Best Gaming Monitor Under $200

Benjamin Franklin walks into a bar and runs into his clone.

“Two Ben Franklins!”, exclaims the bartender. “That’s more than enough to get you a good gaming monitor!” 🖥️ 🎮

Seriously, today’s market offers plenty of models with great specs under $200, both flat and curved. If you have an extra $4K to spend on the best monitor for gaming there is, good for you (and you’re reading the wrong article). If not, you’ll be happy to discover that there are many affordable models with fast response rates and amazing picture quality.

Top 5 Gaming Monitors Under $200

Just because you have a limited budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality – there are many great gaming monitors you can find for under $200. We narrowed the list down to five models that deserve to be on your gaming desk. If you happen to not like any of them, we have a recommendation that is a bit more expensive; the exquisite Dell S2716DGR.

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Pros & Cons

• Fast performance
• Eye comfort technology
• VESA compatible
• Power LED on the side of the monitor
• Sharp image

• Quiet built-in speakers

Key Features:

• 2ms response time for lightning-fast gaming performance and ZeroFlicker technology for minimized eye strain and improved eye comfort during long hours of work or gaming
• Low Blue Light Technology filters out harmful blue light, effectively diminishing eye fatigue and irritation. Display Area (mm) 531.3×298.8
• ZeroFlicker technology virtually eliminates flicker at all brightness levels for minimized eye strain and improved eye comfort during long hours of use
• Full HD 1080p 16:9; Dimensions with Wall Mount (HxWxD mm w/o base) 565 x 333 x 54‎. OS Compatibility- Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1
• 16mm slim bezel display, high-gloss frame and base, and carbon fiber-patterned back and built-in speakers

Specifications:

• Screen Size 24 inches
• Max Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080
• Item Weight 9.5 pounds
• Product Dimensions 7.6 x 17.1 x 22.2 inches

BenQ GL2460HM 24-Inch 1080p Review

One might argue that 2ms isn’t the best response time available, but GL2460HM gives a lightning fast performance with no ghosting so you don’t have to look for a monitor with 1ms specs.

If you plan on spending a lot of time in front of the monitor, and you do, it’s important to find a model that is not strenuous on the eyes. This is where GL2460HM takes the cake: it’s got both ZeroFlicker technology for minimized eye strain and Low Blue Light Technology that filters out harmful blue light. After hours of playing, you can really feel the difference.

Let’s be honest- nobody expects high-quality sound from built-in monitor speakers. These are great if you want to save money on speakers and don’t need crisp clear sound, which works OK for games with a crappy soundtrack.

On the other hand, if your idea of a great gaming experience includes being able to listen to music and effects without a hearing aid, look for another model or invest in good speakers.

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Pros & Cons

• Superb viewing angles
• Small, easily adjustable stand
• Good for console gaming
• Smart cable management

• Takes time to properly calibrate colors

Key Features:

• 1ms response time featuring ASUS GameFast Input Technology and dual HDMI ports. The brightness is 250 cd/㎡
• ASUS Eye Care technology with a flicker-free and blue light filter to minimize eye fatigue.
• Physical Dimension with Stand(WxHxD) : 22.0x(14.1 ~19.25)x 8.30 inches. Physical Dimension without Stand (WxHxD) : 22.0 x 12.95 x 1.96 inches
• Ergonomic stand with full height/tilt/swivel/pivot adjustments to accommodate any desk
• Exclusive GameVisual & GamePlus functions to enhance color performance and control.
• FreeSync/Adaptive Sync technology with a 75 Hz refresh rate with AMD Radeon GPUs
• Adaptive-Sync (FreeSync) technology supported within 40Hz~75Hz for HDMI port
• Compliance and Standards- Energy Star, BSMI, CB, CCC, CE, CEL level , CU, ErP, FCC, ISO-9241-307, J-MOSS, KCC, PSE, UkrSEPRO, UL/cUL, WEEE, WHQL (Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7), MEPS, RCM, TUV Flicker-free , eStandby, TUV Low Blue Light

Specifications:

• Screen Size 24 inches
• Screen Resolution 1920×1080
• Item Weight 11.3 pounds
• Product Dimensions 22.1 x 8.4 x 14.2 inches

Asus VG245H 24-Inch 1080p Review

The colors on this model are fantastic, although it takes a while to calibrate colors for a satisfactory result. The VG245H model is made in TN (twisted nematic) technology, which makes a monitor fast and affordable (in other words, perfect for gaming), but also reduces its viewing angles.

Surprisingly, this monitor has amazing viewing angles for a TN, both vertical and horizontal. Many gaming monitors suffer from having shoddy stands that take forever to properly adjust, but VG245H doesn’t have that problem. Its stand is small and doesn’t take up much space, but it’s sturdy enough to properly carry monitor weight.

The stand is easily adjustable, with a hole in the back for cable management, which is a great bonus. You can easily route any cable that clutters your desk through it – power, HDMI, mouse, keyboard, etc. This is a nice touch for all of us people with mild OCD and/or those who don’t like a messy desk.

If you need a monitor that’s good for console gaming, this is the one. The 75 Hz refresh rate will have any 60 FPS game run smoothly, and vivid colors will contribute to enjoyable gaming. For those who have a PS4: take a look at the best gaming monitor for PS4 list.

One thing that’s not to like about this monitor is the amount of time it takes to calibrate it. If you’re not nitpicky about that sort of thing, the default color settings are more than decent, but it takes a while to set the colors right.

If all this sounds great, but you’re set on getting a 4K monitor, you can take a look at some of the best 4K gaming monitors.

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Pros & Cons

• Top quality video
• Integrated D-sub, DVI, and HDMI inputs
• Easy to mount, VESA compatible

• Poor design

Key Features:

• Modern design and full HD (1920x1080p) resolution
• Pre-set customizable visual modes for gaming and multimedia entertainment
• Maximized color & contrast: Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio for sharp, crisp images
• Flexible connectivity: supports laptops, PCs, and Macs with HDMI, DVI, and VGA inputs
• Included in the box: LCD monitor, power cable, DVI cable, VGA cable, and audio cable

Specifications:

• Screen Size 22 inches
• Max Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080
• Item Weight 7.2 pounds
• Product Dimensions 8.8 x 20.1 x 15.8 inches

ViewSonic VX2252MH 22-Inch 1080p Review

One thing that’s amazing about this monitor is its video quality – whether you plan on binge watching Chernobyl or enjoying mind-blowing cutscenes. VX2252MH has a  50M:1 Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio made to provide a great video viewing experience and it doesn’t fail to deliver.

If you want to use your monitor for console gaming, this is a great choice. There are integrated D-sub, DVI, and HDMI inputs which enable you to connect to various gaming systems within minutes.

For those who plan on mounting their monitor, the good news is that VX2252MH is VESA compatible. This means the monitor complies with the standard mounting hole spacing and you can easily use it with a standard mount.

While the design isn’t nearly as important as performance when it comes to gaming monitors, you’ll still have to look at it for hours every day. This model has a piece of transparent plastic at the bottom which is as pointless as the Battle Royale mode in Fallout, and as ugly as Trevor from GTA V.

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Pros & Cons

• Great price
• Easy setup
• Wide viewing angles

• 60 Hz refresh rate

Key Features:

• Monitor: 21.5-inch diagonal full HD (1920×1080) IPS with 178-degree wide-viewing angles
• Resolution and aspect ratio: full HD and 16:9; 2 million pixels
• Response time: 7ms with overdrive for a smooth picture without motion blur.
• Brightness – 250 nits.
• Static contrast ratio- Up to 1000:1.
• Dynamic contrast ratio – up to 8,000,000:1
• Ports: VGA, HDMI, and HDCP; power consumption: 20 Watt
• Environmental features: mercury-free LED backlighting, arsenic-free monitor glass, and the low halogen design promote energy efficiency

Specifications:

• Screen Size 21.5 inches
• Max Screen Resolution 1920×1080 pixels
• Item Weight 6.6 pounds
• Product Dimensions 6.7 x 19.6 x 15.2 inches

HP Pavilion 21.5-Inch IPS LED HDMI VGA Monitor Review

If you need a good and reliable monitor that isn’t expensive, HP Pavilion is a good pick. You can use it for gaming and/or as a second monitor for a dual monitor setting, as it is fairly easy to set up (comes with VGA, HDMI, and HDCP support). Its size makes the picture look amazing in 1080p, which was a pleasant surprise considering the price.

The advertised viewing angles are a wide 180 degrees and there is really no glare. The only way to adjust the monitor position is by tilt but thanks to the wide viewing angles, it does the trick.

For something this cheap, you can’t expect premium performance, and the weak point of HP Pavilion is the refresh rate. Still, we consider it to be one of the best gaming monitors under $150.

This isn’t a monitor for serious competitive gaming (and it’s impossible to find one for this kind of money), so don’t plan on playing anything where a second makes a huge difference, forget about this model. If you don’t, this monitor gives a great bang for the buck. For more cheap models, check out our pick of best budget monitors.

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Pros & Cons

• Reticle overlay feature great for FPS
• Vibrant out-of-the-box colors
• 144 Hz refresh rate
• Great for console gaming

• No adjustable height

Key Features:

• Vibrant color reproduction
• Flicker-free video
• Lightning-fast response time
• Curved VA panels deliver a 1920 x 1080p monitor resolution with full-HD clarity
• Advanced Gaming Features – AMD FreeSync for liquid smooth gameplay, free from visual distortion
• The Overdrive feature lets you ramp up the response time to 3.1ms, and you can turn on GamePlus targeting crosshairs and never miss another shot again
• Game Console Monitor – connect with any game console that can use DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 1.4 ports. Xbox One also enjoys full free sync monitor support
• You can set up a dual monitor or multi-monitor station. Use the included VESA adapter and mount this desktop monitor to the wall or compatible VESA mount monitor stand.
• Gold-Standard Support – 100% U.S.-based customer service support, available 7 days a week, zero-tolerance Dead Pixel policy, and 1-year limited warranty

Specifications:

• Screen Size 24 inches
• Screen Resolution 1920×1080
• Item Weight 6.8 pounds
• Product Dimensions 21.3 x 7.6 x 15.6 inches

Viotek GN24CW 24-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor Review

Of all curved gaming monitors out there, 24-inch Viotek GN24CW is one of the greatest – providing a great picture and multiple features for better gaming. For instance, it has the GamePlus targeting crosshairs feature. It is a reticle overlay that helps the player aim better, which will give you a great advantage in any FPS or another kind of shooter game.

Speaking of gaming, this monitor works great with a choice of consoles. It supports any game console that can use DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 1.4 ports.

This Viotek monitor comes with great out-of-the-box colors if you’re not too keen on the idea of fiddling with the settings. The 144 Hz refresh rate works with FreeSync like a charm, providing smooth gameplay.

What this monitor lacks is adjustable height, which can be a bit of a problem if your desk doesn’t have a riser. If this is a dealbreaker for you, try picking one of the best curved gaming monitors we previously wrote about.

Gaming Monitors Under $200: Buying Guide

Screen Size

When you’re considering the best screen size for your monitor, bigger isn’t necessarily better. Monitors that are 27’’ or bigger are great if you’re sitting 3-4 feet from the screen. If you’re sitting closer than that, you might want to try a smaller screen size so you can view the entire screen with ease.

Resolution

While 1080p is the golden standard, most gamers are leaning towards 4K resolution. Keep in mind that you’ll need a powerful machine to get a solid 4K performance, so if you’re on the budget, a decent 1080p monitor is a good option.

Refresh rate

The refresh rate is the number of times your monitor refreshes the image in a second (60 Hz=60 times per second). Standard monitors have a lower refresh rate of 60 Hz, but gaming monitors typically range from 75 Hz and up.

If you’re unsure of your monitor’s specs, visit our guide on how to check your monitors’ refresh rate.

Adaptive Sync

Adaptive sync is the dynamic adjusting of a monitor’s vertical refresh rate to the frame rate of the GPU. This eliminates tearing, stuttering, and judder while playing. Whether you’ll be able to use adaptive sync or not depends on the type of your monitor and graphics card and whether they’re adaptive sync compatible or not. When choosing a monitor, check if it can sync with your graphics card.

Response Time

Every time your monitor refreshes, it takes a while for the change to take effect. Typical gaming monitor response time ranges from 1-5 ms, the lower the better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 75 Hz Good for Gaming?

It depends on the type of games you play. A monitor with a 75 Hz refresh rate is good for games that don’t require a fast response or have demanding visuals. For competitive gaming and games like Dota, LOL, etc. you should aim for a higher refresh rate.

If you want to go all-in, we are glad to recommend some high-quality 240 Hz monitors for gaming.

What Is the Best Monitor Size for Gaming?

The monitor size should match its resolution and sitting distance. For example, a 1080p monitor should be between 24 and 27 inches. If you get a monitor that is too large for the resolution you’re playing in, the image will be blurry and smudged due to small PPI (pixel density).

If you’re looking to game on-the-go but aren’t really set on buying a laptop, you can grab an excellent portable gaming monitor that can be easily transported anywhere you go.

What Is a 1 ms Response Time?

This means that it takes one millisecond for the pixels to change every time your monitor refreshes. A 1 ms response time is great for gaming.

Is a Curved Monitor Better for Gaming?

A curved monitor has its advantages over a flat monitor: it provides an immersive gaming experience by engaging peripheral vision and is more comfortable for the eyes due to its arch matching the natural curvature of the eye.

While there aren’t many impressive gaming monitors under $200 that are also curved, you can go with the Viotek GN24CW 24-Inch which we suggested.

Is a Smaller Monitor Better for Gaming?

This depends on personal preferences and on the sitting distance from the monitor. A smaller monitor is better for a gaming setup where you’re sitting less than 3 feet from the screen.

Which Panel Is Better, TN or IPS?

IPS panels are typically better because they provide better viewing angles and colors, but TN panels are more affordable. In our IPS vs. TN vs. VA article, we discuss this topic in further detail.

Conclusion

There you have it. By looking at our buyer’s guide and FAQ sections, you should be able to decide exactly what kind of monitor should be perfect for you.

Alternatively, check out the top 5 picks we have listed as they all provide great value for money and are widely considered to be among the best gaming monitors under $200.