The 5 Best Gaming Monitors Under $300 - Summer 2019
Reviews

You don't need to spend an arm and a leg to get a decent gaming monitor. There are some very good picks available on a budget, great for dorms or for casual gamers. Cheaper monitors are typically less versatile, with smaller screens and slower response times, but you can still expect a decent gaming experience on most of them.

We've reviewed 70 monitors, and below are our recommendations for the best gaming monitors under $300 that are available for purchase in 2019. For cheaper options, see our recommendations for the best gaming monitors under $200, the best budget gaming monitors, the best budget monitors, and the best FreeSync monitors.

1. Best Gaming Monitor Under $300: ViewSonic XG2402

   

   ViewSonic XG2402

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   Test Benches:

   • 1.0: Fall 2017

   See changelog and how ratings work

   8.3

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 23% Input Lag
   • 14% Resolution and Size
   • 13% Motion Blur
   • 12% Refresh Rate
   • 9% Ergonomics
   • 8% Image Flicker
   • 6% Reflections
   • 3% SDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% Contrast
   • 2% Gray Uniformity
   • 2% Black Uniformity
   • 2% Vertical Viewing Angle
   • 1% Horizontal Viewing Angle
   • 1% Local Dimming
   • 1% SDR Color Gamut
   • 1% SDR Color Volume

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations
   Size : 24 "

   Resolution : 1920x1080

   Refresh Rate : 144 Hz

   LCD Type

   What it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

   : TN

   Variable Refresh Rate

   What it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.

   When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.

   : FreeSync

   The ViewSonic XG2402 is the best gaming monitor under $300 that we have tested so far. It delivers a remarkable gaming experience at a budget price, thanks to the outstanding fast response time, fast refresh rate, and excellent low input lag. It also supports FreeSync variable refresh rate technology, even with a recent 10- or 20- series NVIDIA graphics card.

   This monitor delivers decent picture quality overall but doesn't look as good in a dark room and, unlike IPS monitors, the image degrades when viewed at an angle. It has very good peak brightness and great reflection handling, making it a versatile choice for any room.

   Like most budget monitors, this is a basic monitor, with very few additional features and a simple design. Overall, it is a great gaming monitor that should please most people.

   See our review

2. IPS Alternative: Dell P2417H

   

   Dell P2417H

   SEE PRICE

   Newegg.com

   Size : 24 "

   Resolution : 1920x1080

   Refresh Rate : 60 Hz

   LCD Type

   What it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

   : IPS

   Variable Refresh Rate

   What it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.

   When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.

   : No

   If you don't always sit directly facing your monitor, the Dell P2417H is the best IPS alternative with wide viewing angles that we've tested so far. This monitor isn't quite as powerful as the ViewSonic XG2402 for gaming, as it is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and doesn't support any variable refresh rate technologies, like FreeSync. It does have a great response time, though, and has excellent low input lag. Like the ViewSonic, it supports only a basic 1080p resolution, which may be disappointing to some users.

   See our review

3. Widescreen Alternative: LG 29UM69G-B

   

   LG 29UM69G-B

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Size : 29 "

   Resolution : 2560x1080

   Refresh Rate : 75 Hz

   LCD Type

   What it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

   : IPS

   Variable Refresh Rate

   What it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.

   When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.

   : FreeSync

   If you prefer a widescreen monitor for a more immersive gaming experience, check out the LG 29UM69G-B. It is a decent ultrawide IPS monitor, with good gaming performance, a great response time, low input lag, and support for AMD's FreeSync variable refresh rate technology, for a nearly tear-free gaming experience.

   Unfortunately, this monitor doesn't look as good in a dark room, due to the mediocre contrast ratio and terrible black uniformity. It also isn't very bright, which could be an issue if you have a bright office. Overall, it is a decent monitor for most uses.

   See our review

4. Most Versatile Gaming Monitor Under $300: Dell U2518D

   

   Dell U2518D

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   Test Benches:

   • 1.0: Fall 2017

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.8

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 23% Input Lag
   • 14% Resolution and Size
   • 13% Motion Blur
   • 12% Refresh Rate
   • 9% Ergonomics
   • 8% Image Flicker
   • 6% Reflections
   • 3% SDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% Contrast
   • 2% Gray Uniformity
   • 2% Black Uniformity
   • 2% Vertical Viewing Angle
   • 1% Horizontal Viewing Angle
   • 1% Local Dimming
   • 1% SDR Color Gamut
   • 1% SDR Color Volume

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations
   Size : 25 "

   Resolution : 2560x1440

   Refresh Rate : 60 Hz

   LCD Type

   What it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

   : IPS

   Variable Refresh Rate

   What it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.

   When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.

   : No

   If you want a more versatile monitor with very good gaming performance, check out the Dell U2518D. It is a good 1440p IPS monitor with wide viewing angles and a great stand. It can get very bright and has good reflection handling, as well as a great stand, so it is a good choice for almost any room.

   Unfortunately, it doesn't support VRR, and some people may be disappointed by the 60Hz refresh rate. It supports HDR, which is very surprising at this price point, but it can't take full advantage of HDR, as it can't get very bright, and can't display a wide color gamut so, unfortunately, HDR doesn't add much.

   This monitor has great low input lag and a fast response time. It has great versatility, as the wide viewing angles and great resolution make it great for multitasking. The price of this monitor tends to vary a bit, and at the time of writing it was slightly above $300.

   See our review

5. Best 1440p Gaming Monitor Under $300: Dell S2719DGF

   

   Dell S2719DGF

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.0

   Test Benches:

   • 1.0: Fall 2017

   See changelog and how ratings work

   8.4

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 23% Input Lag
   • 14% Resolution and Size
   • 13% Motion Blur
   • 12% Refresh Rate
   • 9% Ergonomics
   • 8% Image Flicker
   • 6% Reflections
   • 3% SDR Peak Brightness
   • 2% Contrast
   • 2% Gray Uniformity
   • 2% Black Uniformity
   • 2% Vertical Viewing Angle
   • 1% Horizontal Viewing Angle
   • 1% Local Dimming
   • 1% SDR Color Gamut
   • 1% SDR Color Volume

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations
   Size : 27 "

   Resolution : 2560x1440

   Refresh Rate : 144 Hz

   LCD Type

   What it is: Type of LCD technology used by the monitor.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

   : TN

   Variable Refresh Rate

   What it is: Feature that allows the monitor to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.

   When it matters: Almost every usage, but is most noticeable in gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.

   : FreeSync

   If you want a higher resolution gaming monitor for under $300, check out the Dell S2719DGF. It is the best 1440p gaming monitor under $300 that we've tested so far. It has a remarkably fast response time, delivering crystal clear motion with almost no noticeable blur trail, and it has outstanding low input lag, so you can respond instantly to what's happening on-screen.

   This monitor supports AMD's FreeSync variable refresh rate technology, delivering a nearly tear-free gaming experience, even when connected to a recent NVIDIA graphics card. Like most Dell monitors, this one has a good design with great ergonomics, making it a breeze to place it in an ideal viewing position.

   Unfortunately, as it uses a TN panel, it doesn't look as good in a dark room, and the image degrades when viewed at an angle, so it isn't quite as versatile as some of our other picks on this list. Overall, though, it's a great gaming monitor that should please even the most demanding gamers.

   See our review