The best budget gaming monitors 2024

Picking up the best budget gaming monitor is a sure fire way to revamp your PC visuals, particularly if you're currently using an older screen. While displays designed for desktop can get pretty expensive, there are plenty of options out there that'll provide respectable 1080p performance without breaking the bank. You might even be able to snag a higher spec panel for a bargain price if you wait a little while after its release.

When shopping for a cheap and cheerful screen, we like to use the same approach as when picking the best gaming monitor. That involves striking a nice balance between specs and price, which in turn helps us round up the great value options. That's not to say extremely expensive models with luxurious features aren't fantastic, but they don't always accommodate either those of you on a budget or entry level setups. 

With that in mind, here are the best budget gaming monitor models out there right now, including the cheapest 4K options and more low key 1080p screens. We've even included curved and ultrawide picks for those of you with specific requirements.

The quick list

The best budget gaming monitor overall

AOC G2490VX

(Image credit: N/A)

1. AOC G2490VX

The best budget gaming monitor overall

Size: 24-inch | Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080) | Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Response Time: 1ms | Display Type: LED | Notable Inclusions: AMD FreeSync Premium support

Thin bezels 
Low response time 
Sleek design 
Only has HDMI and DisplayPort 

For its price point, this monitor features all the essentials needed for effective PC gaming in Full HD. This is due in part to the inclusion of support for AMD FreeSync Premium - which prevents screen tearing at low response latency for a smooth overall gaming experience. 

At the same time, it's got a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response rate - essential for competitive and fast gaming where every millisecond of delay matters. Due to its inexpensive nature and thin bezels, this monitor would be ideal as part of a dual - or even triple - monitor setup stretched out across your desk.

The best budget 4K gaming monitor

Asus VP28UQG

(Image credit: Asus)

2. ASUS VP28UQG

The best budget 4K gaming monitor

Size: 28-inch | Resolution: 4K (3840x2160) | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Response Time: 1ms

Great picture quality in 4K 
Low Blue Light mode for long sessions
On the fly GamePlus settings 
Limited to 60Hz

Spend a bit more and you can bump the screen size and resolution up with all the same low latency, anti-screen-tearing technology, dual HDMI 2.0 ports, and - fortunately - a DisplayPort to make the most of Ultra HD gaming at 60FPS. 

28-inch is a somewhat unconventional size for a monitor of this quality - not that we're complaining - as it's a fair amount of real estate to take advantage of the HDR technology and stellar colors that this panel can pump out. The only concession is in the refresh rate - you won't be able to get above 60 fps - if you're content to have higher fidelity visuals at the cost of a capped frame rate, this may be what you're been after; ideal for a dual monitor setup too.

The best budget high refresh rate gaming monitor

ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM

(Image credit: Asus)

3. ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM

The best budget high refresh monitor

Size: 24.5-inch | Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080) | Refresh Rate: 280Hz | Response Time: 0.5ms | Display Type: Fast-IPS | Notable Inclusions: Nvidia G-Sync support

Perfect for professional gamers 
Fast IPS technology 
HDR support 
No HDMI 2.1 support 

We're stretching the definition of the word 'budget' with this Asus high refresh model, but given that it features a 280Hz fast IPS-panel for just over the $300 mark, it very much is affordable given what similar brands are asking for at that kind of display speed. 

For those of you interested in competitive gaming, with its display rate being twice that of 144Hz, you're sure to have the best frame advantages possible in games such as Valorent and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and still benefit from HDR and a rich color gamut thanks to the IPS panel, something which is rarely seen on 240Hz+ monitors even double the price of this one. 

The best budget ultrawide gaming monitor

Viotek Ultrawide

(Image credit: Viotek Ultrawide)

4. Viotek GNV29CB Curved Ultrawide

The best budget ultrawide gaming monitor

Size: 29-inch | Resolution: Full HD (2560x1080) | Refresh Rate : 120Hz | Response Time: 5ms | Notable Inclusions: Nvidia G-Sync support

Competitively priced for the form factor 
Full 120Hz refresh rate 
A great size for work and gaming
Relatively high response time

Viotek has seemingly done something that's lesser seen from other monitor brands: built a competitively priced curved ultrawide with a 120Hz refresh rate. It's worth enforcing just how promising the form factor is - even if it's only limited to Full HD - for both gaming and working on with the added screen real estate. 

That's normally the trade-off for having just a twitch-happy level of snappiness when considering the MSRP compared to similar offerings from Samsung and LG in their gaming ranges. If high frame rates and a wider screen are worth it for you, then this is difficult to beat.

The best budget curved gaming monitor

Z-Edge Curved

(Image credit: Z-Edge)

5. Z-Edge UG24 Curved

The best budget curved high refresh rate gaming monitor

Size: 24-inch | Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080) | Refresh Rate: 165Hz | Response Time: 1ms | Notable Inclusions: AMD FreeSync Premium

165Hz refresh rate
Curved 
Well priced for the size and features 
Limited to 1080p

The star of the show with this curved gaming monitor from Z-Edge is its 165Hz refresh rate. That's not to say that this panel's a slouch when it comes to other gaming-specific functions and specs: there's a 1ms response time, and support for the premium version of FreeSync which adds support for 120Hz and HDR while also reducing ghosting and screen tearing. 

The form factor of the display is something to note as well; yes, it's curved but it also features very minimal bezels which means it's ideal for a dual monitor battle station setup too.

The best budget IPS gaming monitor

Gigabyte G27F

(Image credit: Gigabyte)

6. Gigabyte G27

The best budget IPS monitor

Screen size: 27-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Brightness: 300 nits | Response time: 1ms (MPRT) | Viewing angle: 178/178 degrees | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Features: 144Hz, variable refresh rate, DisplayPort, 95% DCI-P3; HDMI type HDMI 1.4 x2

Good quality 27-inch IPS panel
144Hz refresh
95% coverage of DCI-P3
No HDR support
Lacks some brightness
Not the quickest IPS tech around

Good image quality. High refresh. Fast pixel response. All for a price you can afford? Yup, the Gigabyte G27F ticks some very important gaming boxes for a budget gaming monitor. Of course, at this price point, you can’t have everything. Most notably, you can’t have all eight million pixels that come with full 4K; this is a 1080p model.

This does mean that the lower resolution leads to faster frame rates which can be critical in online shooters and battle royale games, including the likes of Fortnite, Warzone, and CS:GO, where low latency is king in a very competitive environment.

There's no HDR support here, but it's worth remembering that an awful lot of supposedly 'HDR' monitors are nothing of the sort. In fact, hardly any monitors are capable of true HDR visuals, so, the Gigabyte G27F’s lack of HDR is largely academic. And it’s not as if it implies poor panel quality: Gigabyte says the G27F is good for 95 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut, which is better than some content creation panels.

If there is a weak spot, it’s likely to be the response time. Gigabyte claims a 1ms pixel response, but courtesy of the MPRT metric. The best IPS monitors achieve 1ms via the more demanding gray-to-gray standard. Still, the Gigabyte G27F is hardly a slouch and, for the money, it’s very appealing for those looking to get the most for their money in the form of an IPS panel.

Best budget gaming monitors: buying advice

We've been PC and console gamers for many years and like to think that we know a thing or two when it comes to what makes the best budget gaming monitors worth it. With that said, we've applied our knowledge to answer some of the more frequently asked questions online right now.

Are budget 144Hz monitors worth it?

Budget 144Hz gaming monitors, at the very least, will offer a decent color gamut and higher frame rates than what's available on a 60Hz panel. With the speed of this refresh rate at a cheaper price, you're more than likely going to either have a TN or VA display, as opposed IPS, with the latter option providing better overall picture quality.

Is a 60Hz monitor good for gaming?

Gaming at 60Hz is the standard that you want to aim for regardless of resolution you're playing in. Fortunately, hitting 60Hz in 1080p isn't too intensive on entry-level and mid-tier GPUs, but to achieve this in 1440p and 4K you will need a more powerful graphics card. With that said, rock-solid 60FPS is good for gaming regardless of platform, as gameplay will be smooth as needed. 

Should I go for an IPS, TN or VA panel?

If you have the budget for it, we would always strongly recommend opting for an IPS panel for your next budget gaming monitor as the contrast and colors will be far more vivid. However, as we've seen through some high refresh rate budget gaming monitors, VA displays can look comparable in some cases, too, so keep that in mind when choosing your next display.

Is a 23-inch monitor good for gaming?

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While there's an argument to say that all sizes of monitor are 'good enough' for gaming, we would probably put 23-inches just outside the ideal range and minimum bottom line. 24-inches and above are perfect for gaming and at that size still don't take up too much room even in the smallest of city apartments. (Though, this is all subject to each particular scenario of course.)

We prefer bigger screens but there's a case for 24-inches as a particularly good size as it offers enough space for gaming, and everything on-screen is neatly in your vision by default, meaning you don't have to move your head as much. This size isn't brilliant for immersion, but if speed is your thing then a smaller monitor can be great.

Is 75Hz good for gaming?

The perennial number-throwing of refresh rates is one of the most consistent points of discussion when it comes to the best budget gaming monitors. (As you can see from  this FAQ and buying advice section!)

However, with a broad brush, we would say that, yes, 75Hz absolutely works and is good for gaming! Unless you're really chasing the slightest of advantages in super competitive play, then 1080p or 1440p, particularly at 75Hz will do you just fine and provide you with a great, solid gaming experience.

Are Hz and fps the same?

Yes, but also no. While 'Hz' refers to a monitor's refresh rate - how fast it can refresh an image every second - 'fps' refers to how fast your machine and graphics card can produce images and frames on the screen each second. They are directly and intimately related - having a graphics card powerful enough to pump 100 frames per second is easily compatible with a 75Hz monitor, for example, even though there's extra headroom not being capitalised on -  but are separate in their own rights, for sure. 

Is 165Hz better than 144Hz?

There did seem to be a brief time when everyone thought that 165Hz would be the new 144Hz - but it hasn't stuck around, and certainly didn't replace or budget the 144Hz standard mark. Anyway, that's because, for us, there's basically no difference (apart from the literal one) between the two, and if it means you can save a bit more money and go for a budget gaming monitor that has 144Hz instead of 165Hz then that's definitely worth it in our eyes. 


Have you been looking for that perfect gaming companion for your new console? If so, our guides to the best 120Hz 4K TV, the best gaming TV, and the best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X may help you find the right choice to make the most out of the current generation's full capabilities. 

Aleksha McLoughlin
Hardware Editor

Aleksha McLoughlin served as the Hardware Editor for GamesRadar from June 2021 until August 2022. Her main area of expertise was the PC gaming platform, which comprised buying guides, features, reviews, and news coverage on components and prebuilt machines. She was also responsible for gaming chairs and storage. She now works on a freelance basis while studying to become a university lecturer specializing in English for foreign territories. Prior to joining GamesRadar, she wrote for the likes of Expert Reviews, The Rory Peck Trust, No Clean Singing, Vinyl Chapters, and Tech Spark while also working with the BBC. 

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