Depending on your needs a premium monitor may be the best choice, but even cheap monitors have something to offer. While they usually come in smaller sizes and have few added features, their overall user experience does not lag that much behind. Their price often means that they have to sacrifice certain comforts which is why the best of them do so without impacting performance overtly.
The proliferation of new designs means that these budget monitors are no longer as bulky and clunky as they used to be. While smartphones are now adapting these features to their line-up, even cheap monitors surpass their screen performance by some margin.
Which is why our review examines over 50 different monitors of a limited price-tag to pick out the ones with the best values.
1. Dell UltraSharp U2414H
It is the cream of the crop when examining 24-inch screen monitors. U2414H offers a stunning 1080p full HD display with the accompanying accurate and vibrant colours with deep contrast. There will be no need for screwing with contrast, gamma, or the multitude of other display settings too since Dell calibrates every unit personally.
Specs
- 95-pounds
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 8ms response
- 8-inches
- 178-degrees field of view
- 1920 x 1080p
- 1000:1 contrast
- 250 cd/m2 brightness
Pros
- Cheap
- Calibrated in-factory
- Sleek design
- The stand can be freely adjusted
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- Not the best for movies
- Has IPS glow issues
- Noisy operation
2. AOC C27G1 (Curved)
C27G1 is perhaps the best-curved gaming monitor on the market for such a low cost. It is manufactured with an amazing 1800R curvature, 144Hz refresh rate, and an adjustable height. The screen size is bigger than most manufacturers will willingly shell out for less than $300, but AOC does offer a 27-inch screen with this model.
Specs
- 27-inch
- 3000:1 contrast
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- VA FreeSync panel type
- 1800R screen
- 144Hz refresh
- 1920 x 1080p
- 178-degrees field of view
- 1ms response
- 67-pounds
- 250cd/m2 brightness
Pros
- Affordable
- Large display
- Excellent movie view performance
- Superb gameplay use
- Fast operation
Cons
- Heavy
- Not the most durable
3. Omen 32-inch QHD display
You don’t get much better QHD deals than that offered in the 32-inch Omen monitor model. QHD monitors are the best at sharp images and with a 1440p rich display, Omen blows away the competition. To reduce the rate of frame drops, it is packaged with FreeSync technology from AMD.
Specs
- 10000000:1 contrast
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 56-pounds
- 2560 x 1440p
- 178-degrees viewing angle
- 32-inch
- 5ms response
Pros
- Massive display
- The design is fantastic
- Images are very sharp
- Excellent gaming use
Cons
- Pricy
- FreeSync mode can only run at 75Hz
- Requires AMD graphics card
- Heavy
4. BenQ Zowie XL2430
144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time make Zowie more than a match for any competition for high-performing QHD monitors. It has a Black eQualizer feature that is optimized for Overwatch-like games and adjusts clarity in dark scenes. With a fully adjustable stand, blue light backlight, and flicker-free technology, the sacrifice in colour accuracy become worth it.
Specs
- 1920 x 1080p
- 1000:1 contrast
- 144Hz refresh
- 24-inch
- 170-degrees viewing angle
- 4-pounds
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 1ms response
- TN panel type
Pros
- Awesome response
- Insane performance
- Does not flicker
- Optimized for Esports games
- Compact and lightweight
- Stellar panel
- Fantastic value
Cons
- Pricy
- The contrast could be better
- Colour accuracy is not the best
5. ViewSonic XG2700 4K
As we fully enter the age of 4K screens, some deals on Ultra HD monitors start becoming more and more reasonable. XG2700 from ViewSonic has become without much doubt one of the best deals in 4K monitors. It can produce rich colours and has the SuperClear IPS panel that can match 5ms response time and a 144Hz refresh rate with ease.
Specs
- 6-pounds
- 3840 x 2160p HD
- 27-inch
- 178-degrees field of view
- 78:1 aspect ratio
- 5ms response
Pros
- Incredible refresh rate
- Fast response
- Pixel-pushing game performance
- Large display
- Incredible viewing angle performance
Cons
- Interface is clumsy
- Expensive
- FreeSync only
- Heavy
6. Dell S-Series 27-inch
The S-series is discounted heavily by Dell which means that you can get a 1440p, 27-inch panel for a budget price. It is packaged with AMD FreeSync and performs amazingly at 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate on a TN panel.
Specs
- 155Hz refresh rate
- TN FreeSync panel
- 7M colour support
- 1ms response
- 27-inch
- 2560 x 1440p
- 350cd/m2 brightness
- 1000:1 contrast
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 4-pounds
Pros
- Adjustments are easy
- Insane value
- Lightweight
- Fast performance
- Sharp colours
- Incredible size
Cons
- Colour accuracy could be better
- Contrast is foggily
7. Asus VG245H
VG245H is for penny-pinchers that still desire a gaming experience to remember. While it is one of the cheapest monitors on display, it still makes do with a 75Hz refresh rate, a 1440p panel, and a blue light filter.
Specs
- 1ms response
- 24-inch
- 1920 x 1080p
- 3-pounds
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 170/160-degrees field of view
Pros
- Cheapest
- Amazing response time
- Lightweight
- Surprising durability
- Low blue-light mode
Cons
- FreeSync only
- Colour reproduction is serviceable
8. LG 27UL500
27UL500 is another 4K monitor that offers a much cheaper offer for its IPS panel and a 27-inch screen. The colours are vivid and clear to go with FreeSync support and what we’ll call a basic refresh and response rate.
Specs
- 300cd/m2 brightness
- IPS FreeSync panel
- 27-inch
- 5ms response
- 3840 x 2160p
- 1000:1 contrast
- 60Hz refresh
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 178-degrees viewing angle
- 14-pounds
Pros
- Lightweight and cheap
- Crazy performance
- Best value
- Gorgeous
- Crazy gaming performance
- Colours are deep and vivid
Cons
- Basic response time and refresh rate
- Lacks durability
9. LG 29UM68
Specs
- 178-degrees viewing angle
- 5-pounds
- 29-inch
- 5ms response
- 1000:1 contrast
- IPS panel
- 250cd/m2 brightness
- 2560 x 1080p
- 21:9 aspect ratio
Pros
- Perfect for movies
- Clear display
- Affordable
- Multitasking is awesome
- Immersive visuals
- Awesome colours
Cons
- FreeSync mode is only 75Hz
10. Acer Nitro XV273K
Specs
- 400cd/m2 brightness
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 144Hz refresh
- 27-inch
- 178-degrees field of view
- IPS FreeSync2 HDR panel
- 8-pounds
- 3840 x 2160p
- 4ms response
- 1000:1 contrast
Pros
- Low cost
- Sharp and clear display
- 4K HDR is awesome
- Incredible weight
- Crazy in-game performance
Cons
- Dull colours
- Oversaturated SDR mode