- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Best Monitor
- Best 24-Inch Office
- Notable Mentions
- Recent Updates
- All Reviews
- Comments
While getting a new monitor can cost a lot, there are still some good options for under $200. Although many monitors in this price range are basic and don't offer extra features you'd find on high-end models, some are still good enough for everyday use, even if you're a gamer. With the monitor market continuously growing, even cheap displays are starting to get some extra perks, but they still lag behind more expensive options in terms of performance.
There are a few factors to consider when looking for a monitor. Many options under $200 are available in a 24-inch screen size with a 1080p resolution. However, there's considerable variation among these monitors, and you must consider your needs and how you'll use the monitor. For example, if you want the best gaming monitor under $200, it's important to get something with good motion handling, but versatile ergonomics are more important for work purposes, so there's no perfect solution for everyone.
We've bought and tested over 320 monitors, and below, you'll find our top picks for the best monitors that you can find for under $200. See our recommendations for the best budget and cheap gaming monitors, the best budget and cheap monitors, and if you're willing to stretch your budget a bit, the best gaming monitors under $300.
Note: We recently published Test Bench 2.0 and are in the process of updating our reviews to reflect this. As such, it may seem that two similar monitors have very different scores, but scores aren't comparable between different test benches.
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Best Monitor Under $200
PC Gaming7.3Console Gaming7.1Office7.9Editing7.6Performance Usages: Brightness7.5Response Time7.8HDR Picture5.4SDR Picture7.2Color Accuracy8.9Size27"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate165 HzNative Resolution2560 x 1440The best monitor under $200 is the Dell G2724D. It's also the best gaming monitor under $200, as it has a 165Hz refresh rate, and fast-moving objects look fairly crisp thanks to its fast response time. While most monitors in this price range have a 1080p resolution, this one has an even higher 1440p resolution, resulting in a sharper image, so it's a good choice for everyday use. You can find it for a low cost directly from Dell's website. It's limited in many extra features, which is what you have to expect for a low-cost display, but it still has a dedicated sRGB mode that results in superb image accuracy before calibration.
It gets quite bright, so it's a great option if you're working next to a bright window. Its image also looks consistent from the sides, which is great if you're using it for office work or sharing a game with a friend. However, deep blacks appear gray in a dark room on its display, and it doesn't get bright enough for highlights to pop in HDR. If you're looking for a monitor where deep blacks are visible in a dark room and highlights get bright enough to pop, consider the AOC Q27G3XMN. While it costs more than $200, it can be worth spending more if you're willing to stretch your budget.
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Best 24-Inch Office Monitor Under $200
Mixed Usage6.5Office7.6Gaming6.3Media Consumption6.5Media Creation7.2HDR2.7Size24"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate75 HzNative Resolution1920 x 1080If you're looking for something for office work, consider the ASUS VG246H. It doesn't have the same gaming features and performance as the Dell G2724D, so only consider it if you're looking for a smaller monitor or want to save some money; otherwise, stick with the Dell if you want something versatile for both office and gaming use. While the 24-inch size means it can't display as much information at the same time, this size can be ideal if you want to use it in a multi-monitor setup.
Although it's a cheap monitor, it has an sRGB mode that's quite accurate before calibration, which is important if your work requires accurate colors. It also has very 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.
Notable Mentions
- ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A: The ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A gaming monitor is a smaller 24-inch alternative to the Dell G2724D and costs slightly less. Though you may prefer it if you want to save a small amount of money or are looking for a more compact gaming monitor, it performs worse than the Dell, as it doesn't have HDR support, displays a less detailed image, and doesn't get nearly as bright. See our review
Recent Updates
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Jun 28, 2024: Replaced the Gigabyte GS27QC with the Dell G2724D as the 'Best Monitor Under $200,' as it has better motion handling, wider viewing angles, and gets brighter. Renamed the ASUS VG246H as the 'Best 24-Inch Office,' as the Dell is also the best office monitor in sizes larger than 24-inches. Removed the Dell S2721HGF and added the ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A as a Notable Mention.
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May 06, 2024: Replaced theĀ ASUS VG248QG with the Gigabyte GS27QC as the 'Best Monitor' for consistency with other articles and because of availability. Added the Dell G2724D and removed the LG 27MN60T-W and the MSI Optix G273 in the Notable Mentions.
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Mar 05, 2024: Removed the Gigabyte GS27QC because it's hard to find, and renamed the ASUS VG248QG as 'Best Monitor.'
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Jan 11, 2024: Replaced the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx with the Gigabyte GS27QC for consistency with other articles and because of availability; removed the MSI Optix G272 because it's hard to find; replaced the HP X24ih with the MSI Optix G273 in Notable Mentions.
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Nov 03, 2023: Added the Dell S2721HGF to Notable Mentions; updated text for clarity throughout.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors that cost less than $200 that are available to purchase. They're adapted to be valid for most people. 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 our reviews for monitors under $200. 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.