Xiaomi G Pro 27i Mini-LED Gaming Monitor

Best Overall Budget Gaming Monitor

1. Incredible picture quality at an amazing price. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

• Screen Size: 27”
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
• Panel type: IPS
• Brightness: 1,000 cd/m2
• Refresh rate: 180Hz
• Response time: 1ms
• Inputs: 2 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x 3.5mm Audio

Pros: High brightness and deep contrast; Great color accuracy; Outstanding picture quality and HDR; Robust 1,152 local dimming zones

Cons: Bloom on dark grey backgrounds; No USB hub

The Xiaomi G Pro 27i is a standout performer. Its mini-LED backlight with full-array local dimming (FALD) and 1,152 local dimming zones (typically found in monitors costing $700+) significantly reduce blooming, resulting in a superior HDR experience. Its picture quality rivals OLEDs at a fraction of the cost, without the burn-in risk. It boasts a 180Hz refresh rate, accurate colors across various color modes, and compatibility with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync.

While lacking a USB hub and USB-C connectivity, and only supporting HDMI 2.0, these trade-offs are justifiable given its exceptional picture quality at its price point.

2. Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A

Best Budget 1080p Gaming Monitor

2. For around $150, this monitor delivers excellent gaming performance with minimal drawbacks. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

• Screen Size: 27”
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
• Panel type: VA, FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible
• Brightness: 350 cd/m2
• Refresh rate: 165Hz
• Response time: 1ms
• Inputs: 2x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x Audio Jack

Pros: Great colors and impressive contrast; ELMB support for improved motion clarity; VESA support for third-party stands

Cons: Slightly lower pixel density; No height adjustment

The Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A offers exceptional value. Its VA panel provides deep blacks and wide dynamic range, while its 1ms response time and game-enhancing features (on-screen reticle, Shadow Boost, ELMB) provide a competitive edge. While the stand lacks height adjustment (though VESA mountable), its performance outweighs this limitation. Note the 1080p resolution may show a screen-door effect on a 27" screen.

3. LG UltraGear 27GN800-B

Best 1440p Budget Gaming Monitor

0. Get speeds up to 144Hz in 1440p with adaptive sync technology and excellent color accuracy. See it at AmazonSee it at Target

Product Specifications:

• Screen Size: 27”
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
• Panel type: IPS FreeSync and G-Sync
• Response time: 1ms
• Inputs: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort

Pros: Solid HDR gaming; Great color accuracy

Cons: Stand isn’t height adjustable

The LG UltraGear 27GN800-B offers a significant resolution upgrade to 1440p for under $300. Its sharp visuals, color accuracy, 144Hz refresh rate, and compatibility with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync make it a strong contender. The lack of height adjustment in the stand is its main drawback, but VESA mounting is supported.

4. KTC H27P22D

Best 4K Budget Gaming Monitor

1. This gaming monitor offers a fast and fantastic picture on a limited budget. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

• Screen Size: 27”
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
• Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible
• Brightness: 400 cd/m2
• Refresh rate: 160Hz
• Response time: 1ms
• Inputs: 2 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x 3.5mm Audio

Pros: Sharp 4K screen; Great for consoles thanks to HDMI 2.1 connectivity; Fast refresh rate; Excellent value overall

Cons: No USB connectivity; Not factory calibrated

The KTC H27P22D demonstrates the advancements in budget 4K gaming monitors. Its 160Hz refresh rate, support for AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, and dual HDMI 2.1 ports make it ideal for console gaming. While not factory calibrated and lacking a USB hub, its overall performance and price make it a compelling option.

5. Dell S3422DWG

Best Ultrawide Budget Gaming Monitor

0. Immerse yourself in the action with a cheap, ultrawide curved monitor delivering a 1440p/144Hz refresh rate. See it at AmazonSee it at Dell

Product Specifications:

• Screen Size: 34”
• Aspect Ratio: 21:9
• Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
• Panel type: VA FreeSync
• Brightness: 400 cd/m2
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• Response time: 1ms
• Inputs: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort

Pros: Great contrast; Immersive wide, curved display

Cons: Minor ghosting

The Dell S3422DWG provides an immersive gaming experience with its ultrawide curved display and 3440x1440 resolution. Its 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync support ensure smooth gameplay. While minor ghosting may be present, its features and price make it a strong choice for ultrawide gaming on a budget.

Spending on a Gaming Monitor:

The $200-$300 range offers a good balance of quality and affordability. Cheaper options often compromise on quality. Consider resolution, refresh rate, panel type, and screen size when making your choice. 1080p is budget-friendly but less sharp than 1440p or 4K. Higher refresh rates (144Hz and above) enhance smoothness, but 4K requires more powerful hardware. IPS panels excel in color accuracy and motion clarity, while VA panels offer superior contrast. 27" is a good all-around screen size, while ultrawide options offer increased immersion. G-Sync or FreeSync compatibility is recommended for smooth, tear-free gaming. Finally, note that HDR on budget monitors often falls short due to lower brightness levels.

Budget Gaming Monitor FAQs:

• Best Panel Type: IPS generally provides better color accuracy and motion clarity, while VA offers higher contrast. Mini-LED backlights, as seen in the Xiaomi G Pro 27i, offer the best of both worlds.

• Most Affordable Times: Shopping events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, as well as Back to School sales, often offer the best deals.

• Monitor Size: Consider available space, resolution, and pixel density. 24" is suitable for 1080p, 27-32" for 1440p, and 27" or larger for 4K. Avoid 1080p monitors larger than 27" due to the screen-door effect.