The 5 Best Monitors Under $200 - Winter 2021 Reviews

The best monitor under $200 with a 1440p resolution that we've tested is the Lenovo Q27q-10. This is a simple yet well-rounded model with decent overall performance. The higher resolution compared to most 1080p monitors that are available for under $200 helps deliver clear text, and you can easily open multiple windows at once.

It's well-built and looks nice in any office setting. The monitor itself is very thin and won't stick out much if you wall-mount it. It has an IPS panel with wide viewing angles and performs well in bright rooms thanks to its decent peak brightness and great reflection handling. It has built-in speakers, so you won't have to worry about getting an external setup if you don't want to. It also has a flicker-free backlight to help reduce eye strain during those long work days.

Unfortunately, it has limited ergonomics as it only tilts. It doesn't support HDR, and despite its FreeSync support, it's not the best choice for gaming as it's limited to a 75Hz refresh rate and has a slow response time. Still, it has an incredibly low input lag for a responsive desktop experience. All things considered, this is one of the best monitors under $200, especially if you want a 1440p resolution.

The best monitor under $200 with a 1080p resolution that we've tested is the HP 27F. It's a decent overall model that won't cost you much. It's limited on extra features, but if you're looking for a simple screen for the office and don't mind the lower resolution compared to 1440p models, this is a good choice.

It has an IPS panel, which provides really wide viewing angles if you want to share your screen with others. It's a good choice for most bright office environments as it has great reflection handling and gets bright enough to combat glare. Unless you work in a color-sensitive business, like photo editing, you won't need to get it calibrated as it has great out-of-the-box color accuracy. It also has excellent gray uniformity, so solid colors across the screen, like on a web page or a document, look great without any darkened areas.

Unfortunately, it doesn't support HDR, and it has a low contrast ratio, which is expected from an IPS panel. It has a native 75Hz refresh rate and FreeSync support, but its slow response time results in motion blur, and it doesn't have a Black Frame Insertion feature, so it's not ideal for competitive gamers. It also has very limited ergonomics, so it's hard to place it in an ideal position. Regardless, it performs well for its price, and its screen size gives you enough space to multitask, so most people should be happy with it.

The best monitor under $200 that we've tested is the MSI Optix G27C5. This 27 inch model is packed with gaming features, and it's versatile enough for other uses as well. It has a native 165Hz refresh rate with FreeSync support to provide a tear-free gaming experience.

It has a good response time and max refresh rate. It remains decent at 60Hz, but you may notice some motion blur. There's a Black Frame Insertion feature to help improve the appearance of motion, but it can't flicker below 120Hz. Input lag is incredibly low and stays low even when gaming at 60Hz. You can also add a virtual crosshair on the screen for FPS games. It has a VA panel and a great contrast ratio, so it performs best in dark rooms, but it's also good in fairly bright rooms as it has decent peak brightness and good reflection handling.

Unfortunately, it doesn't support HDR and has narrow viewing angles, which is normal for a model with a VA panel. Its 1080p resolution may be limiting for productivity, but it doesn't put too much stress on your graphics card when gaming. If you're a gamer and looking for the best monitor under $200, you should definitely check this one out.