If you're a PC gamer, the screen is an important part of the experience. However, PC gamers shouldn't just go for a random monitor. Instead, it's best to buy a gaming monitor, and luckily there are some cheap gaming monitors available for purchase.
Gaming monitors focus on a few things that a regular monitor or TV doesn't. Here's a quick list of essential things to know when shopping for a gaming monitor:
Update frequency: A higher refresh rate is better. Standard monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate. Gaming monitors have a refresh rate of 144Hz, sometimes as high as 240Hz.
Response time: A shorter response time is better. This is a measure of how quickly a pixel can go from black to white to black again. Gaming monitors will generally have response times of 5 ms (milliseconds) or less.
HDR: It's better if a monitor has it, but this is not a deal breaker. HDR (High Dynamic Range) makes colors pop, but on budget monitors, this often looks too saturated.
FreeSync vs. G-Sync: FreeSync and G-Sync are competing technologies from AMD and Nvidia to improve image quality and reduce lag. AMD supports FreeSync monitors, Nvidia supports G-Sync monitors. There are great budget graphics cards for games of both.
The most important question to ask yourself is about the size of the monitor. As a rule of thumb, "bigger is better." It can work, but it's not always true. Just like choosing the right TV for your living room, estimate the distance from the monitor to where your eyes are likely to be and shop accordingly. For most people, a 24- or 27-inch gaming monitor is ideal.
It's also hard to escape the allure of UHD or 4K gaming monitors now. If one fits your budget, get it. But 4K resolution is not a must-have feature. Resolution does not improve graphics, there are other things that matter in a monitor, such as the factors mentioned above. For example, a cheap 4K monitor with HDR still won't give you a satisfying experience if its refresh rate is low and response time is high.
There is a lot of debate about PC gaming in 4K. The bottom line is that while it improves images, it's not a deal breaker if your monitor doesn't support 4K. And this is especially important for budget gaming monitors.
BenQ Zowie 24-Inch Full HD Gaming Monitor - 1080p 1ms Response Time for Competitive Esports Gaming, Color Vibrance, Dual HDMI, DVI-D, D-Sub (RL2455S) BenQ Zowie 24-Inch Full HD Gaming Monitor inches - 1080p 1ms Response Time for Sports Competitions Gaming, Color Vibrance, Dual HDMI, DVI-D, D-Sub (RL2455S) Buy Now On Amazon $159.00
The most common size for desktop monitors is 24 inches. For that, an uncomplicated recommendation is the BenQ Zowie RL2455. Get the basics straight with a clear, vibrant display, 1ms response time, and multiple input ports. But the little additions from BenQ make all the difference.
For example, the monitor comes with preset modes for different types of games, like strategy games, shooters, etc. BenQ also has smart software built in called Black eQualizer, which makes dark areas look a bit brighter for clear viewing, without making the screen glare. Several customers and reviewers have appreciated this feature.
ViewSonic VX2476-SMHD 24-inch 1080p Frameless Widescreen IPS Monitor with HDMI and DisplayPort ViewSonic VX2476-SMHD 24-inch 1080p Frameless Widescreen IPS Monitor with HDMI and DisplayPort Buy Now On Amazon $145.03
The BenQ Zowie has a TN panel. When shopping for a gaming monitor, you will have to decide between an IPS screen or a TN screen. In general, IPS displays have better viewing angles and colors, while TN panels have faster refresh rates and response times. But these are outdated myths about monitors.
When it comes to budget gaming monitors, an IPS display doesn't give you much extra oomph. But if you still prefer it, then the ViewSonic VX2476 is the cheaper option. It is available in different sizes (22, 23, 24, 27 and 32 inches) at a fantastic price.
Buy this if watching movies is more important than playing games, but you still want a good gaming experience.
ASUS VG248QE 24" Full HD 1920x1080 144Hz 1ms HDMI Gaming Monitor ASUS VG248QE 24" Full HD 1920x1080 144Hz 1ms HDMI Gaming Monitor Buy Now On Amazon $238.00
If your budget allows, don't settle for less than a 144Hz refresh rate monitor. It is the most eye-catching feature when it comes to modern gaming. The best cheap option with that feature is the Asus VG248QE..
There is nothing special about this Asus model other than the 144Hz refresh rate. It's just a solid device that does all the basics as seamlessly as possible. Be sure to buy the 144Hz model with a TN panel, as there is also a 75Hz model with an IPS panel.
Samsung CFG7 23.5" LED Backlit Monitor (C24FG73FQN) Samsung CFG7 23.5" LED Backlit Monitor (C24FG73FQN) Buy Now On Amazon $297.13
Whether it's the 24-inch or 27-inch version, Samsung's 390 series is a good option for those with AMD graphics cards that support FreeSync. Samsung uses a VA panel, which is kind of a compromise between IPS and TN.
Dell Gaming Monitor S2417DG YNY1D 24-inch TN LED-illuminated Display with G-SYNC, QHD 2560 x 1440, 165Hz Refresh Rate, 1ms Response Time, 16:9 Aspect Ratio Dell Gaming Monitor S2417DG YNY1D 24-inch with G-SYNC LED, QHD 2560 x 1440, 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, 16:9 aspect ratio Buy Now On Amazon $372.99
Nvidia's G-Sync works differently from AMD's FreeSync in that it requires monitors to have a chip. This increases the price, but also improves the quality. And if you have an Nvidia card, the much-loved Dell S2417 is the way to go.
Even with a TN panel, colors appear like an IPS panel. It has a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. You even get a higher resolution at 2560 × 1440 pixels.
Almost everyone agrees that this is the best budget gaming monitor today. It's so good you should buy it even if you have an AMD graphics card and don't get FreeSync.
You can also get a 27-inch version of this model from Dell, which has all the same features.
BenQ EX3203R 32" Curve HDR 144Hz Gaming Monitor, WQHD, Freesync2, Ultra Slim Bezel, Brightness Intelligence, USB-C BenQ EX3203R 32" Curve HDR 144Hz Gaming Monitor, WQHD, Freesync2, Ultra Slim Bezel, Brightness Intelligence, USB-C Buy Now On Amazon $597.98
For most gamers on a budget, the Dell S2417DG should be the most they spend on a monitor. But in case you want a little more oomph, take a look at the BenQ EX3203R.
It's a curved gaming monitor that supports HDR, along with FreeSync. The resolution is again 2560×1440 pixels, which is plenty for a gaming monitor when the rest of the image quality is just as good. Forget 4K.
Of course, you get a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time at this price. This model also comes with a USB-C port, which is not often seen on monitors. We were very impressed with our BenQ EX3203R review.
As you've probably noticed, this list doesn't include a single monitor with 4K resolution. This is because when you buy a cheap gaming monitor, the other factors (panel quality, image processor, etc.) are more important than resolution.
But if you want a 4K monitor despite that, there are a few options. Remember to stick with gaming monitors that offer 4K, rather than a random 4K monitor. We've got a list of the best 4K gaming monitors for every budget The best 4K gaming monitors for every budget The best 4K gaming monitors for every budget If you want to game in 4K, you'll need a 4K gaming monitor. Here are the best 4K gaming monitors you can buy today! Read More
