There are plenty of monitors available if you're on a tight budget. While they don't have the most premium features available on the market, there are a few budget-friendly models that offer better value in terms of price and performance compared to more expensive options. As the monitor market grows, you can find low-cost displays for various uses, from work to gaming, with resolutions like 1440p or 4k or even with features like Mini LED backlighting.
As there are so many different options available, it's important to consider how you'll use the monitor. You'll want something with sharp text clarity and good ergonomics for work, or you'll want to get something with a fast response time, a high refresh rate, and VRR support for gaming. A few budget monitors are also good enough for an impactful HDR gaming experience, but most have limited overall picture quality. You may also want to consider which size you want, as there is a wide range of sizes available, but size is more of a personal preference.
We've bought and tested over 370 monitors, and below, you'll find our top picks for the best budget and cheap monitors. Also, check out our recommendations for the best monitors under $200, the best monitors under $500, the best 1080p monitors, and the best budget and cheap gaming monitors. If you need more than just a monitor, then check out the best budget laptops and the best budget keyboards.
Quick Look
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, with units that we buy completely on our own, without any cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized and custom tools to measure various aspects with objective data-based results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance against the competition, and whether or not it's easy to find.
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Best Budget Monitor
PC Gaming8.2Office7.6Editing7.9SDR Picture8.2HDR Picture8.0Console Gaming7.4Brightness8.3Response Time8.5Color Accuracy8.8Size27"Pixel TypeVAMax Refresh Rate180 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution2560 x 1440The best budget monitor we've tested is the AOC Q27G3XMN. It's a 27-inch, 1440p monitor primarily designed for gaming, but it's also versatile for other uses. The main advantage of this over other budget-friendly monitors is that it utilizes Mini LED backlighting, a feature typically found on higher-end models. Combined with its high native contrast ratio and good local dimming feature, it displays deep blacks against bright highlights, which is great for use in dark rooms. It also gets bright enough to make highlights pop, so it's a good choice for watching content or gaming in HDR.
Although it's limited in extra features besides that, which is expected for a low-cost monitor, it's also useful for gaming. It has a max 180Hz refresh rate that you can reach over DisplayPort, and motion looks sharp thanks to its fast response time, but there's smearing with fast-moving objects. You can also consider the similar and newer AOC Q27G40XMN, if you can find it on sale, as it features better local dimming. However, it's only available at Best Buy in the United States, and it has worse ergonomics and motion handling.
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Best Budget 4k Monitor
PC Gaming6.1Office8.4Editing7.9SDR Picture7.4HDR Picture4.9Console Gaming7.3Brightness7.2Response Time4.2Color Accuracy8.9Size27"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate120 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3840 x 2160If you want a higher resolution than on the AOC Q27G3XMN, there are some 4k displays you can get at a budget cost, like the Dell S2725QS. You can often find it for a low cost directly from Dell's website. It's worse for HDR than the AOC as it doesn't have Mini LED backlighting to further enhance its low contrast ratio, and it doesn't get bright enough for highlights to pop. While its 120Hz refresh rate is higher than most office monitors, and it has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to make full use of gaming consoles, it has worse motion handling than the AOC.
On the plus side, it's designed with work in mind and features sharper text than 1440p monitors, such as the AOC. It's a good choice for use in a well-lit room, as it provides sufficient brightness to combat glare; however, reflections can be distracting in a sunny environment. It also comes with an ergonomic stand and features wide viewing angles, making it a great choice for sharing the screen with someone next to you. It doesn't have any USB ports, but you can consider the Dell S2725QC as an alternative option with a built-in USB hub. That said, it tends to cost more than the S2725QS.
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Best Cheap Monitor
PC Gaming6.9Office7.7Editing6.8SDR Picture5.8HDR Picture4.9Console Gaming6.1Brightness7.1Response Time7.4Color Accuracy8.1Size27"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate170 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution2560 x 1440Should you be on a tighter budget, you can also look into the cheaper MSI G274QPF-QD. It differs from the Dell S2725QS in that it has a lower 1440p resolution, resulting in text that doesn't appear as sharp. While it's still versatile enough for work, as it gets bright and comes with an ergonomic stand, it's primarily focused on gaming and serves as a more affordable alternative to the AOC Q27G3XMN. The main difference from the AOC is that it lacks Mini LED backlighting, doesn't have a local dimming feature, and has a low contrast ratio, making it a poor choice for HDR.
Luckily, it's still a decent gaming monitor. Motion looks fairly sharp at any refresh rate, including at its max of 170Hz, and it doesn't have smearing, like on the AOC. However, it's less capable when it comes to consoles. It lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of the PS5, PS5 Pro, or Xbox Series X|S. It doesn't support 4k @ 120Hz signals from these consoles, and doesn't support VRR with a PS5 or 1440p @ 120Hz with an Xbox Series X|S.
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Best Cheap 24-Inch Monitor
PC Gaming5.2Office7.1Editing6.3SDR Picture6.7HDR Picture2.5Console Gaming2.4Brightness2.6Response Time4.2Color Accuracy7.8Size24"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate100 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1920 x 1080If you're in the market for the best cheap monitor but you want a smaller screen, look into the Dell P2425H instead. If you can't find it through retailers, you can also get it directly from Dell. It's different than the MSI G274QPF-QD because it has a lower 1080p resolution, so images don't have the same detail, and it also has fewer gaming features. It has a lower 100Hz refresh rate than the MSI, doesn't support VRR at all, and fast-moving objects appear blurry, so it's not ideal for playing fast-paced games.
Where this monitor stands out against other entry-level models is with its productivity perks. It comes with a very ergonomic stand that's easy to adjust to your preferred position, and it even has a small USB hub. It includes three USB-A ports and a USB-C port, but unlike higher-end displays, the USB-C port doesn't support DisplayPort Alt Mode. You can't use it for a video connection with your laptop; rather, it's meant for connecting peripherals, such as a keyboard or mouse. It lacks other features higher-end monitors have, such as HDR support, but this doesn't make a significant difference, as it has limited picture quality anyway.
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Best Budget 32-Inch Monitor
PC Gaming7.6Office7.4Editing7.4SDR Picture7.6HDR Picture6.4Console Gaming7.3Brightness7.7Response Time7.8Color Accuracy8.5Size32"Pixel TypeVAMax Refresh Rate180 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution2560 x 1440Although the monitors recommended above have 24- to 27-inch screen sizes, which represent most of the budget monitor market, there are a few decent low-cost 32-inch monitors available if you want a bigger screen. Budget monitors of this size aren't as good as smaller displays, but if you want a larger display, the Dell Alienware AW3225DM is a good choice. If you can't find it through retailers, look for it on Dell's website. Like the MSI G274QPF-QD and the AOC Q27G3XMN, it's focused on gaming as it has a 180Hz refresh rate.
It's great for fast-paced gaming, as it has very good motion handling, though it has some smearing. It also has good SDR picture quality, and it displays fairly deep blacks next to bright highlights. The main downside to this monitor is its HDR performance. It has a terrible local dimming system that cannot be turned off in HDR, and it actually worsens the picture quality, failing to make highlights pop. However, this is the trade-off if you want a bigger screen without significantly increasing your budget.
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Best Budget Ultrawide Monitor
PC Gaming7.6Office7.5Editing7.5SDR Picture7.9HDR Picture6.3Console Gaming7.3Brightness7.7Response Time7.7Color Accuracy8.4Size34"Pixel TypeVAMax Refresh Rate180 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution3440 x 1440If you're looking for an ultrawide monitor on a budget, check out the Dell Alienware AW3425DWM, which you can also find for a low cost on Dell's website if it's not available through retailers. It's a 34-inch, 180Hz gaming monitor with a 1440p resolution, similar to the Dell Alienware AW3225DM and the AOC Q27G3XMN. That said, this monitor features a wider 21:9 aspect ratio, providing a more immersive viewing experience. Its curved screen also brings the edges closer to you, so you see a more consistent image across the display.
However, it has a trade-off in terms of HDR image quality compared to the AOC. Its terrible local dimming system causes a lot of haloing around bright objects, and it doesn't get bright enough for highlights to pop. Its HDR colors also aren't as vivid for an impactful experience. That said, in SDR, it performs well. It's bright enough to fight glare in a well-lit room, and it displays fairly deep blacks in any environment. It also makes fast-moving objects appear fairly sharp, although it does exhibit some smearing, similar to the AW3225DM.
Notable Mentions
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ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV:
The ASUS ProArt Display PA278CV is a low-cost monitor with a USB hub that's better for productivity than the AOC Q27G3XMN. However, it has worse picture quality because it doesn't have a local dimming feature, so it's only something to consider if you want a budget-friendly work monitor.
See our review -
LG 24GS65F-B:
The LG 24GS65F-B is an entry-level 24-inch monitor that's in the same price range as the Dell P2425H. It's different from the Dell because it's more focused on gaming with a higher refresh rate and better motion handling. It's something to consider if you want a small monitor for gaming, but it doesn't have any productivity features like the Dell.
See our review -
ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS:
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS is a 27-inch, 1440p monitor that competes with the MSI G274QPF-QD. It's a bit more well-rounded than the MSI because it has better motion handling. However, even though it often goes on sale for a low cost, it's usually more expensive than the MSI.
See our review -
Dell S3225QS:
The Dell S3225QS is a larger alternative to the Dell S2725QS if you want a 32-inch screen. It has many of the same features, including the 120Hz refresh rate, but it has narrow viewing angles that make it harder to share the screen with someone next to you. It also costs more than the S2725QS, so you're paying more for the bigger size.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 07, 2025:
We replaced the Dell S3225QS and the Dell G2524H with the Dell S2725QS and the Dell P2425H, respectively, as they're both cheaper. In the Notable Mentions, we removed the ViewSonic XG2431 and added the LG 24GS65F-B, the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS, and the S3225QS.
Aug 12, 2025:
We replaced the Dell S2721QS with the Dell S3225QS, as the S2721QS is harder to find. We also replaced the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS with the MSI G274QPF-QD, as it costs less. Additionally, we replaced the LG 32GN650-B/32GN63T-B with the Dell Alienware AW3225DM, as it has better performance. We also added the Dell Alienware AW3425DWM as 'Best Budget Ultrawide'. Finally, we removed the Dell S3422DWG from the Notable Mentions.
Jun 12, 2025:
We replaced the Dell Alienware AW2724DM with the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS because the Dell is hard to find. We also replaced the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B with the Dell S3422DWG in the Notable Mentions.
Mar 18, 2025:
We replaced the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B with the Dell Alienware AW2724DM because the Dell is usually cheaper, and we moved the LG to the Notable Mentions. We also replaced the AOC 24G15N with the Dell G2524H for consistency with other recommendations. Lastly, we removed the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS from the Notable Mentions.
Feb 19, 2025:
We introduced a new format to the article and updated the text to reflect these changes. Additionally, we replaced the Dell G2724D with the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B, as the Dell is hard to find right now.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best budget monitors you can get. They're adapted to be valid for most people. The 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 budget and 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.