Affordable gaming monitors are your meal ticket if you want a complete build but have spent most of your budget on other parts or peripherals. They can also be meaningful upgrades that do not cost an arm and a leg, enabling gamers to play at both a pleasurable and competitive level. It now doesn’t take a lot of cash to build a setup which can give you buttery smooth performance, so it’s the best time to do it.
How to Pick Affordable Monitors
We’re thankful that there are hundreds of viable, affordable monitors in the market now, but not all of them are must-buys. Here are some aspects you can consider before buying one:
Refresh Rate – Ideally, you should focus on refresh rate more than anything else since it’s the spec that can upgrade your visual experience the most. It dictates the smoothness of the graphics and the responsive feel of the monitor, so it’s more important than something like color accuracy.
FreeSync/G-Sync – VRR is essential for a fantastic gaming monitor since it guarantees that you always get tear and stutter-free performance. Dual compatibility is ideal since it saves you from having to buy a new monitor if you switch to the other brand. Almost every gaming-branded monitor out there is compatible with both, but there still are some budget options that don’t have it.
Panel Type – The top pick right now is Fast IPS since it offers better color performance and faster response times. You can go with VA types which are typically more affordable and have better contrast, but they are prone to blurring because of the slower pixel response times. TN panels have disappeared, although some high-end models like the 500Hz offerings are using them again.
Features – The last characteristic we would consider are the extra features that are included in the package. Not all affordable gaming monitors have ergonomic stands or RGB lighting, so those that do typically have better value for every dollar spent. We’d prioritize the aspects above before this, but there are some picks out there that offer all.
The Best Affordable Gaming Monitors 2024 – Steal These Deals Before They’re Gone
Gigabyte M27Q X
The Gigabyte M27Q X is one of the best affordable gaming monitors because of what it offers for the price. It has a 240Hz 1440p Fast IPS panel that’s capable of great color performance while being ideal for high-speed games. It also has a height-adjustable stand and USB-C with KVM for the price, so it’s tough to beat in mixed-use situations.
AOC Q27G3XMN
The AOC Q27G3XMN offers a 180Hz 1440p output, which doesn’t look extra special for the budget segment. However, it’s the only option in its price range that offers a mini-LED backlight that enables considerably better HDR performance. Combine that with capabilities that punch above its category, and you get one of the absolute best affordable gaming monitors in the market.
Gigabyte G27F2
The Gigabyte G27F2 is one of those affordable gaming monitors that went under the radar due to the sea of high-end displays that were released with it. However, we have a special place for it since its very affordable for a high-performance monitor with a 27-inch panel. Manufacturers typically sacrifice imaging and gaming performance to add a larger panel, but that isn’t the case with this model.
Lenovo Y25g-30
The Lenovo Legion Y25g-30 was originally a flagship E-Sports monitor, but its price has dropped considerably since its release. It’s the only 360Hz monitor with true G-Sync and the Reflex Latency Analyzer feature. It’s a unique option in its current price range, and we firmly believe that it is one of the select few that are truly suitable for E-Sports gaming.
MSI MAG345CQR
There have been many budget ultrawides in the market, but the MSI MAG345CQR is our current favorite. It starts at a lower price point than previous top choices, and it has better colors and contrast despite its disposition. It has limited connectivity, but the premium design and overall gaming performance at the sub-$350 price point more than make up for these limitations.
Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS
The Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS is one of the most surprising releases since it hails from the premium Strix line but is priced like a TUF Gaming value model. It has a fast IPS panel with premium-grade performance, so it will not disappoint unlike so many options that were made to be more budget-friendly. It also has more physical features than your typical affordable gaming monitor, so most won’t feel the need to upgrade in a while.
Cooler Master GM2711S
The Cooler Master GM2711S comes from a relatively new company in the gaming business, but it can hold its own out there. It offers fantastic gamut coverage and decent color accuracy out of the box, so it’s also suitable for color-critical work. Couple that with the essential features it offers, and you get an instant winner for a much lower price than other high-end models with the same color qualities.
AOC 24G4
The AOC 24G4 is the stellar successor to one of the best budget monitors the market has seen since 2019. It replaces the AOC 24G2, and has a much lower MSRP at release to make 144Hz gaming more accessible. Its not as accurate as the first model, but it still offers stellar imaging performance if you look at how affordable it is.
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen has the right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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