The 4 Best Monitors Under $200 - Spring 2023 Reviews

The best monitor you can get for under $200 for all-around use is the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx. It's a versatile display designed with gamers in mind, as it has a 165Hz refresh rate with native FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) support and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing when the frame rate of your game drops. It also has a fast response time with high-frame-rate signals, resulting in minimal motion blur, and gaming feels responsive thanks to its low input lag.

Even if you want to use it for productivity or casually browsing the web, it has remarkable ergonomics that make it easy to adjust the screen. While the 24-inch screen may seem small, this is the size you'll have to settle on for something in this price range. Luckily, it has wide viewing angles that keep the image consistent when viewed from the sides, which is ideal if you need to share your screen with someone else. It also gets bright enough to fight glare and has good reflection handling for well-lit rooms.

If you're set on getting a 27-inch monitor for under $200, there aren't many options you can find, but the MSI Optix G272 is a decent choice for everyday use. Like the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx, it's designed as a gaming monitor, but it's still alright for productivity. However, it has much worse ergonomics than the Acer, as you can only tilt it, so it's harder to place in an ideal position. Still, it has wide viewing angles that keep the image consistent from the sides, and it gets bright enough to fight glare and has great reflection handling if you want to use it in a room with a few lights around.

It's a great gaming monitor with a native 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync support, and G-SYNC compatibility. It also has excellent motion handling because it has a fast response time no matter the frame rate you play, and it even has an optional backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur. Still, it only works within a narrow refresh rate range.

If you're a dedicated gamer and want something mainly for that use, the ASUS VG248QG is the best gaming monitor under $200 we've tested. It's an impressive 24-inch gaming monitor that isn't versatile like the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx or MSI Optix G272, but it excels as a gaming display. It uses a TN panel with worse uniformity, viewing angles, and overall picture quality than the MSI and Acer. Still, unless you want great picture quality and great gaming performance, in which case you'll have to spend more than $200, you'll be happy with this one.

The main advantage of monitors with TN panels is their remarkable motion handling, and this has a fast response time at its max refresh rate of 165Hz without any noticeable overshoot. It also has VRR support to reduce screen tearing and low input lag for a responsive feel. It even has a few extra gaming features like backlight strobing and a virtual crosshair, giving you a competitive advantage.

If you're looking for something for office work, consider the ASUS VG246H. It doesn't have the same gaming features and performance as the ASUS VG248QG or the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx, so only get it if you want to use it only for work purposes. With a 24-inch screen, there isn't tons of space to multitask, but this is what you must expect when looking for an office monitor for under $200. The main advantage for work-related purposes is its outstanding ergonomics, making it easy to place in an ideal position. It also has wide viewing angles, ideal for sharing your screen with a coworker or client.

Although it's a cheap monitor, it has an sRGB mode that results in great accuracy 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.