Gaming is a hobby to be enjoyed with the best accessories around. One of the most important accessories that contributes to the enjoyment of your gaming experience is the monitor. While most computer builders overlook this accessory, the best graphics cards and the most sophisticated processors around won’t mean much if the display is wack.
Therefore, it’s important that you get the best monitor for gaming in order to ensure the best possible gaming experience. What’s more, you can easily get the best gaming monitor for under $200. Think this is too good to be true? Just check out some of the products we’ve reviewed below.
When considering the best gaming monitor for you, there are a number of key factors to keep in mind. The size and resolution of your monitor are naturally the most central features to look at, but refresh rate and response time are also imperative to ensuring a truly immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. To help you make the best choice for your setup, we’ve covered each of these factors in our buying guide toward the end of this article.
- The 10 Best Gaming Monitor Under $200
- Asus VG245H Gaming Monitor
- AOC G2590FX Framless Gaming Monitor
- BenQ ZOWIE RL2455S Gaming Monitor
- Samsung C27F398 27″ Curved Monitor
- LG 27MP59G-P Gaming Monitor
- Acer XFA240 bmjdpr Gaming Monitor
- BenQ 1080p HDR10 Monitor
- ViewSonic Ergonomics Gaming Monitor
- Dell Gaming LED-Lit Monitor
- Acer Gaming Curved Monitor
- Best Gaming Monitors Under 200 Buyer’s Guide
- Monitor Size and Resolution
- Refresh Rate
- Response Time
The 10 Best Gaming Monitor Under $200
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Asus VG245H Gaming Monitor
The first product on our list is the ASUS’ VS245H. While it may be on the smaller end in terms of size, it packs a punch. Specs are middle of the road, but consistently so across the board. These include a 75Hz refresh rate and a response time of one millisecond. Support for AMD FreeSync technology is also included, but you’ll be seeing a lot of that among the best gaming monitors under $200. Its wealth of features targeted towards gamers really helps this cheap gaming monitor stand on its own two feet.
Crosshair overlays can be customized to your specific gaming needs, and there are designated picture presets for a variety of different gaming genres. There are even two HDMI ports built right in. Whether you’re looking to stream your gaming experience for a Let’s Play or want to switch between your console and PC, it’s a surprisingly great addition for its low price.
| Resolution | Full HD 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 24 inches |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Panel Type | TN |
| Refresh Rate | 75Hz |
Pros
- Comes with blue light filters and flicker-free technology
- Great gaming tools in the form of GamePlus and GameVisual
- Can display 16.8 million colors with true 8-bit depth
- Low input lag and minimal motion blur
Cons
AOC G2590FX Framless Gaming Monitor
AOC is a name known for its high-quality and high-value gaming monitors. While their G2590FX brushes right up against the top end of our price point, it’s also quite possibly the best gaming monitor under $200. While the resolution here is limited to Full HD, the 144Hz refresh rate and snappy 1 millisecond response time are something you’d only expect to see in a far more expensive gaming monitor. And as a newer TN model, it doesn’t really suffer from the washed-out colors that the style is known for.
In fact, a monitor color test will reveal a pretty dynamic range that really comes out when playing more vibrant and colorful games. This gaming monitor under $200 also comes with AOC’s Blue mode, which helps to protect your eyes when gaming for an extended period of time. This black monitor is surely one of the best gaming monitors you can buy.
| Resolution | Full HD 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 25 inches |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Panel Type | TN |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
Pros
- Low input lag mode lets you maximize performance
- Flicker free technology and LowBlue model for less eye strain
- Nvidia G-SYNC and Adaptive Sync reduce tearing significantly
- 20 different levels of grayscale adjustment via AOC Game Color interface
Cons
BenQ ZOWIE RL2455S Gaming Monitor
The BenQ Zowie series are known as monitors that are optimized for professional play, and even the higher-end models have even been designated as the official monitors of multiple esports tournaments. The RL2455 doesn’t quite meet the same specs, but it’s still one of the best gaming monitors under 200 bucks for multiplayer gaming, especially considering that it clocks in at just about $150. The big selling point here is going to be the lack of lag and the peppy response time. A standard 60Hz refresh rate can be scaled up to 75Hz.
The inclusion of two HDMI ports and a D-Sub and DVI port further bolsters the credibility of this gaming monitor under $200 as a budget alternative for competitive play. And while this may just be a 1080p resolution monitor for gaming, it makes the most of its limited resolution. A wealth of color control settings help create a vivid picture quality and more lively environments without sacrificing speed and reliability in the process.
| Resolution | Full HD 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 24 inch screen |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Panel Type | TN |
| Refresh Rate | 75Hz |
Pros
- Plentiful ports for hooking up multiple devices
- Backed by a three year limited manufacturer warranty
- Lag and response times suitable for high-end competitive play
- Multiple display presets and excellent darkness and shadow equalization
Cons
Samsung C27F398 27″ Curved Monitor
Looking for the best curved gaming monitors under $200? Here’s one of the best options you can choose. Curved monitors are generally seen as a luxury reserved for high-end models, but Samsung puts that notion squarely to rest with their CF398. Serious gamers will love the ability to scope out their surroundings more intuitively as well as the phenomenal motion handling, low input lag, and fast response. While it doesn’t offer the best visual quality, its above-average gaming performance should confidently assure gamers that it’s more than just a one-trick pony.
The motion handling here is solid, and it also supports AMD’s FreeSync technology for less tearing. If you’re working with a budget or mid-range AMD card, it will really help you make the most of it. The brightness settings aren’t the best, but put this in the right controlled environment, and it really pops. The contrast settings are phenomenal, allowing you to pick out details even in shadow-heavy environments.
| Resolution | Full HD 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 27 inches |
| Response Time | 4ms |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
Pros
- Eye saver mode
- Ideal display particularly in games with dark scene design
- Top notch input lag rates
- Supports AMD FreeSync tech for reduced tearing
Cons
LG 27MP59G-P Gaming Monitor
The LG 27MP59G-P has a lot in common with Samsung’s C27F398. It is one of the best and cheapest widescreen gaming monitors under 200 bucks with some cool gamer-specific features. The contrast isn’t as strong as its Samsung counterpart, but it does look great from multiple viewing angles, so you don’t have to be locked into a single position to really enjoy your gaming experience.
While LG’s monitor shares the weak low-light performance of most IPS gaming monitors, the color gamut is exceptional. This isn’t going to be a monitor capable of fulfilling the needs of professional graphic designers, but with its 1ms response time, it’s just about perfect for people looking to immerse themselves in a colorful new world. The motion handling is also very good, and the settings can be adjusted manually to prevent blur and reduce image flicker, thereby producing a better picture quality.
| Resolution | Full HD 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 27 inches |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 75Hz |
Pros
- Black Stabilizer for picking out details in heavy shadow
- 4 screen split
- Smartly designed on screen control panel
- Dynamic Action Sync lets you further minimize input lag
Cons
Acer XFA240 bmjdpr Gaming Monitor
If you’re on a budget but looking for PC monitors with premium features that can partner well with your decently powerful Nvidia graphics card, you’ll want to take a look at the Acer XFA240. While 144Hz monitors under $200 are no longer a rarity, the XFA240 offers more than just smooth refresh rates. It’s compatible with both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync technologies to smooth out your experience regardless of the GPU you have in your machine.
You wouldn’t know just by looking at this monitor though. Acer’s 144hz monitor under 200 bucks sports a simple and unassuming design, which has allowed them to focus on what matters most: the specs. All around, this is a high-performance piece of equipment that well exceeds the expectations of its price point. On top of its incredible viewing angles, you can also swivel, tilt, pivot, or adjust the monitor’s height. This is overall one of the best budget monitors around.
| Resolution | Full HD 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 24 inches |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Panel Type | TN |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
Pros
- Ergonomic stand facilitates a wide variety of angles
- Uses Acer EyeProtect and Blue Light Technology
- Supports both major adaptive sync protocols
- 170 degrees horizontal and 160 degrees vertical viewing angles
Cons
BenQ 1080p HDR10 Monitor
The second BenQ entry on our list of best monitors under 200 bucks is the EW277HDR. It is an HDR model, which is a real rarity in the budget price range. In short, this means a great color range, better contrast, and impressive brightness levels. It takes the standards of FHD resolutions and provides them with a decent amount of extra juice.
The monitor response time here isn’t particularly fast, at a nevertheless respectable 4ms, but the refresh rate tops out at 60Hz. That’s really the only disadvantage to an otherwise top notch monitor. A budget or mid-ranged rig will likely not be pushing your screen that hard. Although competitive gamers and those looking to play the newest games on the highest settings may not love this monitor, the EW277HDR is a safe bet for anyone working on a budget.
| Resolution | Full HD 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 24 inches |
| Response Time | 4ms |
| Panel Type | IPS panel |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
Pros
- Great dynamic range, can display up to 16.7 million colors
- Thin bezeled design is sleek, serious, and sophisticated
- Offers up to 33% better contrast performance with Brightness Enhancement
- Smart Focus for a better viewing experience
Cons
ViewSonic Ergonomics Gaming Monitor
ViewSonic’s entry into the best gaming monitor under $200 list is a gaming monitor with a fast 144Hz refresh rate and a Full HD resolution that supports 8-bit colors. The two-tone design is fairly simple while still distinguishing it clearly as a gaming monitor, and it has the specs to match: a fast one-millisecond response rate and support for AMD’s FreeSync tech. It also comes with Black Stabilization for a greater sense of contrast and a better viewing experience, especially in shadier gaming environments. Also worth noticing is its processor reducer, which reduces the amount of lag from your peripherals.
All these factors combine together to create a monitor that offers a decently pretty output along with performance that should make both pro and semi-pro gamers happy. Two HDMI ports are supported by DisplayPort and USB hubs, so there’s plenty of real estate for hooking up multiple devices. It also delivers a pretty solid output when it comes to retaining color consistency from a variety of different angles.
| Resolution | Full HD 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 24 inches |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
Pros
- Great refresh rate and lightning quick response
- A deep bench of genre-specific preset options
- Support for a wide variety of source devices
- Comes with a three year warranty from the manufacturer
Cons
Dell Gaming LED-Lit Monitor
Our list of best monitors for gaming under $200 wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of the Dell D2719HGF. The modest but well-crafted bezel free design suggests a monitor that’s all business, which is only further reflected in its specs. The I/O layout is workmanlike and expansive, offering support for 144Hz-ready HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 inputs. Speakers come built right in, so you don’t need to worry about investing in external alternatives. There are a pair of USB 3.0 ports too.
The backlighting here is phenomenal, delivering the crisp and clear results gamers are known to love. Whether you’re in your living room or a crowded esports tournament, you are sure to get the best out of your display. And to make things better, the Full HD resolution scales fairly well to the larger screen size. The only real sacrifice Dell has made with this model is the exclusion of on-screen navigation.
| Resolution | Full HD 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 27 inches |
| Response Time | 1ms |
| Panel Type | TN |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
Pros
- A smart design that gives off a professional demeanor
- FHD display with really vivid colors
- Neatly organized and respectable connectivity ports
- Thin design makes for energy efficient results
Cons
Acer Gaming Curved Monitor
Another great option for budget customers, the Acer ED242QR also offers essentially the best specs you could expect to find at this price point. For less than $200, you get a refresh rate of 144Hz (albeit only through the DisplayPort), support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync tech, and the only monitor in our review to use a VA panel. That gives it a nice balance between the TN and IPS monitor models in terms of visual quality and speed.
The support for both sync modes is going to be the biggest gamer-focused feature here, but it’s not the only one. Black Boost gives you better visibility in darker environments, and while the on-screen display isn’t the newest or most intuitive on the market, but it does its job adequately well. The lack of backlight strobing is a slight disappointment, but likely won’t be a deal-breaker for most.
| Resolution | Full HD 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size | 24 inches |
| Response Time | 4ms |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
Pros
- Incredible frame rate courtesy of AMD FreeSync tech
- Acer VisionCare reduces the strain on your eyes significantly
- Curved screen with decently varied tilt controls
- Fast response time and great contrast ratio
Cons
Best Gaming Monitors Under 200 Buyer’s Guide
Not sure what resolution is right for your screen? Can’t begin to parse the difference between a TN and an IPS? Gaming monitors aren’t as intimidating as they may seem. Our best monitor under $200 buying guide will turn you into an expert in no time.
Monitor Size and Resolution
In theory, the philosophy behind both monitor size and resolution is pretty simple: bigger is better. A larger screen gives you more surface area to display your game, while the resolution determines the detail of that picture. The trick is finding the right balance between the two. A super high resolution will be wasted on a screen that can’t do it justice, while a lower resolution on a smaller screen will look less distinct and more pixelated.
Fortunately, there are some hard and fast rules for which resolution should be paired to which screen. The resolutions available now are pretty vast, but our price range means the options here are pretty limited. You won’t find a reliable 1440p 144hz monitor for under $200, for instance. Instead, we’ll keep our results narrowed to the FHD resolution supported by all of our listed monitors.
The minimum screen size you’ll want on a Full HD monitor is 24″. Anything less than that will waste the potential detail on offer. Fortunately, we have quite a range of monitors on our list. The maximum size you’ll want to get with an FHD resolution is 27″. At this point, you’ll start to see some visual imperfections and smudging, which is why some manufacturers include technology like HDR. That being said, this is typically only an issue when reading and typing and won’t have a major effect on a gaming-focused machine.
Refresh Rate
If you want to have the most seamless experience when running AAA games, the refresh rate is what you’ll want to pay most attention to. Different panels offer countless different refresh rates, but you won’t find a 120Hz monitor here. All of the featured monitors on our list clock in at refresh rates of 144, 60, or 75Hz. The refresh rate tells you how quickly the screen refreshes, and that can have a major effect on performance for pro gamers. The faster the refresh rate, the more organically the screen reacts to your input and the more easily you can adapt to changing circumstances in-game. It’s therefore integral to situational awareness in high-intensity multiplayer matches, and it can increase immersion even in single-player games.
144Hz has long been considered the gold standard for online play, but manufacturers are now pushing out screens that offer refresh rates as high as 240Hz. There’s a point of diminishing returns here, as refresh rates are inherently dependent on the performance of your graphics card. Unless you’re sporting a beast of a GPU, anything above 144Hz won’t do much for you.
Response Time
Another factor that limits the upper potential of a monitor’s refresh rate is the response time. This refers to how long it takes for a pixel on the screen to change from one color to another. Naturally, these two factors are incredibly interdependent on one another. Different monitors come with different response times. While some monitors feature response times of 1-2ms, there are slower monitors with response times up to 20ms. The monitors on our list promise a response time of 1-4 milliseconds. While this likely won’t mean much to you unless you really want to dig into the specs, and the refresh rate can generally offer enough insight, it’s worth digging into if you really want to evaluate the specs up close.
Final Thoughts
New PC gamers often make the mistake of failing to find balance in their builds, and they’re often left with monitors that greatly outmatch their GPUs or those that simply can’t keep up. The monitors on our list represent a good balance for entry-level and even mid-range machines. They are easy to use and come with many features beneficial to gaming.
These are a versatile set of displays that offer a decent variety of features and significantly better performance than you’d find on monitors from even just a few years ago. For the majority of gamers, they’re a sensible alternative to the extravagant luxury monitors that occupy the upper echelon of the market.
If you liked our article on gaming monitors under $200, please share and comment below what your favorite product is.
