The 3 Best Gaming Monitors Under $300 - Spring 2023 Reviews

The best gaming monitor under $300 we've tested is the ViewSonic XG2431. It's an impressive gaming display with a fast 240Hz refresh rate, ideal for gaming at a high frame rate. It has a 1080p resolution, which is what you have to expect for a budget-friendly display, and this allows you to achieve that high frame rate without being too taxing on your graphics card. This monitor natively supports FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) technology to reduce screen tearing, and if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, G-SYNC compatibility also works with it.

It offers great value because it has an incredible response time across its entire refresh rate range, so the motion handling is incredible. That means minimal motion blur with fast-moving objects, plus a customizable backlight strobing feature that most monitors don't have, which is a nice touch for a budget-friendly model. You can customize its flicker frequency and intensity, meaning you can fine-tune the backlight-strobing settings until you get something you enjoy gaming with.

If you don't think you'll take advantage of the 240Hz refresh rate, you can get something cheaper, like the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx, which has a 165Hz refresh rate. You'll save some money, but there are a few trade-offs, as it has worse motion handling. If you want the best gaming performance and don't mind spending a bit more, stick with the ViewSonic.

If you find the screen on the ViewSonic XG2431 too small, check out the 27-inch Gigabyte M27Q. If you're looking for something in this price range, there are some trade-offs you need to make to get a larger size. The Gigabyte has a lower 170Hz refresh rate than the 240Hz refresh rate on the ViewSonic. It isn't ideal for high-frame-rate gaming, but at least its 1440p resolution helps deliver a sharper image.

Even though its motion handling isn't as good, it's still quick with minimal blur trail behind fast-moving objects, and there isn't any overshoot that results in inverse ghosting. It also has FreeSync VRR support with G-SYNC compatibility and has low input lag, so you get a nearly tear-free and responsive gaming experience. It has a few extra features, like the ability to add a timer, an FPS counter, and a virtual crosshair to give you a competitive advantage while gaming.

If you don't need extra features like the USB hub that it offers, the HP X27q is another 1440p alternative that's slightly cheaper and offers great gaming performance. However, it has more motion blur than the Gigabyte and has limited compatibility with current-gen gaming consoles. This means that if you want something versatile for PC and console gaming, the Gigabyte is the better choice.

While most monitors under $300 are usually smaller, there are a few out there with a 32-inch screen size, but these often have worse performance than the smaller models. The LG 32GN600-B is a very good gaming monitor with a 1440p resolution like the Gigabyte M27Q; the main trade-off is that the LG has worse motion handling, so you'll see more smearing with fast-moving objects. If that doesn't bother you, it does have a fast 165Hz refresh rate with FreeSync VRR support to reduce screen tearing, and it's also G-SYNC compatible.

This monitor uses a different panel type than the Gigabyte, with a higher contrast ratio, making it the better choice for dark rooms because it displays deeper blacks. It even has decent peak brightness and reflection handling if you want to use it in a dim or moderately-lit room. Because it has a larger screen than the Gigabyte, but the resolution is the same, it has a lower pixel density. It means that images don't look as sharp, but that's the trade-off you'll make if you want to get something bigger in the same price range.