The 3 Best Gaming Monitors Under $300 - Summer 2024 Reviews

The best gaming monitor under $300 that we've tested is the Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx. It's a unique, low-cost monitor with more features than similarly-priced displays, like its Mini LED backlighting, which usually more expensive displays have. This backlighting helps it improve its already excellent contrast ratio by further deepening blacks, which is great for gaming in dark rooms. It also displays bright highlights that pop in HDR. While its local dimming feature isn't perfect, as there's blooming around bright objects, it's still a nice touch for a low-cost monitor.

In terms of gaming, it has a high 170Hz refresh rate and supports FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. While it has a fast response time at its max refresh rate, there's still black smearing and motion blur, which worsens at lower refresh rates. That said, its pros outweigh the cons, particularly with its picture quality, but if you want something similar with better motion handling, check out the AOC Q27G3XMN. However, it's sometimes harder to find, so the Acer is a better alternative if you can't find the AOC.

If you don't need the extra features of the Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx and prefer a simple and cheap entry-level gaming monitor, then check out the Dell G2724D. You can often find it for a low cost directly from Dell's website. It has similar specs to the Acer as it also has a 27-inch, 1440p screen with a 165Hz refresh rate, but the main difference is that it doesn't have Mini LED backlighting and has a lower native contrast ratio, so it doesn't display the same deep blacks in dark scenes. It's also much worse for HDR, but this is what you have to expect for an entry-level monitor.

Besides that, it has much better motion handling than the Acer, so fast-moving objects look sharp. It also has a few extra features like HDMI Forum VRR, which means it supports VRR with the PS5, a nice addition to an entry-level monitor. While it isn't good to use in a dark room, it's still a good choice if you want to game with it in a well-lit room, as it gets bright enough to fight glare.

If you find the 27-inch screens of the Dell G2724D and the Acer Nitro XV275U P3biipx too big and prefer something smaller, the market for 24-inch monitors tends to be different than that for bigger displays. These usually have higher refresh rates and lower resolutions, which make them ideal for competitive esports gaming. If you're interested in that, check out the ViewSonic XG2431, an impressive gaming monitor with a 1080p resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. You don't get the same detailed images as you do with the Dell or Acer, but it still has a fantastic response time for crisp motion handling.

It's unique for a low-cost monitor because it has a customizable backlight strobing feature to improve motion handling. You can fine-tune its settings, like the intensity and frequency of the backlight flicker, until you find something you enjoy gaming with. It's a nice addition to a budget-friendly model, offering good value versus similarly-priced displays.