The best gaming experience comes alongside an excellent monitor and a high refresh rate. Good thing, budget gaming monitors are getting better every year.
120Hz is the sweet spot when it comes to gaming. These 120Hz budget gaming monitors strikes a great balance between performance and value. However, there are 144Hz gaming monitors available today at a very affordable price.
For those who are unfamiliar with refresh rates, the higher number produces a smoother graphics. Competitive PC gamers often use 144Hz or higher for quicker response time. However, monitors with that refresh rate are much pricier.
With that being said, here are the best budget gaming monitors available on the market.
1. AOC 27G2 Gaming Monitor
The AOC 27G2 is one of the best budget gaming monitors available today. This is mainly due to its size, refresh rate, and acceptable resolution.
This 27-inch monitor has a 1920 x 1080 resolution, which is not that great for its size. The large display is better with a 1440p display. But at this price point, there is no better deal.
The 144Hz refresh rate supports FreeSync and G-Sync to reduce screen-tear. Both graphics cards from AMD and Nvidia takes advantage of this technology for smoother gameplay.
This monitor has an IPS panel, which gives accurate colors with great viewing angles. IPS panels are sometimes associated with slower response times. But AOC managed to reduce it to 1ms.
These features are all available for around US$200[AU$303]. If that is out of the budget, the smaller AOC 24G2 is a great alternative.
2. ASUS TUF Gaming VG259Q
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG259Q has almost the same specs as the AOC 27G2 but in a smaller form factor. The screen size is only 24.5 inches but with full HD resolution.
The main advantage of the VG259Q is its brightness. The 27G2 is only capable of reaching 250cd/m2 while the TUF Gaming monitor can go as high as 400cd/m2.
This monitor also supports FreeSync and G-Sync in order to reduce screen tearing.
One problem that the ASUS VG259Q has is the price. It currently retails for $280 which is a lot for a 1080p display. Even if it has a 144Hz refresh rate, the AOC 27G2 is a better value.
3. Dell S2719DGF Gaming monitor
Dell comes in the list with its 27-inch gaming monitor. The resolution is better than the AOC 27G2, but it falls short in the panel used.
Dell opted for a TN panel, which is a lot worse than an IPS panel. The colors are not accurate and the viewing angles are not great.
However, the Dell S2719DGF monitor has a 155Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. It is a little bit faster than 144Hz but the difference is not noticeable.
This monitor only supports AMD FreeSync so Nvidia fans might move to the red side if they want to use this monitor.
For $350, this is the best budget 1440p gaming monitor. But, be aware that the panel is TN and does not produce vibrant accurate colors. If that is the priority, then other monitors with an IPS panel is the better choice.
4. LG UltraFine 27UL600
4K gaming has become cheaper nowadays. Graphics cards that can run 4K games at respectable frame rates are now more affordable.
Alongside a great graphics card is a monitor that can take advantage of its power. The LG UltraFine 27UL600 is the perfect match for this purpose.
For a budget 4K monitor, the UltraFine 27UL600 has a lot of features included. It has an IPS panel that supports AMD FreeSync.
However, there is a tradeoff at this price point. This monitor only has a 60Hz refresh rate and a 5ms response time. It is not that bad, but for competitive games such as Apex Legends and Valorant, the 60Hz display greatly affects the gameplay.
If the high refresh rate is not a priority, then this monitor is one of the best budget gaming monitors available. It is perfect for casual gamers and content creators due to its IPS panel.
Images used courtesy of AOC, ASUS, Dell, LG, Thannaree Deepul/Shutterstock