Getting an awesome CPU for your game needs is great, but getting the best gaming monitor is even better. There’s no point in having the best graphics card if your display is substandard.
Best, however, can mean many things when talking about monitors. While premium models will have the best of everything that makes a gaming monitor great, the cost is often prohibitive.
Fear not though, it is possible to get premium performance from some affordable monitors. Our review examines the best high-end gaming monitors within an affordable price range.
These monitors have the best panel speeds, an excellent display, G-Sync, budget prices, and HDR.
Note: The gaming monitor you buy should depend solely on the type of games you play on it. Games like Mass Effect and Halo will require better HDR and Panel speeds than others like GTA.
Best Gaming Monitors 2023
1. Asus ROG Swift PG279QM
So far in 2023, Asus ROG Swift is the best gaming monitor you can buy. It offers an incredible 2560 x 1440p resolution and G-Sync for a stunning budget price. PG279Q comes with an IPS panel that can clock 144Hz and more and HDMI 1.4 ports. G-Sync technology ensures that refresh rates are variable, so long as you are operating on a Nvidia GPU.
Specs
- 27-inch
- 144Hz refresh rates (165Hz on over-clock)
- 4ms response time
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- IPS
- 4-pounds
- 2560 x 1440p
Pros
- Extremely fast
- Affordable
- Low input lag
- Can overclock
- Light
Cons
- G-Sync is Nvidia specific
- No 4K display
2. BenQ EX3501R
HDR has become a major selling point of TV and Laptop displays in recent times even though this has not spread to gaming monitors. BenQ is changing this trend by introducing HDR to create an ultra-wide beauty that exceeds all our expectations.
It is big, cheap, fast, and comes with ridiculous colour quality.
Specs
- 35-inch
- 23-pounds
- 21:9 aspect ratio
- 4ms response time
- 100Hz refresh rate
- 3440 x 1440p
- sRGB 100% color support
- 178/178 field of view
Pros
- Affordable
- Wide colour support
- HDR-enabled
- Ultra-wide
- Impressive resolution
Cons
- Heavy
- There are cheaper models
- The menu is not intuitive
- The refresh rate is lower than expected
3. BenQ EL2870U
For all its inadequacies in other display aspects, EL2870U’s resolution is astounding. BenQ is a 28-inch display monitor that comes at less than $400. Although its viewing angles are limited and its existence as a TN panel monitor, its native response time is an unmatched 1ms.
Specs
- 87-pounds
- 60Hz refresh rate
- TN
- 28-inch
- 1ms response time
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 3840 x 2160p resolution
Pros
- Impressive resolution
- Integrated stereo speakers
- Response time is the best
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Viewing angle is small
- The refresh rate is low
4. Alienware AW3418DW
Alienware is one of the few gaming monitors with a refresh rate exceeding 100Hz and a 21:9 aspect ratio. While it is not the cheapest model on the market, its price is still below the dreaded $1000 ceiling. With AW3418DW, you get the best of both worlds. Incredible screen size, fantastic viewing angles, high-end pricing, premium display, and build quality.
Specs
- 34-inch
- 4ms response time
- 120Hz refresh rate
- sRGB 100% color support
- 26-pounds
- 21:9 aspect ratio
- 3440 X 1440p
- 178/178 viewing angles
Pros
- Brilliant refresh rate
- Widescreen
- Fantastic quality
- Premium and sleek build
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Resolution is not impressive for the price
5. AOC Agon AG271QG
Agon excels at sports games because it is tailor-made for gaming esports. It is larger than expected and is the choice of most graphic designers and video editors. While its TN panel type limits its field of view, its HDR display is a winner for most users. It comes with G-Sync that similarly to Asus only works with Nvidia cards.
Specs
- TN
- 98-pounds
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 1ms response time
- 27-inch
- 165Hz refresh rate
- 2560 x 1440p
Pros
- The refresh rate is excellent
- Fantastic response time
- Comes with HDR and G-Sync
- Widescreen
- Reasonable pricing
Cons
- Limited field of view
- Resolution is only 1440p
- G-Sync is only Nvidia compatible
6. BenQ PD3200U
PD3200U is a rare gem in the gaming monitor community, being one of the few monitors that have integrated a 4K display. While it was initially made for CAD users, it also excels at the game display.
Specs
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 32-inch
- 4ms response time
- 19-pounds
- 60Hz refresh rate
- 178/178 field of view
- 4K UHD
- 3840 x 2160p
Pros
- Resolution is higher than average
- Solid display quality
- Ultra-wide angles
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Large
- Bland look
- The menu doesn’t offer many options
7. Asus MG279Q
For an IPS panel type monitor, MG279Q has an incredible refresh rate. It comes at such a cheap price mostly because it uses FreeSync technology instead of G-Sync. This is a monitor that does not excel at anything but value.
Specs
- IPS
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 144Hz refresh rate
- 9-pounds
- 4ms response time
- 2560 x 1440p
- 27-inch
Pros
- Fantastic refresh rate
- Affordable and lightweight
- Good picture quality
- Adaptive refresh rate
Cons
- Blur reduction is absent
- Range of adaptive refresh is small
8. MSI Optix MPG341CQR
Big, fast, and sleek are the words that best describe Optix. While it uses a VA panel instead of the usual IPS, this gave us better colour and contrast than we could expect.
Specs
- 1ms response time
- 21:9 aspect ratio
- 16-pounds
- 144Hz refresh rate
- 34-inch
- 3440 x 1440p
- 178/178 viewing angle
Pros
- Ultra-wide
- Affordable
- Strong performance
- Amazing response
Cons
- Heavy
- No 4K or HDR
9. Acer XR382CQK
This Acer model may be expensive, but it is the best-curved gaming monitor of its size. It comes with a high resolution and QHD Ultra-wide panel, but has a slow response time and refresh rate.
Specs
- IPS
- 5ms response time
- 5-inch
- 61-pounds
- 3840 x 1600p
- 75Hz
Pros
- Wide curved screen
- FreeSync is enabled
- Resolution is impressive
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Requires a powerful GPU
- Response is slow
10. Asus VG248QE
Asus VG248QE is a compromise choice. It is cheap, fast, and has a high refresh rate, but its resolution is too low and its size too small.
Specs
- 24-inch
- 13-pounds
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- TN
- 1ms response time
- 1920 x 1080p
- 144Hz refresh rate
Pros
- Fast and cheap
- Lightweight
- The refresh rate is excellent
Cons
- Low resolution
- Old design