- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Best Budget
- Best 144 Hz
- All Reviews
- Discussions
The 5 Best Budget Gaming Monitors - February 2019
- Store-bought monitors; no cherry-picked units
- Retest after major updates
- Easily comparable results
- No ads; unbiased reviews
Depending on your needs, even budget monitors can deliver a great gaming experience. While they may lack some of the advanced features and fancy designs found on more expensive models, even budget monitors can offer low input lag, excellent response times, and even frame rate matching technologies like FreeSync or G-SYNC. Budget gaming monitors are typically smaller, but many of them are versatile monitors that are great for PC and console gaming alike.
We've reviewed 60 monitors, and below you'll find out recommendations for the best budget gaming monitors to buy in 2019. Se also our recommendations for the best monitors for Xbox One, the best gaming monitors for PC and the best gaming monitors for PS4.
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Best Budget Gaming Monitor: Acer XF251Q
Usage Ratings - Version 1.08.0GamingScore components:- 23% Input Lag
- 14% Resolution and Size
- 13% Motion Blur
- 12% Refresh Rate
- 9% Ergonomics
- 8% Image Flicker
- 6% Reflections
- 3% SDR Peak Brightness
- 2% Contrast
- 2% Gray Uniformity
- 2% Black Uniformity
- 2% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 1% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 1% Local Dimming
- 1% SDR Color Gamut
- 1% SDR Color Volume
Score distribution:LCD Type: TNWhat it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.Variable Refresh Rate: FreeSyncWhat it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.The Acer XF251Q is the best budget gaming monitor that we've tested so far. It has low input lag, great motion handling, and a great stand. It has an extremely fast response time, so fast moving objects have very little blur behind fast moving objects.
It has excellent low input lag, and a decent 75 Hz refresh rate, which is great for most casual gamers. It also supports FreeSync, but it doesn't work with NVIDIA's new FreeSync drivers, as it lacks a DisplayPort connection. It is also a great budget monitor for console gamers that don't have enough room for a TV, and it has excellent low input lag with a 1080p @ 60 Hz source.
Unfortunately, the image degrades when viewed at an angle, and it has poor accuracy out of the box. Overall, it is a decent budget gaming monitor that should please most casual gamers.
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Cheaper Alternative: LG 24MP59G-P
LCD Type: IPSWhat it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.Variable Refresh Rate: FreeSyncWhat it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.If you're looking for an even cheaper gaming monitor, check out the LG 24MP59G. It has great wide viewing angles, a fast response time, and excellent low input lag. Like the XF251Q, it also supports FreeSync, and unlike the Acer, it works with NVIDIA's new FreeSync drivers, as the 24MP59G has a DisplayPort connection. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as good in a dark room, due to the mediocre native contrast ratio and bad black uniformity.
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Best 144 Hz Budget Gaming Monitor: ViewSonic XG2402
Usage Ratings - Version 1.08.3GamingScore components:- 23% Input Lag
- 14% Resolution and Size
- 13% Motion Blur
- 12% Refresh Rate
- 9% Ergonomics
- 8% Image Flicker
- 6% Reflections
- 3% SDR Peak Brightness
- 2% Contrast
- 2% Gray Uniformity
- 2% Black Uniformity
- 2% Vertical Viewing Angle
- 1% Horizontal Viewing Angle
- 1% Local Dimming
- 1% SDR Color Gamut
- 1% SDR Color Volume
Score distribution:LCD Type: TNWhat it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.Variable Refresh Rate: FreeSyncWhat it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.If you want a budget gaming monitor with a bit more power, the ViewSonic XG2402 is the best 144 Hz budget gaming monitor that we've tested so far. It delivers great gaming performance, thanks to the incredibly fast response time, outstanding refresh rate and low input lag. It also supports FreeSync, including with NVIDIA's new FreeSync drivers.
It has a versatile array of connections, with 2 HDMI ports and a DisplayPort connection, and it has an integrated USB hub, great for making quick connections.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look as good in a dark room, and the image degrades when viewed at an angle. Overall though, it is a decent monitor for most uses, and should please even the most demanding gamers.
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G-SYNC Alternative: Dell S2417DG
LCD Type: TNWhat it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.Variable Refresh Rate: G-SyncWhat it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, the Dell S2417DG is the best G-SYNC budget gaming monitor that we've tested so far. Although a bit more expensive than the XG2402, the Dell S2417DG delivers excellent gaming performance, even for more serious gamers. It has an outstanding response time that delivers crystal clear motion, extremely low input lag, and an incredibly fast 144 Hz refresh rate. The 1440p native resolution delivers a more detailed gaming experience, and is great for Xbox One S/X owners.
Unfortunately, the Dell S2417DG doesn't look as good in a dark room, and the image degrades when viewed at an angle. Overall, it is a good monitor for most uses, and the excellent gaming performance should please even the most demanding gamers.
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Larger Alternative: Dell S2719DGF
LCD Type: TNWhat it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.Variable Refresh Rate: FreeSyncWhat it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.If you're looking for something a bit bigger than the ViewSonic XG2402, the Dell S2719DGF is the best 27" budget gaming monitor that we've tested so far. It has a great 1440p resolution that delivers a more immersive gaming experience, and it handles motion almost as well as the ViewSonic, with an extremely fast response time and flicker-free backlight. It also has excellent low input lag, and a variety of connections that allow you to easily connect just about anything.
Notable Mentions
- Dell P2217H. Good gaming monitor, but not variable refresh rate technology. See our review
- ASUS VG248QE. Great gaming monitor, but lacks any VRR support. See our review
- AOC AGON AG271QX. Great monitor for gaming, but the XG2402 is almost as good for a lot less. See our review
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best budget gaming monitors currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people, in each price range. Rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is the list of all of our monitor reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most monitors are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault monitors on are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
