The 5 Best Monitors Under $200 - Spring 2022 Reviews

The Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx is the best gaming monitor under $200 that we've tested. It's a great overall monitor with excellent performance that rivals more expensive options, so while this monitor is slightly over $200, it offers great value. It's well-built and offers excellent ergonomics as you can rotate the screen a full 360 degrees.

It has many gaming features, like a fast 144Hz refresh rate that can overclock to 165Hz. It has native FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) support to reduce screen tearing, and even though it's not certified by NVIDIA, G-SYNC compatibility also works on it. Gaming feels responsive thanks to the low input lag, and motion looks smooth as it has a remarkably quick response time at any frame rate. It also has a few extra gaming perks, like the ability to add a virtual crosshair that your system won't detect.

Sadly, even though it supports HDR, it doesn't provide the best HDR gaming experience. It has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray, and there's no local dimming feature to improve it either. Also, it doesn't get bright enough to make highlights pop and doesn't display a wide range of colors. If this isn't a problem for you, it's the best gaming monitor in this price range.

If you're on a tight budget and prefer something cheaper, look into the AOC 24G2. It's not as well-rounded as the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx because it doesn't support HDR, has a slightly lower 144Hz refresh rate, and doesn't offer as wide of a swivel range. Still, it has excellent gaming performance, and it's a better choice to use in a well-lit room because it has better reflection handling and great peak brightness. In terms of gaming, it also has an incredible response time, so you won't notice much motion blur, and it has an optional backlight strobing feature. It also has VRR support and low input lag for a responsive feel.

If you want the best monitor for under $200, the Acer is a great choice because it's versatile, but if you don't mind compromising just a bit for something cheaper, then check out the AOC.

The best office monitor under $200 is the Dell S2421H. It's a simple office monitor that doesn't cost much, and it has good enough performance for most people. It has a 24 inch screen with a 1080p resolution, so the text clarity is decent. It also has a flicker-free backlight, which helps reduce eye strain during long working sessions.

It doesn't have many extra features, but it does have built-in speakers, which is great if you want to listen to music or videos without paying extra to buy dedicated speakers. It has an IPS panel with wide viewing angles, so the image remains accurate when viewing from the side, and it has decent peak brightness in SDR. It also has good reflection handling, so while it's not good enough for rooms with a ton of light around, it's fine if you have some light nearby.

Unfortunately, its stand has terrible ergonomics as you can only tilt it. While it's a good choice for a multi-monitor setup, thanks to its very thin bezels, you'll likely need to buy mounting arms so you can adjust the screens in ideal viewing positions. It also doesn't support HDR, but that's normal for a low-cost office monitor. All in all, it's one of the best choices you can get for the office for under $200.

If you prefer something with better ergonomics, check out the ASUS VG246H instead. It's similar to the Dell S2421H as it also has a 1080p resolution and a 24 inch screen, but it has fewer inputs than the Dell. However, it has outstanding ergonomics and wide viewing angles, so you can easily adjust the stand to your ideal viewing position. It has decent peak brightness in SDR and very good reflection handling, so visibility isn't an issue. It also has excellent gray uniformity and amazing accuracy out of the box, which is great if your work requires accurate colors. The fairly small screen isn't the best for multitasking, but it has decent text clarity.

If you're looking for the best office monitor under $200, check out the Dell, but if you want better ergonomics, then look into the ASUS.

The best portable monitor under $200 is the Lepow Z1. These types of monitors are different from typical desktop models because you're supposed to use them on the go, and they often sacrifice picture quality for their smaller size. It comes with a folio case to protect the screen that doubles as a stand.

Portable displays have different inputs than desktop monitors; in this case, it has a Mini HDMI input and two USB-C ports. One of the USB-C inputs supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, meaning that you can display an image from a compatible device, and the other one is for charging only. Although the 1080p resolution may not seem appealing, the smaller screen provides higher pixel density, meaning that text looks sharp and legible. It has wide viewing angles, so the image remains accurate if you place the screen next to your laptop or desktop monitor.

Unfortunately, it doesn't offer good picture quality, and it's not for content creators. It can't display a wide color gamut, even in SDR, so it doesn't display a wide range of colors. The out-of-the-box accuracy is also poor. Motion looks terrible because it has a slow response time, and you'll notice motion artifacts. However, this is typical of most portable monitors, and it's still one of the best portable monitors under $200.