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You don't necessarily need to spend a small fortune to get a decent monitor. Although they typically lack more advanced features, budget monitors can still deliver a decent experience for most uses if you're not too picky. Monitors in this price range are typically smaller-sized and limited to 1080p resolutions, which is still just fine for occasional use or casual gaming.
We've reviewed over 85 monitors and below you'll find our top picks for the best monitors under $200 available for purchase in 2020. See also our recommendations for the best gaming monitor under $200, the best budget gaming monitors, the best budget monitors, and the best 1080p monitors.
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Best Monitor Under $200: Dell P2417H
Size 24"Resolution 1920x1080Refresh Rate 60 HzLCD TypeIPSVariable Refresh RateNoThe best monitor under $200 we've tested is the Dell P2417H. It's a 24 inch IPS monitor that delivers decent overall performance and maintains an accurate image when viewed from the side. It has a 1080p resolution, which is okay for its size, and it has great ergonomics to help you position it comfortably with ease. The thin bezels and its budget price make it a good candidate for multimonitor setup either for office use or for gaming. It has an abundance of connectivity options, including a 4-port USB hub that can remain active even when the monitor is in standby, and a VGA port along with the most common HDMI and DisplayPort ones.
Unfortunately, just like most IPS monitors, the Dell doesn't perform well in a dark room where blacks look gray, and has no premium features like FreeSync or HDR support.
Overall, this is a good monitor for those who plan to use it in an office or for gaming, and won't cost you an arm and a leg.
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Smaller Alternative: Dell P2217H
Size 22"Resolution 1920x1080Refresh Rate 60 HzLCD TypeIPSVariable Refresh RateNoIf you have limited space and want a smaller monitor than the 24 inch Dell P2417H, get the Dell P2217H. It's a decent 22 inch monitor that costs less and should probably fit your desk. Performance-wise, it's very similar to the other Dell, and any differences can be attributed to panel variance.
If you want the best monitor under $200, get the P2417H; otherwise, if you need a smaller one with a similar overall performance, the Dell P2217H will do the job and costs a little less.
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Best Gaming Monitor Under $200: Acer XF251Q
Size 25"Resolution 1920x1080Refresh Rate 75 HzLCD TypeTNVariable Refresh RateFreeSyncIf you want better gaming performance on a budget, the Acer XF251Q is the best monitor under $200 for gaming we've tested so far. Although this TN monitor doesn't deliver the best picture quality, it makes up for it with its great motion handling and low input lag. It has a fast response time, flicker-free backlight, and a good 75Hz refresh rate. It even supports FreeSync, but as it lacks a DisplayPort connection, it isn't compatible with NVIDIA's new drivers.
This monitor has a few additional gaming-oriented features, including the ability to add virtual cross-hairs to any game. It doesn't support HDR, but this doesn't add much for most monitors anyway. It has decent peak brightness, so there shouldn't be any issues using it in a bright room. The image degrades when viewed at an angle, so it's best enjoyed from directly in front.
Unfortunately, this monitor isn't very accurate out of the box, and some color errors may be noticeable. Overall, though, it's a very good gaming monitor, great for budget shoppers.
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Alternative With A Better Stand: ASUS VG245H
Size 24"Resolution 1920x1080Refresh Rate 75 HzLCD TypeTNVariable Refresh RateFreeSyncIf you want a monitor with a better swivel range, check out the ASUS VG245H instead. This 24" monitor performs almost identically to the slightly larger Acer XF251Q, but it has a better height adjustment, much wider swivel range, and a better tilt range. This makes it easier to place it in an ideal viewing position without VESA mounting it. On the other hand, the ASUS has worse black uniformity than the Acer, so it doesn't look as good in a dark room.
Overall, the Acer and the ASUS are extremely similar. The Acer is the best gaming monitor under $200 for most people, but if you want a better stand and don't plan on using it in a dark room, the ASUS is a good alternative, and one of the best PC monitors under $200.
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144Hz Alternative: ViewSonic XG2402
Size 24"Resolution 1920x1080Refresh Rate 144 HzLCD TypeTNVariable Refresh RateFreeSyncIf you're willing to stretch your budget a bit, the ViewSonic XG2402 can usually be found for a bit more than $200 and delivers a better gaming experience than the Acer XF251Q. The ViewSonic has a faster refresh rate and a faster response time, so motion looks even clearer with almost no noticeable blur behind fast-moving objects. Thanks to the higher refresh rate, it has a much wider variable refresh rate range, ensuring a nearly tear-free gaming experience, even when your computer can't quite keep up with the fast action on-screen.
Overall, although the Acer is the best gaming monitor under $200 that we've tested so far, if you're willing to stretch your budget just a bit, the ViewSonic is a worthwhile investment and one of the best computer monitors under $200.
Notable Mentions
- HP Pavilion 22CWA: Decent 1080p monitor, but the Dell P2417H is worth the price difference. See our review
- LG 24GL600F: Good cheap gaming monitor, but the Acer XF251Q is better overall. See our review
- Dell D3218HN: Decent monitor around the $200 mark. Get it if you find it at the right price. See our review
- Sceptre C325W: Mediocre 32" monitor with a price that hovers around the $200 mark. See our review
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors under $200. They are 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 the make your own decision, here is the list of all of our monitor reviews 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.
Recent Updates
01/09/2020: Made minor changes to text for clarity.
11/05/2019: Only minor updates to the text and verification for accuracy; no changes in product picks.
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