The 5 Best Budget And Cheap Monitors - Spring 2023 Reviews

The best monitor we've tested in the budget category is the Gigabyte M27Q. It's a very good overall monitor that's versatile for different uses, like if you need something for gaming and working on the side. It has a 27-inch screen with a 1440p resolution, which results in decent text clarity, but because it uses a BGR subpixel layout instead of RGB, like on most monitors, some programs don't render text well with it. Regardless, you still see plenty of detail while playing games, and it has a 170Hz refresh rate with variable refresh rate (VRR) support to reduce screen tearing. It also has great motion handling thanks to its fast response time, and it has low input lag for a responsive feel.

It has a few extra features that make it versatile for other uses besides gaming, like a KVM switch. This makes it easy to switch between devices and use the same keyboard and mouse connected to the monitor. It also has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode that lets you display an image from a compatible display, but because it's limited to 10W of power delivery, it isn't enough to charge a laptop.

If you need something only for work and aren't a gamer, consider a high-resolution display like the Dell S2721QS. It's different from the Gigabyte M27Q because it has a much lower refresh rate and doesn't have many extra gaming features. It doesn't have a USB hub like the Gigabyte, but its main advantage is its high 4k resolution. This lets it display extremely sharp text, which is ideal for productivity and makes it easy to multitask. If you want something with a USB hub, the Dell S2722QC is another option with both USB-A and USB-C ports, and it's worth getting when you can find it on sale.

The S2721QS is a good choice in a well-lit room thanks to its high SDR peak brightness and very good reflection handling, meaning you won't have any issues with visibility. It also has wide viewing angles that keep the image consistent from the sides and impressive ergonomics that make it easy to adjust if you need to share your screen with others.

While few budget-friendly monitors are available with larger screens than 27 inches, some, like the LG 32GN650-B, are decent enough for everyday use and offer more screen space. It's also sold as the 32GN63T-B, and both models perform the same, so you can get whichever you can find for cheaper. You'll have to sacrifice on resolution if you want a bigger screen at a low cost, and that's the case here as the LG has a lower 1440p resolution compared to the Dell S2721QS. This means text doesn't look as sharp, but with more screen real estate, you can still multitask.

It's a gaming monitor like the Gigabyte M27Q, and the main difference is that it has worse motion handling with more smearing and inverse ghosting, but it's still good enough if you're getting into PC gaming. It also has low input lag for a responsive feel and FreeSync VRR support with G-SYNC compatibility. Additionally, it has a VA panel that looks good in dark rooms thanks to its high native contrast, but it has narrow viewing angles, and the image looks washed out from the sides.

If you prefer a smaller screen, there are more options you can choose from with a 24-inch screen than a 32-inch screen. If that's the case, the ViewSonic XG2431 is a great choice as a 24-inch monitor. Instead of the 1440p resolution of the LG 32GN650-B/32GN63T-B, it has a lower 1080p resolution, making it easier for your graphics card to reach its 240Hz max refresh rate. With this, you get a smoother gaming experience, and the response time is fast across its entire refresh rate range, resulting in minimal blur trail behind fast-moving objects. It also has a customizable backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur, which isn't something all monitors have, and it's a nice addition to a budget-friendly display.

Although it doesn't have many extra features, it has a USB hub with two USB ports. It's good if you want to connect your mouse and keyboard directly to the monitor or if you need extra USB ports to charge other devices. It also has great ergonomics and wide viewing angles, making it a better choice than the LG for co-op gaming, as everyone sees a consistent image from the sides.

If you're on a tight budget and want something cheap, some good cheap monitors are available, but you'll get fewer features than if you were to get something in the budget category. The ASUS VG246H is a decent, cheap display with a 24-inch screen and 1080p resolution, like the ViewSonic XG2431. However, it doesn't have a fast refresh rate for gaming, so it's better to get this only if you need a simple monitor for work. It has outstanding ergonomics that make it easy to adjust, and with wide viewing angles, you can easily share your screen.

Despite its budget price, it still has an sRGB picture mode with great accuracy before calibration, meaning images look life-like without any calibration. It also has good reflection handling if you want to use it in a room with a few lights, but it doesn't get bright enough to fight intense glare. If that's important, the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx is a brighter alternative but costs more. It's also harder to find cheap 27-inch monitors as they cost more. The LG 27MN60T-W is an okay monitor for work, but it has limited ergonomics.