Best Budget Gaming Monitors for All Gamer Types

By admission, the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q is much more expensive than other monitors on this list. Despite that, it’s here for good reason. This is the least expensive HDR-capable monitor we recommend buying on the merits of its HDR performance.

The PG329Q has a maximum brightness of up to 600 cd/m2, which is almost twice that of other budget monitors on this list, but it’s necessary to make HDR matter. It delivers a punchy, vivid experience that will make you want to turn on HDR in every game that supports it.

Overall image quality is excellent. This is a large 32-inch monitor with 1440p resolution, a maximum refresh rate of 175Hz, and Nvidia G-Sync support. It’s smooth, colorful, and eye-catching, though the contrast ratio is low, as typical of monitors with an IPS panel.

6. Dell S3422DWG

Best Budget Ultrawide Gaming Monitor

• See it on Dell

An ultrawide curved monitor is a great choice if you want an immersive gaming experience, and the Dell S3422DWG stands out as the best budget ultrawide. It has a contrast-rich VA panel with a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 that provides a vibrant, sharp image that looks great in any genre of game. The 21:9 aspect ratio and slight curvature of the screen wrap around your field of vision, so you can focus on the action occurring in your games rather than outside distractions.

The monitor features a solid 144Hz refresh rate and supports AMD FreeSync. This means your games should play butter smooth. The S3422DWG can suffer motion blur behind dark objects. Motion clarity is otherwise strong.

Despite its competitive price, the S3422DWG is an attractive monitor. It has a height-adjustable stand, two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, and can even be used as a USB hub.

7. Alienware AW2523HF

Best Budget 360Hz Gaming Monitor

• See it on Amazon

Forget 240Hz gaming monitors with the blazing-fast refresh rate of the Alienware AW2523HF delivers. You’ll get insanely speedy frames up to 360Hz, while AMD FreeSync support and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility ensure your screen and graphics card play nicely for some next-level silky smooth action in 1080p when playing the best PC games. It’s a fantastic monitor for competitive E-sports players, as you experience virtually no motion blur and will also enjoy super low input lag.

The Alienware AW2523HF doesn’t stop there, delivering decent color accuracy and better-than-average contrast performance for an IPS monitor. The 1080p resolution is not the sharpest, but that’s an acceptable trade-off given the monitor’s high refresh rate and an easily attainable price under $400. The solid display also lives on a robust adjustable stand offering great ergonomics and a subdued look to fit perfectly in any environment.

8. HP Omen 32q

Best Budget 32-inch Gaming Monitor

Sometimes you want to go bigger to see all of the action of the game a bit closer, and the HP Omen 32q has you covered for a budget price. The 31.5-inch display features a 1440p resolution with a 165Hz refresh rate and supports AMD FreeSync for supreme motion clarity.

This monitor uses an IPS panel that delivers great color performance, though its contrast is not the best. That means darker games may look flat or dull. HP claims there’s HDR support with the display’s max brightness being 400 nits, though it’s not VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified, and like other similarly priced monitors, don’t buy it for the HDR.

The HP Omen 32q has one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports but lacks USB connectivity. It rests on a sturdy, compact square stand that’s adjustable to get the ideal viewing angle.

Where to Get the Best Budget Gaming Monitors in the UK

You don’t always need to spend above and beyond to ensure you’re getting a decent gaming monitor. There are plenty of brilliant, and affordable, options available to those in the UK, with all the big brands set and ready to take your orders.

What to Look for in a Cheap/Budget Gaming Monitor

In short, you’ll want to consider what type of gamer you are and look at these main factors:

Gamers on a tight budget don’t have to make as many sacrifices as they once did, but there’s still a need for some compromise. In general, you can go for a higher resolution, or you can go for a higher refresh rate, but you sadly won’t be able to snag both in a budget gaming monitor.

1080p remains the standard go-to resolution in budget displays. It certainly lacks the clarity of modern 4K TVs, but on the plus side, the low display resolution means you won’t need high-end hardware to play new games. 1440p resolution is a nice upgrade, and a better overall value if you can stretch your budget. A 1440p monitor with a 27-inch screen actually has a higher pixel density than a 48-inch 4K television. However, this means a 240Hz refresh rate will no longer be affordable.

4K is available on a budget but only at a 60Hz refresh rate. Some gamers might contend a 4K 60Hz display doesn’t truly qualify as a gaming monitor. In any case, this is the compromise you must make if you want to play at 4K for as little cash as possible.

The refresh rate of budget gaming monitors is generally 60 to 240Hz, with most landing at 144Hz or 165Hz. A refresh rate of 144Hz is a great all-around choice that can handle most games with ease, but 240Hz is a noticeable upgrade for players who only care about competitive titles. 360Hz is also now in reach for cheaper gaming monitors.

It’s important to note a monitor’s maximum refresh rate may not be supported by every input. For example, many monitors that reach up to 165Hz will only support 144Hz over HDMI. DisplayPort is the best bet if you want to use a high refresh rate.

A monitor’s display panel technology is an important and often overlooked factor. All the monitors we recommend use either an IPS or VA panel. IPS panels are prized for motion clarity, vibrance, and responsiveness, all of which makes them great for competitive gaming. VA panels have a much better contrast ratio and far superior dark scene performance, so they’re better for games with immersive, high-end graphics.

Screen size is less of a limitation than it used to be. Our budget gaming monitor guide includes options for 24-inch, 27-inch, and 32-inch monitors, and a 34-inch ultrawide. Smaller monitors tend to be less expensive and are also preferred by competitive gamers, who want the entire display to be firmly within their focus. Larger monitors are more immersive and a better choice for immersive gaming. With that said, it is possible to buy a monitor that’s too large for your desk, so make sure to measure if you’re unsure. If in doubt, a 27-inch monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio is a safe bet.

It’s wise to buy a monitor with Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync support, depending on whether you have an Nvidia or AMD video card. Many budget gaming monitors support both. Our picks all list the standards they support.

Finally, a note about HDR. We only recommend one HDR monitor on this list, and while it’s a great value, it’s also by far the most expensive recommended here. While HDR is available on other affordable monitors, it unfortunately remains unimpressive on most as they only get up to a maximum 400-nits of screen brightness. We suggest looking for a monitor that’s at least VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified if HDR matters to you.

Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.