Size, resolution, and brand reputation primarily affect monitor costs, but there are a few other considerations in the mix. Features like G-Sync, HDR, or high refresh rates automatically add a premium, cutting off the budget-oriented consumers from the benefits of a high-end display.
Setting a budget limit isn’t enough when choosing the best monitors since there are a few factors to consider. For example, models like the $150 Acer KG241Q can do 144Hz, but it’s a heaven and earth comparison when compared to a $1500 HDR monitor like the Dell UP2718Q that only goes up to 60Hz.
Choosing a Gaming Monitor Vs. Your Budget
There are more factors than gaming monitor cost alone such as system specifications, but how much a person is willing to spend is still the critical factor. The graphic above represents the range or price bracket of the displays we have listed in our Monitor Selector Tool. The products can cost as low as $150 to as much as $1500, but we know it doesn’t stop there.
The image above represents more than just a gaming or professional monitor’s cost. From the information provided, you can already discern what model or variant you can get with the money you are willing to spend. For example, you can get away with a minimum of $450 for a good 4K monitor like the Asus MG28UQ, but wanting something bigger and more refined like the Acer BM320 or the BenQ SW271 costs significantly more.
It’s almost the same with gaming monitors since you can get away with a 1080p model like the very affordable Acer KG241, but a model with all the bells and whistles such as G-Sync and a 240Hz refresh rate like the Acer XB252Q start at a whopping $500. QHD monitors, on the other hand, start at $300 and go all the way up to $1000 for an ultrawide display.
The point is, a certain amount of cash that you are willing to part with is the universal limiting factor of the choices you are presented with. You can get a full-featured 1080p display that has impressive capabilities for around $400, but wanting something like a QHD or 4K display at the same price point will instantly mean you have to live with a few limitations. Advantageous extras, refresh rates, and low latency output always comes at a cost, unfortunately.
Resolution, Refresh Rates, Monitor Size, and Price Tags
The most prominent aspect that affects the cost of a gaming monitor is always the resolution and the size. Both elements change pricing dramatically, since a bigger monitor requires more materials, while a higher resolution panel’s manufacturing process is much more complicated. The viewing experience you can achieve will always depend on how high or low your budget is willing to go.
Throwing in a monkey wrench called refresh rates can also make things more complicated. The higher the refresh limit you want, the more expensive a gaming monitor will be. Higher refresh rates, especially the specified native refresh, also affect the size of your display. 100Hz to 120Hz is now available on larger and sharper screens, but wanting something higher usually means you have to settle with a smaller or lower-resolution screen.
This limitation still exists today due to the technological and manufacturing constraints of panel makers such as LG and AU Optronics. Gaming monitor costs go higher the further we push the technology, and sometimes, it reaches a point where it isn’t practical or marketable to the masses anymore.
Gaming or Professional-oriented extras also joins the mix to raise the stakes higher. After deciding on the factors above, you also have to put into consideration what kinds of features you want for a gadget that should outlast a few builds or years. Add-ons like factory or hardware calibration compatibility, G-Sync, Blur Reduction, and HDR all add a certain amount on top of everything else mentioned.
Thoughts on Gaming Monitor Cost
There are numerous factors which can adversely affect your shopping experience for the best gaming or professional monitor, but we think its a matter of balancing your requirements. Knowing what you can and cannot live with will give you a hassle-free selection process while rewarding you with the best bang for every buck you spend. Reading expert articles and guides will help in choosing the best option for you, but as always, the key is to manage your expectations relatively according to your spending limit.
Alex says
Are you able to share the data for the gaming monitor specs chart? Or can you point me to the location please?
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Alex! We don’t have a file or record for the data in this article as it was just gathered from monitors we’ve reviewed in the past.