The Best Monitor Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Desktop monitors tend to last a long time, so if you last bought one when iPhones were a novelty, or Tesla automobiles were as exotic as jetpacks, a lot has changed. Today, you can get quite a spread of screen, and a lot more functionality for your money, than in the ’00s or the ’10s.
Many of today’s low-priced monitors—which we generally define as ones with prices topping out at around $200—perform quite well and include at least the essential connectivity and usability features you need for everyday computing. But shop around, and you’ll see that some have a surprising mix of features beyond the basics. Whether you’re on a tight budget, live in tight quarters, need a couple of screens on the cheap, or simply have modest computing needs, you can find lots of low-priced monitors worth considering.
How to choose among them? We tested a bunch. The best of the lot are outlined below, where we’ll go over their pros and cons. Finally, we also have some sage general advice to follow when looking at budget panels, having eyeballed and benchmarked lots of them in PC Labs.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
HP 24mh 23.8-Inch Display
Best Budget Monitor for General Use
Why We Picked It
The HP 24mh brings more to the table than most sub-$200 business monitors, adding a DisplayPort connector in addition to the usual HDMI and VGA ports found on similar machines. And while most budget monitors offer tilt adjustment, the 24mh adds both height and pivot control.
In other ways, the 24mh is more familiar, especially its 1080p IPS panel. But it makes up for this modest resolution with impressive sRGB coverage and a contrast ratio well above its rating. It has a pair of built-in 2-watt speakers too—not exactly high-fidelity, but many budget monitors don’t include speakers at all.
Who It’s For
The HP 24mh is for cash-strapped individuals looking for a monitor that is a good value and will fit on a small desk. It’s a good option for households, home offices, and dorms. Its sRGB color coverage is great, so it’s good for photo viewing or basic editing, and it’s fine for casual viewing of movies or video clips. Users who can afford one should opt for a more full-featured monitor, but the HP 24mh offers more than you’d typically get for its bargain-basement price.
PROS
- Excellent sRGB color coverage
- High contrast ratio for an IPS monitor
- DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA connectors
- Stand supports height, pivot, and tilt adjustment
- Built-in 2-watt speakers
CONS
- Warranty limited to one year
- Brightness fell short of its rating
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 23.8 inches |
| Native Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Technology | IPS |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 250 nits |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 1,000:1 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | NA |
| Video Inputs | HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 0 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | NA |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 18.3 by 23.5 by 8.3 inches |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 2 years |
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ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K
Best Budget Gaming Monitor
Why We Picked It
The ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K stands out in the mostly bleak sub-$200 gaming-monitor landscape. This QHD (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) display sports up to a 180Hz refresh rate, a rated 0.5ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium technology to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering. Sure, it’s missing the accoutrements that define premium gaming monitors, but it’s an excellent performer that pairs well with both budget and mainstream PC builds and gaming consoles. Overall, the Omni VX2728J-2K is the little monitor that could, offering high-enough refresh rates, low input lag, and a quality color profile.
Who It’s For
Hardcore gamers might feel that the 180Hz cap is too low, but the ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K is a bargain buy, after all. Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, and other first-person shooters benefit from the small boost in refresh rate, and the QHD resolution keeps visual quality high. This monitor might be on the cheaper side, but it pairs well with games that benefit from higher performance over richer visuals.
PROS
- Affordable
- Excellent color range for the price
- Surprisingly high color accuracy
- Lightweight
CONS
- No HDMI 2.1 port
- Flimsy tripod-style stand
- No USB ports
- Limited HDR capabilities
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 27 inches |
| Native Resolution | 2560 by 1440 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Technology | IPS |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 250 nits |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 1,000:1 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 180 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync Premium |
| Video Inputs | DisplayPort, HDMI |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 0 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | HDR10 |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 22.36 by 24.2 by 8.1 inches |
| Weight | 10.7 lbs |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 3 years |
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NZXT Canvas 32Q Curved
Best Budget Large-Screen Gaming Monitor
Why We Picked It
The NZXT Canvas 32Q Curved is capable and affordable enough to earn high marks as a budget gaming display. It combines a 1500R curvature with QHD (1440p) resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and low input lag. The display supports AMD’s FreeSync Premium and is Nvidia G-Sync Compatible, which is good for playing at frame rates above 60fps with a compatible graphics card. It provides full sRGB color coverage (though its color accuracy isn’t the greatest) and an excellent contrast ratio. Fast-paced games looked great in our testing, without any ghosting to speak of.
Who It’s For
Gamers on tight budgets will appreciate the NZXT Canvas 32Q Curved for its appealing design as well as its solid performance, capped by minuscule input lag. It strikes a good balance among performance, visual clarity, and affordability, and it looks good to boot. If you’re hunting for a gaming display with a subtle curve and high 1440p refresh rate, it’s well worth checking out.
PROS
- Attractive design
- Affordable price
- Good color range and low input lag
- DisplayPort-capable USB-C included
CONS
- Limited screen settings
- Color accuracy, HDR implementation don’t impress
- No built-in speakers
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 31.5 inches |
| Native Resolution | 2560 by 1440 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Technology | VA |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 300 nits |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 165 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync |
| Video Inputs | HDMI, DisplayPort |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 4 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | HDR10 |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 16.6 by 27.9 by 4.4 inches |
| Weight | 18.6 lbs |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 3 years |
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ViewSonic VG1655
Best Budget Portable Monitor
Why We Picked It
The ViewSonic VG1655 has some uncommon features for a budget portable monitor. It offers a fold-out stand with a wide tilt range. A five-way mini-joystick controller takes the place of the fidgety buttons found on most mobile monitors, and the onscreen display (OSD) menu system lets you access a wealth of settings instead of the handful offered by many rival panels. And it has two USB-C ports—one for power and one for data/video transfer—plus a mini HDMI port. Its poor sRGB coverage makes it best for working with text and spreadsheets (versus photos and video), but it shines brighter than most mobile panels.
Who It’s For
Because of the limited color coverage of its 15.6-inch 1080p IPS panel, the ViewSonic VG1655 is more suitable for business than entertainment. It stands out, however, for some special features: its built-in, fold-out stand with a wide tilt range, a mini HDMI port, the sophisticated OSD, and the mini-joystick controller for breezing through the menus, which are found on few low-priced portable displays.
PROS
- Five-way mini-joystick controller
- Fully realized OSD
- Built-in stand allows for easy tilt
- Bright, with solid contrast ratio
- Good value for money
CONS
- Some colors dull in photos and video
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 15.6 inches |
| Native Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Technology | IPS |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 250 nits |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 800:1 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | NA |
| Video Inputs | USB-C, HDMI |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 1 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | NA |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 8.8 by 14.0 by 0.6 inches |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 3 years |
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ViewSonic VX1755
Best Budget Portable Gaming Monitor
Why We Picked It
ViewSonic’s VX1755, reasonably priced for a portable gaming monitor, is more of a performer than a beauty, impressing us with a high (144Hz) refresh rate and low input lag, while disappointing us with its less-than-stellar color fidelity. The 17.2-inch VX1755 is designed to work as a second screen for a laptop, or as a primary display for a gaming console to take on the go.
Who It’s For
The ViewSonic VX1755 tries to appeal to both casual gamers looking for a second screen and hardcore players who revel in higher frame rates. Low-impact gamers will appreciate the display’s modest price and light weight, and probably won’t mind its so-so color range and accuracy marks.
PROS
- Excellent build quality
- Fair price for the size
- Low input lag
- Lightweight
CONS
- Disappointing color gamut and color accuracy results
- Can’t control volume without navigating OSD
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 17.2 inches |
| Native Resolution | 1,920 by 1,080 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Technology | IPS |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 250 nits |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 800:1 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium |
| Video Inputs | USB-C, mini HDMI |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 1 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | NA |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 9.7 by 15.6 by 0.7 inches |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 3 years |
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Samsung 24-Inch CF396 Curved LED Monitor
Best Budget Curved Monitor
Why We Picked It
A 24-inch size is small for a curved monitor, but that compact panel size keeps the price of Samsung’s CF396 Curved LED Monitor down. It’s limited to full HD (1080p) resolution and doesn’t have a slew of ports, but it’s bright for a budget monitor and has excellent sRGB color coverage. Its gently curved screen and mini-joystick controller are uncommon among panels of its price.
Who It’s For
The CF396 is a good fit for users looking for a bright, versatile monitor at an affordable price. This Samsung screen would be at home in a home office, a study, a living room, or a game room. It provides some convenience features usually limited to costlier displays and is a good choice for video viewing and light photo editing as well as general office work.
PROS
- Curved screen
- Great sRGB color coverage
- Bright for a budget monitor
- Mini-joystick controller
CONS
- Sparse port selection
- Stand limits you to tilt adjustment
- Meager one-year warranty
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 23.5 inches |
| Native Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Technology | VA |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 250 nits |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync |
| Video Inputs | HDMI, VGA |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 0 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | NA |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 16.7 by 21.6 by 8.6 inches |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 1 year |
HP U28 4K HDR Monitor
Best Budget 4K Monitor
Why We Picked It
The HP U28 is a highly capable display that is well worth considering as a general-purpose monitor with some creative chops, and is modestly priced compared with full-fledged creator monitors. This bright, handsomely designed 4K panel does a great job in both color-gamut coverage and color accuracy for the sRGB space, and it also does a decent job in handling the DCI-P3 space, with nearly 90% coverage in our testing. The U28 can display HDR video content, although the effect is relatively subtle. It’s a fine general-use panel that’s also fit for light content-creation work.
Who It’s For
HP bills its U28 4K HDR Monitor as a consumer display for content creators, and it comes in at a price below professional monitors geared to designers, art directors, photographers, and videographers. Its stellar sRGB coverage and accuracy make it a good choice for handling photos and other art destined for the web.
PROS
- Bright IPS screen with 4K resolution
- Great sRGB color coverage and accuracy
- Stand supports full range of ergonomic adjustments
- Mini joystick controller for OSD menus
CONS
- HDR effect is only subtle
- Lacks built-in speakers
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 28 inches |
| Native Resolution | 3840 by 2160 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Technology | IPS |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 400 nits |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | NA |
| Video Inputs | HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 3 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | DisplayHDR 400 |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 20.9 by 25.1 by 7.5 inches |
| Weight | 14 lbs |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 3 years |
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MSI Modern MD271UL
A Solid Alternative to the HP U28
Why We Picked It
Coming in at a budget price for a 27-inch 4K IPS display, the MSI Modern MD271UL is enjoyably bright, with above-average contrast and great color coverage (the full sRGB space, and very good Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 coverage as well). Inputs include two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort connector, and a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB Alternate Mode and up to 65 watts of USB Power Delivery. We wish it offered more ergonomic adjustments (it’s limited to tilting) and had a better OSD control system, but if you can live with those shortcomings, it’s a great value.
Who It’s For
The MD271UL is a good fit for a small or home office, for someone who at least occasionally works with photos, color art, or video. Its impactful peak brightness, good contrast, and stellar color coverage make it a good option for entertainment, too, though you’ll have to use your computer’s audio, headphones, or powered external speakers for watching movies.
PROS
- Modestly priced for a 4K monitor
- Above-average (and above-advertised) contrast and brightness
- High pixel density
CONS
- Unusually frustrating OSD controls
- Ergonomic features limited to tilt adjustment
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 27 inches |
| Native Resolution | 3840 by 2160 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Technology | IPS |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 300 nits |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | NA |
| Video Inputs | HDMI (2), DisplayPort, USB-C |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 0 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | DisplayHDR 400 |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 18.6 by 24.2 by 7.8 inches |
| Weight | 12.7 lbs |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 3 years |
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Philips 221V8LN
Best Monitor for the Very Tightest Budgets
Why We Picked It
The Philips 221V8LN has a basic feature set, but its above-par image quality and rock-bottom pricing make it a worthy purchase as a general-purpose budget monitor. In most ways, this 22-inch display hews to the budget-monitor credo: a small screen, 1080p resolution, basic ergonomics, and a limited port selection. The 221V8LN’s VA technology helps keep its price down, while the 75Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync support make it a good choice for low-impact gaming. It won’t win any brightness awards, but it otherwise does well in image quality, with stellar sRGB color coverage and good retention of both bright and dark detail, putting it in good stead for video watching and light photo editing.
Who It’s For
The most notable selling point for the Philips 221V8LN is its affordability. While other budget monitors may occasionally dip to or below $70 while on sale, this general-purpose display is one of the very few that consistently sells at such a modest price. Like many of its low-cost brethren, it has a small screen, a modest resolution, limited ergonomic adjustments, and a meager port selection. But its image quality is better than many somewhat-higher-priced monitors we have seen.
PROS
- Low list price
- Excellent sRGB color coverage
- 75Hz refresh rate
- AMD FreeSync compatibility
- Four-year warranty
CONS
- Ergonomic features limited to tilt adjustment
- Small 22-inch screen
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 21.5 inches |
| Native Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Technology | VA |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 250 nits |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync |
| Video Inputs | HDMI, VGA |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 0 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | N/A |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 8.7 by 19.4 by 14.8 inches |
| Weight | 5.7 lbs |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 4 years |
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Acer SB220Q
A Solid Alternative to the Philips 221V8LN
Why We Picked It
The Acer SB220Q, a compact, general-purpose monitor, is cheap—e-tailers usually sell it for less than $100—but it isn’t shoddy. While it has a typical feature range of a budget monitor, this 21.5-inch 1080p IPS panel is amazingly thin, with very good color accuracy in the sRGB space. The SB220 is a good choice as a second monitor if you are space-strapped, and it is reasonably portable. Its three-year warranty is surprisingly long for a monitor at its price.
Who It’s For
Tiny, with a hyper-thin screen, the Acer SB220Q is a good choice for a second monitor. Features are basic, even for a budget monitor, but its image quality is a plus. It’s fine for occasional portable use, small enough to fit in a tight space like a dormitory or shoebox apartment as a primary monitor, and the price is hard to beat.
PROS
- Low price for an elegant design
- Three-year warranty
- Ultra-thin IPS panel
- Lightweight and compact
CONS
- 21.5 inches is small by today’s budget-monitor standards
- Basic feature set
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 21.5 inches |
| Native Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Technology | IPS |
| Rated Screen Luminance | 250 nits |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| Pixel Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync |
| Video Inputs | HDMI, VGA |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 0 |
| VESA DisplayHDR Level | NA |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 15.1 by 19.6 by 8.3 inches |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 3 years |
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Buying Guide: The Best Cheap Monitors for 2024
In the market for a low-cost display? The key thing to know: Although no two budget monitor models are identical, manufacturers tend to make similar feature choices to keep prices down.
Cheap monitors used to be limited to panel sizes of 19 or 21 inches, but today, no one should have to settle on a desktop panel at that small a size without specific reason. That is because for less than $200 (and, in some cases, considerably less), you can get a general-purpose monitor with a high-quality if moderate-size (generally 24-inch, sometimes 27-inch) screen, with a native resolution that is reasonable for the panel size. Usually that is 1080p at these screen sizes. (More on that in a moment.) The “budget” category for 4K panels starts higher than $200, however (around $300). The floor for gaming monitors (which we’ll define as models with screens packing a 144Hz or higher refresh rate) starts at around $150, with a few models cheaper.
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)
The display should be accompanied by at least a basic stand that supports tilt adjustment, plus a pair of video ports (most commonly, HDMI and VGA), and an onscreen display (OSD) menu system controlled by a row of buttons concealed on the bottom edge or back of the monitor, or splayed across the face of the bottom bezel.
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)
That description above approximates the minimum configuration for a mainstream budget monitor, but often, display manufacturers will sweeten the pot with one or more extras. These may include items such as an extra input port and/or audio jack, a stand that has additional ergonomic adjustability, built-in speakers, a curved panel, or a small joystick controller for the OSD (instead of clumsier buttons).
The addition of one or more of these extras, along with the monitor’s performance in quantitative measures such as brightness and color coverage, help separate standout budget monitors, such as the ones you see here, from the merely average ones. (See more about how we test monitors.)
Budget Displays: What Overall Types Are There?
Most low-cost desktop displays are fine for general-purpose use, but note some specialized classes of monitors that you’ll also see in the $200 and under price zone.
As a group, desktop budget panels are relatively portable, in the sense that most are light enough (and have a small-enough screen) to reposition around the house. But true portable monitors are ones you can throw into a bag and take with you to a coffee shop, a conference, or a hotel room. In most cases, you would use one of these attached to a laptop, with the panel acting as a second screen for productivity work. And the panel draws its power from the PC, not from a plug in the wall.
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)
Portable monitors’ screen sizes range from 12 to 17 inches, and they tend to be IPS panels with mediocre color coverage (seldom rated for much more than 70% of the sRGB gamut). Most have primitive, foldable stands; in some cases, the folding stand also serves as a screen protector when in transit. A nice touch is that many make use of USB Type-C ports for input—sometimes they have two—along with, perhaps, a mini-HDMI port.
As for full-size desktop displays, gaming monitors also show up in this price zone, though we would extend the “budget” range for gaming displays to roughly $150 to $250, as opposed to simply less than $200. (Most $150-to-$200 gaming monitors are 24- or 27-inch panels; the cheapest larger panels, at 31 or 32 inches, start at around $220 to $250.) Most high-performance gaming panels will set you back more money. Budget gaming monitors tend to be evenly split between screens based on vertical alignment (VA) technology and in-plane switching (IPS) tech, plus support for AMD FreeSync adaptive sync technology (or, more rarely in this budget segment, support for G-Sync at the G-Sync Compatible level), and refresh rates under 200Hz. We’ll get into all that in more detail further down.
You will also spot a few budget-priced photo-centric monitors, though real creative-pro panels tend to be pricier than $200. Still, the ones that come in below that price mark have high color accuracy and coverage for the sRGB space (see more about the criteria for the best monitors for photo editing), usually at FHD, aka 1080p (1,920 by 1,080 pixels) or WUXGA (1,920 by 1,200 pixels) resolution and featuring relatively high brightness levels.
What Resolution and Screen Tech Should I Seek in a Cheap Monitor?
As noted earlier, the mainstream budget monitors we have reviewed have had screen sizes ranging from 22 to 27 inches (measured diagonally). The lion’s share of them have been at 24 inches.
On most panels in this price class, you can expect a native resolution of Full HD (aka 1080p), which is fine for a 22- or 24-inch monitor but is borderline low for a 27-incher. The smaller the screen size for a given resolution, the higher the pixel density, and (all else being equal) the sharper the image. But if you’re working at tasks such as email, word processing, and spreadsheets, or just surf the web, rather than doing photo or video work, the larger screen may be worth any potential slight graininess evident in the image.
One pleasant surprise is that most of today’s budget monitors have LCD panels based on IPS technology. IPS displays are known for their very wide viewing angles, rated at up to 178 degrees in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. This means that you can look at the screen from the side, above, or below with no shifting in the color or posterization. Most of the time, the viewing angles we see with IPS panels are better than what we see with VA screens, the other common panel type in today’s budget displays (especially gaming ones). And IPS viewing angles are considerably better than those of older-school twisted nematic (TN) tech, notorious for looking faded out at off-center angles. Nowadays, TN is best avoided, simply given the quality of the cheap competition.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
IPS also tends to deliver the best overall image quality of the three main LCD panel technologies. Nearly all the budget IPS monitors we have reviewed show good-to-excellent coverage of the sRGB color space. (sRGB is the color palette used for web-based photos and graphics, as well as many other applications.) It wasn’t too long ago that IPS panels were pricier than displays using these other technologies, but that dynamic, clearly, has shifted.
We also encounter some budget VA panels, mostly in curved-screen or gaming-friendly monitors. They have very high contrast ratios (generally rated at 3,000:1) and are capable of rendering inky blacks. They vary more in image quality and color coverage than IPS panels do, though, so looking carefully at reviews of these is a good idea.
(Credit: LG)
Then there’s the issue of refresh rate. Mainstream budget monitors have pixel refresh rates of either 60Hz or (much less commonly) 75Hz. Budget gaming panels have somewhat higher refresh rates, up to 240Hz. Some budget gaming panels include support for adaptive sync—almost always AMD FreeSync, in this price range—to reduce screen tearing or stuttering. A 60Hz rate is essentially all you need unless you’re a dedicated PC gamer, and even there, different game genres (and sets of eyes!) will garner more benefit from a 60Hz-plus refresh rate than others.
Most low-priced displays are light on ergonomic features (in the form of stand flexibility), being limited to the control of the screen’s tilt angle. In a few cases, we’ve seen stands that have been rickety and poorly designed, or too light for the panels they support. (That is where, again, reviews come in handy.) Expect some exceptions: Some budget monitors we have tested of late have had substantial stands that add height and pivot control.
What Ports Should I Expect to Get in a Budget Monitor?
Most budget monitors include a basic pair of ports, with the same two video inputs on most: HDMI and VGA. A decade ago, VGA—which supports an analog video signal—was found on most computers and monitors. Today, it’s seldom seen on any new desktops or laptops, but it remains useful for connecting up older, pre-HDMI computers.
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)
A few budget monitors add a second HDMI port or a DisplayPort connector. USB Type-C display input (which pushes a DisplayPort signal over the USB-C interface) is rare in low-priced displays, except in portable monitors, where it has become the norm.
What About Speakers and Other Extras?
About half the budget monitors we have reviewed include a pair of built-in speakers, ranging from 2 to 5 watts. Although, for the most part, they can push a reasonably loud signal, their audio quality is uniformly mediocre. They tend to sound a bit tinny and have poor bass response. Still, unless you’re an audiophile, it’s nice to have dual speakers for when you need them, if you don’t want to clutter up your desk with separate PC speakers. Many monitors include headphone jacks, and a few add audio-in jacks.
What’s uncommon is any connectivity beyond that. Pricier panels will have creature comforts like USB hubs built into the monitor housing, but the under-$200 crowd leaves that kind of convenience feature off, most of the time.
Like on many lower-cost electronics, manufacturers often skimp on budget-monitor warranties, with most of them covering their displays for a mere one year. A few have surprised us, though, with three, or even four-year, coverage plans. (For one: Take a bow, Philips.)
So, Which Budget Monitor Should I Buy?
The better low-priced displays tend to offer small surprises for the money versus the rest. That could be a curved screen, a panel with a minimal bezel, or a mini-joystick controller in place of tiny OSD buttons. Additions like these add a modicum of value to these displays, and it’s these nuances that make all the difference at this price. Whether you are seeking a cost-effective monitor for home or home-office tasks, low-impact gaming, or taking with you on vacation, you can find many capable—and some downright compelling—choices. Roll on down the page for the best ones we have reviewed.
