As technology advances, high-quality monitors are becoming more accessible and affordable for the average consumer. For those looking to upgrade their monitor on a budget, there are some excellent options available that balance performance and price. In this article, I will compare and contrast the best budget monitors currently on the market for both work and play.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Budget Monitor
When selecting a budget monitor, there are a few key factors to take into account:
Screen Size
The most common sizes for budget monitors range from 24” to 27”. A 24” monitor is sufficient for most basic tasks, while 27” provides more screen real estate for multitasking and immersive gaming. Larger monitors often come at a higher price point.
Resolution
Resolution determines how sharp and detailed the image quality is. For office work and web browsing, a 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution is perfectly suitable. For gaming and movie watching, higher 2560 x 1440 (QHD) or 3440 x 1440 (UltraWide QHD) resolutions provide even crisper images and details.
Refresh Rate
Refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), determines how many times the monitor updates with new image data per second. Standard monitors have 60Hz refresh rates. For gaming, higher 120Hz or 144Hz rates make motion look smooth and reduce input lag.
Response Time
Response time measures how quickly the monitor reacts to changes on screen. Lower response times (1-5ms) prevent blurring from fast motion, which is especially key for gaming and watching action movies.
Panel Type
There are 3 main panel types to consider – TN, VA, and IPS:
-
TN panels have the fastest response times but worst viewing angles and color accuracy. They are the most affordable panel type.
-
VA panels offer better colors and viewing angles than TN, with moderately fast response times.
-
IPS panels have the best viewing angles and color reproduction, but slower response times and higher costs compared to TN and VA. IPS is best for creative work.
Adaptive Sync (FreeSync/G-Sync)
Adaptive sync matches the monitor’s refresh rate with the graphics card’s output to eliminate screen tearing. AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync are the two standards that perform adaptive sync. Having one of these features provides a big benefit for gaming.
Ports
Common ports found in monitors include HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and USB. Look for at least one HDMI and DisplayPort connection. USB ports allow you to connect peripherals directly to the monitor.
Top Budget Monitors For Office Work
Here are my top recommendations for budget monitors optimized for productivity, office work, and general everyday use:
Dell SE2422HX – Best 24” Budget Monitor Under $150
- 24” screen size
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution
- VA panel with 3000:1 contrast ratio for vivid colors
- Response time: 4ms GTG
- Refresh rate: 75 Hz with AMD FreeSync support
- Ports: 2 x HDMI, 1 x VGA
The Dell SE2422HX provides stunning visuals and smooth performance perfect for work. It has a height, tilt, and swivel adjustable stand and thin bezels for a modern aesthetic. The VA panel renders rich colors and deep blacks at its high contrast ratio. FreeSync support also benefits gamers during their off-work hours.
Lenovo L24e-30 – Best Budget Monitor Under $150
- 23.8” screen size
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution
- IPS panel for 178° wide viewing angles
- 75 Hz refresh rate
- Response time: 4ms GTG
- Ports: 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x VGA
The Lenovo L24e-30 utilizes an IPS panel that provides accurate colors and consistency across wide viewing angles. The virtually borderless display looks sleek, while the ergonomic, tiltable stand allows for comfortable all-day use. It’s ideal for productivity.
Acer CB242Y – Well-Rounded 23.8” Monitor
- 23.8” screen
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution
- IPS panel with 99% sRGB coverage for color accuracy
- 75 Hz refresh rate with FreeSync
- Response time: 4ms
- Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x VGA
The Acer CB242Y delivers stunning true-to-life visuals with its IPS panel covering 99% of the sRGB color gamut. The height adjustable stand, 2 HDMI ports, and FreeSync support provide a versatile feature set for work and entertainment.
Best Budget Monitors for Gaming Under $250
Gaming doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are the best budget gaming monitors packing premium features under $250:
AOC 24G2 – Best 144Hz IPS Gaming Monitor
- 24” screen
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution
- IPS panel with 1ms GTG response time
- 144Hz refresh rate with FreeSync Premium
- Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
The AOC 24G2 is my top choice for fast-paced competitive gaming. The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time deliver incredibly smooth, tear-free visuals. Vibrant colors and wide viewing angles also immerse you into gameplay thanks to the IPS panel.
Asus TUF Gaming VG249Q – Ergonomic 144Hz IPS Gaming Monitor
- 23.8” screen
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution
- IPS panel with 130% sRGB coverage
- 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT
- Fully ergonomic stand with tilt, swivel, pivot, height adjustment
- Ports: 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort
The Asus VG249Q features a highly adjustable stand and wide color gamut coverage for vivid visuals when gaming or watching movies. The 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time deliver super smooth motion clarity.
MSI Optix G241 – Best 144Hz IPS Monitor With FreeSync
- 24” screen
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution
- IPS panel with 1ms response time
- 144Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync
- Ports: 2 x HDMI 1.4 , 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
- 95% DCI-P3 color gamut
The MSI Optix G241 provides stunning colors covering 95% of the cinema-grade DCI-P3 gamut. Its 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync support extract every bit of performance from your GPU for ultra smooth gaming. The 1080p IPS panel balances speed and visuals.
Finding The Best Budget Monitor For Your Needs
When choosing a monitor, it’s important to consider your key priorities – whether that’s color accuracy for design work, super fast response times for competitive gaming, or excellent ergonomics for long work days. Identifying the specs that matter most helps narrow down your options to find the best budget monitor tailored to your needs.
I hope this overview of the top budget monitors available has given you a great starting point to choose the perfect display. With some diligent research, you can find excellent monitors with premium features without breaking the bank. The models I highlighted provide impressive quality and performance at accessible price points under $150 or $250.
