The Best Budget Gaming Monitors for All Gamer Types

Gaming monitor prices have skyrocketed, especially for OLED, large-screen, high-refresh-rate models. But fear not, budget-conscious gamers! Excellent affordable options exist without sacrificing image quality or features. Take the Xiaomi G Pro 27i, for example—a mini-LED, quantum dot marvel for under $400. It rivals monitors costing hundreds more, showcasing the quality available on a budget if you know where to look.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Budget Gaming Monitors:

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

[See it at Amazon]Best 1080p### Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A

[See it at Amazon]Best 1440p### LG UltraGear 27GN800-B

[See it at Amazon][See it at Target]Best 4K### KTC H27P22S

[See it at Amazon]Best ultrawide### DellS3422DWG

[See it at Amazon][See it at Dell]

Budget gaming monitors may lack some high-end features, but they still deliver excellent displays for your gaming PC. Even mid-range graphics cards and CPUs can shine on high-refresh-rate and 4K monitors at affordable prices. While compromises exist (like adjustable stands or KVM switches), focusing on performance and your must-haves yields great value at every price point.

Not all budget monitors are equal. A cheap monitor might seem like a bargain, but it could quickly fail or strain your eyes. Our picks may cost more than $100, but their build quality, panels, and features provide a superior experience. Of course, premium monitors are available for those willing to spend more.

Additional contributions by Danielle Abraham, Matthew S. Smith

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

Best Overall Budget Gaming Monitor

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

Incredible picture quality at an awesome 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. Its mini-LED backlight with full-array local dimming (FALD) and 1,152 local dimming zones—usually found in $700+ monitors—significantly reduces blooming, resulting in superior HDR. Its picture quality rivals OLEDs at a fraction of the cost, without the burn-in risk. It boasts 180Hz refresh rate, accurate colors, and compatibility with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. While lacking a USB hub and only supporting HDMI 2.0, these trade-offs are worthwhile given its exceptional picture quality.

2. Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A

Best Budget 1080p Gaming Monitor

Best 1080p### Asus TUF Gaming VG277Q1A

Great gaming performance for around $150. [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 is a strong value. Its VA panel delivers deep blacks and wide dynamic range, while its 1ms response time and features like ELMB and Shadow Boost enhance gameplay. The non-adjustable stand and lower pixel density due to the 1080p resolution are minor drawbacks compared to its overall performance.

3. LG UltraGear 27GN800-B

Best 1440p Budget Gaming Monitor

Best 1440p### LG UltraGear 27GN800-B

144Hz, 1440p with adaptive sync and color accuracy. [See it at Amazon] [See 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 with sharp visuals, accurate colors, and a 144Hz refresh rate with FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility. Its Low Framerate Compensation smooths out choppy gameplay. The non-adjustable stand is its main drawback.

4. KTC H27P22D

Best 4K Budget Gaming Monitor

Best 4K### KTC H27P22S

Fast and fantastic 4K picture on a 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 delivers a great 4K, 160Hz gaming experience at a surprisingly low price. Its HDMI 2.1 ports are ideal for consoles. While not factory calibrated and lacking a USB hub, its overall performance makes these minor shortcomings easily forgivable.

5. Dell S3422DWG

Best Ultrawide Budget Gaming Monitor

Best ultrawide### DellS3422DWG

Immersive ultrawide with 1440p/144Hz. [See it at Amazon] [See 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 offers an immersive ultrawide experience at a budget-friendly price. Its curved VA panel provides vibrant visuals, and the 144Hz refresh rate with FreeSync ensures smooth gameplay. Minor ghosting is a minor drawback.

How Much Should You Spend on a Gaming Monitor?

The $200-$300 range is a good sweet spot for budget gaming monitors. Cheaper options may compromise quality. A monitor should last 3-5 years; a $100 monitor likely won't.

To find the right monitor, consider:

• Resolution
• Refresh Rate
• Panel Types
• Screen Size

Budget gamers need to compromise. Higher resolution often means a lower refresh rate and vice versa.

1080p is standard for budget displays. 1440p offers better value if your budget allows. 4K is available but typically costs more and requires higher-end hardware. Refresh rates range from 60Hz to 240Hz, with 144Hz being a good all-around choice. Higher refresh rates (240Hz+) are great for competitive gaming. Note that maximum refresh rates may not be supported by all inputs; DisplayPort is generally best for high refresh rates.

IPS and VA panels are common in budget monitors. IPS excels in motion clarity, vibrancy, and responsiveness. VA offers superior contrast and dark scene performance. Screen size is a matter of preference, with 27" being a good balance for most. Consider Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync compatibility based on your graphics card. HDR is often marketed but may be unimpressive on budget monitors due to limited brightness.

Budget Gaming Monitor FAQs

What is the best type of panel?

VA or IPS are typical in budget monitors. The Xiaomi G Pro 27i (mini-LED) surpasses both. Otherwise, choose based on your priorities: IPS for response time and color accuracy; VA for contrast.

When are gaming monitors most affordable?

Prime Day, Black Friday, Back to School sales, and new model releases often bring discounts.

What size gaming monitor should I get for gaming?

Consider available space, resolution, and pixel density. 24" for 1080p, 27-32" for 1440p, and 27"+ for 4K are good starting points. Avoid 1080p monitors larger than 27" to prevent a screen door effect.