The monitor market is still composed of budget, midrange, and high-end options that cater to varying requirements and spending limits. However, the hot competition can sometimes produce invaluable gems that punch way beyond their price points. These monitors are reasonably priced, but they offer qualities or specifications that can mostly be found on top-tier variants.
Sometimes, it can be prosumer-grade accuracy, E-Sports-grade speed, or even special add-ons like mini-LED backlights that can improve their stature. We’ve seen a rise in this trend over the past couple of days, especially now that OLED monitors have arrived to dominate the scene. Manufacturers are also clamoring for the top spot there, so the price-to-performance ratios for these new models are also getting considerably better.
These models are far from being the absolute best in their categories. However, they are worthy picks if you want to extend the reach of a lower budget. Gunning for products like this is a different thrill since you have to dig deep for a monitor that fits the description but deeply enjoy the benefits afterward.
Best Bang for your Buck Monitors 2024
AOC AGON Pro AG276QZD
The AOC AGON Pro AG276QZD is the cheapest 240Hz QD-OLED gaming monitor right now, with a price that dips below $700. It features a very popular 240Hz 1440p OLED panel with an unbelievably low pixel response time for blur-free performance. It lacks the weaknesses of WLED monitors, but it’s priced like some of them.
Besides its OLED advantages, it has impeccable image quality out of the box. Its infinite contrast ratio gives you top-tier accuracy, making it viable for professional use. Models that are at least $200 more expensive are not as good in that regard, although they are, admittedly, more popular.
Acer Nitro XV275K P3
The Acer Nitro XV275K P3 is one of the more surprising models in its lineup because of its price and mini-LED backlight feature. That enables HDR 1000 certification, which effectively makes the 4K 160Hz monitor a true high-end variant. It also includes modern connectivity and aesthetics, so it’s not your typical budget model.
It offers fantastic color qualities and contrast extension as well, so it’s not like the typical HDR 400 models, which cost roughly the same or more. You can get one for a little over half a grand, but some open-box and renewed models can go as low as $400 at the time of this writing.
Lenovo Legion Y25g-30
The Lenovo Legion Y25g-30 is one of our favorite E-Sports monitors because of its price-to-performance ratio. It’s a 360Hz Fast-IPS gaming monitor that works great for competitive titles like CSGO and Valorant. It’s a premium variant with a huge discount, so that means you get better functionality and features like its G-Sync features or the very robust and fully-adjustable stand.
Its Fast IPS panel is also capable of excellent accuracy, so it’s not just suitable for E-Sports play. Its resolution is its only limitation for prosumer use, but it’s still a reasonable option if you’re shopping for something that’s dual-purpose. The best part about it is its price, which hovers around the $300 mark and typically goes on sale with a hundred bucks off.
MSI MPG 271QRX
The MSI MPG 271QRX is a new OLED model, so it’s not really affordable like some of the options here. However, its lightning-fast and vibrant OLED screen justifies that price, especially since the options are still rather limited in its category. At the time of this writing, there are only a few 360Hz 1440p models, so you will have to pay to play if this mix of specifications is what you’re after.
We included this pick here simply because it has the lowest price in the 360Hz 1440p OLED category. Its performance isn’t shabby as well, beating out some of the more expensive ones when it comes to accuracy. Again, its not affordable, but you certainly get more out of every dollar spent if you go with MSI.
Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS
The Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS is the brand’s attempt at dominating the budget segment. It’s a Strix model, so it uses better-quality parts than the TUF models. It’s a simple 180Hz 1440p model, but its default accuracy and general gaming performance are comparable with variants that cost twice as much.
Its panel’s qualities make it suitable for editing as well, aside from E-Sports, especially when it’s calibrated. It’s also fully-featured like most Strix products, but it is not priced like one.
Acer KA242Y Ebi
We were surprised with the Acer KA242Y Ebi’s price-to-performance ratio, especially when it went on sale. For a hundred bucks or so, you get a 100Hz IPS monitor that enables it to provide decent gaming performance. It’s important to note that this is a business or mixed-use model, so extra refresh headroom is a considerable bonus.
The downside is that it’s rather limited when it comes to functionality features like its stand and connectivity. However, we can’t really complain about these limitations since it’s unique and probably the only option in the same price bracket that goes up to 100Hz.
MSI MAG 274UPF
The MSI MAG 274UPF is another monitor that impressed us with its very low price. It’s a 4K 144Hz model that offers high-end performance for gaming and imaging. MSI didn’t skimp on the extra features, like its fully adjustable stand and connectivity with USB-C and HDMI 2.1.
It’s a suitable pick for high-end PCs, but you can also use it with the latest consoles and their 4K 120Hz. That kind of flexibility is a steal when the monitor costs below $500, especially when comparable models are at $600 or more.
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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