While many monitors cost a lot, there are still some good options you can find for under $200. Most monitors in this price range are basic, don't offer extra features you'd find on higher-end models, and lag behind more expensive options in terms of performance. With that in mind, it might be worth stretching your budget if you want an upgrade in performance, as even the best gaming monitors under $300 are much better than some cheaper options under $200.
However, if you're on a tighter budget, there are options you can get for a variety of usages. There are a few factors to consider when looking for a monitor, like the variety of models available in the market and what you need your monitor for. For example, if you want a monitor for gaming, 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 375 monitors, and below, you'll find our top picks for the best monitors for under $200. See our recommendations for the best budget and cheap monitors, the best portable monitors, and, if you're willing to stretch your budget a bit, the best monitors under $500.
Quick Look
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, with units that we buy completely on our own, without any cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized and custom tools to measure various aspects with objective data-based results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance against the competition, and whether or not it's easy to find.
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Best Monitor Under $200
PC Gaming8.1Office7.3Response Time8.0SDR Picture7.9HDR Picture8.1Brightness8.9Color Accuracy9.0Console Gaming7.3Editing8.0Size27"Panel TypeVAMax Refresh Rate180 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution2560 x 1440The best monitor under $200 that we've tested is the AOC Q27G40XMN. It's a 27-inch, 1440p display that usually costs a bit more than $200, but it's worth stretching your budget for if you have the extra cash available. This is because it delivers much better picture quality than other options in this price range. It uses Mini LED backlighting that, combined with its great local dimming feature, helps it display deep and inky blacks in dark rooms. It also makes highlights pop for an impactful HDR experience. This local dimming isn't without its flaws, and some content looks overbrightened with certain settings. However, when it works properly, content looks better than on any other monitor in this price range.
It's versatile for different uses, like gaming. It includes a 180Hz refresh rate, VRR support to reduce screen tearing, and low input lag for a responsive feel. While it has a fast overall response time, there's smearing behind fast-moving objects, so it's not the best choice if you play action games. If this monitor is still out of your price range, the MSI G274QPF-QD is a cheap alternative that's versatile for different uses. However, it has worse picture quality, and it can be harder to find.
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Best Gaming Monitor Under $200
PC Gaming7.0Office7.0Response Time7.5SDR Picture6.5HDR Picture4.8Brightness7.0Color Accuracy7.6Console Gaming5.1Editing6.6Size24"Panel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate180 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1920 x 1080If you don't need something versatile with the best picture quality and you want the best gaming monitor under $200, look into the LG 24GS65F-B, which offers good value. Besides its smaller screen, the main downside versus the AOC Q27G40XMN is that this monitor has much worse picture quality. It has a lower contrast ratio and doesn't have a local dimming feature to further improve the picture quality in dark scenes. Highlights don't pop, either, so it's a bad choice if you want something for HDR gaming. However, this is what you have to expect at this price point, especially considering the LG costs less than the AOC.
On the plus side, it still gets bright enough to fight some glare, and its matte screen coating is effective at reducing glare in moderately lit rooms. Also, the LG has an advantage when it comes to gaming. For starters, it has the same 180Hz refresh rate, and it has less smearing behind fast-moving objects, making it the better choice for playing action games. Its lower 1080p resolution also makes it easier for your graphics card to maintain high frame rates, as it's less demanding on your computer.
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Best Work Monitor Under $200
PC Gaming5.2Office7.1Response Time4.2SDR Picture6.7HDR Picture2.5Brightness2.6Color Accuracy7.8Console Gaming2.4Editing6.3Size24"Pixel TypeIPSMax Refresh Rate100 HzSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1920 x 1080If you need a simple and cheap monitor for work and don't need the gaming features of the AOC Q27G40XMN or the LG 24GS65F-B, look into the Dell P2425H. While there are more expensive options available with bigger screens and higher resolutions, many in this price range don't have work-specific features. That's something the P2425H has, as unlike most entry-level monitors, it has three USB-A ports and a USB-C port to connect various devices. However, because the USB-C port doesn't support DisplayPort Alt Mode, you can't use it to display any video signal, and it's really meant for data transfer or charging.
Besides that, it has decent reflection handling, so it's fine if you want to use it in a room with a few lights around, but it doesn't get bright enough to fight intense glare. It also has a wide viewing angle and fantastic ergonomics that make it easy to adjust your display or share your screen with someone else. Lastly, while it has a lower 1080p resolution than an option like the AOC, it still has decent text clarity.
Notable Mentions
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Dell S2725QS:
The Dell S2725QS is a work-oriented 4k monitor that costs a bit more than $200. It's worth stretching your budget for if you want an upgrade in performance over the Dell P2425H, as it has a bigger screen and sharper text. However, it doesn't have any USB ports like the P2425H.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jan 27, 2026:
We replaced the MSI G274QPF-QD with the AOC Q27G40XMN, as the MSI is becoming harder to find and the AOC offers better value. We also removed the Samsung Odyssey G50D S27DG50 from the Notable Mentions because its price increased.
Oct 08, 2025:
We replaced the Gigabyte GS27QC with the MSI G274QPF-QD, which is easier to find and is consistent with other recommendations. We removed the AOC 24G15N, which is hard to find, and replaced the Dell G2524H with the cheaper LG 24GS65F-B. In the Notable Mentions, we removed the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B, and added the Samsung Odyssey G50D S27DG50 and the Dell S2725QS.
Apr 29, 2025:
We removed the Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx and the Dell Alienware AW2724DM because they're out of stock and/or hard to find. In their places, we added the Gigabyte GS27QC as the Best Monitor and renamed the Dell G2524H to the 'Best Gaming Monitor.' We also added the AOC 24G15N as the 'Best Cheap Monitor.' We replaced the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B with the cheaper LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B in the Notable Mentions.
Mar 13, 2025:
We replaced the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B with the Dell Alienware AW2724DM because it's cheaper. We also replaced the AOC 24G15N with the Dell G2524H because it's better for gaming. We added both the 27GP850-B and the 24G15N to the Notable Mentions and removed the ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q1A and the AOC Q27G3XMN from there.
Feb 19, 2025:
We replaced the Dell G2724D with the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B because the Dell is hard to find. We also added the AOC 24G15N to give another option and the AOC Q27G3XMN as a Notable Mention. We introduced a new format to the article and updated the text to reflect these changes.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best monitors under $200 that are available to purchase, including the best gaming monitors under $200. They're adapted to be valid for most people. The 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 or around $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.