A gaming monitor is basically the second most important thing you need to buy when PC gaming next to your desktop computer. Your display dictates how you’ll see your games rendered whether that’s resolution, wide screen or ultra-wide screen, or HDR color support. Of course, not all of us can afford the most banging 4K gaming monitors around with high-refresh rates, super high peak brightness, and local dimming technology built in. The good news is a ton of recent improvements in display technology have trickled their way into budget gaming monitors.While you might think sticking to a budget would leave you with very few options, there’s actually plenty of sub $500 monitors. The options available to you even include a variety of QHD displays, curved screens, and ultra-wide monitors too. The bar for gaming monitors has never been higher, so this is a great time to pick up a cheap gaming monitor. Instead of having to think about setting the right balance between cost, features, and image quality, we’ve found all of the best budget gaming monitors for you. If you’re browsing in the UK, click here to find out where you can to find the best budget gaming monitors.TL;DR These are the Best Budget Gaming Monitors:
1. AOC 27G2 Gaming Monitor
Best Budget Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 27″ Aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 Panel type: IPS FreeSync HDR compatibility: n/a Brightness: 250cd/m2 Refresh rate: 144Hz Response time: 1ms Viewing angle: 178(H)/178(V) Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Color support: 118% sRGB, 88% Adobe RGB Inputs: 2 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x D-Sub 3.0 Weight: 11.98 pounds Size: 24.11″ x 15.57″ x 8.95″
The AOC 27G2 gaming monitor is as flashy as it is affordable, and it rounds that out by also being perfectly suited for gaming. It delivers a 27-inch display at Full HD, so you’ll see plenty. And, it runs that display at 144Hz with support for FreeSync to keep your frames tear-free. The IPS Panel also keeps colors accurate and viewing angles wide, so you can enjoy all sorts of content or use the display for work when you’re not gaming.2. Asus TUF Gaming VG259Q
Best Budget 1080p Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 24.5″ Aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 Panel type: IPS FreeSync, G-Sync compatible HDR compatibility: n/a Brightness: 400cd/m2 Refresh rate: 144Hz Response time: 1ms Viewing angle: 178(H)/178(V) Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Color support: 16.7 million Inputs: 2 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 Weight: 11.24 pounds Size: 22.16″ x 14″ x 8.7″
The Asus TUF Gaming VG259Q pushes the envelope for a budget gaming monitor. It’s still in a similar ballpark with its 24.5-inch, Full HD display running at 144Hz. But, it goes above and beyond by offering FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility on its responsive IPS panel. That means you’ll get clear images with wide viewing angles. Better still, the montior offers brightness levels up to 400 nits, making it one of the brighter monitors you can find at a budget price point. It even has small, stereo speakers if you need a little audio in a pinch.3. Gigabyte G27Q
Best Budget 1440p Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 27″ Aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium Brightness: 350cd/m2 Refresh rate: 144Hz Response time: 1ms Viewing angle: 178(H)/178(V) Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Color support: 16.7M, 8-bit Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 Weight: 13.23 pounds Size: 20.43″ x 24.37″ x 7.99″
Truly, 1440p is a sweet spot for gaming. You get a decently sharp image out of it, but it’s also not too hard for graphics cards to run at high frame rates, so there’s no shortage of 144Hz monitors to choose from with this resolution. The Gigabyte G27Q is a compelling one of these monitors. It’s got the resolution and fast refresh rate, and both come on an IPS panel that can offer better color support than you’ll usually get from budget TN panels.The Gigabyte G27Q hits a decently bright 350 nits and meets VESA’s DisplayHDR400 spec. Plus, the panel can display 120% of the sRGB color space and 92% of the DCI-P3 color space. Gigabyte rounds this all out with FreeSync Premium support to ensure each frame looks clean. Surprisingly, this monitor even includes USB 3.0 passthrough, three input options, and speakers, yet it only costs a little over $300.
4. Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
Best Budget 4K Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 28″ Aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 Panel type: IPS FreeSync Brightness: 350cd/m2 Refresh Rate: 60Hz Response time: 5ms Viewing angle: 178(H)/178(V) Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Color support: 1.07b, 10-bit (8-bit + FRC) Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 Weight: 16.76 pounds Size: 25.2″ x 15.95″ x 9.1″
What if we told you that you could get a 4K gaming monitor for about $400? You might not believe it, but it’s true. Better still, it’s not just going for high resolution and skimping on other features. The Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q is the real deal for gamers that want crisp game visuals that really let the game makers’ creations shine through.This monitor offers a 28-inch, 4K display for some serious pixel density. Asus used an IPS panel here that offers a 10-bit color depth (albeit with FRC) for 90% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. Combine those colors with support for HDR10, and you can enjoy games, TV, and movies alike on this display. Even if your computer or console isn’t always hitting a consistent 60fps when you’re gaming at 4K, FreeSync on this monitor can help keep your games looking good.
5. Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ
Best Budget HDR Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 27″ Aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 Panel type: IPS G-Sync compatible HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 400 Brightness: 400cd/m2 Refresh rate: 144Hz Response time: 1ms Viewing angle: 178(H)/178(V) Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Color support: 1.07B, 10-bit (8-bit + FRC) Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x DisplayPort 1.4 Weight: 16.53 pounds Size: 24.94″ x 17.18″ x 10.61″
You can get a taste of the high-end visual experience afforded by a 4K resolution and HDR support without missing out on gaming-grade performance with the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ. This gaming monitor gives you a sizable 27-inch display that will look stunningly sharp thanks to how tightly it packs its pixels. And, it’ll even let you run that display at 144Hz for smooth gaming with a minimal response time.But, what’s especially important here is the monitor’s 400-nit peak brightness, which enables some basic HDR. Combine that with the 10-bit color depth, and you’ll be enjoying some truly vibrant gaming visuals. It’s just a bonus that this display has a quality stand, USB passthrough, and a neat lighting effect.
6. ViewSonic Elite XG240R
Best Budget FreeSync Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 24″ Aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 Panel type: TN FreeSync Brightness: 350cd/m2 Refresh rate: 144Hz Response time: 5ms Viewing angle: 170(H)/160(V) Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Color support: 16.7M Inputs: 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 Weight: 14.8 pounds Size: 22.3″ x 17.1″ x 9.4″
If you want an AMD FreeSync panel, the ViewSonic Elite XG240R wins our pick as the best 24-inch value gaming monitor available right now. You get a 1080p display with accurate colors and very good (1ms) response times that supports AMD FreeSync at 144Hz. The monitor includes one HDMI and one DisplayPort for hook ups, so you can connect two devices at once.7. ViewSonic Elite XG270
Best Budget G-Sync Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 27″ Aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 Panel type: Fast IPS FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible Brightness: 400cd/m2 Refresh rate: 240Hz Response time: 1ms Viewing angle: 178(H)/178(V) Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Color support: 16.7M, 8-bit Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 Weight: 17.42 pounds Size: 24.2″ x 18.1 x 10.4″
The ViewSonic Elite XG270 will make sure you’re getting a lot for your money. For one, you’re getting speed. This monitor doesn’t settle for the 144Hz you’ll find on many other high-performance gaming monitors. Instead, it jumps way over that goal and delivers a 240Hz refresh rate paired with FreeSync 2 and G-Sync compatibility for ultra-smooth, seamless frames.This monitor doesn’t deliver that speed by making many sacrifices elsewhere. Rather than using an inexpensive TN panel, the ViewSonic Elite XG270 boasts a Fast IPS panel that offers excellent viewing angles but still keeps a low response time. It even boasts a 400-nit peak brightness that serves as an entryway into HDR. There’s even the added bonus of a headphone holder and mouse cable anchor built in, as well as USB 3.1 passthrough.
8. Pixio PX248 Prime
Best Budget G-Sync Compatible Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 24″ Aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium, G-Sync compatible Brightness: 400cd/m2 Refresh rate: 144Hz Response time: 1ms Viewing angle: 178(H)/178(V) Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 Weight: 6.39 pounds Size: 21.26″ x 15.76″ x 5.61″
Pixio does a splendid job making sure you’re not missing out on too much even while you grab a monitor at an astoundingly low price. The Pixio PX248 Prime continues that trend by offering up a fast display at 144Hz with support for both FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatibility. That’ll help you keep your video games looking incredibly smooth while avoiding any of the screen tearing that can occur when a display’s refresh rate and a game’s frame rate don’t line up.Pixio doesn’t take the cheap route by dropping in a TN panel, but rather an IPS panel. Even more impressive is that it’s an IPS panel capable of hitting brightness levels of 400 nits and response times of 1ms. It may not have the most exciting stand, but that does help it keep the price and especially the weight down. Pixio does offer VESA mounting holes on the back of the monitor, though, so you can always upgrade the stand to something a bit more versatile.
9. Lenovo Legion Y25
Best Budget 240Hz Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 24.5″ Aspect ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 Panel type: IPS FreeSync, G-Sync compatible Brightness: 400cd/m2 Refresh rate: 240Hz Response time: 1ms Viewing angle: 178(H)/178(V) Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Color support: 16.7M, 8-bit Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 Weight: 12.32 pounds Size: 22″ x 15.06″ x 9.86″
You might think of Lenovo when you think of great laptops with incredible value. But, guess what. That strong value extends to gaming monitors now, too. The Lenovo Legion Y25 may not have been on your radar before, but if you want a fast and affordable gaming monitor, it really should be.This monitor almost perfectly fits the serious esports niche. It’s compact at 24.5 inches, and that makes its 1080p resolution sharp enough for clarity in games. And, it hits the 240Hz refresh rate that’s about as fast as anyone reasonably needs their monitor to run. When you consider that this display uses a bright IPS panel with FreeSync support and official G-Sync compatibility, it becomes clear Lenovo has put an effort into ensuring this monitor is worthy of serious battle stations. It even includes four four! USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports for plugging in peripherals while keeping a tidy desk space.
10. MSI Optix MAG301CR
Best Budget Ultrawide Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 30″ 1500R Aspect ratio: 21:9 Resolution: 2,560 x 1,080 Panel type: VA FreeSync Brightness: 300cd/m2 Refresh rate: 200Hz Response time: 1ms Viewing angle: 178(H)/178(V) Contrast ratio: 3,000:1 Color support: 1.07B colors, 10-bit (8-bit + FRC), 127% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3 Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB-C (DP alt) Weight: 18.1 pounds Size: 27.68″ x 11.3″ x 20.16″
The fact that you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you need to settle for some tiny display. MSI’s Optix MAG301CR delivers both an affordable price point and an ultra-wide display without making huge sacrifices in other departments. What you get is a 30-inch display with a slight degree of curvature, ensuring that you get even more immersion from each inch of screen wrapping around the your field of view.The MSI Optix MAG301CR offers up a VA panel capable of running at a tidy 200Hz refresh rate, meaning you’re not just getting a big picture but also a super-fast one. And, though the display only reaches a 300-nit peak brightness, you’ll get to enjoy the rich colors offered by a 10-bit color depth and a decent level of dynamic range aided along by the TN panel’s 3,000:1 contrast ratio. If all that wasn’t enough, FreeSync support is icing on the cake.
Where to Get the Best Budget Gaming Monitors in the UK
You don’t always need to go above and beyond with your budget to ensure you’re getting a decent gaming monitor. There are plenty of brilliant, and affordable, options available to those in the UK, with all the big brands set and ready to take your orders. Don’t see the monitors below? Click here.What to look for in a Cheap Gaming Monitor
Below I’ve sketched out what features are essential and what features can be cut to save a little money on a gaming monitorsomething especially relevant if you’re running an older rig that can’t do 1440p or 2160p anyway.Start your quest by selecting the right resolution for your platform and components, and your GPU’s horsepower will guide this area of your decision making. Sure, 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160) is the current high end, but you’ll need an RTX 2080 or RTX 2080 Ti for 4K gaming at high frame rates. If you don’t already have a baller GPU you’ll save a lot of money by going with a 1080p display. It isn’t cutting edge, but it’ll get the job done.
Once you’ve settled on a display resolution that’s appropriate for your GPU, refresh rate and response time are critically important for gaming monitors. Refresh rate tells you how many frames per second a monitor can refresh the display while response time is how quickly it can react to your input (i.e. moving forward, throwing a punch, etc). Manufacturers’ specs are usually representative of what to expect under ideal conditions so keep in mind that your mileage may vary depending on your hardware. Finally, make sure that youre getting the right type and number of input ports for your GPU. These days you usually can’t go wrong with DisplayPort, but not all monitors offer that, particularly on the low-end so be sure to do your research.
Start your quest by selecting the right resolution for your platform and components…
When it comes to the type of display to consider, the two most common panel types for gaming monitors are TN (twisted nematic) and IPS (in-plane switching). TN is the most common because they are the cheapest panels to produce and offer very low response times and high refresh rates. The only drawback to this type of panel is they typically have restricted viewing angles and dont exhibit the greatest color accuracy.In contrast (display related pun intended), the more expensive IPS panels provide more accurate colors at the expense of somewhat higher response times. The choice is yours and it boils down to price, response time, and color accuracy. If you’re just going to be gaming, TN is fine, but you wouldn’t want to do professional photo or video editing on them; that’s purely an IPS panel activity.
Youll also want to check out VA (vertical alignment) panels, which reside between TN and IPS panels. While some have 1ms response times, VA panels typically can’t hit as high refresh rates to push extremely fast frame rates as TN panels. However, they offer better colors, higher contrast ratios, and deeper blacks than a TN that are more akin to an IPS. And all curved gaming monitors use VA panels.
If youre like most gamers, youll want the largest monitor that will fit both your desk and your price range
There’s also adaptive refresh technology to consider, which is either Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync. These technologies sync the refresh rate between the monitor and graphics card to eliminate frame tearing when the two are out of sync. Another option to look for is High Dynamic Range (HDR), which is coming to more and more PC monitors to provide better brightness and color that pop when connected to equivalently equipped graphics cards and/or the most recent consoles.One more consideration is monitor size, and for the sub-$500 range, youll be looking at 40 inches and smaller. If youre like most gamers, youll want the largest monitor that will fit both your desk and your price range. For this buyers guide, we only considered monitors that are 24-inches or larger. You might want to look at smaller monitors to save money, although we would recommend this only as a drastic last resort.
Also, be sure to check out even more expert recommendations with our guide to the best 4K gaming monitors, the best graphics cards, and the best 4K TV for gaming.
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Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspamMark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark